Communication method, network element, access network device, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method, a first network element, a second network element, a service satellite access network device, a communication system and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: determining that a satellite link is interrupted and storage and forwarding Samp is not used for a terminal; the F function is used for sending first information to a second network element so as to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or request to suspend the interface connection between the service satellite access network equipment and the second network element; wherein the satellite link comprises at least one of a service link and a feeder link, the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network equipment and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network equipment and the ground station. In this way, it is explicitly clear that the method is implemented in the Samp; and F is a communication mechanism when the function is not enabled.

Description

Communication method, network element, access network equipment, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

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

[0002] In the field of communications technology, the Store and Forward (S&F) function has been introduced. When a serving link or feeder link is interrupted, the satellite network function can store data for delay-tolerant services and forward the buffered data to the other end when the serving link or feeder link becomes available. However, if the terminal access does not have S&F enabled, it is necessary to consider how to implement the communication mechanism.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] After the S&F function is introduced, it is necessary to consider the implementation of the communication mechanism without enabling the S&F function.

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

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a first network element and includes:

[0007] Determining that the satellite link is interrupted and that a store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, sending first information to the second network element to request release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or requesting suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0008] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0009] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a second network element, and the method includes:

[0010] receiving first information sent by a first network element;

[0011] The first information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request the suspending of the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0012] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a serving satellite access network device, the method comprising:

[0013] Determining that the satellite link is interrupted and that a store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, sending first information to the first network element to request release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or requesting suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0014] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a first network element and includes:

[0016] receiving first information sent by a serving satellite access network device;

[0017] The first information is sent by the serving satellite access network device when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request the suspending of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal; and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0018] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, where the method is performed by a second network element, and the method includes:

[0019] receiving the fifth information or the sixth information sent by the first network element;

[0020] Among them, the fifth information is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element; the sixth information is used to request the suspending of the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method comprising:

[0022] The first network element determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends first information to the second network element to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0023] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0024] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method including:

[0025] The serving satellite access network device determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends first information to the first network element to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0026] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0027] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a serving satellite access network device is provided, the serving satellite access network device comprising:

[0028] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0029] Determining that the satellite link is interrupted and that a store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, sending first information to the first network element to request release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or requesting suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0030] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0031] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, wherein the first network element includes:

[0032] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0033] Determining that the satellite link is interrupted and that a store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, sending first information to the second network element to request release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; wherein the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and a ground station;

[0034] Alternatively, a first message sent by a serving satellite access network device is received; wherein the first message is sent by the first network element when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request the suspending of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

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

[0036] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0037] receiving first information sent by a first network element; wherein the first information is sent by the first network element when determining that a satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station;

[0038] Alternatively, receive the fifth information or the sixth information sent by the first network element; wherein the fifth information is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element; and the sixth information is used to request the suspending of the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0039] According to the eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes a service satellite access network device, a first network element, and a second network element; the service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method described in the third aspect, the first network element is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect or the fourth aspect; the second network element is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect or the fifth aspect.

[0040] According to a twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a serving satellite access network device is provided, the serving satellite access network device comprising:

[0041] one or more processors;

[0042] Wherein, the service satellite access network device is used to execute the method described in the third aspect.

[0043] According to a thirteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, wherein the first network element includes:

[0044] one or more processors;

[0045] The first network element is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0046] According to a fourteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element is provided, wherein the second network element includes:

[0047] one or more processors;

[0048] The second network element is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0049] According to the fifteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect.

[0050] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure clarifies the communication mechanism implemented when the S&F function is not enabled.

[0051] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing a communication system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0054] FIG1b is a schematic diagram showing a communication system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0055] FIG1c is a schematic diagram showing wireless communication according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0056] FIG1d is a schematic diagram showing wireless communication according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0057] FIG1e is a schematic diagram showing a communication system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0058] FIG1f is a schematic diagram showing a communication system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0059] FIG2a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0060] FIG2b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0061] FIG3a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0062] FIG3 b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0063] FIG3c is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0064] FIG3 d is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0065] FIG4a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0066] FIG4b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0067] FIG4c is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0068] FIG4 d is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0069] FIG5a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0070] FIG5b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0071] FIG6a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0072] FIG6 b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0073] FIG7a is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0074] FIG7b is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0075] FIG7c is a flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0076] FIG8a is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0077] FIG8b is a schematic structural diagram of a second network element according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0078] FIG8c is a schematic structural diagram of a serving satellite access network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0079] FIG9a is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0080] Fig. 9b is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a service satellite access network device, a first network element, a second network element, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0082] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first network element and includes:

[0083] Determining that the satellite link is interrupted and that a store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, sending first information to the second network element to request release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or requesting suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0084] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0085] In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the satellite link is interrupted and the store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, a first information for requesting the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or requesting the suspension of the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element will be sent to the second network element, thereby achieving the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or the suspension of the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element, saving network resources.

[0086] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is a mobility management entity MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0087] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes information about the interruption of the satellite link.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the second network element may determine that the satellite link is interrupted based on the first information.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0090] Based on the second information, determining whether to use the S&F function for the access of the terminal;

[0091] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0092] The terminal has signed up for the S&F function;

[0093] The terminal has not signed up for the S&F function;

[0094] The service satellite access network equipment supports S&F function;

[0095] The service satellite access network device does not support the S&F function;

[0096] Core network equipment supports S&F functions;

[0097] The core network equipment does not support the S&F function.

[0098] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a second network element and includes:

[0099] receiving first information sent by a first network element;

[0100] The first information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request the suspending of the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0101] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is a mobility management entity MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0102] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0103] Based on the first information, the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element is released or the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element is suspended.

[0104] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0105] Sending third information to application function AF;

[0106] The third information is used to indicate that the service initiated by the network side has failed.

[0107] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the third information indicates that the cause of the failure initiated by the network side is the interruption of the satellite link.

[0108] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method being performed by a serving satellite access network device, the method comprising:

[0109] Determining that the satellite link is interrupted and that a store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, sending first information to the first network element to request release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or requesting suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0110] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0111] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0112] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes information about the satellite link interruption.

[0113] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0114] receiving fourth information sent by the first network element;

[0115] The fourth information is used to indicate whether to use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the access of the terminal.

[0116] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes store-and-forward S&F information, and the fourth information is used to indicate that the S&F function is used for access to the terminal; or, the fourth information does not include store-and-forward S&F information, and the fourth information is used to indicate that the S&F function is not used for access to the terminal.

[0117] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first network element and includes:

[0118] receiving first information sent by a serving satellite access network device;

[0119] The first information is sent by the serving satellite access network device when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request the suspending of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0120] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0121] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first information indication includes the satellite link interruption.

[0122] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0123] Based on the second information, determining whether to use the S&F function for the access of the terminal;

[0124] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0125] The terminal has signed up for the S&F function;

[0126] The terminal has not signed up for the S&F function;

[0127] The service satellite access network equipment supports S&F function;

[0128] The service satellite access network device does not support the S&F function;

[0129] Core network equipment supports S&F functions;

[0130] The core network equipment does not support the S&F function.

[0131] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0132] Sending fourth information to the serving satellite access network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate whether to use a store-and-forward (S&F) function for the access of the terminal.

[0133] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes store-and-forward S&F information, where the fourth information is used to indicate that an S&F function is used for access of the terminal; or,

[0134] The fourth information does not include store-and-forward (S&F) information, and the fourth information is used to indicate that the S&F function is not used for access of the terminal.

[0135] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0136] In response to receiving the first information, sending fifth information to the second network element;

[0137] The first information is used to indicate a request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element, and the fifth information is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element.

[0138] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information indication includes information about the satellite link interruption.

[0139] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0140] In response to receiving the first information, sending sixth information to the second network element;

[0141] The first information is used to indicate a request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element, and the sixth information is used to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0142] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the sixth information includes information about the satellite link interruption.

[0143] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method being performed by a second network element, the method including:

[0144] receiving the fifth information or the sixth information sent by the first network element;

[0145] Among them, the fifth information is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element; the sixth information is used to request the suspending of the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0146] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0147] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information and / or the sixth information includes information about the interruption of the satellite link; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal; the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0148] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one of the following:

[0149] Based on the fifth information, releasing the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element;

[0150] Based on the sixth information, the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element is suspended.

[0151] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0152] Sending third information to the application function;

[0153] The third information is used to indicate that the service initiated by the network side has failed.

[0154] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the third information indicates that the reason for the failure of the service initiated by the network side is the interruption of the feeder link.

[0155] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0156] The first network element determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends first information to the second network element to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0157] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0158] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

[0159] The serving satellite access network device determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends first information to the first network element to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0160] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0161] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a serving satellite access network device, the serving satellite access network device comprising:

[0162] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0163] Determining that the satellite link is interrupted and that a store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, sending first information to the first network element to request release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or requesting suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element;

[0164] The satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0165] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network element, wherein the first network element includes:

[0166] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0167] Determining that the satellite link is interrupted and that a store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, sending first information to the second network element to request release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; wherein the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and a ground station;

[0168] Alternatively, a first message sent by a serving satellite access network device is received; wherein the first message is sent by the first network element when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request the suspending of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0169] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network element, the second network element including:

[0170] The transceiver module is configured as follows:

[0171] receiving first information sent by a first network element; wherein the first information is sent by the first network element when determining that a satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station;

[0172] Alternatively, receive the fifth information or the sixth information sent by the first network element; wherein the fifth information is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element; and the sixth information is used to request the suspending of the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0173] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, wherein the communication system includes a service satellite access network device, a first network element, and a second network element; the service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method described in the third aspect, the first network element is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect or the fourth aspect; the second network element is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect or the fifth aspect.

[0174] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a service satellite access network device, the service satellite access network device comprising:

[0175] one or more processors;

[0176] Wherein, the service satellite access network device is used to execute the method described in the third aspect.

[0177] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network element, wherein the first network element includes:

[0178] one or more processors;

[0179] The first network element is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0180] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network element, wherein the second network element includes:

[0181] one or more processors;

[0182] The second network element is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0183] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect.

[0184] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first and second aspects.

[0185] In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first and second aspects.

[0186] In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first and second aspects above.

[0187] It is understandable that the aforementioned serving satellite access network device, first network element, second network element, communication system, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip, or chip system is used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0188] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a service satellite access network device, a first network element, a second network element, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information indication method," "information processing method," and "information transmission method" are interchangeable, and the terms "communication system" and "information processing system" are interchangeable.

[0189] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0190] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0191] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0192] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0193] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0194] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0195] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0196] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0197] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0198] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0199] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0200] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0201] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0202] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0203] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0204] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal" "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc.

[0205] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0206] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0207] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0208] FIG1a is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0209] As shown in FIG. 1 a , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102 .

[0210] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device 1021 and a core network device 1022 .

[0211] In some embodiments, the access network device 1021 may be a satellite access network device.

[0212] In some embodiments, the core network device 1022 may be a core network device, such as a first network element and / or a second network element.

[0213] In some embodiments, the terminal includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0214] In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0215] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0216] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0217] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0218] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0219] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1a, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1a are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1a, or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1a. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0220] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0221] In some embodiments, the 4G or 5G network supports satellite access technology, that is, the UE can access the core network (EPC, Evolved Packet Core) or (5GC, 5G Core Network) through the satellite access network and conduct business. The satellite access network may not be able to provide continuous coverage services due to insufficient number of satellite deployments, limited coverage and other issues. This discontinuous coverage includes situations where the connection (service link) between the satellite and the UE (for example, the Internet of Things IoT device) or the connection (feeder link) between the satellite and the ground receiving station (Ground network) is interrupted.

[0222] In some embodiments, when the satellite is in transparent transmission mode (i.e., the eNB is deployed on the ground, and the satellite performs the eNB's radio frequency functions), discontinuous service link coverage is handled, including enhanced UE mobility and power-saving techniques when the satellite provides discontinuous coverage. Regarding the case of discontinuous feeder link connectivity when the satellite is in regenerative mode (i.e., at least the eNB functionality is deployed on the satellite), refer to Figure 1b. Using the EPC as an example, no technical specifications have yet been established to support terminal services.

[0223] In some embodiments, the store and forward operation in a 4G or 5G system with satellite access is intended to provide a certain level of communication service to UEs under satellite coverage that have intermittent or temporary satellite connectivity (e.g., when the satellite is not connected to the terrestrial network via a feeder link or via an inter-satellite link (ISL)) for delay-tolerant communication services.

[0224] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1c , in the “normal or default satellite operation” mode, the signaling and data traffic exchange between a UE with satellite access and a remote terrestrial network requires that a service link and a feeder link be activated simultaneously, such that when the UE interacts with the satellite via the service link, there is a continuous end-to-end connection path between the UE, the satellite, and the terrestrial network.

[0225] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1 d , an example of a “satellite S&F operation mode” is shown.

[0226] In some embodiments, compared to the "normal or default satellite operation" mode, in the "satellite S&F operation" mode, the end-to-end exchange of signaling or data traffic is split into two separate processes (steps A and B in FIG. 1D ), which are not performed simultaneously. In step A, signaling or data is exchanged between the UE and the satellite while the satellite is not connected to the terrestrial network (i.e., the satellite can operate a service link without an active feeder link connection). In step B, a connection is established between the satellite and the terrestrial network, enabling communication between the satellite and the terrestrial network. Thus, the satellite moves from being connected to the UE in step A to being connected to the terrestrial network in step B.

[0227] In some embodiments, the features supporting S&F satellite operations are particularly suitable for using NGSO satellites to carry delay-tolerant / non-real-time IoT satellite services.

[0228] In some embodiments, the current system also supports HLCOM (High latency communication). For example, in 5GC, when the UE uses the energy-saving function in the idle state (CM-IDLE) or the inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE), or when the UE uses satellite access with discontinuous coverage and the UE is unreachable, HLCOM is supported by extended buffering of downlink data in the user plane function (UPF), session management function (SMF) or network exposure function (NEF). For a UPF-anchored protocol data unit (PDU) session, the SMF configures the UPF with user data forwarding action rules and user data buffering action rules in accordance with TS 29.244 during release or when the NG-RAN indicates via the access and mobility management function (AMF) that the UE is in extended discontinuous reception (DRX) of RRC_INACTIVE. The rule includes instructions on whether UPF buffering should be applied or whether user data should be forwarded to SMF for buffering in SMF. When using control plane cellular Internet of Things CIoT 5G system 5GS optimization, during the network-triggered service request process or mobile terminal data transmission process, if SMF indicates support for extended buffering, AMF provides the estimated maximum waiting time to SMF. SMF determines the extended buffering time based on the received estimated maximum waiting time or local configuration.

[0229] In some embodiments, when the serving link or feeder link is interrupted, the network function on the satellite can store data for delay-tolerant services and forward the buffered data to the peer if the serving link or feeder link becomes available. However, if the UE access does not have the S&F function enabled, it is unclear how the service is handled.

[0230] In some embodiments, see Figure 1e, which shows that the eNB is on a satellite. In the control plane CIoT EPS optimization, network-side initiated (which can be MT) data transmission is applied.

[0231] In some embodiments, see Figure 1f, which shows an eNB on a satellite.

[0066]

[0067] Network-initiated (which may be MT) data transmission in user plane CIoT EPS optimization is applied.

[0232] FIG2a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method for a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0233] Step S2101: The first network element determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

[0235] In some embodiments, the satellite link comprises at least one of a service link and a feeder link.

[0236] In some embodiments, the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal.

[0237] In some embodiments, the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network equipment and the ground station.

[0238] In some embodiments, whether the service link and / or feeder link is interrupted can be determined based on the signal detection result. For example, if the predetermined signal sent by the other end is not detected, it is determined that the service link and / or feeder link is interrupted.

[0239] In some embodiments, if a signal cannot be sent and / or a signal cannot be received, it is determined that the service link and / or feeder link is interrupted, which is not limited here.

[0240] In some embodiments, not using the store-and-forward S&F function for the terminal may mean not using the store-and-forward S&F function for access of the terminal.

[0241] In some embodiments, based on the second information, it is determined whether to use the S&F function for the access of the terminal.

[0242] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0243] The terminal has signed up for the S&F function;

[0244] The terminal has not signed up for the S&F function;

[0245] The service satellite access network equipment supports S&F function;

[0246] The service satellite access network device does not support the S&F function;

[0247] Core network equipment supports S&F functions;

[0248] The core network equipment does not support the S&F function.

[0249] In some embodiments, the information that the terminal has subscribed to the S&F function or the terminal has not subscribed to the S&F function is obtained from a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0250] In some embodiments, information indicating that the serving satellite access network device supports the S&F function or that the serving satellite access network device does not support the S&F function is obtained from the terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first network element stores information about whether the core network device supports the S&F function or not. The core network device may be, but is not limited to, the first network element. For example, it may also be a second network element. In this case, the information about whether the core network device supports the S&F function or not can be obtained from the second network element. The core network device may include, but is not limited to, the first network element and / or the second network element.

[0252] In some embodiments, the second network element may be a gateway device, for example, a serving gateway (S-GW) and / or a packet data gateway (P-GW).

[0253] In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device may be the serving satellite access network device to which the terminal currently accesses services, for example, the first serving satellite access network device.

[0254] In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device (eg, the first serving satellite access network device) may be a satellite with RAN on-board function, which may also be referred to as an integrated base station function.

[0255] Step S2102: The first network element sends first information to the second network element.

[0256] In some embodiments, the second network element receives the first information sent by the first network element.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate: a request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element.

[0258] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate: a request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first network element determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends a first message to the second network element to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request the suspension of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first information includes information that the satellite link is interrupted.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first network element receives data; determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends first information to the first network element.

[0262] Step S2103: The second network element releases the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or suspends the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element. The second network element releases the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element based on the first information.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element. The second network element suspends the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element based on the first information.

[0265] Step S2104: The second network element sends third information to the application function (AF).

[0266] In some embodiments, the AF receives third information sent by the second network element.

[0267] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate that a service initiated by the network side has failed. Here, the service initiated by the network side may be an MT service.

[0268] In some embodiments, the third information indicates that the reason for the failure of the service initiated by the network side is the interruption of the satellite link.

[0269] In some embodiments, the term "information" can be interchangeable with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", and "data".

[0270] In some embodiments, the term "send" can be interchanged with terms such as "transmit", "report", and "transmit".

[0271] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2104. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2101 combined with step S2102 and step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2101 combined with steps S2102, step S2103, and step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0272] FIG2b is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method for use in a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0273] Step S2201: The first network element sends fourth information to the serving satellite access network device.

[0274] In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device receives fourth information sent by the first network element.

[0275] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

[0276] In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device may be the serving satellite access network device to which the terminal currently accesses services, for example, the first serving satellite access network device.

[0277] In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device (eg, the first serving satellite access network device) may be a satellite with RAN on-board function, which may also be referred to as an integrated base station function.

[0278] In some embodiments, based on the second information, it is determined whether to use the S&F function for the access of the terminal.

[0279] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0280] The terminal has signed up for the S&F function;

[0281] The terminal has not signed up for the S&F function;

[0282] The service satellite access network equipment supports S&F function;

[0283] The service satellite access network device does not support the S&F function;

[0284] Core network equipment supports S&F functions;

[0285] The core network equipment does not support the S&F function.

[0286] In some embodiments, the information that the terminal has subscribed to the S&F function or the terminal has not subscribed to the S&F function is obtained from a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0287] In some embodiments, information indicating that the serving satellite access network device supports the S&F function or that the serving satellite access network device does not support the S&F function is obtained from the terminal, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first network element stores information about whether the core network device supports the S&F function or not. The core network device may be, but is not limited to, the first network element. For example, it may also be a second network element. In this case, the information about whether the core network device supports the S&F function or not can be obtained from the second network element.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first network element sends fourth information to the serving satellite access network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate whether to use a store-and-forward (S&F) function for the access of the terminal.

[0290] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes store-and-forward (S&F) information, and the fourth information is used to indicate that an S&F function is used for access of the terminal.

[0291] In some embodiments, the fourth information does not include store-and-forward (S&F) information, and the fourth information is used to indicate that the S&F function is not used for access of the terminal.

[0292] Step S2202: The serving satellite access network device determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal.

[0293] In some embodiments, the satellite link comprises at least one of a service link and a feeder link.

[0294] In some embodiments, the service link is a transmission link between a service satellite access network device and a terminal.

[0295] In some embodiments, the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network equipment and the ground station.

[0296] In some embodiments, whether the service link and / or feeder link is interrupted can be determined based on the signal detection result. For example, if the predetermined signal sent by the other end is not detected, it is determined that the service link and / or feeder link is interrupted.

[0297] In some embodiments, if a signal cannot be sent and / or a signal cannot be received, it is determined that the service link and / or feeder link is interrupted, which is not limited here.

[0298] In some embodiments, not using the store-and-forward S&F function for the terminal may mean not using the store-and-forward S&F function for access of the terminal.

[0299] In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device determines whether to use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal based on the received fourth information. Exemplarily, if the fourth information is received, it is determined that the store-and-forward (S&F) function is used for the terminal; if the fourth information is not received, it is determined that the store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal's access.

[0300] In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device receives the data and determines that the satellite link is disconnected and does not use a store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal.

[0301] Step S2203: The serving satellite access network device sends first information to the first network element.

[0302] In some embodiments, the first network element receives first information sent by the serving satellite access network device.

[0303] In some embodiments, the second network element receives the first information sent by the first network element.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate: a request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element.

[0305] In some embodiments, the second network element may be a gateway device, for example, a serving gateway (S-GW) and / or a packet data gateway (P-GW).

[0306] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate: a request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0307] In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends a first message to the first network element to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0308] In some embodiments, the first information includes information that the satellite link is interrupted.

[0309] Step S2204: The first network element sends the fifth information or the sixth information to the second network element.

[0310] In some embodiments, the second network element receives the fifth information or the sixth information sent by the first network element.

[0311] In some embodiments, in response to receiving the first information, the first network element sends fifth information to the second network element;

[0312] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element, and the fifth information is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element.

[0313] In some embodiments, the fifth information indication includes information that the satellite link is interrupted.

[0314] In some embodiments, in response to receiving the first information, the first network element sends sixth information to the second network element;

[0315] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element, and the sixth information is used to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0316] In some embodiments, the sixth information includes information that the satellite link is interrupted.

[0317] Step S2205: The second network element releases the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or suspends the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0318] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to indicate a request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element.The second network element releases the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element based on the fifth information.

[0319] In some embodiments, the sixth information is used to indicate a request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element. The second network element suspends the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element based on the sixth information.

[0320] Step S2206: The second network element sends third information to the application function (AF).

[0321] In some embodiments, the AF receives third information sent by the second network element.

[0322] In some embodiments, the third information is used to indicate that a service initiated by the network side has failed. Here, the service initiated by the network side may be an MT service.

[0323] In some embodiments, the third information indicates that the reason for the failure of the service initiated by the network side is the interruption of the satellite link.

[0324] In some embodiments, the term "information" can be interchangeable with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", and "data".

[0325] In some embodiments, the term "send" can be interchanged with terms such as "transmit", "report", and "transmit".

[0326] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2206. For example, step S2201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2205 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2202 combined with step S2203, step S2204, and step S2205 can be implemented as independent embodiments, step S2201 combined with step S2202, step S2203, step S2204, and step S2205 can be implemented as independent embodiments, step S2202 combined with step S2203, step S2204, step S2205, and step S2206 can be implemented as independent embodiments, and step S2201 combined with step S2202, step S2203, step S2204, step S2205, and step S2206 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited to this.

[0327] Figure 3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first network element. The method includes:

[0328] Step S3101: Determine that the satellite link is interrupted and do not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal.

[0329] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3101 may refer to step S2102 in FIG. 2 a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0330] Step S3102: Send first information to the second network element.

[0331] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3102 may refer to step S2103 of FIG. 2 a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0332] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 and S3102. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3101 combined with step S3102 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0333] Figure 3b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first network element. The method includes:

[0334] Step S3201: Determine that the satellite link is interrupted and do not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and send first information to the second network element.

[0335] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3201 may refer to steps S2101 and 2102 of FIG. 2 b and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0336] In some embodiments, the first network element is a mobility management entity MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0337] In some embodiments, the first information includes information that the satellite link is interrupted.

[0338] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0339] Based on the second information, determining whether to use the S&F function for the access of the terminal;

[0340] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0341] The terminal has signed up for the S&F function;

[0342] The terminal has not signed up for the S&F function;

[0343] The service satellite access network equipment supports S&F function;

[0344] The service satellite access network device does not support the S&F function;

[0345] Core network equipment supports S&F functions;

[0346] The core network equipment does not support the S&F function.

[0347] Figure 3c is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3c, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first network element. The method includes:

[0348] Step S3301: Send fourth information to the serving satellite access network device.

[0349] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3301 may refer to step S2201 in FIG. 2 b and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0350] Step S3302: Receive first information sent by the first network element.

[0351] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3302 may refer to step S2203 in FIG. 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2b , and will not be described in detail here.

[0352] Step S3303: Send the fifth information or the sixth information to the second network element.

[0353] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3303 may refer to step S2204 in FIG. 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0354] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3301 to S3303. For example, step S3301 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3302 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3302 combined with step S3303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3301 combined with steps S3302 and S3303 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0355] Figure 3d is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3d, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first network element, and the method includes:

[0356] Step S3401: Receive first information sent by the serving satellite access network device.

[0357] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3401 may refer to step S2201 in FIG. 2 b and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0358] In some embodiments, the first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0359] In some embodiments, the first information indication includes the satellite link outage.

[0360] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0361] Based on the second information, determining whether to use the S&F function for the access of the terminal;

[0362] The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0363] The terminal has signed up for the S&F function;

[0364] The terminal has not signed up for the S&F function;

[0365] The service satellite access network equipment supports S&F function;

[0366] The service satellite access network device does not support the S&F function;

[0367] Core network equipment supports S&F functions;

[0368] The core network equipment does not support the S&F function.

[0369] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0370] Sending fourth information to the serving satellite access network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate whether to use a store-and-forward (S&F) function for the access of the terminal.

[0371] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes store-and-forward S&F information, and the fourth information is used to indicate that the S&F function is used for access to the terminal; or, the fourth information does not include store-and-forward S&F information, and the fourth information is used to indicate that the S&F function is not used for access to the terminal.

[0372] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0373] In response to receiving the first information, sending fifth information to the second network element;

[0374] The first information is used to indicate a request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element, and the fifth information is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element.

[0375] In some embodiments, the fifth information indication includes information that the satellite link is interrupted.

[0376] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0377] In response to receiving the first information, sending sixth information to the second network element;

[0378] The first information is used to indicate a request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element, and the sixth information is used to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0379] In some embodiments, the sixth information includes information that the satellite link is interrupted.

[0380] Figure 4a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a second network element. The method includes:

[0381] Step S4101: Receive first information sent by a first network element.

[0382] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4101 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2102 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0383] Step S4102: Release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0384] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4102 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2103 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0385] Step S4103: Send the third information to the application function (AF).

[0386] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4102 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2104 in FIG. 2 a , which will not be described in detail here.

[0387] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4103. For example, step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S4101 combined with step S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4101 combined with steps S4102 and S4103 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0388] Figure 4b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a second network element. The method includes:

[0389] Step S4201: Receive first information sent by a first network element.

[0390] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4201 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2102 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0391] In some embodiments, the first network element is a mobility management entity MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0392] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0393] Based on the first information, the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element is released or the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element is suspended.

[0394] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0395] Sending third information to application function AF;

[0396] The third information is used to indicate that the service initiated by the network side has failed.

[0397] In some embodiments, the third information indicates that the reason for the failure of the service initiated by the network side is the interruption of the satellite link.

[0398] Figure 4c is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4c, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a second network element. The method includes:

[0399] Step S4301: Receive the fifth information or the sixth information sent by the first network element.

[0400] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4301 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2104 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0401] Step S4302: Release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0402] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4302 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2205 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0403] Step S4303: Send the third information to the application function (AF).

[0404] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4303 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2106 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0405] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4301 to S4303. For example, step S4301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4303 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S4301 combined with step S4302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4301 combined with steps S4302 and S4303 can be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0406] Figure 4d is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4d, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a second network element, and the method includes:

[0407] Step S4401: Receive the fifth information or the sixth information sent by the first network element.

[0408] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element; the sixth information is used to request the suspending of the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

[0409] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S4401 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S4301 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0410] In some embodiments, the first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0411] In some embodiments, the fifth information and / or the sixth information includes information about the interruption of the satellite link; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the terminal; the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and the ground station.

[0412] In some embodiments, the method further comprises one of the following:

[0413] Based on the fifth information, releasing the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element;

[0414] Based on the sixth information, the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element is suspended.

[0415] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0416] Sending third information to the application function;

[0417] The third information is used to indicate that the service initiated by the network side has failed.

[0418] In some embodiments, the third information indicates that the reason for the failure of the service initiated by the network side is feeder link interruption.

[0419] Figure 5a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a serving satellite access network device, and the method includes:

[0420] Step S5101: Receive fourth information sent by the first network element.

[0421] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S5101 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2201 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0422] Step S5102: Determine that the satellite link is interrupted and do not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal.

[0423] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S5102 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2202 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0424] Step S5103: Send first information to the first network element.

[0425] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S5102 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2103 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0426] Step S5104: Send the fifth information or the sixth information to the second network element.

[0427] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S5104 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2104 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0428] The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5101 to S5104. For example, step S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S5104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S5102 combined with step S5103 and step S5104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S5101 combined with steps S5102, step S5103, and step S5104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0429] FIG5b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5b, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a serving satellite access network device, and the method includes:

[0430] Step S5201: Determine that the satellite link is interrupted and do not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and send first information to the first network element.

[0431] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S5201 may refer to other related parts of the embodiment involved in step S2203 in FIG. 2 b , which will not be described in detail here.

[0432] In some embodiments, the first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

[0433] In some embodiments, the first information includes information that the satellite link is interrupted.

[0434] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0435] receiving fourth information sent by the first network element;

[0436] The fourth information is used to indicate whether to use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the access of the terminal.

[0437] Figure 6a is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is used in a communication system 100. The method includes one of the following steps:

[0438] Step S6101: The first network element determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends first information to the second network element.

[0439] The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2101 to S2104 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0440] In some embodiments, the above method may include the methods of the above-mentioned communication system side, service satellite access network equipment, first network element, second network element and other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0441] FIG6b is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method for use in a communication system 100, the method comprising one of the following steps:

[0442] Step S6201: The serving satellite access network device determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not support the use of the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and sends first information to the first network element.

[0443] The optional implementation of step S6201 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2201 to S2206 in Figure 2b and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2b, which will not be repeated here.

[0444] In some embodiments, the above method may include the methods of the above-mentioned communication system side, service satellite access network equipment, first network element, second network element and other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0445] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, some exemplary embodiments are further described below:

[0446] In some embodiments, the first network element detects that the connection is interrupted and does not support the Store and Forward function, and initiates a connection release or connection suspension process. The connection release or connection suspension request includes an indication of satellite connection interruption.

[0447] In some embodiments, if the first network element is an eNB, the eNB initiates a request for S1 connection release or connection suspension, wherein the request includes an indication of satellite connection interruption or an indication of service link interruption.

[0448] In some embodiments, in response to receiving an S1 connection release request from the eNB, the MME initiates an S11-U connection release request, where the request includes an indication of satellite connection interruption or service link interruption.

[0449] In some embodiments, in response to receiving an S1 connection suspension request from the eNB, the MME initiates a bearer modification request, where the request includes an indication of satellite connection interruption or service link interruption.

[0450] In some embodiments, in response to receiving an S11-U connection release or bearer modification request, the S-GW releases the S11-U connection or suspends the S1 connection, and reports the MT service failure to the AF, and informs that the failure is caused by satellite connection interruption or Service link interruption.

[0451] In some embodiments, if the first network element is an MME, the MME initiates an S11-U connection release request or a bearer modification request, wherein the request includes an indication of satellite connection interruption or feeder link interruption.

[0452] In some embodiments, in response to receiving an S11-U connection release or bearer modification request, the S-GW releases the S11-U connection or suspends the S1 connection, and reports the MT service failure to the AF, and informs that the failure is caused by satellite connection interruption or feeder link interruption.

[0453] In some embodiments, the first network element determines whether to access and use the S&F function for the UE based on whether the UE has subscribed to the S&F service, whether the eNB supports the S&F capability, and whether the core network function supports the S&F capability.

[0454] Example 1: The eNB is on a satellite. The MME and S-GW are on the ground. An S11-U connection is established between the MME and S-GW for control plane data transmission. The UE is connected to the EPS and in Evolved Packet System Connection Management (ECM) idle mode.

[0455] A communication system is provided. As shown in FIG7a , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, the method comprising:

[0456] Step S7101: Receive data or signaling.

[0457] In some embodiments, when the S-GW (corresponding to the second gateway in the present disclosure) receives a downlink data packet or control signaling for a UE, if the S-GW context data indicates that there is no downlink user plane tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) for the MME, the downlink data packet is buffered and which MME serves the UE is identified.

[0458] Step S7102: Transmit downlink data notification and downlink data response.

[0459] In some embodiments, the S-GW sends a Downlink Data Notification message to the MME to which it has a control plane connection for a given UE. The MME responds to the S-GW with a Downlink Data Notification Ack message.

[0460] Step S7103: Send a paging message.

[0461] In some embodiments, if the UE is registered with the MME and the MME detects that the feeder link is available, the MME sends a paging message to the UE via the eNB.

[0462] Step S7104: Send a NAS control plane service request message.

[0463] In some embodiments, upon receiving a paging indication, the UE sends a control plane service request Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message via an RRC Connection Request and an S1-AP Initial message. The control plane service request NAS message does not trigger the MME to establish a data radio bearer, and the MME can immediately send the received downlink data to the eNodeB using a NAS PDU.

[0464] Step S7105: Modify the bearer request or response.

[0465] In some embodiments, if S11-U is not established, the MME sends a Modify Bearer Request message (MME address, MME TEID for downlink traffic) for the Public Data Network (PDN) connection to the S-GW. The S-GW can now send downlink data to the UE.

[0466] In some embodiments, the S-GW returns a Modify Bearer Response (S-GW address and S-GW TEID for uplink traffic) to the MME in response to the Modify Bearer Request message. The MME forwards the UL data to the S-GW using the S11-U user plane S-GW address and S-GW TEID.

[0467] Step S7106: Send downlink data. If the S11-U bearer is established, the S-GW sends the buffered downlink data to the MME.

[0468] Step S7107: Determine that the feeder link is unavailable and do not use the S&F function for the terminal.

[0469] In some embodiments, when the MME receives downlink data, it detects that the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station has become unavailable. Based on the UE's subscription, eNB capabilities, and / or CN capabilities, the MME further detects that the eNB and CN entities do not support the S&F capabilities accessed by the UE. For example, if the UE has not subscribed to the S&F feature, or if the eNB and / or CN do not support S&F capabilities, the MME determines that S&F accessed by the UE is not supported.

[0470] Step S7108: Transmit a release bearer request message or a release bearer response.

[0471] In some embodiments, the MME initiates a release bearer request message (corresponding to the first information in the present disclosure) to the S-GW, requesting the S11-U connection to be released.

[0472] In some embodiments, the feeder link unavailable event can be provided to the S-GW to indicate that the S11-U connection is released because the feeder link is unavailable. The event can be further provided to the AF to indicate that the MT data transmission failure is due to the feeder link unavailable.

[0473] In some embodiments, the S-GW releases the S11-U connection related information and sends a release bearer response to the MME.

[0474] Step S7109: Change the connection status.

[0475] In some embodiments, after receiving the release bearer response message, the MME changes the UE connection state to an idle state.

[0476] Step S7110: On the eNB side, since the feeder link is unavailable, there is no further data transmission.

[0477] Step S7111: The eNB initiates RRC connection release with the UE, and the UE becomes idle.

[0478] Example 2: The eNB is on a satellite. The MME and S-GW are on the ground. An S11-U connection is established between the MME and S-GW for control plane data transmission. The UE is connected to the EPS (Mobile Communications System) and is in ECM idle mode.

[0479] A communication system is provided. As shown in FIG7b , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, the method comprising:

[0480] Step S7201: Receive data or signaling.

[0481] In some embodiments, when the S-GW receives downlink data packets / control signaling for a UE, if the S-GW context data indicates no downlink user plane TEID for an MME, it buffers the downlink data packets and identifies which MME serves the UE.

[0482] Step S7202: Transmit downlink data notification and downlink data response.

[0483] In some embodiments, the S-GW sends a Downlink Data Notification message to the MME to which it has a control plane connection for a given UE. The MME responds to the S-GW with a Downlink Data Notification Ack message.

[0484] Step S7203: Send a paging message.

[0485] In some embodiments, if the UE is registered with the MME and the MME detects that the feeder link is available, the MME sends a paging message to the UE via the eNB.

[0486] Step S7204: Send a control plane service request NAS message.

[0487] In some embodiments, upon receiving a paging indication, the UE sends a control plane service request (NAS) message via an RRC connection request and an S1-AP initial message. The control plane service request (NAS) message does not trigger the establishment of a data radio bearer by the MME, and the MME may immediately send the received downlink data to the eNodeB using a NAS PDU.

[0488] Step S7205: Modify the bearer request or response.

[0489] In some embodiments, if S11-U is not established, the MME sends a Modify Bearer Request message (MME address, MME TEID for downlink traffic) for the PDN connection to the S-GW. The S-GW can now send downlink data to the UE.

[0490] The S-GW returns a Modify Bearer Response (S-GW address and S-GW TEID for uplink traffic) to the MME in response to the Modify Bearer Request message. The MME forwards the UL data to the SGW using the S11-U user plane S-GW address and S-GW TEID.

[0491] Step S7206: Send downlink data.

[0492] In some embodiments, if the S11-U bearer is established, the S-GW sends the buffered downlink data to the MME.

[0493] Step S7207: The MME encrypts and integrity protects the downlink data.

[0494] Step S7208: Send a downlink S1-AP message.

[0495] In some embodiments, the MME sends downlink data to the eNB using NAS PDUs carried by downlink S1-AP messages.

[0496] Step S7209: Determine that the feeder link is unavailable and do not use the S&F function for the terminal.

[0497] In some embodiments, when the eNB receives downlink data, it detects that the serving link between the serving satellite and the UE has become unavailable. Based on the UE's subscription to eNB capabilities, the eNB further detects that the S&F capability is not supported for UE access. For example, the UE is not subscribed to the S&F feature, or the eNB does not support the S&F capability.

[0498] Step S7210: Send an S1UE context release request (corresponding to the first information in this disclosure).

[0499] In some embodiments, the eNB initiates an S1UE context release request to the MME with a service link unavailable indication.

[0500] Step S7211: Send a bearer request message (corresponding to the fifth information).

[0501] In some embodiments, after receiving the S1UE context release request, the MME initiates a release access bearer request message to the S-GW to request the S11-U connection to be released.

[0502] In some embodiments, the service link unavailable event can be provided to the S-GW to indicate that the S11-U connection is released because the service link is unavailable. The event can be further provided to the AF to indicate that the MT data transmission failure is due to the service link being unavailable.

[0503] In some embodiments, the S-GW releases the S11-U connection related information and sends a release access bearer response to the MME. After receiving the release access bearer response message, the MME changes the UE connection state to an idle state.

[0504] Step S7212: The MME returns an S1UE context release command to the eNB. If there is no RRC connection between the UE and the eNB, the UE becomes idle.

[0505] Example 3: The eNB is on a satellite. The MME and S-GW are on the ground. An S1-U connection is established between the eNB and S-GW for user plane data transmission. The UE is connected to the EPS and in ECM idle mode.

[0506] A communication system is provided. As shown in FIG7c , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, the method comprising:

[0507] Step S7301: Receive data or signaling.

[0508] In some embodiments, when the S-GW receives downlink data packets / control signaling for a UE, if the S-GW context data indicates no downlink user plane TEID for an MME, it buffers the downlink data packets and identifies which MME serves the UE.

[0509] Step S7302: Transmit downlink data notification and downlink data response.

[0510] In some embodiments, the S-GW sends a Downlink Data Notification message to the MME to which it has a control plane connection for a given UE. The MME responds to the S-GW with a Downlink Data Notification Ack message.

[0511] Step S7303: Send a paging message.

[0512] In some embodiments, if the UE is registered with the MME and the MME detects that the feeder link is available, the MME sends a paging message to the UE via the eNB.

[0513] Step S7304: The UE initiates an RRC connection recovery request to the eNB.

[0514] Step S7305: The eNB sends an S1-AP UE context recovery request to the MME.

[0515] Step S7306: Transmit the bearer modification request or response.

[0516] In some embodiments, the MME initiates the bearer modification to the S-GW.

[0517] Step S7307: Return an S1-AP UE context recovery response to the eNB.

[0518] Step S7308: The S-GW transmits downlink data to the eNB and sends it to the UE.

[0519] Step S7309: Determine that the feeder link is unavailable and do not use the S&F function for the terminal.

[0520] In some embodiments, when the eNB receives downlink data, it detects that the serving link between the serving satellite and the UE has become unavailable. Based on the UE's subscription to eNB capabilities, the eNB further detects that the S&F capability is not supported for UE access. For example, the UE is not subscribed to the S&F feature, or the eNB does not support the S&F capability.

[0521] Step S7310: Send an S1 suspend request (corresponding to the first information) The eNB initiates an S1 suspend request to the MME with a service link unavailable indication.

[0522] Step S7311: After receiving the S1UE context release request (corresponding to the sixth information), the MME initiates a modify access bearer request message to the S-GW, requesting the S1-U connection to be suspended.

[0523] In some embodiments, the service link unavailable event can be provided to the S-GW to indicate that the S1-U connection is released because the service link is unavailable. The event can be further provided to the AF to indicate that the MT data transmission failure is due to the service link being unavailable.

[0524] In some embodiments, after receiving the release access bearer response message, the MME changes the UE connection state to an idle state.

[0525] In some embodiments, if there is no RRC connection between the UE and the eNB, the UE becomes idle state.

[0526] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0527] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0528] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0529] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0530] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8a, the first network element 8100 may include at least one of: a transceiver module 8101, a processing module 8102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network element 8100 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0531] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element 8200 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8b, the second network element 8200 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 8201, a processing module 8202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second network element 8200 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0532] Figure 8c is a schematic diagram of the structure of the service satellite access network device 8300 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 8c, the service satellite access network device 8300 may include at least one of: a transceiver module 8301, a processing module 8302, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the service satellite access network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and / or a receiving module, and the sending module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0533] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0534] Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 9100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 9100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 9100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0535] As shown in Figure 9a, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, baseband chip, terminal device, terminal device chip, DU or CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 9100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0536] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 9102 may be located outside the communication device 9100.

[0537] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9103. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9103, the transceiver 9103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101 and step S3101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 9101 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0538] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0539] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 may include one or more interface circuits 9104. Optionally, the interface circuit 9104 is connected to the memory 9102. The interface circuit 9104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 9102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 9102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9104 may read instructions stored in the memory 9102 and send the instructions to the processor 9101.

[0540] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0541] FIG9b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 9200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 shown in FIG9b , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0542] The chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201 , and the chip 9200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0543] In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Optionally, the interface circuit 9202 is connected to the memory 9203. The interface circuit 9202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 9203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 9203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9202 can read instructions stored in the memory 9203 and send the instructions to the processor 9201.

[0544] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S3101, but not limited to this), and the processor 9201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102, step S3102, but not limited to this).

[0545] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0546] In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 9203 may be located outside the chip 9200.

[0547] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0548] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 9100, enables the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0549] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a first network element, and the method includes: Determine that the satellite link is interrupted and the store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, and send first information to a second network element to request releasing the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; Wherein, the satellite link includes at least one of a serving link and a feeder link, wherein the serving link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first network element is a Mobility Management Entity (MME), and the second network element is a gateway device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first information includes information about the interruption of the satellite link.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Based on second information, determine whether to use the S&F function for the access of the terminal; Wherein, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal has subscribed to the S&F function; The terminal has not subscribed to the S&F function; The serving satellite access network device supports the S&F function; The serving satellite access network device does not support the S&F function; The core network device supports the S&F function; The core network device does not support the S&F function.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a second network element, and the method includes: Receive the first information sent by the first network element; Wherein, the first information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and the S&F function is not used for the terminal, and is used to request releasing the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a serving link and a feeder link, wherein the serving link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The first network element is a Mobility Management Entity (MME), and the second network element is a gateway device.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first information, release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further includes: Send third information to an Application Function (AF); Wherein, the third information is used to indicate that a service initiated by the network side fails.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The reason for which the third information indicates that the service initiated by the network side fails is the interruption of the satellite link.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a serving satellite access network device, and the method includes: Determine that the satellite link is interrupted and the store-and-forward (S&F) function is not used for the terminal, and send first information to a first network element to request releasing the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; Wherein, the satellite link includes at least one of a serving link and a feeder link, wherein the serving link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first information includes information about the interruption of the satellite link.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein The method further includes: Receiving fourth information sent by a first network element; wherein the fourth information is used to indicate whether to use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the access of the terminal.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The fourth information includes S&F information, and the fourth information is used to indicate using the S&F function for the access of the terminal; or, The fourth information does not include S&F information, and the fourth information is used to indicate not using the S&F function for the access of the terminal.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a first network element, and the method includes: Receiving first information sent by a serving satellite access network device; wherein the first information is sent by the serving satellite access network device when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the S&F function for the terminal, and is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and the ground station.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first information indicates the inclusion of the satellite link interruption.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein The method further includes: Based on second information, determining whether to use the S&F function for the access of the terminal; wherein the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The terminal has subscribed to the S&F function; The terminal has not subscribed to the S&F function; The serving satellite access network device supports the S&F function; The serving satellite access network device does not support the S&F function; The core network device supports the S&F function; The core network device does not support the S&F function.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method further includes: Sending fourth information to the serving satellite access network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate whether to use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the access of the terminal.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein: The fourth information includes S&F information, and the fourth information is used to indicate using the S&F function for the access of the terminal; or, The fourth information does not include S&F information, and the fourth information is used to indicate not using the S&F function for the access of the terminal.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein The method further includes: In response to receiving the first information, sending fifth information to the second network element; wherein the first information is used to indicate a request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element, and the fifth information is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The fifth information indicates the inclusion of information about the satellite link interruption.

23. The method according to claim 15, wherein The method further includes: In response to receiving the first information, sending sixth information to the second network element; Wherein, the first information is used to indicate a request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element, and the sixth information is used to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The sixth information includes information on the satellite link interruption.

25. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a second network element, and the method includes: Receiving fifth information or sixth information sent by a first network element; Wherein, the fifth information is used to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element; the sixth information is used to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The first network element is an MME, and the second network element is a gateway device.

27. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The fifth information and / or the sixth information includes information on the satellite link interruption; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and a terminal; the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and a ground station.

28. The method according to claim 25, wherein The method further includes one of the following: Based on the fifth information, releasing the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element; Based on the sixth information, suspending the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein The method further includes: Sending third information to an application function; Wherein, the third information is used to indicate a service failure initiated by the network side.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein The third information indicates that the reason for the service failure initiated by the network side is a feeder link interruption.

31. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: When a first network element determines that a satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward S&F function for a terminal, sending first information to a second network element to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; Wherein, the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and a terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and a ground station.

32. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: When a serving satellite access network device determines that a satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward S&F function for a terminal, sending first information to a first network element to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; Wherein, the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and a terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the serving satellite access network device and a ground station.

33. A service satellite access network device, characterized in that, The serving satellite access network device includes: A transceiver module, configured to: Determine that a satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward S&F function for a terminal, and send first information to a first network element to request the release of the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or to request to suspend the interface connection between the serving satellite access network device and the second network element; Wherein, the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between a service satellite access network device and a terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and a ground station.

34. A first network element, characterized in that, The first network element includes: a transceiver module, configured to: determine that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the store-and-forward (S&F) function for the terminal, and send a first message to a second network element to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or request to suspend the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element; wherein, the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between a service satellite access network device and a terminal, and the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and a ground station; alternatively, receive a first message sent by the service satellite access network device; wherein, the first message is sent by the first network element when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the S&F function for the terminal, and is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or request to suspend the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between a service satellite access network device and a terminal; the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and a ground station.

35. A second network element, characterized in that, The second network element includes: a transceiver module, configured to: receive a first message sent by the first network element; wherein, the first message is sent by the first network element when it determines that the satellite link is interrupted and does not use the S&F function for the terminal, and is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element or request to suspend the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element; the satellite link includes at least one of a service link and a feeder link, wherein the service link is a transmission link between a service satellite access network device and a terminal; the feeder link is a transmission link between the service satellite access network device and a ground station; alternatively, receive a fifth message or a sixth message sent by the first network element; wherein, the fifth message is used to request to release the interface connection between the first network element and the second network element; the sixth message is used to request to suspend the interface connection between the service satellite access network device and the second network element.

36. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a service satellite access network device, a first network element, and a second network element; the service satellite access network device is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, the first network element is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or claims 15 to 24, and the second network element is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 5 to 9 or claims 25 to 30.

37. A service satellite access network device, characterized in that The service satellite access network device includes: one or more processors; Wherein, the core network device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

38. A first network element, characterized in that, The first network element includes: One or more processors; Wherein, the first network element is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or claims 15 to 24.

39. A second network element, characterized in that, The second network element includes: One or more processors; Wherein, the second network element is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 9 or claims 25 to 30.

40. A storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores instructions that, when run on a communication device, cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, claims 5 to 9, claims 10 to 14, claims 15 to 24, and claims 25 to 30.

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