Communication method and apparatus, satellite, storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method, device, satellite, storage medium and computer program product, wherein the method comprises: a satellite sends a system message or RRC dedicated signaling; wherein the system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the service mode of the satellite is converted between the store-and-forward mode and the normal mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, satellite, storage medium, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) non-terrestrial network (NTN) supports store-and-forward mode; IoT NTN can switch between normal mode and store-and-forward mode, however, existing solutions have the problem of untimely terminal synchronization when IoT NTN mode switching occurs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the related technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, device, satellite, storage medium, and computer program product.

[0004] The technical solution of this application embodiment is implemented as follows:

[0005] This application provides a communication method applied to a satellite, the method comprising:

[0006] Sending system messages or Radio Resource Control (RRC) dedicated signaling; wherein the system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the service mode of the satellite is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

[0007] In the above scheme, sending system messages includes:

[0008] In the event of a change or conversion in the service mode of the satellite, a first system information block (SIB) is sent, or a first SIB is periodically sent or broadcast, wherein the first SIB indicates at least that the service mode of the satellite is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

[0009] In the above scheme, the first SIB carries first information, which implicitly indicates that the service mode of the satellite is store-and-forward mode.

[0010] In the above scheme, the first SIB carries second information, which explicitly indicates whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

[0011] In the above scheme, the second information is carried in the setting field of the first SIB.

[0012] In the above scheme, sending system messages includes:

[0013] If the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is less than or equal to a set number, a second SIB is sent; wherein,

[0014] The duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide non-terrestrial network (NTN) services in the current cell; the second SIB indicates at least whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode, and the set number is a positive integer.

[0015] In the above scheme, sending the second SIB includes:

[0016] The second SIB is sent before the service mode of the satellite is switched.

[0017] In the above scheme, the second SIB carries one or more of the following:

[0018] The third information indicates the duration of the initial service mode of the satellite and the reference point of the start time;

[0019] The fourth piece of information indicates the duration and start time reference point of the satellite's switched service mode.

[0020] In the above scheme, sending system messages includes:

[0021] If the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is greater than a set number, then the third SIB is sent; wherein,

[0022] The timing duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide NTN service in the current cell, the third SIB indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite, and the number of times the timer is set is a positive integer.

[0023] In the above scheme, the third SIB carries fifth information, which indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite.

[0024] In the above scheme, sending RRC-specific signaling includes:

[0025] The RRC dedicated signaling is sent to a first terminal in the connected state, where the first terminal represents an Internet of Things terminal accessing the satellite.

[0026] In the above scheme, the RRC dedicated signaling indicates the reference point for the duration and start time of the service mode after the satellite is switched, or indicates the reference point for the duration and start time of each service mode of the satellite.

[0027] In the above scheme, the duration of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is equal to the difference between the timing duration and the first duration. The first duration represents the sum of the reference point of the start time of the initial service mode of the satellite and the duration of the N-1 service modes converted by the satellite, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0028] In the above scheme, the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is the sum of the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the (N-1)th conversion and the duration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0029] This application also provides a communication device, including:

[0030] The sending unit is used to send system messages or RRC-specific signaling; among which,

[0031] The system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the satellite's service mode is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

[0032] This application also provides a satellite, including: a processor and a communication interface; wherein,

[0033] The communication interface is used to send system messages or RRC-specific signaling; wherein,

[0034] The system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the satellite's service mode is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

[0035] This application also provides a satellite, characterized in that it includes a processor and a memory for storing computer programs capable of running on the processor.

[0036] When the processor runs the computer program, it executes the steps of any of the above methods.

[0037] This application also provides a storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of any of the above methods.

[0038] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, characterized in that the computer program implements the steps of any of the above methods when executed by a processor.

[0039] In the communication method, apparatus, satellite, storage medium, and computer program product provided in the embodiments of this application, the satellite transmits system messages or RRC dedicated signaling; wherein, the system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the satellite's service mode is switching between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. The above scheme clearly defines that the satellite indicates the service mode switch to the terminal. The system message or RRC dedicated signaling serves as the satellite's service mode switch indication. After receiving the system message or RRC dedicated signaling sent by the satellite, the terminal can anticipate the change in the IoT NTN service mode, thereby enabling the terminal to synchronously use a reasonable configuration, resulting in more rational terminal scheduling and reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and power consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 2 This is an example diagram illustrating a satellite service mode switching instruction according to an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 3 This is an example diagram illustrating the conversion of a satellite service mode according to another embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 4 This is an example diagram illustrating the conversion of a satellite service mode according to another embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 5 This is an example diagram illustrating the conversion of a satellite service mode according to another embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the satellite structure according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0047] The store-and-forward mode works by storing and forwarding data on the satellite when either the service link or the feeder link becomes unavailable. This allows for the regeneration of uplink and downlink data to the satellite, which is then transmitted when the corresponding link becomes available again. Store-and-forward is suitable for applications with high latency tolerance, such as Short Message Service (SMS) text messaging.

[0048] Currently, the store-and-forward mode supports two architectures: separation of the Mobility Management Entity (MME) and full-core network satellite connection. The basic process is as follows:

[0049] 1. When the satellite's service link is available, the User Equipment (UE) attempts to access the cell in store-and-forward mode. However, due to the unavailability of the feeder link, it cannot complete the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) registration and authentication processes, thus rejecting the UE's access and sending a rejection message. The satellite temporarily stores the uplink (UL) information. After receiving the rejection message, the UE waits for the current satellite or another satellite to connect before attempting to access the cell again. The UE is an IoT NTN UE that supports store-and-forward functionality or store-and-forward mode.

[0050] 2. When the satellite switches to a feeder link that is available, it sends the UE connection request and other information to the ground, retrieves the necessary information such as UE context, authentication, and security, and temporarily stores the downlink data on the satellite.

[0051] 3. When the satellite switches to a Service link that is available, it sends downlink data to the UE, the UE completes the initial access and transmits data, and the satellite stores the uplink data;

[0052] 4. When the satellite switches to Feeder link availability, it will send relevant uplink data to the ground.

[0053] Regarding the initial access rejection message in step 1, the relevant technology has added three indicators for the store-and-forward mode: 1) New information indication, informing the UE that the current access rejection is due to store-and-forward, and the UE can try to access again when the next satellite passes by; 2) Waiting timer, informing the UE of the time it needs to wait before the next satellite arrives; 3) Satellite ID list (optional), informing the UE that it can select a satellite from the list for access.

[0054] Existing technologies only describe the basic operational procedures in store-and-forward mode, but they do not define how to switch between store-and-forward mode and normal mode, or how the network informs the UE of the switch (including switching from normal mode to store-and-forward mode and vice versa). In practical applications, there is indeed a scenario where, before the t-service (the time when the satellite stops providing NTN service in the current cell) timer expires, the satellite is in normal mode, but shortly afterward, the feeder link becomes unavailable. At this time, the service link remains connected, so the satellite switches to store-and-forward mode, and the network needs to inform the UE that a mode switch has occurred; the reverse is also true.

[0055] Based on this, in various embodiments of this application, the satellite sends system messages or RRC-specific signaling; wherein, the system messages or RRC-specific signaling at least indicate that the satellite's service mode is switching between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. The above scheme clearly defines that the satellite indicates the service mode switch to the terminal. The system messages or RRC-specific signaling serve as the satellite's service mode switch indication. After receiving the system messages or RRC-specific signaling sent by the satellite, the terminal can anticipate the change in the IoT NTN service mode, thereby enabling the terminal to synchronously use appropriate configurations, resulting in more rational terminal scheduling and reducing unnecessary signaling overhead and power consumption.

[0056] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0057] This application provides a communication method applied to a satellite, where the satellite supports store-and-forward mode or store-and-forward function. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the method includes:

[0058] Step 101: Send a system message or RRC-specific signaling.

[0059] The system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the service mode of the satellite is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

[0060] Here, the satellite sends system messages or RRC-specific signaling to indicate to the terminal that the satellite's service mode is switching between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. The system messages and RRC-specific signaling can be understood as service mode switching instructions. System messages can be sent periodically or aperiodically; system messages may include, but are not limited to, SIBs. The satellite can use static, semi-static, or dynamic methods to indicate the switching of its service mode between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. The switching can be described as a change or handover. The terminal can be described as a UE; in this embodiment, the terminal refers to a terminal in the IoT NTN that supports store-and-forward mode or store-and-forward function, such as an IoT NTN UE and / or an IoT UE that supports store-and-forward mode or store-and-forward function.

[0061] Service mode can be described as operating mode. Normal mode refers to the operating mode where both the satellite's Service link and Feeder link are available; normal mode can be described as normal mode or satellite in normal mode. Store-and-forward mode can be described as Store & Forward (S&F); it can also be described as Store & Forward operation or satellite in Store & Forward operation.

[0062] To save signaling overhead, the terminal can be notified when the satellite's service mode changes or is about to change. Based on this, in one embodiment, sending the system message includes:

[0063] In the event of a change or conversion in the service mode of the satellite, a first SIB is transmitted, or a first SIB is periodically transmitted or broadcast, wherein the first SIB indicates at least that the service mode of the satellite is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

[0064] Here, when the satellite's service mode changes or switches, a first SIB or a new first SIB can be sent, or the broadcast first SIB can be changed; the first SIB indicates the satellite's changed service mode.

[0065] For example, when a satellite's service mode changes from normal mode to store-and-forward mode, or is about to change to store-and-forward mode, the first SIB transmitted indicates that the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode; when a satellite's service mode changes from store-and-forward mode to normal mode, or is about to change to normal mode, the first SIB transmitted indicates that the satellite's service mode is normal mode.

[0066] Satellites can use static indication to indicate the transition of their service mode between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. To improve the flexibility of informing terminals of the current satellite service mode and to save signaling overhead, an implicit indication method can be used. Based on this, the first SIB carries first information, which implicitly indicates that the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode.

[0067] Here, when the satellite is currently in store-and-forward mode, or is about to switch to store-and-forward mode, the first SIB transmitted by the satellite carries the first information; when the satellite is currently in normal mode, or is about to switch to normal mode, the first SIB transmitted by the satellite does not carry the first information; in this way, the satellite can inform the terminal of the current service mode of the satellite through the implicit first information.

[0068] The first information can be carried in a designated bit in the first SIB, and the first information can occupy 1 bit. The first SIB includes, but is not limited to, SIB1, and the first information can be cellbarredSF.

[0069] The satellite can use a static indication method to indicate the transition of its service mode between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. To facilitate terminal awareness of the satellite's current service mode, an explicit indication method can be used. Based on this, the first SIB carries second information, which explicitly indicates whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

[0070] Here, when the satellite is currently in store-and-forward mode, or is about to switch to store-and-forward mode, the first SIB carries the second information to indicate that the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode; when the satellite is currently in normal mode, or is about to switch to normal mode, the first SIB carries the second information to indicate that the satellite's service mode is display mode. In other words, the second information corresponds to different service modes of the satellite.

[0071] To improve the efficiency of the terminal in identifying the current service mode of the satellite, in one embodiment, the second information is carried in the setting field of the first SIB.

[0072] Here, a field can be added or set in the first SIB to explicitly indicate the service mode of the satellite, namely the first field. Different values ​​of the first field can indicate the store-and-forward mode and the normal mode.

[0073] For example, the first field is satelliteServingMode, with a value of ENUMERATED{sf, normal}. When the satellite is in store-and-forward mode, or is about to switch to store-and-forward mode, the first SIB broadcast carries the satelliteServingMode field with a value of sf; when the satellite is in normal mode, or is about to switch to normal mode, the first SIB broadcast carries the satelliteServingMode field with a value of normal.

[0074] It should be noted that the first SIB includes, but is not limited to, SIB31 and / or SIB32.

[0075] The satellite can use dynamic indication to indicate the transition of its service mode between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. Based on this, the transmitted system messages include:

[0076] If the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is less than or equal to a set number, a second SIB is sent; wherein,

[0077] The duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide NTN service in the current cell; the second SIB indicates at least whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode, and the set number is a positive integer.

[0078] Here, the first timer can be a t-service timer, and the duration of the first timer can be expressed as t. service The first timer can correspond to a satellite's NTN cell; one NTN cell corresponds to one first timer, or all NTN cells of the satellite can correspond to the same first timer. The timing duration of different NTN cells can be the same or different. The current cell refers to the current NTN cell. The number of times to set the timer can be represented by a threshold, such as threshold Q. It should be noted that the first SIB and the second SIB can be the same or different; there is no restriction here.

[0079] To facilitate timely adjustments to configuration or operating parameters by the terminal based on the satellite's service mode transition, a second SIB can be sent before the service mode transition occurs. Therefore, in one embodiment, sending the second SIB includes:

[0080] The second SIB is sent before the service mode of the satellite is switched.

[0081] Here, if the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is less than or equal to the set number, a second SIB is sent before the satellite's service mode is switched to store-and-forward mode. The second SIB indicates that the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or is about to switch to store-and-forward mode. A second SIB is also sent before the satellite's service mode is switched to normal mode. The second SIB indicates that the satellite's service mode is normal mode or is about to switch to normal mode.

[0082] In one embodiment, the second SIB carries one or more of the following:

[0083] The third information indicates the duration of the initial service mode of the satellite and the reference point of the start time;

[0084] The fourth piece of information indicates the duration and start time reference point of the satellite's switched service mode.

[0085] Here, the number of third information items is one, and the number of fourth information items can be one or more.

[0086] When the satellite is operating in initial service mode, or before the satellite enters initial service mode, the second SIB transmitted carries third information. Before the satellite transitions from initial service mode to other service modes, the second SIB transmitted carries fourth information; or, after the satellite ends initial service mode, and before each service mode transition, the second SIB transmitted carries fourth information; until the first timer expires. The first timer expiration can be understood as the first timer ending its count. Both the third and fourth information can be understood as time status information; the duration can be described as the duration of the event.

[0087] For example, the initial timeout of the current t-service timer is 100 seconds (s), meaning the first timer's timeout is 100 seconds. The network indicates that the satellite's initial service mode is normal mode, lasting for 60 seconds. Subsequently, the satellite switches to store-and-forward mode and rebroadcasts the updated second SIB until the t-service timer times out. As shown in Figure 2, t service =100s, the satellite's service mode changes once, with the initial reference point's time status information being (0, 60); the time status information of the first mode transition node is (60, 40); that is, the third information indicates that the satellite's initial service mode is normal mode and (0, 60), the duration of normal mode is 60s, and the reference point for the start time of normal mode is 0; the third information can include normal mode and (0, 60). The fourth information indicates that the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode, the reference point for the start time of store-and-forward mode is 60s, and the duration of store-and-forward mode is 40s; the fourth information can include (60, 40).

[0088] For example, the initial timeout period of the current t-service timer is 100 seconds. The network indicates that the satellite's initial service mode is normal mode, lasting for 20 seconds. Subsequently, the satellite switches to store-and-forward mode and rebroadcasts the updated second SIB. The time status information in store-and-forward mode is (20, 50), and the second SIB can carry (20, 50). After the store-and-forward mode times out, the satellite switches back to normal mode, where the time status information is (70, 30). Therefore, the satellite needs to rebroadcast the second SIB, which can carry (70, 30), until the t-service timer times out. Figure 3 As shown, t service=100s, the satellite service mode changes twice. The initial reference point's time status information is (0, 20); the time status information of mode switching node 1 (store-and-forward mode) is (20, 70); and the time status information of mode switching node 2 (normal mode) is (70, 30). That is to say, the third piece of information can include normal mode and (0, 20), the first piece of fourth information can include (20, 70), and the second piece of fourth information can include (70, 30).

[0089] Satellites can use dynamic indication to indicate the transition of their service mode between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. Based on this, to save signaling overhead, in one embodiment, the transmission system message includes:

[0090] If the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is greater than a set number, then the third SIB is sent; wherein,

[0091] The timing duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide NTN service in the current cell, the third SIB indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite, and the number of times the timer is set is a positive integer.

[0092] Here, if more than a set number of service mode transitions are involved before the timeout of a t-service timer (first timer), a semi-static indication method can be used to send a third SIB. The semi-static indication method is suitable for scenarios with multiple service mode transitions.

[0093] Specifically, the network indicates the time status information of each service mode in the third SIB. The time status information is used to indicate the duration of the service mode and the reference point of the start time, informing the terminal in advance whether there will be a subsequent service mode switch and the time status information of all switched service modes (all patterns). In other words, the third SIB can include the satellite's initial service mode and the time status information of the initial service mode, as well as the time status information of each switched service mode.

[0094] If the service mode's time status information remains unchanged, the network does not need to continuously broadcast the third SIB. When the time status information changes, the network only needs to broadcast the changed portion. This indication method is suitable for scenarios with unstable feeder links, which may lead to frequent service mode switching. The satellite determines the number of service mode transitions (N) before the current cell's t-service timer expires based on its own feeder link status. This semi-static method allows the terminal to know the network's scheduling mode in advance, thus enabling more reasonable configuration and scheduling.

[0095] In order to improve the efficiency of the first terminal in obtaining relevant information about the various service modes of the satellite and reduce the computational load of the first terminal, in one embodiment, the third SIB carries fifth information, which indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite.

[0096] Here, the third SIB can carry multiple pieces of fifth information, with each piece of fifth information corresponding to the time status information of a service mode. The third SIB can also carry the satellite's initial service mode and corresponding fifth information, as well as the fifth information for each service mode after conversion.

[0097] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, the initial duration of the current t-service timer (the first timer) is 200 seconds, the network indication mode transition count is 5, and the satellite's initial service mode is normal mode, lasting for 20 seconds. Therefore, the initial service mode time status information is (0, 20). Afterwards, it undergoes 5 service mode transitions: normal mode - store-and-forward mode - normal mode - store-and-forward mode - normal mode - store-and-forward mode. That is, before the final t-service timer expires, the satellite is in store-and-forward mode. The durations of each transitioned service mode are 30 seconds, 40 seconds, 30 seconds, 50 seconds, and 30 seconds, respectively. Therefore, the time status information for each mode transition node is (20, 30), (50, 40), (90, 30), (120, 50), and (170, 30), respectively.

[0098] In one embodiment, the duration of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is equal to the difference between the timing duration and the first duration, where the first duration represents the sum of the reference point of the start time of the initial service mode of the satellite and the duration of the N-1 service modes converted by the satellite, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0099] In one embodiment, the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is the sum of the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the (N-1)th conversion and the duration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0100] For example, the number of service mode transitions is denoted as N, where N is an integer greater than 1. The initial timing duration of the satellite's t-service timer (first timer) is denoted as t. service The corresponding time state information reference point t0 takes the value 0 ≤ t0 < t service Therefore, as Figure 5As shown, the time status information of the satellite's initial service mode can be represented as (t0, T1), where T1 is the duration of the satellite's initial service mode (store-and-forward mode or normal mode); the first mode transition reference point can be represented as (t0+T1, T2), the second mode transition reference point can be represented as (t0+T1+T2, T3), therefore, the time status information of the Nth reference point can be represented as... Duration T of the Nth mode conversion reference point N+1 It can also be expressed as After receiving the third SIB transmitted by the satellite, the terminal can perceive the scheduling behavior on the network side, thereby enabling the terminal to adopt a more reasonable configuration, reduce scheduling latency, and enhance coordination efficiency.

[0101] It should be noted that the first, second, and third SIBs can be the same or different; there are no restrictions here. The first mode transition reference point can be understood as the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the first transition; the second mode transition reference point can be understood as the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the second transition; and the duration of the Nth mode transition reference point can be understood as the duration of the service mode after the Nth transition.

[0102] Since the first terminal does not receive system messages or changed system messages when it is in a connected state, the satellite can indicate a change in its service mode to the first terminal via dedicated signaling (RRC). Therefore, in one embodiment, sending dedicated signaling (RRC) includes:

[0103] The RRC dedicated signaling is sent to a first terminal in the connected state, where the first terminal represents an Internet of Things terminal accessing the satellite.

[0104] Here, when the first terminal is in the connected state, the satellite sends RRC dedicated signaling to the first terminal. The connected state can be described as the RRC connected state.

[0105] In one embodiment, the RRC dedicated signaling indicates a reference point for the duration and start time of the satellite's switched service mode, or indicates a reference point for the duration and start time of each service mode of the satellite.

[0106] Here, RRC dedicated signaling can carry time status information of the satellite's service mode. One piece of time status information indicates the duration of a satellite's service mode and the reference point of its start time. RRC dedicated signaling can be described as RRC dynamic signaling.

[0107] For example, if the current first timer has a duration of 100 seconds, the core network informs the first terminal that a service mode transition will occur before the first timer expires. Since the first terminal is currently in connected mode and cannot receive SIBs, the network instructs the first terminal via RRC dedicated signaling that the satellite will undergo a service mode transition after 40 seconds, for example, switching to store-and-forward mode, and this transition will continue until the first timer expires. In other words, the RRC dedicated signaling can carry the time status information of each of the satellite's service modes.

[0108] It should be noted that, in order to improve the flexibility of informing the terminal of the current service mode of the satellite, the satellite can refer to Table 1 and select the corresponding indication method according to different situations to indicate to the first terminal that the satellite's service mode has changed.

[0109] Table 1

[0110]

[0111]

[0112] Since static, dynamic, and semi-static indication methods are applicable to different scenarios, adaptive indication can be understood as the network adaptively selecting the optimal indication method from static, dynamic, and semi-static indication based on the number of times the satellite transitions between store-and-forward mode and normal mode. Specifically, the satellite determines the number of service mode transitions (N) before the current cell's t-service timer (first timer) expires, based on its feeder link status. The number of transitions can be indicated by the core network or implemented by network devices. Based on the number of transitions, the satellite decides to use static, dynamic, or semi-static indication to indicate the service mode transition to the first terminal. As shown in Table 2, when N is 0, it indicates that the satellite's service mode does not transition, and the system message broadcast by the network does not need to carry the time status information of the service mode; therefore, static scheduling is sufficient. When the value of N is small (e.g., N is less than or equal to 2), dynamic indication can be used. When the value of N is large, semi-static indication is used, broadcasting all the time status information of the satellite's various service modes to the first terminal at once. The threshold for switching the service mode indication method is Q, which corresponds to the number of times set above. The value of Q can be determined based on the specific implementation of the network device.

[0113] Table 2

[0114] Number of service model transitions N Adaptive approaches use an indicator method 0 Static indicator 0<N≤Q Dynamic Indicator N>Q Semi-static indication

[0115] It should be noted that when the satellite's service mode changes, the first terminal can adjust to different services, or adjust the same service to use different Quality of Service (QoS). When the satellite switches from store-and-forward mode to normal mode, the first terminal can delay access to network devices to reduce unnecessary signaling overhead and save power.

[0116] To implement the satellite-side method of this application embodiment, this application embodiment also provides a communication device, which is installed on the satellite, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the device includes:

[0117] Sending unit 601 is used to send system messages or RRC-specific signaling; wherein,

[0118] The system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the satellite's service mode is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

[0119] In one embodiment, the transmitting unit 601 is specifically configured to transmit a first SIB or periodically transmit or broadcast a first SIB when the service mode of the satellite changes or switches, wherein the first SIB at least indicates that the service mode of the satellite is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

[0120] In one embodiment, the first SIB carries first information, which implicitly indicates that the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode.

[0121] In one embodiment, the first SIB carries second information, which explicitly indicates whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

[0122] In one embodiment, the second information is carried in a setting field of the first SIB.

[0123] In one embodiment, the transmitting unit 601 is specifically configured to transmit a second SIB when the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is less than or equal to a set number; wherein,

[0124] The duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide NTN service in the current cell; the second SIB indicates at least whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode, and the set number is a positive integer.

[0125] In one embodiment, the transmitting unit 601 is specifically configured to transmit a second SIB before the service mode of the satellite changes.

[0126] In one embodiment, the second SIB carries one or more of the following:

[0127] The third information indicates the duration of the initial service mode of the satellite and the reference point of the start time;

[0128] The fourth piece of information indicates the duration and start time reference point of the satellite's switched service mode.

[0129] In one embodiment, the sending unit 601 is specifically configured to send a third SIB when the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is greater than a set number; wherein,

[0130] The timing duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide NTN service in the current cell, the third SIB indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite, and the number of times the timer is set is a positive integer.

[0131] In one embodiment, the third SIB carries fifth information, which indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite.

[0132] In one embodiment, the sending unit 601 is specifically used to send the RRC dedicated signaling to a first terminal in a connected state, the first terminal representing an Internet of Things terminal accessing the satellite.

[0133] In one embodiment, the RRC dedicated signaling indicates a reference point for the duration and start time of the satellite's switched service mode, or indicates a reference point for the duration and start time of each service mode of the satellite.

[0134] In one embodiment, the duration of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is equal to the difference between the timing duration and the first duration, where the first duration represents the sum of the reference point of the start time of the initial service mode of the satellite and the duration of the N-1 service modes converted by the satellite, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0135] In one embodiment, the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is the sum of the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the (N-1)th conversion and the duration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0136] In practical applications, the sending unit 601 can be implemented by a processor in the communication device combined with a communication interface.

[0137] It should be noted that the communication device provided in the above embodiments is only illustrated by the division of the above program modules. In actual applications, the above processing can be assigned to different program modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the processing described above. In addition, the communication device and communication method embodiments provided in the above embodiments belong to the same concept, and their specific implementation process can be found in the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0138] Based on the hardware implementation of the above program modules, and in order to implement the satellite-side method of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application also provide a satellite, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the first node 700 includes:

[0139] The communication interface 701 enables information exchange with other network nodes;

[0140] The processor 702 is connected to the communication interface 701 to enable information interaction with other network nodes and, when running a computer program, executes the methods provided by one or more of the aforementioned satellite-side technical solutions. The computer program is stored in the memory 703.

[0141] Specifically, the communication interface 701 is used to send system messages or RRC-specific signaling; wherein the system message or the RRC-specific signaling at least indicates that the service mode of the satellite is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

[0142] In one embodiment, the communication interface 701 is specifically used to send a first SIB or periodically send or broadcast a first SIB when the service mode of the satellite changes or switches, wherein the first SIB at least indicates that the service mode of the satellite is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

[0143] In one embodiment, the first SIB carries first information, which implicitly indicates that the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode.

[0144] In one embodiment, the first SIB carries second information, which explicitly indicates whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

[0145] In one embodiment, the second information is carried in a setting field of the first SIB.

[0146] In one embodiment, the communication interface 701 is specifically used to send a second SIB when the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is less than or equal to a set number; wherein,

[0147] The duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide NTN service in the current cell; the second SIB indicates at least whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode, and the set number is a positive integer.

[0148] In one embodiment, the communication interface 701 is specifically used to send a second SIB before the service mode of the satellite changes.

[0149] In one embodiment, the second SIB carries one or more of the following:

[0150] The third information indicates the duration of the initial service mode of the satellite and the reference point of the start time;

[0151] The fourth piece of information indicates the duration and start time reference point of the satellite's switched service mode.

[0152] In one embodiment, the communication interface 701 is specifically used to send a third SIB when the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is greater than a set number; wherein,

[0153] The timing duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide NTN service in the current cell, the third SIB indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite, and the number of times the timer is set is a positive integer.

[0154] In one embodiment, the third SIB carries fifth information, which indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite.

[0155] In one embodiment, the communication interface 701 is specifically used to send the RRC dedicated signaling to a first terminal in a connected state, the first terminal representing an Internet of Things terminal accessing the satellite.

[0156] In one embodiment, the RRC dedicated signaling indicates a reference point for the duration and start time of the satellite's switched service mode, or indicates a reference point for the duration and start time of each service mode of the satellite.

[0157] In one embodiment, the duration of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is equal to the difference between the timing duration and the first duration, where the first duration represents the sum of the reference point of the start time of the initial service mode of the satellite and the duration of the N-1 service modes converted by the satellite, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0158] In one embodiment, the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is the sum of the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the (N-1)th conversion and the duration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0159] It should be noted that the specific processing procedures of the processor 702 and the communication interface 701 can be understood by referring to the above method.

[0160] Of course, in practical applications, the various components in the first node 700 are coupled together through the bus system 704. It can be understood that the bus system 704 is used to implement communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 704 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, in... Figure 7 The general designated all buses as Bus System 704.

[0161] The memory 703 in this embodiment is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the first node 700. Examples of such data include any computer program used to operate on the first node 700.

[0162] The methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be applied to, or implemented by, the processor 702. The processor 702 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry of the hardware in the processor 702 or by instructions in software form. The processor 702 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The processor 702 can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware decoding processor, or execution by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in a storage medium, specifically in memory 703. The processor 702 reads information from memory 703 and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the aforementioned method.

[0163] In an exemplary embodiment, the first node 700 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), DSPs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers (MCUs), microprocessors, or other electronic components to perform the aforementioned method.

[0164] It is understood that the memory (memory 703) in this embodiment of the application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or both. 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), ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM), flash memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disc, or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM); the magnetic surface memory can be disk storage or magnetic tape storage. 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), Synchronous Static Random Access Memory (SSRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus Random Access Memory (DRRAM).The memories described in the embodiments of this application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0165] In an exemplary embodiment, this application also provides a storage medium, namely a computer storage medium, specifically a computer-readable storage medium, such as a memory 703 storing a computer program, which can be executed by the processor 702 of the first node 700 to complete the steps described in the aforementioned satellite-side method. The computer-readable storage medium may be a memory such as FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disc, or CD-ROM.

[0166] For example, this application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that can be executed by the processor 702 of the first node 700 to complete the steps described in the aforementioned satellite-side method.

[0167] It should be noted that terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. "Multiple" can refer to two or more items, and "multiple" can refer to two or more items. The term "and / or" in this document merely describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Furthermore, the term "one or more" in this document refers to any combination of at least two of the multiple elements. For example, including one or more of A, B, and C can represent including any one or at least two or more elements selected from the set consisting of A, B, and C.

[0168] Furthermore, the technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application can be combined arbitrarily without conflict.

[0169] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Applied to satellites, the method includes: Send system messages or Radio Resource Control (RRC) dedicated signaling; among which, The system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the satellite's service mode is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The system message being sent includes: In the event of a change or conversion in the service mode of the satellite, a first system information block (SIB) is sent, or a first SIB is periodically sent or broadcast, wherein the first SIB indicates at least that the service mode of the satellite is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first SIB carries first information, which implicitly indicates that the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first SIB carries second information, which explicitly indicates whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The second information is carried in the setting field of the first SIB.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The system message being sent includes: If the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is less than or equal to a set number, a second SIB is sent; wherein, The duration of the first timer represents the duration during which the satellite ceases to provide non-terrestrial network (NTN) services in the current cell; the second SIB indicates at least whether the satellite's service mode is store-and-forward mode or normal mode, and the set number is a positive integer.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmission of the second SIB includes: The second SIB is sent before the service mode of the satellite is switched.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second SIB carries one or more of the following: The third information indicates the duration of the initial service mode of the satellite and the reference point of the start time; The fourth piece of information indicates the duration and start time reference point of the satellite's switched service mode.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein, The system message being sent includes: If the first timer has not expired and the number of times the satellite's service mode has switched is greater than a set number, then the third SIB is sent; wherein, The timing duration of the first timer represents the duration for which the satellite ceases to provide NTN service in the current cell, the third SIB indicates the duration and start time reference point of each service mode of the satellite, and the number of times the timer is set is a positive integer.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The third SIB carries fifth information, which indicates the duration and start time reference point for each service mode of the satellite.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein, Send RRC-specific signaling, including: The RRC dedicated signaling is sent to a first terminal in the connected state, where the first terminal represents an Internet of Things terminal accessing the satellite.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The RRC dedicated signaling indicates the reference point for the duration and start time of the service mode after the satellite's transition, or indicates the reference point for the duration and start time of each service mode of the satellite.

13. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 7, 9 to 12, characterized in that, The duration of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is equal to the difference between the timing duration and the first duration. The first duration represents the sum of the reference point of the start time of the initial service mode of the satellite and the duration of the N-1 service modes converted by the satellite, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

14. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 7, 9 to 12, characterized in that, The reference point for the start time of the service mode after the Nth conversion of the satellite is the sum of the reference point for the start time of the service mode after the (N-1)th conversion and the duration, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

15. A communications device, characterized by include: The sending unit is used to send system messages or RRC-specific signaling; among which, The system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the satellite's service mode is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

16. A satellite, characterized by include: Processor and communication interface; among which, The communication interface is used to send system messages or RRC-specific signaling; wherein, The system message or the RRC dedicated signaling at least indicates that the satellite's service mode is switched between store-and-forward mode and normal mode.

17. A satellite, characterized by This includes a processor and memory for storing computer programs that can run on the processor. When the processor is used to run the computer program, it performs the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

18. A storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

19. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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