Satellite communication method, communication device and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a satellite communication method, communication equipment and a storage medium. The satellite communication method executed by a first network device may comprise: determining a first data network access identifier DNAI according to a first satellite identifier and a DNN provided by a first user equipment (UE); the first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is a satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located; the first DNAI is used for identifying a service that the first UE uses a satellite-borne user plane function (UPF) to carry out local communication with at least one second UE.

Description

Satellite communication method, communication equipment and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a satellite communication method, communication equipment, communication system, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] The fifth generation of mobile communications (5 th The 5G network supports satellite access technology, that is, user equipment (UE) can access the fifth generation mobile communication core network (5G) via satellite. th Satellite connectivity includes the service link between the satellite and the UE, and the feeder link between the satellite and the ground receiving station.

[0003] Existing technologies have studied the case where satellites are used as backhaul (satellites serve as the backhaul link between ground base stations and the core network), and local communication from UE to satellite to UE (UE Satellite UE, UE-SAT-UE) is achieved by deploying user plane functions (UPF) on satellites.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a satellite communication method, communication equipment, and storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a satellite communication method is provided, which is executed by a first network device. The method includes: determining a first data network access identifier DNAI based on a first satellite identifier and a data network name DNN provided by a first user equipment UE; the first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is a satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located; the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a satellite communication method is provided, which is executed by a second network device and includes: determining a first satellite identifier; the first satellite identifier is a satellite identifier of a first base station function accessed by a first user equipment UE; sending the first satellite identifier to the first network device; the first satellite identifier and a data network name DNN provided by the first user equipment UE are used by the first network device to determine a data network access identifier DNAI, and the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0008] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network device is provided, comprising:

[0009] The processing module is configured to determine a first data network access identifier DNAI according to a first satellite identifier and a data network name DNN provided by a first user equipment UE; the first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is a satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located; the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, wherein the network device includes:

[0011] The processing module is configured to determine a first satellite identifier; the first satellite identifier is a satellite identifier where a first base station function accessed by a first user equipment UE is located;

[0012] A sending module is configured to send the first satellite identifier to a first network device; the first satellite identifier and the data network name DNN provided by the first user equipment UE are used by the first network device to determine a data network access identifier DNAI, where the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device includes: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions so that the communication device executes the satellite communication method provided by any technical solution of the aforementioned first to second aspects.

[0014] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the satellite communication method provided in any of the first to second aspects.

[0015] The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure determines the first DNAI based on the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE. In this way, the DNAI for realizing UE-SAT-UE communication (that is, local communication) can be quickly determined, and the onboard UPF is selected accordingly to realize local communication based on the base station function deployed in the satellite scenario, thereby solving the problems related to business data transmission of local communication in the regeneration mode of the base station function deployed on the satellite.

[0016] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing an architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] FIG1B is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] FIG1C is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] FIG1D is a schematic diagram showing a satellite communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] FIG2 is a schematic flow chart showing a satellite communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0023] FIG3 is a schematic flow chart showing a satellite communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart showing a satellite communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] FIG5 is a flowchart of a satellite communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] FIG6 is a flowchart illustrating a satellite communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] FIG7A is a schematic structural diagram of a first network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] FIG7B is a schematic structural diagram of a second network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] FIG8A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] FIG8B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a satellite communication method, communication equipment, communication system, and storage medium.

[0032] A first aspect provides a satellite communication method, which is executed by a first network device, and the method includes: determining a first data network access identifier DNAI based on a first satellite identifier and a data network name DNN provided by a first user equipment UE; the first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is a satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located; the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0033] Based on the above solution, the first network device can determine the first DNAI based on the first satellite identifier of the first satellite where the first base station function providing service to the first UE is located and the DNN provided by the first UE, and select the onboard UPF accordingly to implement local communication based on the base station function deployed in the satellite scenario, thereby solving problems related to business data transmission of local communication when the base station function is deployed in the regeneration mode of the satellite.

[0034] In some embodiments of the first aspect, determining a first data network access identifier DNAI according to a first satellite identifier and a DNN provided by a first user equipment UE includes: determining a second satellite identifier and a second DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier according to an association relationship; wherein the association relationship includes at least: an identifier of a satellite where a base station function is located, a data network access identifier DNAI, and an identifier of a satellite where a user plane function UPF is located; the second satellite identifier is an identifier of a satellite where a user plane function UPF is located; the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier is used to transmit a service corresponding to the second DNAI; the second DNAI is one or more DNAIs; and determining the first DNAI from the second DNAI according to the DNN.

[0035] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining the first DNAI from the second DNAI based on the DNN, and selecting a UPF on the second satellite based on the first DNAI to provide local communication between the first UE and the second UE.

[0036] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining that the first UE does not support the local communication between the first UE and the second UE based on the DNN being unable to determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI.

[0037] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the second satellite is the same as the first satellite; or, the second satellite is different from the first satellite.

[0038] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a first message sent by the second network device, the first message including the first satellite identifier.

[0039] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending a second message to the second network device based on whether the first DNAI is determined.

[0040] Based on the above solution, the first network device specifically sends a second message to the second network device, thereby informing the second network device through the second message whether the PDU session context establishment for the local communication service has failed or succeeded.

[0041] In some embodiments of the first aspect, based on whether the DNN can determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI, a second message is sent to the second network device, including at least one of the following: the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is determined, a PDU session based on the first UPF is established, and a PDU session context establishment success message is sent to the second network device; the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is not determined, and a PDU session context establishment failure message is sent to the second network device; the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context modification request message and the first DNAI is determined, a PDU session based on the first UPF is established, and a PDU session context modification success message is sent to the second network device; the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context modification request message and the first DNAI is determined, a PDU session based on the first UPF is established, and a PDU session context modification success message is sent to the second network device; the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context modification request message and the first DNAI is not determined, and a PDU session context modification failure message is sent to the second network device; the first UPF is a satellite-borne UPF selected according to the first DNAI.

[0042] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: establishing a connection between the satellite UPF of the second UE and the satellite UPF of the first UE based on different satellite UPFs selected for the first UE and the second UE by the first DNAI.

[0043] Based on the above solution, in order to realize local communication between the first UE and the second UE, when multiple UPFs need to be involved, it is also necessary to establish a connection between the first UPF and the second UPF.

[0044] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method also includes: receiving a third satellite identifier sent by the second network device; the third satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the second base station function is located; the second base station function is a serving base station function after the first UE is replaced; and the first satellite identifier locally stored in the first network device is replaced with the third satellite identifier.

[0045] Based on the above solution, it can be ensured that the satellite identifier related to the first UE stored in the first network device always points to the satellite where the base station function providing access service for the first UE is located.

[0046] A second aspect provides a satellite communication method, which is executed by a network device and includes: determining a first satellite identifier; the first satellite identifier is the satellite identifier of the first base station function accessed by a first user equipment UE; sending the first satellite identifier to the first network device; the first satellite identifier and the data network name DNN provided by the first user equipment UE are used by the first network device to determine a data network access identifier DNAI, and the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses the onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0047] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first satellite identifier is used to determine the second satellite identifier and the second DNAI based on the association relationship; the second satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the user plane function UPF is located; the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier is used to transmit the service corresponding to the second DNAI; the DNAI is one or more DNAIs; and the DNN is used to determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI.

[0048] In some embodiments of the second aspect, sending a first satellite identifier of a first satellite to a first network device includes: sending a first message to the first network device; the first message includes the first satellite identifier; and receiving a second message sent by the first network device based on the first message.

[0049] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is determined, then the second message is a PDU session context establishment success message; or, the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is not determined, then the second message is a PDU session context establishment failure message; or, the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context modification request message and the first DNAI is determined, then the second message is a PDU session context modification success message; or, the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context modification request message and the first DNAI is determined, then the second message is a PDU session context modification failure message.

[0050] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further comprises:

[0051] The base station function accessed by the first UE is switched from the first base station function to the second base station function, and a third satellite identifier is sent to the first network device; the third satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the second base station function is located.

[0052] A third aspect provides a first network device, comprising:

[0053] The processing module is configured to determine a first data network access identifier DNAI based on a first satellite identifier and a data network name DNN provided by a first user equipment UE; the first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is a satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located; and the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0054] The fourth aspect provides a second network device, wherein the method includes: a processing module, configured to determine a first satellite identifier; the first satellite identifier is the satellite identifier of the first base station function accessed by the first user equipment UE; a sending module, configured to send the first satellite identifier to the first network device; the first satellite identifier and the data network name DNN provided by the first user equipment UE are used by the first network device to determine the data network access identifier DNAI, and the first DNAI is used to identify the service of the first UE using the onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0055] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the satellite communication method described in the optional implementation methods of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0056] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the satellite communication method described in the optional implementation of the first to second aspects.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the satellite communication method described in the optional implementation of the first to fifth aspects.

[0058] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the satellite communication method described in the optional implementation manners of the first to fifth aspects.

[0059] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, network devices, communication systems, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0060] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a satellite communication method, communication equipment, communication system and storage medium. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0061] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0062] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0063] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "the", "the", etc., can mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0064] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0065] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0066] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "in one case A, in another case B," or "in one case A, in another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0067] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0068] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first category of information" and the "second category of information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0069] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0070] In some embodiments, terms such as "...", "determine...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0071] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0072] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0073] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0074] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0075] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0076] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0077] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0078] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0079] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0080] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0081] FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] As shown in Figure 1A, a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. The network device 102 may include an access network device and / or a core network device.

[0083] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0084] In some embodiments, the terminal is also referred to as User Equipment (UE).

[0085] In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0086] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0087] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0088] In some embodiments, the core network device may be a single device including a first network element, or may be a plurality of devices or a group of devices, each including a first network element. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0089] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0090] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1A are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1A , or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1A . The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0091] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems using configuration methods for other resources, and next-generation systems based on and extending these systems. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, LTE and NR).

[0092] For satellites in regenerative mode (i.e., at least gNB functions are deployed on satellites), especially for gNB functions deployed on non-synchronous Satellites orbit (NGSO), since the satellite accessed by the UE will change with the movement of the satellite, the existing technology for providing UE-SAT-UE communication by synchronous Satellites orbit (GEO) satellites will not be applicable to local UE-SAT-UE communication in the regenerative mode of NGSO.

[0093] In order to realize local communication in the regeneration mode, the UPF can be deployed on the satellite as shown in FIG1B. The UPF on the satellite can be referred to as the onboard UPF. The onboard UPF can be connected to the core network through the ground station, such as the fifth generation mobile communication core network (5G) shown in FIG1B. th Generation Core,5GC).

[0094] The satellite communication system shown in Figure 1C may include onboard gNBs, onboard UPFs, and a core network. gNB-a1 is on satellite (SAT) A-1, gNB-a2 on SAT A-2, gNB-b1 on SAT B-1, gNB-b2 on SAT B-2, UPF-A on SAT A-3, and UPF-B on SAT B-3. UPF-A and UPF-B are connected to the core network, such as the 5GC, via a ground station. If local communication between UE-A and UE-B is required, UE-SAT-UE local communication in regeneration mode can be carried out using gNB-a1, UPF-A, gNB-b1, and UPF-B. Service data exchanged between UE-A and UE-B does not need to pass through the UPF deployed on the ground.

[0095] In view of this, as shown in FIG2 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a satellite communication method, which is performed by a communication system. The method may include:

[0096] S2101: The second network device determines a first satellite identifier.

[0097] In some embodiments, the second network device may be a core network device.

[0098] In some embodiments, the second network device may be an Access Management Function (AMF) and / or a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

[0099] In some embodiments, the first satellite identification indicates a first satellite.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first satellite is a satellite where the first base station function accessed by the first UE is located. In this case, the first base station function may be a satellite-borne base station function.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first satellite may be provided by a first satellite identification.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first satellite identification may be provided to the second network device by the first base station function or the first satellite.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first satellite identity may be provided by the first UE to the second network device.

[0104] In some embodiments, the first satellite identifier can be determined by the second network device based on the first base station function accessed by the first UE. For example, the second network device is configured with a mapping relationship between a base station identifier of the base station function and a satellite identifier, or the second network device is configured with a mapping relationship between a cell identifier of the base station function and a satellite identifier. In this way, the second network device can determine the first satellite identifier based on the base station identifier and / or cell identifier of the base station function accessed by the first UE.

[0105] In some embodiments, the first satellite identity is determined when a first condition is met.

[0106] Determining the first satellite identifier when the first condition is met may include but is not limited to one of the following:

[0107] The second network device determines the first satellite identifier when detecting that the first UE accesses the satellite-borne base station function.

[0108] When the second network device detects that the first UE requests local communication, it determines the first satellite identifier.

[0109] When the second network device detects that the first UE requests to establish or update a PDU session for local communication, the second network device determines the first satellite identifier;

[0110] When the second network device detects that the first UE has subscribed to a local communication service, the second network device determines the first satellite identifier;

[0111] When the second network device detects that the first UE has the capability of local communication, it determines the first satellite identifier.

[0112] In some embodiments, the local communication may include the aforementioned UE-SAT-UE communication.

[0113] In some embodiments, the local communication may be communication for business data interaction without going through a UPF deployed on the ground.

[0114] The second network device determines the first satellite identifier when detecting that the first condition is met, that is, the operation of determining the first satellite identifier may not be performed when the first condition is not met. That is, S2101 may be an optional step.

[0115] S2102: The second network device sends a first satellite identifier to the first network device.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first network device may be a core network device.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first network device may be a session management function (SMF) but is not limited to SMF. In some embodiments, the first network device may also be other core network functions different from SMF.

[0118] In some embodiments, the second network device may send the first satellite identifier to the first network device via any message between the second network device and the first network device. For example, the second network device may send the first satellite identifier to the first network device via any message transmitted on the Nsmf interface.

[0119] Exemplarily, the second network device sends a first message to the first network device.

[0120] In some embodiments, the first message includes a first satellite identifier. The first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is a satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first satellite may be a satellite where the first base station function is located and the first UE requests to access the satellite.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first satellite may be the satellite where the first base station function is located and to which the first UE requests handover.

[0123] In some embodiments, the second network device may send the first message to the first network device during the first UE's registration with the network, establishment of a PDU session, path change of the first UE, or update of a PDU session.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first message may be a PDU session context establishment request message.

[0125] In some embodiments, the first message may be a PDU session context modification request message.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first message may include:

[0127] In some embodiments, the first message may include identification information of the first UE.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first message may also include a DNN provided by the first UE.

[0129] In some embodiments, when the DNN provided by the second network device is a DNN corresponding to a local communication service, the second network device sends the first satellite identifier to the first network device.

[0130] In some embodiments, if the DNN provided by the first UE does not correspond to the local communication service, the second network device may not execute S2101 and S2102.

[0131] S2103: The first network device determines the first DNAI and the satellite-borne UPF.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first DNAI is used to identify the service.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first DNAI may be an identifier of a specific instance of the DNN.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first network device determines the first DNAI based on the first satellite identifier.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first network device determines the first DNAI based on the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE.

[0137] In some embodiments, based on the association relationship, a second satellite identifier and a second DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier are determined; and the first DNAI is determined from the second DNAI based on the DNN.

[0138] In some embodiments, the association relationship includes at least: an identifier of a satellite where a base station function is located, a data network access identifier DNAI, and an identifier of a satellite where a user plane function UPF is located.

[0139] In some embodiments, the second satellite identifier corresponding to the first satellite identifier may be: the identifier of the satellite where the UPF is located, which is associated with the identifier of the satellite where the base station function matching the first satellite identifier is located in the association relationship.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier may be: a DNAI associated with an identifier of a satellite where the base station function is located in an association relationship with the first satellite identifier.

[0141] In some embodiments, the number of second DNAIs may be one or more. The DNN instances identified by different second DNAIs may belong to the same DNN or different DNNs. In the disclosed embodiment, after determining the second DNAI, the first network device may also determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI based on the DNN provided by the first UE.

[0142] In some embodiments, the second satellite identifier is an identifier of a satellite where a user plane function (UPF) is located. In some embodiments, a UPF that supports the DNN instance indicated by the first DNAI is selected on the second satellite as the onboard UPF for local communication between the first UE and the second UE based on the second satellite identifier.

[0143] In some embodiments, the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier is used to transmit the service corresponding to the second DNAI.

[0144] In some embodiments, the second DNAI is one or more DNAIs.

[0145] In other embodiments, a second DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier is determined based on the association relationship;

[0146] determining a first DNAI from a second DNAI according to the DNN;

[0147] Determine, according to the association relationship, a second satellite identifier corresponding to the first DNAI and the first satellite identifier;

[0148] A satellite-borne UPF for performing local communication with a second UE is selected for the first UE according to the second satellite identifier. The satellite-borne UPF is located on a second satellite identified by the second satellite identifier.

[0149] In some embodiments, the association relationship can be an association between the identifier of the satellite where the base station function resides, the data network access identifier DNAI, the DNN corresponding to the DNAI, and the identifier of the satellite where the user plane function UPF resides. In this case, the association relationship between the first satellite identifier and the DNN can be directly queried to directly find the second satellite identifier and the first DNAI. It is worth noting that in this four-in-one association relationship, the DNN instance identified by the DNAI is deployed on the UPF involved in the association relationship.

[0150] In some embodiments, the DNN can determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI, and a UPF on the second satellite is selected according to the first DNAI to provide local communication between the first UE and the second UE.

[0151] The UPF on the second satellite selected based on the first DNAI is the onboard UPF, which can be one or more. For example, if the first UE and the second UE have the same onboard UPF, the number of onboard UPFs selected is one. For another example, if the first UE and the second UE have different onboard UPFs, the number of onboard UPFs selected is two.

[0152] In some embodiments, if the first DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE is successfully determined, it is determined that the first UE can perform local communication with the second UE through the onboard UPF, that is, it is determined that the local communication can be carried out.

[0153] In some embodiments, if it is not determined that the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE both correspond to the first DNAI, it is determined that the first UE cannot perform local communication with the second UE through the onboard UPF, that is, it is determined that the local communication cannot be carried out.

[0154] In some embodiments, if a satellite-borne UPF corresponding to both the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE is determined, it is determined that the first UE can perform local communication with the second UE through the satellite-borne UPF, that is, it is determined that the local communication can be carried out.

[0155] In some embodiments, if the onboard UPF corresponding to both the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE is not determined, it is determined that the first UE cannot perform local communication with the second UE through the onboard UPF, that is, it is determined that the local communication cannot be carried out.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second satellite is the same as the first satellite.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second satellite is different from the first satellite.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first message may be a PDU session context establishment request message. In other embodiments, the first message may be a PDU session update request message.

[0159] S2104: The first network device sends a second message to the second network device.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first network device sends a second message to the second network device according to a determination result of whether local communication can be performed or cannot be performed.

[0161] In some embodiments, the second message is used to indicate whether the PDU session context corresponding to the local communication is established successfully or failed.

[0162] For example, after determining that the PDU session context is successfully established, the first network device sends a second message indicating that the PDU session context is successfully established to the second network device.

[0163] For another example, if it is determined that the PDU session context establishment fails, the first network device sends a second message indicating that the PDU session context establishment fails to the second network device.

[0164] Exemplarily, the local communication can be carried out based on the DNN being able to determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI.

[0165] Furthermore, a UPF on the second satellite is selected as a satellite-borne UPF for local communication between the first UE and the second UE according to the first DNAI. The satellite-borne UPF may be a UPF used for local communication.

[0166] As another example, based on the fact that the DNN cannot determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI, it is determined that the first UE cannot carry out the local communication service corresponding to the first DNAI.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context establishment request message and a first DNAI is determined, a PDU session based on the first UPF is established, and a PDU session context establishment success message is sent to the second network device.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is not determined, and a PDU session context establishment failure message is sent to the second network device.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context modification request message and a first DNAI is determined, a PDU session based on the first UPF is established, and a PDU session context modification success message is sent to the second network device.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context modification request message and the first DNAI is not determined, and a PDU session context modification failure message is sent to the second network device.

[0171] In some embodiments, a connection is established between the onboard UPF of the second UE and the onboard UPF of the first UE based on different selections of onboard UPFs for the first UE and the second UE by the first DNAI.

[0172] For example, if, according to the first DNAI, the satellite-borne UPF selected for the first UE to carry out the local communication service is UPF A, and according to the first DNAI, the satellite-borne UFP selected for the second UE to carry out the local communication service is UPF B, then whether to establish a connection between UPF A and UPF B can be determined based on whether UPF A and UPF B are the same. For example, in this case, the connection between the first UFP and UPF B may include: a connection between two UPFs on one satellite, and may also include a connection between two UPFs across satellites.

[0173] In some embodiments, UPF B is the same as UPF A, which is equivalent to the first UE and the second UE being able to communicate locally through the same satellite-borne UPF.

[0174] In some embodiments, if UPF B is different from UPF A, local communication between the first UE and the second UE can be achieved through multiple satellite-based UPFs. These multiple UPFs can be located on the same satellite or on different satellites. If the multiple UPFs are located on different satellites, they are connected via inter-satellite links.

[0175] Furthermore, UPF B and UPF A are different, and whether an intersatellite link between the satellites where the two UPFs are located is needed can be determined based on whether UPF A and UPF B are located on the same satellite. For example, if the first UFP and UPF B are located on different satellites, a connection between the UPFs needs to be established based on an intersatellite link.

[0176] S2105: The second network device sends a third satellite identifier to the first network device.

[0177] In some embodiments, the third satellite identity indicates a satellite where the second base station function is located.

[0178] In some embodiments, the second base station function is a serving base station function after the first UE changes the base station.

[0179] In this way, the satellite identifier maintained by the second network device can point to the satellite where the base station providing access service to the first UE is located in real time.

[0180] In some embodiments, the second network device may send the third satellite identifier to the first network device through any message between the second network device and the first network device, for example, based on a PDU session context establishment request message or a PDU session context modification request message.

[0181] In some embodiments, if the second base station function is a base station function deployed on the ground, the second network device may send indication information to the first network device, where the indication information is used by the first network device to delete the first satellite identifier.

[0182] In some embodiments, the indication information is used to indicate that the current serving base station of the first UE is a terrestrial serving base station.

[0183] In some embodiments, the indication information may be used to indicate deletion of the first satellite identifier.

[0184] It is worth noting that: if the first UE does not change the base station function it accesses or the base station function after the first UE changes is still located on the satellite where the original base station function is located, the second network device does not need to send the third satellite identifier to the first network device, that is, S2105 is an optional step.

[0185] S2106: The first satellite identifier stored locally on the first network device is replaced with a third satellite identifier.

[0186] In some embodiments, S2106 may be an optional step.

[0187] As shown in FIG3 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a satellite communication method, which may be performed by a first network device. The method may include:

[0188] S3101: Receive a first satellite identifier.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first network device receives a first message sent by the second network device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first message includes a first satellite identification.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first network device receives a PDU session context establishment request message sent by the second network device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first network device receives a PDU session context modification request message sent by the second network device.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first message may include a first satellite identification.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first satellite identification indicates a first satellite.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first satellite is a satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first message may also include identification information of the first UE.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first message may also include a DNN provided by the first UE.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first satellite identity may be used by the first network device to determine the first DNAI.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE may be used to determine the first DNAI.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first satellite identifier, the DNN provided by the first UE, and an association relationship can determine the first DNAI. For the association relationship, see the relevant description of the embodiment corresponding to FIG2 .

[0202] S3102: Determine the first DNAI and onboard UPF.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first network device determines the first data network access identifier DNAI based on the first satellite identifier and the data network name DNN provided by the first user equipment UE. In some embodiments, S3102 may include:

[0204] Determine, according to the association relationship, a second satellite identifier and a second DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier;

[0205] The first DNAI is determined from the second DNAI according to the DNN.

[0206] In some embodiments, the association relationship includes at least: an identifier of a satellite where a base station function is located, a data network access identifier DNAI, and an identifier of a satellite where a user plane function UPF is located.

[0207] In some embodiments, the second satellite identifier is an identifier of a satellite where a user plane function UPF is located.

[0208] In some embodiments, the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier is used to transmit the service corresponding to the second DNAI; the second DNAI is one or more DNAIs.

[0209] In some embodiments, if the first DNAI can be determined from the second DNAI according to the DNN, it is determined that the first UE can carry out local communication corresponding to the first DNAI with the second UE.

[0210] In some embodiments, if the first DNAI cannot be determined from the second DNAI according to the DNN, it is determined that the first UE cannot carry out local communication corresponding to the first DNAI with the second UE.

[0211] In some embodiments, if the first DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE is successfully determined, it is determined that the first UE can perform local communication with the second UE through the onboard UPF, that is, it is determined that the local communication can be carried out.

[0212] In some embodiments, if it is not determined that the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE both correspond to the first DNAI, it is determined that the first UE cannot perform local communication with the second UE through the onboard UPF, that is, it is determined that the local communication cannot be carried out.

[0213] In some embodiments, if a satellite-borne UPF corresponding to both the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE is determined, it is determined that the first UE can perform local communication with the second UE through the satellite-borne UPF, that is, it is determined that the local communication can be carried out.

[0214] In some embodiments, if the onboard UPF corresponding to both the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE is not determined, it is determined that the first UE cannot perform local communication with the second UE through the onboard UPF, that is, it is determined that the local communication cannot be carried out.

[0215] In some embodiments, the second satellite is the same as the first satellite.

[0216] In some embodiments, the second satellite is different from the first satellite.

[0217] It is worth noting that: for optional embodiments of S3102, reference may be made to any optional implementation of S2103 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 2 .

[0218] S3103: Send the second message.

[0219] In some embodiments, the second network device sends a second message to the first network device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first message is not a message related to PDU session context establishment and / or PDU session context update, and the first network device may not need to send the second message.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context establishment request message and a first DNAI is determined, a PDU session based on the first UPF is established, and a PDU session context establishment success message is sent to the second network device;

[0222] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is not determined, a PDU session context establishment failure message is sent to the second network device;

[0223] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context modification request message and a first DNAI is determined, a PDU session based on the first UPF is established, and a PDU session context modification success message is sent to the second network device;

[0224] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context modification request message and the first DNAI is not determined, and a PDU session context modification failure message is sent to the second network device.

[0225] It is worth noting that: for optional embodiments of S3103, reference may be made to any optional implementation of S2104 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 2 .

[0226] S3104: Establish a connection between the first UPF and the second UPF.

[0227] The first UE's serving PUF is the first UPF, and the second UE's serving PUF is the second UPF. For example, the first UPF and the second UPF may both be onboard UPFs.

[0228] The second UPF is different from the first UPF, and a connection is established between the second UPF and the first UPF.

[0229] If the second UPF is the same as the first UPF, step S3104 does not need to be performed.

[0230] In some embodiments, after receiving the first satellite identifier, the first network device may store the first satellite identifier locally. If the first UE currently has no PDU session to be established or updated, S3101 may be executed solely by the first network device.

[0231] S3105: Receive a third satellite identifier.

[0232] The third satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the second base station function is located. The second base station function is the serving base station function after the first UE changes the access base station.

[0233] It is worth noting that: S3105 is an optional step. For example, if the function of the base station accessed by the first UE has not changed or the base station functions accessed by the first UE before and after the change are located on the same satellite, the first network device cannot receive the updated third satellite identifier, or the received third satellite identifier is the first satellite identifier.

[0234] S3106: Update the first satellite identifier stored locally on the first network device to a third satellite identifier.

[0235] If S3105 is an optional step, then S3106 is also an optional step.

[0236] As shown in FIG4 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a satellite communication method, which may be performed by a second network device. The method may include:

[0237] S4101: Determine the first satellite identifier.

[0238] In some embodiments, determining the first satellite identifier may include: the second network device receiving the first satellite identifier sent by another network device or the first UE.

[0239] In some embodiments, determining the first satellite identifier may include: the second network device determining the first satellite identifier according to a function of a base station accessed by the first UE.

[0240] In some embodiments, the second network device may be any core network device.

[0241] In some embodiments, the second core network device includes but is not limited to AMF and / or MME.

[0242] In some embodiments, optional implementations of S4101 may refer to S2101 of the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 2 .

[0243] S4102: Send the first satellite identifier.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first network device sends the first satellite identification to the second network device.

[0245] In some embodiments, a first message is sent including an identification of a first satellite.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first message may include, but is not limited to, a PDU session context establishment request message.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first message may include, but is not limited to, a PDU session context modification request message.

[0248] In some embodiments, optional implementations of S4102 may refer to S2102 of the corresponding embodiment of FIG. 2 .

[0249] S4103: Receive the second message.

[0250] In some embodiments, the second message may be a PDU session context establishment success message, a PDU session context establishment failure message, a PDU session context modification success message, or a PDU session context modification failure message.

[0251] In some embodiments, S4103 may be an optional step. For example, when the first satellite identifier is only sent to the first network device for archiving, the second network device may not receive the second message sent by the first network device.

[0252] In other embodiments, when the first satellite identifier is only sent to the first network device for archiving, the second message may be feedback confirmation information. For example, the feedback confirmation information may indicate that the first satellite identifier is successfully received.

[0253] S4104: Send the third satellite identifier.

[0254] In some embodiments, the base station function accessed by the first UE is switched from the first base station function to the second base station function, and the third satellite identifier is sent to the first network device.

[0255] In some embodiments, the third satellite identity indicates a satellite where the second base station function is located.

[0256] In some embodiments, step S4104 may be an optional step. For example, if the base station function of the first UE does not change or the base station function of the first UE before and after the change is located on the first satellite, there is no need to send the third satellite identifier. In this case, step S4104 may be an optional step.

[0257] In some embodiments, whether local communication of the first user equipment UE is supported is determined based on the first satellite identifier and the association relationship.

[0258] In some embodiments, determining whether local communication of the first user equipment UE is supported according to the first satellite identifier and the association relationship may include:

[0259] Determining, based on the association relationship, whether there is a second satellite identifier corresponding to the local communication service identifier and the first satellite identifier;

[0260] It is determined that there is a service identifier for local communication and a first satellite identifier, and it is determined that local communication of the first UE is supported.

[0261] In some embodiments, determining to support local communication of the first UE and selecting a first user plane function (UPF) for local communication of the first UE according to the first satellite identifier and the association relationship includes:

[0262] It is determined that there is a service identifier for local communication and a first satellite identifier, and a first UPF is selected according to a second satellite identifier corresponding to the first satellite identifier in an association relationship.

[0263] In some embodiments, there are one or more first UPFs; there are inter-satellite connections between the multiple first UPFs; and the inter-satellite connections can be used for local communication.

[0264] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0265] It is determined that local communication of the first UE is not supported, and it is determined that local communication of the first UE fails.

[0266] In some embodiments, the service identifier includes: a data network access identifier DNAI.

[0267] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0268] Update the PDU session for local communication of the first UE according to the first UPF.

[0269] In some embodiments, the method comprises:

[0270] Receive a message sent by the second UPF when receiving a local communication data packet of the first UE; the second UPF is the current anchor point UPF of the first UE; and determine, based on the message, that the first UE has a local communication requirement.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first message includes: a target address for local communication of the first UE.

[0272] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a first satellite identifier sent by the second network device when the first UE registers.

[0273] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a message sent by the second network device when switching the path of the first UE; the message includes a first satellite identifier; the first satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the first UE accesses the station after the path switching.

[0274] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending a message to the second network device according to whether local communication of the first UE is supported; the message is used to indicate whether the path switching of the first UE fails or succeeds.

[0275] In some embodiments, sending a message to the second network device, based on whether local communication of the first UE is supported, includes at least one of the following:

[0276] supporting local communication of the first UE, and sending a second message to the second network device indicating that the path switching of the first UE is successful;

[0277] Local communication of the first UE is not supported, and a second message indicating a path switching failure of the first UE is sent to the second network device.

[0278] The present disclosure also provides a satellite communication method, wherein the method is performed by a second UPF; the second UPF is an anchor UPF of a first user equipment UE; the method includes:

[0279] receiving an uplink data packet sent by a first UE;

[0280] The uplink data packet is a local communication data packet, and a first message is sent to the first network device; the first message is used to indicate to the second network device that the first UE has a local communication requirement, so that the second network device determines whether to support the local communication of the first UE based on the first satellite identifier and the association relationship; wherein the first satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the base station accessed by the first UE is located; the association relationship includes: the identifier of the satellite carrying the base station, the identifier of the satellite carrying the UPF, and the service identifier of the local communication.

[0281] In some embodiments, the uplink data packet is a local communication data packet, including:

[0282] The destination address of the uplink data packet is the destination address of the local communication of the first UE.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first message includes: a destination address for local communication of the first UE.

[0284] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a satellite communication method, wherein the method is performed by a second network device and includes:

[0285] Switch the path of the first user equipment UE and send a message to the first network device; the message includes the first satellite identifier of the first UE; the first satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the access station is located after the path of the first UE is switched, so that the second network device determines whether to support local communication of the first UE according to the first satellite identifier and the association relationship; the association relationship includes: the identifier of the satellite equipped with the base station, the identifier of the satellite equipped with the UPF, and the service identifier of the local communication.

[0286] In some embodiments, switching the path of the first user equipment UE includes: receiving an N2 path switching request from the first UE, and switching the path of the first UE.

[0287] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a message sent by the first network device according to whether local communication of the first UE is supported; the message is used to indicate whether the path switching of the first UE fails or succeeds.

[0288] In some embodiments, local communication of the first UE is supported, and the message indicates that the path switching of the first UE is successful; or local communication of the first UE is not supported, and the message indicates that the path switching of the first UE is failed.

[0289] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a satellite communication method, wherein the method is performed by a second network device and includes:

[0290] Accept registration of the first user equipment UE and send a first satellite identifier to the second network device; the first satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the base station accessed by the first UE is located, so that the second network device determines whether to support local communication of the first UE based on the first satellite identifier and the association relationship; the association relationship includes: the identifier of the satellite equipped with the base station, the identifier of the satellite equipped with the UPF, and the service identifier of the local communication.

[0291] In some embodiments, accepting the registration of the first UE includes: receiving a registration request from the first UE, and accepting the registration of the first UE.

[0292] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure may include:

[0293] Step 1. Configure the association relationship on the core network function (e.g., SMF, AMF). The association relationship describes the correspondence between the satellite identity of the integrated gNB, the satellite identity of the integrated UPF, and the DNAI. For example, as shown in Figure 1D, the following association relationship is configured on the SMF:

[0294] Association A: (SAT A-1 / gNB-a1, SAT A-2 / gNB-a2, SAT A-3 / UPF-A, DNAI-1)

[0295] Association B: (SAT B-1 / gNB-b1, SAT B-2 / gNB-b2, SAT B-3 / UPF-B, DNAI-1)

[0296] In association A, the satellites indicated by SAT A-1 and SAT A-2 both have gNB functionality integrated into them, while the satellite indicated by SAT A-3 has a UPF integrated into it. The gNB functionality on SAT A-1 and SAT A-2 can communicate with the UPF on SAT A-3. The services associated with DNAI-1 can be accessed through the UPF on SAT A-3.

[0297] In association B, the satellites indicated by SAT B-1 and SAT B-2 both have gNB functionality integrated into them. SAT B-3 has a UPF integrated into it. The gNB functionality on SAT B-1 and SAT B-2 can communicate with the UPF on SAT B-3. The services associated with DNAI-1 can also be accessed through the UPF on SAT B-3.

[0298] Step 2. The SMF receives a first satellite identifier, where the first satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite providing access services to the UE, and the satellite corresponding to the first satellite identifier integrates gNB functionality.

[0299] Step 3. SMF determines the second satellite identifier and DNAI based on the first satellite identifier and association relationship, the satellite integrated UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier, and whether the DNAI indicates whether it corresponds to the local communication service

[0300] Step 4. According to step 3, if DNAI corresponds to local communication service, SMF selects the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier as the UPF for local communication according to DNAI, and establishes a PDU session through the local communication UPF.

[0301] Step 5. If the local communication UPFs selected by multiple UEs performing local communication are different, communication is performed between these local communication UPFs via ISL (Inter SAT Link).

[0302] Step 6. According to step 3, if DNAI does not correspond to the local communication service, the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier selected by SMF according to DNAI cannot be used as the UPF for local communication, and the PDU session context established for local communication fails to be established.

[0303] Step 7. The first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier can be the same, indicating that the satellite can integrate gNB functions and UPF.

[0304] Step 8. If the UE access is switched from the first satellite to the third satellite, the SMF is updated to the third satellite identifier, and the fourth satellite identifier and DNAI are determined based on the association relationship. The fourth satellite identifier can be the same as the third satellite identifier.

[0305] Step 9. According to step 8, the satellite corresponding to the fourth satellite identifier does not have an integrated UPF, and thus the local communication cannot be performed.

[0306] Step 10. According to step 8, if the DNAI indication does not correspond to the local communication service, the local communication is not supported.

[0307] As shown in FIG5 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method, which may include:

[0308] Step 1: The UE uses satellite access to regeneration mode and initiates an initial registration request to the AMF via gNB1 on the satellite.

[0309] Step 2: Based on the configuration, the AFM determines the satellite identifier of the UE's serving satellite, for example, by associating the N2 interface or the Nx interface based on the global radio access network node identifier to determine the satellite identifier.

[0310] Step 3: The UE performs other registration steps with the AMF.

[0311] Step 4: To establish a new PDU session, the UE sends a PDU session context establishment request to the AMF via gNB1. The request may include: DNN information and / or S-NSSAI.

[0312] Step 5: If the AMF receives the PDU session context establishment request message, it sends a PDU session context establishment request (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext) to the SMF. The request may include: information about the DNN requested by the UE, information about the S-NSSAI and / or UPF. For example, the UPF may be the PDU Session Anchor UPF (UPF of PDU Session Anchor, PSA-UPF)

[0313] Step 6: If the type of the PDU session request in step 4 is an initial PDU session request, the SMF selects one or more UPFs. Here, the UPF deployed on the ground can be selected as the anchor UPF.

[0314] Step 7: SMF initiates the N4 session establishment process with the selected UPF.

[0315] Step 8: Complete other steps to establish the PDU session context.

[0316] Step 9: After the PDU session context is established, the UE can initiate UE-satellite-UE communication with other UEs. The AF can influence the traffic routing of UE-satellite-UE communication by providing the UE identity information for local communication to the PCF or SMF. The AF sends an inter-UE communication request containing the UE identity to the PCF or SMF.

[0317] Step 10: The PSA-UPF detects the uplink traffic from the UE and reports the destination IP address of the traffic to the SMF. To enable reporting of the destination IP address, the SMF configures the ground PSA-UPF to detect uplink packets carrying the destination IP address.

[0318] Step 11: If the SMF determines that the UE of the communication counterpart of the UE corresponds to the same UPF based on the satellite identification and association relationship, and the correspondence between the destination IP address and the UE identification, the SMF will select the UPF on the satellite as the local PSA-UPF (LPSA-UPF) for the PDU session based on the DNAI.

[0319] The SMF determines the DNAI based on at least one of the following information. The information may include:

[0320] Local configuration, DNN, satellite identification, and association relationships.

[0321] The association relationship defines the association between a satellite where an onboard UPF is located and a group of satellites where onboard gNBs are located. Onboard gNBs can establish connections with onboard UPFs.

[0322] Step 12: The network (e.g., SMF) triggers the PDU setup modification to insert the LPSA-UPF for the PDU session based on the following rules:

[0323] Routing the data traffic received from the terminal to the terminal with the target IP address (i.e., the target terminal) through the LPSA-UPF;

[0324] Routes other data traffic received from the terminal to the PSA-UPF of the PDU session of this terminal.

[0325] The SMF configures local forwarding rules to forward local communication data traffic directly to the target terminal via the LPSA-UPF. If terminals in the communication group select different LPSA-UPFs, an N19 tunnel is established between the LPSA-UPFs. To establish an N19 tunnel between LPSA-UPFs on the satellite, the LPSA-UPFs can be controlled by the same SMF.

[0326] The LPSA-UPF mentioned in this embodiment is the first UPF selected by the first UE, or the first UPF selected by the second UE.

[0327] As shown in FIG6 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a satellite communication method, which may include:

[0328] Step 0: The UE accesses the 5GC through gNB-a1. A PDU session has been established between the UE and PSA-UPF via LPSA-UPF-A. The UE can initiate UE-satellite-UW communication via LPSA-UPF-A. Due to satellite mobility, gNB-c1 moves to the UE's location area and provides access to the UE. The handover procedure is triggered, and the source gNB-a1 forwards data to the target gNB-c1.

[0329] Step 1: The target gNB-c1 sends an N2 Path Switch Request to the AMF to notify the UE that it has entered the new target gNB. The N2 Path Switch Request includes the satellite ID and PDU session information. The satellite ID of the target gNB can be the satellite ID of satellite C-1.

[0330] Step 2: AMF sends a PDU session context modification request (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext request) to SMF. The request message may include: PDU session identifier, UE's N3 address and other information and the satellite identifier of satellite C1.

[0331] Step 3: The SMF determines DNAI-2 based on the satellite identifier, association, and local configuration. DNAI-2 is different from DNAI-1. DNAI-1 can be determined via satellite A-1. The DNAI-2 corresponding to the LPSA-UPF-C does not support the currently ongoing UE-satellite-UE communication.

[0332] Step 4: SMF sends a PDU session context update response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response). This response does not include: information about the CN tunnel corresponding to the PDU session.

[0333] Step 5: The AMF sends an N2 Path Switch Request Failure message to the target gNB-c1. The failure message may include information about the failed PDU session.

[0334] Step 6: The target gNB-c1 sends a resource release message to the source gNB-a1 to notify the handover failure and then trigger the termination of the UE-satellite-UE communication.

[0335] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0336] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0337] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device or a core network device) in any of the above methods.

[0338] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above devices is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above devices, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0339] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of a hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0340] As shown in FIG7A , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network device, wherein the first network device includes:

[0341] The processing module 7101 is configured to determine a first data network access identifier DNAI based on a first satellite identifier and a data network name DNN provided by a first user equipment UE; the first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is a satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located; the first DNAI is used to identify a service in which the first UE uses an onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0342] In some embodiments, the processing module may be used by the first network device to execute steps related to information processing in any satellite communication method.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first network device may further include: a sending module and / or a receiving module.

[0344] In some embodiments, the sending module and / or the receiving module may correspond to a network interface and / or a transceiver antenna of the first network device.

[0345] In some embodiments, the sending module can be used for the terminal to execute steps related to information sending in any satellite communication method.

[0346] In some embodiments, the receiving module can be used for the terminal to perform steps related to information transmission in any satellite communication method.

[0347] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine a second satellite identifier and a second DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier based on an association relationship; wherein the association relationship includes at least: the identifier of the satellite where the base station function is located, the data network access identifier DNAI, and the identifier of the satellite where the user plane function UPF is located; the second satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the user plane function UPF is located; the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier is used to transmit the service corresponding to the second DNAI; the second DNAI is one or more DNAIs; and the first DNAI is determined from the second DNAI according to the DNN.

[0348] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI according to the DNN, and select a UPF on the second satellite according to the first DNAI to provide local communication between the first UE and the second UE.

[0349] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine that the local communication between the first UE and the second UE cannot be carried out based on the DNN being unable to determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI.

[0350] In some embodiments, the second satellite is the same as the first satellite; alternatively, the second satellite is different from the first satellite.

[0351] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive a first message sent by the second network device, where the first message includes a first satellite identifier.

[0352] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send a second message to the second network device based on whether the DNN can determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI.

[0353] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0354] The first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context establishment request message and determines the first DNAI, establishes a PDU session based on the first UPF, and sends a PDU session context establishment success message to the second network device;

[0355] The first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is not determined, and a PDU session context establishment failure message is sent to the second network device;

[0356] The first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context modification request message and a first DNAI is determined, a PDU session based on the first UPF is established, and a PDU session context modification success message is sent to the second network device;

[0357] The first message is a protocol data unit PDU session context modification request message and the first DNAI is not determined, and a PDU session context modification failure message is sent to the second network device;

[0358] The first UPF is a satellite-borne UPF selected according to the first DNAI.

[0359] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to establish a connection between the satellite UPF of the second UE and the satellite UPF of the first UE based on different satellite UPFs selected for the first UE and the second UE by the first DNAI.

[0360] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive a third satellite identifier sent by the second network device; the third satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the second base station function is located; the second base station function is the serving base station function after the first UE changes the access base station;

[0361] The first satellite identifier stored locally in the first network device is replaced with a third satellite identifier.

[0362] As shown in FIG7B , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network device, wherein the second network device includes:

[0363] The processing module 7201 is configured to determine a first satellite identifier; the first satellite identifier is a satellite identifier where a first base station function accessed by a first user equipment UE is located;

[0364] The sending module 7202 is configured to send the first satellite identifier to the first network device; the first satellite identifier and the data network name DNN provided by the first user equipment UE are used by the first network device to determine the data network access identifier DNAI, and the first DNAI is used to identify the service of the first UE using the onboard user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

[0365] In some embodiments, the processing module may be configured to execute any steps related to information processing in the satellite communication method performed by the network device.

[0366] In some embodiments, the second network device may further include a receiving module.

[0367] In some embodiments, the sending module and / or the receiving module may correspond to a network interface and / or a transceiver antenna of the second network device.

[0368] In some embodiments, the first satellite identifier is used to determine the second satellite identifier and the second DNAI based on the association relationship; the second satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the user plane function UPF is located; the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier is used to transmit the service corresponding to the second DNAI; the DNAI is one or more DNAIs; the DNN is used to determine the first DNAI from the second DNAI.

[0369] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send a first message to a first network device; the first message includes a first satellite identifier; and the receiving module is configured to receive a second message sent by the first network device based on the first message.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is determined, then the second message is a PDU session context establishment success message; or,

[0371] The first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is not determined, then the second message is a PDU session context establishment failure message; or,

[0372] The first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context modification request message and the first DNAI is determined, then the second message is a PDU session context modification success message; or,

[0373] If the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context modification request message and the first DNAI is not determined, then the second message is a PDU session context modification failure message.

[0374] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to switch the base station function accessed by the first UE from the first base station function to the second base station function, and send a third satellite identifier to the first network device; the third satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the second base station function is located.

[0375] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a communication device, which may include: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the satellite communication method that can be implemented in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0376] 8A and / or 8B , the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0377] The communication device may be the aforementioned terminal and network device. In some embodiments, the network device may be a master node and / or an auxiliary node.

[0378] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 8103, and the other steps are performed by the processor 8101.

[0379] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0380] Optionally, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more interface circuits 8104, which are connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuits 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0381] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0382] FIG8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 8200 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG8B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0383] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201 , and the processor 8201 is used to call instructions so that the chip 8200 executes any of the above satellite communication methods.

[0384] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202, which are connected to memory 8203. Interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in memory 8203 and send the instructions to processor 8201. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver are interchangeable.

[0385] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0386] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but may also be a transient storage medium.

[0387] The present disclosure further provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above satellite communication methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0388] The present disclosure also provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the above satellite communication methods.

[0389] Other embodiments of the presently disclosed embodiments will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the presently disclosed embodiments that follow the general principles of the presently disclosed embodiments and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the presently disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.

[0390] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method, wherein, Performed by a first network device, the method includes: Determine a first data network access identifier (DNAI) according to a first satellite identifier and a data network name (DNN) provided by a first user equipment (UE); the first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is the satellite where a first base station function accessed by the first UE is located; the first DNAI is used to identify a service for the first UE to perform local communication with at least one second UE using an on-board user plane function (UPF).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The determining the first DNAI according to the first satellite identifier and the DNN provided by the first UE includes: Determine a second satellite identifier and a second DNAI corresponding to the first satellite identifier according to an association relationship; wherein, the association relationship at least includes: an identifier of a satellite where a base station function is located, a data network access identifier (DNAI), and an identifier of a satellite where a user plane function (UPF) is located; the second satellite identifier is an identifier of a satellite where a user plane function (UPF) is located; the UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier is used to transmit a service corresponding to the second DNAI; the second DNAI is one or more DNAIs. Determine the first DNAI from the second DNAIs according to the DNN.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The method further includes: If the first DNAI can be determined from the second DNAIs according to the DNN, select a UPF on the second satellite according to the first DNAI to provide local communication between the first UE and the second UE.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein The method further includes: If the first DNAI cannot be determined from the second DNAIs according to the DNN, determine that the first UE does not support the local communication with the second UE.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The second satellite is the same as the first satellite; or, the second satellite is different from the first satellite.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein The method further includes: Receive a first message sent by a second network device, where the first message includes the first satellite identifier.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein, The method further includes: Send a second message to the second network device according to whether the first DNAI can be determined from the second DNAIs according to the DNN.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The sending the second message to the second network device according to whether the first DNAI can be determined from the second DNAIs includes at least one of the following: If the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is determined, establish a PDU session based on a first UPF, and send a PDU session context establishment success message to the second network device; If the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is not determined, send a PDU session context establishment failure message to the second network device; If the first message is a protocol data unit (PDU) session context modification request message and the first DNAI is determined, establish a PDU session based on a first UPF, and send a PDU session context modification success message to the second network device; If the first message is a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session context modification request message and the first Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI) is not determined, send a PDU session context modification failure message to the second network device; The first User Plane Function (UPF) is a spaceborne UPF selected according to the first DNAI.

9. The method according to claim 3, wherein The method further includes: Since the spaceborne UPFs selected for the first UE and the second UE according to the first DNAI are different, establish a connection between the spaceborne UPF of the second UE and the spaceborne UPF of the first UE.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The method further includes: Receive a third satellite identifier sent by the second network device; the third satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the second base station function is located; the second base station function is the serving base station function after the replacement for the first UE; Replace the first satellite identifier locally stored in the first network device with the third satellite identifier.

11. A satellite communication method, wherein, Executed by the second network device, the method includes: Determine a first satellite identifier; the first satellite identifier is the satellite identifier of the first base station function accessed by the first User Equipment (UE); Send the first satellite identifier to the first network device; the first satellite identifier and the Data Network Name (DNN) provided by the first UE are used for the first network device to determine the Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI), and the first DNAI is used to identify the service in which the first UE uses the spaceborne User Plane Function (UPF) to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

12. According to the method of claim 11, wherein, The first satellite identifier is used to determine a second satellite identifier and a second DNAI according to the association relationship; the second satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the User Plane Function (UPF) is located; The UPF corresponding to the second satellite identifier is used to transmit the service corresponding to the second DNAI; The DNAI is one or more DNAIs; the DNN is used to determine the first DNAI from the second DNAIs.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein The sending the first satellite identifier of the first satellite to the first network device includes: Send a first message to the first network device; the first message includes the first satellite identifier; Receive a second message sent by the first network device based on the first message.

14. According to the method of claim 13, wherein If the first message is a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is determined, the second message is a PDU session context establishment success message; Or, If the first message is a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session context establishment request message and the first DNAI is not determined, the second message is a PDU session context establishment failure message; Or, If the first message is a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session context modification request message and the first DNAI is determined, the second message is a PDU session context modification success message; Or, If the first message is a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session context modification request message and the first DNAI is not determined, the second message is a PDU session context modification failure message; The first UPF is a spaceborne UPF selected according to the first DNAI.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, The method further includes: The base station function accessed by the first UE switches from the first base station function to the second base station function, and sends a third satellite identifier to the first network device; the third satellite identifier indicates the satellite where the second base station function is located.

16. A first network device, wherein, Comprising: A processing module, configured to determine a first data network access identifier DNAI according to a first satellite identifier and a data network name DNN provided by a first user equipment UE; The first satellite identifier indicates a first satellite; the first satellite is the satellite where the first base station function accessed by the first UE is located; the first DNAI is used to identify the service of the first UE using the on-board user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

17. A second network device, wherein, Comprising: A processing module, configured to determine a first satellite identifier; The first satellite identifier is the satellite identifier where the first base station function accessed by the first user equipment UE is located; A sending module, configured to send the first satellite identifier to the first network device; the first satellite identifier and the data network name DNN provided by the first user equipment UE are used for the first network device to determine the data network access identifier DNAI, and the first DNAI is used to identify the service of the first UE using the on-board user plane function UPF to perform local communication with at least one second UE.

18. A communication device, wherein, The communication device includes: One or more processors; Wherein, the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or claims 11 to 15.

19. A storage medium, wherein, The storage medium stores instructions, when the instructions run on the communication device, enabling the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or claims 11 to 15.

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