Communication system, network control method, storage medium, controller, terminal device and vehicle

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication system, a network control method, a storage medium, a controller, terminal equipment and a vehicle. The communication system comprises a satellite communication module, a cellular communication module, a switching module and an SIM card. The cellular communication module in the embodiment of the invention is used for controlling the connection state of the switching module, and the cellular communication module in the embodiment can control the connection state of the switching module based on the communication states in the satellite communication module and the cellular communication module. According to the technical scheme, based on the communication state of at least one of the satellite communication module and the cellular communication module, the switching module is controlled through the cellular communication module, and the effect of dynamic connection of the SIM card between the satellite communication module and the cellular communication module is achieved; the situation that communication of the SIM card is completely interrupted when a single network signal is weak or interrupted is effectively avoided, and stability and reliability of communication of the SIM card are guaranteed.

Description

Communication systems, network control methods, storage media, controllers, terminal equipment, and vehicles Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a communication system, network control method, storage medium, controller, terminal equipment, and vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most new energy vehicles can achieve satellite communication functions through satellite communication modules, covering a relatively large communication range. At the same time, most satellite communication modules support SIM functionality, playing a crucial role in communication with satellites in the airspace. However, when vehicles travel in areas with weak satellite signals, poor satellite signal strength can occur, leading to vehicle network anomalies. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A communication system, network control method, storage medium, controller, terminal equipment, and vehicle are provided to at least partially solve the aforementioned technical problems.

[0004] According to a first aspect of this application, a communication system is provided, including a satellite communication module, a cellular communication module, a handover module, and a SIM card; wherein,

[0005] The cellular communication module is used to control the connection state of the switching module based on the communication state of the satellite communication module and / or the cellular communication module; the connection state includes: a first connection state connecting the satellite communication module to the SIM card, and a second connection state connecting the cellular communication module to the SIM card.

[0006] Optionally, the cellular communication module is further configured to: control the initial connection state of the switching module to either the first connection state or the second connection state.

[0007] Optionally, the cellular communication module is further configured to: if the satellite communication module is in a first communication abnormality state, control the switching module to the second connection state; the first communication abnormality state includes: the network signal transmission strength of the satellite communication is lower than a first strength threshold, and / or, the satellite communication module fails to dial; if the cellular communication module is in a second communication abnormality state, control the switching module to the first connection state; the second communication abnormality state includes: the network signal transmission strength of the cellular communication is lower than a second strength threshold, and / or, the cellular communication module fails to dial.

[0008] Optionally, the cellular communication module and the satellite communication module communicate via a UART interface; if the connection state of the switching module switches from the second connection state to the first connection state, the cellular communication module is further configured to: send a first UART signal to the satellite communication module; the satellite communication module is configured to initialize, identify, and take over the SIM card based on the first UART signal.

[0009] Optionally, the cellular communication module is further configured to: send a second UART signal to the satellite communication module, wherein the second UART signal carries a status query command.

[0010] Optionally, the cellular communication module is further configured to: send a preset level signal to the switching module; the preset level signal is used to instruct the switching module to perform the corresponding connection state.

[0011] Optionally, the switching module includes: a first switching module, configured to, under the control of the cellular communication module, connect a first signal path or a second signal path; the first signal path is a signal path between the satellite communication module and the SIM card, and the second signal path is a signal path between the cellular communication module and the SIM card; and a second switching module, configured to, under the control of the cellular communication module, connect a first power supply path or a second power supply path; the first power supply path is a power supply path between the satellite communication module and the SIM card, and the second power supply path is a power supply path between the cellular communication module and the SIM card.

[0012] Optionally, the signal path is used to transmit at least one of the following: a reset signal, a data signal, and a clock signal.

[0013] According to a second aspect of this application, a network control method is provided, applied to the communication system described above, the method comprising: controlling the connection state of the switching module through the cellular communication module based on the communication state of the satellite communication module and / or the cellular communication module; the connection state comprising: a first connection state connecting the satellite communication module to the SIM card, and a second connection state connecting the cellular communication module to the SIM card.

[0014] According to a third aspect of this application, a computer storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the network control method described above.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of this application, a controller is provided that stores a computer program or instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described above.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect of this application, a terminal device is provided, including the communication system described above.

[0017] According to a sixth aspect of this application, a vehicle is provided, including the communication system described above, or the controller described above, or the terminal device described above.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this application are: it provides a communication system, network control method, storage medium, controller, terminal equipment, and vehicle that can improve the stability of SIM functionality.

[0019] More specifically, some embodiments of this application may produce the following specific beneficial effects: Through the above technical solution, based on the communication status of at least one of the satellite communication module and the cellular communication module, the switching module is controlled by the cellular communication module to achieve the effect of dynamic connection between the SIM card and the satellite communication module. This effectively avoids the situation where the SIM card communication is completely interrupted when the single network signal is weak or interrupted, ensuring the stability and reliability of the SIM card communication, and realizing the collaboration and integration between the cellular communication module and the satellite communication module.

[0020] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a switching module in a second connection state provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a switching module in a first connection state provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a switching module provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application, including a first switching module and a second switching module connected to a satellite communication module, a cellular communication module, and a SIM card, respectively; Figure 5 is a flowchart of a braking method provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 10. Communication system; 11. Satellite communication module; 12. Cellular communication module; 13. Switching module; 14. SIM card. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0026] "A and / or B" includes the following three combinations: A only, B only, and a combination of A and B.

[0027] The use of "applies to" or "configured to" in this application implies open and inclusive language, which does not exclude the applicability to or configuration to devices performing additional tasks or steps. Additionally, the use of "based on" implies openness and inclusivity, because processes, steps, calculations, or other actions "based on" one or more of the stated conditions or values ​​may in practice be based on additional conditions or values ​​beyond those stated.

[0028] In this application, the term "exemplary" is used to mean "used as an example, illustration, or description." Any embodiment described as "exemplary" in this application is not necessarily to be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments. The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this application. Details are set forth in the following description for purposes of explanation. It should be understood that those skilled in the art will recognize that this application can be made without using these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and processes are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the description of this application with unnecessary detail. Therefore, this application is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is consistent with the broadest scope of the principles and features disclosed in this application.

[0029] Based on the technical issues mentioned in the background, with the continuous improvement of the intelligence level of new energy vehicles, stable network connectivity has become the foundation for supporting key functions such as in-vehicle entertainment, navigation and positioning, remote diagnostics, and emergency calls. Currently, some high-end new energy vehicles are equipped with satellite communication modules, achieving wide-area communication coverage through satellites in the airspace, effectively filling the communication gaps in remote areas, mountainous regions, and oceans where terrestrial cellular networks have no signal coverage. Satellite communication modules typically integrate SIM card identification functionality, playing a crucial role in user authentication and encrypted data transmission during the establishment of satellite links.

[0030] However, in real-world applications, when vehicles travel through tunnels, canyons, dense forests, or areas with weak or completely obscured satellite signals due to severe weather interference, satellite communication modules struggle to maintain stable links. This can lead to signal attenuation, increased communication latency, and even link interruptions, resulting in abnormal vehicle network services. In such cases, the lack of an effective communication backup mechanism directly impacts the real-time data interaction and functional continuity of the in-vehicle system, posing a potential risk to driving safety and user experience.

[0031] While some related technologies attempt to combine satellite communication with terrestrial cellular communication, most employ an architecture where modules operate independently and the network operates in parallel standby mode, failing to achieve intelligent and seamless switching based on real-time channel conditions. Such solutions suffer from issues like response lag, significant handover jitter, and hardware resource redundancy, making it impossible to quickly and smoothly take over communication tasks when satellite signals weaken, and thus hindering the vehicle's ability to remain online in environments with dynamically changing network conditions.

[0032] In view of this, the present application provides a communication system 10, which controls the switching module 13 based on the communication status of at least one of the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12 through the cellular communication module 12, so as to ensure the stability and reliability of the communication of the SIM card 14.

[0033] According to a first aspect of this application, a communication system 10 is provided, referring to FIG1, including a satellite communication module 11, a cellular communication module 12, a switching module 13, and a SIM card 14. In this embodiment, the cellular communication module 12 is used to control the connection state of the switching module 13, and in this example, the cellular communication module 12 can control the connection state of the switching module 13 based on the communication states in the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12. The connection states in this example include: a first connection state connecting the satellite communication module 11 to the SIM card 14, and a second connection state connecting the cellular communication module 12 to the SIM card 14.

[0034] In this example, satellite communication module 11 refers to a hardware module that can establish a communication connection with a satellite and transmit data through a satellite link, enabling the communication system to provide network connectivity in areas where ground base stations cannot cover, such as oceans and remote mountainous areas.

[0035] In this example, the cellular communication module 12 refers to a hardware module capable of establishing a communication connection with a terrestrial cellular network base station and transmitting data via a cellular link (such as 4G / 5G). It is used to establish and maintain the cellular link, providing high-speed data services within the base station's coverage area. In this embodiment, the cellular communication module 12 not only serves a communication function but also a control function, controlling the connection status of the switching module 13 based on the communication status of the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12. This enables the SIM card 14 of the communication system to connect to either the satellite communication module 11 or the cellular communication module 12.

[0036] In this example, SIM card 14 refers to a user identification module, which is a smart card containing user identity information and encryption keys, and also serves as a credential for accessing the mobile communication network for identity authentication. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12 of the communication system share the same SIM card 14.

[0037] In this example, SIM card 14 refers to the hardware circuit (such as a switch circuit) that establishes a connection path between SIM card 14 and one of the satellite communication module 11 and cellular communication module 12, and performs a switching function. This switching module 13 is controlled by the cellular communication module 12. When it is determined that a network switch is needed (e.g., due to a weak cellular network signal), the cellular communication module 12 controls the switching module 13 to change the physical connection path of SIM card 14, for example, switching from a first connection state connected to the cellular communication module 12 to a second connection state connected to the satellite communication module 11. This ensures that at any given time, only one communication module is using SIM card 14 for network registration and communication, thus achieving seamless switching of SIM card 14 between the two communication modules.

[0038] Through the above technical solution, on the one hand, by controlling the switching module 13 based on the communication status of at least one of the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12, the SIM card 14 achieves dynamic connection between the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12. This effectively avoids the complete interruption of SIM card 14 communication when a single network signal is weak or interrupted, ensuring the stability and reliability of SIM card 14 communication and realizing the collaboration and integration between the cellular communication module 12 and the satellite communication module 11. On the other hand, in this embodiment, by reusing the cellular communication module 12 to control the connection status between the switching module 13 and the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12, there is no need to set up an additional control module, saving hardware costs and simplifying the system architecture, while improving the integration and response efficiency of the communication system.

[0039] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 2 and 3, the cellular communication module 12 is further configured to: control the initial connection state of the switching module 13 to be either a first connection state or a second connection state. In this example, when the communication system starts up or restarts, the cellular communication module 12 actively controls the switching module 13 to either the first connection state or the second connection state, that is, the SIM card 14 is connected to either the satellite communication module 11 or the cellular communication module 12 by default. It should be noted that the selection of the initial connection state can be flexibly configured according to the network coverage preset strategy of the device's environment. For example, it can prioritize accessing the cellular communication module 12 to reduce communication costs, or automatically switch to the satellite communication module 11 based on geographical location to ensure connectivity in remote areas. Alternatively, the default communication module can be determined according to the user's needs. By adopting such a technical solution, the adaptability and communication continuity of the communication system, as well as the flexibility of communication module selection, can be enhanced, enabling the SIM card 14 to quickly establish a stable connection with the corresponding communication module in different application scenarios.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cellular communication module 12 is further configured to: control the switching module 13 to a second connection state if the satellite communication module 11 is in a first communication abnormality state. The first communication abnormality state in this example includes: the network signal transmission strength of the satellite communication is lower than a first strength threshold. The first communication abnormality state in this example may also include the satellite communication module 11 failing to dial.

[0041] In this example, the switching module 13 is in the first connection state, that is, when the switching module 13 connects the SIM card 14 to the satellite communication module 11. The cellular communication module 12 monitors the status of the satellite communication signal. If the satellite communication module 11 is in the first communication abnormal state, the cellular communication module 12 will trigger a switching action, controlling the switching module 13 to switch the SIM card 14 from the first connection state connected to the satellite communication module 11 to the second connection state connected to the cellular communication module 12, so as to restore the communication link.

[0042] It should be noted that the determination of whether the satellite communication module 11 is in the first communication abnormal state is based on whether the network signal transmission strength of the satellite communication is lower than the first strength threshold and whether the satellite communication module 11 fails to dial.

[0043] Specifically, when the network signal strength of satellite communication module 11 falls below a first strength threshold or dialing fails, the satellite communication module is determined to be in a first communication anomaly state, and a handover mechanism is immediately initiated to ensure uninterrupted communication. This process is determined by the control module of cellular communication module 12, which executes the corresponding handover command without relying on external equipment or manual intervention, thus improving the reliability of the communication system.

[0044] Understandably, in this example, the satellite communication module 11 can determine a dialing failure after a certain number of attempts. This number can be set to one, two, or three, depending on the complexity of the communication environment and system fault tolerance requirements. When the number of failed dialing attempts reaches a certain threshold, the cellular communication module 12 triggers the switching module 13 to switch from the first connection state to the second connection state. This allows the SIM card 14 to switch its connection from the satellite communication module 11 to the cellular communication module 12, ensuring communication capability is restored in the shortest possible time.

[0045] In some embodiments, the cellular communication module 12 is further configured to: control the switching module 13 to a first connection state if the cellular communication module 12 is in a second communication abnormal state. The second communication abnormal state in this example includes: the network signal transmission strength of the cellular communication is lower than a second strength threshold. The second communication abnormal state in this example may also include the cellular communication module 12 failing to dial.

[0046] In this example, when the switching module 13 is in the second connection state, that is, when the SIM card 14 is connected to the cellular communication module 12, the cellular communication module 12 monitors its status. If the cellular communication module 12 is in the second communication abnormal state, it will trigger a switching action, controlling the connection state of the switching module 13, that is, switching from the second connection state of connecting the SIM card 14 to the cellular communication module 12 to the first connection state of connecting the SIM card 14 to the satellite communication module 11, in order to restore the communication link.

[0047] It should be noted that the determination of whether the cellular communication module 12 is in the second communication abnormal state is based on whether the network signal transmission strength of the cellular communication is lower than the second strength threshold and whether the cellular communication module 12 fails to dial.

[0048] Specifically, when the network signal strength of the cellular communication module 12 is lower than the second strength threshold or dialing fails, the cellular communication module 12 is determined to be in a second communication abnormal state, and a handover mechanism is immediately initiated to ensure uninterrupted communication. This process is determined by the control module of the cellular communication module 12, which executes the corresponding handover command without relying on external devices or manual intervention, thereby improving the reliability of the communication system.

[0049] Understandably, in this example, the cellular communication module 12 can determine a dialing failure after a certain number of attempts. This number can be set to one, two, or three, depending on the complexity of the communication environment and system fault tolerance requirements. When the number of failed dialing attempts reaches a certain threshold, the cellular communication module 12 triggers the switching module 13 to switch from the first connection state to the second connection state. This allows the SIM card 14 to switch its connection from the cellular communication module 12 to the satellite communication module 11, ensuring communication capability is restored in the shortest possible time.

[0050] As described above, the switching module 13's state (first connection state or second connection state) is set according to user needs. When the current communication module connected to the SIM card 14 is in an abnormal state, the cellular communication module 12 controls the switching module 13 to switch its state, i.e., controls the SIM card 14 to connect to the backup communication module. After the switch, if the currently used backup communication module is still working normally and does not affect the network usage of the SIM card 14, the cellular communication module 12 will not actively switch the connection state of the switching module 13 back to the default initial connection state. Only when the currently connected backup communication module also becomes abnormal will the cellular communication module 12 control the switching module 13 to the initial connection state again, i.e., control the SIM card 14 to connect to the initial communication module. This improves the stability of the vehicle network and user experience, avoiding connection interruptions, increased data transmission latency, and additional system computing power that may result from frequent network switching. On the other hand, by ensuring the backup communication module remains connected to the SIN card when it is functioning normally, the communication system prioritizes the stability of the connection. Even if the network signal of the initially default communication module has recovered, the switching module 13 will not be controlled to switch back to the initial connection state. This reduces unnecessary network jitter, making vehicle communication smoother and more reliable in the edge areas of the network environment.

[0051] For example, when the vehicle is in a wilderness exploration scenario, satellite communication module 11 is used by default. When the satellite communication module 11 weakens due to severe weather or other reasons, cellular communication module 12 controls switching module 13 to switch from a first connection state to a second connection state, that is, the connection state where SIM card 14 is connected to cellular communication module 12. After a period of time, if the signal of satellite communication module 11 returns to normal, but at this time cellular communication module 12 can still provide stable and high-speed data services to SIM card 14 (for example, the vehicle is downloading map updates via cellular network). As described above, in this case, even if the signal of satellite communication module 11 has been restored, cellular communication module 12 will not control switching module 13 to immediately switch back to the first connection state, that is, it will not immediately switch back to the connection state with satellite communication module 11, but will continue to use cellular communication module 12 to connect to SIM card 14 until the state of cellular communication module 12 becomes abnormal (for example, driving out of the cellular coverage area causes signal interruption). This technical solution ensures that when the network signal of the current communication module is good, there will be no unnecessary switching due to the default network signal recovery, thus providing a more stable network experience.

[0052] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the dialing status is included as evidence in determining whether the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12 are in an abnormal state. It is understood that using the dialing status as the basis for determining the availability of the main communication modules, compared to simply relying on indicators such as signal strength, can more accurately reflect the actual availability of the network. High signal strength does not necessarily mean good network service quality, while the dialing status (e.g., dialing failure) directly reflects whether the user can use the network service normally. Using the dialing status as evidence of whether it is in an abnormal state can avoid unnecessary switching when signal strength fluctuates but the actual service is not affected, and can also ensure timely switching when the signal strength is still acceptable but the service is unavailable, thereby improving the accuracy of switching and user experience, and reducing erroneous switching.

[0053] In some embodiments, referring to FIG4, the cellular communication module 12 and the satellite communication module 11 communicate via a UART interface.

[0054] If the connection state of the switching module 13 switches from the second connection state to the first connection state, the cellular communication module 12 is also used to send a first UART signal to the satellite communication module 11. In this example, the satellite communication module 11 is used to initialize, identify, and take over the SIM card 14 according to the first UART signal.

[0055] In this embodiment, the cellular communication module 12 and the satellite communication module 11 communicate via a UART interface to achieve status information exchange and handover control between them. The UART interface in this example refers to a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter interface, which features low latency and high reliability. It is local communication between the communication modules and does not rely on external connections to the cellular communication module 12 (i.e., it does not require a 4G / 5G base station or remote server). During this process, the cellular communication module 12 plays a monitoring and control role.

[0056] This technical solution avoids the risk of the switching mechanism itself failing due to a main communication module malfunction, ensuring a smooth switch to the backup communication module even in extreme network environments. This significantly improves the overall stability of the vehicle communication system and its communication support capabilities in emergencies. Furthermore, the entire switching process is completed within the vehicle's internal equipment, independent of external cellular networks. This ensures that even in areas with no cellular signal, the SIM card 14 can be successfully switched from its connection to the cellular communication module 12 to the satellite network connected to the satellite communication module 11. This guarantees that navigation and emergency call functions remain unaffected, achieving the integration and collaborative operation of cellular and satellite communications.

[0057] For example, even when the cellular network signal is extremely weak or completely interrupted, making it impossible to establish a connection with an external base station, the cellular communication module 12 can still reliably control the connection between the SIM card 14 and the satellite communication module 11 via UART communication. This means switching the connection state of the switching module 13 from the second connection state to the first connection state. After the SIM card 14 and the satellite communication module 11 establish a connection, the cellular communication module 12 sends a first UART signal to the satellite communication module 11 via the UART serial port. The satellite communication module 11 then initializes and identifies the SIM card 14 based on the first UART signal and takes over the SIM card. This allows for critical operations such as SIM card 14 registration, location reporting, and emergency calls. This process does not rely on external network support. Even in remote areas or extreme environments without cellular signals, the system can still complete the handover based on local communication. Through the first UART signal, the satellite communication module 11 can quickly respond and initiate the network access process, ensuring the vehicle terminal continues to have communication capabilities.

[0058] In some embodiments, the cellular communication module 12 is further configured to send a second UART signal to the satellite communication module 11. In this example, the second UART signal carries a status query instruction. In this embodiment, the cellular communication module 12 sends the second UART signal carrying the status query instruction to the satellite communication module 11 via the UART interface. Upon receiving the second UART signal, the satellite communication module 11 can identify and execute corresponding instructions based on the second UART signal, such as querying the working status, signal strength, and network registration status of the satellite communication module. Using this technical solution, the cellular communication module 12 can monitor the real-time operating status of the satellite communication module 11.

[0059] For example, the second UART signal can also carry a wake-up command. After receiving the wake-up command, the satellite communication module 11 can be woken up and enter a standby state to wait for a connection to be established with the SIM card 14.

[0060] In some embodiments, the cellular communication module 12 is further configured to: send a preset level signal to the switching module 13; the preset level signal is used to instruct the switching module 13 to execute the corresponding connection state. By sending the preset level signal to the switching module 13 through the cellular communication module 12 to instruct the switching module 13 to execute the corresponding connection state, the switching module 13 can reliably switch between the first connection state and the second connection state, ensuring seamless communication switching.

[0061] For example, the preset level signal may include a high level signal and a low level signal. For instance, when the cellular communication module 12 needs to switch the SIM card 14 to connect with the satellite communication module 11, it can output a high level signal to the corresponding control pin of the switching module 13. In this way, the switching module 13 can switch to the first connection state, for example, from the second connection state to the first connection state, that is, the SIM card 14 switches from the connection with the cellular communication module 12 to the connection with the satellite communication module 11.

[0062] When the switching module 13 needs to switch to the connection of the cellular communication module 12, it can output a low-level signal to the corresponding control pin of the switching module 13. In this way, the switching module 13 can switch to the second connection state, for example, from the first connection state to the second connection state, that is, the SIM card 14 switches from the connection with the satellite communication module 11 to the connection with the cellular communication module 12.

[0063] By employing level signals to indicate the corresponding connection state of the switching module 13, the technical solution offers advantages such as fast response speed, strong anti-interference capability, and high reliability. Furthermore, even if the network connection of the cellular communication module 12 is unstable, its basic level signal interface can still reliably output the preset level, thereby ensuring the stable execution of the switching action.

[0064] In some embodiments, referring to FIG4, the switching module 13 includes a first switching module 13 and a second switching module 13. In this example, the first switching module 13 is used to connect a first signal path or a second signal path under the control of the cellular communication module 12. In this example, the second switching module 13 is used to connect a first power supply path or a second power supply path under the control of the cellular communication module 12.

[0065] In this example, the first signal path is the signal path between the satellite communication module 11 and the SIM card 14, and the second signal path is the signal path between the cellular communication module 12 and the SIM card 14. Similarly, in this example, the first power supply path is the power supply path between the satellite communication module 11 and the SIM card 14, and the second power supply path is the power supply path between the cellular communication module 12 and the SIM card 14.

[0066] Specifically, the cellular communication module 12 switches the communication path and power supply path of the SIM card 14 by sending independent control signals (such as specific level combinations) to the first switching module 13 and the second switching module 13 respectively.

[0067] For example, when it is necessary to switch the connection of SIM card 14 from cellular communication module 12 to satellite communication module 11, cellular communication module 12 can send a first level signal to the first switching module 13 to conduct the first signal path, realizing signal interaction between satellite communication module 11 and SIM card 14, and send a second level signal to the second switching module 13 to conduct the first power supply path, realizing power interaction between satellite communication module 11 and SIM card 14. In this way, the effect of signal and power interaction can be achieved by using the same communication module and SIM card 14.

[0068] In this example, if the cellular communication module 12 detects that the power of the satellite communication module 11 is lower than a preset threshold, it sends a third level signal to the second switching module 13 to connect the second power supply path and sends a fourth level signal to the second switching module 13 to disconnect the first power supply path. In this way, the power interaction between the satellite communication module 11 and the SIM card 14 can be disconnected, so that the cellular communication module 12 provides power to the SIM card 14, thereby reducing the power consumption of the satellite communication module 11 and avoiding the situation where the satellite communication module 11 cannot work properly due to insufficient power.

[0069] In another example, when it is necessary to switch the connection of SIM card 14 from satellite communication module 11 to cellular communication module 12, cellular communication module 12 can send a fifth-level signal to the first switching module 13 to conduct the second signal path, realizing signal interaction between cellular communication module 12 and SIM card 14, and send a sixth-level signal to the second switching module 13 to conduct the second power supply path, and send a seventh-level signal to the second switching module 13 to disconnect the first power supply path. In this way, power interaction between cellular communication module 12 and SIM card 14 can be realized, thereby achieving the effect of using the same communication module and SIM card 14 to form signal and power interaction.

[0070] In this example, if the cellular communication module 12 detects that its power is lower than a preset threshold, it sends an eighth-level signal to the second switching module 13 to disconnect the second power supply circuit and sends a ninth-level signal to the second switching module 13 to turn on the first power supply circuit. In this way, the power interaction between the cellular communication module 12 and the SIM card 14 can be disconnected, allowing the satellite communication module 11 to provide power to the SIM card 14, thereby reducing the power consumption of the cellular communication module 12 and preventing the cellular communication module 12 from failing to work properly due to insufficient power.

[0071] For example, at least one of the first switching module 13 and the second switching module 13 can be a switch, which can control the conduction and disconnection of the corresponding path according to the received level signal, so as to realize the dynamic switching of the communication path and the power supply path. By configuring different level combinations, the connection state of SIM card 14 can be switched between cellular communication module 12 and satellite communication module 11, while maintaining the stability of system power supply and the continuity of communication.

[0072] Specifically, when the cellular communication module 12 needs to switch the SIM card 14 to the satellite communication module 11, its GPIO pin outputs a high-level signal to the control terminal of the switch, driving the internal contacts of the switch to operate, thus switching the signal paths of the SIM card 14, such as the data line (SIM_DATA) and clock line (SIM_CLK), from the cellular communication module 12 to the satellite communication module 11; conversely, it outputs a low-level signal to switch the path back to the cellular communication module 12. This hardware switch-based implementation has advantages such as fast response speed, good signal isolation, and strong anti-interference capability, ensuring the reliability and determinism of the SIM card 14 connection path switching, thereby providing a solid hardware foundation for seamless switching of the communication system.

[0073] In other examples, the first switching module 13 and the second switching module 13 can also be configured as relays, using the mechanical contacts of electromagnetic relays to switch the connection state.

[0074] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first switching module 13 can be powered by the cellular communication module 12, while the second switching module 13 can be powered by the satellite communication module 11, so as to avoid putting an extra burden on the power of the cellular communication module 12 and ensure that the switching function can still be maintained when the power of the cellular communication module 12 is low.

[0075] In some embodiments, the signal path is used to transmit at least one of the following: a reset signal, a data signal, and a clock signal.

[0076] Specifically, the reset signal is used to initialize the SIM card 14. When the switching module 13 connects the SIM card 14 to a backup communication module (such as switching from a cellular module to a satellite communication module), the backup communication module wakes up and resets the SIM card 14 by pulling the reset signal high / low, putting it into a ready state to receive subsequent instructions.

[0077] The data signal is used as a channel for bidirectional data transmission between SIM card 14 and the two communication modules.

[0078] The clock signal provides a synchronous clock reference for data transmission between the SIM card 14 and the corresponding communication module. Each bit of data on the data signal line is sampled and read in time with the clock signal, ensuring that the timing of the two communicating parties is consistent.

[0079] The reset signal, data signal, and clock signal that can be transmitted through the signal path enable complete communication control and data interaction of the SIM card 14.

[0080] In summary, this application provides a communication system 10 that dynamically switches the connection state of the SIM card 14 between the cellular communication module 12 and the satellite communication module 11. This allows the corresponding communication module to take over the SIM card 14 as needed, ensuring the vehicle can switch between satellite and base station networks and guaranteeing network stability. When the satellite signal is weak, the cellular communication module 12 connects to the SIM card 14 to receive base station signals and provide network access to the vehicle. When the base station signal is weak, the satellite module connects to the SIM card 14 to provide network access via satellite communication. This network fusion solution between the satellite communication module 11 and the cellular communication module 12 improves the stability of the in-vehicle network.

[0081] The communication system in the embodiments of this application will be described below with two examples.

[0082] Example 1: When a vehicle is driving in an urban area, it uses cellular communication module 12 to access the network by default.

[0083] In this example, when the vehicle is driving in the city, the system defaults to connecting the SIM card 14 to the cellular communication module 12 to access the base station's cellular network. At this time, the cellular communication module 12 acts as the main control unit, controlling the first switching module 13 and the second switching module 13 to switch both the signal path and power supply path of the SIM card 14 to the cellular communication module 12, enabling the vehicle to perform navigation, entertainment, and data transmission through the cellular network.

[0084] When a vehicle enters an underground parking lot or a remote mountainous area, the cellular network signal of the base station becomes very weak, making it impossible to access the internet or make calls. When the cellular communication module 12 detects an abnormal state (e.g., dialing failure or the signal strength of the cellular communication module 12 falling below a preset threshold), the cellular communication module 12 controls the first and second switching modules 13 of the switching module 13 to switch the signal path and power supply of the SIM card 14 to the satellite communication module 11. Simultaneously, the cellular communication module 12 sends a command to the satellite communication module 11 via the UART interface, instructing the satellite communication module 11 to initialize and take over the SIM card 14. After the satellite communication module 11 successfully takes over the SIM card 14, the vehicle's network connection switches to the satellite network, maintaining communication even in areas with no cellular signal, ensuring that functions such as navigation and emergency calls are not affected.

[0085] Example 2: When a vehicle is exploring in the wild, it uses a satellite network by default.

[0086] In Example 2, the vehicle is conducting a field expedition. Due to poor cellular signal coverage in most areas, the system defaults to connecting SIM card 14 to satellite communication module 11. The 4G / 5G cellular module, acting as the main control unit, controls Switch1 and Switch2 to switch the signal and power paths of SIM card 14 to the satellite communication module. It also uses UART to instruct satellite communication module 11 to initialize and take over SIM card 14. The vehicle maintains communication with the outside world via the satellite network, enabling location reporting and emergency communications.

[0087] When satellite signals are temporarily interrupted due to severe weather or other reasons, the satellite communication network signal weakens or becomes unavailable. At this time, the cellular communication module 12 detects the abnormal state of the satellite communication network and immediately controls the first and second switching modules 13 to switch the signal and power supply paths of the SIM card 14 back to the cellular communication module 12, allowing the 4G / 5G cellular module to take over the SIM card 14. The vehicle's network connection then switches to the cellular network, enabling higher-speed data services, such as watching videos online or downloading large files.

[0088] Through these two scenarios, the embodiments of this application realize seamless switching of vehicles in different network environments, improving the stability and smoothness of the vehicle network.

[0089] According to a second aspect of this application, referring to FIG5, a network control method is provided, applied to the communication system described above, the method comprising the following steps: Step S100: Based on the communication status of the satellite communication module and / or the cellular communication module, controlling the connection status of the switching module through the cellular communication module.

[0090] The connection states in step S100 include: a first connection state connecting the satellite communication module to the SIM card, and a second connection state connecting the cellular communication module to the SIM card.

[0091] This network control method allows the cellular communication module to take over the SIM card as needed, ensuring the vehicle can switch between satellite and base station networks and maintain network stability. When satellite signal is weak, the cellular communication module controls the SIM card to receive base station signals and provide network access to the vehicle; conversely, when base station signal is weak, the cellular communication module controls the satellite module to attach the SIM card, enabling satellite communication to provide network access. This network integration solution of satellite and cellular communication modules improves the stability of the in-vehicle network.

[0092] In this embodiment of the application, step S100 can also be implemented by the following steps: Step S110: Control the initial connection state of the switching module to the first connection state or the second connection state.

[0093] In step S110, since the cellular communication module is the main control unit of the communication system, the cellular communication module can control the initial connection state of the switching module to the first connection state or the second connection state. In this way, the cellular communication module can be reused without the need to add an additional control unit, thus reducing system complexity and cost.

[0094] Step S110 in this embodiment can also be implemented by the following steps: Step S111: If the satellite communication module is in the first communication abnormal state, the control switching module is switched to the second connection state.

[0095] The first communication abnormal state in step S111 includes: the network signal transmission strength of satellite communication is lower than the first strength threshold, and the satellite communication module fails to dial.

[0096] Step S110 in this embodiment can also be implemented by the following steps: Step S112: If the cellular communication module is in the second communication abnormal state, control the switching module to the first connection state.

[0097] The second communication abnormal state in step S112 includes: the network signal transmission strength of cellular communication is lower than the second strength threshold, and the cellular communication module fails to dial.

[0098] It should be noted that the execution order of steps S111 and S112 is not restricted, and the switching module can be determined and controlled in real time according to the actual communication status to switch to the corresponding connection status.

[0099] The braking method in this application embodiment further includes the following steps: Step S200: When the connection state of the switching module is switched from the second connection state to the first connection state, a first UART signal is sent to the satellite communication module through the cellular communication module.

[0100] Step S300: The satellite communication module initializes, identifies, and takes over the SIM card based on the first UART signal.

[0101] In this embodiment, the cellular communication module and the satellite communication module communicate via a UART interface. Through steps S200 and S300, the cellular communication module, acting as the main control unit, sends a first UART signal to the satellite communication module via the UART interface. The satellite communication module then initializes, identifies, and takes over the SIM card based on the first UART signal. Regarding the execution order of steps S200 and S300, step S200 is executed before step S300 to ensure the correct timing logic of signal transmission.

[0102] The braking method in this application embodiment further includes the following steps: Step S400: Send a second UART signal to the satellite communication module through the cellular communication module.

[0103] Step S500: Send a preset level signal to the switching module through the cellular communication module.

[0104] The second UART signal in step S400 carries a status query command. The preset level signal in step S500 is used to indicate to the switching module to execute the corresponding connection state.

[0105] Step S400 enables real-time monitoring of the satellite communication module's operational status. The preset level signal in step S500 controls the switching module's transition between the first and second connection states. Steps S400 and S500 can be executed in parallel to improve system response efficiency.

[0106] It should be noted that the steps of the braking method in this application embodiment are not limited to the above execution order and can be flexibly adjusted according to actual communication needs.

[0107] According to a third aspect of this application, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the above-described braking method and have all the beneficial effects of the above-described braking method, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0108] According to a fourth aspect of this application, a controller is provided that stores a computer program or instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described braking method and has all the beneficial effects of the above-described braking method, as will not be elaborated further in this application.

[0109] According to a fifth aspect of this application, embodiments of this application also provide an electronic device, including: a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program or instructions; the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions in the memory to implement the steps of the above-described braking method. This electronic device possesses all the beneficial effects of the above-described braking method, which will not be elaborated upon further herein.

[0110] Computer-readable storage media can be, for example, electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any combination thereof, without particular limitation herein. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to: electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, 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 devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0111] In some embodiments of this application, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that may be used or combined with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0112] The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium may be included in the aforementioned electronic device or may exist independently without being assembled into the electronic device.

[0113] Computer program code for performing operations of some embodiments of this application can be written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination thereof. These programming languages ​​include object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, and C++, as well as conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" language 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 it can be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0114] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this application. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function.

[0115] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the box may occur in a different order than those marked in the attached figures.

[0116] For example, two consecutively represented blocks can actually be executed in substantially parallel order, and sometimes they can be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in a block diagram and / or flowchart, as well as combinations of blocks in block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or operations, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0117] The units described in some embodiments of this application can be implemented in software or in hardware. The described units can also be located in a processor.

[0118] The functions described above in this document can be performed at least in part by one or more hardware logic components. For example, exemplary types of hardware logic components that can be used, without limitation, include: Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Application Specific Standard Parts (ASSP), System on Chip (SOC), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and so on.

[0119] According to a sixth aspect of this application, embodiments of this application also provide a terminal device. The terminal device includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the method steps described in the foregoing embodiments. The terminal device may be a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, or a smartphone, and it interacts with other devices via wired or wireless networks.

[0120] According to a sixth aspect of this application, an embodiment of this application also provides a vehicle that includes the aforementioned communication system 10 or the aforementioned terminal equipment. This vehicle possesses all the beneficial effects of the aforementioned electronic devices, etc., which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0121] In this embodiment, the vehicle may be a gasoline-powered vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or a new energy vehicle, etc., and this application does not make any specific limitation in this regard.

[0122] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0123] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application in any way. Although this application has disclosed preferred embodiments as above, it is not intended to limit this application. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this application without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this application shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of this application.

[0124] The communication system 10 and braking method provided in the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The description of the above embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a satellite communication module (11), a cellular communication module (12), a switching module (13), and a SIM card (14); wherein the cellular communication module (12) is used to control the connection state of the switching module (13) based on the communication state of the satellite communication module (11) and / or the cellular communication module (12); the connection state includes: a first connection state connecting the satellite communication module (11) and the SIM card (14), and a second connection state connecting the cellular communication module (12) and the SIM card (14).

2. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cellular communication module (12) is also used to: control the initial connection state of the switching module (13) to be the first connection state or the second connection state.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cellular communication module (12) is further configured to: if the satellite communication module (11) is in a first communication abnormal state, control the switching module (13) to the second connection state; the first communication abnormal state includes: the network signal transmission strength of the satellite communication is lower than a first strength threshold, and / or, the satellite communication module (11) fails to dial; if the cellular communication module (12) is in a second communication abnormal state, control the switching module (13) to the first connection state; the second communication abnormal state includes: the network signal transmission strength of the cellular communication is lower than a second strength threshold, and / or, the cellular communication module (12) fails to dial.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cellular communication module (12) and the satellite communication module (11) communicate via a UART interface; if the connection state of the switching module (13) is switched from the second connection state to the first connection state, the cellular communication module (12) is further used to: send a first UART signal to the satellite communication module (11); the satellite communication module (11) is used to initialize, identify and take over the SIM card (14) according to the first UART signal.

5. The communication system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cellular communication module (12) is also used to send a second UART signal to the satellite communication module (11), wherein the second UART signal carries a status query instruction.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cellular communication module (12) is also used to: send a preset level signal to the switching module (13); the preset level signal is used to instruct the switching module (13) to perform the corresponding connection state.

7. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The switching module (13) includes: a first switching module (13) for connecting a first signal path or a second signal path under the control of the cellular communication module (12); the first signal path is the signal path between the satellite communication module (11) and the SIM card (14), and the second signal path is the signal path between the cellular communication module (12) and the SIM card (14); and a second switching module (13) for connecting a first power supply path or a second power supply path under the control of the cellular communication module (12); the first power supply path is the power supply path between the satellite communication module (11) and the SIM card (14), and the second power supply path is the power supply path between the cellular communication module (12) and the SIM card (14).

8. The communication system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The signal path is used to transmit at least one of the following: a reset signal, a data signal, and a clock signal.

9. A network control method, characterized in that, Applied to a communication system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, the method includes: controlling the connection state of the switching module via the cellular communication module based on the communication state of the satellite communication module and / or the cellular communication module; the connection state includes: a first connection state connecting the satellite communication module to the SIM card, and a second connection state connecting the cellular communication module to the SIM card.

10. A computer storage medium, characterized in that, It stores computer programs or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the network control method as described in claim 9.

11. A controller having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps of the method of claim 9.

12. A terminal device, characterized in that, The communication system included in any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. A vehicle, characterized in that, It includes the communication system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, the controller as described in claim 11, or the terminal device as described in claim 12.

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