Method, system and device for implementing local area network function of low-orbit satellite communication system

Abstract

The application discloses a low-orbit satellite communication system LAN function implementation method, system and equipment. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring ephemeris data and service data sent by a target terminal, and determining the geographical information system area range corresponding to a target LAN in which the target terminal is located; based on the geographical information system area range, other satellite user plane functions having service possibility for the geographical information system area range are calculated according to the ephemeris data; the service data is forwarded to the other satellite user plane functions, and whether there is another terminal of the target LAN online is found based on the LAN identifier in the service data, if yes, the service data is forwarded to the other terminal. The application can significantly reduce the inter-satellite / earth-space signaling overhead, improve the switching continuity and service stability, avoid frequent notification caused by dynamic change of the satellite user plane function, reduce the terminal state synchronization burden, enhance the system scalability and real-time response capability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of low-Earth orbit satellite communication systems, and in particular to methods, systems and equipment for implementing local area network functions in low-Earth orbit satellite communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has been working on standardization of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and satellite architecture, aiming to integrate 5G networks with satellite. The International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) has initiated the Next Generation Access Technologies_Satellite (NGAT_SAT) project, proposing the integration of satellite systems into next-generation mobile communication systems. 3GPP has been identifying key challenges, attempting to extend the standardized air interface waveforms and protocols of terrestrial cellular networks to the sky, and proposing potential solutions for integrating NTN into 5G New Radio (5G NR) systems.

[0003] The 5G standard already includes 5G Local Area Network (5G-LAN) functionality, enabling different terminals to build LANs and achieve Layer 2 interconnection via the 5G network. Similarly, in 6G NTN low-Earth orbit satellite communication systems, there is a need to provide users with the capability to build LAN networks for Layer 2 interconnection using low-Earth orbit satellite terminals.

[0004] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a LAN function diagram of the transparent forwarding mode in existing low-Earth orbit satellite networks. According to the standard on-board transparent forwarding method, the User Plane Function (UPF) is deployed at the ground station. All data needs to be grounded before the LAN function can be further forwarded. This method greatly increases the data backhaul volume of inter-satellite links and satellite-to-ground links.

[0005] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2This is a flowchart illustrating the UE handover LAN function in the on-board regeneration mode of a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network in existing technology. Following the existing standard on-board regeneration UPF architecture, it enables Layer 2 interconnection of LEO satellite terminals' LANs, allowing cross-communication between UPFs on multiple satellites to achieve terminal data exchange. However, due to the high-speed and dynamic nature of LEO satellites, terminals within the LAN frequently switch satellites. Assuming a satellite's movement speed of 7.5 km / s, a terminal will switch satellites approximately every 15 minutes, inevitably changing the UPF serving it after each switch. To achieve Layer 2 interconnection, when the UPF corresponding to each terminal changes, it is necessary to notify the UPFs serving all other terminals within the LAN. This generates massive amounts of cross-notifications of UPF changes, significantly increasing inter-satellite / satellite-to-ground signaling throughput. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application aims to propose a method, system, and equipment for implementing local area network (LAN) functions in low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. This method can significantly reduce inter-satellite / satellite-to-ground signaling overhead, improve handover continuity and service stability, while avoiding frequent notifications caused by dynamic changes in onboard user plane functions, reducing the burden of terminal status synchronization, and enhancing system scalability and real-time response capabilities.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for implementing the local area network (LAN) function of a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system, applied to the first onboard user plane function of a first satellite. The method for implementing the LAN function of the LEO satellite communication system includes: Acquire ephemeris data, receive service data sent by the target terminal, and determine the geographic information system area range corresponding to the target local area network where the target terminal is located, wherein the service data includes the local area network identifier of the target local area network; Based on the geographic information system area, other spaceborne user plane functions that currently have the possibility of providing services within the geographic information system area are estimated according to the ephemeris data. The service data is forwarded to the other onboard user plane functions, so that the other onboard user plane functions can search for other terminals of the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If other terminals of the target local area network are online, the other onboard user plane functions forward the service data to the other terminals.

[0008] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a local area network (LAN) function implementation system for a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system, applied to the first onboard user plane function of a first satellite. The LEO satellite communication system LAN function implementation system includes: The data acquisition unit is used to acquire ephemeris data, receive service data sent by the target terminal, and determine the geographic information system area range corresponding to the target local area network where the target terminal is located, wherein the service data includes the local area network identifier of the target local area network; The calculation unit is used to calculate, based on the geographic information system area and the ephemeris data, other spaceborne user plane functions that currently have the possibility of providing services within the geographic information system area. The data forwarding unit is used to forward the service data to the other satellite-borne user plane functions, so that the other satellite-borne user plane functions can search for whether there are other terminals online in the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If there are other terminals online in the target local area network, the other satellite-borne user plane functions forward the service data to the other terminals.

[0009] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an electronic device, which includes a processor and a memory storing computer program instructions; when the processor executes the computer program, it implements the local area network function implementation method of the low-orbit satellite communication system as described in the first aspect embodiment above.

[0010] The method, system, and device for implementing the local area network (LAN) function of a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system according to embodiments of this application determine the geographic information system (GIS) area corresponding to the target LAN where the target terminal is located. Based on ephemeris data, they calculate other onboard user plane functions that may currently provide services to the GIS area. Then, they forward service data to all other onboard user plane functions that may provide services to the GIS area. These other onboard user plane functions search for other terminals online within the target LAN based on the LAN identifier. If other terminals are online, the service data is forwarded to them; otherwise, no processing is performed. In this way, as long as the terminal does not exceed the GIS area defined by the LAN, service data sent to the onboard user plane functions that may provide services can notify the target terminal. This achieves Layer 2 interconnection of the LAN in the LEO satellite network, significantly reducing inter-satellite / satellite-to-ground signaling overhead, improving handover continuity and service stability, while avoiding frequent notifications caused by dynamic changes in onboard user plane functions, reducing the burden of terminal status synchronization, and enhancing system scalability and real-time response capabilities.

[0011] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing this application. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a functional diagram of the transparent forwarding mode LAN in existing low-Earth orbit satellite networks; Figure 2 This is a flowchart of the UE switching LAN function in the on-board regeneration mode of existing low-Earth orbit satellite networks; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the LAN service data flow before the UE switches to the satellite UPF according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the LAN service data flow after the UE switches to the satellite UPF according to an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for implementing the local area network function of a low-orbit satellite communication system according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0014] In the description of this application, the use of terms such as "first," "second," etc., is for the purpose of distinguishing technical features only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated or the order of the technical features indicated.

[0015] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0016] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setup," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0017] The technical solution of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described below are some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments.

[0018] See Figure 5 , Figure 5This is a flowchart of a method for implementing the local area network (LAN) function of a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system according to an embodiment of this application. This method is applied to the first onboard user plane function of a first satellite. The method includes, but is not limited to, steps S110 to S130: Step S110: Obtain ephemeris data, receive service data sent by the target terminal, and determine the geographic information system area range corresponding to the target local area network where the target terminal is located. The service data includes the local area network identifier of the target local area network. Step S120: Based on the geographic information system area, calculate other spaceborne user plane functions that have the possibility of providing services within the geographic information system area according to ephemeris data; Step S130: Forward the service data to other satellite-borne user plane functions so that the other satellite-borne user plane functions can search for other terminals on the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If other terminals on the target local area network are online, the other satellite-borne user plane functions will forward the service data to the other terminals.

[0019] In this embodiment, by determining the geographic information system (GIS) area corresponding to the target local area network (LAN) where the target terminal is located, and calculating other satellite-borne user plane functions that may currently provide services to the GIS area based on ephemeris data, the service data is then forwarded to all other satellite-borne user plane functions that may provide services to the GIS area. This allows other satellite-borne user plane functions to check if other terminals on the target LAN are online based on the LAN identifier. If other terminals on the target LAN are online, the service data is forwarded to them; otherwise, no processing is performed. In this way, as long as the terminal does not exceed the GIS area defined by the LAN, the service data sent to the satellite-borne user plane functions that may provide services can notify the target terminal. This achieves Layer 2 interconnection functionality in low-Earth orbit satellite networks, significantly reducing inter-satellite / satellite-to-ground signaling overhead, improving handover continuity and service stability, while avoiding frequent notifications caused by dynamic changes in satellite-borne user plane functions, reducing the burden of terminal status synchronization, and enhancing system scalability and real-time response capabilities.

[0020] In step S110 above, the ephemeris data includes six Kepler elements: orbital inclination, right ascension of the ascending node, eccentricity, argument of perigee, mean perigee, and semi-major axis.

[0021] Business data refers to data that provides services to the target terminal, such as internet access, audio, and video.

[0022] In this embodiment, when selecting a target terminal to construct a target local area network (LAN), the geographic information system area (GIS area) to be provided is simultaneously determined. Terminal UE1 and terminal UEn belong to a LAN group within a certain GIS area. UE1 initiates service data, and based on the Layer 2 interconnection requirements of the LAN function, this service data may target all users in the LAN group or a single user.

[0023] The above step S120 includes, but is not limited to: Based on the geographic information system (GIS) area, and according to ephemeris data, a second and third satellite are estimated to be capable of providing services within the GIS area. The second satellite has a second onboard user plane function, and the third satellite has a third onboard user plane function.

[0024] Understandably, based on satellite ephemeris data, the corresponding ground coverage area, i.e., the GIS area, can be determined at a certain moment. From the GIS area, it can be deduced which satellites are providing services within the current GIS area. For a given terminal, the satellite user plane functions (satellite UPFs) that may provide services within its corresponding GIS area are generally the UPFs of the two satellites preceding and following the current location in the sky.

[0025] It should be noted that the principle of calculation based on ephemeris data is existing technology known to those skilled in the art, and will not be elaborated here.

[0026] The above step S130 includes, but is not limited to: The service data is forwarded to the second satellite user plane function so that the second satellite user plane function can look up whether there are other terminals online in the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If there are other terminals online in the target local area network, the second satellite user plane function will forward the service data to the other terminals. The service data is forwarded to the third-party satellite user plane function, which then uses the local area network identifier to check if other terminals on the target local area network are online. If other terminals on the target local area network are online, the third-party satellite user plane function forwards the service data to those other terminals.

[0027] In some implementations, the second satellite has a second satellite base station, and the second onboard user plane function forwards service data to other terminals, including: The second satellite-borne user plane function forwards service data to the second satellite base station; The second satellite base station forwards service data to other terminals.

[0028] In some implementations, the third satellite has a third satellite base station, and the third satellite-borne user plane function forwards service data to other terminals, including: The third-satellite user plane function forwards service data to the third satellite base station; The third satellite base station forwards service data to other terminals.

[0029] The following is a detailed description of the local area network (LAN) function implementation method of the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system of this application, using a specific embodiment.

[0030] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the LAN service data flow before the UE hands over to the satellite UPF according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the LAN service data flow after the UE switches to the satellite UPF according to an embodiment of this application.

[0031] In some implementations, the target terminal ( Figure 3 and Figure 4 Before the satellite handover occurs (UE on the left side of the middle), the target terminal accesses satellite 1 and is provided with services by the first satellite-borne user plane function. Other terminals in the target local area network (UE) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The UE on the right side of the target terminal accesses satellite 4. When the target terminal switches access with the movement of the satellite, it switches to access the first satellite (satellite 2). Other terminals in the target local area network may access the second satellite (satellite 5) or the third satellite (satellite 6). At this time, the satellite UPF on satellite 2 receives the service data sent by the target terminal and forwards the service data to the satellite UPF on satellite 5 (i.e., the second satellite-borne user plane function) and the satellite UPF on satellite 6 (i.e., the third satellite-borne user plane function). The satellite UPF on satellite 5 searches for other terminals in the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If no other terminals in the target local area network are online, the service data is not lost and is not processed. The satellite UPF on satellite 6 searches for other terminals in the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If other terminals in the target local area network are online, the satellite UPF on satellite 6 forwards the service data to the corresponding satellite base station, which then forwards it to other terminals.

[0032] In some implementations, for terminals in the IDLE state, the PAGE process is performed first, and then the terminal sends data after the service request to restore the connection state.

[0033] It should be noted that the process of sending and receiving business data, the IDLE state, and the PAGE process are existing technologies known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] This application also provides a local area network (LAN) function implementation system for a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system, applied to the first onboard user plane function of a first satellite. The LEO satellite communication system LAN function implementation system includes a data acquisition unit, a calculation unit, and a data forwarding unit.

[0035] The data acquisition unit is used to acquire ephemeris data, receive business data sent by the target terminal, and determine the geographic information system area range corresponding to the target local area network where the target terminal is located. The business data includes the local area network identifier of the target local area network. The estimation unit is used to estimate, based on the geographic information system area and ephemeris data, other spaceborne user plane functions that are currently within the geographic information system area and have the possibility of providing services. The data forwarding unit is used to forward service data to other onboard user plane functions, so that other onboard user plane functions can search for other terminals on the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If other terminals on the target local area network are online, the other onboard user plane functions will forward the service data to the other terminals.

[0036] In this embodiment of the application, the local area network function of the low-orbit satellite communication system is deployed on the satellite UPF.

[0037] The local area network (LAN) function implementation system of the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system in this application adopts all the technical solutions of the aforementioned LEO satellite communication system LAN function implementation method and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid duplication, it will not be described again here.

[0038] This application also provides an electronic device, including a processor and a memory. The memory stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the various steps of the above-described method for implementing the local area network function of a low-orbit satellite communication system and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0039] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described method for implementing the local area network function of a low-Earth orbit satellite communication system and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0040] It should be clarified that this application is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and illustrated as examples. However, the method process of this application is not limited to the specific steps described and illustrated. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of this application.

[0041] The functional blocks described above can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this application are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. The programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried on a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0042] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this application describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this application is not limited to the order of the above steps; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0043] The above are merely specific embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method for implementing local area network (LAN) functionality in a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system, characterized in that, The method for implementing the local area network function of the low-Earth orbit satellite communication system, which is applied to the first onboard user plane function of the first satellite, includes: Acquire ephemeris data, receive service data sent by the target terminal, and determine the geographic information system area range corresponding to the target local area network where the target terminal is located, wherein the service data includes the local area network identifier of the target local area network; Based on the geographic information system area, other spaceborne user plane functions that currently have the possibility of providing services within the geographic information system area are estimated according to the ephemeris data. The service data is forwarded to the other onboard user plane functions, so that the other onboard user plane functions can search for other terminals of the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If other terminals of the target local area network are online, the other onboard user plane functions forward the service data to the other terminals.

2. The method for implementing the local area network function of a low-Earth orbit satellite communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The other spaceborne user plane functions that, based on the geographic information system (GIS) area and according to the ephemeris data, are currently estimated to have the potential to provide services within the GIS area include: Based on the geographic information system's regional scope, and according to the ephemeris data, a second satellite and a third satellite are estimated to be capable of providing services within the geographic information system's regional scope. The second satellite has a second onboard user plane function, and the third satellite has a third onboard user plane function.

3. The method for implementing the local area network function of a low-Earth orbit satellite communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of forwarding the service data to other satellite-borne user plane functions, such that the other satellite-borne user plane functions search for whether other terminals on the target local area network are online based on the local area network identifier, and if other terminals on the target local area network are online, the other satellite-borne user plane functions forward the service data to the other terminals, includes: The service data is forwarded to the second satellite-borne user plane function, so that the second satellite-borne user plane function can search for other terminals of the target local area network online based on the local area network identifier. If other terminals of the target local area network are online, the second satellite-borne user plane function forwards the service data to the other terminals. The service data is forwarded to the third satellite-borne user plane function, so that the third satellite-borne user plane function can search for other terminals of the target local area network online based on the local area network identifier. If other terminals of the target local area network are online, the third satellite-borne user plane function forwards the service data to the other terminals.

4. The method for implementing the local area network function of a low-Earth orbit satellite communication system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second satellite has a second satellite base station, and the second onboard user plane function forwards the service data to the other terminals, including: The second onboard user plane function forwards the service data to the second satellite base station; The second satellite base station forwards the service data to the other terminals.

5. The method for implementing the local area network function of a low-Earth orbit satellite communication system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The third satellite has a third satellite base station, and the third satellite-borne user plane function forwards the service data to the other terminals, including: The third satellite-borne user plane function forwards the service data to the third satellite base station; The third satellite base station forwards the service data to the other terminals.

6. A local area network (LAN) function implementation system for a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system, characterized in that, The local area network (LAN) function implementation system of the low-Earth orbit satellite communication system, applied to the first satellite's onboard user plane functions, includes: The data acquisition unit is used to acquire ephemeris data, receive service data sent by the target terminal, and determine the geographic information system area range corresponding to the target local area network where the target terminal is located, wherein the service data includes the local area network identifier of the target local area network; The calculation unit is used to calculate, based on the geographic information system area and the ephemeris data, other spaceborne user plane functions that currently have the possibility of providing services within the geographic information system area. The data forwarding unit is used to forward the service data to the other satellite-borne user plane functions, so that the other satellite-borne user plane functions can search for whether there are other terminals online in the target local area network based on the local area network identifier. If there are other terminals online in the target local area network, the other satellite-borne user plane functions forward the service data to the other terminals.

7. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes a processor and a memory storing computer program instructions; when the processor executes the computer program, it implements the local area network function implementation method of the low-orbit satellite communication system as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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