Fusion method of ground network and non-ground network, terminal and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of communication, and discloses a fusion method of a ground network and a non-ground network, a terminal and a storage medium. The fusion method comprises the following steps that: a terminal respectively establishes connection with a ground network and a non-ground network covering the current area of the terminal and keeps connection at the same time; the terminal determines a network which is more beneficial to guaranteeing the continuity of the current service as a target network, configures a connection link between the terminal and the target network as a main link, and configures another link as an auxiliary link; and time delay sensitive data is transmitted through the main link, and other data is transmitted through the auxiliary link. According to the embodiment of the invention, the terminal is connected with the ground network and the non-ground network at the same time, and the link interruption gap can be eliminated from the source only by dynamically adjusting the roles of the main link and the auxiliary link, so that the current service can be continuously transmitted; depending on the double-connection parallel advantage, it is ensured that time delay sensitive data is transmitted through the optimal link, the auxiliary link bears non-time delay sensitive data, and the data transmission quality and transmission efficiency can be improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a ground network and non-ground network fusion method, a terminal and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of communication technology, a single ground network cannot meet the global coverage demand (such as ocean, desert, high altitude, etc.), and satellite network has become an important supplement to ground network due to its wide coverage. However, the transmission characteristics (such as delay, bandwidth, signal strength) of satellite network and ground network are significantly different, and the traditional "disconnection-reconnection" switching mode will cause service interruption (such as video lag, data packet loss), especially cannot meet the high reliability and low latency service requirements of automatic driving and emergency communication.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the prior art.

[0004] The above information is given as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present application, and does not constitute admission or recognition that any of the above information constitutes prior art with respect to the present application. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a ground network and non-ground network fusion method, a terminal and a storage medium to solve the service interruption problem of ground network and satellite network when using the traditional "disconnection-reconnection" switching mode.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a ground network and non-ground network fusion method, comprising:

[0008] The terminal establishes a connection with the ground network and the non-ground network covering the current area it is located in and simultaneously maintains the connection;

[0009] The terminal determines the network that is more conducive to guaranteeing the continuity of the current service as a target network from the ground network and the non-ground network, and configures the connection link with the target network as a main link and the connection link with the other network as an auxiliary link;

[0010] The terminal transmits the delay-sensitive data of the current service through the main link and transmits other data of the current service through the auxiliary link.

[0011] Optionally, it further comprises: when a preset role switching trigger condition is met, the terminal redecides the target network according to a preset decision algorithm.

[0012] Optionally, the preset role switching trigger condition comprises:

[0013] the link quality of the secondary link is better than the link quality of the primary link and the duration exceeds a preset duration threshold; and / or,

[0014] the link quality of the secondary link is better than the link quality of the primary link and the duration exceeds a preset duration threshold; and / or,

[0015] the current service type is changed to a service type adapted to the network corresponding to the secondary link.

[0016] Optionally, the terminal re-decides the target network according to a preset decision algorithm, including:

[0017] determining the target network according to at least two of the link quality parameter of the primary link, the link quality parameter of the secondary link, the current service type and the current network load.

[0018] Optionally, the terminal re-decides the target network according to a preset decision algorithm, further including: for at least two of the link quality parameter of the primary link, the link quality parameter of the secondary link, the current service type and the current network load, using a weighted scoring method to determine the target network.

[0019] Optionally, the link quality parameter includes: signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, time delay, jitter and / or service QoS parameter.

[0020] Optionally, further including:

[0021] synchronizing backup data through the secondary link in the process that the terminal transmits time delay sensitive data of the current service through the primary link;

[0022] when the target network is switched, the terminal re-transmits the backup data through the switched primary link to make the current service data consistent in sequence, and then continues to transmit new data.

[0023] Optionally, further including: when the target network is switched, releasing the redundant resources of the switched secondary link.

[0024] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal, including a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor implements the ground network and non-ground network fusion method according to any one of the above when executing the computer program.

[0025] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer executable instructions, and the computer executable instructions are executed by a computer processor to implement the ground network and non-ground network fusion method according to any one of the above.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the application has the following beneficial effects:

[0027] On the one hand, the traditional single-connection-based "disconnection-reconnection" switching scheme needs to disconnect the ground network link first, and then initiate the satellite network connection establishment and authentication process, and there is an interruption gap in the link, thereby causing phenomena such as voice lag, video flicker, and data packet loss, which cannot support time-sensitive services. Unlike this, the embodiments of the application allow the terminal to maintain a connection with the ground network and the non-ground network at the same time, and only dynamically adjust the roles of the primary and secondary links, without disconnecting the original link when switching the roles. In this way, the link interruption gap can be eliminated from the root, and the current service can be continuously transmitted, which is particularly suitable for scenarios with high requirements for service continuity.

[0028] On the other hand, unlike the single-link dependence of traditional single-connection technology, the embodiments of the application realize parallel transmission of the dual links and coordinated transmission of the primary and secondary links, transmit time-sensitive data through the primary link, and transmit non-time-sensitive data of the current service through the secondary link, thereby realizing differentiated transmission of data. This scheme relies on the parallel advantage of dual connectivity, and the primary link always locks the network that is more conducive to service continuity, thereby ensuring that time-sensitive data is always transmitted through the optimal link, and the secondary link synchronously carries non-time-sensitive data, which can not only ensure the quality of data transmission, but also improve the overall service transmission efficiency.

[0029] The application has other characteristics and advantages, which will be apparent or will be described in detail in the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description incorporated herein, which together serve to explain the specific principles of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the application or the prior art, the accompanying drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained from these drawings without creative labor.

[0031] Figure 1 is a fusion method flowchart of a ground network and a non-ground network provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0032] Figure 2 is another fusion method flowchart of a ground network and a non-ground network provided by an embodiment of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] With reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0034] The inventors have found that the satellite network and the ground network have significant differences in the following transmission characteristics:

[0035] Latency: The latency of the satellite network is much higher than that of the ground network, and the core reason is that the transmission distance between the satellite and the ground terminal far exceeds the transmission distance between the ground base station and the ground terminal.

[0036] Bandwidth: The single-beam bandwidth of the satellite network is usually tens of Mbps due to the limitations of spectrum resources and link loss, and the high dynamic characteristics easily lead to bandwidth fluctuations, which can only meet the needs of medium and low rate services and is difficult to support continuous transmission of high-bandwidth services such as high-definition video.

[0037] Signal strength: The path loss of the ground network is low, the signal coverage is concentrated, and the channel stability is strong. The propagation distance of the satellite network is far, the path loss is large, and the anti-shielding ability is weak.

[0038] These significant differences lead to the fact that when the ground network switches to the satellite network in the traditional "disconnection-reconnection" mode, latency-sensitive services (voice, automatic driving control instructions) are prone to lag, response lag, and even failure.

[0039] Therefore, in combination with the references Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the embodiments of the present application provide a fusion method of a ground network and a non-ground network, comprising the steps of:

[0040] S1, the terminal establishes a connection with the ground network (TN, Terrestrial Network) and the non-ground network (NTN, Non-Terrestrial Network) covering the current area it is located in and keeps the connection at the same time.

[0041] The ground network refers to a communication network constructed based on ground communication infrastructure, and the core node is a ground base station (such as a 5G macro base station or a micro base station). The ground network realizes signal coverage and data transmission by relying on a wired backhaul link, and the coverage range is concentrated in cities, towns and other densely populated areas, and has the core characteristics of low latency, high bandwidth and signal stability. It is the mainstream network of daily communication.

[0042] Non-terrestrial networks refer to communication networks built through aerial or space nodes, independent of ground infrastructure. These can be satellite networks (including LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites) or high-altitude platform HAPS (such as stratospheric vehicles and high-altitude drones). Their core advantage is wide-area coverage, reaching regions inaccessible to terrestrial networks such as oceans, deserts, and high altitudes. However, they are characterized by long latency, high dynamics, and large signal strength fluctuations.

[0043] In this step, the terminal maintains simultaneous connections with both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (also known as dual connectivity). This means that the terminal does not alternate between connecting to the two types of networks, but rather establishes independent and effective communication links with both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks within the same time period. Both links are simultaneously active and ready, maintaining both link connectivity and data transmission capability.

[0044] S2. The terminal identifies the network that is more conducive to ensuring the continuity of current services between the terrestrial network and the non-terrestrial network as the target network, and configures the connection link between the terminal and the target network as the primary link and the connection link with the other network as the secondary link.

[0045] In this step, the target network is determined based on its adaptability to the current service requirements. For example, for real-time voice services, a low-latency and stable link is required. If the terrestrial network meets the requirements, it becomes the target network. If the terrestrial network is obstructed or its signal is attenuated, the satellite network (a non-terrestrial network) can maintain uninterrupted service due to its wide coverage, then the satellite network becomes the target network. The target network will serve as the primary link carrying core data, while the other network will serve as the secondary link, forming a primary-secondary collaborative architecture to ensure service continuity from the source.

[0046] S3. The terminal transmits latency-sensitive data for the current service through the main link and other data for the current service through the secondary link.

[0047] Latency-sensitive data refers to business data with high requirements for transmission latency. It needs to be transmitted and responded to within a short period of time; otherwise, it will lead to a deterioration in business experience or functional failure. For example, latency-sensitive data may include voice call data, real-time video data, autonomous driving control commands, emergency dispatch commands, etc. For this type of data, the priority of transmission continuity and real-time performance is higher than bandwidth requirements.

[0048] Other data in the current business, also known as non-latency-sensitive data, refers to business data with low requirements for transmission latency. A certain amount of transmission delay is permissible, with the core requirements being data integrity and transmission reliability. For example, non-latency-sensitive data may include background app updates, cloud drive file uploads and downloads, and wide-area IoT data collection (such as soil moisture and environmental monitoring data). This type of data can be transmitted via non-optimal latency links, without consuming core low-latency link resources.

[0049] Traditional single-connection-based "disconnect-reconnect" switching schemes require disconnecting the terrestrial network link before initiating the satellite network connection establishment and authentication process. This link interruption gap leads to issues such as voice stuttering, video distortion, and data packet loss, making it unsuitable for latency-sensitive services. In contrast, the embodiments in this application allow the terminal to maintain connections with both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks simultaneously, dynamically adjusting the roles of primary and secondary links without disconnecting the original link during role switching. This eliminates link interruption gaps at the source, ensuring continuous transmission of current services, making it particularly suitable for scenarios with high continuity requirements.

[0050] Furthermore, unlike the single-link dependency of traditional single-connection technologies, this application's embodiment employs dual-link parallel transmission with primary and secondary links working in tandem. The primary link transmits latency-sensitive data, while the secondary link transmits non-latency-sensitive data for current services, achieving differentiated data transmission. Leveraging the advantages of dual-connection parallelism, this solution ensures the primary link always locks onto the network most conducive to service continuity, guaranteeing that latency-sensitive data is always transmitted through the optimal link. The secondary link synchronously carries non-latency-sensitive data, thus ensuring data transmission quality while improving overall service transmission efficiency.

[0051] In an optional implementation, the fusion method of terrestrial network and non-terrestrial network provided in this application embodiment further includes: when a preset role switching trigger condition is met, the terminal re-determines the target network according to a preset decision algorithm.

[0052] In this embodiment, the preset role switching trigger condition can accurately determine the timing when a "re-decision" is needed. Combined with the preset decision-making algorithm, it can select the optimal network that meets the current business requirements, avoiding randomness and frequent switching in the decision-making process. Frequent switching will consume network resources (such as spectrum and time slots) and increase data transmission redundancy. This design can reduce the resource loss caused by invalid switching and improve reliability.

[0053] For example, the preset character switching trigger conditions may include:

[0054] A. The link quality of the main link is lower than the preset quality threshold.

[0055] This trigger condition can directly locate transmission anomalies in the main link (such as signal attenuation or interference causing link deterioration), avoiding the need to trigger switching only after the main link is completely interrupted. It provides buffer time for the target network to make new decisions and adjust the main and auxiliary links, reducing the probability of service transmission being affected and ensuring the continuity of latency-sensitive services.

[0056] B. The quality of the secondary link is better than that of the primary link and the duration exceeds the preset duration threshold.

[0057] This trigger condition can effectively avoid frequent handovers caused by occasional fluctuations. Frequent handovers can lead to data transmission jitter and consume additional network resources. This trigger condition can reduce invalid handovers, ensure the necessity and stability of handover decisions, and reduce network resource consumption.

[0058] C. The current service type is changed to a service type adapted to the network corresponding to the secondary link.

[0059] For example, when the current service changes from real-time video within the city (adapted to terrestrial networks) to wide-area IoT data collection (adapted to satellite networks), a switching decision will be automatically triggered, adjusting the connection link between the terminal and the satellite network to the primary link. This ensures that the service type and network characteristics are accurately matched, thus avoiding inefficiencies or degraded user experience caused by the service being transmitted on an incompatible link.

[0060] It should be noted that the above triggering conditions can be used individually or in combination to adapt to complex scenarios, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0061] In one optional implementation, the terminal re-determines the target network according to a preset decision-making algorithm, including:

[0062] The target network is determined based on at least two of the following: the link quality parameters of the primary link, the link quality parameters of the secondary link, the current service type, and the current network load.

[0063] In fact, this embodiment uses a multi-attribute decision-making algorithm to comprehensively decide the target network, which can avoid misjudgment based on a single condition, balance multi-dimensional needs, and ensure the rationality and accuracy of the decision.

[0064] Furthermore, a weighted scoring method is used to determine the target network based on at least two of the following: the link quality parameters of the primary link, the link quality parameters of the secondary link, the current service type, and the current network load.

[0065] The weighted scoring method transforms fuzzy decision-making factors (such as link quality and business adaptability) into quantifiable scoring indicators. Combined with clear weight allocation, this standardizes and makes the decision-making logic traceable. The same algorithm framework can be reused across different terminals and scenarios, requiring only minor weight adjustments to adapt to varying needs. This avoids subjectivity and randomness in decision-making logic, while also facilitating later algorithm iterations and reducing maintenance costs after implementation.

[0066] For example, link quality parameters may specifically include: signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), latency, jitter, and / or service QoS parameters. Signal strength and SNR characterize link signal stability and anti-interference capability, latency and jitter reflect link real-time performance, and service QoS parameters are directly related to service transmission requirements. Compared to judging based on a single parameter, this approach avoids misjudgments caused by strong signals but high latency (e.g., satellite networks) or interference-free but high packet loss rates (e.g., terrestrial network link failures), providing accurate data for target network decisions.

[0067] In an optional implementation, the fusion method of terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial networks provided in this application embodiment may further include:

[0068] During the process of transmitting latency-sensitive data of the current service through the main link at the terminal, backup data is synchronously cached through the secondary link;

[0069] When switching to a target network, the terminal first retransmits the backup data through the new main link to ensure that the current service data is in the same order, and then continues to transmit new data.

[0070] Based on this, this embodiment can avoid data loss during the handover process and ensure the integrity of data transmission: When the target network is switched, the change of the primary link role may cause momentary interruption or omission of data transmission. In particular, the loss of latency-sensitive data (such as voice and real-time commands) will directly affect the service experience. By synchronously caching and backing up the primary link data through the secondary link, data that was not transmitted before the handover can be retained. After the handover, the backup data is retransmitted first, which completely avoids data loss during the handover interval and ensures that the current service data is transmitted in full.

[0071] This embodiment can also maintain the consistency of data transmission order and ensure the normal operation of services: Latency-sensitive services have extremely high requirements for data timing, and disordered data will lead to business logic chaos and functional failure. This embodiment ensures that the data before and after the switch is connected in the original transmission order by "retransmitting backup data first, and then transmitting new data", avoiding data disorder problems caused by the switch, ensuring the continuity of business logic, and is suitable for scenarios with high timing accuracy requirements.

[0072] This embodiment can also mitigate the impact of switching on the service experience, achieving "seamless switching": Traditional single-connection switching is prone to service lag, screen flickering, and other issues due to interruptions. This embodiment, through backup data backup and sequential retransmission, ensures no loss of service data and no disruption of timing during the switching process, with no noticeable impact on the user side. This further enhances the "seamless switching" of the dual-connection solution, ensuring service continuity and stability, and improving the user experience.

[0073] Furthermore, embodiments of this application may also include: releasing redundant resources of the secondary link after the target network switch. This is because after the target network switch, the original primary link is switched to a new secondary link, and some of its resources (such as spectrum, time slots, etc. adapted to the original primary link) may no longer meet the carrying requirements of the new secondary link. Releasing these redundant resources allows them to be allocated to other terminals or links that require them, which can effectively improve network resource utilization and avoid resource waste.

[0074] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a terminal, including a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the fusion method of terrestrial network and non-terrestrial network described in any of the above embodiments.

[0075] The aforementioned terminal can execute the methods provided in any embodiment of this application, and has the corresponding functional modules and beneficial effects for executing the methods.

[0076] Thirdly, Embodiment 4 of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the fusion method of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks as provided in all embodiments of this application.

[0077] Any combination of one or more computer-readable media may be used. A computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium can be, for example—but not limited to—an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable storage media include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In this document, a computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that can be used by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0078] Computer-readable signal media may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable signal media may also be any computer-readable medium other than computer-readable storage media, capable of sending, propagating, or transmitting programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0079] Program code contained on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including—but not limited to—wireless, wire, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0080] Computer program code for performing the operations of this application can be written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination thereof, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, and C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving remote computers, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer via any type of network—including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)—or can be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0081] Finally, it should be noted that although the above embodiments have been described in the text and drawings of this application, this should not limit the scope of patent protection of this application. Any technical solutions that are based on the essential concept of this application and utilize the content described in the text and drawings of this application, resulting in equivalent structural or procedural substitutions or modifications, as well as the direct or indirect application of the technical solutions of the above embodiments to other related technical fields, are all included within the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for integrating terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial networks, characterized in that, include: The terminal establishes and maintains connections with both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks covering its current area. The terminal identifies the network among the terrestrial network and the non-terrestrial network that is more conducive to ensuring the continuity of current services as the target network, and configures the connection link between the terminal and the target network as the primary link and the connection link with the other network as the secondary link; The terminal transmits latency-sensitive data for the current service through the main link and other data for the current service through the secondary link.

2. The method for integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: When the preset role switching trigger condition is met, the terminal re-determines the target network according to the preset decision algorithm.

3. The method for integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks according to claim 2, characterized in that, The preset role switching trigger conditions include: The link quality of the main link is lower than a preset quality threshold; and / or, The secondary link has a better link quality than the primary link and its duration exceeds a preset duration threshold; and / or, The current service type has been changed to a service type adapted to the network corresponding to the secondary link.

4. The method for integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks according to claim 2, characterized in that, The terminal re-determines the target network according to a preset decision-making algorithm, including: The target network is determined based on at least two of the following: the link quality parameters of the primary link, the link quality parameters of the secondary link, the current service type, and the current network load.

5. The method for integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks according to claim 4, characterized in that, The terminal re-determines the target network according to a preset decision algorithm, which further includes: using a weighted scoring method to determine the target network based on at least two of the following: the link quality parameters of the main link, the link quality parameters of the auxiliary link, the current service type, and the current network load.

6. The method for integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks according to claim 4, characterized in that, The link quality parameters include: signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, latency, jitter, and / or service QoS parameters.

7. The method for integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: During the process of the terminal transmitting latency-sensitive data of the current service through the main link, backup data is synchronously cached through the secondary link; When the target network is switched, the terminal first retransmits the backup data through the switched main link to ensure that the current service data is in the same order, and then continues to transmit new data.

8. The method for integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: When the target network is switched, the redundant resources of the secondary link after the switch are released.

9. A terminal comprising a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program, characterized in that, When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the fusion method of terrestrial network and non-terrestrial network as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, The computer-executable instructions are executed by a computer processor to implement the fusion method of terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial networks as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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