Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device. The method comprises the following steps: a first request message is sent, the first request message is used for discovering at least one edge enabling entity; a first response message is received, the first response message is a response message of the first request message, the first response message comprises information of the at least one edge enabling entity, the at least one edge enabling entity comprises a first edge enabling entity, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device where the first edge enabling entity is located has a transmission link between the first NTN device, and the first NTN device is an NTN device accessed by the first communication device; and the first edge enabling entity is determined according to the first response message. In the scene where the edge enabling entity is deployed on the NTN device, the edge enabling entity that can provide services can be discovered for the first communication device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to communication methods and communication apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) technology migrates computing and storage capabilities and business service capabilities to the network edge, minimizing the need to transmit data back to the cloud and reducing the waiting time and network costs for data to travel to and from the cloud.

[0003] Application Clients (ACs) are used by application users to obtain application services from application servers. Application Clients can connect to Edge Application Servers (EASs) deployed and running in one or more Edge Data Networks (EDNs) to obtain application services. Edge Enabler Servers (EESs) provide edge server discovery capabilities for ACs deployed in the EDN, better supporting application deployments in MECs (Multi-access Edge Computing).

[0004] Existing technologies define the discovery process for EES and EAS, but the current discovery process is based on terrestrial communication networks and does not take into account the case where EES or EAS is set up on a satellite.

[0005] In scenarios where EES or EAS are deployed on satellites, how to select the EAS or EES that can provide services for terminal devices is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, which enables a first communication device to discover edge-enabled entities or edge application entities that can provide services in a scenario where edge-enabled entities or edge application entities are deployed on an NTN device.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the first communication device, without limitation thereof. Optionally, the first communication device is a terminal device or an edge-enabled client.

[0008] The method includes: sending a first request message, the first request message being used to discover at least one edge-enabled entity; receiving a first response message, the first response message being a response message to the first request message, the first response message including information about the at least one edge-enabled entity, the at least one edge-enabled entity including a first edge-enabled entity, the non-terrestrial network (NTN) device where the first edge-enabled entity is located having a transmission link with the first NTN device, the first NTN device being an NTN device accessed by the first communication device; and determining the first edge-enabled entity based on the first response message.

[0009] Based on the above scheme, in the scenario where edge enabling entities are deployed on NTN devices, the first communication device discovers edge enabling entities on NTN devices that have a transmission link with the NTN devices accessed by the first communication device, so that the discovered edge enabling entities can provide services to the first communication device.

[0010] In some implementations, the transmission link is an inter-satellite link.

[0011] Based on the above scheme, there is an inter-satellite link between the NTN device where the edge enabling entity discovered by the first communication device is located and the first NTN device, so that the discovered edge enabling entity can provide services to the first communication device.

[0012] In some implementations, the NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entities is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0013] Based on the above scheme, any edge-enabled entity among at least one edge-enabled entities received by the first communication device can provide services to the first communication device.

[0014] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge-enabled entity also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity, the availability conditions including availability time and / or availability area, the availability time being the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the availability area being the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0015] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device receives the availability conditions of at least one edge-enabled entity, thereby determining the connected edge-enabled entity based on the availability conditions, and determining the time and area of ​​the connected edge-enabled entity.

[0016] In some implementations, the first response message further includes first transmission link information, which includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity and the first NTN device.

[0017] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device receives at least one edge-enabled entity and transmission link information between the NTN device where the edge-enabled entity is located and the first NTN device, thereby being able to determine which edge-enabled entities can provide services to the first communication device based on the transmission link information.

[0018] In some implementations, determining the first edge enabling entity based on the first response message includes: determining the first edge enabling entity based on the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge enabling entity, or the first transmission link information.

[0019] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device determines which edge-enabled entities can provide services to the first communication device based on the transmission link information between the NTN device where at least one edge-enabled entity is located and the first NTN device.

[0020] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the first transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0021] Based on the above scheme, after determining at least one available edge-enabled entity, the first communication device can further determine the availability conditions of at least one edge-enabled entity, thereby determining the connected edge-enabled entity based on the availability conditions, and determining the time and area of ​​the connected edge-enabled entity.

[0022] In some implementations, the first request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the terminal device entity, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0023] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge-enabled entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one edge-enabled entity, the address information of the at least one edge-enabled entity, or the information of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0024] In some implementations, the NTN device where the first edge enabling entity is located also has a transmission link with the second NTN device. The second NTN device is equipped with a second edge enabling entity, which is the edge enabling entity currently connected to the first communication device.

[0025] Based on the above scheme, when the first communication device has already connected to the second edge enabling entity, the newly discovered edge enabling entity needs to have an inter-satellite link with the second edge enabling entity to facilitate the migration of application context.

[0026] In some implementations, the NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entities is located has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device.

[0027] Based on the above scheme, any edge-enabled entity among at least one edge-enabled entities received by the first communication device can provide services to the first communication device and has a transmission link with the second NTN device, enabling it to perform application context migration.

[0028] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge-enabled entity also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity, the availability conditions including availability time and / or availability area, the availability time being the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the availability area being the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0029] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device receives the availability conditions of at least one edge-enabled entity, thereby determining the connected edge-enabled entity based on the availability conditions, and determining the time and area of ​​the connected edge-enabled entity.

[0030] In some implementations, the first response message further includes a time condition for performing the application context migration; the method further includes: determining the time for performing the application context migration based on the first response message.

[0031] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device receives the time conditions for performing application context migration, thereby determining the time for performing application context migration.

[0032] In some implementations, the first response message further includes first transmission link information and second transmission link information. The first transmission link information includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity and the first NTN device. The second transmission link information includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity and the second NTN device.

[0033] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device receives at least one edge-enabled entity and transmission link information between the NTN device where the edge-enabled entity is located and the first NTN device and the second NTN device, thereby being able to determine which edge-enabled entities can provide services to the first communication device based on this transmission link information.

[0034] In some implementations, determining the first edge enabling entity based on the first response message includes: determining the first edge enabling entity based on at least one of the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the second NTN device, the identifier of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge enabling entity, the first transmission link information, and the second transmission link information.

[0035] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device determines which edge-enabled entities can provide services to the first communication device based on the transmission link information between the NTN device where at least one edge-enabled entity is located and the first NTN device and the second NTN device.

[0036] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the first transmission link information, the second transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the second NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0037] Based on the above scheme, after determining at least one available edge-enabled entity, the first communication device can further determine the availability conditions of at least one edge-enabled entity, thereby determining the connected edge-enabled entity based on the availability conditions, and determining the time and area of ​​the connected edge-enabled entity.

[0038] In some implementations, the timing for performing application context migration is determined based on the time condition that there is an inter-satellite link between the at least one NTN device and the second NTN device.

[0039] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device can determine the time to perform application context migration.

[0040] In some implementations, the first request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the second NTN device, at least one location information of the terminal device entity, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0041] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge-enabled entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one edge-enabled entity, the address information of the at least one edge-enabled entity, or the information of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0042] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second communication device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the second communication device, without limitation thereof. Optionally, the second communication device is an edge-configured entity.

[0043] The method includes: receiving a first request message from a first communication device, the first request message being used to discover at least one edge-enabled entity; sending a first response message, the first response message being a response message to the first request message, the first response message including information about the at least one edge-enabled entity, the at least one edge-enabled entity including a first edge-enabled entity, the non-terrestrial network (NTN) device where the first edge-enabled entity is located having a transmission link with the first NTN device, the first NTN device being an NTN device accessed by the first communication device.

[0044] In some implementations, the transmission link is an inter-satellite link.

[0045] In some implementations, the first request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the terminal device entity, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0046] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge-enabled entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one edge-enabled entity, the address information of the at least one edge-enabled entity, or the information of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0047] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending a second request message, the second request message being used to request information about an edge-enabled entity having a transmission link with the first NTN device; receiving a second response message, the second response message including information about one or more edge-enabled entities and first transmission link information, the first transmission link information including quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices in which the one or more edge-enabled entities reside and the first NTN device.

[0048] In some implementations, the first response message may also include information about one or more edge-enabled entities and the first transmission link information.

[0049] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining information about the at least one edge-enabled entity based on the second response message, wherein the NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entities is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0050] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the first transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0051] In some implementations, the first response message may also include the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0052] In some implementations, the NTN device where the first edge enabling entity is located also has a transmission link with the second NTN device. The second NTN device is equipped with a second edge enabling entity, which is the edge enabling entity currently connected to the first communication device.

[0053] In some implementations, the first request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the second NTN device, at least one location information of the terminal device entity, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0054] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge-enabled entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one edge-enabled entity, the address information of the at least one edge-enabled entity, or the information of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0055] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending a third request message, the third request message being used to request information about an edge-enabled entity that has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device; receiving a third response message, the third response message including information about one or more edge-enabled entities, first transmission link information, and second transmission link information, wherein the first transmission link information includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices containing the one or more edge-enabled entities and the first NTN device, and the second transmission link information includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices containing the one or more edge-enabled entities and the second NTN device.

[0056] In some implementations, the first response message may also include information about the one or more edge-enabled entities, the first transmission link information, and the second transmission link information.

[0057] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining information about the at least one edge-enabled entity based on the third response message, wherein the NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entities is located has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device.

[0058] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the first transmission link information, the second transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the second NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0059] In some implementations, the first response message may also include the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0060] In some implementations, the first response message may also include a time condition indicating the existence of an inter-satellite link between the at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity, or a time condition indicating the execution of an application context migration.

[0061] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first communication device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the first communication device, without limitation thereof. Optionally, the first communication device is a terminal device or an edge-enabled client.

[0062] The method includes: sending a fourth request message for discovering at least one edge application entity; receiving a fourth response message, which is a response to the fourth request message, the fourth response message including information about the at least one edge application entity, the at least one edge application entity including a first edge application entity, the first edge application entity having a transmission link with a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device, the first NTN device being an NTN device accessed by the first communication device; and determining the first edge application entity based on the fourth response message.

[0063] In some implementations, the transmission link is an inter-satellite link.

[0064] In some implementations, the fourth request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the terminal device entity, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0065] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge application entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one edge application entity, the address information of the at least one edge application entity, or the information corresponding to the at least one edge application entity.

[0066] In some implementations, the NTN device on which any of the at least one edge application entity is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0067] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge application entity also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity, the availability conditions including availability time and / or availability area, the availability time being the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge application entity, and the availability area being the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge application entity.

[0068] In some implementations, the fourth response message further includes third transmission link information, which includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge application entity and the first NTN device.

[0069] In some implementations, determining the first edge application entity based on the fourth response message includes: determining the first edge application entity based on the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge application entity, or the third transmission link information.

[0070] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the third transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge application entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge application entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge application entity.

[0071] In some implementations, the NTN device where the first edge application entity is located also has a transmission link with a third NTN device, and the third NTN device is equipped with a second edge application entity, which is the edge application entity currently connected to the first communication device.

[0072] In some implementations, the fourth request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the third NTN device, at least one location information of the terminal device entity, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0073] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge application entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one edge application entity, the address information of the at least one edge application entity, or the information of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge application entity.

[0074] In some implementations, the NTN device on which any of the at least one edge application entity is located has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the third NTN device.

[0075] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge application entity also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity.

[0076] In some implementations, the fourth response message may also include a time condition indicating the existence of an inter-satellite link between the at least one edge application entity and the second edge application entity, or a time condition indicating the execution of an application context migration; the method may further include: determining the time for executing the application context migration based on the fourth response message.

[0077] In some implementations, the fourth response message further includes third transmission link information and a fourth transmission link message. The third transmission link information includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge application entity and the first NTN device. The fourth transmission link information includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge application entity and the third NTN device.

[0078] In some implementations, determining the first edge application entity based on the fourth response message includes: determining the first edge application entity based on at least one of the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the third NTN device, the identifier of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge application entity, the third transmission link information, and the fourth transmission link information.

[0079] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the third transmission link information, the fourth transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the third NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge application entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information, wherein the availability conditions include available time and / or available area, the available time being the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge application entity, and the available area being the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge application entity.

[0080] In some implementations, the timing for performing application context migration is determined based on the time condition that there is an inter-satellite link between the at least one NTN device and the third NTN device.

[0081] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a second communication device, or by a chip or circuit configured in the second communication device, without limitation thereof. Optionally, the second communication device is an edge-enabled entity.

[0082] The method includes: receiving a fourth request message from a first communication device, the fourth request message being used to discover at least one edge application entity; and sending a fourth response message, the fourth response message being a response message to the fourth request message, the fourth response message including information about the at least one edge application entity, the at least one edge application entity including a first edge application entity, the non-terrestrial network (NTN) device where the first edge application entity is located having a transmission link with the first NTN device, the first NTN device being an NTN device accessed by the first communication device.

[0083] In some implementations, the transmission link is an inter-satellite link.

[0084] In some implementations, the fourth request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the terminal device entity, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0085] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge application entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one edge application entity, the address information of the at least one edge application entity, or the information of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge application entity.

[0086] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending a fifth request message, the second request message being used to request information about an edge application entity having a transmission link with the first NTN device; receiving a fifth response message, the fifth response message including information about one or more edge application entities and third transmission link information, the third transmission link information including quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices in which the one or more edge application entities reside and the first NTN device.

[0087] In some implementations, the fourth response message may also include information about one or more edge application entities and the third transport link information.

[0088] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining information about the at least one edge application entity based on the fifth response message, wherein the NTN device to which any of the at least one edge application entity is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0089] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the third transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge application entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge application entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge application entity.

[0090] In some implementations, the fourth response message also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity.

[0091] In some implementations, the NTN device where the first edge application entity is located also has a transmission link with a third NTN device, and the third NTN device is equipped with a second edge application entity, which is the edge application entity currently connected to the first communication device.

[0092] In some implementations, the fourth request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the third NTN device, at least one location information of the terminal device entity, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0093] In some implementations, the information of the at least one edge application entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the at least one edge application entity, the address information of the at least one edge application entity, or the information of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge application entity.

[0094] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending a sixth request message, the third request message being used to request information about an edge application entity that has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device; receiving a sixth response message, the sixth response message including information about one or more edge application entities, third transmission link information, and fourth transmission link information, the third transmission link information including quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge application entities reside and the first NTN device, and the fourth transmission link information including quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge application entities reside and the second NTN device.

[0095] In some implementations, the fourth response message may also include information about the one or more edge application entities, the third transmission link information, and the fourth transmission link information.

[0096] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining information about the at least one edge application entity based on the sixth response message, wherein the NTN device to which any of the at least one edge application entity is located has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the third NTN device.

[0097] In some implementations, the method further includes: determining the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the third transmission link information, the fourth transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the third NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge application entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information, wherein the availability conditions include available time and / or available area, the available time being the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge application entity, and the available area being the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge application entity.

[0098] In some implementations, the fourth response message also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity.

[0099] In some implementations, the fourth response message may also include a time condition indicating the existence of an inter-satellite link between the at least one edge application entity and the second edge application entity, or a time condition indicating the execution of an application context migration.

[0100] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device having the function of implementing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-described function.

[0101] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device having the function of implementing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-described function.

[0102] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device having the function of implementing the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-described function.

[0103] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device having the function of implementing the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-described function.

[0104] A ninth aspect provides a communication device including at least one processor configured to cause the communication device to perform a method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or perform a method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or perform a method of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or perform a method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory for storing a computer program or instructions, and the at least one processor is configured to call and run the computer program or instructions from the at least one memory, causing the communication device to perform a method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or perform a method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the at least one processor may be included in the communication device or may be configured outside the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes the at least one memory. Furthermore, the communication device may optionally include a communication interface coupled to the at least one processor, which can be used to input information and / or data to the at least one processor, or to output information and / or data from the at least one processor. As an example, the communication interface may include an input interface and / or an output interface, or an interface circuit, etc.

[0105] A tenth aspect provides a communication device, including a communication interface and a circuit. The communication interface is configured to receive a signal to be processed and transmit the signal to the circuit. The circuit is configured to process the signal to perform a method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or to perform a method as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or to perform a method as described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or to perform a method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication interface is further configured to output the signal processed by the circuit. As an example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, hardware circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface. The signal includes information and / or data. Optionally, the communication device may be a chip.

[0106] Eleventhly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein computer program code or instructions are stored therein, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented; or, the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented; or, the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented; or, the method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0107] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented; or, as in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, the method to be implemented; or, as in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, the method to be implemented; or, as in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, the method to be implemented.

[0108] In a thirteenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, including a communication device as described in the fifth aspect and a communication device as described in the sixth aspect.

[0109] In a fourteenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, including a communication device as described in the seventh aspect and a communication device as described in the eighth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0110] Figure 1 This is an example of a communication system applicable to the technical solutions of this application.

[0111] Figure 2 This is another example of a communication system applicable to the technical solutions of this application.

[0112] Figure 3 A schematic flowchart of the communication method 300 provided in this application.

[0113] Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of the communication method 400 provided in this application.

[0114] Figure 5 A schematic flowchart of the communication method 500 provided in this application.

[0115] Figure 6 A schematic flowchart of the communication method 600 provided in this application.

[0116] Figure 7 A schematic flowchart of the communication method 700 provided in this application.

[0117] Figure 8 A schematic flowchart of the communication method 800 provided in this application.

[0118] Figure 9 A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application.

[0119] Figure 10 A schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in this application.

[0120] Figure 11 A schematic structural diagram of the chip provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0121] In this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0122] I. In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Here, a, b, and c can each be single or multiple.

[0123] II. In this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., #1, #2, etc.) indicate distinctions made for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they may distinguish different messages, rather than describing a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such descriptions can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0124] Third, in this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0125] IV. In this application, "instruction" or "for instruction" can include both direct (or explicit) and indirect (or implicit) instruction. When describing instruction information as indicating A, it can include whether the instruction information directly or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the instruction information carries A. For example, in the case of indirect (or implicit) instruction, the receiving end of the instruction information can obtain A based on the parameters indicated by the instruction information, combined with other rules or parameters, or through deduction.

[0126] V. In this application, "communication" can also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," "data processing," etc. "Transmission" includes "sending" and "receiving." For example, transmission can be uplink transmission, such as a terminal device sending a signal to a network device; transmission can also be downlink transmission, such as a network device sending a signal to a terminal device; transmission can also be sidelink transmission, such as a terminal device sending a signal to another terminal device. For example, "transmission" can be air interface level transmission, or it can be signal transmission from a chip input (I) / output (O) port, rather than air interface level transmission.

[0127] VI. In this application, terms such as “message,” “information,” “signal,” or “information element (IE)” can be used interchangeably. There are no restrictions on the name of the message or information, as long as it can achieve the corresponding function.

[0128] 7. "Sending information to XX (device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being that device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to that device. "Receiving information from XX (device), or receiving information from XX (device)" can be understood as the source of the information being that device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from that device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, "sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, "sending" or "receiving" can occur between devices, for example, between network devices and terminal devices via an air interface. "Sending" or "receiving" can also occur within a device, for example, between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0129] 8. In this application, terms such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions, presenting concepts in a specific manner. Any embodiment or design described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. In the embodiments of this application, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," "corresponding," and "associate" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinctions are emphasized.

[0130] IX. In the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and their variations all mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0131] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, including but not limited to: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, NR systems, and other fifth-generation (5G) communication systems. th This includes various mobile communication systems such as 5G, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), satellite communication systems, LTE-machine-to-machine (LTE-M) systems, and other systems that evolve after 5G, such as future mobile communication systems.

[0132] For example, satellite communication systems can include high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication or NTN systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As another example, satellite communication systems can include integrated communication and navigation (ICAN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), or ultra-dense low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems.

[0133] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100. (For example...) Figure 1 As shown, the communication system 100 includes a wireless access network 110 and a core network 120. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include an Internet 130. The wireless access network 110 may include at least one network device (such as...). Figure 1 111a and 111b in the above), may also include at least one terminal device (such as Figure 1(112a-112j in the original text). Terminal devices connect to network devices wirelessly. Network devices connect to core network 120 wirelessly or via wired connection. Core network 120 may include one or more core network devices. These core network devices and network devices can be independent physical devices, or they can integrate the functions of core network devices and the logical functions of network devices onto the same physical device, or a single physical device can integrate some core network device functions and some network device functions. Terminal devices and network devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Terminal devices can communicate wirelessly with each other, network devices with each other, and terminal devices with each other via air interface resources. For example, air interface resources may include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code resources, and spatial resources. It should be noted that... Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram. The communication system 100 may also include other network devices, such as wireless repeaters and wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1 It is not shown in the middle.

[0134] Network devices can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities. For example, a network device can be a base station used to connect terminal devices to a radio access network (RAN). Network devices are sometimes also referred to as access network devices or access network nodes. It is understood that the names of devices with network device functions may differ in systems employing different wireless access technologies. For ease of description, the embodiments of this application collectively refer to devices providing wireless communication access functions to terminal devices as base stations. In the embodiments of this application, network devices include, but are not limited to: various forms of macro base stations (such as...). Figure 1 111a), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as Figure 1Network equipment can include 111b), picocells, small cells, balloon stations, relay stations, access points, etc., in LTE. It can also include evolved node Bs (eNBs or eNodeBs) in LTE, access points (APs), wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, transmission points (TPs), or transmission reception points (TRPs) in 5G systems. Furthermore, it can include next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) or transmission points (TRPs or TPs) in 5G systems, one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a 5G base station, network nodes constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as baseband units (BBUs) or distributed units (DUs), and network equipment, servers, or vehicle-mounted equipment in networks evolving after 5G. Network equipment can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station; for example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a DU.

[0135] For example, network devices can be deployed on satellites. For instance, satellites can be low earthorbit (LEO) satellites, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, or non-geostationary earthorbit (NGEO) satellites, and so on.

[0136] In this embodiment, the means for implementing the function of the network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a means that enables the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the network device. The chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete components.

[0137] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each network device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, network devices could be CUs, DUs, CUs (control plane, CP), CUs (user plane, UP), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0138] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the network device.

[0139] Terminal equipment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users; it can also be a device with wireless connectivity. Terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and it can also be deployed in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). Terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless network equipment, user agent, or user device. In this application embodiment, terminal devices include, but are not limited to: cellular phones, mobile phones, wireless data cards, wireless modems, tablets, laptop computers, notebook computers, handheld computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, smartphones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handsets with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices (e.g., cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), wearable devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), satellite terminals, terminal devices in the Internet of Things or the Internet of Vehicles, as well as any form of terminal in future networks, relay user equipment, or terminals in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc.Terminal devices can also be virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), light UE, reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, terminal devices in industrial control, terminal devices in self-driving, terminal devices in telemedicine, terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, terminal devices in smart cities, terminal devices in smart homes, tactile terminal devices, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in self-driving, or flying devices (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. The terminal device can also be a vehicle device, such as a complete vehicle device, an in-vehicle module, an in-vehicle chip, an on-board unit (OBU), or a telematics box (T-BOX). The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions; for example, it can be a device that functions as a terminal in device-to-device (D2D) communication. This application does not limit the scope of the embodiments in this regard.

[0140] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip or chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components. In the technical solution of this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device is referred to as the terminal device, which can also be called a terminal. The following description may use a UE (User Equipment) as an example to illustrate the technical solution provided in this application embodiment.

[0141] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative, for example, Figure 1The helicopter or drone 112i can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 112j that access the wireless access network 110 via 112i, terminal 112i is a base station; however, for base station 111a, 112i is a terminal, meaning that 111a and 112i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 111a and 112i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol; in this case, relative to 111a, 112i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. Figure 1 111a and 111b in the diagram can be referred to as communication devices with base station functionality. Figure 1 The 112a-112j in the text can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0142] Network devices and terminal devices can communicate via wireless links. The transmission link from a network device to a terminal device can be called a downlink (DL) or downlink channel, used for transmitting downlink signals. The transmission link from a terminal device to a network device can be called an uplink (UL) or uplink channel, used for transmitting uplink signals. The transmission link from one terminal device to another can be called a sidelink (SL) or sidelink channel, used for transmitting sidelink signals.

[0143] Figure 2 This paper illustrates an application architecture and functional model for Mobile Edge Computing (MEC). The following section details this architecture. Figure 2 Each part of the network architecture shown will be explained separately.

[0144] 1. Edge Data Network (EDN): A common understanding is that an EDN corresponds to only one data network; it's a special local data network (DN) that can use a Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI) and a DNN identifier. It's a logical network concept. Another understanding of EDN is that it's a peer-to-peer concept of the central cloud, which can be understood as a local data center (geographical location concept). It can be identified using a DNAI and can contain multiple local data networks.

[0145] 2. Application Instance / Edge Application / Edge Application Server (EAS): An application deployed in an edge data network is called an application instance. Specifically, it refers to an instance of a server application (e.g., social media software, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR)) deployed and running on an EDN. An application can deploy one or more EASs in one or more EDNs. EASs deployed and running in different EDNs can be considered as different EASs of the same application. They can share a domain name, use the same IP address, or use different IP addresses. EAS can also be called edge application (server), application instance, edge application server, MEC application (server), EAS functionality, etc.

[0146] 3. Application Client (AC): The peer entity of the edge application on the UE side. The application client is used by the application user to obtain application services from the application server. The application client is a client program on the terminal side. The application client can connect to the application server in the cloud to obtain application services, or it can connect to the EAS deployed and running in one or more EDNs to obtain application services.

[0147] 4. Edge Enabler Server (EES): Provides edge server discovery functionality for application client ACs deployed in EDN, better supporting application deployment in MEC.

[0148] It can support edge application registration, UE authentication and authorization, and provide UEs with application instance IP address information. It can also further support obtaining application instance identifiers and IP address information, and further provide the EES configuration file (i.e., EES profile, including the EES identifier, EES address information, and EAS identifiers registered on the EES) to the edge configuration server via EES registration request messages. The EES is deployed in the EDN. Generally, an EAS registers with an EES, or the management system configures the information of an EAS on an EES; this EES is called the EES associated with that EAS, and the EES controls / manages the EAS registered / configured on that EES.

[0149] 5. Edge Enabler Client (EEC): This is the peer entity of EES on the UE side. The EEC is used to register EEC information and application client information with the EES, perform security authentication and authorization, obtain the EAS IP address from the EES, and provide edge computing enabling capabilities to application clients, such as returning the EAS IP address to the application client through the EAS discovery process.

[0150] 6. Edge Configuration Server (ECS): Responsible for EDN configuration, such as providing EES information to the UE. The EES registers its configuration file (EES profile) on the ECS through the EES registration process. The EEC performs an EES discovery process (service provisioning) on ​​the ECS to discover EES information with the required EASID (i.e., the EES has the necessary EAS information for registration, management, or storage).

[0151] In this process, application users sign service agreements with application providers to obtain services. Application users communicate with the Edge Enabled Application (EAS) via an application client (AC) on their login terminal. The Edge Enabled Client (EEC) is a middleware layer, typically located within the operating system or between the application client and the operating system. The application client (AC) can obtain edge-enabled services from the EEC using an application programming interface (API).

[0152] In response to the problems described in the background art, this application provides a communication method that enables the UE to select the EAS or EES that can provide services in a scenario where EES or EAS is deployed on a satellite.

[0153] It should be understood that the descriptions of specific scenarios in the embodiments of this application are merely examples. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied not only to the application scenarios described above, but also to application scenarios with similar problems.

[0154] For ease of understanding and explanation, the following description of the sensing method of this application embodiment uses the interaction between a first communication device and a second communication device as an example. However, this should not constitute any limitation on the executing entity of the sensing method of this application embodiment. For example, the method executed by the first communication device can also be executed by a module of the first communication device (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. Similarly, the method executed by the second communication device can also be executed by a module of the second communication device (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device.

[0155] It should be understood that all node and message names in this application are merely names set for the convenience of description, and the names may be different in the actual network. This application should not be construed as limiting the names of various nodes and messages. On the contrary, any name that has the same or similar function as the node or message used in this application is regarded as the method or equivalent substitution of this application and is within the protection scope of this application. This will not be elaborated further below.

[0156] The various communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0157] It should be understood that the step numbers in the embodiments of this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the order in which the steps occur.

[0158] Figure 3 This application illustrates a communication method 300, which is a discovery process for edge-enabled entities. The method 300 includes at least the following: Figure 3 The methods shown are part of the methods.

[0159] S310, the first communication device sends a first request message to the second communication device, the first request message being used to discover at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0160] Optionally, the first request message is an edge-enabled entity discovery request message, such as an EES discovery request message or a service provisioning request message. Optionally, the edge-enabled entity is EES.

[0161] In one scenario, the first communication device is not currently connected to an edge-enabled entity. In this case, step S310 is performed in the following manner.

[0162] Method 1

[0163] The NTN device containing the edge-enabled entity discovered by the first communication device needs to have a transmission link with the NTN device to which the first communication device is connected (i.e., the NTN device corresponding to the access network device currently connected to the first communication device, which can be referred to as the first NTN device). Optionally, this transmission link is an inter-satellite link.

[0164] It should be understood that the first communication device is not currently connected to the edge-enabled entity, which can be interpreted as: no edge-enabled entity is deployed on the first NTN device. In other words, the NTN device where the edge-enabled entity discovered by the first communication device is located is a different NTN device from the first NTN device.

[0165] It should be noted that the first communication device can be a terminal device or an edge-enabled client EEC on the terminal device; the second communication device can be an edge configuration entity, such as an ECS.

[0166] Optionally, the first request message includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to at least one location information. The first NTN device is the NTN device to which the first communication device accesses the network; in other words, the first communication device accesses the network through the first NTN device.

[0167] It should be understood that the first request message includes the identifier of the first NTN device, and the NTN devices where the edge-enabled entities discovered through the first request message are located all have a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0168] Wherein, at least one location information of the first communication device may include the current location of the first communication device, and / or the predicted future location of the first communication device; the time information corresponding to the at least one location information may include the time information of the first communication device when it is in its current location, and / or the time information of the first communication device when it is in the predicted at least one future location.

[0169] In another scenario, the first communication device is already connected to an edge-enabled entity (i.e., the second edge-enabled entity, also known as the old edge-enabled entity or the source edge-enabled entity (e.g., Source EES, or S-EES for short)). In this case, step S310 is performed in the following manner:

[0170] Method 2

[0171] Since the first communication device is already connected to the second edge enabling entity, the newly discovered edge enabling entity (e.g., Target EES, or T-EES for short) needs to perform application context migration with the second edge enabling entity. Thus, the NTN device where the edge enabling entity discovered by the first communication device is located needs to have a transmission link with the NTN device where the first communication device is located, and also needs to have a transmission link with the NTN device where the second edge enabling entity is located (referred to as the second NTN device).

[0172] It should be understood that no new edge-enabling entity is deployed on the second NTN device where the edge-enabling entity currently connected to the first communication device is located, and / or no new edge-enabling entity is deployed on the first NTN device corresponding to the access network device currently connected to the first communication device.

[0173] It should be noted that the first communication device can be a terminal device, an edge-enabled client EEC on the terminal device, or a second edge-enabled entity; the second communication device can be an edge configuration entity, such as an ECS.

[0174] Optionally, the first request message includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a first NTN device, an identifier of a second NTN device, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to at least one location information. The second NTN device is provided with a second edge-enabled entity.

[0175] It should be understood that the first request message includes the identifiers of the first NTN device and the second NTN device, and the NTN device where the edge-enabled entity discovered through the first request message is located has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device.

[0176] Wherein, at least one location information of the first communication device may include the current location of the first communication device, and / or the predicted future location of the first communication device; the time information corresponding to the at least one location information may include the time information of the first communication device when it is in its current location, and / or the time information of the first communication device when it is in the predicted at least one future location.

[0177] S320 (optional step): The second communication device acquires information about one or more edge-enabled entities.

[0178] In one scenario, the first communication device is not currently connected to an edge-enabled entity. In this case, corresponding to mode one of step S310, step S320 is executed according to mode one below.

[0179] Method 1

[0180] The second communication device needs to have a transmission link between one or more edge-enabled entities and the first NTN device, or in other words, the one or more NTN devices containing the one or more edge-enabled entities need to have a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0181] Optionally, the second communication device acquiring information about one or more edge-enabled entities includes: the second communication device sending a second request message, the second request message being used to request information about edge-enabled entities that have a transmission link with the first NTN device; the second communication device receiving a second response message, the second response message including information about one or more edge-enabled entities and first transmission link information, the first transmission link information including quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices in which the one or more edge-enabled entities reside and the first NTN device.

[0182] In the embodiments of this application, the quality information of the transmission link includes at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER), delay, bandwidth, packet loss rate, etc.

[0183] In embodiments of this application, the transmission link duration information indicates the availability time or duration of the transmission link between each NTN device and the first NTN device in at least one NTN device.

[0184] Optionally, the information of the one or more edge-enabled entities mentioned above includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the one or more edge-enabled entities, the address information of the one or more edge-enabled entities, and the identifier information of the one or more NTN devices to which the one or more edge-enabled entities reside (or are associated).

[0185] Optionally, the second response message may also include ephemeris information of one or more NTN devices and / or ephemeris information of the first NTN device.

[0186] The second communication device sending the second request message may be sending the second request message to the server of the NTN equipment provider or to the core network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0187] The second communication device receiving the second response message may be receiving a second response message from the server of the NTN equipment provider or from the core network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0188] Optionally, step S320 may be omitted, meaning that the information included in the second response message in Method 1 can all be pre-configured by the second communication device.

[0189] In another case, the first communication device is already connected to an edge-enabled entity (i.e., a second edge-enabled entity). In this case, corresponding to the second method of step S310, step S320 is executed according to the following second method.

[0190] Method 2

[0191] The one or more edge-enabled entities acquired by the second communication device need to have a transmission link with the first NTN device and a transmission link with the NTN device where the second edge-enabled entity is located (referred to as the second NTN device); or, the one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge-enabled entities are located need to have a transmission link with the first NTN device and a transmission link with the second NTN device.

[0192] Optionally, the second communication device acquiring information about at least one NTN device includes: the second communication device sending a third request message, the third request message being used to request information about an edge-enabled entity that has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device; the second communication device receiving a third response message, the third response message including information about one or more edge-enabled entities, first transmission link information, and second transmission link information, the first transmission link information including quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices containing the one or more edge-enabled entities and the first NTN device, and the second transmission link information including quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices containing the one or more edge-enabled entities and the second NTN device.

[0193] Optionally, the information of the one or more edge-enabled entities mentioned above includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the one or more edge-enabled entities, the address information of the one or more edge-enabled entities, and the identifier information of the one or more NTN devices to which the one or more edge-enabled entities reside (or are associated).

[0194] Optionally, the second response message may also include ephemeris information of one or more NTN devices, ephemeris information of the first NTN device, and / or ephemeris information of the second NTN device.

[0195] The third request message sent by the second communication device may be sent to the server of the NTN equipment provider or to the core network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0196] The second communication device receiving the third response message may be receiving a third response message from the server of the NTN equipment provider or from the core network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0197] Optionally, step S320 may be omitted, meaning that the information included in the third response message in method two can all be pre-configured by the second communication device.

[0198] S330, the second communication device determines and sends a first response message to the first communication device. The first response message is a response message to the first request message. The first response message includes information about at least one edge-enabled entity. The at least one edge-enabled entity includes a first edge-enabled entity. The non-terrestrial network NTN device where the first edge-enabled entity is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device. The first NTN device is the NTN device accessed by the first communication device.

[0199] Optionally, the information of at least one edge-enabled entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of at least one edge-enabled entity, the address information of at least one edge-enabled entity, and the information of the NTN device corresponding to (or associated with) at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0200] In one scenario, the first communication device is not currently connected to an edge-enabled entity. In this case, corresponding to mode one of step S320, step S330 is executed according to mode one below.

[0201] Method 1

[0202] In the first implementation, the second communication device determines the available edge-enabled entities and indicates the available edge-enabled entities to the first communication device.

[0203] For example, the second communication device determines the first response message based on the second response message (the information included in the second response message may also be pre-configured). The first response message includes information on at least one edge-enabled entity, wherein the NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entity is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0204] Specifically, the second communication device determines the first response message based on the second response message by: the second communication device determining the information of at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the identifiers of the first NTN device, the identifiers of one or more NTN devices corresponding to one or more edge-enabled entities, or the first transmission link information, i.e., determining the first response message.

[0205] It should be noted that, in this application, "one or more edge enabling entities" refers to the edge enabling entities obtained or pre-configured by the second communication device in step S320, and "at least one edge enabling entity" refers to the available edge enabling entity (i.e., the edge enabling entity that can provide services to the first communication device) determined by the first or second communication device based on the "one or more edge enabling entities".

[0206] It should be understood that when the second communication device determines at least one edge-enabled entity, it can determine the edge-enabled entity on the NTN device with high transmission link quality or long duration.

[0207] Optionally, after determining the at least one edge-enabled entity, the second communication device may further determine the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0208] For example, the second communication device determines the availability conditions of at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the following: first transmission link information, ephemeris information of the first NTN device, ephemeris information of the NTN device to which at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. Available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to at least one edge-enabled entity, and available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0209] It should be understood that the first communication device can only establish a connection with at least one of the aforementioned edge-enabled entities when it is within the available time and area.

[0210] In the second implementation, the second communication device sends all the information of one or more edge-enabled entities and the first transmission link information it has acquired to the first communication device, and the first communication device determines the available edge-enabled entities.

[0211] For example, the second communication device sends a first response message to the first communication device, the first response message including at least one of the following: information of at least one edge-enabled entity or information of a first transmission link.

[0212] Optionally, the first response message may also include ephemeris information of the first NTN device and / or ephemeris information of the NTN device to which at least one edge-enabled entity is located.

[0213] It should be understood that when the first communication device determines the available edge-enabled entity, the first request message sent by the first communication device in step S310 may not include the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the first communication device, and time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0214] In another case, the first communication device is already connected to an edge-enabled entity (i.e., a second edge-enabled entity). In this case, corresponding to the second method of step S320, step S330 is executed according to the following second method.

[0215] Method 2

[0216] In the first implementation, after determining the available edge-enabled entities, the second communication device indicates the available edge-enabled entities to the first communication device.

[0217] For example, the second communication device determines the first response message based on the third response message (the information included in the third response message may also be pre-configured). The first response message includes information about at least one edge-enabled entity, wherein any of the at least one edge-enabled entities has a transmission link between the NTN device where it is located and the first NTN device, and also has a transmission link between it and the second NTN device.

[0218] Specifically, the second communication device determines the first response message based on the third response message by: the second communication device determining the information of at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the second NTN device, the identifier of one or more NTN devices corresponding to one or more edge-enabled entities, the first transmission link information, or the second transmission link information, i.e., determining the first response message.

[0219] It should be understood that when the second communication device determines at least one edge-enabled entity, it can determine the edge-enabled entity on the NTN device with high transmission link quality or long duration.

[0220] Optionally, after determining the at least one edge-enabled entity, the second communication device may further determine the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0221] For example, the second communication device determines the availability conditions of at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the following: first transmission link information, second transmission link information, ephemeris information of the first NTN device, ephemeris information of the second NTN device, ephemeris information of the NTN device to which at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. Available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to at least one edge-enabled entity, and available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0222] It should be understood that the first communication device can only establish a connection with at least one of the aforementioned edge-enabled entities when it is within the available time and area.

[0223] Optionally, the second communication device further determines the timing conditions for performing application context migration based on the timing condition that an inter-satellite link exists between at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity, and sends this to the first communication device; in other words, the first response message also includes the timing conditions for performing application context migration. It should be understood that the timing condition that an inter-satellite link exists between at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity is determined based on the second transmission link information.

[0224] In the second implementation, the second communication device sends all the acquired edge-enabled entity information, first transmission link information, and second transmission link information to the first communication device, and the first communication device determines the available edge-enabled entities.

[0225] For example, the second communication device sends a first response message to the first communication device. The first response message includes at least one of the following: information of at least one edge-enabled entity, first transmission link information, or second transmission link information.

[0226] Optionally, the first response message may also include ephemeris information of the first NTN device, ephemeris information of the second NTN device, and / or ephemeris information of the NTN device to which at least one edge-enabled entity is located.

[0227] It should be understood that when the first communication device determines the available edge-enabled entity, the first request message sent by the first communication device in step S310 may not include the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the first communication device, and time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0228] It should be understood that step S330 can be executed from either of the two implementations of method one or the two implementations of method two.

[0229] S340, the first communication device determines the first edge-enabled entity based on the first response message.

[0230] In one scenario, the first communication device is not currently connected to an edge-enabled entity. In this case, corresponding to mode one of step S330, step S340 is executed according to mode one below.

[0231] Method 1

[0232] In the first implementation, corresponding to the first implementation of method one in step S330, the NTN device where any one of the edge enabling entities included in the first response message received by the first communication device is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device, and the at least one edge enabling entity includes the first edge enabling entity.

[0233] Optionally, the first response message may also include availability conditions for at least one edge-enabled entity, including availability time and / or availability area, wherein availability time is the time during which the first communication device is able to connect to at least one edge-enabled entity, and availability area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that is able to connect to at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0234] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device determines the first edge-enabled entity and establishes a connection with the first edge-enabled entity.

[0235] In the second implementation, corresponding to the second implementation of method one in step S330, the first response message received by the first communication device includes at least one of the following: information of one or more edge-enabled entities or first transmission link information. Optionally, the first response message also includes ephemeris information of the first NTN device, and / or ephemeris information of the NTN devices where one or more edge-enabled entities are located.

[0236] The first communication device determines the first edge-enabled entity based on the first response message by: determining at least one edge-enabled entity based on the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of one or more NTN devices corresponding to the edge-enabled entity, or the first transmission link information. The at least one edge-enabled entity includes the first edge-enabled entity. It should be understood that the first response message includes information about one or more edge-enabled entities, and the information about these one or more edge-enabled entities includes information about at least one edge-enabled entity; that is, the first response message includes information about the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0237] Optionally, the first communication device further determines the availability conditions of at least one edge-enabled entity based on the first transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device where one or more edge-enabled entities are located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or the time information corresponding to at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0238] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device determines the first edge-enabled entity and establishes a connection with the first edge-enabled entity.

[0239] In another case, the first communication device is already connected to an edge-enabled entity (i.e., a second edge-enabled entity). In this case, corresponding to the second method of step S330, step S340 is executed according to the following second method.

[0240] Method 2

[0241] In the first implementation, corresponding to the first implementation of method two in step S330, the NTN device where any one of the edge enabling entities included in the first response message received by the first communication device is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device and the second NTN device, and the at least one edge enabling entity includes the first edge enabling entity.

[0242] Optionally, the first response message may also include availability conditions for at least one edge-enabled entity, including availability time and / or availability area, wherein availability time is the time during which the first communication device is able to connect to at least one edge-enabled entity, and availability area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that is able to connect to at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0243] Optionally, the first response message may also include the timing conditions for performing the application context migration.

[0244] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device determines the first edge-enabled entity and establishes a connection with the first edge-enabled entity.

[0245] In the second implementation, corresponding to the second implementation of method two in step S330, the first communication device receives at least one of the following in the first response message: information of one or more edge-enabled entities, first transmission link information, or second transmission link information. Optionally, the first response message may also include ephemeris information of the first NTN device, ephemeris information of the second NTN device, and / or ephemeris information of the NTN device where one or more edge-enabled entities are located.

[0246] The first communication device determines the first edge-enabled entity based on the first response message by: determining at least one edge-enabled entity based on at least one of the following: the identifier of a first NTN device, the identifier of a second NTN device, the identifier of one or more NTN devices corresponding to the edge-enabled entity, first transmission link information, and second transmission link information. The at least one edge-enabled entity includes the first edge-enabled entity. It should be understood that the first response message includes information about one or more edge-enabled entities, and the information about these one or more edge-enabled entities includes information about at least one edge-enabled entity; that is, the first response message includes information about the at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0247] Optionally, the first communication device further determines the availability conditions of at least one edge-enabled entity based on the first transmission link information, the second transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the second NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or the time information corresponding to at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to at least one edge-enabled entity.

[0248] Optionally, the first communication device further determines the timing conditions for performing application context migration based on the timing condition that there is an inter-satellite link between at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity.

[0249] It should be understood that step S340 can be executed from either of the two implementations of Method 1 or the two implementations of Method 2.

[0250] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device determines the first edge-enabled entity and establishes a connection with the first edge-enabled entity.

[0251] Figure 4 This application illustrates a communication method 400, which is a discovery process for edge application entities. The method 400 includes at least the following: Figure 3 The methods shown are part of the methods.

[0252] S410, the first communication device sends a fourth request message to the second communication device, the fourth request message being used to discover at least one edge application entity.

[0253] Optionally, the fourth request message is an edge application entity discovery request message, such as an EAS discovery request message or a service provisioning request message. Optionally, the edge application entity is an EAS.

[0254] In one scenario, the first communication device is not currently connected to the edge application entity. In this case, step S310 is performed in the following manner.

[0255] Method 1

[0256] The NTN device where the edge application entity discovered by the first communication device resides needs to have a transmission link with the NTN device to which the first communication device is connected (i.e., the NTN device corresponding to the access network device currently connected to the first communication device, which can be referred to as the first NTN device). Optionally, this transmission link is an inter-satellite link.

[0257] It should be understood that the first communication device is not currently connected to the edge application entity, which can be interpreted as: no edge application entity is deployed on the first NTN device. In other words, the NTN device where the edge application entity discovered by the first communication device is located is a different NTN device from the first NTN device.

[0258] It should be noted that the first communication device can be a terminal device or an edge-enabled client EEC on the terminal device; the second communication device can be an edge-enabled entity, such as an EES.

[0259] Optionally, the fourth request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to at least one location information. The first NTN device is the NTN device to which the first communication device accesses the network; in other words, the first communication device accesses the network through the first NTN device.

[0260] It should be understood that the fourth request message includes the identifier of the first NTN device, and the NTN devices where the edge application entities discovered through the fourth request message are located all have a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0261] Wherein, at least one location information of the first communication device may include the current location of the first communication device, and / or the predicted future location of the first communication device; the time information corresponding to the at least one location information may include the time information of the first communication device when it is in its current location, and / or the time information of the first communication device when it is in the predicted at least one future location.

[0262] In another scenario, the first communication device is already connected to an edge application entity (i.e., the second edge application entity, also known as the old edge application entity or the source edge application entity (e.g., Source EES, or S-EES for short)). In this case, step S310 is performed in the following manner:

[0263] Method 2

[0264] Since the first communication device is already connected to the second edge application entity, the newly discovered edge application entity (e.g., Target EAS, or T-EAS for short) needs to perform application context migration with the second edge application entity. Therefore, the NTN device where the edge application entity discovered by the first communication device is located needs to have a transmission link with the NTN device where the first communication device is located, and also needs to have a transmission link with the NTN device where the second edge application entity is located (referred to as the third NTN device).

[0265] It should be understood that no new edge application entity is deployed on the second NTN device where the edge application entity currently connected to the first communication device is located, and / or no new edge application entity is deployed on the first NTN device corresponding to the access network device currently connected to the first communication device.

[0266] It should be noted that the first communication device can be a terminal device, an edge-enabled client EEC on the terminal device, or a second edge application entity; the second communication device can be an edge-enabled entity, such as an EES.

[0267] Optionally, the fourth request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the third NTN device, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to at least one location information. The third NTN device is equipped with a second edge application entity.

[0268] It should be understood that the fourth request message includes the identifiers of the first NTN device and the third NTN device. The NTN device where the edge application entity discovered through the fourth request message is located has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the third NTN device.

[0269] Wherein, at least one location information of the first communication device may include the current location of the first communication device, and / or the predicted future location of the first communication device; the time information corresponding to the at least one location information may include the time information of the first communication device when it is in its current location, and / or the time information of the first communication device when it is in the predicted at least one future location.

[0270] S420 (optional step): The second communication device acquires information about one or more edge application entities.

[0271] In one scenario, the first communication device is not currently connected to the edge application entity. In this case, corresponding to the first method of step S410, step S420 is executed according to the following first method.

[0272] Method 1

[0273] The second communication device needs to obtain information about one or more edge application entities that require a transmission link with the first NTN device; or, in other words, the one or more NTN devices containing the one or more edge application entities need to have a transmission link with the first NTN device. Optionally, the second communication device obtaining information about one or more edge application entities includes: the second communication device sending a fifth request message, which requests information about edge application entities that have a transmission link with the first NTN device; and the second communication device receiving a fifth response message, which includes information about one or more edge application entities and third transmission link information, the third transmission link information including quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices containing the one or more edge application entities and the first NTN device.

[0274] In the embodiments of this application, the quality information of the transmission link includes at least one of the following: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER), delay, bandwidth, packet loss rate, etc.

[0275] In embodiments of this application, the duration information of the transmission link indicates the available time of the transmission link between each NTN device and the first NTN device in at least one NTN device.

[0276] Optionally, the information of the aforementioned one or more edge application entities includes at least one of the following: the identifier of one or more edge application entities, the address information of one or more edge application entities, and the identifier information of one or more NTN devices where one or more edge application entities reside (or are associated with).

[0277] Optionally, the fifth response message may also include ephemeris information of one or more NTN devices and / or ephemeris information of the first NTN device.

[0278] The second communication device may send the fifth request message to the server of the NTN equipment provider or to the core network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0279] The second communication device receiving the fifth response message may be receiving a fifth response message from the server of the NTN equipment provider or from the core network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0280] Optionally, step S420 may be omitted, meaning that the information included in the fifth response message in Method 1 can all be pre-configured by the second communication device.

[0281] In another case, the first communication device is already connected to an edge application entity (i.e., the second edge application entity). In this case, corresponding to the second method of step S410, step S420 is performed according to the following second method.

[0282] Method 2

[0283] The second communication device needs to obtain information about one or more edge application entities that have a transmission link with the first NTN device and also have a transmission link with the NTN device (referred to as the second NTN device) where the second edge application entity resides; or, in other words, the one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge application entities reside need to have a transmission link with the first NTN device and also have a transmission link with the second NTN device. Optionally, the second communication device obtaining information about at least one NTN device includes: the second communication device sending a sixth request message, the sixth request message being used to request information about edge application entities that have transmission links with both the first NTN device and the third NTN device; the second communication device receiving a sixth response message, the sixth response message including information about one or more edge application entities, third transmission link information, and fourth transmission link information, the third transmission link information including quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge application entities reside and the first NTN device, and the fourth transmission link information including quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each of the one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge application entities reside and the third NTN device.

[0284] Optionally, the information of the aforementioned one or more edge application entities includes at least one of the following: the identifier of one or more edge application entities, the address information of one or more edge application entities, and the identifier information of one or more NTN devices where one or more edge application entities reside (or are associated with).

[0285] Optionally, the fifth response message may also include ephemeris information of one or more NTN devices, ephemeris information of the first NTN device, and / or ephemeris information of the third NTN device.

[0286] The second communication device may send the sixth request message to the server of the NTN equipment provider or to the core network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0287] The second communication device receiving the sixth response message may be receiving the sixth response message from the server of the NTN equipment provider or from the core network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0288] Optionally, step S420 may be omitted, meaning that the information included in the sixth response message in Method 2 can all be pre-configured by the second communication device.

[0289] S430, the second communication device determines and sends a fourth response message to the first communication device. The fourth response message is a response message to the fourth request message. The fourth response message includes information about at least one edge application entity. The at least one edge application entity includes a first edge application entity. The non-terrestrial network NTN device where the first edge application entity is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device. The first NTN device is the NTN device accessed by the first communication device.

[0290] Optionally, the information of at least one edge application entity includes at least one of the following: the identifier of at least one edge application entity, the address information of at least one edge application entity, and the information of the NTN device corresponding to (or associated with) at least one edge application entity.

[0291] In one scenario, the first communication device is not currently connected to the edge application entity. In this case, corresponding to mode one of step S420, step S430 is executed according to mode one below.

[0292] Method 1

[0293] In the first implementation, after determining the available edge application entities, the second communication device identifies the available edge application entities and indicates the available edge application entities to the first communication device.

[0294] For example, the second communication device determines the fourth response message based on the fifth response message (the information included in the fifth response message may also be pre-configured). The fourth response message includes information about at least one edge application entity, wherein the NTN device where any of the at least one edge application entity is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device.

[0295] Specifically, the second communication device determines the fourth response message based on the fifth response message by: the second communication device determining the information of at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the identifiers of the first NTN device, the identifiers of one or more NTN devices corresponding to one or more edge application entities, or the third transmission link information, i.e., determining the fourth response message.

[0296] It should be noted that, in this application, "one or more edge application entities" refers to the edge application entities obtained or pre-configured by the second communication device in step S320, and "at least one edge application entity" refers to the available edge application entities (i.e., edge application entities that can provide services to the first communication device) determined by the first or second communication device based on the "one or more edge application entities".

[0297] It should be understood that when the second communication device identifies at least one edge application entity, it can identify the edge application entity on an NTN device with high transmission link quality or long duration.

[0298] Optionally, after determining the at least one edge application entity, the second communication device may further determine the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity.

[0299] For example, the second communication device determines the availability conditions of at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the following: third transmission link information, ephemeris information of the first NTN device, ephemeris information of the NTN device where at least one edge application entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. Available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to at least one edge application entity, and available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to at least one edge application entity.

[0300] It should be understood that the first communication device can only establish a connection with at least one of the aforementioned edge application entities when it is available within the available time and in the available area.

[0301] Optionally, the second communication device further determines the timing conditions for performing application context migration based on the timing condition that there is an inter-satellite link between at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity, and sends this to the first communication device; in other words, the first response message also includes the timing conditions for performing application context migration. It should be understood that the timing condition that there is an inter-satellite link between at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity is determined based on the fourth transmission link information.

[0302] In the second implementation, the second communication device sends all the information of one or more edge application entities and the third transmission link information it has acquired to the first communication device, and the first communication device determines the available edge application entities.

[0303] For example, the second communication device sends a fourth response message to the first communication device, the fourth response message including at least one of the following: information of at least one edge application entity or information of a third transmission link.

[0304] Optionally, the fourth response message may also include ephemeris information of the first NTN device and / or ephemeris information of the NTN device where at least one edge application entity is located.

[0305] It should be understood that when the first communication device determines the available edge application entity, the first request message sent by the first communication device in step S410 may not include the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the first communication device, and time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0306] In another case, the first communication device is already connected to an edge application entity (i.e., the second edge application entity). In this case, corresponding to the second method of step S420, step S430 is executed according to the following second method.

[0307] Method 2

[0308] In the first implementation, after determining the available edge application entities, the second communication device indicates the available edge application entities to the first communication device.

[0309] For example, the second communication device determines the fourth response message based on the sixth response message (the information included in the sixth response message may also be pre-configured). The fourth response message includes information about at least one edge application entity, wherein any of the at least one edge application entity is located in an NTN device that has a transmission link with the first NTN device and a transmission link with the third NTN device.

[0310] Specifically, the second communication device determines the fourth response message based on the sixth response message by: the second communication device determining the information of at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the third NTN device, the identifier of one or more NTN devices corresponding to one or more edge application entities, the third transmission link information, or the fourth transmission link information, i.e., determining the fourth response message.

[0311] It should be understood that when the second communication device identifies at least one edge application entity, it can identify the edge application entity on an NTN device with high transmission link quality or long duration.

[0312] Optionally, after determining the at least one edge application entity, the second communication device may further determine the availability conditions of the at least one edge application entity.

[0313] For example, the second communication device determines the availability conditions of at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the following: third transmission link information, fourth transmission link information, ephemeris information of the first NTN device, ephemeris information of the third NTN device, ephemeris information of the NTN device where at least one edge application entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. Available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to at least one edge application entity, and available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to at least one edge application entity.

[0314] It should be understood that the first communication device can only establish a connection with at least one of the aforementioned edge application entities when it is available within the available time and in the available area.

[0315] In the second implementation, the second communication device sends all the information of the edge application entity, the third transmission link information, and the fourth transmission link obtained to the first communication device, and the first communication device determines the available edge application entity.

[0316] For example, the second communication device sends a fourth response message to the first communication device. The fourth response message includes at least one of the following: information of at least one edge application entity, third transmission link information, or fourth transmission link information.

[0317] Optionally, the fourth response message may also include ephemeris information of the first NTN device, ephemeris information of the third NTN device, and / or ephemeris information of the NTN device where at least one edge application entity is located.

[0318] It should be understood that when the first communication device determines the available edge application entity, the first request message sent by the first communication device in step S410 may not include the identifier of the first NTN device, at least one location information of the first communication device, and time information corresponding to the at least one location information.

[0319] S440, the first communication device determines the first edge application entity based on the fourth response message.

[0320] In one scenario, the first communication device is not currently connected to the edge application entity. In this case, corresponding to mode one of step S430, step S440 is executed according to mode one below.

[0321] Method 1

[0322] In the first implementation, corresponding to the first implementation of method one in step S430, the NTN device where any one of the edge application entities included in the fourth response message received by the first communication device is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device, and the at least one edge application entity includes the first edge application entity.

[0323] Optionally, the fourth response message may also include availability conditions for at least one edge application entity, including availability time and / or availability area, wherein availability time is the time during which the first communication device is able to connect to at least one edge application entity, and availability area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that is able to connect to at least one edge application entity.

[0324] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device identifies the first edge application entity and establishes a connection with the first edge application entity.

[0325] In the second implementation, corresponding to the second implementation of method one in step S430, the fourth response message received by the first communication device includes at least one of the following: information of one or more edge application entities or third transmission link information. Optionally, the fourth response message also includes ephemeris information of the first NTN device, and / or ephemeris information of the NTN devices where one or more edge application entities are located.

[0326] The first communication device determines the first edge application entity according to the fourth response message by: determining at least one edge application entity based on the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the NTN device corresponding to one or more edge application entities, or third transmission link information. The at least one edge application entity includes the first edge application entity. It should be understood that the aforementioned first response message includes information about one or more edge application entities, and the information about these one or more edge application entities includes information about at least one edge application entity; that is, the first response message includes information about the at least one edge application entity.

[0327] Optionally, the first communication device further determines the availability conditions of at least one edge application entity based on the third transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device where at least one edge application entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or the time information corresponding to at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to at least one edge application entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to at least one edge application entity.

[0328] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device identifies the first edge application entity and establishes a connection with the first edge application entity.

[0329] In another case, the first communication device is already connected to an edge application entity (i.e., the second edge application entity). In this case, corresponding to the second method of step S430, step S440 is executed according to the following second method.

[0330] Method 2

[0331] In the first implementation, corresponding to the first implementation of method two in step S430, the NTN devices where any one of the edge application entities included in the fourth response message received by the first communication device is located have a transmission link with the first NTN device and the third NTN device, and the at least one edge application entity includes the first edge application entity.

[0332] Optionally, the fourth response message may also include availability conditions for at least one edge application entity, including availability time and / or availability area, wherein availability time is the time during which the first communication device is able to connect to at least one edge application entity, and availability area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that is able to connect to at least one edge application entity.

[0333] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device identifies the first edge application entity and establishes a connection with the first edge application entity.

[0334] In the second implementation, corresponding to the second implementation of method two in step S430, the fourth response message received by the first communication device includes information of one or more edge application entities, third transmission link information, or at least one of the fourth transmission link information. Optionally, the fourth response message also includes ephemeris information of the first NTN device, ephemeris information of the third NTN device, and / or ephemeris information of the NTN device where one or more edge application entities are located.

[0335] The first communication device determines the first edge application entity according to the fourth response message by: determining at least one edge application entity based on at least one of the following: the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the third NTN device, the identifier of the NTN device corresponding to one or more edge application entities, third transmission link information, and fourth transmission link information. The at least one edge application entity includes the first edge application entity. It should be understood that the aforementioned first response message includes information about one or more edge application entities, and the information about the one or more edge application entities includes information about at least one edge application entity; that is, the first response message includes information about the at least one edge application entity.

[0336] Optionally, the first communication device further determines the availability conditions of at least one edge application entity based on the third transmission link information, the fourth transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the third NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device where at least one edge application entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or the time information corresponding to at least one location information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to at least one edge application entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to at least one edge application entity.

[0337] Optionally, the first communication device further determines the timing conditions for performing application context migration based on the timing condition that there is an inter-satellite link between at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity.

[0338] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device identifies the first edge application entity and establishes a connection with the first edge application entity.

[0339] The following example, using the first communication device as UE, the second communication device as ECS, and the NTN device as satellite, will be used to explain in detail the method 300 of this application.

[0340] Figure 5 This application illustrates a resource determination method 500, which includes at least the following methods: Figure 5 The methods shown, specifically method 500, correspond to the case in method 300 where the UE is not currently connected to the EES, i.e., the execution mode of each step in method 300. It should be understood that method 500 is a specific implementation of method 300, and the terminology and concepts therein can be referenced in method 300.

[0341] S510 (the execution mode of step S310 in method 300), the UE sends an EES discovery request message to the ECS (i.e., an example of the first request message).

[0342] The EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite accessed by the UE (i.e., an example of the first NTN device), the UE's current location and the time at which it is currently located, and the UE's predicted location and the time at which it is predicted to be located.

[0343] S520 (corresponding to step S320 in method 300, execution mode 1), the ECS requests information about the EES that has an inter-satellite link with the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0344] Optionally, the ECS sends a second request message to the satellite provider's server and receives a second response message.

[0345] The second request message is used to request information about EES that have a transmission link with the satellite accessed by the UE; the second response message includes information about one or more EES and first transmission link information, the first transmission link information including quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between the satellite where each of the one or more EES is located and the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0346] Optionally, the second response message may also include ephemeris information of the satellite in which each EES is located and / or ephemeris information of the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0347] S530 (the first implementation of step S330 in method 300), the ECS determines at least one EES based on the information of one or more EESs and the first transmission link information.

[0348] In this case, the satellite where at least one EES is located has a transmission link with the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0349] Optionally, the at least one EES determined by the ECS is an EES on a satellite with a good transmission link quality to the satellite accessed by the UE, and / or, the at least one EES is an EES on a satellite with a long transmission link duration to the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0350] Optionally, the ECS further determines the availability conditions of the at least one EES based on the first transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the satellite accessed by the UE, the ephemeris information of the satellite where the at least one EES is located, the UE's location information, and the corresponding time information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area, where available time is the time during which the UE can connect to at least one EES, and available area is the area corresponding to the UE capable of connecting to at least one EES.

[0351] S540 (the first implementation of step S330 in method 300), the ECS sends an EES discovery response message to the UE (i.e., an example of the first response message), which includes information about at least one EES.

[0352] Optionally, the EES discovery response message may also include the availability conditions of the at least one EES.

[0353] S550 (the first implementation of the execution mode of step S340 in method 300), the UE determines the connected EES (i.e., an example of the first edge enabling entity) based on the EES discovery response message.

[0354] For example, the UE determines the connected EES from at least one EES based on the availability of at least one EES, the UE's current or predicted location, and the corresponding time.

[0355] Based on the above scheme, at least one EES is discovered for the UE. All discovered EES have a transmission link with the accessed satellite, that is, all discovered EES are usable EES.

[0356] It should be understood that replacing “EES” with “EAS”, “ECS” with “EES”, and “EES discovery request message” with “EAS discovery request message” in method 500 constitutes the EAS discovery process, which is also an implementation of method 400.

[0357] The following example, using the first communication device as UE, the second communication device as ECS, and the NTN device as satellite, will be used to explain in detail the method 300 of this application.

[0358] Figure 6 This application illustrates a resource determination method 600, which includes at least the following: Figure 6 The methods shown are as follows: Method 500 corresponds to the case in Method 300 where the UE is not currently connected to the EES, i.e., it corresponds to the first method of execution of each step in Method 300. It should be understood that Method 600 is a specific implementation of Method 300, and the terminology and concepts therein can be referred to in Method 300.

[0359] S610 (the execution mode of step S310 in method 300), the UE sends an EES discovery request message to the ECS (i.e., an example of the first request message).

[0360] The EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the satellite accessed by the UE (i.e., an example of the first NTN device), the UE's current location and the time at which it is currently located, and the UE's predicted location and the time at which it is predicted to be located.

[0361] S620 (corresponding to the execution mode one of step S320 in method 300), the ECS requests to obtain information about the EES that has an inter-satellite link with the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0362] Optionally, the ECS sends a second request message to the satellite provider's server and receives a second response message.

[0363] The second request message is used to request information about EES that have a transmission link with the satellite accessed by the UE; the second response message includes information about one or more EES and first transmission link information, the first transmission link information including quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between the satellite where each of the one or more EES is located and the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0364] Optionally, the second response message may also include ephemeris information of one or more satellites where the EES is located and / or ephemeris information of satellites accessed by the UE.

[0365] S630 (the second implementation of the execution mode one of step S330 in method 300), the ECS sends an EES discovery response message to the UE (i.e., an example of the first response message).

[0366] The EES discovery response message includes information about one or more EES and first transmission link information. Optionally, the EES discovery response message may also include ephemeris information of the satellites where one or more EES reside and / or ephemeris information of the satellites accessed by the UE.

[0367] S640 (the second implementation of step S330 in method 300), the UE determines at least one EES based on the EES discovery response message.

[0368] Specifically, the UE can determine at least one EES based on information from one or more EESs and the first transmission link information.

[0369] In this case, the satellite where at least one EES is located has a transmission link with the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0370] Optionally, the at least one EES determined by the UE is an EES on a satellite with a good transmission link quality between the UE and the satellite it accesses, and / or, the at least one EES is an EES on a satellite with a long transmission link duration between the UE and the satellite it accesses.

[0371] Optionally, the UE further determines the availability conditions of the at least one EES based on the first transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the satellite to which the UE accesses, the ephemeris information of the satellite where the at least one EES is located, the UE's location information, and the corresponding time information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area, where available time is the time during which the UE can connect to at least one EES, and available area is the area corresponding to the UE capable of connecting to at least one EES.

[0372] S650 (the second implementation of the execution mode one of step S340 in method 300), the UE determines the connected EES (i.e., an example of the first edge enabling entity).

[0373] For example, the UE determines the connected EES from at least one EES based on the availability of at least one EES, the UE's current or predicted location, and the corresponding time.

[0374] It should be understood that replacing “EES” with “EAS”, “ECS” with “EES”, and “EES discovery request message” with “EAS discovery request message” in method 600 constitutes the EAS discovery process, which is also an implementation of method 400.

[0375] Figure 7 This application illustrates a resource determination method 700, which includes at least the following: Figure 7 The methods shown, specifically method 700, correspond to the case in method 300 where the UE is already connected to S-EES, i.e., the second method of executing each step in method 300. It should be understood that method 700 is a specific implementation of method 300, and the terminology and concepts used therein can be referenced in method 300.

[0376] S710 (the second execution mode of step S310 in method 300), the UE sends an EES discovery request message to the ECS (i.e., an example of the first request message).

[0377] The EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: the identifier of the satellite accessed by the UE (i.e., an example of the first NTN device), the identifier of the satellite where the S-EES is located, the current location of the UE and the time at which it is currently located, and the predicted location of the UE and the time at which it is predicted to be located.

[0378] S720 (the second execution mode of step S320 in method 300): The ECS requests information about the EES that has inter-satellite links with both the satellite accessed by the UE and the satellite where the S-EES is located.

[0379] Optionally, the ECS sends a third request message to the satellite provider's server and receives a third response message.

[0380] The second request message is used to request information about EES that have transmission links between the satellite accessed by the UE and the satellite where the S-EES is located; the second response message includes information about one or more EES, first transmission link information and second transmission link information. The first transmission link information includes the quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between the satellite where each of the one or more EES is located and the satellite accessed by the UE. The second transmission link information includes the quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between each satellite where each of the one or more EES is located and the satellite where the S-EES is located.

[0381] Optionally, the second response message may also include ephemeris information of the satellite where each EES is located in one or more EESs, ephemeris information of the satellite to which the UE is accessed, and / or ephemeris information of the satellite where the S-EES is located.

[0382] S730 (the first implementation of the second method of executing step S330 in method 300): The ECS determines at least one EES based on the information of one or more EESs, the first transmission link information, and the second transmission link information.

[0383] In this case, the satellite where at least one EES is located has a transmission link with the satellite accessed by the UE and the satellite where the S-EES is located.

[0384] Optionally, the at least one EES determined by the ECS is an EES on a satellite with a good transmission link quality to the satellite accessed by the UE, and / or, the at least one EES is an EES on a satellite with a long transmission link duration to the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0385] Optionally, the ECS further determines the availability conditions of the at least one EES based on the first transmission link information, the second transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the satellite accessed by the UE, the ephemeris information of the satellite where the S-EES is located, the ephemeris information of the satellite where at least one EES is located, the UE's location information, and the corresponding time information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. Available time is the time during which the UE can connect to at least one EES, and available area is the area corresponding to the UE that can connect to at least one EES.

[0386] Optionally, the ECS also determines the timing conditions for performing application context migration based on the timing condition that at least one EES and S-EES have an inter-satellite link. The timing condition that at least one EES and S-EES have an inter-satellite link is determined based on the second transport link information.

[0387] S740 (the first implementation of the second execution mode of step S330 in method 300), the ECS sends an EES discovery response message to the UE (i.e., an example of the first response message), which includes information about at least one EES.

[0388] Optionally, the EES discovery response message may also include the availability conditions of the at least one EES.

[0389] Optionally, the EES discovery response message may also include at least one time condition for the application context migration corresponding to the EES.

[0390] S750 (the first implementation of the second execution mode of step S340 in method 300), the UE determines the connected EES (i.e., an example of the first edge enabling entity) based on the EES discovery response message.

[0391] For example, the UE determines the connected EES from at least one EES based on the availability of at least one EES, the UE's current or predicted location, and the corresponding time.

[0392] Optionally, the UE may also determine the time to perform the application context migration based on the time conditions of the application context migration corresponding to at least one EES.

[0393] Optionally, “UE” in the above scheme can be replaced with “S-EES”.

[0394] Based on the above scheme, at least one EES is discovered for the UE. All discovered EES have a transmission link with the accessed satellite, that is, all discovered EES are usable EES.

[0395] It should be understood that replacing “EES” with “EAS”, “ECS” with “EES”, and “EES discovery request message” with “EAS discovery request message” in method 700 constitutes the EAS discovery process, which is also an implementation of method 400.

[0396] Figure 8 This application illustrates a resource determination method 800, which includes at least the following methods: Figure 8 The methods shown, specifically method 800, correspond to the case in method 300 where the UE is already connected to S-EES, i.e., the second method of executing each step in method 300. It should be understood that method 800 is a specific implementation of method 300, and the terminology and concepts therein can be referenced in method 300.

[0397] S810 (the second execution mode of step S310 in method 300), the UE sends an EES discovery request message to the ECS (i.e., an example of the first request message).

[0398] The EES discovery request message includes at least one of the following information: the identifier of the satellite accessed by the UE (i.e., an example of the first NTN device), the identifier of the satellite where the S-EES is located, the current location of the UE and the time at which it is currently located, and the predicted location of the UE and the time at which it is predicted to be located.

[0399] S820 (the second execution mode of step S320 in method 300): The ECS requests information about the EES that has inter-satellite links with both the satellite accessed by the UE and the satellite where the S-EES is located.

[0400] Optionally, the ECS sends a third request message to the satellite provider's server and receives a third response message.

[0401] The second request message is used to request information about EES that have transmission links between the satellite accessed by the UE and the satellite where the S-EES is located; the second response message includes information about one or more EES, first transmission link information and second transmission link information. The first transmission link information includes the quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between the satellite where each of the one or more EES is located and the satellite accessed by the UE. The second transmission link information includes the quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between each satellite where each of the one or more EES is located and the satellite where the S-EES is located.

[0402] Optionally, the second response message may also include ephemeris information of the satellite where each EES is located in one or more EESs, ephemeris information of the satellite to which the UE is accessed, and / or ephemeris information of the satellite where the S-EES is located.

[0403] S830 (the second implementation of the second method of execution of step S330 in method 300), the ECS sends an EES discovery response message to the UE (i.e., an example of the first response message).

[0404] The EES discovery response message includes information about one or more EES, first transmission link information, and second transmission link information. Optionally, the EES discovery response message may also include ephemeris information of the satellite where each of the one or more EES is located and / or ephemeris information of the satellite accessed by the UE.

[0405] S840 (the second implementation of the execution mode of step S330 in method 300), the UE determines at least one EES based on the EES discovery response message.

[0406] Specifically, the UE can determine at least one EES based on information from one or more EESs, first transmission link information, and second transmission link information.

[0407] In this case, the satellite where at least one EES is located has a transmission link with the satellite accessed by the UE and the satellite where the S-EES is located.

[0408] Optionally, the at least one EES determined by the UE is an EES on a satellite with a good transmission link quality between the UE and the satellite it accesses, and / or, the at least one EES is an EES on a satellite with a long transmission link duration between the UE and the satellite it accesses.

[0409] Optionally, the UE further determines the availability conditions of the at least one EES based on the first transmission link information, the second transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the satellite to which the UE accesses, the ephemeris information of the satellite where the S-EES is located, the ephemeris information of the satellite where at least one EES is located, the UE's location information, and the corresponding time information. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area, where available time is the time during which the UE can connect to at least one EES, and available area is the area corresponding to the UE capable of connecting to at least one EES.

[0410] Optionally, the UE may also determine the timing conditions for performing application context migration based on the timing condition that there is an inter-satellite link between at least one EES and the S-EES.

[0411] S850 (the second implementation of the execution mode two of step S340 in method 300), the UE determines the connected EES (i.e., an example of the first edge enabling entity).

[0412] For example, the UE determines the connected EES from at least one EES based on the availability of at least one EES, the UE's current or predicted location, and the corresponding time.

[0413] Optionally, the UE also determines the timing of the application context migration based on the timing conditions for the application context migration corresponding to at least one EES. The timing condition for the existence of an inter-satellite link between at least one EES and the S-EES is determined based on the second transmission link information.

[0414] Optionally, “UE” in the above scheme can be replaced with “S-EES”.

[0415] Based on the above scheme, at least one EES is discovered for the UE. All discovered EES have a transmission link with the accessed satellite, that is, all discovered EES are usable EES.

[0416] It should be understood that replacing “EES” with “EAS”, “ECS” with “EES”, and “EES discovery request message” with “EAS discovery request message” in method 800 constitutes the EAS discovery process, which is also an implementation of method 400.

[0417] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0418] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0419] The above is a detailed description of the communication method provided in this application. The following describes the communication device provided in this application.

[0420] In order to realize the functions of the communication device (e.g., the first communication device or the second communication device) in the embodiments of this application, the communication device can implement the corresponding functions in the form of hardware and / or software.

[0421] Figure 9 This is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application. Figure 9 The communication device 1000 includes a processing module 1001 and a communication module 1002. The communication device 1000 can be a communication equipment, or a device applied to a communication equipment and capable of implementing the corresponding functions of the communication equipment, such as a chip, processor, or circuit. Exemplarily, the communication equipment can be a first communication device or a second communication device in the method embodiment.

[0422] The communication module can also be a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver device, or transceiver unit. The processing module can also be a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device. Optionally, the communication module is used to execute the sending or receiving operations of the first or second communication device in any of the method embodiments. The device in the communication module that implements the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the communication module that implements the sending function can be considered a sending unit; that is, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The processing module is used to execute the internal implementation-related operations / processing of the first or second communication device in any of the method embodiments. The specific operations of each module can be found in the descriptions in the method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0423] Alternatively, the communication module and / or processing module can be implemented as virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented as a software functional unit or a virtual device, and the communication module can be implemented as a software function or a virtual device. Alternatively, the processing module or communication module can also be implemented as a physical device. For example, the communication device can be a chip, such as a system-on-chip (SoC), hardware circuitry, etc. The communication module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module can be an integrated circuit or logic circuit, etc.

[0424] The module division in this application is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods are possible. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various examples of this application can be integrated into one module, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware, as software functional modules, or as a combination of hardware and software functional modules; no limitation is imposed.

[0425] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided for this application. The communication device 1100 can be used to implement the function of any communication device (e.g., the first communication device or the second communication device) in the communication system described in the foregoing examples. Optionally, the communication device 1100 can be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The communication device 1100 may include at least one processor 1110. Optionally, the processor 1110 (or processing device) is coupled to a memory, which may be located within the communication device, or the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be located outside the communication device. For example, the communication device 1100 may also include at least one memory 1120. The memory 1120 stores computer programs / instructions or data necessary for implementing any of the above method embodiments; the processor 1110 may execute the computer programs / instructions or data stored in the memory 1120 to complete the corresponding functions of the first or second communication device in any of the above embodiments.

[0426] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a communication interface 1130, through which the communication device 1100 can interact with other devices. For example, the communication interface 1130 may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface. When the communication device 1100 is a chip-type device or circuit, the communication interface 1130 in the device 1100 may also be an input / output circuit, capable of inputting information (or receiving information) and / or outputting information (or sending information). The processor may be an integrated circuit or logic circuit, etc., and the processor can determine the output information based on the input information.

[0427] The coupling in this application refers to indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1110 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1120 and the communication interface 1130. This application does not limit the connection medium between the processor 1110, the memory 1120, and the communication interface 1130.

[0428] Optionally, such as Figure 10 As shown, the processor 1110, the memory 1120, and the communication interface 1130 are interconnected via a bus 1140. The bus 1140 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 10 The bus 1140 is represented by only one line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0429] Figure 11 This is a schematic structural diagram of the chip provided in this application. Chip 30 includes circuit 31 and communication interface 32. Circuit 31 can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc., and communication interface 32 can also be called input / output circuit, input / output interface, interface circuit, etc., which can input information (or receive information) or output information (or send information). Chip 30 can execute the methods executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the various embodiments of this application.

[0430] In addition, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause operations and / or processes performed by a first communication device or a second communication device in the various method embodiments of this application to be executed.

[0431] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code or instructions. When the computer program code or instructions are run on a computer, the operations and / or processes performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the various method embodiments of this application are executed.

[0432] Furthermore, this application also provides a chip including a processor. A memory for storing a computer program is provided independently of the chip, and the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that operations and / or processes performed by a first communication device or a second communication device in any method embodiment are performed. Further, the chip may also include a communication interface. The communication interface may be an input / output interface or an interface circuit, etc. Further, the chip may also include the memory.

[0433] This application provides a communication system, including a first communication device and a second communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0434] The processor in this application embodiment has signal processing capabilities and can be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory; the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0435] In the embodiments of this application, the memory can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or it can include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0436] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0437] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0438] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0439] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0440] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0441] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0442] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, which involves applying a chip to a first communication device or a chip in a first communication device, includes: Send a first request message, the first request message being used to discover at least one edge-enabled entity; Receive a first response message, the first response message being a response message to the first request message, the first response message including information of the at least one edge enabling entity, the at least one edge enabling entity including a first edge enabling entity, the non-terrestrial network NTN device where the first edge enabling entity is located having a transmission link with the first NTN device, the first NTN device being the NTN device accessed by the first communication device; The first edge-enabled entity is determined based on the first response message.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission link is an inter-satellite link.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entities is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The information of the at least one edge-enabled entity also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity, the availability conditions including availability time and / or availability area, the availability time being the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the availability area being the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first response message also includes first transmission link information, which includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity and the first NTN device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Determining the first edge-enabled entity based on the first response message includes: The first edge enabling entity is determined based on the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge enabling entity, or the first transmission link information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on at least one of the following: the first transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information, the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity are determined. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The NTN device where the first edge enabling entity is located also has a transmission link with the second NTN device. The second NTN device is equipped with a second edge enabling entity, which is the edge enabling entity currently connected to the first communication device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entities is located has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The information of the at least one edge-enabled entity also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity, the availability conditions including availability time and / or availability area, the availability time being the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the availability area being the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first response message also includes the timing conditions for performing the application context migration; The method further includes: determining the time to perform application context migration based on the first response message.

12. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first response message also includes first transmission link information and second transmission link information. The first transmission link information includes the quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity and the first NTN device. The second transmission link information includes the quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge-enabled entity and the second NTN device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Determining the first edge-enabled entity based on the first response message includes: The first edge enabling entity is determined based on at least one of the identifier of the first NTN device, the identifier of the second NTN device, the identifier of the NTN device corresponding to the at least one edge enabling entity, the first transmission link information, or the second transmission link information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on at least one of the following: the first transmission link information, the second transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the second NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information, the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity are determined. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: The timing for performing application context migration is determined based on the time condition that there is an inter-satellite link between the at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, A chip applied to a second communication device or a second communication device, the method comprising: Receive a first request message from a first communication device, the first request message being used to discover at least one edge-enabled entity; Send a first response message, which is a response message to the first request message. The first response message includes information about the at least one edge-enabled entity. The at least one edge-enabled entity includes a first edge-enabled entity. The NTN device where the first edge-enabled entity is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device. The first NTN device is the NTN device accessed by the first communication device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The transmission link is an inter-satellite link.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second request message, the second request message being used to request information about the edge-enabled entity that has a transmission link with the first NTN device; Receive a second response message, the second response message including information of one or more edge-enabled entities and first transmission link information, the first transmission link information including quality information and / or duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge-enabled entities are located and the first NTN device.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first response message also includes information about one or more edge-enabled entities and the first transport link information.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: The information of the at least one edge-enabled entity is determined according to the second response message, wherein the NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entities is located has a transmission link with the first NTN device.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on at least one of the following: the first transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information, the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity are determined. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first response message also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity.

23. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The NTN device where the first edge enabling entity is located also has a transmission link with the second NTN device. The second NTN device is equipped with a second edge enabling entity, which is the edge enabling entity currently connected to the first communication device.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third request message, the third request message being used to request information about an edge-enabled entity that has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device; A third response message is received, the third response message including information about one or more edge-enabled entities, first transmission link information, and second transmission link information. The first transmission link information includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge-enabled entities are located and the first NTN device. The second transmission link information includes quality information and duration information of the transmission link between each NTN device in one or more NTN devices where the one or more edge-enabled entities are located and the second NTN device.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The first response message also includes information about the one or more edge-enabled entities, the first transmission link information, and the second transmission link information.

26. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The method further includes: The information of the at least one edge-enabled entity is determined according to the third response message. The NTN device to which any of the at least one edge-enabled entities is located has a transmission link with both the first NTN device and the second NTN device.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on at least one of the following: the first transmission link information, the second transmission link information, the ephemeris information of the first NTN device, the ephemeris information of the second NTN device, the ephemeris information of the NTN device to which the at least one edge-enabled entity is located, at least one location information of the first communication device, or time information corresponding to the at least one location information, the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity are determined. The availability conditions include available time and / or available area. The available time is the time during which the first communication device can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity, and the available area is the area corresponding to the first communication device that can connect to the at least one edge-enabled entity.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The first response message also includes the availability conditions of the at least one edge-enabled entity.

29. The method according to claim 25 or 28, characterized in that, The first response message also includes a time condition that there is an inter-satellite link between the at least one edge-enabled entity and the second edge-enabled entity, or includes a time condition for performing an application context migration.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 15 to be executed; or to cause the method of any one of claims 16 to 29 to be executed.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15; or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 29.

32. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, or the method as described in any one of claims 16 to 29.

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