Spatial node data forwarding method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a spatial node data forwarding method and device. Relates to the technical field of communication, and is applied to a first SMF, the first SMF is used for managing a first UPF of a first space node, and the method comprises the following steps: if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to a ground receiving end, determining a second space node; sending a data forwarding request to a second SMF, wherein the data forwarding request is used for instructing the second SMF to configure a second UPF of a second space node to receive and forward data to a ground receiving end; receiving a data forwarding response sent by the second SMF, the data forwarding response including forwarding information of the first UPF for forwarding data to the second UPF; and sending a first configuration request to the first UPF, the first configuration request being used for indicating the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information. By applying the scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the communication quality of the ground receiving end can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and device for forwarding spatial node data. Background Art

[0002] In related technologies, the ground receiving end can transmit data through space node communication. During the space node communication process, the space node needs to transmit data to the ground receiving end, such as transmitting data to the ground UE (User Equipment) or transmitting data to the ground DN (Data Network).

[0003] However, in the process of the space node sending data to the ground receiving end, if there are problems such as damage to the ground receiving end, maintenance and upgrade, poor signal of the space node, bad weather or electromagnetic interference and other environmental influences, the space node may find it difficult to successfully send data to the ground receiving end, resulting in the ground receiving end being unable to receive the required data in a short period of time, thereby affecting the communication quality of the ground receiving end. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forwarding data from a space node to improve the communication quality of a ground receiving terminal. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding method is first provided, which is applied to a first session management network element SMF, where the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of the first spatial node. The method includes:

[0006] If it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, determining a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving end is located after a preset time period;

[0007] Sending a data forwarding request to the second SMF, where the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end, and the second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node;

[0008] Receiving a data forwarding response sent by the second SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF;

[0009] A first configuration request is sent to the first UPF, where the first configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information.

[0010] In a possible embodiment, before determining the second spatial node, the method further includes:

[0011] Determining whether the data needs to be forwarded;

[0012] If necessary, the step of determining the second spatial node is performed.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, determining whether the data needs to be forwarded is performed by at least one of the following methods, including:

[0014] If the forwarding time of the data is less than the preset time, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0015] If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the number of forwarding times is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data fails to be sent;

[0016] If the contract information and / or the local configuration information indicates that forwarding of the data is allowed, determining that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0017] If the data volume of the data is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0018] In a second aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding method is further provided, which is applied to a first session management network element SMF, where the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of the first spatial node, the method comprising:

[0019] If it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, determining a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving end is located after a preset time period;

[0020] Sending a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second space node, where the second configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end;

[0021] receiving a first configuration response sent by the second UPF, where the first configuration response is used to respond to the second configuration request;

[0022] A third configuration request is sent to the first UPF, where the third configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF.

[0023] In a possible embodiment, the sending a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node includes:

[0024] A second configuration request including data processing rule information is sent to the second UPF of the second spatial node, where the data processing rule information indicates rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward the data.

[0025] In a possible embodiment, the sending a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node includes:

[0026] A second configuration request containing auxiliary information is sent to the second UPF of the second space node, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, the time of forwarding data, and the frequency of forwarding data.

[0027] In a possible embodiment, before determining the second spatial node, the method further includes:

[0028] Determining whether the data needs to be forwarded;

[0029] If necessary, the step of determining the second spatial node is performed.

[0030] In a possible embodiment, determining whether the data needs to be forwarded is performed by at least one of the following methods, including:

[0031] If the forwarding time of the data is less than the preset time, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0032] If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the number of forwarding times is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data fails to be sent;

[0033] If the contract information and / or the local configuration information indicates that forwarding of the data is allowed, determining that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0034] If the data volume of the data is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0035] In a third aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding method is further provided, which is applied to a second session management network element SMF, where the second SMF is used to manage a second user plane function network element UPF of the second spatial node, the method comprising:

[0036] Receive a data forwarding request sent by the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF manages the first UPF of the first space node, the current coverage of the first space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, and after a preset time period, the coverage of the second space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located;

[0037] Sending a data forwarding response to the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF;

[0038] A fourth configuration request is sent to the second UPF, where the fourth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive data from the first UPF and forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0039] In a possible embodiment, the sending the fourth configuration request to the second UPF includes:

[0040] A fourth configuration request including data processing rule information is sent to the second UPF, where the data processing rule information indicates rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward the data.

[0041] In a possible embodiment, the sending the fourth configuration request to the second UPF includes:

[0042] A fourth configuration request containing auxiliary information is sent to the second UPF, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, the time of forwarding data, and the frequency of forwarding data.

[0043] In a fourth aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding method is further provided, which is applied to a second user plane function network element UPF of a second spatial node, the method comprising:

[0044] receiving a fifth configuration request, wherein the fifth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward data to a ground receiving end, the current coverage range of the first spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, and after a preset time period, the coverage range of the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located;

[0045] After receiving the data sent by the first UPF, the data is forwarded to the ground receiving end, where the first UPF is the UPF of the first space node.

[0046] In a fifth aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding method is further provided, which is applied to a first session management network element SMF, where the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of the first spatial node, the method comprising:

[0047] Determining a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0048] Sending a sixth configuration request to the first UPF, wherein the sixth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end;

[0049] receiving a second configuration response sent by the first UPF, where the second configuration response is used to respond to the sixth configuration request;

[0050] A seventh configuration request is sent to the first UPF, wherein the seventh configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF if sending data to the ground receiving end fails.

[0051] In a possible embodiment, determining the second spatial node includes:

[0052] Determine a spatial node group, where each spatial node in the spatial node group is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0053] The sending a sixth configuration request to the first UPF includes:

[0054] An eighth configuration request is sent to the first UPF, wherein the eighth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to configure the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0055] In a sixth aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding method is further provided, which is applied to a first session management network element SMF, where the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of the first spatial node, the method comprising:

[0056] Determining a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0057] Sending a ninth configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node, where the ninth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end;

[0058] receiving a third configuration response sent by the second UPF, where the third configuration response is used to respond to the ninth configuration request;

[0059] A tenth configuration request is sent to the first UPF, wherein the tenth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF if sending data to the ground receiving end fails.

[0060] In a possible embodiment, determining the second spatial node includes:

[0061] Determine a spatial node group, where each spatial node in the spatial node group is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0062] The sending a ninth configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node includes:

[0063] Sending an eleventh configuration request to the UPF of each space node in the space node group, where the eleventh configuration request is used to instruct the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end;

[0064] The receiving a third configuration response sent by the second UPF includes:

[0065] receiving a fourth configuration response sent by the UPF of each spatial node in the spatial node group, where the fourth configuration response is used to respond to the eleventh configuration request;

[0066] The sending a tenth configuration request to the first UPF includes:

[0067] A twelfth configuration request is sent to the first UPF, wherein the twelfth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the UPF of the first space node in the space node group if sending data to the ground receiving end fails.

[0068] In a possible embodiment, the sending a ninth configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node includes:

[0069] A ninth configuration request is sent to the second UPF of the second spatial node through the first UPF.

[0070] In a seventh aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding device is further provided, which is applied to a first session management network element SMF, wherein the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of the first spatial node, and the device includes:

[0071] A first determining module is configured to determine a second spatial node if it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0072] A first sending module is used to send a data forwarding request to the second SMF, where the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end, and the second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node;

[0073] A first receiving module is configured to receive a data forwarding response sent by the second SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF;

[0074] The second sending module is used to send a first configuration request to the first UPF, where the first configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information.

[0075] In a possible embodiment, before determining the second spatial node, the apparatus further includes:

[0076] The first judging module is configured to judge whether the data needs to be forwarded; if so, trigger the execution of the first determining module.

[0077] In a possible embodiment, the first determination module is specifically configured to:

[0078] If the forwarding time of the data is less than the preset time, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0079] If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the number of forwarding times is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data fails to be sent;

[0080] If the contract information and / or the local configuration information indicates that forwarding of the data is allowed, determining that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0081] If the data volume of the data is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0082] In an eighth aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding device is further provided, which is applied to a first session management network element SMF, wherein the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of the first spatial node, and the device includes:

[0083] A second determining module is configured to determine a second spatial node if it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0084] A third sending module is used to send a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second space node, where the second configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end;

[0085] a second receiving module, configured to receive a first configuration response sent by the second UPF, where the first configuration response is used to respond to the second configuration request;

[0086] The fourth sending module is used to send a third configuration request to the first UPF, where the third configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF.

[0087] In a possible embodiment, the third sending module is specifically configured to:

[0088] A second configuration request including data processing rule information is sent to the second UPF of the second spatial node, where the data processing rule information indicates rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward the data.

[0089] In a possible embodiment, the third sending module is specifically configured to:

[0090] A second configuration request containing auxiliary information is sent to the second UPF of the second space node, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, the time of forwarding data, and the frequency of forwarding data.

[0091] In a possible embodiment, before determining the second spatial node, the apparatus further includes:

[0092] The second judgment module is used to judge whether the data needs to be forwarded; if so, trigger the execution of the first determination module.

[0093] In a possible embodiment, the second determination module is specifically configured to:

[0094] If the forwarding time of the data is less than the preset time, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0095] If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the number of forwarding times is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data fails to be sent;

[0096] If the contract information and / or the local configuration information indicates that forwarding of the data is allowed, determining that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0097] If the data volume of the data is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0098] In a ninth aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding device is further provided, which is applied to a second session management network element SMF, wherein the second SMF is used to manage a second user plane function network element UPF of the second spatial node, and the device includes:

[0099] A third receiving module is used to receive a data forwarding request sent by the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF manages the first UPF of the first space node, the current coverage of the first space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, and after a preset time period, the coverage of the second space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located;

[0100] a fifth sending module, configured to send a data forwarding response to the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF;

[0101] The sixth sending module is used to send a fourth configuration request to the second UPF, where the fourth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive data from the first UPF and forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0102] In a possible embodiment, the sixth sending module is specifically configured to:

[0103] A fourth configuration request including data processing rule information is sent to the second UPF, where the data processing rule information indicates rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward the data.

[0104] In a possible embodiment, the sixth sending module is specifically configured to:

[0105] A fourth configuration request containing auxiliary information is sent to the second UPF, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, the time of forwarding data, and the frequency of forwarding data.

[0106] In a tenth aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding device is further provided, which is applied to a second user plane function network element UPF of a second spatial node, and the device includes:

[0107] a fourth receiving module, configured to receive a fifth configuration request, wherein the fifth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward data to a ground receiving end, the current coverage range of the first spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, and after a preset time period, the coverage range of the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located;

[0108] A data forwarding module is used to forward the data to the ground receiving end after receiving the data sent by the first UPF, where the first UPF is the UPF of the first space node.

[0109] In an eleventh aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding device is further provided, which is applied to a first session management network element SMF, wherein the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of the first spatial node, and the device includes:

[0110] A third determining module is configured to determine a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0111] a seventh sending module, configured to send a sixth configuration request to the first UPF, wherein the sixth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to configure the second UPF of the second spatial node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end;

[0112] a fifth receiving module, configured to receive a second configuration response sent by the first UPF, where the second configuration response is used to respond to the sixth configuration request;

[0113] An eighth sending module is used to send a seventh configuration request to the first UPF, wherein the seventh configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF when the first UPF fails to send the data to the ground receiving end.

[0114] In a possible embodiment, the third determining module is specifically configured to:

[0115] Determine a spatial node group, where each spatial node in the spatial node group is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0116] The seventh sending module is specifically configured to:

[0117] An eighth configuration request is sent to the first UPF, wherein the eighth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to configure the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0118] In a twelfth aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a spatial node data forwarding device is further provided, which is applied to a first session management network element SMF, where the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of the first spatial node, and the device includes:

[0119] A fourth determining module is configured to determine a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0120] A ninth sending module, configured to send a ninth configuration request to the second UPF of the second space node, wherein the ninth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end;

[0121] a sixth receiving module, configured to receive a third configuration response sent by the second UPF, where the third configuration response is used to respond to the ninth configuration request;

[0122] The tenth sending module is used to send a tenth configuration request to the first UPF, wherein the tenth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF when the first UPF fails to send the data to the ground receiving end.

[0123] In a possible embodiment, the fourth determining module is specifically configured to:

[0124] Determine a spatial node group, where each spatial node in the spatial node group is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0125] The ninth sending module is specifically configured to:

[0126] Sending an eleventh configuration request to the UPF of each space node in the space node group, where the eleventh configuration request is used to instruct the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end;

[0127] The sixth receiving module is specifically configured to:

[0128] receiving a fourth configuration response sent by the UPF of each spatial node in the spatial node group, where the fourth configuration response is used to respond to the eleventh configuration request;

[0129] The tenth sending module is specifically configured to:

[0130] A twelfth configuration request is sent to the first UPF, wherein the twelfth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the UPF of the first space node in the space node group if sending data to the ground receiving end fails.

[0131] In a possible embodiment, the ninth sending module is specifically configured to:

[0132] A ninth configuration request is sent to the second UPF of the second spatial node through the first UPF.

[0133] In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a first session management network element, comprising a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other via the communication bus;

[0134] Memory for storing computer programs;

[0135] The processor is used to implement any one of the method steps of the first aspect, the second aspect, the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect when executing the program stored in the memory.

[0136] In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a second session management network element, comprising a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other via the communication bus;

[0137] Memory for storing computer programs;

[0138] The processor is configured to implement any one of the method steps of the third aspect when executing a program stored in the memory.

[0139] In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a second user plane function network element is provided, including a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other via the communication bus;

[0140] Memory for storing computer programs;

[0141] The processor is used to implement any one of the method steps of the fourth aspect when executing the program stored in the memory.

[0142] In another aspect of the implementation of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method steps of any one of the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspects are implemented.

[0143] Beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention:

[0144] In a spatial node data forwarding method provided by an embodiment of the present invention, upon determining that the first spatial node has failed to transmit data to a ground receiving terminal, the first SMF determines that a second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. Since the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, the first SMF sends a data forwarding request to the second SMF, instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second spatial node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving terminal. Upon receiving a data forwarding response from the second SMF, since the data forwarding response includes forwarding information for the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF, the first SMF sends a first configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information. Therefore, the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving terminal. Since, upon the failure of the first spatial node to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, the second UPF of the second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving terminal, the ground receiving terminal no longer needs to wait for a long time for the first spatial node to transmit data again, allowing the ground receiving terminal to receive the required data in a shorter time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving terminal.

[0145] Of course, it is not necessary to achieve all of the advantages described above simultaneously in order to implement any product or method of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0146] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other embodiments can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0147] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a first spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0148] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a first spatial node data forwarding scenario provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0149] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a second spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0150] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a third spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0151] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a second spatial node data forwarding scenario provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0152] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a fourth spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0153] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a fifth spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0154] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a sixth method for forwarding spatial node data according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0155] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a seventh spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0156] Figure 10 A schematic flow chart of an eighth spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0157] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a ninth method for forwarding spatial node data according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0158] Figure 12 A schematic structural diagram of a first spatial node data forwarding device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0159] Figure 13 A schematic structural diagram of a second spatial node data forwarding device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0160] Figure 14 A schematic structural diagram of a third spatial node data forwarding device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0161] Figure 15 A structural diagram of a session management network element provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0162] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0163] During the communication process of space nodes, the space nodes need to transmit data to the ground receiving end, such as sending UE data to DN, or sending DN data to UE. The former is usually called MO (Mobile originated) data, that is, the data of the sending end is the UE. The latter is generally called MT (Mobile terminated) data, that is, the data of the receiving end is the UE. In some scenarios, data can be transmitted between UEs without going through DN, for example, data can be sent and received directly through UPF (User Plane Function) through the 5G local network. In this scenario, the data is MO data from the perspective of the sending end and MT data from the perspective of the receiving end. The transmitted data needs to pass through RAN (Radio Access Network) and UPF. The specific transmission path is sending end UE-RAN-UPF-RAN-receiving end UE.

[0164] For MO data, the UE sends the data to the space node, and the space node selects a suitable gateway. When the coverage of the space node includes the area where the gateway is located, the data is sent to the gateway, and the gateway then sends the data to the DN. For MT data, the DN sends the data to the gateway, and the gateway sends the data to the space node. When the coverage of the space node includes the area where the UE is located, the data is sent to the UE. The data here may be forwarded through the inter-satellite link, that is, the first space node to receive the data and the last space node to send the data may not be the same. The former is called a receiving space node, and the latter is called a sending space node. In the embodiment of the present invention, UE and DN are collectively referred to as ground receiving terminals.

[0165] In some scenarios, the sending space node may be temporarily unable to successfully send data. For example, the space node may be unable to successfully send data to the ground receiving terminal due to damage or maintenance upgrades at the ground receiving terminal; the space node may be unable to establish a service link with the ground receiving terminal to send data due to the ground receiving terminal being in an area with poor signal strength; or the space node may be unable to successfully send data due to inclement weather or electromagnetic interference.

[0166] If the space node cannot successfully send the data, the space node can choose to delete the data, or cache the data and wait for it to be sent again later.

[0167] However, if the space node deletes the data, it will need to be resent, resulting in the ground receiving end not being able to receive the data for a short period of time. If the space node caches the data, it will need to orbit the Earth once again and its coverage area will include the ground receiving end before sending the data to the ground receiving end again, which will also result in the ground receiving end not being able to receive the data for a short period of time. This means that even if the ground receiving end restores normal communication with the space node within a short period of time, it will still take a long time to receive the data.

[0168] Based on this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a space node data forwarding method, which is applied to a first SMF (Session Management Function, session management network element), the first SMF is used to manage a first UPF of a first space node, the first UPF is installed in the first space node, and the first SMF is installed in a ground or space node. Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a flow chart of a first spatial node data forwarding method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0169] S101: If it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, a second space node is determined.

[0170] In S101, the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. The second spatial node may be the next spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after the preset time period, or may be any spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after the preset time period. The coverage area of ​​the second spatial node may or may not currently include the area where the receiving terminal is located. The ground receiving terminal may be a ground UE or a ground DN.

[0171] Specifically, the first SMF may determine that the first space node has failed to send data to the ground receiving end in any of the following ways. For example, the first SMF receives a notification that the ground receiving end is unreachable, or the first SMF receives a notification that the gateway is unreachable, or the first SMF receives a notification that the space node is temporarily unable to communicate with the ground due to bad weather or electromagnetic interference, etc. The embodiment of the present invention does not limit the manner in which the first SMF determines that the first space node has failed to send data to the ground receiving end, and the embodiment of the present invention does not impose any limitation on the notification end, which may be a mobile management function network element or other network elements or devices such as an operation control center.

[0172] Before sending a notification to the first SMF, the notification end first needs to determine the information of the first SMF that receives the notification.

[0173] In one embodiment of the present invention, the notification end stores information of each SMF, and the notification end can directly determine the information of the first SMF from the stored SMF information. The notification end can also query other network elements or devices, for example, query the information of the first SMF that manages the first UPF from the network element warehouse function network element or other network elements, or query the information of the first SMF corresponding to the spatial node where the first UPF is located.

[0174] The first SMF can determine the second spatial node based on the location information of the ground receiving terminal and the ephemeris information of the spatial node. Alternatively, the mobility management function network element or the operation control center can determine the second spatial node for the first SMF, and then send the spatial node identifier to the first SMF, so that the first SMF can determine the second spatial node. The embodiments of the present invention do not impose any limitation on the manner in which the first SMF determines the second spatial node.

[0175] In a possible embodiment, the space node may be a satellite, a space shuttle, a space station, etc.

[0176] S102: Send a data forwarding request to the second SMF.

[0177] In S102, the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. The second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node. The second SMF used to manage the second UPF is different from the first SMF and can be installed on the ground or space node.

[0178] Specifically, since the first UPF is managed by the first SMF and the second UPF is managed by the second SMF, the first SMF sends a data forwarding request to the second SMF, instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0179] It should be noted that the data forwarding request itself may have the function of the first SMF instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, or the data forwarding request may contain an information indicating that the data forwarding request has the function of the first SMF instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0180] S103: Receive a data forwarding response sent by the second SMF.

[0181] The data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF.

[0182] S104: Send a first configuration request to the first UPF.

[0183] The first configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information.

[0184] Specifically, the first configuration request can be a data forwarding configuration request. The first SMF sends a data forwarding configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to send data to the second UPF. The data forwarding configuration request may include data processing rule information containing tunnel information of the second UPF. The above data processing rule information is generated based on the forwarding information.

[0185] The above-mentioned data processing rules may indicate the action of the second UFP forwarding data, the matching rule of the second UPF forwarding data, or the forwarding port of the second UPF for different types of data.

[0186] The first UPF sends a data forwarding configuration response to the first SMF, where the data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the data forwarding configuration request.

[0187] The first UPF forwards the data to the second UPF based on the received data processing rules, and the second UPF sends the data to the ground receiving end.

[0188] In one embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the data, the second UPF may directly attempt to forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0189] Alternatively, before sending the data to the ground receiving terminal, the second UPF may store the received data and wait for the time to send the data to the ground receiving terminal. Specifically, the second UPF may wait until the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node where the second UPF is located includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located before sending the data to the ground receiving terminal, or after receiving the data, wait for a preset waiting time before sending the data to the ground receiving terminal.

[0190] In the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first spatial node has failed to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, it determines a second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. Since the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, the first SMF sends a data forwarding request to the second SMF, instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second spatial node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving terminal. When the first SMF receives a data forwarding response from the second SMF, since the data forwarding response includes forwarding information for the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, the first SMF sends a first configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information. Therefore, the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving terminal. Since, when the first spatial node fails to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, the second UPF of the second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving terminal, the ground receiving terminal no longer needs to wait for the first spatial node to transmit data again. This allows the ground receiving terminal to receive the required data in a shorter time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving terminal.

[0191] It should be noted that if the second UPF still fails to forward data to the ground receiving end, the SMF configured with the second UPF can also execute the above steps S101-S104 and continue to forward data to other UPFs besides the first UPF and the second UPF.

[0192] In a possible embodiment, before determining the second spatial node, the above method further includes step A.

[0193] Step A: Determine whether data needs to be forwarded.

[0194] Specifically, if the first SMF determines that data needs to be forwarded, the second spatial node is determined. If the first SMF determines that data does not need to be forwarded, the second spatial node is not determined.

[0195] By selecting the above embodiment, the first SMF determines whether data needs to be forwarded before determining the second spatial node, thereby avoiding forwarding data when it is not necessary, thereby saving resources of the spatial node.

[0196] In a possible embodiment, whether data needs to be forwarded is determined by at least one of the following methods (1) to (4):

[0197] Method (1): If the data forwarding duration is less than the preset duration, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0198] Method (II): If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the number of forwarding times is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data transmission fails.

[0199] Method (three): If the contract information and / or local configuration information indicates that data forwarding is allowed, it is determined that data forwarding is required.

[0200] Method (four): If the data volume is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0201] In method (1), the first SMF can determine whether the forwarding duration of the data is less than the preset duration through the remaining time information, wherein the remaining time information can be expressed in the form of an end timestamp, or in the form of a combination of a start timestamp and a time range.

[0202] The above-mentioned expiration timestamp is the sum of the moment when the data fails to be forwarded to the ground receiving end for the first time and the preset duration. The above-mentioned start timestamp is the moment when the data fails to be forwarded to the ground receiving end for the first time. The duration of the time range is the above-mentioned preset duration.

[0203] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned remaining time information can be inserted into the data by the SMF configuration UPF that first determines that the data forwarding to the ground receiving end fails, so that the SMF corresponding to the UPF that subsequently receives the data can determine the above-mentioned remaining time information.

[0204] When determining whether the forwarding time of the data is less than the preset time by the expiration timestamp, assuming that the expiration timestamp is 12:00, if the forwarding time of the data does not exceed 12:00, it is determined that the forwarding time of the data is less than the preset time and the data needs to be forwarded.

[0205] When determining whether the data forwarding duration is less than a preset duration by combining the start timestamp and the time range, assuming the start timestamp is 10:00 and the time range is 5 hours, if the data forwarding time does not exceed 15:00, it is determined that the data forwarding duration is less than the preset duration and the data needs to be forwarded. This embodiment of the present invention does not limit the manner in which the data forwarding duration is less than the preset duration.

[0206] In method (2), the first SMF can determine whether the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number through the remaining number information, wherein the remaining number information can be expressed in the form of the remaining forwarding number, or in the form of a combination of the maximum forwarding number and the current forwarding number.

[0207] The above-mentioned remaining forwarding times is the difference between the preset times and the number of times the data is forwarded between UPFs since the first failure to forward the data to the ground receiving end. The above-mentioned maximum forwarding times is the preset times, and the current forwarding times is the number of times the data is forwarded between UPFs since the first failure to forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0208] In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned remaining number information can be inserted into the data by the SMF configuration UPF that first determines that the data forwarding to the ground receiving end fails, so that the SMF corresponding to the UPF that subsequently receives the data can determine the above-mentioned remaining number information.

[0209] When determining whether the number of forwarding times of data is not greater than the preset number of times by the remaining forwarding times, assuming that the remaining forwarding times is 0, it is determined that the number of forwarding times of data has reached the preset number of times and the data does not need to be forwarded. If the remaining forwarding times is greater than 0, it is determined that the number of forwarding times of data is not greater than the preset number and the data needs to be forwarded, and the remaining forwarding times is reduced by 1.

[0210] When determining whether the number of data forwarding times is less than the preset number by combining the maximum number of forwarding times and the current number of forwarding times, assuming that the maximum number of forwarding times is 20 and the current number of forwarding times is 5, it is determined that the number of data forwarding times is not greater than the preset number, the data needs to be forwarded, and the current number of forwarding times is increased by 1.

[0211] In a possible embodiment, the remaining time information and the remaining number of times information may be included in the data forwarding remaining indicator information.

[0212] In a possible embodiment, the sources of the remaining time information, the remaining number of times information, and the data forwarding remaining indicator information can be divided into the following four categories:

[0213] First, the SMF that determines for the first time that forwarding data to the ground receiving end fails configures the UPF to insert the remaining time information, the remaining number of times information and the data forwarding remaining indicator information into the data.

[0214] Second, the data forwarded by the previous UPF carries the remaining time information, the remaining number of times information, and the remaining index information of data forwarding.

[0215] Third, the data forwarding request sent by the first SMF to other SMFs carries the remaining time information, the remaining number of times information and the data forwarding remaining indicator information.

[0216] Fourth, obtain remaining time information, remaining number of times information and data forwarding remaining indicator information from other network elements, local configuration information and contract information.

[0217] Exemplarily, the data has been forwarded once or multiple times, and other network elements provide the first SMF with the latest data forwarding remaining indicator information; or, the first SMF locally saves the latest or default data forwarding remaining indicator information; or, the first SMF queries the contract information to obtain the initial or latest data forwarding remaining indicator information. For example, assuming that data has never been forwarded between UPFs in a situation where data cannot be successfully sent, the first SMF can obtain the initial data forwarding remaining indicator information from the contract information. Each time data forwarding occurs thereafter, the first SMF updates the data forwarding remaining indicator information, for example, the remaining forwarding count is reduced by 1, the current forwarding count is increased by 1, etc.

[0218] In method (three), the first SMF can determine whether the contract information indicates that data forwarding is allowed based on the contract information, thereby determining whether data forwarding is required. For example, if the contract information of the ground receiving end indicates that the network is allowed to forward data to other UPFs when the data cannot be sent to the ground receiving end, the first SMF determines that the contract information indicates that data forwarding is allowed and the data needs to be forwarded.

[0219] In another embodiment, the first SMF may determine whether data needs to be forwarded based on local configuration information indicating whether data forwarding is allowed. Specifically, if the local configuration information indicates that the network is allowed to forward data to other space nodes when the data cannot be sent to the ground receiving end, the first SMF determines that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0220] In method (4), the first SMF can determine whether the data volume is less than the preset data volume based on the data volume, thereby determining whether the data needs to be forwarded. For example, assuming that the preset data volume is 500KB and the data volume to be forwarded is 100KB, it is determined that the data volume is less than the preset data volume and the data needs to be forwarded. The preset data volume can be derived from local configuration information or contract information, etc.

[0221] By selecting the above embodiment, whether data needs to be forwarded can be determined through the data forwarding duration, the number of data forwarding times, contract information, local configuration information and the data volume, thereby avoiding forwarding data when it is not necessary, thereby saving space node resources.

[0222] In one embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined whether data needs to be forwarded through multiple methods among the above-mentioned methods (1) to (4), then if any one of the multiple methods determines that forwarding is necessary, it is determined that data needs to be forwarded; or, if all methods determine that forwarding is necessary, it is determined that data needs to be forwarded.

[0223] Specifically, if the first UPF is managed by the first SMF and the second UPF is managed by the second SMF, see Figure 2 , which is a schematic diagram of the first spatial node data forwarding scenario provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0224] The figure includes a first space node, a second space node, and a ground receiving end. UPF1 is installed on the first space node, and UPF2 is installed on the second space node.

[0225] It should be noted that Figure 2 The first and second space nodes in the figure are represented by satellites. This satellite is only an example and is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention. The ground receiving terminal in the figure is represented by a mobile phone. This mobile phone is only an example and is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention. SMF1 and SMF2 are located above the first and second space nodes in the figure, but this positional relationship does not mean that SMF1 and SMF2 are operating in space. This embodiment does not limit the installation location of SMF1 and SMF2.

[0226] The arrows between the devices in the figure indicate that there is a communication connection between the two, where the dotted arrow indicates that the current ground receiving end and the second space node may or may not be in a connected state. If the current ground receiving end is not in a connected state with the second space node, then after a period of time in the future, the ground receiving end will be in a communication connection with the second space node.

[0227] The cross on the arrow between the first space node and the ground receiving end indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication between the two, and UPF1 on the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end.

[0228] Then in Figure 2 In the scenario shown, UPF1 can forward data to UPF2, which then attempts to send the data to the ground receiver. The specific process can be found below. Figure 3 The embodiment shown.

[0229] See also Figure 3 , which is a flow chart of a second spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention, including the following steps a1-a10.

[0230] Among them, SMF1 corresponds to the first SMF, SMF2 corresponds to the second SMF, UPF1 corresponds to the first UPF, and UPF2 corresponds to the second UPF.

[0231] a1.SMF1 sends a data forwarding request to SMF2.

[0232] Among them, when SMF1 determines that it is currently unable to send data to the ground receiving end, it sends a data forwarding request to SMF2, and the data forwarding request is used to instruct SMF2 to configure UPF2 to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0233] Before SMF1 sends the data forwarding request to SMF2, it can also determine whether it is necessary to forward the data to other spatial nodes. If not, steps a2-a10 are not performed; otherwise, steps a2-a10 are performed.

[0234] SMF1 may carry updated data forwarding remaining indicator information in the data forwarding request. The data forwarding remaining indicator information can be found in the description of step A above.

[0235] The data forwarding request may also include auxiliary information to assist the receiving UPF in forwarding the data to the ground receiving end. The auxiliary information includes at least one of the following: the address information of the ground receiving end, the context information of the ground receiving end, the information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, the time when the data is forwarded, and the frequency of data forwarding.

[0236] The moment of data forwarding refers to the moment when UPF2 sends data to the ground receiving terminal. For example, a timer can be provided that starts when UPF2 receives data and sends data to the ground receiving terminal after the timer expires. The frequency of data forwarding refers to the number of attempts after data transmission fails. That is, UPF2 can attempt to send data to the ground receiving terminal multiple times. After the number of transmission failures reaches the number indicated by the frequency, it determines that data transmission to the ground receiving terminal has failed.

[0237] The auxiliary information may be generated by SMF1 itself, or obtained from other network elements or devices. The embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the manner in which SMF1 obtains the data forwarding auxiliary information.

[0238] After a data forwarding process, SMF1 may update the auxiliary information, for example, if there is a network change, a gateway failure, or a shorter communication path is found. The data forwarding auxiliary information contained in the data forwarding request sent by SMF1 to SMF2 is the updated information.

[0239] In one possible case, the data forwarding request may include the size of the data to be forwarded, so that the second spatial node can reserve space for storing the data.

[0240] Before sending a data forwarding request to SMF2, SMF1 needs to determine SMF2. The process of SMF1 determining SMF2 is similar to the process of notifying the terminal to determine the first SMF in S101 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0241] a2.SMF2 sends a first data forwarding configuration request to UPF2.

[0242] The first data forwarding configuration request is used to instruct UPF2 to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0243] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first data forwarding configuration request may further include data processing rule information for guiding UPF2 in processing data. SMF2 may determine the data processing rule information based on one or more of the received data forwarding remaining indicator information, auxiliary information, and the like.

[0244] Optionally, the above data processing rule information may include tunnel information of UPF2.

[0245] In one possible case, if SMF2 receives the size of the data to be forwarded, SMF2 may carry this information in the first data forwarding configuration request.

[0246] a3. UPF2 sends a first data forwarding configuration response to SMF2.

[0247] The first data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the first data forwarding configuration request.

[0248] In step a2, if SMF2 does not provide the allocated tunnel information to UPF2, UPF2 allocates a tunnel for receiving data and includes the allocated tunnel information in the first data forwarding configuration response.

[0249] In step a2, if SMF2 provides the size of the data to be forwarded to UPF2, UPF2 reserves space resources of the corresponding size for receiving the data.

[0250] a4.SMF2 sends a data forwarding response to SMF1.

[0251] The data forwarding response is used to respond to the data forwarding request.

[0252] a5. SMF1 sends a second data forwarding configuration request to UPF1.

[0253] The second data forwarding configuration request is used to instruct UPF1 to forward data.

[0254] Specifically, SMF1 sends a second data forwarding configuration request to UPF1, instructing UPF1 to forward data to UPF2.

[0255] The second data forwarding configuration request may also include data processing rule information, which instructs UPF1 to process data. The data processing rule information may include tunnel information of UPF2. SMF1 may determine the data processing rule information based on the received tunnel information of UPF2.

[0256] a6. UPF1 sends a second data forwarding configuration response to SMF1.

[0257] The second data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the second data forwarding configuration request.

[0258] a7.UPF1 forwards data to UPF2.

[0259] UPF1 may forward data to UPF2 based on the received data processing rule information.

[0260] The UPF2 may attempt to send data to the ground receiving terminal based on the received data processing rule information. Before sending the data to the ground receiving terminal, the UPF2 stores the received data.

[0261] It should be noted that the data processing rule information received by UPF2 may be sent by SMF1 via SMF2, or may be sent by SMF1 via UPF1. The embodiment of the present invention does not impose any limitation on the manner in which UPF2 receives the data processing rule information.

[0262] If SMF2 determines that it cannot successfully send data to the ground receiver, it can follow Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment performs similar operations as SMF1, without performing steps a8-a10.

[0263] a8.SMF2 confirms that the ground receiving end is reachable.

[0264] Specifically, the ground receiving terminal may be determined to be reachable when SMF2 receives a notification that the ground receiving terminal is reachable, when SMF2 receives a notification that the gateway is reachable, or when SMF2 receives a notification that the space node has resumed communication with the ground. This embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the manner in which SMF2 determines that the ground receiving terminal is reachable.

[0265] It should be noted that the reachability of the ground receiving terminal may be determined by SMF 2 or UPF 2. The embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the object for determining the reachability of the ground receiving terminal.

[0266] a9. SMF2 sends a third data forwarding configuration request to UPF2.

[0267] The third data forwarding configuration request is used to instruct UPF2 to send data to the ground receiving end, that is, after establishing a link for sending data to the ground receiving end, forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0268] The third data forwarding configuration request may include information about the other end of the link used to forward data, such as tunnel information allocated by the access network.

[0269] a10. UPF2 sends a third data forwarding configuration response to SMF2.

[0270] The third data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the third data forwarding configuration request.

[0271] It should be noted that Figure 3 The dotted box in indicates that step a8 may be executed by SMF2 or not.

[0272] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a space node data forwarding method, which is applied to a first SMF, the first SMF is used to manage a first UPF of the first space node, the first UPF is installed in the first space node, and the first SMF is installed on the ground or space node. Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 A schematic flow chart of a third spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0273] S401: If it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, a second space node is determined.

[0274] In S401, the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. The process of determining that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal and determining the second spatial node is similar to the above S101 and will not be repeated here.

[0275] S402: Send a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node.

[0276] In S402, the second configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. The first SMF manages the first UPF and the second UPF. The second configuration request can be a data forwarding configuration request. Specifically, since the first SMF manages the first UPF and the second UPF, the first SMF can directly send the data forwarding configuration request to the second UPF, instructing the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0277] Before sending the data forwarding configuration request to the second UPF, the first SMF may determine whether data needs to be forwarded. The process of determining whether data needs to be forwarded can be referred to step A above and will not be repeated here.

[0278] S403: Receive a first configuration response sent by the second UPF.

[0279] The first configuration response is used to respond to the second configuration request. The first configuration response may be a data forwarding configuration response.

[0280] In one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the data forwarding configuration response may include data processing rule information. The above-mentioned data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the second UPF. The above-mentioned tunnel information is for the tunnel used by the second UPF to receive and / or forward data. Specifically, the above-mentioned tunnel information may be the tunnel information allocated by the first SMF to the second UPF for receiving data from the first space node and forwarding data to the ground receiving end, or used to instruct the second UPF to allocate a tunnel for receiving data from the first space node and forwarding data to the ground receiving end. Among them, the tunnel used by the second UPF to receive data refers to the tunnel between the first UPF and the second UPF, and the tunnel used by the second UPF to forward data refers to the tunnel between the second UPF and the ground receiving end.

[0281] S404: Send a third configuration request to the first UPF.

[0282] The third configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF. The third configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request.

[0283] The process of the first SMF instructing the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF is shown in the above S104 and will not be repeated here.

[0284] In the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, it determines a second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving end is located after a preset time period. Since the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, the first SMF sends a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node, instructing the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. When the first SMF receives the first configuration response sent by the second UPF, the first SMF sends a third configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF, and the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving end. Since, when the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the second UPF of the second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving end is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving end, the ground receiving end no longer needs to wait for a long time for the first spatial node to send data again, so that the ground receiving end receives the required data in a short time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0285] In a possible embodiment, the above S402 can be implemented through step B.

[0286] Step B: Send a second configuration request containing data processing rule information to the second UPF of the second spatial node.

[0287] The data processing rule information indicates a rule for the second UPF to receive and / or forward data. The second configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request.

[0288] Specifically, the first SMF may determine the data processing rule information based on one or more of the data forwarding remaining indicator information, the auxiliary information, etc. The specific contents of the data forwarding remaining indicator information and the auxiliary information can be found in the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0289] The first SMF may update data forwarding remaining indicator information, auxiliary information, etc. after each data forwarding.

[0290] In one possible case, the data processing rule information may include tunnel information of UPF2.

[0291] The tunnel information is for the tunnel used by the second UPF to receive and / or forward data.

[0292] Specifically, the first SMF provides the second UPF with tunnel information allocated by the first SMF to the second UPF for the second UPF to receive data from the first space node and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0293] In one possible case, the first SMF includes size information of data to be forwarded in the data forwarding configuration request.

[0294] By selecting the above embodiment, since the first SMF sends the second configuration request containing data processing rule information to the second UPF, the second UPF can forward the data to the ground receiving end according to the data processing rule information.

[0295] In a possible embodiment, the above S402 can be implemented through step C.

[0296] Step C, sending a second configuration request containing auxiliary information to the second UPF of the second space node, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, time of forwarding data, and frequency of forwarding data.

[0297] By selecting the above embodiment, since the first SMF sends the second configuration request containing auxiliary information to the second UPF, the second UPF can forward data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information.

[0298] In a possible embodiment, before determining the second spatial node, the above method further includes step D.

[0299] Step D: Determine whether data needs to be forwarded.

[0300] Specifically, if the first SMF determines that data needs to be forwarded, the second spatial node is determined. If the first SMF determines that data does not need to be forwarded, the second spatial node is not determined.

[0301] In a possible embodiment, whether data needs to be forwarded is determined by at least one of the following methods (e) to (eight):

[0302] Method (5): If the data forwarding duration is less than the preset duration, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0303] Method (six): If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the number of forwarding times is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data transmission fails.

[0304] Method (seven): If the contract information and / or local configuration information indicates that data forwarding is allowed, it is determined that data forwarding is required.

[0305] Method (eight): If the data volume is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0306] Among them, for the specific contents of methods (5)-(8), please refer to the above methods (1)-(4), which will not be repeated here.

[0307] In one embodiment of the present invention, if the first SMF manages the first UPF and the second UPF, see Figure 5 , which is a schematic diagram of the second spatial node data forwarding scenario provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0308] The figure includes a first space node, a second space node, and a ground receiving end. UPF1 is installed on the first space node, and UPF2 is installed on the second space node.

[0309] It should be noted that Figure 5 The first and second space nodes in the figure are represented by satellites. This satellite is only an example and is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention. The ground receiving terminal in the figure is represented by a mobile phone. This mobile phone is only an example and is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention. SMF1 is located above the first and second space nodes in the figure, but this positional relationship does not mean that SMF1 operates in space. This embodiment does not limit the installation location of SMF1.

[0310] The arrows between the devices in the figure indicate that there is a communication connection between the two, where the dotted arrow indicates that the current ground receiving end and the second space node may or may not be in a connected state. If the current ground receiving end is not in a connected state with the second space node, then after a period of time in the future, the ground receiving end will be in a communication connection with the second space node.

[0311] The cross on the arrow between the first space node and the ground receiving end indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication between the two, and UPF1 on the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end.

[0312] Then in Figure 5 In the scenario shown, UPF1 can forward data to UPF2, which then attempts to send the data to the ground receiver. The specific process can be found below. Figure 6 The embodiment shown.

[0313] See also Figure 6 , which is a flow chart of a fourth spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention, including the following steps b1-b8.

[0314] Among them, SMF1 corresponds to the first SMF, UPF1 corresponds to the first UPF, and UPF2 corresponds to the second UPF.

[0315] b1. SMF1 sends a fourth data forwarding configuration request to UPF2.

[0316] The fourth data forwarding configuration request is used to instruct UPF2 to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0317] The fourth data forwarding configuration request may further include data processing rule information.

[0318] Optionally, the above data processing rule information may include tunnel information of UPF2.

[0319] SMF1 may further include size information of the data to be forwarded in the fourth data forwarding configuration request.

[0320] Before sending the fourth data forwarding configuration request to UPF 2, SMF 1 may also determine whether data needs to be forwarded. The process of determining whether data needs to be forwarded is shown in step A and will not be repeated here.

[0321] b2. UPF2 sends a fourth data forwarding configuration response to SMF1.

[0322] The fourth data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the fourth data forwarding configuration request.

[0323] In step b1, if SMF1 does not provide the allocated tunnel information to UPF2, UPF2 allocates a tunnel for receiving data and includes the allocated tunnel information in the fourth data forwarding configuration response.

[0324] In step b1, if SMF1 provides the size of the data to be forwarded to UPF2, UPF2 reserves space resources of the corresponding size for receiving the data.

[0325] b3. SMF1 sends a fifth data forwarding configuration request to UPF1.

[0326] The fifth data forwarding configuration request is used to instruct UPF1 to forward data.

[0327] Specifically, SMF1 sends a fifth data forwarding configuration request to UPF1, instructing UPF1 to send data to UPF2.

[0328] The fifth data forwarding configuration request may include data processing rule information, which instructs UPF1 to process data. The data processing rule information may include tunnel information of UPF2. SMF1 may determine the data processing rule information based on the received tunnel information of UPF2.

[0329] b4. UPF1 sends a fifth data forwarding configuration response to SMF1.

[0330] The fifth data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the fifth data forwarding configuration request.

[0331] b5.UPF1 forwards data to UPF2.

[0332] UPF1 may forward data to UPF2 based on the received data processing rule information.

[0333] The UPF2 may attempt to send data to the ground receiving terminal based on the received data processing rule information. Before sending the data to the ground receiving terminal, the UPF2 may store the received data.

[0334] It should be noted that the data processing rule information received by UPF2 may be sent by SMF1 via UPF1, or may be sent directly by SMF1. The embodiment of the present invention does not impose any limitation on the manner in which UPF2 receives the data processing rule information.

[0335] If SMF1 determines that UPF2 cannot successfully send data to the ground receiving terminal, steps b6-b8 may not be performed. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, attempts are continued to forward the data to UPFs other than UPF1 and UPF2.

[0336] b6.SMF1 confirms that the ground receiving end is reachable.

[0337] Specifically, SMF1 may determine that the ground receiving terminal is reachable upon receiving a notification that the ground receiving terminal is reachable, a notification that the gateway is reachable, or a notification that the space node has resumed communication with the ground. The embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the manner in which SMF1 determines that the ground receiving terminal is reachable.

[0338] It should be noted that the reachability of the ground receiving terminal may be determined by SMF 1 or UPF 2. The embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the object for determining the reachability of the ground receiving terminal.

[0339] b7. SMF1 sends a sixth data forwarding configuration request to UPF2.

[0340] Among them, the sixth data forwarding configuration request is used to instruct UPF2 to send data to the ground receiving end, that is, after establishing a link for sending data to the ground receiving end, forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0341] The sixth data forwarding configuration request may include information about the other end of the link used to forward data, such as tunnel information allocated by the access network.

[0342] b8. UPF2 sends a sixth data forwarding configuration response to SMF1.

[0343] The sixth data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the sixth data forwarding configuration request.

[0344] It should be noted that Figure 6 The dotted box in indicates that step b6 may be executed by SMF1 or not.

[0345] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a space node data forwarding method, which is applied to the second SMF, wherein the second SMF can be installed in the space node or on the ground, and the second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node. Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 A flowchart of a fifth spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0346] S701, receive a data forwarding request sent by a first SMF.

[0347] Among them, the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. The data forwarding request is sent when the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end. The first SMF manages the first UPF of the first space node. The current coverage range of the first space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located. After the preset time period, the coverage range of the second space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located.

[0348] For details, please refer to the above S102 and will not be repeated here.

[0349] S702: Send a data forwarding response to the first SMF.

[0350] The data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF.

[0351] For details, please refer to the above S103 and will not be repeated here.

[0352] S703: Send a fourth configuration request to the second UPF.

[0353] The fourth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive data from the first UPF and forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0354] The fourth configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request. The operation after the second UPF receives the data forwarding configuration request may refer to the aforementioned Figure 1 The embodiment part will not be described in detail here.

[0355] By selecting the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the second SMF receives the data forwarding request sent by the first SMF. Since the second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node, and the coverage of the second space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, the second SMF can configure the second UPF to forward data to the ground receiving end. Since, when the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the second UPF of the second space node whose coverage includes the area where the ground receiving end is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving end, the ground receiving end no longer needs to wait for a long time for the first space node to send data again, so that the ground receiving end receives the required data in a short time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0356] In a possible embodiment, the above S703 can be implemented through step E.

[0357] Step E: Send a fourth configuration request containing data processing rule information to the second UPF.

[0358] The data processing rule information indicates the rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward data.

[0359] By selecting the above embodiment, since the second SMF sends the fourth configuration request containing data processing rule information to the second UPF, the second UPF can forward data to the ground receiving end according to the data processing rule information.

[0360] Optionally, the data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the second UPF, wherein the tunnel information is for the tunnel used by the second UPF to receive and / or forward data.

[0361] In a possible embodiment, the above S703 can be implemented through step F.

[0362] Step F, sending a fourth configuration request containing auxiliary information to the second UPF, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, time of forwarding data, and frequency of forwarding data.

[0363] By selecting the above embodiment, since the second SMF sends the fourth configuration request containing auxiliary information to the second UPF, the second UPF can forward data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information.

[0364] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding method, which is applied to the second UPF of the second spatial node. Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 A flowchart of a sixth spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0365] S801: Receive a fifth configuration request.

[0366] In S801, a fifth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward data to a ground receiving terminal. The data forwarding configuration request is sent after the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal. The current coverage of the first spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located. After a preset time period, the coverage of the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located. The fifth configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request.

[0367] S802: After receiving the data sent by the first UPF, forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0368] The first UPF is the UPF of the first spatial node.

[0369] For details, please refer to S104 above and will not be repeated here.

[0370] In the above embodiment, since the second UPF of the second spatial node receives the fifth configuration request after the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, and the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving terminal after receiving the data sent by the first UPF. Since the second UPF of the second spatial node, whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving terminal when the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, the ground receiving terminal no longer needs to wait for a long time for the first spatial node to send data again, allowing the ground receiving terminal to receive the required data in a short time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving terminal.

[0371] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding method, which is applied to a first SMF, and the first SMF is used to manage a first UPF of a first spatial node. Figure 9 As shown, Figure 9 A flowchart of a seventh spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0372] S901: Determine a second spatial node.

[0373] In S901, the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. The first SMF can determine the second spatial node based on the location information of the ground receiving terminal and the ephemeris information of the spatial node, or can determine the second spatial node based on the identifier of the spatial node sent by the mobility management function network element or the operation control center. The embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the manner in which the first SMF determines the second spatial node.

[0374] S902: Send a sixth configuration request to the first UPF.

[0375] In S902, the sixth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. Specifically, the sixth configuration request can be a data forwarding configuration request. The first SMF sends the data forwarding configuration request to the first UPF, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end through the first UPF.

[0376] In one possible implementation, if the first SMF manages the first UPF and the second SMF manages the second UPF of the second space node, the first SMF instructs the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. Specifically, the first SMF sends a data forwarding request to the second SMF, instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0377] S903: Receive a second configuration response sent by the first UPF.

[0378] The second configuration response is used to respond to the sixth configuration request. The second configuration response may be a data forwarding configuration response.

[0379] In a possible implementation, if the first SMF manages the first UPF and the second SMF manages the second UPF of the second spatial node, the first SMF receives a data forwarding response sent by the second SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF.

[0380] In one embodiment of the present invention, the data forwarding response may include data processing rule information. The data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the second UPF. The tunnel information is for the tunnel used by the second UPF to receive and / or forward data. Specifically, the tunnel information may be tunnel information allocated by the second SMF to the second UPF for receiving data from the first space node and forwarding data to the ground receiving end.

[0381] S904: Send a seventh configuration request to the first UPF.

[0382] In S904, the seventh configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF when the first UPF fails to send data to the ground receiving end. The seventh configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request.

[0383] In one possible case, the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and then sends a data forwarding configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to send the data to the second UPF, and the second UPF sends the data to the ground receiving end.

[0384] In another possible case, the first UPF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, then the first UPF sends the data to the second UPF, and the second UPF sends the data to the ground receiving end.

[0385] In one embodiment, the first SMF may include data processing rule information in the data forwarding configuration request for guiding the second UPF of the second spatial node to process data.

[0386] Optionally, the above-mentioned data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the second UPF of the second spatial node.

[0387] Among them, the way in which the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end can be found in the aforementioned S101 and will not be repeated here.

[0388] When the above embodiment is selected, when the first SMF manages the first UPF, since the first SMF has already determined the second space node and requested the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end before determining that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, therefore, if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF can immediately instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, and the second UPF will send the data to the ground receiving end, further shortening the time for the ground receiving end to receive data, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0389] In a possible embodiment, the above S901 may be implemented through step G, and the above S902 may be implemented through step H.

[0390] Step G: determine the spatial node group.

[0391] Each spatial node in the spatial node group is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. The spatial node group can be represented by a next-hop spatial node sequence. The next-hop spatial node sequence includes a series of sequentially arranged spatial node identifiers. Each spatial node sequentially passes through the area where the ground receiving terminal is located in the order of the identifiers corresponding to the next-hop spatial node.

[0392] Step H: Send an eighth configuration request to the first UPF.

[0393] In step H, the eighth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to configure the UPF of each spatial node in the spatial node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. The eighth configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request. Assuming that the spatial node group includes a second spatial node, a third spatial node, and a fourth spatial node, and the second spatial node, the third spatial node, and the fourth spatial node pass through the area where the ground receiving end is located in sequence, the first SMF instructs the first UPF to configure the UPFs of the second spatial node, the third spatial node, and the fourth spatial node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0394] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first SMF may send a data forwarding configuration request to the UPF of each space node in the space node group to instruct each UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0395] In another embodiment, the first SMF may include data processing rule information for guiding each UPF to process data in the data forwarding configuration request.

[0396] Optionally, the above-mentioned data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the UPF of the spatial node in the spatial node group.

[0397] After the first SMF instructs the first UPF to configure the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, if the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, it instructs the first UPF to forward the data to the UPF of the first space node in the space node group.

[0398] For example, assuming that the space node group includes a second space node, a third space node and a fourth space node, and the second space node, the third space node and the fourth space node pass through the area where the ground receiving end is located in sequence, if the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF instructs the first UPF to forward the data to the UPF of the second space node. If the UPF of the second space node fails to send data to the ground receiving node, the data is forwarded to the UPF of the third space node, and so on.

[0399] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first SMF instructs the SMF of each space node in the space node group to configure the UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0400] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first SMF receives a data forwarding response sent by the SMF of each spatial node in the spatial node group.

[0401] The data forwarding response includes forwarding information for the first UPF to forward the data to the UPF of the first spatial node in the spatial node group. Based on the forwarding information, the first UPF forwards the data to the UPF of the first spatial node in the spatial node group.

[0402] The above embodiment is selected. Since the first SMF has determined the space node group before determining that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and requests the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, therefore, if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF can try to send data to the ground receiving end through the UPF of each space node in the space node group in turn. Sending data through multiple UPFs can further improve the success rate of data transmission, and configuring multiple UPFs at one time can further shorten the time for the ground receiving end to receive data, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0403] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding method, which is applied to a first SMF, and the first SMF is used to manage a first UPF of a first spatial node. Figure 10 As shown, Figure 10 This is a flow chart of an eighth spatial node data forwarding method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0404] S1001: Determine a second spatial node.

[0405] In S1001, the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. The first SMF can determine the second spatial node based on the location information of the ground receiving terminal and the ephemeris information of the spatial node, or can determine the second spatial node based on the identifier of the spatial node sent by the mobility management function network element or the operation control center. This embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the manner in which the first SMF determines the second spatial node.

[0406] S1002, sending a ninth configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node.

[0407] In S1002, the ninth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. The first SMF manages the first UPF and the second UPF. Specifically, the ninth configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request. Since the first SMF manages the first UPF and the second UPF, the first SMF may directly send the data forwarding configuration request to the second UPF, instructing the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0408] S1003, receive the third configuration response sent by the second UPF.

[0409] The third configuration response is used to respond to the ninth configuration request. The third configuration response may be a data forwarding configuration response.

[0410] In one embodiment of the present invention, the data forwarding configuration response may include data processing rule information. The above-mentioned data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the second UPF. The above-mentioned tunnel information is for the tunnel used by the second UPF to receive and / or forward data. Specifically, the above-mentioned tunnel information may be the tunnel information allocated by the first SMF to the second UPF for receiving data from the first space node and forwarding data to the ground receiving end, or is used to instruct the second UPF to allocate a tunnel for receiving data from the first space node and forwarding data to the ground receiving end.

[0411] S1004, sending a tenth configuration request to the first UPF.

[0412] In S1004, the tenth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF when the first UPF fails to send data to the ground receiving end. The tenth configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request.

[0413] In one possible case, the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and then sends a data forwarding configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to send the data to the second UPF, and the second UPF sends the data to the ground receiving end.

[0414] In another possible case, the first UPF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, then the first UPF sends the data to the second UPF, and the second UPF sends the data to the ground receiving end.

[0415] In one embodiment, the first SMF may include data processing rule information in the data forwarding configuration request for guiding the second UPF of the second spatial node to process data.

[0416] Optionally, the above-mentioned data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the second UPF of the second spatial node.

[0417] Among them, the way in which the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end can be found in the aforementioned S101 and will not be repeated here.

[0418] When the above embodiment is selected, when the first SMF manages the first UPF and the second UPF, since the first SMF has already determined the second space node before determining that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and requested the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end, therefore, if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF can immediately request the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, and the second UPF will send the data to the ground receiving end, further shortening the time for the ground receiving end to receive data, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0419] In a possible embodiment, the above S1001 can be implemented through step I, the above S1002 can be implemented through step J, the above S1003 can be implemented through step K, and the above S1004 can be implemented through step L.

[0420] Step I: determine the spatial node group.

[0421] Each spatial node in the spatial node group is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. The spatial node group can be represented by a next-hop spatial node sequence. The next-hop spatial node sequence includes a series of sequentially arranged spatial node identifiers. Each spatial node sequentially passes through the area where the ground receiving terminal is located in the order of the identifiers corresponding to the next-hop spatial node.

[0422] Step J: Send the eleventh configuration request to the UPF of each spatial node in the spatial node group.

[0423] In step J, the eleventh configuration request is used to instruct the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. The eleventh configuration request can be a data forwarding configuration request. Assuming that the space node group includes a second space node, a third space node, and a fourth space node, and the second space node, the third space node, and the fourth space node pass through the area where the ground receiving end is located in sequence, the first SMF sends a data forwarding configuration request to the UPFs of the second space node, the third space node, and the fourth space node, requesting the UPFs of the second space node, the third space node, and the fourth space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0424] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first SMF may send a data forwarding configuration request to the UPF of each space node in the space node group to request each UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0425] In another embodiment, the first SMF may include data processing rule information for guiding each UPF to process data in the data forwarding configuration request.

[0426] Optionally, the above-mentioned data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the UPF of the spatial node in the spatial node group.

[0427] Step K: Receive the fourth configuration response sent by the UPF of each spatial node in the spatial node group.

[0428] The fourth configuration response is used to respond to the eleventh configuration request. The fourth configuration response may be a data forwarding configuration response.

[0429] Optionally, the data forwarding configuration response may include forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the UPF of the first spatial node in the spatial node group.

[0430] In one embodiment of the present invention, the data forwarding configuration response may include data processing rule information. The above-mentioned data processing rule information may include tunnel information of the UPF of each space node in the space node group. The above-mentioned tunnel information is for the tunnel used by the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and / or forward data. Specifically, the above-mentioned tunnel information may be the tunnel information allocated by the first SMF to the UPF of each space node in the space node group for receiving data from the first space node and forwarding data to the ground receiving end, or is used to instruct the UPF of each space node in the space node group to allocate a tunnel for receiving data from the first space node and forwarding data to the ground receiving end.

[0431] Step L, sending a twelfth configuration request to the first UPF.

[0432] In step L, the twelfth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the UPF of the first space node in the space node group when data transmission to the ground receiving end fails. The twelfth configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request.

[0433] Assume that the space node group includes the second space node, the third space node and the fourth space node, and the second space node, the third space node and the fourth space node pass through the area where the ground receiving end is located in sequence. If the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, it instructs the first UPF to forward the data to the UPF of the second space node. If the UPF of the second space node fails to send data to the ground receiving node, it forwards the data to the UPF of the third space node, and so on.

[0434] The above embodiment is selected. Since the first SMF has determined the space node group before determining that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and requests the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, therefore, if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF can try to send data to the ground receiving end through the UPF of each space node in the space node group in turn. Sending data through multiple UPFs can further improve the success rate of data transmission, and configuring multiple UPFs at one time can further shorten the time for the ground receiving end to receive data, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0435] In a possible embodiment, the above S1002 can be implemented through step M.

[0436] Step M: Send a ninth configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node through the first UPF.

[0437] In step M, the ninth configuration request may be a data forwarding configuration request. In the case where the second UPF is not managed by the first SMF, the first SMF sends a data forwarding configuration request to UPF1, requesting the first UPF to send the data forwarding configuration request to the second UPF, so as to request the second UPF to receive and send data to the ground receiving end.

[0438] By selecting the above embodiment, when the second UPF is not managed by the first SMF, the first SMF can use the first UPF to complete the request for the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0439] See also Figure 11 , which is a flow chart of the ninth spatial node data forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention, including the following steps c1-c6.

[0440] Among them, SMF1 corresponds to the first SMF, UPF1 corresponds to the first UPF, UPF2 corresponds to the second UPF, the first SMF manages the first UPF, and the first SMF may manage the second UPF or may not manage the second UPF.

[0441] c1. SMF1 sends the seventh data forwarding configuration request to UPF1.

[0442] Specifically, SMF1 requests UPF1 to receive data and forward the data to the ground receiving terminal or the next-hop space node. The next-hop space node refers to the space node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period.

[0443] The spatial node where UPF1 is located is a spatial node to receive data. It can be understood that it can be the first spatial node when data has not been received, or it can be the next-hop spatial node relative to the first spatial node, such as the second spatial node.

[0444] SMF1 requests UPF1 to receive data including: SMF1 can provide tunnel information to UPF1.

[0445] Forwarding data to a ground receiving terminal or a next-hop space node includes: SMF1 may also provide data processing rule information to UPF1, and the data processing rule information guides UPF1 to process the data. SMF1 may determine the data processing rule information based on one or more information including data forwarding remaining indicator information, auxiliary information, etc.

[0446] In a first embodiment, SMF1 may include data processing rule information for guiding the UPF of the next-hop space node to process data in the seventh data forwarding configuration request. The tunnel information of the UPF of the next-hop space node may be included in the above-mentioned data processing rule information, or may be included in other parts of the seventh data forwarding configuration request.

[0447] Under the second embodiment, SMF1 may include data processing rule information for guiding the UPF of each space node in the space node group to process data in the seventh data forwarding configuration request. The tunnel information of the UPF of each space node in the space node group may be included in the above-mentioned data processing rule information, and may also be included in other parts of the seventh data forwarding configuration request. The space node group includes a series of space nodes arranged in sequence, which will pass through the area where the ground receiving end is located in sequence. For example, the space node group includes the space node where UPF2 is located, the next-hop space node relative to the space node where UPF2 is located (such as the space node where UPF3 is located), the next-hop space node relative to the space node where UPF3 is located, etc.

[0448] It should be noted that the tunnel information and data processing rule information of the UPF of the next-hop space node provided by SMF1 can be allocated in advance, and can be allocated and stored in all possible next-hop space nodes, or allocated and stored in some next-hop space nodes.

[0449] For the scenario where the tunnel information and data processing rule information of the UPF of the next-hop space node are stored in some next-hop space nodes, SMF1 needs to obtain the tunnel information of the UPF from the SMF that manages the next-hop space node in advance, similar to Figure 2 The difference is that the method is acquired in advance.

[0450] If the spatial node where UPF2 is located is the last spatial node managed by SMF1, the spatial node where UPF3 is located is the next-hop spatial node relative to the spatial node where UPF2 is located, and UPF3 is managed by SMF2. In the second embodiment described above, SMF1 obtains UPF3's tunnel information from SMF2 in advance, and then SMF1 provides UPF1 with the tunnel information and corresponding data processing rule information of UPF2 and UPF3. SMF2 then provides UPF3 with the tunnel information and corresponding data processing rule information of the UPF of the next-hop spatial node of the spatial node it manages.

[0451] c2. UPF1 sends a seventh data forwarding configuration response to SMF1.

[0452] The seventh data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the seventh data forwarding configuration request.

[0453] UPF1 receives the data and attempts to send it to the ground receiver.

[0454] If UPF1 fails to be sent, execute step c3.

[0455] Specifically, UPF1 may sense that data transmission has failed by itself, in which case step c3 is directly executed; or SMF1 may sense that UPF1 has failed to transmit data, in which case SMF1 requests UPF1 to execute step c3.

[0456] c3.UPF1 forwards data to UPF2.

[0457] When UPF1 receives the data processing rule information, UPF1 may forward the data to UPF2 based on the received data processing rule information.

[0458] For the first implementation in step c1, UPF1 may also send data processing rule information corresponding to UPF2 to UPF2.

[0459] For the second implementation in step c1, UPF1 can also send to UPF2 the data processing rule information corresponding to UPF2, the tunnel information of the UPF of each spatial node in the spatial node group except UPF2, and the data processing rule information used to guide each UPF to process data.

[0460] UPF2 can attempt to send data to the receiving end based on the received data processing rule information. The specific processing is similar to UPF1 and will not be repeated here.

[0461] c4.SMF1 confirms that the ground receiving end is reachable.

[0462] Specifically, the ground receiving terminal may be determined to be reachable when SMF1 receives a notification that the ground receiving terminal is reachable, when SMF1 receives a notification that the gateway is reachable, or when SMF1 receives a notification that the space node has resumed communication with the ground. This embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the manner in which SMF1 determines that the ground receiving terminal is reachable.

[0463] It should be noted that the reachability of the ground receiving terminal may be determined by SMF 1 or UPF 2. The embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit the object for determining the reachability of the ground receiving terminal.

[0464] c5. SMF1 sends an eighth data forwarding configuration request to UPF2.

[0465] Among them, the eighth data forwarding configuration request is used to instruct UPF2 to send data to the ground receiving end, that is, after establishing a link for sending data to the ground receiving end, forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0466] The eighth data forwarding configuration request includes information about the other end of the link used to forward data, such as tunnel information allocated by the access network.

[0467] c6. UPF2 sends an eighth data forwarding configuration response to SMF1.

[0468] The data forwarding configuration response is used to respond to the eighth data forwarding configuration request.

[0469] It should be noted that Figure 11 The dotted box in indicates that step c4 may be executed by SMF1 or not.

[0470] It should be noted that Figure 3 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 11 The solid arrow in the figure indicates that the step must be executed, and the dotted arrow indicates that the step can be executed or not.

[0471] Corresponding to the aforementioned spatial node data forwarding method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding device, which is applied to a first SMF, and the first SMF is used to manage a first UPF of a first spatial node, see Figure 12 , is a structural diagram of a first spatial node data forwarding device provided by an embodiment of the present invention, the device comprising:

[0472] The first determining module 1201 is configured to determine a second spatial node if it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0473] The first sending module 1202 is used to send a data forwarding request to the second SMF, where the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, and the second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node;

[0474] The first receiving module 1203 is configured to receive a data forwarding response sent by the second SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF;

[0475] The second sending module 1204 is used to send a first configuration request to the first UPF, where the first configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information.

[0476] In the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first spatial node has failed to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, it determines a second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. Since the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, the first SMF sends a data forwarding request to the second SMF, instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second spatial node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving terminal. When the first SMF receives a data forwarding response from the second SMF, since the data forwarding response includes forwarding information for the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, the first SMF sends a first configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information. Therefore, the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving terminal. Since, when the first spatial node fails to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, the second UPF of the second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving terminal, the ground receiving terminal no longer needs to wait for the first spatial node to transmit data again. This allows the ground receiving terminal to receive the required data in a shorter time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving terminal.

[0477] In a possible embodiment, before determining the second spatial node, the apparatus further includes:

[0478] The first determination module is configured to determine whether data needs to be forwarded; if so, the first determination module 1201 is triggered to execute.

[0479] By selecting the above embodiment, the first SMF determines whether data needs to be forwarded before determining the second spatial node, thereby avoiding forwarding data when it is not necessary, thereby saving resources of the spatial node.

[0480] In a possible embodiment, the first judgment module is specifically configured to:

[0481] If the data forwarding time is less than the preset time, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0482] If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the forwarding number is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data fails to be sent;

[0483] If the contract information and / or local configuration information indicates that data forwarding is allowed, determining that data forwarding is required;

[0484] If the data volume is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0485] By selecting the above embodiment, whether data needs to be forwarded can be determined through the data forwarding duration, the number of data forwarding times, contract information, local configuration information and the data volume, thereby avoiding forwarding data when it is not necessary, thereby saving space node resources.

[0486] Corresponding to the aforementioned spatial node data forwarding method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding device, which is applied to a first SMF, and the first SMF is used to manage a first UPF of a first spatial node, see Figure 13 , is a structural diagram of a second spatial node data forwarding device provided by an embodiment of the present invention, the device comprising:

[0487] The second determining module 1301 is configured to determine a second spatial node if it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0488] The third sending module 1302 is used to send a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second space node, where the second configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end;

[0489] The second receiving module 1303 is configured to receive a first configuration response sent by the second UPF, where the first configuration response is used to respond to the second configuration request;

[0490] The fourth sending module 1304 is used to send a third configuration request to the first UPF, where the third configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF.

[0491] In the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, it determines a second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving end is located after a preset time period. Since the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, the first SMF sends a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node, instructing the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end. When the first SMF receives the first configuration response sent by the second UPF, the first SMF sends a third configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF, and the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving end. Since, when the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the second UPF of the second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving end is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving end, the ground receiving end no longer needs to wait for a long time for the first spatial node to send data again, so that the ground receiving end receives the required data in a short time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0492] In a possible embodiment, the third sending module 1302 is specifically configured to:

[0493] A second configuration request including data processing rule information is sent to the second UPF of the second spatial node, where the data processing rule information indicates rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward data.

[0494] By selecting the above embodiment, since the first SMF sends the second configuration request containing data processing rule information to the second UPF, the second UPF can forward the data to the ground receiving end according to the data processing rule information.

[0495] In a possible embodiment, the third sending module 1302 is specifically configured to:

[0496] A second configuration request containing auxiliary information is sent to the second UPF of the second space node, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, time of forwarding data, and frequency of forwarding data.

[0497] By selecting the above embodiment, since the first SMF sends the second configuration request containing auxiliary information to the second UPF, the second UPF can forward data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information.

[0498] In a possible embodiment, before determining the second spatial node, the apparatus further includes:

[0499] The second judgment module is used to judge whether the data needs to be forwarded; if so, the first determination module is triggered to execute.

[0500] By selecting the above embodiment, the first SMF determines whether data needs to be forwarded before determining the second spatial node, thereby avoiding forwarding data when it is not necessary, thereby saving resources of the spatial node.

[0501] In a possible embodiment, the second determination module is specifically configured to:

[0502] If the data forwarding time is less than the preset time, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded;

[0503] If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the forwarding number is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data fails to be sent;

[0504] If the contract information and / or local configuration information indicates that data forwarding is allowed, determining that data forwarding is required;

[0505] If the data volume is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

[0506] By selecting the above embodiment, whether data needs to be forwarded can be determined through the data forwarding duration, the number of data forwarding times, contract information, local configuration information and the data volume, thereby avoiding forwarding data when it is not necessary, thereby saving space node resources.

[0507] Corresponding to the aforementioned spatial node data forwarding method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding device, which is applied to the second SMF. The second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second spatial node. Figure 14 , is a schematic structural diagram of a third spatial node data forwarding device provided by an embodiment of the present invention, the device comprising:

[0508] The third receiving module 1401 is used to receive a data forwarding request sent by the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF manages the first UPF of the first space node, the current coverage range of the first space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, and after a preset time period, the coverage range of the second space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located;

[0509] The fifth sending module 1402 is configured to send a data forwarding response to the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF;

[0510] The sixth sending module 1403 is used to send a fourth configuration request to the second UPF, where the fourth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive data from the first UPF and forward the data to the ground receiving end.

[0511] By selecting the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the second SMF receives the data forwarding request sent by the first SMF. Since the second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node, and the coverage of the second space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, the second SMF can configure the second UPF to forward data to the ground receiving end. Since, when the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the second UPF of the second space node whose coverage includes the area where the ground receiving end is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving end, the ground receiving end no longer needs to wait for a long time for the first space node to send data again, so that the ground receiving end receives the required data in a short time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0512] In a possible embodiment, the sixth sending module 1403 is specifically configured to:

[0513] A fourth configuration request including data processing rule information is sent to the second UPF, where the data processing rule information indicates rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward data.

[0514] By selecting the above embodiment, since the second SMF sends the fourth configuration request containing data processing rule information to the second UPF, the second UPF can forward data to the ground receiving end according to the data processing rule information.

[0515] In a possible embodiment, the sixth sending module 1403 is specifically configured to:

[0516] A fourth configuration request containing auxiliary information is sent to the second UPF, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, time of forwarding data, and frequency of forwarding data.

[0517] By selecting the above embodiment, since the second SMF sends the fourth configuration request containing auxiliary information to the second UPF, the second UPF can forward data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information.

[0518] Corresponding to the aforementioned spatial node data forwarding method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding device, which is applied to the second UPF. The device includes:

[0519] a fourth receiving module, configured to receive a fifth configuration request, wherein the fifth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, the current coverage range of the first spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, and after a preset time period, the coverage range of the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located;

[0520] The data forwarding module is used to forward the data to the ground receiving end after receiving the data sent by the first UPF, where the first UPF is the UPF of the first space node.

[0521] In the above embodiment, since the second UPF of the second spatial node receives the fifth configuration request after the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, and the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving terminal after receiving the data sent by the first UPF. Since the second UPF of the second spatial node, whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving terminal when the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, the ground receiving terminal no longer needs to wait for a long time for the first spatial node to send data again, allowing the ground receiving terminal to receive the required data in a short time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving terminal.

[0522] Corresponding to the aforementioned spatial node data forwarding method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding device, which is applied to a first SMF, and the first SMF is used to manage a first UPF of a first spatial node. The device includes:

[0523] A third determining module is configured to determine a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0524] a seventh sending module, configured to send a sixth configuration request to the first UPF, wherein the sixth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end;

[0525] a fifth receiving module, configured to receive a second configuration response sent by the first UPF, where the second configuration response is used to respond to the sixth configuration request;

[0526] The eighth sending module is used to send a seventh configuration request to the first UPF, wherein the seventh configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF when sending data to the ground receiving end fails.

[0527] When the above embodiment is selected, in the case where the first SMF manages the first UPF, since the first SMF has already determined the second space node before determining that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and requests the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end, therefore, if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF can immediately instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, and the second UPF will send the data to the ground receiving end, further shortening the time for the ground receiving end to receive data, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0528] In a possible embodiment, the third determining module is specifically configured to:

[0529] Determine a space node group, where each space node in the space node group is: a space node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0530] The seventh sending module is specifically used for:

[0531] An eighth configuration request is sent to the first UPF, wherein the eighth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to configure the UPF of each spatial node in the spatial node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0532] The above embodiment is selected. Since the first SMF has determined the space node group before determining that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and requests the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, therefore, if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF can try to send data to the ground receiving end through the UPF of each space node in the space node group in turn. Sending data through multiple UPFs can further improve the success rate of data transmission, and configuring multiple UPFs at one time can further shorten the time for the ground receiving end to receive data, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0533] Corresponding to the aforementioned spatial node data forwarding method, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a spatial node data forwarding device, which is applied to a first SMF, and the first SMF is used to manage a first UPF of a first spatial node. The device includes:

[0534] A fourth determining module is configured to determine a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0535] A ninth sending module, configured to send a ninth configuration request to the second UPF of the second space node, where the ninth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end;

[0536] a sixth receiving module, configured to receive a third configuration response sent by the second UPF, where the third configuration response is used to respond to the ninth configuration request;

[0537] The tenth sending module is used to send a tenth configuration request to the first UPF, wherein the tenth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF when sending data to the ground receiving end fails.

[0538] When the above embodiment is selected, when the first SMF manages the first UPF and the second UPF, since the first SMF has already determined the second space node before determining that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and requested the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end, therefore, if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF can immediately instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, and the second UPF will send the data to the ground receiving end, further shortening the time for the ground receiving end to receive data, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0539] In a possible embodiment, the fourth determining module is specifically configured to:

[0540] Determine a space node group, where each space node in the space node group is: a space node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period;

[0541] The ninth sending module is specifically used for:

[0542] Sending an eleventh configuration request to the UPF of each space node in the space node group, where the eleventh configuration request is used to instruct the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end;

[0543] The sixth receiving module is specifically configured to:

[0544] receiving a fourth configuration response sent by the UPF of each spatial node in the spatial node group, where the fourth configuration response is used to respond to the eleventh configuration request;

[0545] The tenth sending module is specifically used for:

[0546] A twelfth configuration request is sent to the first UPF, wherein the twelfth configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward data to the UPF of the first space node in the space node group if sending data to the ground receiving end fails.

[0547] The above embodiment is selected. Since the first SMF has determined the space node group before determining that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, and requests the UPF of each space node in the space node group to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, therefore, if it is determined that the first space node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF can try to send data to the ground receiving end through the UPF of each space node in the space node group in turn. Sending data through multiple UPFs can further improve the success rate of data transmission, and configuring multiple UPFs at one time can further shorten the time for the ground receiving end to receive data, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving end.

[0548] In a possible embodiment, the ninth sending module is specifically configured to:

[0549] A ninth configuration request is sent to the second UPF of the second spatial node through the first UPF.

[0550] By selecting the above embodiment, when the second UPF is not managed by the first SMF, the first SMF can use the first UPF to complete the request for the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end.

[0551] The embodiment of the present invention also provides a session management network element, such as Figure 15 As shown, it includes a processor 1501, a communication interface 1502, a memory 1503 and a communication bus 1504, wherein the processor 1501, the communication interface 1502, and the memory 1503 communicate with each other through the communication bus 1504.

[0552] Memory 1503, used for storing computer programs;

[0553] The processor 1501 is configured to implement any method step of the spatial node data forwarding method applied to the first SMF when executing the program stored in the memory 1503.

[0554] In the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first spatial node has failed to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, it determines a second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. Since the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, the first SMF sends a data forwarding request to the second SMF, instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second spatial node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving terminal. When the first SMF receives a data forwarding response from the second SMF, since the data forwarding response includes forwarding information for the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, the first SMF sends a first configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information. Therefore, the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving terminal. Since, when the first spatial node fails to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, the second UPF of the second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving terminal, the ground receiving terminal no longer needs to wait for the first spatial node to transmit data again. This allows the ground receiving terminal to receive the required data in a shorter time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving terminal.

[0555] The communication bus mentioned in the first session management network element may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. This communication bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in the figure, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0556] The communication interface is used for communication between the first session management network element and other devices.

[0557] The memory may include random access memory (RAM) or non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk storage. Alternatively, the memory may be at least one storage device located away from the processor.

[0558] The above-mentioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, and discrete hardware components.

[0559] In another embodiment provided by the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of any of the above-mentioned spatial node data forwarding methods are implemented.

[0560] In the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first spatial node has failed to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, it determines a second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. Since the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, the first SMF sends a data forwarding request to the second SMF, instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second spatial node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving terminal. When the first SMF receives a data forwarding response from the second SMF, since the data forwarding response includes forwarding information for the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, the first SMF sends a first configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information. Therefore, the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving terminal. Since, when the first spatial node fails to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, the second UPF of the second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving terminal, the ground receiving terminal no longer needs to wait for the first spatial node to transmit data again. This allows the ground receiving terminal to receive the required data in a shorter time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving terminal.

[0561] In another embodiment provided by the present invention, a computer program product including instructions is also provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any of the spatial node data forwarding methods in the above embodiments.

[0562] In the above embodiment, when the first SMF determines that the first spatial node has failed to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, it determines a second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period. Since the coverage area of ​​the second spatial node includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located, the first SMF sends a data forwarding request to the second SMF, instructing the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second spatial node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving terminal. When the first SMF receives a data forwarding response from the second SMF, since the data forwarding response includes forwarding information for the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF, the first SMF sends a first configuration request to the first UPF, instructing the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information. Therefore, the second UPF can forward the received data to the ground receiving terminal. Since, when the first spatial node fails to transmit data to the ground receiving terminal, the second UPF of the second spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located receives and forwards the data to the ground receiving terminal, the ground receiving terminal no longer needs to wait for the first spatial node to transmit data again. This allows the ground receiving terminal to receive the required data in a shorter time, thereby improving the communication quality of the ground receiving terminal.

[0563] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present invention are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)).

[0564] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply the existence of any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device comprising the element.

[0565] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a related manner. Similar portions between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the apparatus, first session management network element, second session management network element, second user plane function network element, and computer-readable storage medium embodiments are generally similar to the method embodiments, so their description is relatively simple. For related portions, reference can be made to the description of the method embodiments.

[0566] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spatial node data forwarding method, characterized in that: Applied to a first session management network element SMF, the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of a first spatial node, and the method includes: If it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, determining a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving end is located after a preset time period; Sending a data forwarding request to the second SMF, where the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end, and the second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node; Receiving a data forwarding response sent by the second SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF; A first configuration request is sent to the first UPF, where the first configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before determining the second spatial node, the method further includes: Determining whether the data needs to be forwarded; If necessary, the step of determining the second spatial node is performed.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Determining whether the data needs to be forwarded is done by at least one of the following methods: If the forwarding time of the data is less than the preset time, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded; If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the number of forwarding times is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data fails to be sent; If the contract information and / or the local configuration information indicates that forwarding of the data is allowed, determining that the data needs to be forwarded; If the data volume of the data is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

4. A spatial node data forwarding method, characterized in that: Applied to a first session management network element SMF, the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of a first spatial node, and the method includes: If it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving end, determining a second spatial node, where the second spatial node is: a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving end is located after a preset time period; Sending a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second space node, where the second configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end; receiving a first configuration response sent by the second UPF, where the first configuration response is used to respond to the second configuration request; A third configuration request is sent to the first UPF, where the third configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The sending a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node includes: A second configuration request including data processing rule information is sent to the second UPF of the second spatial node, where the data processing rule information indicates rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward the data.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The sending a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second spatial node includes: A second configuration request containing auxiliary information is sent to the second UPF of the second space node, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, the time of forwarding data, and the frequency of forwarding data.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that Before determining the second spatial node, the method further includes: Determining whether the data needs to be forwarded; If necessary, the step of determining the second spatial node is performed.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Determining whether the data needs to be forwarded is done by at least one of the following methods: If the forwarding time of the data is less than the preset time, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded; If the number of forwarding times of the data is not greater than the preset number, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded, wherein the number of forwarding times is: the number of times the data is forwarded after the data fails to be sent; If the contract information and / or the local configuration information indicates that forwarding of the data is allowed, determining that the data needs to be forwarded; If the data volume of the data is less than the preset data volume, it is determined that the data needs to be forwarded.

9. A spatial node data forwarding method, characterized in that: Applied to a second session management network element SMF, where the second SMF is used to manage a second user plane function network element UPF of a second spatial node, the method includes: Receive a data forwarding request sent by the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF manages the first UPF of the first space node, the current coverage of the first space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, and after a preset time period, the coverage of the second space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located; Sending a data forwarding response to the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF; A fourth configuration request is sent to the second UPF, where the fourth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive data from the first UPF and forward the data to the ground receiving end.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The sending a fourth configuration request to the second UPF includes: A fourth configuration request including data processing rule information is sent to the second UPF, where the data processing rule information indicates rules for the second UPF to receive and / or forward the data.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The sending a fourth configuration request to the second UPF includes: A fourth configuration request containing auxiliary information is sent to the second UPF, requesting the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end according to the auxiliary information; wherein the auxiliary information includes at least one of the following information: address information of the ground receiving end, context information of the ground receiving end, information of the gateway in the data forwarding path, the time of forwarding data, and the frequency of forwarding data.

12. A spatial node data forwarding device, characterized in that: Applied to a first session management network element SMF, the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of a first spatial node, the device includes: A first determining module is configured to determine a second spatial node if it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period; A first sending module is used to send a data forwarding request to the second SMF, where the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF of the second space node to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end, wherein the second SMF is used to manage the second UPF of the second space node; A first receiving module is configured to receive a data forwarding response sent by the second SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF; The second sending module is used to send a first configuration request to the first UPF, where the first configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF based on the forwarding information.

13. A spatial node data forwarding device, characterized in that: Applied to a first session management network element SMF, the first SMF is used to manage a first user plane function network element UPF of a first spatial node, the device includes: A second determining module is configured to determine a second spatial node if it is determined that the first spatial node fails to send data to the ground receiving terminal, where the second spatial node is a spatial node whose coverage area includes the area where the ground receiving terminal is located after a preset time period; A third sending module is used to send a second configuration request to the second UPF of the second space node, where the second configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive and forward the data to the ground receiving end; a second receiving module, configured to receive a first configuration response sent by the second UPF, where the first configuration response is used to respond to the second configuration request; The fourth sending module is used to send a third configuration request to the first UPF, where the third configuration request is used to instruct the first UPF to forward the data to the second UPF.

14. A spatial node data forwarding device, characterized in that: Applied to a second session management network element SMF, where the second SMF is used to manage a second user plane function network element UPF of a second spatial node, the device includes: A third receiving module is used to receive a data forwarding request sent by the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding request is used to instruct the second SMF to configure the second UPF to receive and forward data to the ground receiving end, the first SMF manages the first UPF of the first space node, the current coverage of the first space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located, and after a preset time period, the coverage of the second space node includes the area where the ground receiving end is located; a fifth sending module, configured to send a data forwarding response to the first SMF, wherein the data forwarding response includes forwarding information used by the first UPF to forward data to the second UPF; The sixth sending module is used to send a fourth configuration request to the second UPF, where the fourth configuration request is used to instruct the second UPF to receive data from the first UPF and forward the data to the ground receiving end.

15. A session management network element, characterized in that: It includes a processor, a communication interface, a memory and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface and the memory communicate with each other via the communication bus; Memory for storing computer programs; A processor is configured to implement any method step of claims 1-3, 4-8 or 9-11 when executing a program stored in a memory.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, any method step of claims 1-3, 4-8 or 9-11 is implemented.

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