Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device, belongs to the technical field of communication, and is used for improving the network access flexibility of terminal equipment in an NTN (Network Temporary Network) communication scene. In the method, when a first base station receives a first access request message of a first terminal device and determines that the first access request message is processed by the first base station, the first base station can send an access response message to the first terminal device according to the first access request message, so that the first terminal device accesses a network through the first base station. Therefore, the problem of how to access the network by the first terminal equipment under the condition that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode can be solved, so that the flexibility of accessing the network by the terminal equipment can be improved.

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] Non-terrestrial network (NTN) 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 and maritime communications. Based on its operating mode, NTN communication data transmission modes can be divided into two main categories: transparent forwarding mode and regenerative mode. Transparent forwarding mode allows for the transparent transmission of messages and data between terminal equipment and the terrestrial access network via satellite; regenerative mode allows the access network functions to be implemented on the satellite, enabling the satellite to process air interface signals.

[0003] However, in the context of NTN communication, how to improve the flexibility of terminal devices accessing the network to better meet the needs of future communication is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve the flexibility of terminal devices accessing the network in NTN communication scenarios.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first base station, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first base station. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first base station as an example. The method includes: the first base station broadcasting a first message, the first message indicating that the cell supports a first mode and a second mode. The first mode involves the first base station processing data from a terminal device, and the second mode involves the first base station transparently transmitting data from the terminal device to a second base station for processing. The first base station is a satellite-based base station, and the second base station is a ground-based base station. The first base station receives a first access request message from a first terminal device, and if the first base station determines to process the first access request message, the first base station sends an access response message to the first terminal device based on the first access request message. The first terminal device is camped in the aforementioned cell.

[0007] Based on the method described in the first aspect, the cell supports both a first mode and a second mode. This means the first base station can process data from the terminal device, or the first base station can transmit the terminal device's data to the second base station for processing. In other words, both the first and second base stations can provide services to the terminal devices residing in the cell. In this case, the first base station can determine the base station for the terminal device residing in the cell to access the network. For example, when the first base station receives a first access request message from the first terminal device and determines that it will handle the first access request message, the first base station can send an access response message to the first terminal device based on the first access request message, thereby enabling the first terminal device to access the network through the first base station. This solves the problem of how the first terminal device accesses the network when the cell supports both the first and second modes, thus improving the flexibility of the terminal device's network access. Furthermore, in the NTN communication scenario, the terminal device's information is first sent to the first base station, and then transmitted to other devices, such as core network elements and the second base station, through the first base station. Therefore, by having the first base station determine which base station the terminal device is accessing the network, the first base station can avoid sending multiple access request messages when the second base station determines that the terminal device is accessing the network through the first base station, thereby reducing the communication overhead between the first and second base stations.

[0008] It is understood that the aforementioned first message can be a system message. The aforementioned first access request message is merely an exemplary message name, and the "first access request message" can also be replaced with any other possible expression, such as "random access request message," without limitation.

[0009] In one possible design, before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the method described in the first aspect further includes: the first base station interacting with the second base station to determine that the first base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, the first base station and the second base station can negotiate that the first base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It is understood that the first base station and the second base station can determine that the first base station will handle the access request message by sending messages to each other. For example, the first base station sends a message to the second base station requesting confirmation of handling the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell (denoted as message #1), and the second base station, based on this message and its current load, sends a response message to the first base station indicating that the first base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell (denoted as message #2). Message #1 and message #2 can be newly defined messages or existing messages, and can be flexibly set according to actual conditions without restriction.

[0010] In one possible design, the first base station determines whether to process the first access request message by: the first base station determining itself to be an anchor base station, which is the base station among the first and second base stations responsible for establishing signaling connections with the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the anchor base station is used to process access request messages from the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell; that is, the anchor base station is responsible for establishing connections with the terminal equipment and with core network elements (such as Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) elements). The terminal equipment residing in the cell can access the network through the anchor base station. After receiving the first access request message, the first base station can determine whether it is an anchor base station. When the first base station determines that it is an anchor base station, it determines to process the first access request message, that is, the first base station determines that the first terminal equipment accesses the network through it.

[0011] In one possible design, the first base station determines that it will process the first access request message by: determining that the first access request message uses a first resource, where the first resource is an access resource allocated by the first base station. It can be understood that the first resource can be the resource used by the terminal device to send the access request message when the first base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the first base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device camped in that cell uses the first resource to send the access request message, such as the first terminal device using the first resource to send the first access request message. Thus, when the first base station determines that the access request message uses the first resource, it can determine that the first base station is responsible for establishing the signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell; that is, the first base station can determine that it will process the first access request message based on the use of the first resource.

[0012] It is understood that the first piece of information mentioned above can be the random access timing (RO) and / or preamble, which can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without any restrictions.

[0013] Optionally, the method in the first aspect further includes: the first base station interacting with the second base station to determine a first resource; and the first base station broadcasting the first resource. This enables terminal devices camped in the cell to receive the first resource and use it to send access request messages. It is understood that the first base station and the second base station can negotiate the first resource. Furthermore, the first base station and the second base station can determine the first resource by sending messages to each other, and these messages can be newly defined messages or existing messages, without restriction. In addition, the first resource can be determined during the negotiation process between the first base station and the second base station, whereby the first base station handles access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to the cell.

[0014] In one possible design, the first base station determines that it will process the first access request message by: determining that the first access request message uses a first resource. The first resource is the resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the first base station acts as an anchor base station. The anchor base station is the base station between the first base station and the second base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. The anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the first base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device residing in that cell uses the first resource to send the access request message, such as the first terminal device using the first resource to send the first access request message. Thus, when determining that the access request message uses the first resource, the first base station can determine that it is responsible for establishing the signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell; that is, the first base station can determine that it will process the first access request message based on the use of the first resource.

[0015] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect further includes: if the first base station determines that it will not process the first access request message, the first base station sends the first access request message to the second base station. That is, the second base station processes the first access request message at this time, meaning that the first terminal device can access the network through the second base station.

[0016] Optionally, before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the method in the first aspect further includes: the first base station interacting with the second base station to determine that the second base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It is understood that the first base station and the second base station can negotiate that the second base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. Furthermore, the first base station and the second base station can determine that the first base station will handle the access request message by sending messages to each other. For example, the first base station sends a message to the second base station requesting confirmation of handling the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell (denoted as message #11), and the second base station, based on this message and its current load, sends a response message to the first base station indicating that the second base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell (denoted as message #22). It is also understood that messages #11 and #22 can be newly defined messages or existing messages, and can be flexibly set according to actual circumstances without restriction.

[0017] Optionally, the first base station determines not to process the first access request message, including: the first base station determines that it is not an anchor base station. The anchor base station is the base station between the first base station and the second base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell. The anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell; that is, the anchor base station is responsible for establishing the connection with the terminal equipment and the connection with core network elements (such as AMF elements). It can also be understood that the terminal equipment camped in the cell can access the network through the anchor base station. After receiving the first access request message, the first base station can determine whether it is an anchor base station. When the first base station determines that it is not an anchor base station, the first base station can determine that it will not process the first access request message. In other words, the first base station can determine that the second base station will process the first access request message, and in this case, the first base station forwards the first access request message to the second base station.

[0018] Optionally, the first base station determines not to process the first access request message, including: the first base station determines that the first access request message uses a second resource, where the second resource is an access resource allocated by the second base station. It can be understood that the second resource can be the resource used by the terminal device to send the access request message when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device camped in that cell uses the second resource to send the access request message, such as the first terminal device using the second resource to send the first access request message. Thus, when the first base station determines that the access request message uses the second resource, it can determine that the second base station is responsible for establishing the signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell; that is, the first base station can use the second resource according to the first access request message to forward the first access request message to the second base station.

[0019] It is understood that the first piece of information mentioned above can be the random access timing (RO) and / or preamble, which can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without any restrictions.

[0020] Optionally, the first base station determines not to process the first access request message, including: the first base station determines that the first access request message uses a second resource, where the second resource is the access resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the second base station acts as an anchor base station. The anchor base station is the base station between the first base station and the second base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device residing in that cell uses the second resource to send the access request message, such as the first terminal device using the second resource to send the first access request message. Thus, when the first base station determines that the access request message uses the second resource, it can determine that the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell; that is, the first base station can use the second resource according to the first access request message and forward the first access request message to the second base station.

[0021] Furthermore, the method described in the first aspect also includes: the first base station determining the second resource by interacting with the second base station; and the first base station broadcasting the second resource. It is understood that the first and second base stations can determine the second resource by sending messages to each other, and these messages can be newly defined messages or existing messages, without restriction. In addition, the second resource can be determined during the process of the first and second base stations negotiating that the second base station will handle access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to the cell.

[0022] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second base station, or by a component of the second base station, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the second base station, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second base station. The following description uses the execution of this method by a second base station as an example. The method includes: the second base station receiving a first access request message from a first base station; in response to the first access request message, the second base station sending an access response message to a first terminal device; wherein the first access request message is used by the first terminal device to request network access, the cell where the first terminal device is located supports a first mode and a second mode, the first mode in which the first base station processes the data of the terminal device, and the second mode in which the first base station transparently transmits the data of the terminal device to the second base station for processing, the first base station being a satellite-based base station, and the second base station being a ground-based base station.

[0023] Based on the second aspect of the method, when the cell supports both the first and second modes, and the first base station sends a first access request message to the second base station, the second base station processes the first access request message from the first base station. This resolves the issue of how the first terminal device accesses the network when the cell supports both the first and second modes.

[0024] In one possible design, the second base station sends an access response message to the first terminal device, including: if the second base station determines that it will process the first access request message, then the second base station sends the access response message to the first terminal device. This ensures that the first access request message is processed by the second base station, thereby preventing the first terminal device from failing to access the network.

[0025] Optionally, before the second base station broadcasts the first message, the method in the first aspect further includes: the second base station interacting with the first base station to determine that the second base station is processing an access request message from a terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0026] Optionally, the second base station determines whether to process the first access request message, including: the second base station determining itself to be an anchor base station, which is the base station among the first and second base stations responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the anchor base station is used to process access request messages from the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell; that is, the anchor base station is responsible for establishing connections with the terminal equipment and with core network elements (such as Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) elements). It can also be understood that the terminal equipment residing in the cell can access the network through the anchor base station. After receiving the first access request message, the second base station can determine whether it is an anchor base station. When the second base station determines that it is an anchor base station, it can determine whether to process the first access request message, that is, the second base station determines that the first terminal equipment accesses the network through it.

[0027] Optionally, the second base station determines that it will process the first access request message by: determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, whereby the second resource is an access resource allocated by the second base station. It can be understood that the second resource can be the resource used by the terminal device to send the access request message when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device camped in that cell uses the second resource to send the access request message, such as when the first terminal device uses the second resource to send the first access request message. Thus, when the second base station determines that the access request message uses the second resource, it can determine that the second base station is responsible for establishing the signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell; that is, the second base station can determine that it will process the first access request message based on the use of the second resource.

[0028] It is understood that the first piece of information mentioned above can be the random access timing (RO) and / or preamble, which can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without any restrictions.

[0029] Optionally, the second base station determines that it will process the first access request message by: the second base station determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, where the second resource is the access resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the second base station acts as an anchor base station; the anchor base station is the base station between the first and second base stations responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell; and the anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device residing in that cell uses the second resource to send the access request message, such as the first terminal device using the second resource to send the first access request message. Thus, when the second base station determines that the access request message uses the second resource, it can determine that it is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell; that is, the second base station can determine that it will process the first access request message based on the use of the second resource.

[0030] Optionally, the method in the second aspect further includes: the second base station determining a second resource by interacting with the first base station; and the second base station broadcasting the second resource. It is understood that the first and second base stations can determine the second resource by sending messages to each other, and these messages can be newly defined messages or existing messages, without restriction. Furthermore, the second resource can be determined during the negotiation process between the first and second base stations to have the second base station handle access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to the cell. It is also understood that the second base station can broadcast the second resource through the first base station.

[0031] In one possible design, the method described in the second aspect further includes: a second base station broadcasting a first message, the first message indicating that the cell supports a first mode and a second mode. This enables terminal devices camped in the cell to determine the data transmission mode used by their services based on the first message. Furthermore, the second base station can broadcast the first message through the first base station.

[0032] Furthermore, the technical effects of the method described in the second aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0033] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first terminal device, or by a component of the first terminal device, such as its processor, chip, or chip system, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first terminal device. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first terminal device as an example. The method includes: the first terminal device receiving a first message, which indicates that the cell supports a first mode and a second mode. The first mode involves a first base station processing data from the terminal device, and the second mode involves the first base station transparently transmitting data from the terminal device to a second base station for processing. The first base station is a satellite-based base station, and the second base station is a ground-based base station. The first terminal device camps on the cell. The first terminal device determines a data transmission mode, which is either the first mode or the second mode. The first terminal device sends a first access request message according to the data transmission mode.

[0034] Based on the method described in the third aspect, when the cell supports both the first and second modes, the first terminal device can send a first access request message according to the data transmission mode. This allows the first terminal device to select the corresponding base station to handle the first access request message based on the data transmission mode. For example, if the first terminal device determines to use the first mode, the first base station handles the first access request message; if the first terminal device determines to use the second mode, the second base station handles the first access request message. In other words, this solves the problem of how the first terminal device accesses the network when the cell supports both the first and second modes.

[0035] In one possible design, the first terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service. For example, the first terminal device can determine the data transmission mode based on the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of the first service; for example, if the QoS requirements are high, it can determine to use the first mode, or if the QoS requirements are low, it can determine to use the second mode.

[0036] Optionally, the method in the third aspect further includes: a first terminal device receiving mapping information, the mapping information being used to indicate the mapping relationship between a service and a data transmission mode; the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to a first service, including: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode based on the mapping information and the first service. In this way, the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service can be determined quickly.

[0037] In one possible design, the first terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: the first terminal device determines the data transmission mode based on the service QoS or service experience QoE. For example, the first terminal device can determine the data transmission mode based on the QoS requirements of the first service; for instance, if the service's QoS requirements or QoE are high, a first mode is selected, and if the QoS requirements or QoE are low, a second mode is selected. This allows for flexible determination of the data transmission mode corresponding to the service based on actual conditions.

[0038] In one possible design, the method described in the third aspect further includes: a first terminal device receiving a first resource and a second resource, wherein the first resource is an access resource associated with a first mode and the second resource is an access resource associated with a second mode; the first terminal device sending a first access request message according to a data transmission mode, including: when the data transmission mode is the first mode, the first terminal device using the first resource to send the first access request message; or, when the data transmission mode is the second mode, the first terminal device using the second resource to send the first access request message.

[0039] Furthermore, the technical effects of the method described in the third aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method described in the first aspect, and will not be elaborated here.

[0040] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, chip, or chip system, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first base station. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first base station as an example. The method includes: the first base station receiving a first request message from a first core network element, the first request message including information indicating a first mode, the first mode being that the first base station processes data from a terminal device; the first base station being a base station located on a satellite or ground; in response to the first request message, the first base station sending a first response message to the first core network element, the first response message including access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station, the access network tunnel information being used by a second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the first base station.

[0041] Based on the method in the fourth aspect, when the first core network element requests the establishment of a data transmission channel from the first base station, it sends information indicating a first mode to the first base station. This enables the first base station to determine, based on the first mode, the data transmission channel to be established between the first base station and the second core network element; that is, the first base station can send access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station to the first core network element according to the first mode. Thus, the establishment of a data transmission channel between the base station and the core network element can be achieved.

[0042] In one possible design, after the first base station receives a first request message from a first core network element, the method in the fourth aspect includes: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, the first message including information for indicating a first mode. Thus, the first base station can indicate to the terminal device that the current Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session and / or Quality of Service (QoS) flow adopts the first mode.

[0043] Optionally, the first message also includes Data Radio Bearer (DRB) configuration parameters, which include information indicating the first mode. This enables the terminal device to determine the data that can be transmitted based on the DRB configuration parameters.

[0044] In one possible design, the first base station sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device. The DCI includes information indicating a first mode. It is understood that after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can combine it with the DRB parameters for the first mode to determine the data that can be transmitted. That is, after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine that the data of the first mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resources indicated by the DCI.

[0045] Fifthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component of the terminal device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. The following description uses the execution of this method by a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device determining a first mode, whereby the data of the terminal device is processed by a first base station, which is a base station located on a satellite or ground; and the terminal device sending information indicating the first mode to a first core network element.

[0046] Based on the method in the fifth aspect, the terminal device can determine the first mode and indicate the first mode to the first core network element. This enables the first core network to indicate the first mode to the first base station, allowing the first base station to determine, based on the first mode, the establishment of a data transmission channel between the first base station and the second core network element.

[0047] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: the terminal device determining a first mode corresponding to the service. That is, the terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode based on relevant information about the service.

[0048] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the data transmission mode by: determining a first mode based on the Quality of Service (QoS) or Quality of Experience (QoE). This allows the first mode to be determined according to the actual service requirements.

[0049] In one possible design, the method described in the fifth aspect further includes: the terminal device receiving a first message from a first base station, the first message including DRB configuration parameters, the DRB configuration parameters including information for indicating a first mode; the terminal device receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the first base station, the DCI including information for indicating the first mode; the terminal device determining first data based on the DRB configuration parameters and the DCI; and the terminal device sending the first data.

[0050] Furthermore, the technical effects of the method described in the fifth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method described in the fourth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0051] Sixthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first core network element, or by a component of the first core network element, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first core network element, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first core network element. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first core network element as an example. The method includes: the first core network element determining a first mode corresponding to the terminal device based on service-related information of the terminal device; the first mode being data processing of the terminal device by a first base station; the first base station being a base station located on a satellite or ground; and the first core network element indicating the first mode to the first base station.

[0052] In one possible design scheme, the business-related information is the business Quality of Service (QoS) requirements.

[0053] Furthermore, the technical effects of the method described in the sixth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method described in the fourth or fifth aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0054] Seventhly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first base station, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first base station. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first base station as an example. The method includes: a first base station receiving a first request message from a first core network element, the first request message including core network tunnel information and information indicating a second mode, wherein the second mode is that the second base station processes data from a terminal device, and the core network tunnel information is used by the second base station to send data from the terminal device to the second core network element; in response to the first request message, the first base station sending a second request message to the second base station, the second request message being used to request the second base station to establish a data transmission channel with the second core network element, the second request message including core network tunnel information; the first base station receiving a second response message from the second base station, the second response message including access network tunnel information, the access network tunnel information being used by the second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the second base station; the first base station sending a first response message to the first core network element, the first response message including access network tunnel information; wherein, the first base station is a base station located on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station located on the ground; or, the second base station is a base station located on a satellite, and the first base station is a base station located on the ground.

[0055] Based on the method in the seventh aspect, when the first core network element requests the establishment of a data transmission channel from the first base station, it can send information indicating a second mode to the first base station. This enables the first base station to determine, based on the second mode, the establishment of a data transmission channel between the second base station and the second core network element; that is, the first base station can trigger the establishment of a data transmission channel between the second base station and the second core network element according to the second mode. Thus, the establishment of the data transmission channel can be achieved.

[0056] In one possible design, after the first base station receives a second response message from the second base station, the method in the seventh aspect includes: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, the first message including information for indicating a second mode. Thus, the first base station can indicate to the terminal device that the current Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session and / or Quality of Service (QoS) flow adopts the second mode.

[0057] Optionally, the first message also includes data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameters, which include a second mode. This enables the terminal device to determine the data that can be transmitted based on the DRB configuration parameters.

[0058] In one possible design, the first base station sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device. The DCI includes a second mode. It can be understood that after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can combine it with the DRB parameters used for the second mode to determine the data that can be transmitted. That is, after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine that the data in the second mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resources indicated by the DCI.

[0059] Eighthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component of the terminal device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. The following description uses the execution of this method by a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device determining a second mode, whereby the second mode involves processing data from a second terminal device, and the second base station is a base station located on a satellite or ground; the terminal device sending information indicating the second mode to a first core network element.

[0060] Based on the method in the eighth aspect, the terminal device can determine the second mode and indicate the second mode to the first core network element. This enables the first core network to indicate the second mode to the first base station, allowing the first base station to trigger the establishment of a data transmission channel between the second base station and the second core network element based on the second mode.

[0061] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: the terminal device determining a second mode corresponding to the service. That is, the terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode based on relevant service information.

[0062] In one possible design, the terminal device determines the data transmission mode by: determining a second mode based on the Quality of Service (QoS) or Quality of Experience (QoE). This allows the terminal device to determine the first mode based on the actual service requirements.

[0063] In one possible design, the method described in the eighth aspect further includes: the terminal device receiving a first message from a first base station, the first message including DRB configuration parameters, the DRB configuration parameters including information for indicating a second mode; the terminal device receiving downlink control information (DCI) from the first base station, the DCI including information for indicating a second mode; the terminal device determining first data based on the DRB configuration parameters and the DCI; and the terminal device sending the first data.

[0064] Furthermore, the technical effects of the method described in the eighth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method described in the seventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0065] Ninthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first core network element, or by a component of the first core network element, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first core network element, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first core network element. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first core network element as an example. The method includes: the first core network element determining a second mode corresponding to the terminal device based on service-related information of the terminal device; the second mode being that the data of the terminal device is processed by a second base station, which is a base station located on a satellite or ground; and the first core network element indicating the second mode to the first base station.

[0066] In one possible design scheme, the business-related information is the business Quality of Service (QoS) requirements.

[0067] Furthermore, the technical effects of the method described in the ninth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method described in the seventh or eighth aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0068] Tenthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first base station, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first base station. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first base station as an example. The method includes: the first base station receiving a first request message from a first core network element, the first request message being used to request the establishment or modification of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session; the first base station being a base station located on a satellite or ground; in response to the first request message, the first base station determining a first mode corresponding to the terminal device based on service-related information of the terminal device, the first mode being that the first base station processes the data of the terminal device; the first base station sending a first response message to the first core network element according to the first mode, the first response message including access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station, the access network tunnel information being used by a second core network element to send the data of the terminal device to the first base station.

[0069] Based on the method in the tenth aspect, when the first core network element requests the establishment of a data transmission channel from the first base station, the first base station can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device. Thus, when the first base station determines that the terminal device corresponds to the first mode, it can send the access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station to the first core network element. This enables the establishment of a data transmission channel between the base station and the core network element.

[0070] In one possible design, after the first base station determines the first mode corresponding to the terminal device based on the service-related information of the terminal device, the method described in the tenth aspect includes: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, the first message including information for indicating the first mode.

[0071] Optionally, the first message may also include data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameters, which include a first mode.

[0072] In one possible design, the first base station sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and the DCI includes a first mode.

[0073] In one possible design scheme, the business-related information is the business Quality of Service (QoS) requirements.

[0074] Furthermore, the technical effects of the method described in the tenth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method described in the fourth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0075] Eleventhly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first base station, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first base station. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first base station as an example. The method includes: a first base station receiving a first request message from a first core network element, the first request message including core network tunnel information, the core network tunnel information being used by a second base station to send data from a terminal device to a second core network element; in response to the first request message, the first base station determining a second mode corresponding to the terminal device based on service-related information of the terminal device, the second mode being used by the second base station to process the data of the terminal device; the first base station sending a second request message to the second base station according to the second mode, the second request message being used to request the second base station to create a data transmission channel with the second core network element, the second request message including core network tunnel information; the first base station receiving a second response message from the second base station, the second response message including access network tunnel information, the access network tunnel information being used by the second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the second base station; the first base station sending a first response message to the first core network element, the first response message including access network tunnel information; wherein, the first base station is a base station located on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station located on the ground; or, the second base station is a base station located on a satellite, and the first base station is a base station located on the ground.

[0076] Based on the method in the eleventh aspect, when the first core network element requests the establishment of a data transmission channel from the first base station, the first base station can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device. Thus, when the first base station determines that the terminal device corresponds to the second mode, it can trigger the second base station to establish a data transmission channel with the second core network element. This enables the establishment of a data transmission channel between the base station and the core network element.

[0077] In one possible design, after the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station, the method in the eleventh aspect includes: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, the first message including a second mode.

[0078] Optionally, the first message may also include data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameters, which may include a second mode.

[0079] In one possible design, the first base station sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and the DCI includes a second mode.

[0080] In one possible design scheme, the business-related information is the business Quality of Service (QoS) requirements.

[0081] Furthermore, the technical effects of the method described in the eleventh aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method described in the seventh aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0082] In a twelfth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first base station performing the method described in the first aspect, and a second base station performing the method described in the second aspect.

[0083] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first base station performing the method described in the fourth aspect, and a first core network element performing the method described in the sixth aspect.

[0084] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first base station performing the method described in the seventh aspect, and a first core network element performing the method described in the ninth aspect.

[0085] In a fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes modules for performing the method described in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. For example, the transceiver module is used to instruct the transceiver function of the communication device, and the processing module is used to perform functions of the communication device other than the transceiver function.

[0086] Optionally, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect.

[0087] It is understood that the communication device described in the fifteenth aspect may be a terminal device or a network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the terminal device or the network device, or a device that includes the terminal device or the network device. This application does not limit it in this regard.

[0088] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in aspect fifteen can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in any of the implementations of aspects one through eleven, and will not be repeated here.

[0089] A sixteenth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor, which, when executing computer instructions, causes the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to eleventh aspects.

[0090] In one possible design, the communication device described in the sixteenth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the sixteenth aspect and other communication devices.

[0091] In one possible design, the communication device described in the sixteenth aspect may further include a memory. This memory may be integrated with the processor or disposed separately. The memory may be used to store computer programs and / or data relating to the methods described in any of the first to eleventh aspects.

[0092] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device described in the sixteenth aspect may be a terminal device or network device described in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the terminal device or network device, or may include the terminal device or network device.

[0093] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the sixteenth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in any of the implementations of the first to eleventh aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0094] A seventeenth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor coupled to a memory, the processor executing a computer program stored in the memory, such that the communication device performs the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to eleventh aspects.

[0095] In one possible design, the communication device described in the seventeenth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the seventeenth aspect and other communication devices.

[0096] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device described in the seventeenth aspect may be a terminal device or network device described in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the terminal device or the network device, or may include the terminal device or the network device.

[0097] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the seventeenth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in any of the implementations of the first to eleventh aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] Eighteenth aspect: A communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store a computer program, which, when executed by the processor, causes the communication device to perform the method described in any one of the first to eleventh aspects.

[0099] In one possible design, the communication device described in the eighteenth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the eighteenth aspect and other communication devices.

[0100] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device described in the eighteenth aspect may be a terminal device or network device described in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, or may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly disposed in the terminal device or network device, or may include the terminal device or network device.

[0101] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the eighteenth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in any of the implementations of the first to eleventh aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0102] In a nineteenth aspect, a communication chip is provided, comprising: a logic circuit and a communication interface, the logic circuit being used to execute computer instructions, and the communication interface being used for the communication chip to communicate with other devices or chips, wherein when the logic circuit executes the computer instructions, the method described in any one of the first to eleventh aspects is implemented.

[0103] In a twentieth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a first base station for performing the method of the first aspect, and a second base station for performing the method of the second aspect.

[0104] In a twentieth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a first base station for performing the method of the fourth aspect, and a first core network element for performing the method of the sixth aspect.

[0105] In a twenty-second aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a first base station for performing the method of the seventh aspect, and a first core network element for performing the method of the ninth aspect.

[0106] A twenty-third aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising: a computer program or instructions; wherein, when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer causes the computer to perform the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to eleventh aspects.

[0107] In a twentieth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to eleventh aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0108] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a fourth-generation 4G mobile communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0109] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the architecture of the 5GS fifth-generation mobile communication system provided in this application embodiment;

[0110] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the transparent forwarding mode provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the regeneration mode provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0112] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the communication system architecture provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0113] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the communication system architecture provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0114] Figure 7 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0115] Figure 8 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0116] Figure 9 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 3 ;

[0117] Figure 10 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 4 ;

[0118] Figure 11 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 5 ;

[0119] Figure 12 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 6 ;

[0120] Figure 13 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 7 ;

[0121] Figure 14 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 8 ;

[0122] Figure 15 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 9 ;

[0123] Figure 16 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0124] Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 . Detailed Implementation

[0125] For ease of understanding, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0126] 1. Fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system (also known as Evolved Packet System, EPS)

[0127] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a 4G system provided in an embodiment of this application. The 4G system includes Evolved UMTS Territorial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) equipment, Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (SGW), Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (PGW), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) network elements, and Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and other network elements or equipment.

[0128] The User Equipment (UE) (described below) accesses the E-UTRAN equipment via LTE-Uu. The E-UTRAN equipment communicates with the MME via S1-MME, and communicates with the SGW via S1-U. Different MMEs communicate with each other via S10. Figure 1 The example given is only an MME. The MME communicates with the HSS through S6a, the MME communicates with the SGW through S11, the SGW communicates with the PGW through S5, the PGW accesses the server through SGi, the PGW accesses the operator's Internet Protocol (IP) services (such as IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)) through SGi, the PCRF communicates with the PGW through Gx, and the PCRF accesses the operator's IP services through Rx.

[0129] Optionally, to ensure backward compatibility with the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data service provided by 2G / 3G systems and to better achieve interoperability between EPS and 2G / 3G systems, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the 4G system may also include UTRAN / Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or GSM / EDGE radio access network (GERAN) equipment for second-generation (2G) / third-generation (3G) systems, as well as serving GPRS support nodes (SGSNs). These components participate in inter-system mobility between the 4G and 2G / 3G systems, including idle-state mobility and connected-state handover, which will be explained uniformly here and will not be repeated below. Specifically, when the terminal accesses from a 2G / 3G system, the terminal communicates with the SGSN through the UTRAN / GERAN equipment, the UTRAN / GERAN equipment communicates with the SGW through S12, the SGSN communicates with the MME through S3, and the SGSN communicates with the SGW through S4.

[0130] 2. Fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system (5G system, 5GS)

[0131] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the 5GS architecture, as shown below. Figure 2 As shown, 5GS includes: access network (AN) and core network (CN), and may also include: terminal equipment.

[0132] The aforementioned terminal equipment can be a terminal device with transceiver functions, or a chip or chip system that can be installed in the terminal device. This terminal equipment can also be referred to as a UE, access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user equipment. The terminals in the embodiments of this application may be mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, wireless data cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless modems, handsets, laptop computers, machine type communication (MTC) terminals, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, 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, vehicle-mounted terminals, roadside units (RSUs) with terminal functions, etc. The terminal device of this application may also be an on-board module, on-board unit, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type or category of the terminal device.

[0133] The aforementioned Access Network (AN) is used to implement access-related functions. It can provide network access functionality for authorized users in a specific area and determine transmission links of different quality based on user level and service requirements to transmit user data. The AN forwards control signals and user data between the terminal and the Network Access Network (CN). The AN may include access network equipment, also known as radio access network (RAN) equipment. The CN is primarily responsible for maintaining the mobile network's subscription data and providing terminal equipment with functions such as session management, mobility management, policy management, and security authentication. The CN mainly includes the following: User plane function (UPF), Authentication server function (AUSF), Access and mobility management function (AMF), Session management function (SMF), Network slice selection function (NSSF), Network exposure function (NEF), Network repository function (NRF), Policy control function (PCF), Unified data management (UDM), Unified data repository (UDR), Application function (AF), Network data analytics function (NWDAF), and Analytics data repository function (ADRF).

[0134] like Figure 2 As shown, the UE accesses the 5G network through the RAN device. The UE communicates with the AMF through the N1 interface (N1 for short); the RAN communicates with the AMF through the N2 interface (N2 for short); the RAN communicates with the UPF through the N3 interface (N3 for short); the SMF communicates with the UPF through the N4 interface (N4 for short); and the UPF accesses the data network (DN) through the N6 interface (N6 for short). Furthermore, Figure 2The control plane functions shown, such as AUSF, AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, UDR, AF, and NWDAF, interact using service-oriented interfaces. For example, the service-oriented interfaces provided by AUSF include Nausf; AMF includes Namf; SMF includes Nsmf; NSSF includes Nnssf; NEF includes Nnef; NRF includes Nnrf; PCF includes Npcf; UDM includes Nudm; UDR includes Nudr; and AF includes Naf.

[0135] RAN equipment can be a device that provides access for terminal devices. For example, RAN equipment may include: a future communication network, such as access network equipment of a future communication network, such as a base station of a future communication network, or in a future communication network, the network equipment may also have other naming methods, all of which are covered within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application, and this application does not limit them in any way. Alternatively, RAN equipment may also include 5G, such as gNB in ​​a new radio (NR) system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in 5G, or it may be a network node constituting a gNB, a transmission and reception point (TRP) or transmission point (TP) or transmission measurement function (TMF), such as a building baseband unit (BBU), or a centralized unit (CU) or distributed unit (DU), an RSU with base station function, or a wired access gateway, or the core network of 5G. Alternatively, RAN equipment may also include access points (APs) in wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted equipment, and so on.

[0136] UPF is primarily responsible for user data processing (forwarding, receiving, billing, etc.).

[0137] AUSF is primarily used to perform security authentication for terminal devices.

[0138] AMF is primarily used for mobility management in mobile networks. Examples include user location updates, user network registration, and user handover.

[0139] SMF is primarily used for session management in mobile networks. This includes session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include assigning Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to users and selecting a UPF (User-Defined Provider) to handle packet forwarding.

[0140] The PCF primarily supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, delivering policy rules to control-layer network functions, and acquiring user subscription information related to policy decisions. The PCF can provide policies to the AMF and SMF, such as Quality of Service (QoS) policies and slice selection policies.

[0141] NSSF is primarily used to select network slices for end devices.

[0142] The Network Front-End (NEF) is a control plane function provided by operators, primarily enabling third parties to use services offered by the network. It supports the network in opening its capabilities, analyzing events and data, providing security configuration information to the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) from external applications, and converting information exchanged between the PLMN and external systems. For example, the NEF can expose some capabilities of the 5G network to third-party applications through an application programming interface (API). These applications can then access these 5G network capabilities by calling the APIs provided by the NEF, allowing them to control certain behaviors of the 5G network and terminal devices.

[0143] NRF is a control plane function provided by the operator, which can be used to maintain real-time information about network functions and services in the network.

[0144] UDM is primarily used to store user data, such as subscription data and authentication / authorization data.

[0145] UDR is primarily used to store structured data, including contract data, policy data, externally exposed structured data, and application-related data.

[0146] The AF primarily provides services by interacting with the CN, such as providing roaming UE network selection information, guiding data flow routing, and accessing the NEF.

[0147] For ease of explanation, network functions (such as NEF, SMF, etc.) are collectively referred to as NF in this application embodiment. That is, any NF described in the following embodiments of this application can be replaced by any network function. In addition, the terminal device is referred to as UE in this application embodiment. That is, any UE described in the following embodiments of this application can be replaced by a terminal device. Figure 2 The network functions described below are only schematic representations and are not limited to the NFs described later. Figure 2 The network functions shown are illustrated. Furthermore, in this embodiment, NF can also be referred to as an NF network element, meaning that NF and NF network element indicate the same content.

[0148] It should be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in future communication networks, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology from 5G, or they may use other names, etc.

[0149] 3.NTN communication

[0150] Non-terrestrial communication (NTN) 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 and maritime communications. Introducing NTN into fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks can improve the performance of communication systems.

[0151] Based on their operating modes, NTN communication data transmission modes can generally be divided into two main categories. The first type is transparent forwarding mode, such as... Figure 3 As shown, satellites relay cell information from terrestrial network equipment (such as next-generation Node-Bs, gNBs). The satellite's role is radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification; that is, the satellite primarily acts as a Layer 1 relay, regenerating physical layer signals and does not involve other higher protocol layers. In other words, in transparent forwarding mode, messages and data between terminal equipment and the terrestrial access network can be transmitted transparently via satellite. The second type is regenerative mode, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the satellite possesses base station processing capabilities, meaning that access network functions are located on the satellite, enabling it to process air interface signals. It should be understood that, in regeneration mode, in addition to setting access network functions on the satellite, some or all of the core network functions can also be located on the satellite.

[0152] Research has revealed that, to meet future communication needs, a cell can simultaneously support both the first and second modes described above. This means that a base station located on a satellite (referred to as base station 1) and a ground-based base station (referred to as base station 2) can provide services to terminal devices within the cell. In the first mode, the first base station processes the UE's data; specifically, base station 1 establishes a quality of service (QoS) flow and tunnel with the UPF, as well as a data radio bearer between base station 1 and the UE. This first mode can also be called regeneration mode, or other possible names, without limitation. In the second mode, base station 1 transparently transmits the UE's data to base station 2 for processing; specifically, base station 2 establishes a QoS flow and tunnel with the UPF, as well as a data radio bearer between base station 2 and the UE. This second mode can also be called transparent transmission mode, or other possible names, without limitation (the system architecture suitable for a cell simultaneously supporting the first and second modes is described below).

[0153] In other words, terminal devices residing in this cell can transmit data using either Mode 1 or Mode 2, depending on the actual situation. For example, if the terminal device's service rate requirement is high, it can transmit data using Mode 1; conversely, if the terminal device's service rate requirement is low, it can transmit data using Mode 2. However, in this scenario, after sending a random access request, the terminal device cannot determine the base station of the network it is trying to access, which can result in the terminal device being unable to access the network. Therefore, in NTN communication scenarios, improving the flexibility of terminal device network access is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0154] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application proposes the following technical solutions to enable terminal devices to access the network when the cell supports both the first and second modes, thereby improving the flexibility of terminal devices accessing the network.

[0155] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0156] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5G mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, and communication systems that evolve after 5G, such as future communication systems. They can also be applied to wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems.

[0157] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0158] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary," "for example," etc., are used to indicate that they are examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner.

[0159] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "information," "signal," "message," "channel," and "signaling" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing their distinction, their intended meanings are consistent. Similarly, "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing their distinction, their intended meanings are consistent. Furthermore, the " / " mentioned in this application can be used to indicate an "or" relationship.

[0160] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0161] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, let's first take... Figure 5 The communication system illustrated herein is used as an example to illustrate a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. For example, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is applicable.

[0162] like Figure 5As shown, the communication system includes: a first terminal device, a first base station, and a second base station. The first terminal device can be referred to in the aforementioned "2.5GS" description, and will not be repeated here. The first base station is a satellite-based base station, and the second base station is a ground-based base station; or, the first base station is a ground-based base station, and the second base station is a satellite-based base station. For details, please refer to the aforementioned "2.5GS" description, and will not be repeated here.

[0163] Optionally, the communication system may further include a first core network element. This first core network element can be used for mobility management in the mobile network, such as access control and mobility management. Furthermore, the first core network element can be an AMF (Active Mobile Function) element. In future communication systems, the first core network element may still be an AMF element, or it may have other names; this application does not impose any limitations.

[0164] Furthermore, the communication system may also include a second core network element and a third core network element. The second core network element can be used for session management in the mobile network, such as handling user plane element selection and user plane element redirection, and can be an SMF (Software-Defined Function) element. The third core network element can be used for packet routing and forwarding, and quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data, and the second core network element can be a UPF (User-Defined Function) element. It is understood that in future communication systems, the second core network element may still be an SMF element, and the third core network element may still be a UPF element; alternatively, the second and third core network elements may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0165] The system architecture applicable to the above communication systems is described below. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the first base station and the second base station can simultaneously provide services to the UE. The first base station is located on a satellite, and the second base station is located on the ground. This means the satellite simultaneously supports both the first and second modes described above. Under this system architecture, either the first or second base station can be responsible for the control plane, i.e., establishing connections with the UE and with core network elements (such as the first core network element). Furthermore, the services corresponding to the UE can adopt either the first or second mode, and the services can switch between the first and second modes.

[0166] For example, such as Figure 6As shown in Figure (a), the first base station is responsible for the control plane, that is, establishing connections with the UE (such as radio resource control (RRC) connections) and connections with core network elements (such as NG connections). The services corresponding to the UE can adopt a first mode, in which the first base station establishes data transmission channels (such as bearers, QoS flows, tunnels, etc.) with user plane functional entities (such as UPF), as well as data radio bearers between the first base station and the UE. The services corresponding to the UE can also adopt a second mode, in which the second base station establishes data transmission channels with user plane functional entities, as well as data radio bearers between the second base station and the UE.

[0167] For example, such as Figure 6 As shown in Figure (b), the second base station is responsible for the control plane, that is, establishing connections with the UE and with core network elements. The services corresponding to the UE can adopt either the first mode or the second mode, as detailed above, and will not be repeated here.

[0168] Understandable, such as Figure 6 As shown in Figures (c) and (d), when there are multiple UEs in the above system architecture, such as when there are two UEs, the control plane of each UE can be handled by either the first base station or the second base station, and the services corresponding to each UE can adopt either the first mode or the second mode. The specific settings can be flexibly configured according to the actual situation without any restrictions.

[0169] It's also understandable that when the first base station is located on the ground and the second base station is located on a satellite, it can... Figure 6 The exchange of positions between the first and second base stations in the process can be understood, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0170] In the aforementioned communication system, when the first base station receives a first access request message from the first terminal device and determines that it will handle the first access request message, the first base station can send an access response message to the first terminal device based on the first access request message, thereby enabling the first terminal device to access the network through the first base station. In this way, even when the cell supports both first and second modes, the first terminal device can access the network, thus providing flexibility for network access.

[0171] Understandable. Figure 5 This is a simplified diagram for ease of understanding. The communication system may also include other network devices and / or other terminal devices. Figure 5 It was not drawn.

[0172] To make it easier to understand, the following will be combined with Figure 7 and Figure 8 The interaction process between the first terminal device, the first base station, and the second base station is described in detail through method embodiments.

[0173] Scene 1:

[0174] For example, Figure 7 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 In scenario 1, base station 1 (the aforementioned first base station) receives a random access request message sent by UE1 (the aforementioned first terminal device) and determines whether to process the random access request message. If base station 1 determines to process the random access request message, it sends a random access response message to the UE; if it determines not to process the random access request message, it forwards the random access request message to base station 2 (the aforementioned second base station) for processing.

[0175] Specifically, such as Figure 7 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0176] S701, Base Station 1 and Base Station 2 determine the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0177] The cell can support both a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, base station 1 processes the UE's data, establishing a QoS flow and tunnel between base station 1 and the UPF, as well as a data radio bearer between base station 1 and the UE. In the second mode, base station 1 transparently transmits the UE's data to base station 2 for processing, establishing a QoS flow and tunnel between base station 2 and the UPF, as well as a data radio bearer between base station 2 and the UE. It can be understood that the aforementioned UE resides in this cell, and base stations 1 and 2 can provide services to the UE residing in the cell. Furthermore, the first mode can also be called regeneration mode, or other possible names, without limitation. The second mode can also be called transparent transmission mode, or other possible names, without limitation.

[0178] An anchor base station is responsible for establishing signaling connections with the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell. That is, the anchor base station is responsible for the control plane, specifically establishing RRC connections with the UE and NG connections with core network elements (such as the AMF (the first core network element mentioned above)). It can be understood that the anchor base station can parse the signaling between the UE and the base station. Furthermore, the UE corresponding to this cell can be understood as the UE camped within that cell.

[0179] Base station 1 and base station 2 can negotiate which base station will serve as the anchor base station for the cell, such as base station 1 or base station 2. Base station 1 and base station 2 can negotiate this by sending messages to each other; these messages can be newly defined or existing messages, without limitation. This application embodiment does not limit the specific negotiation method between base station 1 and base station 2. Furthermore, either base station 1 or base station 2 can be pre-configured as the anchor base station.

[0180] It is understandable that when base station 1 acts as the anchor base station for the cell, base station 1 can process the random access request message sent by the UE for the cell, as described in S702a-S707a below (referred to as case 7.1); when base station 2 acts as the anchor base station for the cell, base station 2 can process the random access request message sent by the UE for the cell, as described in S702b-S709b below (referred to as case 7.2).

[0181] S702a, Base Station 1 determines and broadcasts the system messages and random access resources of the cell.

[0182] The system message carries an indication that the cell supports both the first and second modes, or in other words, the cell has the capability to use both modes.

[0183] Random access resources may include random access channel occasion (RO), preamble, and other resources, which can be found in existing technologies and will not be elaborated here. It is understood that random access resources can be divided according to the anchor base station. For example, random access resources can be divided into random access resource 1 and random access resource 2. Random access resource 1 is used when base station 1 acts as the anchor base station of the cell, and random access resource 2 is used when base station 2 acts as the anchor base station of the cell. In this case (i.e., case 7.1), base station 1 determines and broadcasts random access resource 1.

[0184] When base station 1 and base station 2 negotiate that base station 1 will act as the anchor base station for the cell, base station 1 can determine to send indication information and random access resources, and broadcast a system message carrying the indication information and random access resources. It can be understood that the indication information can also be carried on other messages, such as newly defined messages, in which case base station 1 broadcasts a message carrying the indication information. It can also be understood that after receiving the system message, the terminal device can determine the transmission mode adopted by the service based on the system message, and can flexibly set it according to the actual situation without restriction.

[0185] S703a, UE1 sends a random access request message. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives the random access request message from UE1.

[0186] After receiving the random access request resource, UE1 can send a random access request message based on the random access request resource. The specific implementation principle can be found in existing technologies, which will not be elaborated here.

[0187] It is understandable that UE1 is camped in the aforementioned cell. Furthermore, if base station 1 broadcasts Random Access Resource 1, then UE1 uses Random Access Resource 1 to send a Random Access Request message.

[0188] S704a, Base Station 1 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling.

[0189] After receiving a random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling based on whether base station 1 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell or whether the random access request message uses random access resource 1. This subsequent signaling can be understood as the signaling between UE1 and base station 1, and the signaling between base station 1 and core network elements (such as AMF).

[0190] For example, after receiving a random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether it is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell. If base station 1 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, base station 1 will process the random access request message sent by UE1 and subsequent signaling.

[0191] For example, after receiving a random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether the random access request message uses random access resource 1. If the random access request message uses random access resource 1, such as if the preamble or RO corresponding to the random access request message belongs to random access resource 1, then base station 1 determines to process the random access request message sent by UE1, as well as subsequent signaling. It can be understood that the random access request message using random access resource 1 can indicate that base station 1 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0192] S705a, Base Station 1 sends a random access response message to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives the random access response message from Base Station 1.

[0193] After determining that it is necessary to process the random access request message, base station 1 can send a random access response message to UE1 based on the random access request message.

[0194] S706a, UE1 establishes an RRC connection with base station 1.

[0195] S707a, NG connection is established between base station 1 and AMF.

[0196] The specific implementation principles of S705a-S707a can be found in existing technologies and will not be elaborated here.

[0197] S702b, base station 2 determines and broadcasts the cell's system information and random access resources.

[0198] System messages and random access resources can be found in the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned S702a, and will not be repeated here.

[0199] It is understandable that if random access resources are divided according to the anchor base station, such as dividing random access resources into random access resource 1 and random access resource 2, and random access resource 2 is the random access resource used when base station 2 is the anchor base station of the cell, then base station 2 determines and broadcasts random access resource 2.

[0200] In addition, base station 2 can broadcast the cell's system information and random access resources through base station 1. That is, base station 2 can send the system information and random access resources to base station 1, and base station 1 can then broadcast the system information and the random access resources.

[0201] S703b, UE1 sends a random access request message. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives the random access request message from UE1.

[0202] The specific implementation principle of S703b can be found in the aforementioned introduction to S703a.

[0203] It is understandable that if base station 2 broadcasts random access resource 2, then UE1 will use random access resource 2 to send a random access request message.

[0204] S704b, Base Station 1 determines to send a random access request message to Base Station 2.

[0205] After receiving a random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether to send (or pass through, or forward) the random access request message to base station 2 based on whether UE1 is not the anchor base station corresponding to the cell or whether random access request message uses random access resource 2. In other words, base station 1 determines not to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling.

[0206] For example, after receiving a random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether it is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell. If base station 1 is not the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, base station 1 sends the random access request message to base station 2.

[0207] For example, after receiving a random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether the random access request message uses random access resource 1. If the random access request message does not use random access resource 1, or if the random access request message uses random access resource 2, such as if the preamble or RO corresponding to the random access request message belongs to random access resource 2, then base station 1 sends the random access request message to base station 2. It can be understood that the random access request message using random access resource 2 can indicate that base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0208] In step S705b, base station 1 sends a random access request message from UE1 to base station 2. Correspondingly, base station 2 receives the random access request message from base station 1.

[0209] That is, base station 1 forwards the random access request message sent by UE1 to base station 2.

[0210] S706b, Base Station 2 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling.

[0211] After receiving a random access request message from base station 1, base station 2 can determine how to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling based on whether base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell or whether the random access request message uses random access resource 2. The subsequent signaling can be referred to the relevant description in S704a above, and will not be repeated here.

[0212] For example, after receiving a random access request message, base station 2 can determine whether it is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell. If base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, then base station 2 will process the random access request message and subsequent signaling.

[0213] For example, after receiving a random access request message, base station 2 can determine whether the random access request message uses random access resource 2. If the random access request message uses random access resource 2, such as if the preamble or RO corresponding to the random access request message belongs to random access resource 2, then base station 2 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. It can be understood that the random access request message using random access resource 2 can indicate that base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0214] It is understandable that after receiving a random access request message from base station 1, base station 2 can directly process the message, meaning that base station 2 does not need to determine whether it needs to process the message and subsequent signaling. This reduces the processing overhead of base station 2.

[0215] In S707b, base station 2 sends a random access response message to UE1 through base station 1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives the random access response message.

[0216] After determining that it is necessary to process the random access request message, base station 2 can send a random access response message to UE1 based on the random access request message.

[0217] S708b, UE1 establishes an RRC connection with base station 2.

[0218] S709b, base station 2 establishes an NG connection with AMF.

[0219] The specific implementation principles of S707b-S709b can be found in existing technologies and will not be elaborated here.

[0220] It is understood that in this embodiment of the application, the information between base station 2 and UE1 needs to be transmitted through base station 1. For example, base station 2 needs to send information to UE1 through base station 1, and UE1 needs to send information to base station 2 through base station 1.

[0221] In summary, based on the description in Scenario 1, when both base station 1 and base station 2 can provide services to UE1, base station 1 and base station 2 can negotiate the anchor base station corresponding to the cell. This allows the anchor base station to process the random access request message sent by UE1, establish an RRC connection with UE1, and establish an NG connection with the core network elements. Thus, UE1 can access the network even when both base station 1 and base station 2 can provide services to UE1, i.e., under the new network architecture.

[0222] Scene 2:

[0223] For example, Figure 8 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 In scenario 2, UE1 (the aforementioned first terminal device) can determine the data transmission mode and send a random access request message using the corresponding random access resources according to the determined transmission mode. After receiving the random access request message, base station 1 (the first base station) can determine whether to process the random access request message based on the random access resources used by the message. If base station 1 determines to process the message, it sends a random access response message to the UE; if it determines not to process the message, it forwards the message to base station 2 (the aforementioned second base station) for processing.

[0224] Specifically, such as Figure 8 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0225] S801, base station 1 and base station 2 allocate random access resources.

[0226] Base station 1 and base station 2 allocate random access resources according to the data transmission mode.

[0227] For example, random access resources can be divided into random access resource 1 and random access resource 2. Random access resource 1 is associated with a first mode, in which base station 1 processes UE data, i.e., base station 1 establishes QoS flow and tunnel with UPF, and data radio bearer between base station 1 and UE. Random access resource 2 is associated with a second mode, in which base station 1 transparently transmits UE data to base station 2 for processing, i.e., base station 2 establishes QoS flow and tunnel with UPF, and data radio bearer between base station 2 and UE. That is, when UE1 selects the first mode, it can use random access resource 1 to send a random access request message; when UE1 selects the second mode, it can use random access resource 2 to send a random access request message.

[0228] Furthermore, the first and second modes mentioned above can be referred to in the relevant descriptions in S701 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0229] S802, UE1 obtains indication information.

[0230] The indication information is used to indicate that the cell supports both Mode 1 and Mode 2, or in other words, that the cell has the capability of both Mode 1 and Mode 2. The indication information also indicates the random access resource 1 associated with Mode 1 and the random access resource 2 associated with Mode 2. It is understood that the information indicating that the cell supports both Mode 1 and Mode 2, and the information indicating the random access resource 1 associated with Mode 1 and the random access resource 2 associated with Mode 2, can be carried in the same message or in different messages. This can be flexibly configured according to the actual situation without restriction.

[0231] After base stations 1 and 2 allocate random access resources, either base station 1 or base station 2 can broadcast the aforementioned indication information. At this time, the terminal device can receive this indication information. It can be understood that base station 2 can broadcast the indication information through base station 1.

[0232] S803, UE1 determines the transmission mode and selects the corresponding random access resource based on the determined transmission mode.

[0233] The transmission mode can be either mode one or mode two. UE1 can determine the transmission mode corresponding to a service based on the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode, or relevant information about the service (such as QoS). These will be described in detail below.

[0234] Method 1: UE1 determines the transmission mode corresponding to the service based on the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode.

[0235] That is, services are associated with transmission modes. For example, high-speed services are associated with the first mode, low-speed services are associated with the second mode, high-bandwidth services are associated with the first mode, and low-latency services are associated with the second mode. The specific settings can be flexibly configured according to the actual situation without any restrictions.

[0236] The network can configure the mapping relationship between services and transmission modes for UE1 through configuration policies. This policy can be an independent policy or a reused existing policy. For example, the network can reuse a UE route selection policy (URSP). In this case, a satellite transmission mode parameter can be added to the URSP, which includes the mapping relationship between services and transmission modes, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0237] Table 1

[0238]

[0239] After the network configures the service-transmission mode mapping relationship to UE1, UE1 can determine the transmission mode to be used when accessing the network via satellite. For example, as shown in Table 2 below, Table 2 shows the service-transmission mode mapping relationship configured by the network for UE1. If UE1's current service is service 1, UE1 can determine to use the first mode based on this mapping relationship.

[0240] Table 2

[0241]

[0242] Method 2: UE1 determines the transmission mode corresponding to the service based on the relevant information of the service.

[0243] In other words, UE1 can determine the corresponding transmission mode for a service based on the service's QoS requirements and the current service's quality of experience (QoE). For example, when the service's QoS requirements or user experience are high, such as when the QoS requirements or user experience exceed preset values, the first mode can be selected; conversely, the second mode can be selected.

[0244] Of course, UE1 can also determine the transmission mode corresponding to the service based on other relevant information of the service. The specific settings can be flexibly configured according to the actual situation without any restrictions.

[0245] As can be understood, the above content introduces two methods for UE1 to determine the transmission mode. After UE1 determines the transmission mode, it can select the corresponding random access resource according to the determined transmission mode. For example, if UE1 determines to use the first mode, it can select random access resource 1; if UE1 determines to use the second mode, it can select random access resource 2.

[0246] S804, UE1 sends a random access request message. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives the random access request message from UE1.

[0247] After determining the transmission mode, UE1 can select the corresponding random access resource according to the determined transmission mode and the above indication information. For example, when UE1 determines to use the first mode, it can use random access resource 1. When UE2 determines to use the second mode, it can use random access resource 2. The specific settings can be made according to the actual situation and there are no restrictions.

[0248] For example, if UE1 determines to use the first mode, then UE1 can use random access resource 1 to send a random access request message. That is, UE1 can select the corresponding RO and preamble from random access resource 1 based on the received synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB), and send the preamble on that RO.

[0249] For example, if UE1 determines to use the second mode, then UE1 can use random access resource 2 to send a random access request message. That is, UE1 can select the corresponding RO and preamble from random access resource 2 based on the received SSB, and send the preamble on that RO.

[0250] It is understandable that after receiving a random access request message, base station 1 can determine whether to process the random access request message based on the random access resource corresponding to the message. If the random access resource corresponding to the message is random access resource 1, base station 1 will process the message, as described in S805a-S808a below (referred to as Case 8.1); if the message is random access resource 2, base station 1 will not process the message, as described in S805b-S8010b below (referred to as Case 8.2).

[0251] S805a, Base Station 1 determines how to process the random access request message based on the random access resource corresponding to the random access request message.

[0252] After receiving a random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether the resource used by the random access request message is random access resource 1. If the random access request message uses random access resource 1, then base station 1 will process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. The subsequent signaling can be referred to the relevant description in S704a above, and will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the random access request message using random access resource 1 indicates that base station 1 has selected the first mode. In this case, base station 1 is responsible for establishing the signaling connection for UE1.

[0253] S806a, Base Station 1 sends a random access response message to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives the random access response message from Base Station 1.

[0254] S807a, UE1 establishes an RRC connection with base station 1.

[0255] S808a, base station 1 establishes an NG connection with AMF.

[0256] The specific implementation principles of S806a-S808a can be found in the relevant introductions in S705a-S707a mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0257] S805b, Base Station 1 determines not to process the random access request message based on the random access resources corresponding to the random access request message.

[0258] After receiving a random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether the resource used by the random access request message is random access resource 1. If the random access request message uses random access resource 2, that is, the random access resource used by the random access request message is not random access resource 1, then base station 1 determines not to process the random access request message. It can be understood that the random access request message using random access resource 2 indicates that base station 1 has selected to adopt the second mode. In this case, base station 2 is responsible for establishing the signaling connection for UE1.

[0259] In step S806b, base station 1 sends a random access request message from UE1 to base station 2. Correspondingly, base station 2 receives the random access request message from base station 1.

[0260] The specific implementation principle of S806b can be found in the aforementioned introduction to S705b, and will not be repeated here.

[0261] S807b, Base Station 2 determines how to process the random access request message based on the random access resources corresponding to the random access request message.

[0262] After receiving a random access request message from base station 1, base station 2 can use random access resource 2 based on the random access request message to determine how to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. The subsequent signaling can be found in the aforementioned description of S704a, and will not be repeated here.

[0263] For example, after receiving a random access request message, base station 2 can determine whether the random access request message uses random access resource 2. If the random access request message uses random access resource 2, such as if the preamble or RO corresponding to the random access request message belongs to random access resource 2, then base station 2 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. It can be understood that the random access request message using random access resource 2 can indicate that base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0264] It is understandable that after receiving a random access request message from base station 1, base station 2 can directly process the message, meaning that base station 2 does not need to determine whether it needs to process the message and subsequent signaling. This reduces the processing overhead of base station 2.

[0265] In S808b, base station 2 sends a random access response message to UE1 through base station 1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives the random access response message.

[0266] S809b, UE1 establishes an RRC connection with base station 2.

[0267] S8010b, base station 2 establishes an NG connection with AMF.

[0268] The specific implementation principles of S808b-S8010b can be found in the aforementioned introductions of S707b-S709b, and will not be repeated here.

[0269] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, "business" and "application" indicate the same content, that is, the two can be substituted for each other.

[0270] In summary, as described in Scenario 2, when both base station 1 and base station 2 can provide services to UE1, UE1 can send a random access request message using the random access resource corresponding to the service's transmission mode. This allows base station 1 to determine the random access resource used by the received random access request message from UE1 and, based on that resource, decide whether to process the message. Thus, UE1 can access the network even when both base station 1 and base station 2 can provide services to UE1, i.e., under the new network architecture.

[0271] It is understandable that the above Figure 7 or Figure 8The illustrated embodiment applies to 5GS. In EPS, MME has AMF functionality, meaning MME can perform AMF-related operations; SGW and / or PGW have the aforementioned UPF functionality, meaning SGW and / or PGW can perform UPF-related operations. Figure 7 or Figure 8 When the illustrated embodiment is used for EPS, the aforementioned AMF can be replaced with MME, and the UPF can be replaced with SGW and / or PGW for understanding; these will not be elaborated further here. Furthermore, with network evolution, in future communication networks, the aforementioned... Figure 7 or Figure 8 The various NFs, network elements, connection methods, resource names, or message names in the embodiments shown may change, such as being replaced with other names, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0272] The above combination Figure 7 and Figure 8 The flow of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail. The following, in conjunction with... Figure 9 The overall process of this communication method is described.

[0273] For example, Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method. Figure 3 This communication method mainly involves the interaction between a first terminal device, a first base station, and a second base station. The first terminal device can be understood as UE1 in scenarios 1 and 2 above, the first base station as base station 1 in scenarios 1 and 2 above, and the second base station as base station 2 in scenarios 1 and 2 above.

[0274] like Figure 9 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0275] S901: The first base station broadcasts the first message. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first message.

[0276] The first message is used to indicate that the cell supports both the first and second modes. This first message can be an existing message, such as a system message, or a newly defined message; the specific type can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without restriction. Furthermore, the first message can be understood as the system message in scenarios 1 and 2 mentioned above.

[0277] The first mode is that the first base station processes the data of the terminal device. The first base station is a base station set up on a satellite. The second mode is that the first base station transmits the data of the terminal device to the second base station for processing. The second base station is a base station set up on the ground. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction in S701 above. It will not be repeated here.

[0278] The first terminal device resides in the aforementioned cell, or in other words, the first terminal device is a terminal device residing in the aforementioned cell.

[0279] In this embodiment, the first base station can actively broadcast a first message. For example, when the first base station and the second base station determine that the first base station should handle the access request message of the terminal device corresponding to the cell, or when the first base station acts as an anchor base station, the first base station can actively broadcast the first message. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in S702a and S802 above, which will not be repeated here. Alternatively, the second base station can broadcast the first message through the first base station. For example, when the first base station and the second base station determine that the second base station should handle the access request message of the terminal device corresponding to the cell, or when the second base station acts as an anchor base station, the second base station sends the first message to the first base station for broadcast. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in S702b and S802 above, which will not be repeated here. The anchor base station is the base station among the first and second base stations responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in S702a above, which will not be repeated here.

[0280] It is understandable that when the second base station broadcasts the first message through the first base station, before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the above communication method may also include: the second base station broadcasting the first message.

[0281] Furthermore, when different base stations process access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to a cell, the terminal devices can use different access resources, enabling the first and second base stations to determine the base station processing the access request message through these access resources. For example, the first base station is associated with a first resource, which can be the resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when the first base station processes the access request message; the second base station is associated with a second resource, which can be the resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when the second base station processes the access request message.

[0282] When a base station (denoted as base station A) in a cell can handle access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to that cell, either the first base station or the second base station can broadcast resources associated with base station A. For example, when the first base station processes an access request message from a terminal device corresponding to that cell, it can broadcast a first resource so that the terminal device can use the first resource to send an access request message. Similarly, when the second base station processes an access request message from a terminal device corresponding to that cell, either the second base station or the first base station can broadcast a second resource so that the terminal device can use the second resource to send an access request message.

[0283] In this scenario, the aforementioned communication method may further include: the first base station interacting with the second base station to determine a first resource; and the first base station broadcasting the first resource. Alternatively, the aforementioned communication method may further include: the second base station interacting with the first base station to determine a second resource; and the second base station broadcasting the second resource. It is understood that the first base station and the second base station can negotiate the first resource or the second resource. Furthermore, the first base station and the second base station can determine the first resource or the second resource by sending messages to each other, and these messages can be newly defined messages or existing messages, without restriction. In addition, the first resource or the second resource can be determined during the negotiation process between the first base station and the second base station, whereby the first base station handles access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to the cell. It is also understood that the network can pre-configure the first resource and the second resource, or the protocol can pre-define the first resource and the second resource; the specific configuration can be flexibly set according to actual circumstances, without restriction.

[0284] When two base stations (base station 1 and base station 2) in a cell can handle access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to that cell, either base station 1 or base station 2 can broadcast a first resource associated with base station 1 and a second resource associated with base station 2. In this case, the terminal device can determine which base station will handle its access request message based on the data transmission mode of the service, as described below. For example, if base station 1 broadcasts a first resource associated with base station 1 and a second resource associated with base station 2, and the terminal device uses the first resource to send an access request message, base station 1, upon receiving the access request message, can use the first resource based on the access request message to determine that it will handle the access request message. Alternatively, if base station 1 broadcasts a first resource associated with base station 1 and a second resource associated with base station 2, and the terminal device uses the second resource to send an access request message, base station 1, upon receiving the access request message, can use the second resource based on the access request message to determine that base station 2 will handle the access request message. In this case, base station 1 will then forward the access request message to base station 2.

[0285] In this case, the above communication method may further include: a first base station or a second base station transmitting a first resource and a second resource, wherein the first resource is an access resource associated with a first mode and the second resource is an access resource associated with a second mode, and correspondingly, a first terminal device receiving the first resource and the second resource from the first base station or the second base station.

[0286] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device corresponding to the above-mentioned cell can be understood as a terminal device residing in the cell.

[0287] S902, the first terminal device sends a first access request message. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first access request message from the first terminal device.

[0288] The first access request message is used to request network access. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the random access request messages in Scenario 1-Scenario 2 above, which will not be repeated here. It is understood that the first access request message is only an exemplary message name, and the "first access request message" can also be replaced with any other possible expression, such as "random access request message" or "network access message", without limitation.

[0289] In the first possible design, when there is a base station in the cell capable of handling access request messages from the terminal devices corresponding to that cell, the first terminal device can use either the received first resource or the second resource to send a first access request message. For example, if the first terminal device receives the first resource, it uses the first resource to send the first access request message. Alternatively, if the first terminal device receives the second resource, it uses the second resource to send the first access request message.

[0290] In the second possible design scheme, when there are two base stations (the first base station and the second base station) in the cell that can handle the access request messages of the terminal devices corresponding to the cell, the first base station can send the first access request message according to the data transmission mode of the service.

[0291] For example, sending a first access request message by a first terminal device may specifically include: the first terminal device determining a data transmission mode, which is either a first mode or a second mode; and the first terminal device sending a first access request message according to the data transmission mode. This allows the first terminal device to flexibly select the base station to process the first access request message based on the actual service requirements.

[0292] In one possible implementation, the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode may specifically include: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service. That is, the first terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode based on the relevant information of the first service.

[0293] Optionally, the above communication method may further include: the first terminal device receiving mapping information, the mapping information being used to indicate the mapping relationship between services and data transmission modes; the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service may specifically include: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode based on the mapping information and the first service, as detailed in the relevant description of Method 1 in S803 above, which will not be repeated here. This enables the first terminal device to quickly determine the data transmission mode.

[0294] In another possible implementation, the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode may specifically include: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode according to the service QoS or QoE, which can be referred to in the relevant introduction of method 2 in S803 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0295] As can be understood, the above content describes the relevant aspects of the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode. After determining the data transmission mode, the first terminal device can select the corresponding access resource and send a first access request message based on the determined data transmission mode.

[0296] For example, the first terminal device sending the first access request message according to the data transmission mode may specifically include: when the data transmission mode is the first mode, the first terminal device uses the first resource to send the first access request message; or, when the data transmission mode is the second mode, the first terminal device uses the second resource to send the first access request message. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S804 above, which will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the first resource and the second resource can be understood as resource 1 and resource 2 in the above scenarios 1-2.

[0297] S903, if the first base station determines that it will process the first access request message, the first base station sends an access response message to the first terminal device according to the first access request message. Accordingly, the first terminal device receives the access response message from the first base station (referred to as case 9.1).

[0298] Before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the communication method may further include: the first base station interacting with the second base station to determine that the first base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, the first base station and the second base station may negotiate that the first base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It is understood that the first base station and the second base station can determine that the first base station will handle the access request message by sending messages to each other. These messages can be newly defined messages or existing messages, and can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without restriction.

[0299] In one possible design scheme, the first base station determining to process the first access request message may specifically include: the first base station determining itself as an anchor base station, which is the base station among the first base station and the second base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction in the aforementioned S704a, which will not be repeated here.

[0300] In another possible design, the first base station determining to process the first access request message may specifically include: the first base station determining that the first access request message uses a first resource, where the first resource is an access resource allocated by the first base station. That is, when the first base station or the second base station broadcasts the first resource, or when the first base station or the second base station broadcasts both the first and second resources, the first base station can determine to process the first access request message based on the use of the first resource.

[0301] Alternatively, the first base station determining to process the first access request message may specifically include: the first base station determining that the first access request message uses a first resource, wherein the first resource is the access resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the first base station acts as an anchor base station, the anchor base station is the base station between the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0302] It is understandable that the first base station determines how to process the first access request message based on the first resource, as described in the relevant introductions in S704a and S805a above, and will not be repeated here.

[0303] In summary, in this embodiment, when the cell supports both the first and second modes, upon receiving a first access request message from the first terminal device and determining that it should handle the first access request message, the first base station can send an access response message to the first terminal device based on the first access request message, thereby enabling the first terminal device to access the network through the first base station. This allows the first terminal device to access the network even when the cell supports both the first and second modes, thus improving the flexibility of network access for the terminal device.

[0304] Optionally, in conjunction with the above embodiments, the communication method may further include: if the first base station determines that it will not process the first access request message, the first base station sends the first access request message to the second base station, and correspondingly, the second base station receives the first access request message from the first base station (denoted as S904); in response to the first access request message, the second base station sends an access response message to the first terminal device (denoted as S905). That is, at this time, the first base station may transparently transmit or forward the first access request message to the second base station, and the second base station processes the first access request message (denoted as case 9.2).

[0305] Before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the communication method may further include: the first base station interacting with the second base station to determine that the second base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, the first base station and the second base station can negotiate that the second base station will handle the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It is understood that the first base station and the second base station can determine that the second base station will handle the access request message by sending messages to each other. These messages can be newly defined messages or existing messages, and can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without restriction.

[0306] In one possible implementation, the first base station determining not to process the first access request message may specifically include: the first base station determining that it is not an anchor base station, the anchor base station being the base station among the first base station and the second base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station being used to process the access request message from the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction of S704b above, which will not be repeated here.

[0307] In another possible implementation, the first base station determining not to process the first access request message may specifically include: the first base station determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, where the second resource is an access resource allocated by the second base station. That is, if either the first or second base station broadcasts the second resource, or if either the first or second base station broadcasts both the first and second resources, the first base station can determine not to process the first access request message based on the use of the second resource.

[0308] Alternatively, the decision by the first base station not to process the first access request message may specifically include: the first base station determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, wherein the second resource is the access resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the second base station acts as an anchor base station, and the anchor base station is the base station among the first base station and the second base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0309] It is understandable that the first base station determines not to process the first access request message based on the second resource, which can be referred to in the relevant descriptions in S704b and S805b above, and will not be repeated here.

[0310] Furthermore, after receiving the first access request message, the second base station can also determine whether to process the first access request message. For example, the aforementioned sending of an access response message by the second base station to the first terminal device can specifically include: the second base station sending an access response message to the first terminal device only when it determines that it will process the first access request message. That is, the second base station only sends the access response message to the first terminal device when it determines that it will process the first access request message.

[0311] In one possible implementation, the second base station determining that it is processing the first access request message may specifically include: the second base station determining itself as an anchor base station, which is the base station among the first and second base stations responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal equipment corresponding to the cell. For details, please refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned S706b, which will not be repeated here.

[0312] In another possible implementation, the second base station determining whether to process the first access request message may specifically include: the second base station determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, where the second resource is an access resource allocated by the second base station. That is, if either the first or second base station broadcasts a second resource, or if either the first or second base station broadcasts both a first and a second resource, the second base station can determine whether to process the first access request message by using the second resource based on the first access request message.

[0313] Alternatively, the second base station determining to process the first access request message may specifically include: the second base station determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, the second resource being the access resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the second base station acts as an anchor base station, the anchor base station being the base station among the first base station and the second base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station being used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0314] It is understandable that the second base station determines how to process the first access request message based on the second resource, as described in the relevant introductions in S706b and S807b above, which will not be repeated here.

[0315] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application can be understood with reference to the relevant descriptions of scenarios 1-2 above.

[0316] It is understandable that the above Figures 7-9 The illustrated embodiment describes how a first terminal device accesses the network when both the first base station and the second base station can provide services. This could be through an anchor base station, or by determining whether to access the network through the first or second base station based on service requirements. After the first terminal device accesses the network, data transmission channels corresponding to different modes (first mode or second mode) need to be established. These are described in detail below.

[0317] To make it easier to understand, the following will be combined with Figure 10 and Figure 11 The interaction process between the first terminal device, the first base station, and the second base station is described in detail through method embodiments.

[0318] Scene 3:

[0319] For example, Figure 10 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 4In Scenario 3, UE1 (the first terminal device) or SMF (the second core network element) determines the transmission mode (first mode or second mode) of the protocol data unit (PDU) session and / or QoS flow. After UE1 or SMF determines the transmission mode, UE1 or SMF indicates the determined transmission mode to base station 1 (the first base station), so that base station 1 establishes the corresponding data transmission channel according to the determined transmission mode. Here, base station 1 is the anchor base station, which can be referred to in the relevant description of S701 above, and will not be repeated here; or, in other words, base station 1 is the base station that establishes an RRC connection with UE1 and an NG connection with AMF.

[0320] Furthermore, when UE1 determines the transmission mode of the PDU session and / or QoS flow, UE1 can send the determined transmission mode to the SMF via a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message. The SMF then sends the determined transmission mode to base station 1 via an N1N2 transmission message, enabling base station 1 to perform subsequent operations, as described in S1001a-S1002a below (denoted as Case 10.1a). When the SMF determines the transmission mode of the PDU session and / or QoS flow, the SMF can send the determined transmission mode to base station 1 via an N1N2 transmission message, enabling base station 1 to perform subsequent operations, as described in S1001b-S1002b below (denoted as Case 10.1b).

[0321] Specifically, such as Figure 10 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0322] S1001a, UE1 determines the transmission mode.

[0323] The transmission mode can be either a first mode or a second mode, which can be referred to in the relevant description in S701 above, and will not be repeated here. UE1 can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the service based on the mapping relationship between the service (or application) and the transmission mode, or the relevant information of the service (or application) (such as QoS, etc.), which can be referred to in the relevant description in S803 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0324] S1002a, UE1 sends a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message from UE1.

[0325] The PDU session establishment message is used to request the establishment of a PDU session. This message includes information (denoted as information #1) indicating the transmission mode determined by UE1. This transmission mode can be either a first mode or a second mode, and information #1 indicates the transmission mode of the PDU session or QoS flow that UE1 is requesting to establish. The message may also include the QoS requirements corresponding to the current service. It can be understood that when UE1 needs to establish a PDU session, it can send a PDU session establishment message carrying information #1 to the SMF.

[0326] The PDU session modification request message is used to request modification of an existing (or already existing) PDU session. This message includes information #1. Information #1 indicates either a first mode or a second mode, and it is used to indicate the transmission mode of the PDU session or QoS flow that UE1 requests to modify. The message may also include the QoS requirements corresponding to the current service. It can be understood that when UE1 needs to modify an existing PDU session, it can send a PDU session modification request message to the SMF carrying the transmission mode determined by UE1.

[0327] It is understandable that UE1 can send PDU session establishment messages or PDU session modification request messages to SMF through base station 1 and AMF (the aforementioned first core network element).

[0328] S1001b, SMF determines whether to establish or modify a PDU session.

[0329] In one possible implementation, the SMF can determine to modify the PDU session based on changes in the service's policy. For example, the PCF sends a policy modification message to the SMF, indicating the need to modify the policy corresponding to the service, and this message may include QoS requirements. Upon receiving the policy modification message, the SMF can determine to modify the PDU session based on this message. It is understood that the policy modification message can carry QoS requirements, allowing the SMF to determine the transmission mode based on these requirements.

[0330] In another possible implementation, UE1 can send a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message to the SMF. This message may include QoS requirements. Upon receiving the PDU session establishment message or modification request message, the SMF can determine whether to establish or modify the PDU session based on the message.

[0331] It is understandable that the specific implementation principle of UE1 sending PDU session establishment message or modification request message to SMF is similar to that of S1002a above. The difference is that in S1001b, the PDU session establishment message or modification request message does not carry information #1. That is to say, UE1 does not need to determine the transmission mode. The similarities between S1001b and S1002a above can be referred to the relevant introduction in the above-mentioned S1002a, which will not be repeated here.

[0332] S1002b, SMF determines the transmission mode based on QoS requirements.

[0333] The transmission mode can be either the first mode or the second mode. The first mode or the second mode can be referred to in the relevant description in S701 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0334] In the embodiments of this application, the SMF can determine the transmission mode based on the QoS requirements carried in the policy modification message, PDU session establishment message, or modification request message. Alternatively, it can determine the transmission mode of the PDU session and / or QoS flow based on its local policies. For example, when the QoS requirements of the service are high, such as when the QoS requirements exceed a preset value, the first mode can be determined; conversely, the second mode can be determined. It is understood that the SMF can also determine the transmission mode based on other information, such as QoE, and the specific settings can be flexibly configured according to actual conditions without limitation.

[0335] S1003, SMF obtains core network tunnel information (CN tunnel info).

[0336] After receiving a PDU session establishment message or PDU modification request carrying the transmission mode (S1002a), or after determining the transmission mode (S1002b), the SMF can send an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message to the UPF. After receiving the N4 session establishment message or N4 session modification message from the SMF, the UPF (the aforementioned third core network element) can allocate CN tunnel information corresponding to the QoS flow. Specifically, the N4 session establishment message can request the establishment of an N4 session; the N4 session modification message can be used to request the modification of an existing (or already existing) N4 session; and the CN tunnel information can be used by the base station (base station 1 or base station 2 (the aforementioned second base station)) to send UE1's data to the UPF.

[0337] It is understandable that when the SMF requests CN tunnel information from the UPF, it can send information about the base stations that have established data transmission channels with the UPF, such as the base station's identifier and Internet Protocol (IP) address. For example, in the first transmission mode, the SMF can request CN tunnel information from the UPF for the first base station to send data to the UPF. Similarly, in the second transmission mode, the SMF can request CN tunnel information from the UPF for the second base station to send data to the UPF. Of course, the SMF may also choose not to indicate the information about the base stations that have established data transmission channels with the UPF; in this case, the UPF is unaware of the base stations with which it has established data transmission channels.

[0338] It can also be understood that the N4 session is associated with the PDU session in S1002a. Furthermore, the message type sent by the SMF (i.e., the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message) is related to the PDU session establishment message or PDU session modification request message sent by UE1. That is, if UE1 sends a PDU session establishment message, the SMF sends an N4 session establishment message; if UE1 sends a PDU session modification request message, the SMF sends an N4 session modification message. In addition, if the SMF determines to modify the PDU session based on changes in the service policy, the SMF sends an N4 session modification message.

[0339] S1004, the SMF sends N2 session management information and N1 session management container to base station 1. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives N2 session management information and N1 session management container from the SMF.

[0340] The N2 session management information includes information (denoted as information #2) used to indicate the transmission mode determined by UE1. This information #2 may be the same as or different from information #1 mentioned above, without limitation. The N2 session management information may also include at least one of the following: PDU session identifier, QoS flow identifier, or CN tunnel information. It can be understood that the N2 session management information is information sent by the SMF to base station 1. Carrying the PDU session identifier and QoS flow identifier in the N2 session management information, it can indicate to base station 1 the PDU session and QoS flow corresponding to the transmission mode, that is, which QoS flow within which PDU session corresponds to the transmission mode.

[0341] The N1 session management container includes information #2. Furthermore, the N1 session management container may also include at least one of the following: a PDU session identifier or a QoS flow identifier. It can be understood that the N1 session management container is information sent by the SMF to UE1, carrying the PDU session identifier and QoS flow identifier, which can indicate the PDU session and QoS flow corresponding to the transmission mode to UE1.

[0342] In this embodiment of the application, the SMF can send an N1N2 transmission message carrying N2 session management information and an N1 session management container to the AMF; after receiving the N1N2 transmission message from the SMF, the AMF can send an N2 session request message carrying N2 session management information and an N1 session management container to the base station 1 according to the N1N2 transmission message, so that the base station 1 can obtain the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container after receiving the N2 session request message.

[0343] It is understandable that after receiving the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container, base station 1 does not parse the N1 session management container, but instead passes the N1 session management container to UE1 in subsequent operations (such as S1007 or S10011).

[0344] S1005, Base station 1 determines, based on information #2, to execute either case 10.2a or case 10.2b.

[0345] After receiving the N2 session management information, base station 1 can determine the subsequent operation based on information #2 in the N2 session management information. For example, when information #2 in the N2 session management information indicates the first mode, base station 1 is responsible for the data transmission of UE1's user plane, that is, base station 1 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF. In this case, S1006-S1009 are executed, corresponding to situation 10.2a above. When information #2 in the N2 session management information indicates the second mode, base station 2 is responsible for the data transmission of UE1's user plane, that is, base station 2 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF. In this case, base station 1 executes S10010-S10015, corresponding to situation 10.2b above.

[0346] S1006, Base Station 1 sends N2 Session Management Response Message 1 to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives N2 Session Management Response Message 1 from Base Station 1.

[0347] The N2 session management response message 1 includes the AN tunnel information (denoted as AN tunnel information #1) allocated by base station 1. This AN tunnel information #1 can be used by the UPF to send data of UE1 to base station 1. The N2 session management response message may also include a QoS flow identifier (QFI) to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to AN tunnel information #1.

[0348] It is understandable that when base station 1 establishes a data transmission channel with UPF, base station 1 needs to allocate AN tunnel information and send the AN tunnel information to UPF so that UPF can subsequently send UE1's data to base station 1 based on the AN tunnel information.

[0349] S1007, Base Station 1 sends RRC Reconfiguration Message 1 to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives RRC Reconfiguration Message 1 from Base Station 1.

[0350] RRC reconfiguration message 1 includes an N1 session management container, which can be referred to in the relevant description in S1004 above, and will not be repeated here. RRC reconfiguration message 1 may also include at least one of the following: QFI or data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameters. The DRB configuration parameters include information for indicating the first mode (denoted as information #3), which enables UE1 to determine the data corresponding to the first mode based on the DRB.

[0351] It is understood that, in this embodiment of the application, the uplink resource scheduling information sent by the base station (base station 1 or base station 2) to UE1 includes information for indicating the transmission mode, so as to indicate that the uplink resources indicated by the uplink resource scheduling information are used to transmit data corresponding to the transmission mode. For example, the downlink control information (DCI) sent by base station 1 to UE1 includes information for indicating the first mode. After receiving the DCI, UE1 can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DCI and the DRB configuration parameters. That is, after receiving the DCI, UE1 can determine that the data of the first mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resources indicated by the DCI.

[0352] Furthermore, S1006 and S1007 can be performed simultaneously or in a specific order, such as performing S1006 first and then S1007, or performing S1007 first and then S1006, without any restrictions.

[0353] S1008, SMF sends AN tunnel information #1 to UPF. Correspondingly, UPF receives AN tunnel information #1 from SMF.

[0354] After receiving AN tunnel information #1 from base station 1, i.e. after S1006, SMF can send AN tunnel information #1 to UPF so that UPF can subsequently send UE1's data to base station 1 based on AN tunnel information #1.

[0355] For example, the SMF sends an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message carrying AN tunnel information #1 to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the N4 session establishment message or N4 session modification message from the SMF and obtains the AN tunnel information #1 from it. It can be understood that the message type sent by the SMF (i.e., the N4 session establishment message or N4 session modification message) is the same as the message type sent by the SMF to the UPF in S1003 above; that is, in S1003 and S1008, the SMF sends an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message to the UPF.

[0356] S1009, UE1 transmits (sends or receives) data based on the first mode.

[0357] In other words, UE1 can transmit data through the data transmission channel between base station 1 and UPF. For example, UE1 can send data to UPF through base station 1, and UPF can send data to UE1 through base station 1.

[0358] S10010, Base Station 1 sends Message 1 to Base Station 2. Correspondingly, Base Station 2 receives Message 1 from Base Station 1.

[0359] Message 1 is used to request base station 2 to establish a data transmission channel with UPF. Message 1 includes CN tunnel information allocated by UPF. This CN tunnel information can be used by base station 2 to send data of UE1 to UPF. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S1003 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0360] S10011, Base station 2 sends message 2 to base station 1. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives message 2 from base station 2.

[0361] That is, after receiving message 1, base station 2 can send a response message, i.e. message 2, to base station 1 based on message 1.

[0362] Message 2 includes AN tunnel information allocated by base station 2 (denoted as AN tunnel information #2). This AN tunnel information #2 can be used by the UPF to send data of UE1 to base station 2. Message #2 may also include at least one of the following: QFI or DRB configuration parameters. The QFI is used to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to AN tunnel information #2, that is, the QoS flow for establishing the data transmission channel. The DRB configuration parameters include information for indicating the second mode (denoted as information #4), which is described in detail below (S10013).

[0363] It is understandable that in S10010 and S10011, base station 1 and base station 2 can also exchange information such as UE1's context, PDU session identifier, and QoS parameters. The specific settings can be flexibly configured according to the actual situation without any restrictions.

[0364] S10012, Base Station 1 sends N2 Session Management Response Message 2 to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives N2 Session Management Response Message 2 from Base Station 1.

[0365] N2 session management response message 2 includes AN tunnel information #2. N2 session management response message 2 may also include a QFI, which indicates the QoS flow corresponding to AN tunnel information #2.

[0366] It is understandable that when base station 2 establishes a data transmission channel with UPF, base station 2 needs to allocate AN tunnel information and send the AN tunnel information to UPF through base station 1 so that UPF can subsequently send UE1's data to base station 2 based on the AN tunnel information.

[0367] S10013, Base Station 1 sends RRC reconfiguration message 2 to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives RRC reconfiguration message 2 from Base Station 1.

[0368] RRC reconfiguration message 2 includes an N1 session management container, which can be referred to in the relevant description in S1004 above, and will not be repeated here. RRC reconfiguration message 2 may also include at least one of the following: QFI or DRB configuration parameters. The DRB configuration parameters include information for indicating the second mode (denoted as information #5), which enables UE1 to determine the data corresponding to the second mode based on the DRB.

[0369] It is understood that, in this embodiment of the application, the uplink resource scheduling information sent by the base station (base station 1 or base station 2) to UE1 includes information for indicating the transmission mode, so as to indicate that the uplink resources indicated by the uplink resource scheduling information are used to transmit data corresponding to the transmission mode. For example, the DCI sent by base station 1 to UE1 includes information for indicating the second mode. After receiving the DCI, UE1 can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DCI and the DRB configuration parameters. That is, after receiving the DCI, UE1 can determine that the data of the second mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resources indicated by the DCI.

[0370] S10014, SMF sends AN tunnel information #2 to UPF. Correspondingly, UPF receives AN tunnel information #2 from SMF.

[0371] After receiving AN tunnel information #2 from base station 1, i.e. after S10012, SMF can send AN tunnel information #2 to UPF so that UPF can subsequently send UE1's data to base station 2 based on AN tunnel information #2.

[0372] For example, the SMF sends an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message carrying AN tunnel information #2 to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the N4 session establishment message or N4 session modification message from the SMF and obtains the AN tunnel information #2 from it. It can be understood that the message type sent by the SMF (i.e., the N4 session establishment message or N4 session modification message) is the same as the message type sent by the SMF to the UPF in S1003 above; that is, in S1003 and S1008, the SMF sends an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message to the UPF.

[0373] S10015, UE1 transmits (sends or receives) data through the second mode.

[0374] In other words, UE1 can transmit data through the data transmission channel between base station 2 and UPF. For example, UE1 can send data to UPF through base station 2, and UPF can send data to UE1 through base station 2.

[0375] It is understandable that, in the above Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, base station 1 is a satellite-based base station, and base station 2 is a ground-based base station. Of course, base station 1 can also be a ground-based base station, and base station 2 can also be a satellite-based base station. In this case, the first mode is that base station 1 processes the UE data, that is, base station 2 transmits the UE data to base station 1 for processing; that is, base station 1 establishes a QoS flow and tunnel with the UPF, as well as a data radio bearer between base station 1 and the UE. The second mode is that base station 2 processes the UE data, that is, base station 2 establishes a QoS flow and tunnel with the UPF, as well as a data radio bearer between base station 2 and the UE.

[0376] It is understandable that the above Figure 10 The illustrated embodiment applies to 5GS. In the EPS, the MME has the functions of the aforementioned AMF and SMF, meaning the MME can perform related operations of the AMF and SMF; the SGW and / or PGW have the functions of the aforementioned UPF, meaning the SGW and / or PGW can perform related operations of the UPF. In the... Figure 10 When the illustrated embodiment is used for EPS, the aforementioned AMF and SMF can be replaced with MME, and the UPF can be replaced with SGW and / or PGW for understanding; these will not be elaborated further here. Furthermore, with network evolution, in future communication networks, the above... Figure 10 The various NFs, network elements, connection methods, or message names in the embodiments shown may change, such as being replaced with other names, and this application does not limit this.

[0377] In summary, as described in Scenario 3, when both base station 1 and base station 2 can provide services to UE1, and base station 1 acts as the anchor base station, when UE1 establishes or modifies a PDU session, the SMF can send the transmission mode corresponding to the PDU session to base station 1. This allows base station 1 to establish a data transmission channel between base station 1 or base station 2 and the UPF based on the transmission mode. For example, when the transmission mode is the first mode, base station 1 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF. Or, when the transmission mode is the second mode, base station 1 triggers base station 2 to establish a data transmission channel with the UPF.

[0378] The above combination Figure 10 The flow of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail. The following, in conjunction with... Figure 11 and Figure 12 The overall process of this communication method is described.

[0379] For example, Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method. Figure 5 This communication method mainly involves the interaction between a first terminal device, a first base station, a second base station, a first core network element, a second core network element, and a third core network element.

[0380] like Figure 11 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0381] S1101, the first core network element sends a first request message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element.

[0382] The first base station can be a base station located on a satellite or the ground, and the specific configuration can be flexibly determined based on actual conditions without restriction. Furthermore, the first base station is an anchor base station, which can be referred to in the aforementioned S701 description, and will not be repeated here; or, in other words, the first base station can be a base station establishing a connection with UE1 (such as an RRC connection) and establishing a connection with AMF (such as an NG connection). It can be understood that when the first base station is a base station located on a satellite, the second base station can be a base station located on the ground; conversely, when the first base station is a base station located on the ground, the second base station can be a base station located on a satellite.

[0383] The first request message can be used to request access network tunnel information, which can then be used by the second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the base station. Alternatively, the first request message can be used to request the establishment of a data transmission channel for transmitting terminal device data. The first request message includes information indicating a first mode, such as an identifier for the first mode. The first request message can be an N1N2 transmission message, in which case the N1N2 transmission can include N2 session management information and an N1 session management container, as detailed in the aforementioned description of S1004, which will not be repeated here. It is understood that in this case, both the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container include the first mode. The first request message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, without limitation.

[0384] The first mode described above involves the first base station processing the data from the terminal device. The details of this first mode can be found in the aforementioned S701 section and will not be repeated here. There are several ways to determine the first mode, such as by the terminal device itself or by the first core network element. These will be explained in detail below.

[0385] Scenario 1: The first mode is determined by the terminal device.

[0386] In this case, the above communication method may further include: the terminal device determining a first mode and sending the first mode to the first core network element, and correspondingly, the first core network element receiving the first mode from the terminal device.

[0387] There are several ways for a terminal to determine the first mode. These are explained below.

[0388] In one possible implementation, the terminal device determining the data transmission mode may specifically include: the terminal device determining a first mode corresponding to the service. For example, the first terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode based on relevant information about the first service.

[0389] Optionally, the above communication method may further include: the first terminal device receiving mapping information, which indicates the mapping relationship between services and data transmission modes; the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service may specifically include: the first terminal device determining a first mode based on the mapping information and the first service, as detailed in the relevant description of method 1 in S803 above, which will not be repeated here. This enables the first terminal device to quickly determine the data transmission mode. It is understood that the mapping information can also be pre-set in the first terminal device or predefined by the protocol; it can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without restriction.

[0390] In another possible implementation, the terminal device determining the data transmission mode may specifically include: the terminal device determining the first mode based on the service QoS or QoE, which can be referred to in the relevant introduction of mode 2 in S803 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0391] It is understood that after the terminal device determines the first mode, the above communication method may further include: the terminal device sending information indicating the first mode to the first core network element, so as to indicate the first mode to the first core network element.

[0392] Scenario 2: The first mode is determined by the first core network element.

[0393] In this case, the above communication method may further include: the first core network element determining the first mode corresponding to the terminal device based on the service-related information of the terminal device. This service-related information may be service QoS requirements or other information that can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, and is not limited thereto. It is understood that the specific steps for the first core network element to determine the first mode can be referred to the aforementioned description of S1002b, and will not be repeated here.

[0394] In addition, after determining that the terminal device corresponds to the first mode, the first core network element can also indicate the first mode to the first base station, such as by sending a first request message carrying information for indicating the first mode to the first base station.

[0395] It is understood that Situations 1 and 2 above describe the method for determining the first mode. It is also understood that the first core network element can send core network tunnel information to the terminal device, and this core network tunnel information can be used by the first base station to send data from the terminal device to the second core network element. The first core network element can obtain this core network tunnel information from the second core network element; for details, please refer to the relevant description in S1003 above. Furthermore, the first core network element can send this core network tunnel information to the first base station through a first request message; for details, please refer to the relevant description in S1004 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0396] Furthermore, the cell where the terminal device resides supports the aforementioned first mode and second mode, where the second mode involves processing the terminal device by the second base station. It is understood that when the first base station is a satellite-based base station and the second base station is a ground-based base station, the second mode can be referred to the relevant description in S701 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0397] S1102, in response to the first request message, the first base station sends a first response message to the first core network element. Correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first response message from the first base station.

[0398] The first response message includes access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station. This access network tunnel information is used by the second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the first base station. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction of AN tunnel information #1 in S1006, which will not be repeated here.

[0399] The first response message may also include information indicating the PDU session and / or QoS flow, such as QFI. This PDU session and / or QoS flow refers to the PDU session and / or QoS flow that establishes the data transmission channel.

[0400] The first response message can be an N2 session management response message, as detailed in the introduction of N2 session management response message 1 in S1006, which will not be repeated here. It is understood that the first response message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, without restriction.

[0401] S1103, the first core network element sends access network tunnel information to the second core network element. Correspondingly, the second core network element sends access network tunnel information to the first core network element.

[0402] After receiving access network tunnel information from the first base station, the first core network element can send access network tunnel information to the second core network element, so that the second core network element can send terminal equipment data to the first base station based on the access network tunnel information.

[0403] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the data of the terminal device can also be understood as the information of the terminal device.

[0404] In summary, in this embodiment, when the cell supports both the first and second modes, the first core network element can send information indicating the first mode to the first base station when requesting the establishment of a data transmission channel. This enables the first base station to determine, based on the first mode, that a data transmission channel should be established between the first base station and the second core network element; that is, the first base station can send access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station to the first core network element according to the first mode. Thus, the establishment of a data transmission channel can be achieved when the cell supports both the first and second modes.

[0405] Optionally, in conjunction with the above embodiments, after the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element, the communication method may further include: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving the first message from the first base station, wherein the first message includes information for indicating a first mode. Thus, the first base station can indicate to the terminal device that the current PDU session and / or QoS flow adopts the first mode.

[0406] Furthermore, the first message may also include DRB configuration parameters, which include information indicating the first mode. This enables the terminal device to determine the data that can be transmitted based on the DRB configuration parameters; for details, please refer to the relevant description in section 1007 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0407] It is understandable that the above first message can be referred to the relevant introduction of RRC reconfiguration message 1 in S1007 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0408] Furthermore, the aforementioned communication method may further include: a first base station sending a DCI to a terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receiving a DCI from the first base station, the DCI including information indicating a first mode; the terminal device determining first data based on DRB configuration parameters and the DCI; and the terminal device sending the first data. In this way, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted based on the DCI and DRB configuration parameters. That is, after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine that data mapped to the first mode of the DRB can be transmitted through the resources indicated by the DCI. For details, please refer to the relevant description in section 1007 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0409] For example, Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method. Figure 6 This communication method mainly involves the interaction between a first terminal device, a first base station, a second base station, a first core network element, a second core network element, and a third core network element.

[0410] like Figure 12 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0411] S1201, the first core network element sends a first request message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element.

[0412] The first base station is a base station located on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station located on the ground; or, the first base station is a base station located on the ground, and the second base station is a base station located on a satellite. It can be understood that the first base station is an anchor base station, which can be referred to in the relevant introduction of S701 above, and will not be repeated here; or, the first base station can be a base station that establishes a connection with UE1 (such as an RRC connection) and establishes a connection with AMF (such as an NG connection).

[0413] The first request message can be used to request access network tunnel information, which can then be used by the second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the base station. Alternatively, the first request message can be used to request the establishment of a data transmission channel for transmitting terminal device data. The first request message includes core network tunnel information and information indicating the second mode. The first request message can be an N1N2 transmission message, in which case the N1N2 transmission can include N2 session management information and an N1 session management container, as detailed in the aforementioned description of S1004, which will not be repeated here. It is understood that in this case, both the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container include the second mode. The first request message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, without limitation.

[0414] The aforementioned core network tunnel information is used by the second base station to send data from the terminal equipment to the second core network element. It can be understood that the first core network element can obtain this core network tunnel information from the second core network element; for details, please refer to the relevant description in S1003 above.

[0415] The second mode described above involves the second base station processing the data from the second terminal device. It is understood that when the first base station is located on a satellite and the second base station is located on the ground, the second mode can be referred to the relevant description in S701 above, and will not be repeated here. There are several ways to determine the second mode, such as by the terminal device or by the first core network element. These will be explained in detail below.

[0416] Scenario 1: The second mode is determined by the terminal device.

[0417] In this case, the communication method described above may further include: the terminal device determining a second mode and sending the second mode to the first core network element; correspondingly, the first core network element receiving the second mode from the terminal device. There are several ways for the terminal to determine the second mode. These will be explained below.

[0418] In one possible implementation, the terminal device determining the data transmission mode may specifically include: the terminal device determining a second mode corresponding to the service. For example, the first terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode based on relevant information about the first service.

[0419] Optionally, the above communication method may further include: the first terminal device receiving mapping information, which indicates the mapping relationship between services and data transmission modes; the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service may specifically include: the first terminal device determining a second mode based on the mapping information and the first service, as detailed in the relevant description of method 1 in S803 above, which will not be repeated here. This enables the first terminal device to quickly determine the data transmission mode. It is understood that the mapping information can also be pre-set in the first terminal device or predefined by the protocol; it can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without restriction.

[0420] In another possible implementation, the terminal device determining the data transmission mode may specifically include: the terminal device determining the second mode based on the service QoS or QoE, which can be referred to in the relevant introduction of mode 2 in S803 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0421] It is understood that after the terminal device determines the second mode, the above communication method may further include: the terminal device sending information indicating the second mode to the first core network element, so as to indicate the second mode to the first core network element.

[0422] Scenario 2: The second mode is determined by the first core network element.

[0423] In this case, the above communication method may further include: the first core network element determining the second mode corresponding to the terminal device based on the service-related information of the terminal device. This service-related information may be service QoS requirements or other information that can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, and is not limited thereto. It is understood that the specific steps for the first core network element to determine the second mode can be referred to the aforementioned description of S1002b, and will not be repeated here.

[0424] In addition, after determining that the terminal device corresponds to the second mode, the first core network element can also indicate the second mode to the first base station, such as by sending a first request message carrying the second mode to the first base station.

[0425] It is understood that in this embodiment of the application, the cell where the terminal device is camped supports the first mode and the second mode described above. The first mode can be referred to the relevant description in the aforementioned S701, and will not be repeated here.

[0426] S1202, in response to the first request message, the first base station sends a second request message to the second base station. Accordingly, the second base station receives the second request message from the first base station.

[0427] The second request message is used to request the second base station to establish a data transmission channel with the second core network element. The second request message includes the aforementioned core network tunnel information. It is understood that the second request message can be understood by referring to the relevant description of message 1 in S10010 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0428] S1203, the second base station sends a second response message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station.

[0429] After receiving the second request message, the second base station can send a second response message to the first base station based on the second request message.

[0430] The second response message includes access network tunnel information. This access network tunnel information is used by the second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the second base station. It can be understood that this access network tunnel information can be allocated by the second core network element. The second response message can be referred to in the relevant description of message 2 in S10011 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0431] S1204, the first base station sends a first response message to the first core network element. Correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first response message from the first base station.

[0432] After receiving the second response message, the first base station can send a first response message to the first core network element. This first response message includes the aforementioned access network tunnel information.

[0433] The first response message can be an N2 session management response message. For details, please refer to the relevant description of N2 session management response message 2 in S10012; it will not be repeated here. It is understood that the first response message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, without restriction.

[0434] S1205, the first core network element sends access network tunnel information to the second core network element. Correspondingly, the second core network element sends access network tunnel information to the first core network element.

[0435] After receiving access network tunnel information from the first base station, the first core network element can send access network tunnel information to the second core network element, so that the second core network element can send terminal equipment data to the second base station based on the access network tunnel information.

[0436] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the data of the terminal device can also be understood as the information of the terminal device.

[0437] In summary, in this embodiment, when the cell supports both the first and second modes, the first core network element can send the second mode to the first base station when requesting the establishment of a data transmission channel. This enables the first base station to determine, based on the second mode, that the second base station and the second core network element should establish a data transmission channel; that is, the first base station can trigger the second base station to establish a data transmission channel with the second core network element based on the second mode. Thus, the establishment of a data transmission channel can be achieved when the cell supports both the first and second modes.

[0438] Optionally, in conjunction with the above embodiments, after the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station, the communication method may further include: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving the first message from the first base station, wherein the first message includes information for indicating a second mode. Thus, the first base station can indicate to the terminal device that the current PDU session and / or QoS flow adopts the second mode.

[0439] Furthermore, the first message may also include DRB configuration parameters, which include information indicating the second mode. This enables the terminal device to determine the data that can be transmitted based on the DRB configuration parameters; for details, please refer to the relevant description in section 10013 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0440] It is understandable that the above first message can be referred to the relevant introduction of RRC reconfiguration message 2 in S10013 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0441] Furthermore, the aforementioned communication method may further include: a first base station sending a DCI to a terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receiving a DCI from the first base station, the DCI including information indicating a second mode; the terminal device determining first data based on DRB configuration parameters and the DCI; and the terminal device sending the first data. In this way, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted based on the DCI and DRB configuration parameters. That is, after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine that data in the second mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resources indicated by the DCI. For details, please refer to the relevant description in section 10013 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0442] The above Figures 10-12 The illustrated embodiment describes how base station 1 or base station 2 establishes a data transmission channel with UPF when the UE or SMF determines the transmission mode of the service. It is understood that the anchor base station (such as base station 1) can also determine the transmission mode of the service, and based on this transmission mode, the anchor base station triggers base station 1 or base station 2 to establish a data transmission channel with UPF. This will be described in detail below.

[0443] To make it easier to understand, the following will be combined with Figure 13The interaction process between the first terminal device, the first base station, and the second base station is described in detail through method embodiments.

[0444] Scene 4:

[0445] For example, Figure 13 Flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 7 In scenario 4, base station 1 (the first base station) determines the transmission mode (first mode or second mode) of the PDU session or QoS flow corresponding to the service of UE1 (the first terminal device), and establishes a data transmission channel corresponding to the PDU session or QoS flow with the UPF according to the transmission mode, or triggers base station 2 to establish a data transmission channel corresponding to the PDU session or QoS flow with the UPF. Here, base station 1 is the anchor base station, which can be referred to in the aforementioned S701 description, and will not be repeated here; or, in other words, base station 1 is the base station that establishes an RRC connection with UE1 and an NG connection with the AMF.

[0446] Specifically, such as Figure 13 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0447] S1301a, UE1 sends a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message.

[0448] The PDU session establishment message is used to request the establishment of a PDU session. The PDU session modification request message is used to request the modification of a PDU session. Either the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message may include QoS requirements.

[0449] UE1 can send a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message to SMF when the service is started or during the service operation.

[0450] S1301b, SMF determines the PDU session to be modified based on the policy.

[0451] SMF can be modified according to the business strategy. That is, when the strategy changes, the PDU session can be modified. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction in S1001b above, which will not be repeated here.

[0452] It is understandable that S1301a and S1301b are two parallel steps, that is, S1302 is performed after S1301a or S1301b. Specifically, S1301a or S1301b can be set according to the actual situation and there is no restriction.

[0453] S1302, SMF obtains CN tunnel information.

[0454] After receiving a PDU session establishment message or a PDU modification request (S1301a), or after determining to modify the PDU session (S1301b), the SMF can send an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message to the UPF to obtain CN tunnel information from the UPF through the N4 session establishment message or N4 session modification message. The specific implementation principle of the SMF obtaining CN tunnel information from the UPF can be referred to the relevant introduction in S1003 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0455] S1303, the SMF sends N2 session management information and N1 session management container to base station 1. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives N2 session management information and N1 session management container from the SMF.

[0456] It is understandable that the specific implementation principle of S1303 is similar to that of S1004, the difference being that in S1004, both the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container include the transmission mode; while in S1303, neither the N2 session management information nor the N1 session management container includes the transmission mode. Therefore, the similarities between S1303 and S1004 can be understood by referring to S1004, and will not be elaborated here.

[0457] S1304, Base station 1 determines the transmission mode and, based on the transmission mode, determines to execute either step 13.1 or step 13.2.

[0458] The transmission mode can be either the first mode or the second mode. The first mode or the second mode can be referred to the relevant description in the aforementioned S701, which will not be repeated here.

[0459] Base station 1 can determine the transmission mode based on the QoS requirements of the service. For example, base station 1 can determine the transmission mode based on the QoS requirements in the N2 session management information sent by the SMF. For instance, when the QoS requirements of the service are high or the user experience is high, such as when the QoS requirements exceed a preset value, the first mode can be used; otherwise, the second mode can be used. It is understood that base station 1 can also determine the transmission mode based on other information, such as the service's QoE, rate, latency, and bandwidth. For example, when the service rate is high or the service is a high-latency service, the first mode can be used; otherwise, the second mode can be used. The specific mode can be flexibly set according to the actual situation without restriction.

[0460] After determining the transmission mode, base station 1 can determine the subsequent operations to be performed based on the transmission mode. For example, when base station 1 determines that the service adopts the first mode, base station 1 is responsible for the data transmission of UE1's user plane, that is, base station 1 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF. In this case, S1305-S1308 are executed below, corresponding to situation 13.1 above. When base station 1 determines that the service adopts the second mode, base station 2 is responsible for the data transmission of UE1's user plane, that is, base station 2 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF. In this case, base station 1 executes S1309-S13014 below, corresponding to situation 13.2 above.

[0461] S1305, Base Station 1 sends N2 Session Management Response Message 1 to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives N2 Session Management Response Message 1 from Base Station 1.

[0462] S1306, Base Station 1 sends RRC Reconfiguration Message 1 to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives RRC Reconfiguration Message 1 from Base Station 1.

[0463] S1307, SMF sends AN tunnel information #1 to UPF. Correspondingly, UPF receives AN tunnel information #1 from SMF.

[0464] S1308, UE1 transmits (sends or receives) data based on the first mode.

[0465] S1309, Base Station 1 sends Message 1 to Base Station 2. Correspondingly, Base Station 2 receives Message 1 from Base Station 1.

[0466] S13010, base station 2 sends message 2 to base station 1. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives message 2 from base station 2.

[0467] S13011, Base Station 1 sends N2 Session Management Response Message 2 to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives N2 Session Management Response Message 2 from Base Station 1.

[0468] S13012, Base Station 1 sends RRC reconfiguration message 2 to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives RRC reconfiguration message 2 from Base Station 1.

[0469] S13013, SMF sends AN tunnel information #2 to UPF. Correspondingly, UPF receives AN tunnel information #2 from SMF.

[0470] S13014, UE1 transmits (sends or receives) data through the second mode.

[0471] The specific implementation principles of S1305-S13014 can be referred to the above. Figure 10The relevant descriptions of S1006-S10015 in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0472] It is understandable that, in the above Figure 13 In the illustrated embodiment, base station 1 is a satellite-based base station, and base station 2 is a ground-based base station. Of course, base station 1 can also be a ground-based base station, and base station 2 can also be a satellite-based base station. In this case, the first mode is that base station 1 processes the UE data, that is, base station 2 transparently transmits the UE data to base station 1 for processing; the second mode is that base station 2 processes the UE data, as detailed above. Figure 10 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0473] It is understandable that the above Figure 13 The illustrated embodiment applies to 5GS. In the EPS, the MME has the functions of the aforementioned AMF and SMF, meaning the MME can perform related operations of the AMF and SMF; the SGW and / or PGW have the functions of the aforementioned UPF, meaning the SGW and / or PGW can perform related operations of the UPF. In the... Figure 13 When the illustrated embodiment is used for EPS, the aforementioned AMF and SMF can be replaced with MME, and the UPF can be replaced with SGW and / or PGW for understanding; these will not be elaborated further here. Furthermore, with network evolution, in future communication networks, the above... Figure 13 The various NFs, network elements, connection methods, or message names in the embodiments shown may change, such as being replaced with other names, and this application does not limit this.

[0474] In summary, as described in Scenario 4, when both base station 1 and base station 2 can provide services to UE1, and base station 1 acts as the anchor base station, when UE1 establishes or modifies a PDU session, base station 1 can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the PDU session. Based on this transmission mode, it can establish a data transmission channel between base station 1 or base station 2 and the UPF. For example, when the transmission mode is the first mode, base station 1 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF. Or, when the transmission mode is the second mode, base station 1 triggers base station 2 to establish a data transmission channel with the UPF.

[0475] The above combination Figure 13 The flow of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail. The following, in conjunction with... Figure 14 The overall process of this communication method is described.

[0476] For example, Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method. Figure 8 This communication method mainly involves the interaction between a first terminal device, a first base station, a second base station, a first core network element, a second core network element, and a third core network element.

[0477] like Figure 14 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0478] S1401, the first core network element sends a first request message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element.

[0479] The first base station can be a base station located on a satellite or the ground. Furthermore, the first base station can be an anchor base station, as described in the aforementioned S701, and will not be repeated here; or, in other words, the first base station can be a base station that establishes an RRC connection with UE1 and an NG connection with the AMF. It can be understood that when the first base station is a satellite-based base station, the second base station can be a ground-based base station; and vice versa.

[0480] The first request message is used to request the establishment or modification of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session. The first request message may include core network tunnel information. The first request message can be an N1N2 transmission message, which may include N2 session management information and an N1 session management container; details can be found in the aforementioned S1303, and will not be repeated here. The first request message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, without restriction. It can be understood that the first core network element can obtain the core network tunnel information from the second core network element; details can be found in the aforementioned S1302.

[0481] Furthermore, the first core network can send a first request message to the first base station based on the PDU session establishment message or PDU session modification request message sent by the terminal device. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S1301a above, which will not be repeated here. The first core network elements can also send a first request message to the first base station according to policy modifications. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S1301b above, which will not be repeated here.

[0482] S1402, in response to the first request message, the first base station determines the first mode corresponding to the terminal device based on the service-related information of the terminal device.

[0483] The first mode involves the first base station processing the data from the terminal device. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S701 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0484] The aforementioned service-related information can be service QoS requirements or other information that can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, and there are no restrictions. It is understood that the specific details of how the first base station determines the first mode can be found in the aforementioned S1304 description, which will not be repeated here.

[0485] It is understood that in this embodiment, the cell where the terminal device resides supports the first mode and the second mode described above. The second mode involves the second base station processing the terminal device. It is also understood that when the first base station is a satellite-based base station and the second base station is a ground-based base station, the second mode can be referred to the relevant description in S701 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0486] S1403, the first base station sends a first response message to the first core network element according to the first mode. Correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first response message from the first base station.

[0487] The first response message includes access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station. This access network tunnel information is used by the second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the first base station. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction of AN tunnel information #1 in S1305, which will not be repeated here.

[0488] The first response message may also include information indicating the PDU session and / or QoS flow, such as QFI, QoS parameters, etc. This PDU session and / or QoS flow refers to the PDU session and / or QoS flow that establishes a data transmission channel.

[0489] The first response message can be an N2 session management response message, as detailed in the introduction of N2 session management response message 1 in S1305, which will not be repeated here. It is understood that the first response message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, without restriction.

[0490] S1404, the first core network element sends access network tunnel information to the second core network element. Correspondingly, the second core network element sends access network tunnel information to the first core network element.

[0491] After receiving access network tunnel information from the first base station, the first core network element can send access network tunnel information to the second core network element, so that the second core network element can send terminal equipment data to the first base station based on the access network tunnel information.

[0492] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the data of the terminal device can also be understood as the information of the terminal device.

[0493] In summary, in the embodiments of this application, when the cell supports both the first and second modes, when the first core network element requests the establishment of a data transmission channel from the first base station, the first base station can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, i.e., the transmission mode adopted by the current PDU session and / or QoS flow. Thus, when the cell supports both the first and second modes and the terminal device corresponds to the first mode, the first base station can send the access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station to the first core network element. This enables the establishment of a data transmission channel when the cell supports both the first and second modes.

[0494] Optionally, in conjunction with the above embodiments, after the first base station determines the first mode corresponding to the terminal device based on the service-related information of the terminal device, the above communication method may further include: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving the first message from the first base station, wherein the first message includes the first mode, as detailed above. Figure 11 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments are as follows.

[0495] Furthermore, the first message may also include DRB configuration parameters, which include information for indicating the first mode, as detailed above. Figure 11 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments are as follows.

[0496] Furthermore, the above communication method may also include: a first base station sending a DCI to a terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving a DCI from the first base station, the DCI including information for indicating a first mode; the terminal device determining first data based on DRB configuration parameters and the DCI; and the terminal device sending the first data, as detailed above. Figure 11 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments are as follows.

[0497] For example, Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method. Figure 9 This communication method mainly involves the interaction between a first terminal device, a first base station, a second base station, a first core network element, a second core network element, and a third core network element.

[0498] like Figure 15 As shown, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0499] S1501, the first core network element sends a first request message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element.

[0500] The first base station is a base station located on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station located on the ground; or, the first base station is a base station located on the ground, and the second base station is a base station located on a satellite. It can be understood that the first base station can be an anchor base station, which can be referred to in the relevant introduction of S701 above, and will not be repeated here; or, the first base station can be a base station that establishes an RRC connection with UE1 and an NG connection with AMF.

[0501] The first request message includes core network tunnel information, which is used by the second base station to send data from the terminal device to the second core network element. It is understood that the first request message can be understood by referring to the relevant description in S1401 above, and will not be repeated here. It is also understood that the first core network element can obtain this core network tunnel information from the second core network element, as specifically described in the relevant description in S1302 above.

[0502] Furthermore, the first core network can send a first request message to the first base station based on the PDU session establishment message or PDU session modification request message sent by the terminal device. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S1301a above, which will not be repeated here. The first core network elements can also send a first request message to the first base station according to policy modifications. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S1301b above, which will not be repeated here.

[0503] S1502, in response to the first request message, the first base station determines the second mode corresponding to the terminal device based on the service-related information of the terminal device.

[0504] The second mode involves the second base station processing the data from the terminal device. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S701 above; it will not be repeated here. It can be understood that when the first base station is a satellite-based base station and the second base station is a ground-based base station, the second mode can be understood as described in the relevant description in S701 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0505] The aforementioned service-related information can be service QoS requirements or other information that can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, and there are no restrictions. It is understood that the specific details of how the first base station determines the second mode can be found in the aforementioned S1304 description, which will not be repeated here.

[0506] It is understood that in this embodiment of the application, the cell where the terminal device is camped supports the first mode and the second mode described above. The first mode can be referred to the relevant description in the aforementioned S701, and will not be repeated here.

[0507] S1503, the first base station sends a second request message to the second base station according to the second mode. Correspondingly, the second base station receives the second request message from the first base station.

[0508] The second request message is used to request the second base station to create a data transmission channel with the second core network element, and this second request message includes core network tunnel information, which can be referred to in the relevant description in S1202 above, and will not be repeated here. In addition, the second request message can also be referred to in the relevant description of message 1 in S1309 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0509] S1504, the second base station sends a second response message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station.

[0510] The second response message includes access network tunnel information. This access network tunnel information is used by the second core network element to send data from the terminal device to the second base station.

[0511] Furthermore, the specific implementation principle of S1504 can be referred to the relevant introduction of S1203 above, and the second response message can be referred to the relevant introduction of message 2 in S13010 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0512] S1505, the first base station sends a first response message to the first core network element. Correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first response message from the first base station.

[0513] The first response message includes access network tunnel information, which can be found in the relevant description in S1204 above, and will not be repeated here. Additionally, the first response message can also be found in the relevant description of N2 session management response message 2 in S13011 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0514] After receiving the second response message, the first base station can send a first response message to the first core network element based on the second response message.

[0515] S1506, the first core network element sends access network tunnel information to the second core network element. Correspondingly, the second core network element sends access network tunnel information to the first core network element.

[0516] The specific implementation principle of S1506 can be found in the aforementioned introduction to S1205, and will not be repeated here.

[0517] In summary, in this embodiment, when the cell supports both the first and second modes, the first base station can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, i.e., the transmission mode adopted by the current PDU session and / or QoS flow. Thus, when the cell supports both the first and second modes and the terminal device corresponds to the second mode, the first base station can trigger the second base station to establish a data transmission channel with the second core network element. This enables the establishment of a data transmission channel when the cell supports both the first and second modes.

[0518] Optionally, in conjunction with the above embodiments, after the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station, the communication method may further include: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving the first message from the first base station, wherein the first message includes information for indicating a second mode, as detailed above. Figure 12 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0519] Furthermore, the first message may also include DRB configuration parameters, which include information for indicating the second mode, as detailed above. Figure 12 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the first message can be referred to the relevant description of RRC reconfiguration message 2 in S13012 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0520] Furthermore, the above communication method may also include: a first base station sending a DCI to a terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving a DCI from the first base station, the DCI including information for indicating a second mode; the terminal device determining first data based on DRB configuration parameters and the DCI; and the terminal device sending the first data, as detailed above. Figure 12 The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0521] In addition, in the above Figures 7-15 In the embodiments shown, "transmission mode" and "service" are merely exemplary expressions. The "transmission mode" can be replaced with any other possible expression, such as "data transmission mode" or "satellite transmission mode," and the "service" can be replaced with any other possible expression, such as "application," without limitation.

[0522] The above combination Figures 7-15 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below. Figures 16-17 This document describes in detail the communication apparatus used to perform the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0523] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 For example, such as Figure 16 As shown, the communication device 1600 includes a transceiver module 1601 and a processing module 1602. For ease of explanation, Figure 16 Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0524] The transceiver module 1601 is used to perform the above. Figures 7-15 The sending and receiving functions of the method shown are executed by the processing module 1602. Figures 7-15The method shown includes functions other than sending and receiving.

[0525] Optionally, the transceiver module 1601 may include a transmitting module ( Figure 16 (not shown in the image) and receiving module ( Figure 16 (Not shown in the diagram). The transmitting module implements the transmitting function of the communication device 1600, and the receiving module implements the receiving function of the communication device 1600.

[0526] Optionally, the communication device 1600 may also include a storage module. Figure 16 (Not shown in the image), the storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1602 executes the program or instructions, the communication device 1600 can perform the above-described method. Figures 7-15 The methods shown describe the functions of terminal devices or network devices (such as the first core network element, the second core network element, or the third core network element mentioned above).

[0527] It is understood that the communication device 1600 may be a terminal device or a network device, or it may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the terminal device or the network device, or it may be a device that includes the terminal device or the network device. This application does not limit it in this respect.

[0528] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device 1600 can be referenced. Figures 7-15 The technical effects of the communication method shown will not be elaborated here.

[0529] Figure 17 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 For example, the communication device may be a terminal device or a network device, or it may be a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the terminal device or network device. Figure 17 As shown, the communication device 1700 may include a processor 1701. Optionally, the communication device 1700 may also include a memory 1702 and / or a transceiver 1703. The processor 1701 is coupled to the memory 1702 and the transceiver 1703, for example, they may be connected via a communication bus.

[0530] The following is combined with Figure 17 A detailed description of each component of the communication device 1700 is provided below:

[0531] The processor 1701 is the control center of the communication device 1700. It can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1701 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of this application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0532] Optionally, the processor 1701 can perform various functions of the communication device 1700, such as performing the communication method described above, by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1702 and calling data stored in the memory 1702.

[0533] In a specific implementation, as one example, the processor 1701 may include one or more CPUs, for example... Figure 17 CPU0 and CPU1 are shown in the diagram.

[0534] In a specific implementation, as one example, the communication device 1700 may also include multiple processors, for example... Figure 17 The processors 1701 and 1704 are shown. Each of these processors can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, "processor" can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0535] The memory 1702 is used to store the software program that executes the solution of this application, and is controlled by the processor 1701 to execute it. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0536] Optionally, the memory 1702 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or 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 not limited thereto. The memory 1702 may be integrated with the processor 1701 or may exist independently, and may be connected via the interface circuit of the communication device 1700. Figure 17 (Not shown in the image) is coupled to processor 1701, and this embodiment of the application does not specifically limit this.

[0537] Transceiver 1703 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 1700 is a terminal, transceiver 1703 can be used to communicate with a network device or with another terminal device. As another example, if communication device 1700 is a network device, transceiver 1703 can be used to communicate with a terminal or with another network device.

[0538] Alternatively, transceiver 1703 may include a receiver and a transmitter. Figure 17 (Not shown separately). The receiver is used to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement the sending function.

[0539] Alternatively, the transceiver 1703 can be integrated with the processor 1701, or it can exist independently and be connected via the interface circuit of the communication device 1700. Figure 17 (Not shown in the image) is coupled to processor 1701, and this embodiment of the application does not specifically limit this.

[0540] Understandable, Figure 17 The structure of the communication device 1700 shown does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. Actual communication devices may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0541] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device 1700 can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0542] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or it can be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0543] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous DRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous linked DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0544] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware (such as circuits), firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or 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, 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., 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 includes one or more sets of available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. A semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0545] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it can also represent an "and / or" relationship. Please refer to the context for a more accurate understanding.

[0546] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0547] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0548] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0549] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0550] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0551] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0552] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0553] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0554] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The first base station broadcasts a first message, the first message being used to indicate that a cell supports a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being that the first base station processes data of a terminal device, and the second mode being that the first base station transmits data of a terminal device to a second base station for processing, the first base station being a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station being a base station arranged on the ground; The first base station receives a first access request message from a first terminal device, the first terminal device camping on the cell; In a case where the first base station determines to process the first access request message, the first base station sends an access response message to the first terminal device according to the first access request message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the method further comprises: The first base station determines to process an access request message from a terminal device corresponding to the cell by interacting with the second base station.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first base station determines to process the first access request message, comprising: The first base station determines that it is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with a terminal device corresponding to the cell among the first base station and the second base station.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first base station determines to process the first access request message, comprising: The first base station determines that the first access request message uses a first resource, the first resource being an access resource allocated by the first base station.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: The first base station determines the first resource by interacting with the second base station; The first base station broadcasts the first resource.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: In a case where the first base station determines not to process the first access request message, the first base station sends the first access request message to the second base station.

7. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: A first terminal device receives a first message, the first message being used to indicate that a cell supports a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being that a first base station processes data of a terminal device, and the second mode being that the first base station transmits data of a terminal device to a second base station for processing, the first base station being a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station being a base station arranged on the ground, the first terminal device camping on the cell; The first terminal device determines a data transmission mode, the data transmission mode being the first mode or the second mode; The first terminal device sends a first access request message according to the data transmission mode.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first terminal device determines a data transmission mode, comprising: The first terminal device determines the data transmission mode corresponding to a first service.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: The first terminal device receives mapping information, the mapping information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a service and a data transmission mode; The first terminal device determines the data transmission mode corresponding to a first service, comprising: The first terminal device determines the data transmission mode according to the mapping information and the first service.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first terminal device determines a data transmission mode, comprising: The first terminal device determines the data transmission mode according to service quality of service (QoS) or service quality of experience (QoE).

11. The method according to any one of claims 7-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first terminal device receives a first resource and a second resource, the first resource being an access resource associated with the first mode, and the second resource being an access resource associated with the second mode; The first terminal device transmits a first access request message according to the data transmission mode, including: In a case where the data transmission mode is the first mode, the first terminal device transmits the first access request message using the first resource; or In a case where the data transmission mode is the second mode, the first terminal device transmits the first access request message using the second resource.

12. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus includes modules for performing the method of any of claims 1-11.

13. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus includes a processor, and when the processor executes computer instructions, the communication apparatus performs the method of any of claims 1-11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium includes computer programs or instructions, when the computer programs or instructions are run on a computer, the computer performs the method of any of claims 1-11.

15. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes computer programs or instructions, when the computer programs or instructions are run by a communication apparatus, the method of any of claims 1-11 is performed.

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