An information transmission method, device, medium, program product and chip

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide an information transmission method and device, a medium, a program product and a chip, aiming to make the terminal device determine the time when the network device successfully forwards the information to the target ground network. The method comprises: sending first information to the network device; the first information comprises information of the target ground network; the target ground network is the ground network to which the first information needs to be sent; receiving second information sent by the network device when the network device and the target ground network are not connected; the second information is used to indicate a first time; the first time is an estimated time when the network device sends the first information to the target ground network. Thus, when the network device cannot send the information content in the first information to the target ground network in real time, the terminal device determines the time when the first information is expected to be sent to the target ground network based on the second information, avoids that a user mistakenly takes the time when an acknowledgement character is received as the time when the information is sent to the ground network, and improves user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an information transmission method, apparatus, medium, program product, and chip. Background Technology

[0002] In IoT (Internet of Things) and non-terrestrial networking (IoT-NTN) scenarios, satellites operate in both store-and-forward and normal modes. In store-and-forward mode, a single satellite cannot simultaneously cover both a terminal device and a terrestrial network. Therefore, when a terminal device needs to send information to a terrestrial network, it must first send the information to the satellite. Once the satellite covers the terrestrial network, it then forwards the information to the terrestrial network. This results in the terminal device being unable to determine whether the information was successfully transmitted when the satellite cannot simultaneously cover both the terminal device and the terrestrial network, leading to the terminal device sending the same information to the satellite multiple times.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, one possible approach is for the satellite to send an acknowledgment character to the terminal device after receiving the information, thus informing the device that the information was successfully transmitted. However, in this approach, the terminal device cannot determine the exact time when the information was successfully transmitted to the terrestrial network, and may mistakenly interpret the time of receiving the acknowledgment character as the time of successful transmission, impacting user experience. Therefore, enabling the terminal device to determine the time when the terrestrial network received the information has become a crucial technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an information transmission method, apparatus, medium, program product, and chip, with the aim of enabling terminal equipment to determine the time when network equipment successfully forwards information to the target terrestrial network.

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

[0006] The first aspect of this application provides an information transmission method, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the terminal device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. For example, the method is applied to a first terminal device, but this application does not limit its application. The following description uses a terminal device as an example. The method includes:

[0007] Send first information to a network device; the first information includes information about a target terrestrial network; the target terrestrial network is the terrestrial network to which the first information needs to be sent;

[0008] The network device receives second information sent by the network device when the network device is not connected to the target terrestrial network; the second information is used to indicate a first time; the first time is the estimated time when the network device sends the first information to the target terrestrial network.

[0009] In the above scheme, when the network device is not connected to the target terrestrial network, it sends a second message to the terminal device instructing the network device to estimate the time when the first message will be sent to the target terrestrial network. This allows the terminal device to determine the estimated time when the first message will be sent to the target terrestrial network based on the second message sent by the network device, even when the network device cannot send the information content in the first message to the target terrestrial network in real time. This enables the terminal device user to determine the approximate time of message transmission, preventing the user from mistakenly taking the time of receiving the confirmation character as the time when the message was successfully sent to the terrestrial network. This allows the user to make decisions based on the first moment in emergency situations, improving the user experience.

[0010] In some possible implementations, the second information is also used to indicate a second time; the second time is an estimated time when the terminal device receives the third information; the third information is a response message to the first information.

[0011] In the above scheme, the second information also includes the time when the terminal device receives the response message of the first information, so that the terminal device can determine the approximate time of receiving the response message, avoiding the user spending a lot of time waiting or not being able to find the received response message in time due to uncertainty about the approximate time of receiving the response message, thereby saving the user's time, enabling the user to view the response message in a timely manner, and improving the user experience.

[0012] In some possible implementations, the second information includes a first field; the first field is used to carry the first time and the second time.

[0013] In some possible implementations, the second information is a relay layer correct response message.

[0014] In some possible implementations, the first field is a relay layer user field.

[0015] In the above scheme, by reusing the relay layer user field to carry the first and second times, the structure of the relay layer correct response message does not need to be significantly modified, thus reducing operating costs.

[0016] In some possible implementations, the first field is an extended field in the relay layer correct response message.

[0017] In some possible implementations, the first information is a relay layer data signaling message.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the estimated time for the network device to send the first information to the target terrestrial network is the time when the network device will next connect to the target terrestrial network.

[0019] In some possible implementations, the method further includes:

[0020] The network device receives a fourth message sent when it connects to the target terrestrial network; the fourth message indicates a third time; the third time is the actual time when the network device sends the first message to the target terrestrial network.

[0021] In the above scheme, since the target ground network may fail to send timely feedback messages to the terminal device due to reasons such as failure, the above scheme enables the network device to send a fourth message including the third time to the terminal device when the network device is connected to the target ground network. This allows the terminal device to determine the actual time when the network device sent the first message to the target ground network, avoiding the terminal device from sending the first message multiple times due to not receiving a reply message, and reducing the load pressure and overhead of the network device.

[0022] A second aspect of this application provides an information transmission method, which may be executed by a network device, or by a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description uses a network device as an example. The method includes:

[0023] The system receives first information sent by a terminal device; the first information includes information content and information about a target terrestrial network; the target terrestrial network is the terrestrial network to which the first information needs to be sent.

[0024] When the network device is not connected to the target ground network, a first time is determined based on pre-stored ephemeris information and information from the target ground network; the first time is the estimated time to send the first information to the target ground network; a second information is sent to the terminal device; the second information is used to indicate the first time.

[0025] In the above scheme, when the network device is not connected to the target terrestrial network, it sends a second message to the terminal device instructing the network device to estimate the time when the first message will be sent to the target terrestrial network. This allows the terminal device to determine the estimated time when the first message will be sent to the target terrestrial network based on the second message sent by the network device, even when the network device cannot send the information content in the first message to the target terrestrial network in real time. This enables the terminal device user to determine the approximate time of message transmission, preventing the user from mistakenly taking the time of receiving the confirmation character as the time when the message was successfully sent to the terrestrial network. This allows the user to make decisions based on the second time in emergency situations, improving the user experience.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the method further includes:

[0027] The second time is estimated based on the ephemeris information and the information of the target ground network; the second time is the estimated time when the terminal device receives the third information; the third information is a response message to the first information; the second information is also used to indicate the second time.

[0028] In some possible implementations, the second information includes a first field; the first field is used to carry the first time and the second time.

[0029] In some possible implementations, the second information is a relay layer correct response message.

[0030] In some possible implementations, the first field is a relay layer user field.

[0031] In some possible implementations, the first field is an extended field in the relay layer correct response message.

[0032] In some possible implementations, the first information is a relay layer data signaling message.

[0033] In some possible implementations, the time when the network device sends the first information to the target terrestrial network is the time when the network device next connects to the target terrestrial network.

[0034] In some possible implementations, the method includes:

[0035] The fourth information is sent when the network device is connected to the target terrestrial network; the fourth information is used to indicate a third time; the third time is the actual time when the network device sends the first information to the target terrestrial network.

[0036] In some possible implementations, the method further includes:

[0037] The first information is sent to the target ground network at the first time.

[0038] The explanations, supplements, and descriptions of the beneficial effects in the first aspect also apply to the second aspect.

[0039] A third aspect of this application provides a communication device, including a module for performing the method provided in the first aspect, or a module for performing the method provided in the second aspect.

[0040] A fourth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect.

[0041] The fifth aspect of this application provides a computer program product including instructions that, when executed, cause the method provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect to be implemented.

[0042] A sixth aspect of this application provides a chip including a processor coupled to a memory for executing a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, such that the chip implements the method provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect.

[0043] The seventh aspect of this application provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices. The processor is used to implement the method provided in the first aspect or the method provided in the second aspect through logic circuits or executing code instructions. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of the communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the interaction process between a terminal device and a network device, provided as an embodiment of this application.

[0046] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the relative positions between a satellite and a ground station provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the element layout of a relay layer user field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the interaction process between a terminal device, a satellite, and a target ground network, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 8 This is a structural example diagram of an electronic device disclosed in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the following embodiments is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be a limitation of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "one or more" refers to one, two, or more; "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0053] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0054] The "multiple" mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to two or more. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying order.

[0055] The embodiments of this application are applied to communication systems, which can be second-generation (2G) communication systems, third-generation (3G) communication systems, LTE systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, LTE and 5G hybrid architectures, 5G new radio (5G NR) systems, and new communication systems that will emerge in the future development of communication.

[0056] A communication system includes a first device and a second device. The first device can be a network-side device used to provide network communication functions; in some cases, it is also called a network device or network element. Network devices are typically base stations (including functional units of base stations, or combinations of functional units of base stations) or core network units. Core network units can be functional units within the core network, including but not limited to access and mobility management function (AMF) units or session management function (SMF) units. The second device can be a device accessing the network, typically a terminal. An example of a communication system is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 It includes base station 1 and terminal 2.

[0057] In the embodiments provided in this application, the base station can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities, including but not limited to: evolved base stations (NodeB, eNB, or e-NodeB) in Long Term Evolution (LTE), base stations (gNodeB or gNB) or transmission receiving points / transmission reception points (TRPs) in New Radio (NR), base stations in subsequent 3GPP evolutions, access nodes in Wi-Fi systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base station can be: a satellite base station, a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small cell, a relay station, or a balloon station, etc. The base station can include one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission reception points (TRPs). The base station can also be a radio controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The base station can communicate with the terminal, or it can communicate with the terminal through a relay station. The terminal can communicate with multiple base stations using different technologies. For example, the terminal can communicate with base stations that support LTE networks, base stations that support 5G networks, and can also establish dual connections with both LTE and 5G base stations.

[0058] In the embodiments provided in this application, the terminal can take various forms, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminal device, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical care, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, wearable terminal device, etc. The terminal may also be referred to as terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The terminal can also be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal.

[0059] In communication systems, IoT technology and non-terrestrial networks enable global data transmission and information exchange by connecting IoT devices to non-terrestrial networks, such as satellite networks, thus solving the communication needs of remote areas, oceans, and other places where it is difficult to lay terrestrial networks.

[0060] Specifically, IoT-NTN includes a store-and-forward operating mode scenario. In this scenario, after the satellite receives information sent by the terminal device, it sends an acknowledgment character back to the terminal device to indicate successful transmission. However, after the satellite transmits the information sent by the terminal device to the terrestrial network, it discards the acknowledgment character returned by the terrestrial network. This means the terminal device only receives the acknowledgment character from the satellite regarding the received information, making it impossible to determine the exact time the information was successfully transmitted to the terrestrial network. There is a risk of mistakenly interpreting the time of the acknowledgment character received by the satellite as the time of successful transmission. For example, in an emergency, if the terminal device needs to send rescue information to the terrestrial network, but can only receive the acknowledgment character from the satellite, the user cannot determine the time of successful transmission, affecting their decision-making. Therefore, this application provides an information transmission method, apparatus, medium, program product, and chip to enable the terminal device to determine the time when the network device successfully forwards information to the target terrestrial network.

[0061] To make the technical solution of this application clearer and easier to understand, the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, introduces an information transmission method, apparatus, medium, program product, and chip provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0062] See Figure 2 The flowchart shown illustrates an information transmission method, which includes:

[0063] S201: The terminal device sends first information to the network device; the first information includes information about the target terrestrial network; the target terrestrial network is the terrestrial network to which the first information needs to be sent. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information sent by the terminal device.

[0064] Specifically, the terminal device sends first information to the network device, and the terminal device is located within the coverage area of ​​the network device. The first information carries information content and target terrestrial network information. The target terrestrial network information is used to indicate the user or service center to which the first information needs to be sent, such as a telephone number, a unique code, or other unique identifier, so that the network device can determine the terrestrial network to which the first information needs to be sent after receiving it.

[0065] The first message can be in the form of SMS, real-time communication messages, etc. Taking SMS as an example, the first message can specifically be a relay layer-data (RP-DATA) message.

[0066] S202: When the network device is not connected to the target ground network, it determines the first time based on the pre-stored ephemeris information and the information of the target ground network; the first time is the estimated time to send the first information to the target ground network.

[0067] Specifically, the estimated time for sending the first information to the target ground network is the estimated time when the network device will next connect with the target ground network, or a first preset time after the time when the network device will next connect with the target ground network. The first preset time can be selected based on actual needs, such as 5 milliseconds, 1 second, etc. In this embodiment, taking the estimated time for sending the first information to the target ground network as the time when the network device will next connect with the target ground network as an example, when the network device is not connected to the target ground network, the first time is determined based on pre-stored ephemeris information and information from the target ground network, including:

[0068] Determine if a feeder link exists between the network device and the target ground network. If a feeder link exists, the network device and the target ground network are connected. If no feeder link exists, the network device and the target ground network are not connected.

[0069] If the network device is not connected to the target terrestrial network, it means that the target terrestrial network is not within the coverage area of ​​the network device when the terminal device sends the first information to the network device. Since the target terrestrial network is outside the coverage area of ​​the network device, the network device cannot send the first information to the target terrestrial network. The network device stores the first information and estimates the time when the next power supply link with the target terrestrial network will be established, and uses the estimated time as the first time.

[0070] Furthermore, when the ephemeris information includes the network device's operating trajectory and movement speed, the network device can calculate the time for the next establishment of a power supply link with the target ground network based on the previously acquired ephemeris information and the ground station information corresponding to the target ground network.

[0071] In one optional embodiment, the calculation of the next time to establish a power supply link with the target ground network is based on the previously acquired ephemeris information and the ground station information corresponding to the target ground network, including:

[0072] Extract the operating trajectory and movement speed of network devices from ephemeris information;

[0073] Based on ground station information, the current location and trajectory of network equipment, a first distance to be moved is determined; the first distance to be moved is the distance that the network equipment needs to move from its current location to the location of the next ground station to be covered by the coverage area.

[0074] Based on the first distance to be moved and the movement speed, calculate the time when the network device will establish a power supply link with the target ground network again.

[0075] To facilitate understanding, the following example further illustrates the calculation of the time for establishing the next feeder link with the target ground network. For example... Figure 3 As shown, taking a satellite as an example, if the satellite's current location is x1, the location of the ground station corresponding to the target ground network is x2, and the satellite's coverage area can cover the ground station when it moves to x3, and x1, x2, and x3 are all located on the satellite's trajectory, then the first distance to be moved is the length of the trajectory between x1 and x3. Dividing the first distance to be moved by the speed of motion determines the time required for the satellite to move to x3. Adding the time required for the satellite to move to x3 to the current time gives the time required to establish a feeder link with the target ground network again.

[0076] It should be noted that, in addition to determining the first time based on pre-stored ephemeris information and target ground network information, this application may also determine the first time through other means.

[0077] For example, the network device pre-acquires the historical records of establishing feeder links between the network device and the ground station corresponding to the target ground network. Based on the information of the ground station corresponding to the target ground network, it establishes the historical records of feeder links and estimates the time for the next establishment of a feeder link with the target ground network. The historical records of establishing feeder links between the network device and the ground station corresponding to the target ground network must include at least the time points of each time the network device established a feeder link with the ground station corresponding to the target ground network. The historical records of establishing feeder links between the network device and the ground station corresponding to the target ground network can be stored internally in the network device, or ephemeris information containing the historical records of establishing feeder links between the network device and the ground station corresponding to the target ground network can be pre-acquired, and the historical records of establishing feeder links between the network device and the ground station corresponding to the target ground network can be determined based on the ephemeris information.

[0078] In one optional embodiment, based on the historical records of the network device establishing a feeder link with the ground station corresponding to the target ground network, the time for the next establishment of a feeder link with the target ground network is estimated, including:

[0079] If the next establishment of a power supply link with the ground station corresponding to the target ground network is the i-th time the network device establishes a power supply link with the ground station corresponding to the target ground network, then the times of the (i-2)-th and (i-1)-th times the network device established a power supply link with the ground station corresponding to the target ground network are retrieved from the historical records to obtain the first establishment time and the second establishment time. The difference between the first establishment time and the second establishment time is calculated to determine the time difference between two adjacent establishments of a power supply link with the ground station corresponding to the target ground network. The time of the (i-1)-th time the network device established a power supply link with the ground station corresponding to the target ground network is added to the calculated time difference to obtain the time of the i-th time the network device established a power supply link with the ground station corresponding to the target ground network.

[0080] In the embodiments of this application, the first time can be a point in time or a time range. For example, when the estimated time point for the next establishment of a power supply link with the target ground network is y1, y1 can be used as the first time, or the time period from the moment when y1 minus the second preset time to the moment when y1 plus the second preset time is used as the first time. The second preset time can be selected based on actual needs.

[0081] S203: The terminal device receives second information sent by the network device when the network device is not connected to the target terrestrial network; the second information is used to indicate a first time; the first time is the estimated time when the network device will send the first information to the target terrestrial network. Accordingly, the network device sends the second information to the terminal device.

[0082] Specifically, the network device carries the determined first time in the second information and sends the second information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device, upon receiving the second information, can determine the time when the information content in the first information was sent to the target terrestrial network. The second information can specifically be a relay layer acknowledgment (RP-ACK) message, and the first time is carried in the first field. The first field is either a relay layer user (RP User) field or an extended field in the relay layer acknowledgment message. When the first field is a relay layer user field, the first time is carried in the transport protocol data unit (TPDU) within the relay layer user (RP User) field.

[0083] Furthermore, before sending the second information to the terminal device, the method further includes: after the network device receives the first information, the network device determines whether to indicate a second time in the second information based on the connection status between the network device and the target terrestrial network. The second time is the time when the terminal device receives the third information; the third information is a response message to the first information.

[0084] The third information is the response message from the target terrestrial network or user to the information content received in the first information. The target terrestrial network or user first sends the third information to the network device, which then forwards it to the terminal device. The network device, anticipating the second time, sends the second information, carrying both the first and second times, to the terminal device.

[0085] The network device determines whether to indicate a second time in the second information based on the connection status between the network device and the target terrestrial network, including:

[0086] When the connection between the network device and the target ground network is not established, the second information is also used to indicate the second time.

[0087] If a power supply link exists between the network device and the target terrestrial network, the connection status between the network device and the target terrestrial network is "connected." Since the network device's coverage area includes both the terminal device and the target terrestrial network when the connection status is "connected," the network device can send the first information to the target terrestrial network and receive the third information from the target terrestrial network or user feedback, then forward the third information to the terminal device. At this time, because the network device can sequentially send the information content of the first information and send and receive the third information within its current coverage area, the terminal device can receive the third information in real time without needing to send a second time notification.

[0088] If there is no power supply link between the network device and the target ground network, the connection status between the network device and the target ground network is disconnected. Since the network device's coverage area does not include the target ground network when the connection status is disconnected, the network device cannot send the first information to the target ground network in real time. Furthermore, when the network device's coverage area changes from excluding the target ground network to including the target ground network, the terminal device may be located outside the network device's coverage area. Therefore, the network device may not be able to forward the third information sent by the target ground network or the user to the terminal device in real time. The network device needs to estimate the second time so that the terminal device can determine the estimated arrival time of the third information.

[0089] Specifically, when the connection between the network device and the target ground network is not established, a second time is estimated, including: ephemeris information and information from the target ground network. The second time is the time when the terminal device will next be within the coverage area of ​​the network device.

[0090] If the network device's coverage area next includes the target terrestrial network (i.e., when the network device establishes a power supply link with the target terrestrial network next time, the terminal device is outside the network device's coverage area), then after receiving the third information from the target terrestrial network or user feedback, the network device cannot send the third information to the terminal device in real time. It needs to store the third information and send it to the terminal device the next time the terminal device is within the network device's coverage area. In other words, the second time is the time when the terminal device will next be within the network device's coverage area. The network device extracts its trajectory and movement rate from ephemeris information. Based on ground station information, the network device's current location, and its trajectory, it determines the second distance to be moved. This second distance is the distance the network device needs to move from its current location to the location where the next coverage area will cover the terminal device. Based on the second distance to be moved and the movement rate, the time when the terminal device will next be within the network device's coverage area is calculated.

[0091] Furthermore, when the second information carries both the first and second times, the first field in the second information is used to carry both the first and second times. The first field is a relay layer user field, or a field extended in a relay layer correct response message. When the first field is a relay layer user field, the first and second times are carried through the transmission protocol data unit (TPD) in the relay layer user field. When the first field is an extended field in a relay layer correct response message, the extended field in the relay layer correct response message has a type-length-value (TLV) structure. The structure of the relay layer correct response message is shown in Table 1, and the element layout of the relay layer user field is as follows: Figure 4 As shown.

[0092]

[0093] Table 1

[0094] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the bit group is a bit group consisting of 8 bits.

[0095] To facilitate understanding of the scheme described in this application, the following example uses the network device in this application as a satellite, and the first information as a text message sent via RP-DATA:

[0096] like Figure 5 As shown, the terminal device sends a text message to the satellite. After receiving the text message, the satellite determines whether a power supply link exists between the satellite and the ground station corresponding to the target ground network. If a power supply link exists between the satellite and the ground station, the satellite sends the first information to the ground station via a relay layer data signaling message. The ground station then delivers the text message to the SMS center via a relay layer data signaling message and receives a relay layer correct response message from the SMS center. The SMS center then further delivers the text message to the corresponding service center or user via a relay layer data signaling message and receives a relay layer correct response message from the service center or user. When the service center or user sends a reply text message, the SMS center sends the reply text message to the ground station, the ground station sends the reply text message to the satellite, and finally the satellite sends the reply text message to the terminal device.

[0097] If there is no power supply link between the satellite and the ground station, the satellite stores the first information and calculates a first time t1 based on the ephemeris information and the ground station information, which is the time when a power supply link will next exist between the satellite and the ground station. The satellite can also calculate a second time t2 based on the ephemeris information and the ground station information, which is the time when the ground station will next be within the satellite's coverage area, or the time when the terminal device will next be within the satellite's coverage area. The satellite sends the first time, or both the first and second times, to the terminal device via the second information. After receiving the second information, the terminal device parses it and generates a prompt message to allow the user to confirm the time of successful SMS delivery, or the time of successful SMS delivery and the expected response time.

[0098] Once the satellite's position shifts, establishing a power supply link between the satellite and the ground station, at the first possible moment, the satellite transmits the first message to the ground station via relay layer data signaling messages. The ground station then delivers the message to the SMS center via relay layer data signaling messages and receives a relay layer correct response message from the SMS center. The SMS center then further delivers the message to the corresponding service center or user via relay layer data signaling messages and receives a relay layer correct response message from the service center or user. When the service center or user sends a reply message, the SMS center sends the reply message to the ground station. At the second possible moment, a power supply link exists between the satellite and the ground station, and the ground station sends the reply message to the satellite. Finally, the satellite sends the reply message to the terminal device.

[0099] This application embodiment, by sending a second message to a terminal device when the network device is not connected to the target terrestrial network, instructs the network device to send the first message to the target terrestrial network at an estimated time. This allows the terminal device to determine the estimated time when the first message is expected to be sent to the target terrestrial network based on the second message sent by the network device, even when the network device cannot send the information content in the first message to the target terrestrial network in real time. This enables the terminal device user to determine the approximate time of message transmission, preventing the user from mistakenly taking the time of receiving the confirmation character as the time when the message was successfully sent to the terrestrial network. In emergency situations, this allows the user to make decisions based on the second time, improving the user experience.

[0100] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the satellite can send and receive SMS messages through the satellite-side mobility management entity (MME), and the ground station can send and receive SMS messages through the ground station-side mobility management entity.

[0101] In an optional embodiment, the above method further includes:

[0102] The network device receives a fourth message sent when it connects to the target terrestrial network; the fourth message indicates a third time; the third time is the actual time when the network device sends the first message to the target terrestrial network.

[0103] Specifically, if the connection status between the network device and the target terrestrial network is "connected," it means that when the terminal device sends the first information to the network device, the coverage area of ​​the network device includes both the terminal device and the target terrestrial network. Since the target terrestrial network is already within the coverage area of ​​the network device, the network device can send the first information to the target terrestrial network and record the time of sending the first information to the terrestrial network. The actual time recorded when the network device sends the first information to the target terrestrial network is used as the third time.

[0104] The fourth piece of information can specifically be a relay layer acknowledgment (RP-ACK) message, and it carries the third time in the second field. The second field is either a relay layer user field or an extended field in the relay layer acknowledgment message. When the second field is a relay layer user field, the third time is carried through the transport protocol data unit (TPDU) in the relay layer user (RP User) field.

[0105] When the network device connects to the target ground network, it still sends a fourth message, including the third time, to the terminal device. This allows the terminal device to determine the actual time when the network device sent the first message to the target ground network. This prevents the terminal device from failing to send a timely reply message due to a failure of the target ground network, which could lead the terminal device to mistakenly believe that the network device did not send the first message and thus repeatedly send the first message. This reduces the load on the network device.

[0106] This application also provides a communication device, including a module for performing a method of information transmission.

[0107] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements a method for information transmission.

[0108] This application also provides a computer program product, including instructions that, when executed, enable a method for information transmission.

[0109] This application also provides a chip, including a processor coupled to a memory, for executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip can realize a method of information transmission.

[0110] This application also provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices. The processor uses logic circuits or execution code instructions to implement a method for information transmission.

[0111] Figure 6 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the communication device 600 may include a communication module 610. The communication module 610 can implement corresponding communication functions, which can be internal communication functions of the communication device 600 or communication functions between the communication device 600 and other devices. Optionally, the communication module 610 may also be referred to as a communication interface or transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device 600 further includes a processing module 620. The processing module 620 can implement corresponding processing functions.

[0112] Optionally, the communication device 600 further includes a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data; the processing module 620 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 600 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0113] In one possible design, the communication device 600 may correspond to the terminal device in the above method embodiments, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the terminal device. The communication device 600 can be used to perform the steps or processes performed by the terminal device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0114] For example, the communication module 610 is used to send first information to a network device; the first information includes information content and information about the target terrestrial network; the target terrestrial network is the terrestrial network to which the first information needs to be sent.

[0115] The communication module 610 is also used to receive second information sent by the network device when the network device is not connected to the target ground network; the second information is used to indicate a first time; the first time is the estimated time when the network device will send the first information to the target ground network.

[0116] The above are merely examples; for detailed steps or procedures, please refer to the descriptions in the foregoing embodiments.

[0117] In one possible design, the communication device 600 may correspond to the network device in the above method embodiments, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device. The communication device 600 can be used to perform the steps or processes performed by the network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0118] For example, the communication module 610 is used to receive first information; the first information includes information content and information about the target ground network; the target ground network is the ground network to which the first information needs to be sent.

[0119] The processing module 620 is used to determine a first time based on pre-stored ephemeris information and information from the target ground network when the network device is not connected to the target ground network; the first time is the estimated time to send the first information to the target ground network.

[0120] The communication module 610 is also used to send second information to the terminal device; the second information is used to indicate the first time.

[0121] The above are merely examples; for detailed steps or procedures, please refer to the descriptions in the foregoing embodiments.

[0122] Figure 7 This is another schematic block diagram of the communication device 700 provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 700 may be a chip, chip system, or processor, etc., in a terminal device or network device that implements the above-described methods. The communication device 700 can be used to implement the methods described in the above-described method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above-described method embodiments.

[0123] like Figure 7 As shown, the communication device 700 may include one or more processors 710, which may also be referred to as processing units or processing modules, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 710 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 700 (e.g., a base station, baseband chip, user, user chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0124] In an alternative design, the processor 710 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 710 to cause the communication device 700 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0125] In another alternative design, the communication device 700 may include a communication interface 720 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 720 may be a transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0126] Optionally, the communication device 700 may include one or more memories 730, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 710, causing the communication device 700 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memories 730 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 710 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 710 and the memories 730 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0127] It should be understood that, in one possible design, the steps in the method embodiments provided in this application can be implemented by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in 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, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are not provided here.

[0128] In one implementation, the communication device 700 may correspond to the terminal device in the above method embodiments and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The processor 710 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 730, and when the processor 710 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 710 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the terminal device.

[0129] In another implementation, the communication device 700 may correspond to the network device in the above method embodiments and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes executed by the network device in the above method embodiments. The processor 710 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 730, and when the processor 710 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 710 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the network device.

[0130] It should be understood that the aforementioned processing device can be one or more chips. For example, the processing device can be a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0131] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of 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.

[0132] Figure 8This application provides an example of the composition of an electronic device. The electronic device can be a terminal device, including but not limited to mobile phones, smart wearable devices (such as smartwatches), and other electronic devices. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the electronic device may include a processor 810, an external memory interface 820, an internal memory 821, a display screen 830, a camera 840, antenna 1, antenna 2, a mobile communication module 850, and a wireless communication module 860, etc.

[0133] It is understood that the structure illustrated in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the electronic device. In other embodiments, the electronic device may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0134] It is understood that the interface connection relationships between the modules illustrated in this embodiment are merely illustrative and do not constitute a limitation on the structure of the electronic device. In other embodiments of this application, the electronic device may also employ different interface connection methods or combinations of multiple interface connection methods as described in the above embodiments.

[0135] The external memory interface 820 can be used to connect external memory cards, such as Micro SD cards, to expand the storage capacity of electronic devices.

[0136] Internal memory 821 can be used to store executable program code, which includes instructions. Processor 810 executes various functional applications and data processing of electronic devices by running the instructions stored in internal memory 821.

[0137] The wireless communication function of electronic devices can be implemented through antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 850, wireless communication module 860, modem processor, and baseband processor.

[0138] The mobile communication module 850 can provide solutions for wireless communication applications, including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G, in electronic devices. The mobile communication module 850 may include at least one filter, switch, power amplifier, low noise amplifier (LNA), etc.

[0139] Furthermore, an operating system runs on top of the aforementioned components. Examples include iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems. Applications can be installed and run on this operating system. Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the above-described electronic devices can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0140] This application also provides a chip system including a processor for supporting terminal devices or network devices in implementing the functions involved in the above aspects, such as transmitting or processing data and / or information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data for the terminal device or network device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0141] In the embodiments of this application, the terms and English abbreviations are exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting the application in any way. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0142] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated.

[0143] 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.

[0144] It should be understood that 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.

[0145] In summary, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the technical solution of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Send first information to a network device; the first information includes information about a target terrestrial network; the target terrestrial network is the terrestrial network to which the first information needs to be sent; The network device receives second information sent by the network device when the network device is not connected to the target terrestrial network; the second information is used to indicate a first time; the first time is the estimated time when the network device sends the first information to the target terrestrial network.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information is also used to indicate a second time; the second time is the estimated time when the terminal device receives the third information; the third information is a response message to the first information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second information includes a first field; the first field is used to carry the first time and the second time.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second message is a relay layer correct response message.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first field is the relay layer user field.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first field is an extended field in the relay layer correct response message.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first information is a relay layer data signaling message.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The estimated time for the network device to send the first information to the target terrestrial network is the time when the network device will next connect to the target terrestrial network.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device receives a fourth message sent when it connects to the target terrestrial network; the fourth message indicates a third time; the third time is the actual time when the network device sends the first message to the target terrestrial network.

10. An information transmission method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: The system receives first information sent by a terminal device; the first information includes information about a target terrestrial network; the target terrestrial network is the terrestrial network to which the first information needs to be sent. When the network device is not connected to the target ground network, a first time is determined based on pre-stored ephemeris information and information from the target ground network; the first time is the estimated time to send the first information to the target ground network. Send a second message to the terminal device; the second message is used to indicate the first time.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second time is estimated based on the ephemeris information and the information of the target ground network; the second time is the estimated time when the terminal device receives the third information; the third information is a response message to the first information; the second information is also used to indicate the second time.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The second information includes a first field; the first field is used to carry the first time and the second time.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second message is a relay layer correct response message.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first field is the relay layer user field.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first field is an extended field in the relay layer correct response message.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10-15, characterized in that, The first information is a relay layer data signaling message.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10-16, characterized in that, The estimated time for the network device to send the first information to the target terrestrial network is the time when the network device will next connect to the target terrestrial network.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, The method includes: The fourth information is sent when the network device is connected to the target terrestrial network; the fourth information is used to indicate a third time; the third time is the actual time when the network device sends the first information to the target terrestrial network.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first information is sent to the target ground network at the first time.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 19.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 19.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 19 to be implemented.

23. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor coupled to a memory for executing a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, such that the chip implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 19.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 19 through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

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