Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device, which can accurately establish interface communication between satellites. The method comprises the steps that a first satellite receives first information, and the first information is used for indicating at least one transmission network layer TNL address of a second satellite and / or an identifier of at least one gateway station connected with the second satellite; wherein the at least one TNL address of the second satellite comprises a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected with the second satellite; further, the first satellite establishes interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite through the first gateway station; wherein the first gateway station is connected with the first satellite and the second satellite; the at least one TNL address of the second satellite comprises a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and / or the identifier of the at least one gateway station connected with the second satellite comprises the identifier of the first gateway station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Satellite communication boasts advantages such as wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, high flexibility, and high throughput. Unaffected by geographical environment, climate conditions, or natural disasters, it has been widely applied in fields such as aviation, maritime, and military communications. Introducing satellites into 5th-Generation (5G) mobile networks can provide communication services to areas difficult to cover by terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests. This can enhance the reliability of 5G communication, providing more stable and higher-quality communication services for users on trains, airplanes, and other modes of transportation. It can also provide more data transmission resources and support a greater number of connections.

[0003] Regenerated satellites have the functions of access network equipment. Inter-satellite interface communication can be carried out through inter-satellite links or power supply links. How to accurately establish inter-satellite interface communication has become a problem worthy of research. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can accurately establish interface communication between satellites through a gateway station that is jointly connected to satellites.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a first satellite, comprising: receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of a second satellite, and / or, the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite; wherein, the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with the gateway station connected to the second satellite; establishing interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite through the first gateway station; wherein, the first gateway station is connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite; the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and / or, the identifier of the at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite includes the identifier of the first gateway station.

[0006] In the above design, the first satellite determines a gateway station, namely the first gateway station, that is jointly connected to the second satellite based on the TNL address and / or gateway station information of the second satellite. Then, the interface communication between the satellites can be accurately established through the first gateway station, and multi-hop routing forwarding between gateway stations can be avoided, thereby reducing the interface communication latency.

[0007] In one possible design, receiving the first information includes: receiving the first information forwarded by a first network element, wherein the first information originates from the second satellite. Optionally, the first network element is a core network element, a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

[0008] In one possible design, after receiving the first information, the method further includes: sending second information to the second satellite, the second information indicating at least one TNL address of the first satellite; wherein the at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the first satellite. With this design, the second satellite can determine the first TNL address associated with the first satellite on a commonly connected first gateway station, facilitating the establishment of interface communication between the second satellite and the first satellite.

[0009] Optionally, the first satellite can transmit second information to the second satellite via a second network element. Optionally, the second network element is a core network element or a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC).

[0010] In one possible design, the second information is used to indicate a TNL address of the first satellite, and the TNL address indicated by the second information is a first TNL address, which is associated with the first gateway station. In this design, directly indicating the first TNL address associated with the first satellite at the first gateway station reduces the computational load on the second satellite and facilitates the second satellite quickly establishing interface communication with the first satellite.

[0011] In one possible design, establishing interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite via the first gateway station includes: establishing interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite based on a first TNL address of the first satellite and a second TNL address of the second satellite; wherein the first TNL address is associated with the first gateway station, and the second TNL address is associated with the first gateway station; at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes the first TNL address, and at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes the second TNL address.

[0012] Optionally, when the first information indicates at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite, the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes the second TNL address; the first satellite can determine the second TNL address based on the first information. Optionally, when the first information indicates the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, the method further includes: receiving third information from the second satellite through a second network element, the third information indicating the second TNL address; the first satellite can determine the second TNL address based on the third information.

[0013] In one possible design, at least one TNL address of the second satellite also includes a TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link between the first and second satellites. With this design, when an inter-satellite link exists between the first and second satellites, the first satellite can also use the TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link to establish interface communication with the second satellite, i.e., the interface communication is carried on the inter-satellite link.

[0014] Optionally, the first information is further used to indicate that any one of the at least one TNL address of the second satellite is associated with a gateway station or an inter-satellite link. This indication method facilitates the first satellite in distinguishing the type of each TNL address indicated by the first information.

[0015] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to a second satellite, comprising: transmitting first information, the first information indicating at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite, and / or an identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite; wherein the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the second satellite; receiving second information from a first satellite via a second network element, the second information indicating at least one TNL address of the first satellite; wherein the at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the first satellite; establishing interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite via a first gateway station; wherein the at least one TNL address indicated by the first information includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and / or, the identifier of the at least one gateway station indicated by the first information includes an identifier of the first gateway station; the at least one TNL address indicated by the second information includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station; the first gateway station is connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0016] In the above design, the second satellite determines a gateway station, namely the first gateway station, that is jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite based on the first satellite's TNL address and its own TNL address and / or gateway station information. Then, the interface communication between the satellites can be accurately established through the first gateway station without the need for multi-hop forwarding between gateway stations, which can reduce the interface communication latency.

[0017] In one possible design, the second information is used to indicate a TNL address of the first satellite, the TNL address indicated by the second information being a first TNL address, which is associated with the first gateway station.

[0018] In one possible design, establishing interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite via the first gateway station includes: establishing interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite based on a first TNL address of the first satellite and a second TNL address of the second satellite; wherein the first TNL address is associated with the first gateway station, the first TNL address is determined based on the second information, and the second TNL address is associated with the first gateway station; at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes the first TNL address, and at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes the second TNL address.

[0019] In one possible design, when the first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, it further includes: sending third information to the first satellite through the second network element, the third information being used to indicate a second TNL address of the second satellite, the second TNL address being associated with the first gateway station.

[0020] In one possible design, at least one TNL address of the second satellite may also include a TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link between the first and second satellites. Optionally, the first information may also be used to indicate that any one of the at least one TNL address of the second satellite is associated with a gateway station or with an inter-satellite link.

[0021] In one possible design, sending the first information includes: sending the first information to the first satellite through a first network element; wherein the first network element and the second network element are both core network elements, or the first network element and the second network element are both Radio Access Network Intelligent Controllers (RICs).

[0022] In one possible design, sending the first information includes sending a system message, the system message including the first information.

[0023] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method applied to a first network element, comprising: sending first information to a first satellite, wherein the first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to a second satellite, and the first information is used by the first satellite to determine the gateway station jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0024] Similarly, the first network element can also send fifth information to the second satellite, the fifth information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite, the fifth information being used by the second satellite to determine the gateway station jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0025] This design allows the first and second satellites to quickly identify the common gateway station, which helps them establish interface communication based on the common gateway station.

[0026] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the second satellite, wherein the gateway station indicated by the first information is a gateway station jointly connected to by both the first and second satellites. This design can reduce indication overhead and the computational load on the satellites.

[0027] In one possible design, the first network element is a core network element, a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

[0028] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method applied to a first satellite, comprising: receiving first information from a first network element, the first information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to a second satellite; and establishing interface communication with the first gateway station based on the first information; wherein the at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite includes the first gateway station, and the first gateway station is a gateway station jointly connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0029] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the second satellite, wherein the gateway station indicated by the first information is a gateway station jointly connected to by the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0030] In one possible design, the first network element is a core network element, a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

[0031] Fifthly, this application provides a communication method applied to a second satellite, comprising: receiving fifth information from a first network element, the fifth information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite; and establishing interface communication with the first gateway station according to the fifth information; wherein the at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite includes the first gateway station, and the first gateway station is a gateway station jointly connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0032] In one possible design, the fifth information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the first satellite, wherein the gateway station indicated by the first information is a gateway station jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0033] In one possible design, the first network element is a core network element, a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

[0034] In the above design, by instructing one satellite on the gateway station information of another satellite, the satellite can determine the gateway station that it shares with other satellites. The two satellites then establish interface communication with the shared gateway station, thereby indirectly realizing interface communication between the two satellites.

[0035] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device applied to a first satellite, comprising:

[0036] A communication module is configured to receive first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of a second satellite, and / or, the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite; wherein, the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the second satellite;

[0037] A processing module is configured to establish interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite via a first gateway station; wherein the first gateway station is connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite; at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and / or, the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite includes the identifier of the first gateway station.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication module is specifically used to receive the first information forwarded by the first network element, the first information originating from the second satellite. Optionally, the first network element is a core network element, a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

[0039] In one possible design, the communication module is further configured to, after receiving the first information, send second information to the second satellite, the second information indicating at least one TNL address of the first satellite; wherein the at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes the TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the first satellite. Optionally, the communication module can send the second information to the second satellite via a second network element. Optionally, the second network element is a core network element or a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC).

[0040] In one possible design, the second information is used to indicate a TNL address of the first satellite, the TNL address indicated by the second information being a first TNL address, which is associated with the first gateway station.

[0041] In one possible design, the processing module is specifically configured to: establish interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite based on the first TNL address of the first satellite and the second TNL address of the second satellite; wherein the first TNL address is associated with the first gateway station, and the second TNL address is associated with the first gateway station; at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes the first TNL address, and at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes the second TNL address.

[0042] Optionally, when the first information indicates at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite, the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes the second TNL address. The processing module can determine the second TNL address based on the first information. Optionally, when the first information indicates the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, the communication module is further configured to receive third information from the second satellite through a second network element, the third information indicating the second TNL address. The processing module can determine the second TNL address based on the third information.

[0043] In one possible design, at least one TNL address of the second satellite may also include a TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link between the first and second satellites. Optionally, the first information may also be used to indicate that any one of the at least one TNL address of the second satellite is associated with a gateway station or with an inter-satellite link.

[0044] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device for use on a second satellite, comprising:

[0045] A communication module is configured to transmit first information, the first information indicating at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite and / or the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite; wherein the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the second satellite; and to receive second information from the first satellite via a second network element, the second information indicating at least one TNL address of the first satellite; wherein the at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the first satellite.

[0046] The processing module is configured to establish interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite through a first gateway station; wherein, at least one TNL address indicated by the first information includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and / or, the identifier of at least one gateway station indicated by the first information includes the identifier of the first gateway station; at least one TNL address indicated by the second information includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station; and the first gateway station is connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0047] In one possible design, the second information is used to indicate a TNL address of the first satellite, the TNL address indicated by the second information being a first TNL address, which is associated with the first gateway station.

[0048] In one possible design, the processing module is specifically configured to: establish interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite based on the first TNL address of the first satellite and the second TNL address of the second satellite; wherein the first TNL address is associated with the first gateway station, the first TNL address is determined based on the second information, and the second TNL address is associated with the first gateway station; at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes the first TNL address, and at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes the second TNL address.

[0049] In one possible design, when the first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, the communication module is further configured to send third information to the first satellite via the second network element, the third information being used to indicate a second TNL address of the second satellite, the second TNL address being associated with the first gateway station.

[0050] In one possible design, at least one TNL address of the second satellite may also include a TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link between the first and second satellites. Optionally, the first information may also be used to indicate that any one of the at least one TNL address of the second satellite is associated with a gateway station or with an inter-satellite link.

[0051] In one possible design, the communication module, when sending the first information, is specifically used to: send the first information to the first satellite through a first network element; wherein the first network element and the second network element are both core network elements, or the first network element and the second network element are both Radio Access Network Intelligent Controllers (RICs).

[0052] In one possible design, the communication module, when sending the first information, is specifically used to: send a system message, the system message including the first information.

[0053] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device applied to a first network element, including a communication module and a processing module.

[0054] A communication module is used to send first information to a first satellite under the control of a processing module. The first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to a second satellite. The first information is used by the first satellite to determine the gateway station commonly connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0055] Similarly, the communication module is also configured to send fifth information to the second satellite under the control of the processing module. The fifth information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite. The fifth information is used by the second satellite to determine the gateway station commonly connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0056] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the second satellite, wherein the gateway station indicated by the first information is a gateway station jointly connected to by the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0057] In one possible design, the first network element is a core network element, a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

[0058] Ninthly, this application provides a communication device applied to a first satellite, comprising: a communication module for receiving first information from a first network element, the first information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to a second satellite; and a processing module for establishing interface communication with the first gateway station based on the first information; wherein the at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite includes the first gateway station, and the first gateway station is a gateway station jointly connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0059] In one possible design, the first information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the second satellite, wherein the gateway station indicated by the first information is a gateway station jointly connected to by the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0060] In one possible design, the first network element is a core network element, a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication device applied to a second satellite, comprising: a communication module for receiving fifth information from a first network element, the fifth information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite; and a processing module for establishing interface communication with the first gateway station based on the fifth information; wherein the at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite includes the first gateway station, and the first gateway station is a gateway station jointly connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0062] In one possible design, the fifth information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the first satellite, wherein the gateway station indicated by the first information is a gateway station jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0063] In one possible design, the first network element is a core network element, a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

[0064] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including a processor for implementing the methods described in any one of the first to fifth aspects. The processor is coupled to a memory for storing instructions and data. When the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, it can implement the methods described in the first aspect. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory; the communication device may also include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface.

[0065] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including a logic circuit and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the logic circuit is used to execute a computer program to cause the communication device to perform the method provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0066] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0067] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0068] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0069] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory and executing the method provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0070] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system including a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the methods provided in any of the first to fifth aspects. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data for the computer device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0071] The effects of the solutions provided in any of the sixth to seventeenth aspects above can be referenced in the corresponding descriptions in the first to fifth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0072] Figure 1a , Figure 1b , Figure 1c , Figure 1d , Figure 1e These are schematic diagrams of the architecture of the communication system provided in this application;

[0073] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the architecture of an open wireless access network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the protocol stack of the Xn interface provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0075] Figure 4 One of the flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0076] Figure 5 One of the flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0077] Figure 6 One of the flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0078] Figure 7 One of the flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0079] Figure 8One of the flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0080] Figure 9 One of the flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0081] Figure 10 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0082] Figure 11 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0083] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] The at least one item mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to one or more items. Multiple items refers to two or more items. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. Furthermore, it should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe objects in the embodiments of this application, these objects should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the objects from each other.

[0085] The terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, used in the following description of embodiments of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices. It should be noted that in embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any method or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in embodiments of this application should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other methods or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0086] The embodiments of this application can be applied to terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTN), such as satellite networks. As one possible application scenario, satellites can be classified according to their altitude, i.e., their orbital altitude, into highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) satellites, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

[0087] The technical solution of this application can be applied to various wireless communication systems, including but not limited to fourth-generation (4G) systems (also known as long-term evolution (LTE) systems), fifth-generation (5G) systems (also known as new radio (NR) systems), or next-generation mobile communication systems or other similar communication systems (such as sixth-generation (6G) systems), etc., without any specific limitations.

[0088] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, or to V2X scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to fields such as intelligent driving, assisted driving, intelligent connected vehicles, or factory manufacturing scenarios.

[0089] Figure 1a , Figure 1b , Figure 1c and Figure 1d This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the embodiments of this application can be applied. This application uses a satellite network as an example, but it can be extended to other non-terrestrial networks. According to their operating modes, satellites are generally divided into two types:

[0090] One form is transparent, involving radio frequency signals between satellite relay terminal equipment and ground-based access network equipment. For example... Figure 1aThe diagram illustrates a transparent satellite RAN architecture. The satellite's role is radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification; primarily acting as a Layer 1 relay, it regenerates physical layer signals and does not involve higher protocol layers. The satellite communicates wirelessly with ground-based NTN gateways, which in turn connect to ground-based access network equipment via wired connections. Terminal devices access the access network equipment via air interfaces. The satellite and ground-based gateways relay signals between the terminal devices and the ground-based access network equipment. The access network equipment connects to the core network, which in turn communicates with the data network (DN). Optionally, the aforementioned gateway can be an NTN gateway, which can also be described as a gateway; the ground-based gateway can also be described as a ground station. In this architecture, the satellite can be understood as a remote radio unit (RRU) of the access network equipment. The satellite can provide simple physical signal coverage, but the function of radio remote transmission needs to go through the gateway station and the microwave link between the satellite and the gateway station to reach the satellite. In this process, no protocol layer processing is involved and no logical interface is established.

[0091] Another type is the regenerative form, where the satellite possesses all or part of the functions of the access network equipment; that is, the access network equipment or part of its functions are deployed on the satellite. For example... Figure 1b The regenerative satellite architecture shown lacks an inter-satellite link (ISL). The satellite possesses the functions of access network equipment, such as all protocol layer processing capabilities. The satellite transmits back to the ground gateway station via microwave, and the gateway station connects to the core network via a wired connection. The link between the satellite and the gateway station is generally referred to as SRI (Satellite Radio Interface) or feeder link. Figure 1c The regenerative satellite architecture shown has inter-satellite links (ISLs). The satellites possess the functions of access network equipment, such as all protocol layer processing capabilities. This architecture includes ISLs, supporting Xn interface communication between satellites based on ISLs. Optionally, when a satellite is not visible to a ground gateway, it can establish Xn interface communication with other satellites via ISLs and transmit its data back to the ground through these other satellites. Figure 1dThe diagram illustrates a regenerative satellite architecture with distributed unit (DU) processing capabilities for access network equipment. In this architecture, the access network equipment can be viewed as a separate architecture for the central unit (CU) and the DU, with the satellite possessing the DU functionality of the access network equipment. For example... Figure 1e The aforementioned CU includes a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP); the CU-CP includes a radio resource control (RRC) layer and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)-C layer; the CU-UP includes a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer and a PDCP-U layer; the DU includes a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer. Furthermore, in one possible implementation, in... Figure 1d Based on the illustrated regenerative satellite architecture, in addition to DU (Dedicated Access Utility) functionality, the satellite also possesses mobile termination (MT) functionality. Such a satellite can also be understood as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. The satellite can utilize the air interface between the MT and the ground access network equipment for backhaul, eliminating the need to establish a separate microwave backhaul link between the satellite and the gateway station.

[0092] Terminal equipment accesses the access network equipment via an air interface. The access network equipment is deployed on a satellite and connects to the core network deployed on the ground via a gateway station. The core network communicates with the data network (DN). The gateway station is responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between the satellite access network equipment and the core network. Communication between the access network equipment and the gateway station occurs via an NG interface.

[0093] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an open radio access network (O-RAN) communication system to which the embodiments of this application can be applied. In this system, the access network equipment can be viewed as an architecture with separate central units (CU) and units (DU). The regenerating satellite has all the functions of the access network equipment, and the CU and DU communicate with each other through the F1 interface. The RAN intelligent controller (RIC) is used to collect network information and perform network optimization tasks. The RIC communicates with the access network equipment (satellite) through the E2 interface, and the RIC can interface with both the CU and DU.

[0094] The functions of some of these network elements are briefly introduced below.

[0095] A terminal device, also known as user equipment (UE), is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can be deployed in the air (e.g., on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. The embodiments in this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0096] The (R)AN equipment in this application is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices. The (R)AN equipment is also referred to as access network equipment. The RAN equipment in this application includes, but is not limited to: next-generation base stations (g node B, gNB), evolved node B (eNB), radio network controllers (RNC), node Bs (NB), base station controllers (BSC), base transceiver stations (BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), baseband units (BBU), transmitting and receiving points (TRP), transmitting points (TP), mobile switching centers, etc. In systems employing different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may vary. For example, in 5th generation (5G) systems, they are called RAN or gNB (5G NodeB); in LTE systems, they are called evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB); and in 3rd generation (3G) systems, they are called Node B, etc.

[0097] A Data Network (DN) can deploy various services, providing data and / or voice services to terminal devices. For example, a DN might be the private network of a smart factory. Sensors installed in the workshop can act as terminal devices. The DN deploys both sensors and a control server, with the control server providing services to the sensors. Sensors can communicate with the control server, receive instructions, and transmit collected sensor data accordingly. Another example is a DN serving as an internal office network for a company. Employees' mobile phones or computers can act as terminal devices, accessing information and data resources within the company's internal network.

[0098] The core network portion may include one or more of the following network elements:

[0099] The access management network element (also known as the mobility management network element) is a control plane network element provided by the operator's network. It is responsible for access control and mobility management of terminal devices accessing the operator's network, including functions such as mobility state management, allocation of temporary user identities, authentication, and user management. In 5G communication systems, this access management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the access management network element can still be an AMF network element, or it can have other names; this application does not limit its scope.

[0100] The session management network element is primarily responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating communication addresses to users and selecting user plane network elements that provide packet forwarding capabilities. In 5G communication systems, this session management network element can be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communication systems, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or it may have other names; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0101] User plane network elements are responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in terminal devices. They can receive user data from the data network and transmit it to the terminal device through the access network equipment; user plane network elements can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network equipment and forward it to the data network. The transmission resources and scheduling functions that provide services to the terminal device in the user plane network element are managed and controlled by the SMF network element. In 5G communication systems, this user plane network element can be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication systems, the user plane network element can still be a UPF network element, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0102] Core network equipment and access network equipment can be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of core network equipment and the logical functions of access network equipment can be integrated into the same physical device, or a single physical device can integrate some of the functions of core network equipment and some of the functions of access network equipment.

[0103] This application embodiment relates to a scheme for establishing Xn interface communication between access network devices. Figure 3The diagram illustrates the protocol stacks of the control plane (Xn-C, or XnAP) and user plane (Xn-U) of the Xn interface. The control plane of the Xn interface includes the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) layer, the Internet Protocol (IP) layer, the Data Link Layer (DL) layer, and the PHY layer. The user plane of the Xn interface includes the GTP-U layer, the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) layer, the IP layer, the Data Link Layer, and the PHY layer. GTP-U is a type of GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP), where GPRS refers to General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). Data packets on the Xn interface are transmitted based on IP. Two access network devices establishing an Xn interface need to know each other's IP address to establish Xn interface communication. The IP address is a TNL address; the embodiments in this application are described below using a TNL address as an example. In terrestrial networks, network management can pre-configure the TNL addresses of nearby access network devices and the device identifiers (such as identity documents, IDs) on the access network device, for the access network device to initiate Xn interface communication; alternatively, access network devices can establish Xn interface communication through an automatic neighbor relation (ANR) mechanism. In a terrestrial network, two access network devices establishing Xn interface communication only need to exchange one TNL address.

[0104] For regenerable satellites in NTN, if there is an inter-satellite link (ISL) between satellites, the satellite's Xn interface can be carried on the ISL. Communication between two satellites via the ISL establishes their Xn interface, requiring only a pair of TNL addresses. However, if there is a feeder link between the satellite and the gateway station, and communication between the two satellites establishes their Xn interface through the gateway station's forwarding, a filtering mechanism is implemented for security reasons, as the gateway station connects to both the internal and external networks. This filtering mechanism means that when forwarding external network data packets to the internal network, the gateway station determines whether the destination TNL address belongs to the same network segment as its own TNL address. Only packets belonging to the same segment are forwarded; packets from different segments are discarded. It's understandable that a satellite can connect to one or more gateway stations, and satellites connected to a gateway station are all within that gateway station's internal network. Accordingly, the satellite's TNL address is anchored to the gateway station. That is, the satellite's TNL address includes the TNL address associated with the gateway station connected to the satellite. When the satellite is connected to multiple gateway stations, the satellite includes multiple TNL addresses. Each of the multiple gateway stations is associated with one of the multiple TNL addresses. In other words, multiple TNL addresses are associated with multiple gateway stations one by one.

[0105] Therefore, in NTN, if the method of exchanging a TNL address between two access network devices in a terrestrial network is used, it is possible that the TNL addresses exchanged between satellites do not belong to the same network segment, resulting in the failure of establishing Xn interface communication between satellites. Therefore, this application provides the following communication methods, in which two satellites establish Xn interface communication through the TNL address associated with a shared gateway station, ensuring successful interface communication between satellites.

[0106] (one) Figure 4 This illustrates a communication method, which mainly includes the following steps.

[0107] S401, the second satellite transmits the first information, and the first network element receives the first information.

[0108] The first network element can be a core network element, such as an AMF; or, in an O-RAN system, the first network element can be a RIC; or, the first network element can be a terminal device. Based on the ANR mechanism, the second satellite can carry the first information in the system message and broadcast the system message. Accordingly, the terminal device can obtain the first information from the system message upon receiving it. The system message described in this embodiment can be a system information block (SIB).

[0109] The following section provides a detailed explanation of some possible designs for the first information.

[0110] Design 1, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite.

[0111] Optionally, design 1 can also be understood as follows: the first information is used to indicate the TNL address list of the second satellite, which includes at least one TNL address of the second satellite. This at least one TNL address can also be described as one or more TNL addresses, and this application embodiment does not limit this. In the scenario of establishing Xn interface communication between two satellites, the TNL address can also be called an Xn-C TNL address.

[0112] Optionally, the first information is further used to indicate that a TNL address of the second satellite is associated with an inter-satellite link or with a gateway station. Associating a TNL address with an inter-satellite link can also be understood as meaning that interface communication between the second satellite and other satellites is transmitted via the inter-satellite link; associating a TNL address with a gateway station can also be understood as meaning that interface communication between the second satellite and other satellites is transmitted via the gateway station. For example, when the first information indicates a single TNL address, the first information is further used to indicate that the single TNL address can be a TNL address associated with an inter-satellite link, or the first information is further used to indicate that the single TNL address can be a TNL address associated with a gateway station. For example, when the first information indicates multiple TNL addresses, the multiple TNL addresses can include TNL addresses associated with inter-satellite links and at least one TNL address associated with a gateway station. The number of TNL addresses associated with gateway stations indicated by the first information depends on the number of gateway stations connected to the second satellite; for example, the first information may indicate TNL addresses associated with inter-satellite links and TNL addresses associated with each gateway station connected to the second satellite. In this case, the first information is also used to indicate that any one of the plurality of TNL addresses is associated with an inter-satellite link or with a gateway station. For example, when the first information indicates multiple TNL addresses, all of these TNL addresses are TNL addresses associated with a gateway station.

[0113] Design 2, wherein the first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite.

[0114] Optionally, the identifier of the gateway station may include one or more of the following: the gateway station ID, the gateway station TNL address, and the network segment where the gateway station TNL address is located. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0115] Design 3, wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite and the first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite. Design 3 can be understood with reference to the descriptions in Designs 1 and 2, and will not be elaborated upon in this embodiment.

[0116] Optionally, in the above design, the first information can also be used to indicate that the second satellite wants the interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite to be carried on an inter-satellite link, or the first information can also be used to indicate that the second satellite wants the interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite to be forwarded through a gateway station.

[0117] S402, the first network element sends the first information to the first satellite.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the first network element directly forwards the first information from the second satellite to the first satellite.

[0119] In another possible implementation, the first network element can process the received first information accordingly and then send it to the first satellite. For example, if the first information sent by the second satellite is Design 1 in S401, the first network element can also add the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite to the received first information, thus updating the received first information; then the first network element sends the updated first information to the first satellite. Optionally, the first network element can pre-configure the gateway station information corresponding to the second satellite, or the first network element can pre-obtain the corresponding gateway station information from the second satellite, the gateway station information including the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite. Furthermore, if the first information sent by the second satellite only indicates multiple TNL addresses, the first network element can also add an indication to the received first information that each of the multiple TNL addresses is associated with an inter-satellite link or a gateway station, thus updating the received first information; then the first network element sends the updated first information to the first satellite.

[0120] S403, the first satellite sends the second information to the second satellite through the second network element.

[0121] The second network element can be a core network element, such as an AMF; or, in an O-RAN system, the second network element can be a RIC. The second network element and the first network element can be the same or different network elements. The second information is used to indicate at least one TNL address of the first satellite, or it can be understood as: the second information is used to indicate a list of TNL addresses of the first satellite, which includes at least one TNL address of the first satellite. The at least one TNL address can also be described as one or more TNL addresses, and this application embodiment does not limit this. In the scenario of establishing Xn interface communication between two satellites, the TNL address can also be called an Xn-CTNL address.

[0122] In one possible implementation, the at least one TNL address of the first satellite indicated by the second information may include a TNL address associated with an inter-satellite link and / or at least one TNL address associated with a gateway station. For example, the at least one TNL address associated with a gateway station here includes the TNL address associated with each of the at least one gateway stations connected to the first satellite. For a specific definition, please refer to the explanation of at least one TNL address of the second satellite in S402; this embodiment will not elaborate further. Accordingly, the second satellite can determine its TNL address associated with an inter-satellite link based on the second information; or, determine a TNL address of the second satellite associated with a gateway station connected to the first satellite.

[0123] In another possible implementation, the first satellite can determine, based on the first information, a TNL address in the second information that indicates only the first satellite; wherein, the TNL address is a TNL address associated with an inter-satellite link; or, the TNL address is a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the second satellite. Several example scenarios of this implementation are described below.

[0124] Example 1: If the first information is used to indicate at least one TNL address of the second satellite, the first satellite, based on the received first information, determines the TNL address associated with the gateway station connected to the second satellite, and checks whether a TNL address associated with the gateway station connected to the second satellite exists among the TNL addresses associated with the gateway station connected to the second satellite. Then, if the first satellite determines that such a TNL address exists, it sends the second information to the second satellite through the second network element; or, if the first satellite determines that such a TNL address does not exist, it ceases all operations; or, if the first satellite determines that such a TNL address does not exist, it notifies the second satellite through the second network element not to establish interface communication or not to provide the first satellite's TNL address. For example, if the first satellite is connected to the first gateway station, and the gateway station associated with at least one TNL address of the second satellite indicated by the first information includes the TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and the first gateway station is connected to the second satellite, then the first satellite sends the second information to the second satellite through the second network element. It is understood that the first satellite can determine the first gateway station to which both the first and second satellites are connected based on the first information. In this embodiment, the TNL address associated with the first gateway station of the first satellite is denoted as the first TNL address, meaning the first TNL address of the first satellite is associated with the first gateway station; the TNL address associated with the first gateway station of the second satellite is denoted as the second TNL address, meaning the TNL address of the second satellite is associated with the first gateway station. Optionally, the second information sent by the first satellite may only indicate the aforementioned first TNL address.

[0125] Example 2: If the first information is used to indicate the TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link and at least one TNL address associated with the gateway station of the second satellite, when the first satellite receives the first information, it first determines whether an ISL connection exists with the second satellite. If an ISL connection exists, the first satellite can indicate the TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link in the second information. If no ISL connection exists, the first satellite determines the TNL address associated with the gateway station connected to the second satellite based on the received first information, and determines whether there is a TNL address associated with the gateway station connected to the first satellite among the TNL addresses associated with the gateway station connected to the second satellite. Then, if the first satellite determines that the TNL address exists, it sends the second information to the second satellite through the second network element; or, if the first satellite determines that the TNL address does not exist, it stops performing any operation; or, if the first satellite determines that the TNL address does not exist, it notifies the second satellite through the second network element not to establish interface communication or not to provide the TNL address of the first satellite.

[0126] Example 3: If the first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, the first satellite determines, based on the received first information, whether there exists a gateway station jointly connected to both the first and second satellites. Then, if the first satellite determines that such a gateway station exists, it sends second information to the second satellite via the second network element; or, if the first satellite determines that such a gateway station does not exist, it ceases all operations; or, if the first satellite determines that such a gateway station does not exist, it notifies the second satellite via the second network element not to establish interface communication or to provide its TNL address. For example, if the first satellite determines, based on the first information, that it and the second satellite are jointly connected to the first gateway station, then the first satellite sends second information to the second satellite via the second network element. Based on this, the second information sent by the first satellite may only indicate one TNL address of the first satellite, which is the first TNL address associated with the first gateway station.

[0127] Optionally, if the first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, the second satellite can execute S404 after receiving the second information via S403; however, if the first information is used to indicate at least one TNL address of the second satellite, S404 can be ignored, and S405 and S406 can be executed directly after S403. Therefore, S404 can be understood as an optional step, indicated by the dashed line in... Figure 4 As shown in the image.

[0128] S404, the second satellite sends third information to the first satellite through the first network element.

[0129] The third information is used to indicate the second TNL address of the second satellite, which is associated with the first gateway station.

[0130] S405, the first satellite and the second satellite establish interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite through the first gateway station.

[0131] For the first satellite: If the first information in S401 indicates at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite, the first satellite can determine that the at least one TNL address indicated by the first information includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station (i.e., the second TNL address), and the first gateway station is connected to both the first and second satellites. The first satellite establishes interface communication between the first and second satellites based on the first TNL address and the second TNL address associated with the first gateway station. If the first information in S401 indicates the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, the first satellite can determine that the identifier of the at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite includes the identifier of the first gateway station, and the first gateway station is connected to the first satellite. If the first satellite learns through the third information that the second TNL address of the second satellite is associated with the first gateway station, the first satellite establishes interface communication between the first and second satellites based on the first TNL address and the second TNL address associated with the first gateway station.

[0132] For the second satellite: Based on the transmitted first information and the received second information, the second satellite can determine that the first gateway station is connected to both the first and second satellites, i.e., a gateway station jointly connected to both the first and second satellites. For example, the first information indicates at least one TNL address, including a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and the second information indicates at least one TNL address, including a TNL address associated with the first gateway station. For example, the identifier of the first information indicates at least one gateway station includes the identifier of the first gateway station, and the second information indicates at least one TNL address, including a TNL address associated with the first gateway station. Or, the first information indicates at least one TNL address, including a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and the first information indicates at least one gateway station, including the identifier of the first gateway station, and the second information indicates at least one TNL address, including a TNL address associated with the first gateway station. The second satellite can determine from the second information that the first satellite's first TNL address is associated with the first gateway station. Based on this first TNL address and the second satellite's second TNL address associated with the first gateway station, the second satellite establishes interface communication between the first and second satellites.

[0133] Optionally, the interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite mentioned above refers to the Xn interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0134] In the above communication method, the two satellites exchange their respective TNL address information through an intermediate network element (such as the first network element / second network element) and establish interface communication through a common gateway station. This can ensure the successful establishment of interface communication between satellites, while avoiding multi-hop routing forwarding between multiple gateway stations, which helps to reduce interface communication latency.

[0135] For ease of implementation, the following is a guideline. Figures 5-6 ,right Figure 4 The communication methods in the example are illustrated below.

[0136] Example 1: Figure 5 China and Israel Figure 4 Taking an example where the first and second network elements are both AMFs and the first and second satellites are gNBs, an implementation method for a communication method is illustrated, which mainly includes the following steps.

[0137] S500, gNB1 determines that the Xn interface communication between gNB1 and gNB2 is carried by ISL or GW.

[0138] In this embodiment of the application, ISL represents inter-satellite link and GW represents gateway.

[0139] Where gNB1 corresponds to Figure 4 The second satellite described in the text, gNB2 corresponds to Figure 4 The first satellite described in the text. Xn interface communication carried by ISL can also be understood as: establishing Xn interface communication based on the TNL address associated with ISL, establishing Xn interface communication through ISL, or transmitting the TNL address of Xn interface through ISL; Xn interface communication carried by GW can also be understood as: establishing Xn interface communication based on the TNL address associated with GW, establishing Xn interface communication through GW, or transmitting the TNL address of Xn interface through GW.

[0140] In one possible implementation, if an ISL connection exists between gNB1 and gNB2, gNB1 determines that it requests to transmit the TNL address of the Xn interface via ISL; if no ISL connection exists between gNB1 and gNB2, gNB1 determines that it requests to transmit the TNL address of the Xn interface via GW. In this implementation, establishing Xn interface communication via ISL has higher priority than establishing Xn interface communication via GW, and single-hop reachability via ISL can further reduce the transmission latency of the Xn interface compared to forwarding via GW.

[0141] In another possible implementation, considering that when two satellites move in opposite directions, the ISL connection between the two satellites is maintained for a very short time, i.e., the ISL connection is unstable, in this scenario, the priority of establishing Xn interface communication via ISL is lower than that of establishing Xn interface communication via GW. gNB1 can determine the TNL address of the request to transmit the Xn interface via GW.

[0142] Understandably, the S500 is an optional step in... Figure 5 The dotted line in the middle indicates that it is being implemented. Figure 5 In the described manner, S500 can be executed or not, without affecting subsequent steps.

[0143] S501, gNB1 sends the first message to AMF.

[0144] The definition of the first information can be referenced from several design interpretations in S401. Optionally, the first information can be included in the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission sent by gNB1 to AMF, so as to request the relevant TNL address information of gNB2 from gNB2 through AMF.

[0145] Taking the first information indicating the TNL address list of gNB1 as an example, the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission may include the TNL address list of gNB1. This list includes at least one TNL address, such as the TNL address associated with ISL and / or the TNL address associated with a gateway station. The number of TNL addresses included in this list depends on whether S500 is executed and the number of GWs connected to gNB1. For example, if S500 is executed, and it is determined that Xn interface communication is established through ISL or gNB1 is only connected to one gateway station, then the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission sent by gNB1 carries only one TNL address. Otherwise, if S500 is not executed, the list may include the TNL address associated with ISL and the TNL address associated with each gateway station connected to gNB1.

[0146] Optionally, the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission may also include the transmission method corresponding to each TNL address in gNB1's TNL address list, such as transmission via ISL or GW; or the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission may directly indicate the identifier of the GW associated with each TNL address. Additionally, the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission may optionally carry indication information indicating that gNB1 wants the Xn interface to be carried by ISL and / or GW.

[0147] S502, AMF sends the first message to gNB2.

[0148] Optionally, the first information may be included in the downlink RAN ​​configuration transfer sent by the AMF to gNB2.

[0149] This step corresponds to S501. In one possible design, the AMF directly forwards the TNL address list of gNB1 from the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission to gNB2. In another possible design, if the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission only carries the TNL address list of gNB1, the AMF can add the transmission method corresponding to each TNL address in the gNB1 TNL address list in the downlink RAN ​​configuration transmission, such as transmission via ISL or GW; or directly indicate the identifier of the GW associated with each TNL address in the downlink RAN ​​configuration transmission. Optionally, the AMF pre-configures the identifiers of the gateway stations connected to gNBs (such as gNB1 and gNB2); or, the gNBs pre-report the identifiers of the gateway stations reachable by the gNBs to the AMF, for example: the gNBs report the identifiers of the gateway stations reachable by the gNBs to the AMF through RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE messages, and the gateway stations reachable by the gNBs include the gateway stations connected to the gNBs.

[0150] In one possible implementation, S503-S504 can be executed directly after S502. In another possible implementation, if gNB2 determines that an ISL connection exists between gNB1 and gNB2, or if gNB2 determines based on the first information that gNB1 and gNB2 are connected to the same GW, then S503-S505 can be executed after S502; otherwise, gNB2 instructs gNB1 via AMF not to establish Xn interface communication or not to provide gNB2's TNL address list.

[0151] S503, gNB2 sends the second message to AMF.

[0152] The definition of the second information can be understood by referring to the description in S403. For example, the second information indicates the TNL address list of gNB2. Optionally, the second information can be included in the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission sent by gNB2 to AMF, so that the AMF can feed back the relevant TNL address information of gNB2 to gNB1.

[0153] In the case where execution of S502 directly continues with S503-S504, the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission may include a list of TNL addresses for gNB2. This list includes at least one TNL address, such as a TNL address associated with ISL and / or a TNL address associated with a gateway station. In one possible implementation, the number of TNL addresses included in this list depends on whether S500 is executed and the number of GWs connected to gNB2. For example, if S500 is executed, and it is determined that Xn interface communication is established via ISL or gNB2 is connected to only one gateway station, then the TNL address list in the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission sent by gNB2 will only include one TNL address. Otherwise, if S500 is not executed, the list may include the TNL address associated with ISL and the TNL address associated with each gateway station connected to gNB2.

[0154] If gNB2 determines that an ISL connection exists between gNB1 and gNB2, the TNL address list in the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission sent by gNB2 will only include the TNL addresses of gNB2 associated with that ISL. If gNB2 determines, based on the received first information, that gNB1 and gNB2 are jointly connected to the same GW (corresponding to...), then... Figure 4 If the first gateway station in the RAN configuration transmission is gNB2, then the TNL address list in the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission sent by gNB2 only includes the TNL addresses of gNB2 associated with the same GW.

[0155] Alternatively, the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission may also include the transmission method corresponding to each TNL address in the gNB2 TNL address list, such as transmission via ISL or GW; or the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission may directly indicate the identifier of the GW associated with each TNL address.

[0156] S504, AMF sends a second message to gNB1.

[0157] Optionally, the second information may be included in the downlink RAN ​​configuration transfer sent by the AMF to gNB1.

[0158] This step corresponds to S503. In one possible design, the AMF directly forwards the TNL address list of gNB2 from the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission to gNB1. In another possible design, if the uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission only carries the TNL address list of gNB2, the AMF can, in addition to including the TNL address list of gNB2 in the downlink RAN ​​configuration transmission, add the transmission method corresponding to each TNL address in the gNB2 TNL address list, such as transmission via ISL or GW; or directly indicate the identifier of the GW associated with each TNL address in the downlink RAN ​​configuration transmission.

[0159] In the case where S503 to S504 are executed directly after S502, if gNB1 determines that there is an ISL connection between gNB1 and gNB2, or determines that gNB1 and gNB2 are connected to the same GW based on the second information (downlink RAN ​​configuration transmission), then S505 can be executed after S504 to establish Xn interface communication between gNB1 and gNB2.

[0160] S505, gNB1 initiates the establishment of Xn interface communication with gNB2.

[0161] For example, in a scenario where an ISL connection is established between gNB1 and gNB2, gNB1 can establish an Xn interface communication with gNB2 through the ISL based on a pair of TNL addresses associated with the ISL. The pair of TNL addresses associated with the ISL includes the TNL address of gNB1 and the TNL address of gNB2 associated with the ISL. Similarly, in a scenario where gNB1 and gNB2 are both connected to the same GW (Gateway Gate), denoted as the first GW, gNB1 can establish an Xn interface communication between gNB1 and gNB2 through the first GW based on a pair of TNL addresses associated with the first GW. The pair of TNL addresses associated with the first GW includes the TNL address of gNB1 and the TNL address of gNB2 associated with the first GW.

[0162] Example 2: Figure 6 by Figure 4 Taking the example of the first network element being the terminal device (UE), the second network element being the AMF, and the first and second satellites being gNBs, an implementation method of a communication method is illustrated, which mainly includes the following steps.

[0163] S601, gNB2 sends a system message carrying first information, and the UE receives the system message.

[0164] The definition of the first information can be understood with reference to the description in S401. For example, the first information is used to indicate at least one TNL address of gNB2, and / or the identifier of at least one GW to which gNB2 is connected. The at least one TNL address of gNB2 includes the TNL address associated with the ISL, and / or the TNL address associated with the GW.

[0165] It is understandable that the UE is a terminal device within the service range of gNB1, and gNB2 is a neighboring base station. Based on the ANR mechanism, when the UE receives a system message broadcast by the neighboring base station gNB2, it can execute S602 to send the first information in the system message to gNB1.

[0166] S602, the UE reports the first information to gNB1.

[0167] S603, gNB1 sends the second message to gNB2 via AMF.

[0168] The definition of the second information can be understood with reference to the description in S403, and will not be repeated in this embodiment. In one possible implementation, gNB1 sends an uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission carrying the second information to AMF, and AMF sends a downlink RAN ​​configuration transmission carrying the second information to gNB2.

[0169] If the first information indicates the identifier of at least one GW connected to gNB2, and gNB1 determines that gNB1 and gNB2 are connected to the same GW based on the first information, then the second information may indicate a TNL address of gNB1 associated with the same GW. In this case, execution of S603 continues with S604. If the first information indicates at least one TNL address of gNB2, and an ISL connection is established between gNB1 and gNB2, then the second information may indicate a TNL address of gNB2 associated with the ISL; or, if at least one TNL address of gNB2 contains a TNL address associated with a GW connected to gNB1, then gNB1 determines that gNB1 and gNB2 are connected to the same GW based on the first information, and the second information may indicate a TNL address of gNB1 associated with the same GW. In this case, execution of S603 can skip S604 and proceed directly to S605. Therefore, S604 is an optional step. Figure 6 The middle part is indicated by a dashed line.

[0170] S604, gNB2 sends third information to gNB1 via AMF.

[0171] The third information is used to indicate a TNL address of gNB2 associated with the same GW described in S603. In one possible implementation, gNB2 sends an uplink RAN ​​configuration transmission carrying the third information to the AMF, and the AMF sends a downlink RAN ​​configuration transmission carrying the third information to gNB1. For example, corresponding to Figure 4 As described in the text, gNB1 and gNB2 are jointly connected to the first gateway station (first GW). The TNL address associated with gNB1 and the first GW is denoted as the first TNL address; the TNL address associated with gNB2 and the first GW is denoted as the second TNL address.

[0172] S605, gNB1 initiates the establishment of Xn interface communication with gNB2.

[0173] For example, in a scenario where an ISL connection is established between gNB1 and gNB2, gNB1 can establish an Xn interface communication with gNB2 through the ISL based on a pair of TNL addresses associated with the ISL. The pair of TNL addresses associated with the ISL includes the TNL address of gNB1 and the TNL address of gNB2 associated with the ISL. Similarly, in a scenario where gNB1 and gNB2 are both connected to the same GW (Gateway Gate), denoted as the first GW, gNB1 can establish an Xn interface communication between gNB1 and gNB2 through the first GW based on a pair of TNL addresses associated with the first GW. The pair of TNL addresses associated with the first GW includes the TNL address of gNB1 and the TNL address of gNB2 associated with the first GW.

[0174] This method allows gNB1 to obtain the TNL address of gNB2 under the gateway station, or the TNL address associated with ISL, or the gateway station information connected to gNB2, based on the UE's report on the air interface, thereby correctly establishing Xn interface communication between gNB1 and gNB2.

[0175] (two) Figure 7 This illustrates a communication method, which mainly includes the following steps.

[0176] S700, the first satellite sends fourth information to the first network element, the fourth information being used to request the establishment of interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0177] The fourth information includes the identifier of the second satellite (such as gNB ID), which is used to trigger the first network element to execute S701 and S702.

[0178] For example, the first network element can be a core network element, such as an AMF, and the first satellite can send an NG message carrying fourth information to the AMF. For example, in an O-RAN system, the first network element can be a RIC, and the first satellite can send an E2 message carrying fourth information to the RIC. Or, if the first network element is a terminal device, the first satellite can send a downlink message carrying fourth information to the terminal device.

[0179] Alternatively, S700 can be omitted, and the first network element can actively execute S701 and S702. In other words, S700 can be considered an optional step. Figure 7 The dashed line in the middle indicates S700.

[0180] S701, the first network element sends first information to the first satellite, the first information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite.

[0181] For example, if the first network element is an AMF, the AMF sends an NG message carrying the first information to the first satellite. Alternatively, if the first network element is a RIC, the RIC sends an E2 message carrying the first information to the first satellite. Or, if the first network element is a terminal device, the terminal device sends an uplink message carrying the first information to the first satellite.

[0182] Optionally, the first network element may pre-configure the gateway station information corresponding to the second satellite, or the first network element may pre-obtain the corresponding gateway station information from the second satellite. The gateway station information includes the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite. Optionally, the identifier of the gateway station may include one or more of the following: the gateway station ID, the gateway station TNL address, and the network segment where the gateway station's TNL address is located. This embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0183] Optionally, the first information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the second satellite, wherein the gateway station indicated by the first information is a first gateway station jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0184] S702, the first network element sends fifth information to the second satellite, the fifth information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite.

[0185] For example, if the first network element is an AMF, the AMF sends an NG message carrying the fifth information to the second satellite. Alternatively, if the first network element is a RIC, the RIC sends an E2 message carrying the fifth information to the second satellite. Or, if the first network element is a terminal device, the terminal device sends an uplink message carrying the fifth information to the first satellite.

[0186] Optionally, the first network element may pre-configure the gateway station information corresponding to the first satellite, or the first network element may pre-obtain the corresponding gateway station information from the first satellite. The gateway station information includes the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite. Optionally, the identifier of the gateway station may include one or more of the following: the gateway station ID, the gateway station TNL address, and the network segment where the gateway station's TNL address is located. This embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0187] Optionally, the fifth information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the first satellite, wherein the gateway station indicated by the fifth information is a first gateway station jointly connected to the first satellite.

[0188] S703, the first satellite sends second information to the second satellite through the second network element.

[0189] The second network element can be the same as the first network element. For example, if the first network element is an AMF, the second network element can also be an AMF; if the first network element is a RIC, the second network element can also be a RIC. This second information is used to indicate the first TNL address of the first satellite. The first TNL address is associated with the aforementioned first gateway station, which refers to the same gateway station that the first satellite and the second satellite are connected to.

[0190] S704, the second satellite transmits third information to the first satellite through the second network element.

[0191] The second network element can be the same as the first network element. For example, if the first network element is an AMF, the second network element can also be an AMF; if the first network element is a RIC, the second network element can also be a RIC. This third information is used to indicate the second TNL address of the second satellite. This second TNL address is associated with the aforementioned first gateway station, which refers to the same gateway station that the first and second satellites are connected to.

[0192] S705, the first satellite and the second satellite establish interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite through the first gateway station.

[0193] For the first satellite, the first satellite can establish interface communication with the second satellite based on a pair of TNL addresses associated with the first gateway station; wherein, the pair of TNL addresses associated with the first gateway station includes the first TNL address of the first satellite and the second TNL address of the second satellite indicated by the third information.

[0194] For the second satellite, the second satellite can establish interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite based on a pair of TNL addresses associated with the first gateway station; wherein, the pair of TNL addresses associated with the first gateway station includes the second TNL address of the second satellite and the first TNL address of the first satellite indicated by the second information.

[0195] Optionally, the interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite refers to the Xn interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0196] (three) Figure 8 This illustrates a communication method, which mainly includes the following steps.

[0197] S800, the first satellite sends fourth information to the first network element, the fourth information being used to request the establishment of interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0198] This step can be understood with reference to S700, and will not be described in detail in this embodiment. S800 can also be omitted, with the first network element actively executing S801 and S802; that is, S800 can be regarded as an optional step. Figure 8 The dashed line in the middle indicates S800.

[0199] S801, the first network element sends first information to the first satellite, the first information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite.

[0200] The identifier of a gateway station can be the TNL address of that gateway station. The remaining definitions of this step can be understood with reference to the description in S701. This application embodiment will not repeat them.

[0201] S802, the first network element sends fifth information to the second satellite, the fifth information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite.

[0202] The identifier of a gateway station can be the TNL address of that gateway station. The remaining definitions of this step can be understood with reference to the description in S702. This application embodiment will not elaborate on this.

[0203] S803, the first satellite establishes an interface communication with the first gateway station based on the TNL address of the first gateway station.

[0204] The first gateway station refers to the same gateway station that is jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0205] S804, the second satellite establishes an interface communication with the first gateway station based on the first gateway station's TNL address.

[0206] (Four) Figure 9This illustrates a communication method, which mainly includes the following steps.

[0207] S901a, the second satellite sends a second system message carrying the first information, and the first terminal device receives the second system message.

[0208] The first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite. Optionally, the identifier of a gateway station may be its TNL address. The first terminal device is a terminal device capable of receiving second system messages broadcast by the second satellite. For example, based on the ANR mechanism, the first satellite provides services to the first terminal device and configures the first terminal device to perform neighbor cell measurements at the second frequency. The second satellite operates at the second frequency, so the first terminal device can receive messages from the second system.

[0209] S901b, the first satellite sends a first system message carrying fifth information, and the second terminal device receives the first system message.

[0210] The fifth piece of information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite. Optionally, the identifier of a gateway station may be its TNL address. The second terminal device is a terminal device capable of receiving the first system message broadcast by the first satellite. For example, based on the ANR mechanism, the second satellite provides services to the second terminal device and configures the second terminal device to perform neighbor cell measurements at the first frequency. The first satellite operates at the first frequency, therefore the second terminal device can receive the first system message. In some possible scenarios, the first terminal device and the second terminal device may be the same terminal device, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0211] It is understood that S901a and S901b can be executed simultaneously, or S901a can be executed first and then S901b, or S901b can be executed first and then S901a. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0212] S902a, the first terminal device sends the first information to the first satellite.

[0213] Corresponding to S901a, the first terminal device is a terminal device that provides services to the first satellite. Accordingly, the first satellite determines the TNL address of the first gateway station that is jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite based on the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite as indicated by the first information, and then executes S903 as follows.

[0214] S902b, the second terminal device sends the fifth message to the second satellite.

[0215] Corresponding to S901b, the second terminal device is a terminal device that provides services to the second satellite. Based on the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the first satellite as indicated by the fifth information, the second satellite determines the TNL address of the first gateway station to which both the first and second satellites are connected, and then executes S904 as follows.

[0216] It is understood that S902a and S902b can be executed simultaneously, or S902a can be executed first and then S902b, or S902b can be executed first and then S902a. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0217] S903, the first satellite establishes an interface communication with the first gateway station based on the TNL address of the first gateway station.

[0218] S904, the second satellite establishes an interface communication with the first gateway station based on the first gateway station's TNL address.

[0219] Based on the same concept, see [link / reference] Figure 10 This application provides a communication device 1000, which includes a processing module 1001 and a communication module 1002. The communication device 1000 can be a satellite (such as a first satellite or a second satellite), or it can be a communication device applied to or used in conjunction with a satellite, capable of implementing a communication method executed on the satellite side; alternatively, the communication device 1000 can be a first network element, or it can be a communication device applied to or used in conjunction with a first network element, capable of implementing a communication method executed on the first network element side.

[0220] The communication module can also be called a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver device. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device. Optionally, the communication module is used to perform the transmission and reception operations on the satellite side or the first network element side in the above method. The device in the communication module that implements the receiving function can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device in the communication module that implements the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitting unit. That is, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

[0221] When the communication device 1000 is used in a satellite, the processing module 1001 can be used to implement... Figures 4 to 9 The satellite's processing functions as described in the illustrated embodiment can be implemented using the communication module 1002. Figures 4 to 9 The satellite's transmit and receive functions are shown in the illustrated embodiment.

[0222] When the communication device 1000 is applied to the first network element, the processing module 1001 can be used to implement... Figures 4 to 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the processing function of the first network element is implemented by the communication module 1002. Figures 4 to 9The transmit and receive functions of the first network element in the illustrated embodiment.

[0223] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned communication module and / or processing module can be implemented through virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented through software functional units or virtual devices, and the communication module can be implemented through software functions or virtual devices. Alternatively, the processing module or communication module can also be implemented through physical devices. For example, if the communication device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the communication module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0224] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in each embodiment of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0225] Based on the same technical concept, this application also provides a communication device 1100. For example, the communication device 1100 may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in this application embodiment, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0226] The communication device 1100 can be used to implement the function of any network element in the communication system described in the foregoing embodiments. The communication device 1100 may include at least one processor 1110 coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located within the communication device, integrated with the processor, or located outside the communication device. For example, the communication device 1100 may also include at least one memory 1120. The memory 1120 stores computer programs, computer programs or instructions, and / or data necessary for implementing any of the above embodiments; the processor 1110 may execute the computer program stored in the memory 1120 to complete the methods in any of the above embodiments.

[0227] The communication device 1100 may also include a communication interface 1130, through which the communication device 1100 can interact with other devices. For example, the communication interface 1130 may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface. When the communication device 1100 is a chip-based device or circuit, the communication interface 1130 may also be an input / output circuit, capable of inputting information (or receiving information) and outputting information (or sending information). The processor may be an integrated processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or logic circuit, and the processor can determine the output information based on the input information.

[0228] The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1110 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1120 and the communication interface 1130. This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 1110, the memory 1120, and the communication interface 1130.

[0229] Optional, see Figure 11 The processor 1110, the memory 1120, and the communication interface 1130 are interconnected via a bus 1140. The bus 1140 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 11 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0230] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0231] In the embodiments of this application, the memory can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of this application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1100 can be applied to a satellite (such as a first satellite or a second satellite). Specifically, the communication device 1100 can be a satellite or an apparatus capable of supporting a satellite and implementing the functions of the satellite in any of the above embodiments. The memory 1120 stores computer programs (or instructions) and / or data that implement the functions of the satellite in any of the above embodiments. The processor 1110 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1120 to complete the methods executed by the satellite in any of the above embodiments. When applied to a satellite, the communication interface in the communication device 1100 can be used to interact with a first network element, sending information to or receiving information from the first network element.

[0233] In another possible implementation, the communication device 1100 can be applied to a first network element. Specifically, the communication device 1100 can be the first network element itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the first network element and implementing the functions of the first network element in any of the above embodiments. The memory 1120 stores computer programs (or instructions) and / or data that implement the functions of the first network element in any of the above embodiments. The processor 1110 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1120 to complete the method executed by the first network element in any of the above embodiments. Applied to the first network element, the communication interface in the communication device 1100 can be used to interact with a satellite, sending information to or receiving information from the satellite.

[0234] Since the communication device 1100 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a satellite to complete the above-described satellite-executed method, or applied to a first network element to complete the first network element-executed method, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above-described method examples, and will not be repeated here.

[0235] Based on the above embodiments, this application provides a communication system including a satellite and a first network element, wherein the satellite and the first network element can achieve... Figures 4 to 9 The method provided in the illustrated embodiments.

[0236] The technical solutions provided in this application can be implemented in whole or in part through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a first network element, a satellite, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media, etc.

[0237] In the embodiments of this application, provided there is no logical contradiction, the embodiments may reference each other. For example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments may reference each other, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments may reference each other, and the functions and / or terms between device embodiments and method embodiments may reference each other.

[0238] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application fall within the scope of the claims of the embodiments of this application and their equivalents, the embodiments of this application are also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first satellite, including: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite, and / or, the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite; wherein, the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with the gateway station connected to the second satellite; An interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite is established through a first gateway station; wherein the first gateway station is connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite; at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and / or, the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite includes the identifier of the first gateway station.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving of the first information includes: The first information is received by the first network element and is sent to the first network element by the second satellite.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message to the second satellite, the second message indicating at least one TNL address of the first satellite; wherein the at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the first satellite.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The second information is used to indicate a TNL address of the first satellite. The TNL address indicated by the second information is a first TNL address, which is associated with the first gateway station.

5. The method as described in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, Send a second message to the second satellite, including: The second information is sent to the second satellite through the second network element.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The establishment of interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite through the first gateway station includes: An interface communication is established between the first satellite and the second satellite based on the first TNL address of the first satellite and the second TNL address of the second satellite; wherein the first TNL address is associated with the first gateway station and the second TNL address is associated with the first gateway station; at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes the first TNL address and at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes the second TNL address.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, When the first information indicates the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, the method further includes: Receive third information from the second satellite, the third information being used to indicate the second TNL address.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, At least one TNL address of the second satellite also includes a TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link between the first satellite and the second satellite.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate that any one of the at least one TNL address of the second satellite is associated with a gateway station or with an inter-satellite link.

10. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first network element is a core network element, a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

11. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The second network element is either a core network element or a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC).

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the second satellite, including: Send first information, the first information being used to indicate at least one Transmission Network Layer (TNL) address of the second satellite, and / or the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite; wherein, the at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes the TNL address associated with the gateway station connected to the second satellite; The second network element receives second information from the first satellite, the second information being used to indicate at least one TNL address of the first satellite; wherein, the at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes a TNL address associated with a gateway station connected to the first satellite; An interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite is established through a first gateway station; wherein at least one TNL address of the second satellite includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station, and / or, the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite includes the identifier of the first gateway station; at least one TNL address of the first satellite includes a TNL address associated with the first gateway station; the first gateway station is connected to both the first satellite and the second satellite.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The second information is used to indicate a TNL address of the first satellite. The TNL address indicated by the second information is a first TNL address, which is associated with the first gateway station.

14. The method as described in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The establishment of interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite through the first gateway station includes: An interface communication between the first satellite and the second satellite is established based on the first TNL address of the first satellite and the second TNL address of the second satellite; wherein, the first TNL address is associated with the first gateway station, the first TNL address is determined based on the second information, and the second TNL address is associated with the first gateway station.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, When the first information is used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, it further includes: The second network element sends third information to the first satellite, the third information being used to indicate the second TNL address of the second satellite, the second TNL address being associated with the first gateway station.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, At least one TNL address of the second satellite also includes a TNL address associated with the inter-satellite link between the first satellite and the second satellite.

17. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The first information is also used to indicate that any one of the at least one TNL address of the second satellite is associated with a gateway station or with an inter-satellite link.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12-17, characterized in that, The sending of the first information includes: The first information is sent to the first satellite through the first network element; wherein the first network element and the second network element are both core network elements, or the first network element and the second network element are both Radio Access Network Intelligent Controllers (RICs).

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-17, characterized in that, The sending of the first information includes: Send a system message, the system message including the first information.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first network element, including: The first satellite sends first information to the first satellite, the first information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite, and the first information being used by the first satellite to determine the gateway station commonly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first satellite, including: Receive first information from a first network element, the first information being used to indicate the identifier of at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite; Based on the first information, an interface communication is established with the first gateway station; wherein, at least one gateway station connected to the second satellite includes the first gateway station, and the first gateway station is a gateway station jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

22. The method as described in claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate a gateway station connected to the second satellite, and the gateway station indicated by the first information is a gateway station jointly connected to the first satellite and the second satellite.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20-22, characterized in that, The first network element is a core network element, a wireless access network intelligent controller (RIC), or a terminal device.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-11, or includes a module for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 12-19, or includes a module for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 20, 22 and 23, or includes a module for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 21-23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor coupled to a memory, the processor being configured to invoke computer program instructions stored in the memory to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-11, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 12-19, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 20, 22 and 23, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 21-23.

26. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a communication device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, and a communication device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 12-19; ​​or, it includes a communication device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 20, 22 and 23, and a communication device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 21-23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-23.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes computer execution instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-23.

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