Method and apparatus for switching interfaces between low-orbit satellites on same orbital plane, and system and related device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of satellite communications. Provided are a method and apparatus for switching interfaces between low-orbit satellites on the same orbital plane, and a system and a related device. The method comprises: when it is determined to switch a UE in a target cell from a source DU satellite to a target DU satellite, performing message interaction between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite by means of an inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so as to make the target DU satellite use COI configuration information of the target cell to provide a service for the UE in the target cell. In the present disclosure, by means of adding between DU satellites an interface for message interaction, there is no need for a CU satellite to forward a message between a source DU satellite and a target DU satellite, which can not only reduce the requirements for an on-board processing capability of the CU satellite, but can also reduce the transmission delay of the message.

Description

Interface switching method, device, system and related equipment between co-orbit low-orbit satellites

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application number 202310986624.4 filed on August 7, 2023, entitled “Interface switching method, device, system and related equipment between co-orbit low-orbit satellites”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of satellite communication technology, and in particular to a method, device, system, and related equipment for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites. Background Art

[0004] To address the issue of insufficient terrestrial network coverage, 3GPP proposed an NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) networking architecture in TR 38.821, using satellites as access nodes or relay nodes to expand the coverage of communication services. 3GPP's current research on NTN focuses on satellites operating in transparent forwarding mode. However, this mode suffers from significant air interface latency and is unable to perform multi-hop forwarding. To address these issues, related technologies are beginning to research regenerative mode satellites with onboard processing capabilities. By deploying base stations to satellites, user equipment (UE) only needs to go through a service link to interact with the base station, thereby reducing air interface latency. Furthermore, once the base stations are deployed, UE access in areas without gateways can be forwarded to available gateways via inter-satellite links.

[0005] However, due to the high-speed movement of low-orbit satellites, base stations deployed on low-orbit satellites will face frequent switching problems, which greatly reduces the user service experience. In order to solve the switching problem between low-orbit satellites in the same orbit, the current technology is to select a low-orbit satellite in the same orbital plane to deploy a centralized unit (Central Unit, CU), and the remaining low-orbit satellites to deploy distributed units (Distributed Unit, DU), and use the CU satellite to realize the control and management of the DU satellites in the same orbital plane. However, in this solution, all control plane signaling needs to be processed on the CU satellite through a multi-hop inter-satellite link. On the one hand, this type of converged signaling processing will increase the load on the CU satellite, requiring the CU satellite to have strong on-board processing capabilities; on the other hand, this multi-hop inter-satellite forwarding method will face a large transmission delay and cannot meet the needs of some services with high real-time requirements.

[0006] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure provides a method, device, system and related equipment for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites, which at least to a certain extent overcome the technical problems in the related art of controlling and managing DU satellites in the same orbital plane through CU satellites, which requires the CU satellites to have strong on-board processing capabilities and has large transmission delays.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part by practice of the present disclosure.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method for interface switching between co-orbit low-orbit satellites is provided. The method is applied to a source base station separation unit DU satellite, comprising: when it is determined that a UE in a target cell is to be switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, performing inter-satellite interface switching message interaction with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving pre-configuration information periodically sent by a CU satellite, wherein the CU satellite is a low-orbit satellite with a CU deployed in the same orbital plane, and the pre-configuration information at least includes: COI configuration information of the target cell.

[0012] In some embodiments, the pre-configuration information further includes: ephemeris information; the method further includes: in the process of the source DU satellite using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the user terminal UE in the target cell, based on the ephemeris information and satellite position information, monitoring whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite.

[0013] In some embodiments, an inter-satellite interface handover message interaction is performed with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell, including: sending a handover request message to the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the handover request message is used to request the target DU satellite to prepare related resources required for the inter-satellite interface handover; receiving a handover request confirmation message returned by the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the handover request confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has prepared related resources required for the inter-satellite interface handover; sending a context establishment request message to the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite to request the target DU satellite to establish a context. Establish a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer with the UE in the target cell, wherein the context establishment request message includes configuration information of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; receive a context establishment response message returned by the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the context establishment response message is used to indicate whether the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer are successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; when the context establishment response message indicates that the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer have been successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell, send a COI switching message to the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the COI switching message is used to instruct the target DU satellite to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0014] In some embodiments, after sending a COI switching message to the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, the method further includes: receiving a COI switching confirmation message returned by the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the COI switching confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has successfully switched to the corresponding COI configuration; and releasing transmission resources of wireless data bearer and wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell.

[0015] In some embodiments, after receiving the context establishment response message returned by the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, the method further includes: sending downlink data transmission status information to the CU satellite, so that the CU satellite determines the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell based on the downlink data transmission status information sent by the source DU satellite, and sends the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell to the target DU satellite.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for interface switching between co-orbit low-orbit satellites is also provided. The method is applied to a target DU satellite, including: performing message interaction for inter-satellite interface switching with the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DUs deployed in the same orbital plane, and the source DU satellite monitors whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite when using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell, and when determining that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, initiates message interaction for inter-satellite interface switching to the target DU satellite; and uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell.

[0017] In some embodiments, message interaction for performing inter-satellite interface switching with the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite includes: receiving a switching request message sent by the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the switching request message is used to request the target DU satellite to prepare relevant resources required for inter-satellite interface switching; returning a switching request confirmation message to the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the switching request confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has completed preparation of relevant resources required for inter-satellite interface switching; receiving a context establishment request message sent by the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the context establishment request message is used to request the target DU satellite to establish a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer with a UE in the target cell, and the context establishment request message includes the source DU satellite. Configuration information of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the U satellite and the UE in the target cell; establishing the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell according to the configuration information contained in the context establishment request message and the load and context information of the target DU satellite itself; returning a context establishment response message to the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the context establishment response message is used to indicate whether the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer are successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; when the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer have been successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell, receiving the COI switching message sent by the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the COI switching message is used to instruct the target DU satellite to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0018] In some embodiments, after receiving a COI switching message sent by the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, the method further includes: returning a COI switching confirmation message to the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, so that the source DU satellite releases transmission resources of wireless data bearer and wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell, wherein the COI switching confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has successfully switched to the corresponding COI configuration.

[0019] In some embodiments, after returning a context establishment response message to the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, the method further includes: sending downlink data transmission status information to the CU satellite in the same orbital plane, so that the CU satellite determines the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell based on the downlink data transmission status information sent by the target DU satellite, and sends the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell to the target DU satellite.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving pre-configuration information periodically sent by a CU satellite in the same orbital plane, wherein the pre-configuration information at least includes: COI configuration information of the target cell.

[0021] In some embodiments, the COI configuration information of the target cell is used to provide services for the UE in the target cell, including: receiving uplink data packets sent by the UE in the target cell to the CU satellite in the same orbital plane, and forwarding them to the CU satellite; receiving downlink data packets sent by the CU satellite to the UE in the target cell, and forwarding them to the UE in the target cell.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites is also provided, including: establishing an inter-DU interface between each DU satellite in the same orbital plane; when a source DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of a target cell to provide services for a UE in the target cell, monitoring whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DUs deployed in the same orbital plane; when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to a target DU satellite in the same orbital plane, performing message interaction between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a base station separation unit is also provided, which is deployed on a source DU satellite and includes: a first inter-DU interface communication module, which is configured to, when it is determined that a UE in a target cell is to be switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, perform inter-satellite interface switching message interaction with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a base station separation unit is also provided, which is deployed on a target DU satellite and includes: a second inter-DU interface communication module, configured to perform message interaction between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite for inter-satellite interface switching, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DUs deployed in the same orbital plane, and the source DU satellite monitors whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite when using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell, and when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, initiates message interaction of inter-satellite interface switching to the target DU satellite; a UE communication module, configured to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a device for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites is also provided, including: an inter-DU interface configuration module, configured to establish an inter-DU interface between each DU satellite in the same orbital plane; a switching monitoring module, configured to monitor whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite when the source DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DUs deployed in the same orbital plane; a switching message interaction module, configured to, when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite in the same orbital plane, perform message interaction between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a satellite communication system is provided, comprising: a CU satellite and multiple DU satellites located in the same orbital plane as the CU satellite; each DU satellite communicates with the CU satellite via an F1 interface, and the DU satellites communicate with each other via a pre-established inter-DU interface; wherein the multiple DU satellites include: a source DU satellite and a target DU satellite; the DU satellite is a DU satellite that provides services to UEs in a target cell before satellite interface switching, and the target DU satellite is a DU satellite that provides services to UEs in the target cell after satellite interface switching; the source DU satellite is configured to, upon determining that a UE in the target cell is to be switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, perform inter-satellite interface switching message exchange with the target DU satellite via the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite; the target DU satellite is configured to perform inter-satellite interface switching message exchange with the source DU satellite via the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, and after successfully switching the UE in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services to the UE in the target cell.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is also provided, which includes: a processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to execute any one of the above-mentioned methods for interface switching between co-orbit low-orbit satellites by executing the executable instructions.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method for interface switching between co-orbit low-orbit satellites described in any one of the above is implemented.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is also provided, including a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements any of the above-mentioned methods for interface switching between co-orbit low-orbit satellites.

[0030] The interface switching method, apparatus, system and related equipment between co-orbit low-orbit satellites provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, performs message interaction between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0031] Through the embodiments of the present disclosure, message interaction between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite can be carried out directly through the DU interface, without the need for the CU satellite to forward messages between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite. This not only reduces the requirements for the on-board processing capabilities of the CU satellite, but also reduces the transmission delay of the message.

[0032] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0034] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a co-orbital low-orbit satellite network architecture based on a CU-DU separation architecture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of an interface switching system between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG3 shows an interaction flow chart of an interface switching system between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG4 is a schematic diagram showing a communication link for message interaction between a source DU satellite and a target DU satellite during interface switching between co-orbital LEO satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG5 shows an example diagram of interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG6 shows a flow chart of a method for inter-satellite interface switching on the same orbit as a source DU satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG7 shows a flow chart of a method for inter-satellite interface switching between co-orbital LEO satellites applied to a target DU satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG8 shows a flow chart of an optional method for handing over an interface between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG9 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a base station separation unit deployed on a source DU satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG10 is a schematic diagram showing the components of a base station separation unit deployed on a target DU satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of an interface switching device between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG12 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG13 shows a structural block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG14 shows a schematic diagram of a computer-readable storage medium in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be embodied in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0049] In addition, the accompanying drawings are merely schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical reference numerals in the figures denote identical or similar parts, and thus repetitive descriptions thereof will be omitted. Some of the block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are functional entities that do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically separate entities. These functional entities may be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0050] The specific implementation of the embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] As described in the background technology section of this disclosure, due to the high-speed movement of low-orbit satellites, base stations deployed on low-orbit satellites will face frequent handover issues, greatly reducing the service experience of UE users. To achieve seamless handover of UEs between co-orbital low-orbit satellites, for multiple low-orbit satellites located in the same orbital plane, one low-orbit satellite can be selected to deploy a CU (Central Unit), and the remaining satellites can be deployed as DUs (Distributed Units). Figure 1 shows the co-orbital low-orbit satellite network architecture based on a CU-DU separation architecture.

[0052] In actual application, the satellite uses a staring coverage mode to divide the ground into fixed virtual cells according to the fixed ground wave position. Different orbital planes use different COIs (Cell Orbit Identifiers) to identify each virtual cell. For example, for a certain virtual cell q, all DU satellites in the same orbital plane use the same COI to identify the virtual cell q, and DU satellites in different orbital planes use different COIs to identify the virtual cell q. The CU satellites in the same orbital plane control and manage the DU satellites in the same orbital plane. When each DU satellite in the same orbital plane provides services to the UE in the virtual cell q, the CU satellite will send relevant signaling to each DU satellite so that each DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the cell, thereby realizing seamless switching of the UE in the orbital plane.

[0053] After research, the inventors found that in the above-mentioned scheme of controlling and managing DU satellites in the same orbital plane through CU satellites, all control plane signaling messages need to be processed on the CU satellite through multi-hop inter-satellite links. On the one hand, this converged signaling processing will increase the load of the CU satellite and require the CU satellite to have strong on-board processing capabilities; on the other hand, this method of forwarding messages through multi-hop inter-satellite links will increase the transmission delay of the messages and cannot meet the needs of some services with high real-time requirements.

[0054] To solve the above problems, a method for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites is proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. For low-orbit regeneration mode satellites, a DU inter-satellite interface and related signaling are introduced. On the one hand, frequent signaling interactions between UE and satellite can be avoided during satellite switching; on the other hand, the convergence processing of control plane signaling can be avoided, thereby reducing the load on the CU satellite; in addition, multi-hop inter-satellite link forwarding of messages can be avoided, thereby reducing the transmission delay of messages.

[0055] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an interface switching system between co-orbit low-orbit satellites in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the UE and the DU satellite can be logically connected through the Uu interface, and the CU satellite and the DU satellite in the same orbital plane can be logically connected through the F1 interface. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, for the DU satellites in the same orbital plane, an inter-DU interface for communication between each DU satellite is added to support information interaction between DU satellites. When all DU satellites in the same orbit move above a virtual cell in a fixed position, they use the COI configuration information of the virtual cell to provide services to the UEs in the virtual cell. It can be seen that for the UEs in a certain virtual cell (target cell), the target DU satellite will use the same COI configuration information as the source DU satellite to provide services to the UEs in the target cell. Therefore, the UEs in the target cell will not perceive the switch, thereby avoiding frequent message interactions between the UE and the DU satellite.

[0056] In the scenario of switching between low-orbit DU satellites in the same orbit (i.e., the UE switches from a source DU satellite controlled by a co-orbit CU satellite to a target DU satellite), before switching, an F1 interface connection is established between the CU satellite and the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite respectively, and an inter-DU interface is established between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite.

[0057] FIG3 shows an interaction flow chart of an interface switching system between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , the system specifically includes the following steps:

[0058] S302a: The CU satellite sends pre-configuration information to the source DU satellite.

[0059] S302b: The CU satellite sends pre-configuration information to the target DU satellite. The CU satellite periodically synchronizes pre-configuration information to all DU satellites under its control in orbit, including but not limited to: COI configuration information, ephemeris information, UE timing advance (TA), etc.

[0060] S304, the source DU satellite makes a handover decision: the handover decision may be made based on ephemeris information and satellite position information.

[0061] S306: The source DU satellite sends a handover request message to the target DU satellite. After determining to perform a handover, the source DU satellite sends a handover request message to the target DU, requesting the target DU to prepare resources for the handover. The handover request message conveys the information necessary for the target DU satellite to prepare for the handover, including at least the UE's C-RNTI, UE capabilities, and TA information in the source DU satellite.

[0062] S308: The target DU satellite performs admission control based on its own load and context information, including but not limited to: UE TA information update.

[0063] S310: The target DU satellite returns a handover request confirmation message to the source DU satellite. The handover request confirmation message is used to indicate that resources required for handover are ready on the target DU satellite.

[0064] S312: The source DU satellite sends a context establishment request message to the target DU satellite. The context establishment request message includes, but is not limited to, information such as radio data bearer and radio signaling bearer configuration, so as to create a context at the target DU satellite and set up one or more data bearers.

[0065] S314: The target DU satellite returns a context establishment response message to the source DU satellite to report the results of all requested radio data bearers and radio signaling bearers to the source DU satellite, and instruct the source DU satellite to stop transmitting data to the UE.

[0066] S316 , the source DU satellite sends downlink data transmission status information to the CU satellite to notify the CU satellite of the downlink data that was not successfully sent to the UE.

[0067] S318: The source DU satellite sends a COI switching message to the target DU satellite. The COI switching message is used to instruct the target DU satellite to adopt the COI configuration corresponding to the target cell to start providing services for the UE in the target cell.

[0068] S320: The target DU satellite returns a COI switch confirmation message to the source DU satellite, where the COI switch confirmation message indicates that the target DU satellite has successfully switched to the corresponding COI configuration. The UE transmits uplink data packets to the CU satellite via the target DU satellite.

[0069] S322: The target DU satellite sends downlink data transmission status information to the CU satellite to notify the CU satellite of the downlink data that was not successfully sent to the UE. The downlink data packet (which may include the PDCP PDU that was not successfully transmitted in the source DU satellite) will be sent from the CU satellite to the target DU.

[0070] S324, the source DU satellite releases UE context transmission resources: the source DU satellite releases the transmission resources of UE-related signaling and user data.

[0071] Figure 4 shows a communication link for message exchange between a source DU satellite and a target DU satellite during an interface handover between co-orbital low-orbit satellites in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, when a source DU needs to communicate with a target DU, in a traditional solution based on inter-satellite link forwarding, the source DU needs to forward the message to the CU via a multi-hop link, and then the CU forwards it to the target DU via a multi-hop link. However, after adding an inter-DU interface, the source DU can directly send the message to the target DU via an inter-satellite link without the need for inter-satellite link forwarding, thereby reducing transmission latency and reducing the onboard load of the CU and the DUs through which the forwarding link passes.

[0072] Figure 5 shows an example diagram of interface switching between co-orbit low-orbit satellites in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, during the operation of low-orbit satellites in the same orbital plane, when the source DU satellite leaves the virtual cell at a fixed position, the target DU satellite enters the virtual cell. Through the co-orbit low-orbit satellite interface switching method provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE in the virtual cell can be switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite. Since the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite are located in the same orbital plane, the same COI configuration information will be used for the virtual cell to provide services for the UE in the virtual cell, so that the UE in the virtual cell will not perceive the satellite switching; the messages between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are directly interacted through the inter-DU interface. On the one hand, the aggregation processing of signaling messages on the CU satellite can be avoided, thereby reducing the load on the CU satellite; on the other hand, the message forwarding on the multi-hop inter-satellite link can be avoided, thereby reducing the transmission delay of the message.

[0073] Under the above system architecture, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for handing off interfaces between co-orbital LEO satellites. This method can be executed by any electronic device with computing processing capabilities. In some embodiments, the method for handing off interfaces between co-orbital LEO satellites provided in embodiments of the present disclosure can be executed by, but is not limited to, the source DU satellite in the above system architecture.

[0074] FIG6 shows a flow chart of a method for inter-satellite interface handover between co-orbital LEO satellites applied to a source DU satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6 , the method may include the following steps:

[0075] S602, when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, the inter-satellite interface switching message is interacted with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0076] In some embodiments, the interface switching method between co-orbit low-orbit satellites provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also include the following steps: receiving pre-configuration information sent periodically by the CU satellite, wherein the CU satellite is a low-orbit satellite with a CU deployed in the same orbital plane, and the pre-configuration information at least includes: COI configuration information of the target cell.

[0077] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned pre-configuration information may also include: ephemeris information; then the above-mentioned interface switching method between co-orbit low-orbit satellites provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also include the following steps: in the process of the source DU satellite using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, based on the ephemeris information and satellite position information, monitor whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite.

[0078] In some embodiments, the above S604 can be specifically implemented through the following steps: sending a switching request message to the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the switching request message is used to request the target DU satellite to prepare the relevant resources required for the inter-satellite interface switching; receiving a switching request confirmation message returned by the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the switching request confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has prepared the relevant resources required for the inter-satellite interface switching; sending a context establishment request message to the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite to request the target DU satellite to establish a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer with the UE in the target cell, wherein the context establishment The request message includes configuration information of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; a context establishment response message returned by the target DU satellite is received through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the context establishment response message is used to indicate whether the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer are successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; when the context establishment response message indicates that the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer have been successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell, a COI switching message is sent to the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the COI switching message is used to instruct the target DU satellite to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0079] Furthermore, in some embodiments, after sending a COI switching message to the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, the co-orbit low-orbit satellite interface switching method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also include the following steps: receiving a COI switching confirmation message returned by the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the COI switching confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has successfully switched to the corresponding COI configuration; and releasing the transmission resources of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell.

[0080] Furthermore, in some embodiments, after receiving the context establishment response message returned by the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, the co-orbit low-orbit satellite interface switching method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also include the following steps: sending downlink data transmission status information to the CU satellite, so that the CU satellite determines the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell based on the downlink data transmission status information sent by the source DU satellite, and sends the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell to the target DU satellite.

[0081] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a method for inter-satellite interface handover in the same orbit as a low-Earth orbit. This method can be executed by any electronic device with computing processing capabilities. In some embodiments, the method for inter-satellite interface handover in the same orbit as a low-Earth orbit provided in embodiments of the present disclosure can be executed by, but is not limited to, the target DU satellite in the aforementioned system architecture.

[0082] FIG7 shows a flow chart of a method for handing over an interface between co-orbital LEO satellites and a target DU satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7 , the method provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the following steps:

[0083] S702: Interacting with the source DU satellite via the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite for inter-satellite interface handover messages, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DUs deployed in the same orbital plane. The source DU satellite, while providing services to UEs in the target cell using the orbital cell identity (COI) configuration information of the target cell, monitors whether to switch the UEs in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite. If it is determined that the UEs in the target cell are to be switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, the source DU satellite initiates inter-satellite interface handover message interaction with the target DU satellite.

[0084] S704: Use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services to the UE in the target cell.

[0085] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned S702 can be specifically implemented through the following steps: receiving a switching request message sent by the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the switching request message is used to request the target DU satellite to prepare the relevant resources required for the inter-satellite interface switching; returning a switching request confirmation message to the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the switching request confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has prepared the relevant resources required for the inter-satellite interface switching; receiving a context establishment request message sent by the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the context establishment request message is used to request the target DU satellite to establish a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer with the UE in the target cell, and the context establishment request message includes the wireless data between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell according to the configuration information contained in the context establishment request message and the load and context information of the target DU satellite itself; establishing a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell according to the configuration information contained in the context establishment request message and the load and context information of the target DU satellite itself; returning a context establishment response message to the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the context establishment response message is used to indicate whether the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer are successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; and receiving a COI switching message sent by the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite when the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer have been successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell. The COI switching message is used to instruct the target DU satellite to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0086] Furthermore, in some embodiments, after receiving the COI switching message sent by the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, the co-orbit low-orbit satellite interface switching method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also include the following steps: returning a COI switching confirmation message to the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, so that the source DU satellite releases the transmission resources of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell, wherein the COI switching confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has successfully switched to the corresponding COI configuration.

[0087] Furthermore, in some embodiments, after returning a context establishment response message to the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, the co-orbit low-orbit satellite interface switching method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also include the following steps: sending downlink data transmission status information to the CU satellite in the same orbital plane, so that the CU satellite determines the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell based on the downlink data transmission status information sent by the target DU satellite, and sends the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell to the target DU satellite.

[0088] In some embodiments, the interface switching method between co-orbit low-orbit satellites provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also include the following steps: receiving pre-configuration information periodically sent by the CU satellite in the same orbital plane, wherein the pre-configuration information at least includes: COI configuration information of the target cell.

[0089] In some embodiments, the above S704 can be specifically implemented through the following steps: receiving uplink data packets sent by the UE in the target cell to the CU satellite in the same orbital plane, and forwarding them to the CU satellite; receiving downlink data packets sent by the CU satellite to the UE in the target cell, and forwarding them to the UE in the target cell.

[0090] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a method for inter-satellite interface switching in the same orbit. This method can be executed by any electronic device with computing processing capabilities. In some embodiments, the method for inter-satellite interface switching in the same orbit provided in embodiments of the present disclosure can be executed by a third-party device that communicates with the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite in the above system architecture. In other embodiments, the method for inter-satellite interface switching in the same orbit provided in embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented through interaction between the third-party device and the source DU satellite, the target DU satellite, and the CU satellite in the above system architecture.

[0091] FIG8 shows a flow chart of an optional method for handing over an interface between co-orbital low-orbit satellites in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG8 , the method may include the following steps:

[0092] S802, establishing an inter-DU interface between DU satellites in the same orbital plane;

[0093] S804: When the source DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell, monitoring whether to switch the UEs in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DUs deployed in the same orbital plane;

[0094] S806, when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite in the same orbital plane, message interaction is performed between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0095] Based on the same inventive concept, the presently disclosed embodiments further provide a base station separation unit, which is deployed on a source DU satellite, as described in the following embodiments. Because the principles underlying the problems solved by the base station separation unit embodiments are similar to those of the aforementioned method embodiments, the implementation of the base station separation unit embodiments can be referenced to the implementation of the aforementioned method embodiments, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0096] FIG9 shows a schematic diagram of component modules of a base station separation unit deployed on a source DU satellite in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG9 , the base station separation unit may include: a first inter-DU interface communication module 901 .

[0097] Among them, the first DU interface communication module 901 is configured to, when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, perform inter-satellite interface switching message interaction with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0098] It should be noted that the first inter-DU interface communication module 901 corresponds to S602 in the method embodiment. The examples and application scenarios implemented by the above modules and corresponding steps are the same, but are not limited to the contents disclosed in the above method embodiment. It should be noted that the above modules, as part of the apparatus, can be executed in a computer system, such as a set of computer-executable instructions.

[0099] In some embodiments, the device also includes: a CU satellite interface communication module 902, which is configured to receive pre-configuration information periodically sent by the CU satellite, wherein the CU satellite is a low-orbit satellite with a CU deployed in the same orbital plane, and the pre-configuration information at least includes: the COI configuration information of the target cell.

[0100] In some embodiments, the pre-configuration information also includes: ephemeris information; the device also includes: a monitoring module 903, which is used to monitor whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite based on the ephemeris information and satellite position information during the process in which the source DU satellite uses the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the user terminal UE in the target cell.

[0101] Based on the same inventive concept, the presently disclosed embodiments further provide a base station separation unit, which is deployed on a target DU satellite, as described in the following embodiments. Because the principles underlying the base station separation unit embodiments are similar to those of the aforementioned method embodiments, the implementation of the base station separation unit embodiments can be referenced to the implementation of the aforementioned method embodiments, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0102] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of the components of a base station separation unit deployed on a target DU satellite in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 10 , the base station separation unit may include: a second inter-DU interface communication module 1001 and a UE communication module 1002.

[0103] Among them, the second DU interface communication module 1001 is configured to perform message interaction between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite for inter-satellite interface switching, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DU deployed in the same orbital plane. In the process of using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell, the source DU satellite monitors whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, and when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, initiates message interaction of inter-satellite interface switching to the target DU satellite; the UE communication module 1002 is configured to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell.

[0104] It should be noted that the second inter-DU interface communication module 1001 and the UE communication module 1002 correspond to S702 to S704 in the method embodiment. The examples and application scenarios implemented by the above modules and corresponding steps are the same, but are not limited to the contents disclosed in the above method embodiment. It should be noted that the above modules, as part of the apparatus, can be executed in a computer system, such as a set of computer-executable instructions.

[0105] Based on the same inventive concept, the present disclosure also provides an interface switching device between co-orbital low-orbit satellites, as shown in the following embodiment. Since the principles of the device embodiment are similar to those of the above-mentioned method embodiment, the implementation of the device embodiment can refer to the implementation of the above-mentioned method embodiment, and the repeated parts will not be repeated here.

[0106] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of an interface switching device between co-orbit low-orbit satellites in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 11, the device includes: an inter-DU interface configuration module 1101, a switching monitoring module 1102 and a switching message interaction module 1103.

[0107] Among them, the DU interface configuration module 1101 is configured to establish an inter-DU interface between each DU satellite in the same orbital plane; the switching monitoring module 1102 is configured to monitor whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite when the source DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DU deployed in the same orbital plane; the switching message interaction module 1103 is configured to, when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite in the same orbital plane, perform message interaction between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0108] It should be noted that the inter-DU interface configuration module 1101, handover monitoring module 1102, and handover message interaction module 1103 correspond to S802 to S806 in the method embodiment. The examples and application scenarios implemented by the above modules and corresponding steps are the same, but are not limited to the contents disclosed in the above method embodiment. It should be noted that the above modules, as part of the apparatus, can be executed in a computer system, such as a set of computer-executable instructions.

[0109] Based on the same inventive concept, the present disclosure also provides a satellite communication system, such as the following embodiment. Since the principles of the system embodiment to solve the problem are similar to those of the above method embodiment, the implementation of the system embodiment can refer to the implementation of the above method embodiment, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0110] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 12, the device includes: a CU satellite 1201 and multiple DU satellites 1202 located in the same orbital plane as the CU satellite; each DU satellite 1202 communicates with the CU satellite 1201 through the F1 interface, and the DU satellites 1202 communicate with each other through a pre-established DU interface.

[0111] Among them, the multiple DU satellites 1202 include: a source DU satellite 1202a and a target DU satellite 1202b; the source DU satellite is a DU satellite that provides services to UEs in the target cell before the satellite interface is switched, and the target DU satellite is a DU satellite that provides services to UEs in the target cell after the satellite interface is switched; the source DU satellite is used to monitor whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite in the process of using the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services to UEs in the target cell, and when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, perform inter-satellite interface switching message interaction with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite; the target DU satellite is used to perform inter-satellite interface switching message interaction with the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, and after successfully switching the UE in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, perform services for the UE in the target cell using the COI configuration information of the target cell.

[0112] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented as systems, methods, or program products. Therefore, various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in the following forms: a complete hardware implementation, a complete software implementation (including firmware, microcode, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software implementations, which may be collectively referred to herein as "circuits," "modules," or "systems."

[0113] The electronic device 1300 according to this embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to FIG13. The electronic device 1300 shown in FIG13 is merely an example and should not limit the functions and scope of use of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0114] As shown in Figure 13, electronic device 1300 is implemented as a general-purpose computing device. Components of electronic device 1300 may include, but are not limited to, the aforementioned at least one processing unit 1310, the aforementioned at least one storage unit 1320, and a bus 1330 connecting various system components (including storage unit 1320 and processing unit 1310).

[0115] The storage unit stores program codes, which can be executed by the processing unit 1310, so that the processing unit 1310 performs the steps described in the above “Exemplary Method” section of this specification according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0116] In some embodiments, when the electronic device 1300 is a source DU satellite, the processing unit 1310 can execute the following steps of the above method embodiment: when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, the inter-satellite interface switching message is interacted with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0117] In some embodiments, when the electronic device 1300 is a target DU satellite, the processing unit 1310 may execute the following steps of the above-mentioned method embodiment: performing inter-satellite interface switching message interaction with the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DU deployed in the same orbital plane, and the source DU satellite monitors whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite when using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell, and when determining that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, initiates inter-satellite interface switching message interaction to the target DU satellite; and uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell.

[0118] In some embodiments, when the electronic device 1300 is a third-party device that communicates with the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, the processing unit 1310 can execute the following steps of the above-mentioned method embodiment: establishing an inter-DU interface between each DU satellite in the same orbital plane; when the source DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, monitoring whether to switch the UE in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DU deployed in the same orbital plane; when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite in the same orbital plane, performing message interaction between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

[0119] The storage unit 1320 may include a readable medium in the form of a volatile storage unit, such as a random access memory unit (RAM) 13201 and / or a cache memory unit 13202 , and may further include a read-only memory unit (ROM) 13203 .

[0120] The storage unit 1320 may also include a program / utility 13204 having a set (at least one) of program modules 13205, such program modules 13205 including but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each of which or some combination may include an implementation of a network environment.

[0121] Bus 1330 may represent one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, a processing unit, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.

[0122] Electronic device 1300 may also communicate with one or more external devices 1340 (e.g., a keyboard, pointing device, Bluetooth device, etc.), one or more devices that enable a user to interact with electronic device 1300, and / or any device that enables electronic device 1300 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., a router, modem, etc.). Such communication may occur via input / output (I / O) interface 1350. Furthermore, electronic device 1300 may also communicate with one or more networks (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and / or a public network such as the Internet) via network adapter 1360. As shown, network adapter 1360 communicates with other modules of electronic device 1300 via bus 1330. It should be understood that, although not shown, other hardware and / or software modules may be used in conjunction with electronic device 1300, including but not limited to microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0123] Through the description of the above embodiments, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example embodiments described herein can be implemented by software or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, and includes several instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a terminal device, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0124] In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the process described with reference to the flowchart above can be implemented as a computer program product, which includes: a computer program, which implements the above-mentioned interface switching method between co-orbit low-orbit satellites when executed by a processor.

[0125] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, which may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. FIG14 shows a schematic diagram of a computer-readable storage medium in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG14 , a program product capable of implementing the above-mentioned method of the present disclosure is stored on the computer-readable storage medium 1400. In some possible implementations, various aspects of the present disclosure may also be implemented in the form of a program product, which includes program code. When the program product is run on a terminal device, the program code is used to cause the terminal device to execute the steps according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described in the above “Exemplary Method” section of this specification.

[0126] More specific examples of computer-readable storage media in the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, an electrical connection having one or more conductors, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0127] In the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, which carries readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium that can transmit, propagate, or transfer a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0128] Alternatively, the program code contained on the computer-readable storage medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0129] In a specific implementation, the program code for performing the operations of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, C++, and the like, as well as conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program code may be executed entirely on the user computing device, partially on the user device, as a standalone software package, partially on the user computing device and partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In the case of a remote computing device, the remote computing device may be connected to the user computing device via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computing device (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0130] It should be noted that although several modules or units of the device for action execution are mentioned in the detailed description above, this division is not mandatory. In fact, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the features and functions of two or more modules or units described above can be concretized in one module or unit. Conversely, the features and functions of one module or unit described above can be further divided into multiple modules or units to be concretized.

[0131] Furthermore, although the steps of the method of the present disclosure are described in a particular order in the accompanying drawings, this does not require or imply that the steps must be performed in this particular order, or that all steps shown must be performed to achieve the desired results. Additionally or alternatively, some steps may be omitted, multiple steps may be combined into one step, and / or one step may be decomposed into multiple steps.

[0132] Through the description of the above embodiments, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example embodiments described herein can be implemented by software or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, and includes several instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a mobile terminal, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0133] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites, the method being applied to a source base station separation unit DU satellite, comprising: When it is determined that the user terminal UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, the message of inter-satellite interface switching is interacted with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites deployed in the same orbital plane.

2. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: Receive pre-configuration information periodically sent by a CU satellite, wherein the CU satellite is a low-orbit satellite with a CU deployed in the same orbital plane, and the pre-configuration information at least includes: COI configuration information of the target cell.

3. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 2, wherein: The pre-configuration information further includes: ephemeris information; the method further includes: In the process of the source DU satellite using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the user terminal UE in the target cell, it is monitored whether to switch the UE in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite according to the ephemeris information and the satellite position information.

4. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 3, wherein: Interacting with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite to switch the inter-satellite interface, so that the target DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell, including: Sending a switching request message to the target DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the switching request message is used to request the target DU satellite to prepare relevant resources required for inter-satellite interface switching; Receiving, through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, a switching request confirmation message returned by the target DU satellite, wherein the switching request confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has prepared relevant resources required for inter-satellite interface switching; Sending a context establishment request message to the target DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite to request the target DU satellite to establish a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer with the UE in the target cell, wherein the context establishment request message includes configuration information of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; Receiving, through an inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, a context establishment response message returned by the target DU satellite, wherein the context establishment response message is used to indicate whether a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer are successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; When the context establishment response message indicates that the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell have successfully established a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer, a COI switching message is sent to the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the COI switching message is used to instruct the target DU satellite to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

5. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 4, wherein: After sending a COI switching message to the target DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, the method further includes: Receiving a COI switching confirmation message returned by the target DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, wherein the COI switching confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has successfully switched to a corresponding COI configuration; Release the transmission resources of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell.

6. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 4, wherein: After receiving a context establishment response message returned by the target DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, the method further includes: Send downlink data transmission status information to the CU satellite, so that the CU satellite determines the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell based on the downlink data transmission status information sent by the source DU satellite, and sends the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell to the target DU satellite.

7. A method for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites, the method being applied to a target DU satellite, comprising: Interacting with the source DU satellite for inter-satellite interface switching messages through an inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DUs deployed in the same orbital plane, and the source DU satellite monitors whether to switch the UE in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite while using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, and initiates inter-satellite interface switching message interaction to the target DU satellite when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite; The COI configuration information of the target cell is used to provide services for UEs in the target cell.

8. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 7, wherein: The method of performing message interaction of inter-satellite interface switching with the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite includes: Receiving, through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, a switching request message sent by the source DU satellite, wherein the switching request message is used to request the target DU satellite to prepare relevant resources required for inter-satellite interface switching; Returning a handover request confirmation message to the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the handover request confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has prepared relevant resources required for inter-satellite interface handover; Receiving a context establishment request message sent by the source DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the context establishment request message is used to request the target DU satellite to establish a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer with a UE in the target cell, and the context establishment request message includes configuration information of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; Establishing a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell according to the configuration information included in the context establishment request message and the load and context information of the target DU satellite itself; Returning a context establishment response message to the source DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the context establishment response message is used to indicate whether a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer are successfully established between the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell; When the target DU satellite and the UE in the target cell have successfully established a wireless data bearer and a wireless signaling bearer, a COI switching message sent by the source DU satellite is received through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, wherein the COI switching message is used to instruct the target DU satellite to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

9. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 8, wherein: After receiving a COI switching message sent by the source DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, the method further includes: A COI switching confirmation message is returned to the source DU satellite through the DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, so that the source DU satellite releases the transmission resources of the wireless data bearer and the wireless signaling bearer between the source DU satellite and the UE in the target cell, wherein the COI switching confirmation message is used to indicate that the target DU satellite has successfully switched to the corresponding COI configuration.

10. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 8, wherein: After returning a context establishment response message to the source DU satellite through an inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, the method further includes: Downlink data transmission status information is sent to the CU satellite in the same orbital plane, so that the CU satellite determines the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell based on the downlink data transmission status information sent by the target DU satellite, and sends the downlink data packets that the source DU satellite has not successfully sent to the UE in the target cell to the target DU satellite.

11. The interface switching method between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 7, wherein: The method further comprises: Receive pre-configuration information periodically sent by a CU satellite in the same orbital plane, wherein the pre-configuration information at least includes: COI configuration information of the target cell.

12. The method for switching interfaces between co-orbital low-orbit satellites according to claim 7, wherein: Providing service for UE in the target cell by using the COI configuration information of the target cell, including: receiving an uplink data packet sent by a UE in the target cell to a CU satellite in the same orbital plane, and forwarding the data packet to the CU satellite; Receive the downlink data packet sent by the CU satellite to the UE in the target cell, and forward it to the UE in the target cell.

13. A method for switching interfaces between co-orbital low-orbit satellites, comprising: Establish inter-DU interfaces between DU satellites in the same orbital plane; When the source DU satellite uses the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, monitoring whether to switch the UE in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DU deployed in the same orbital plane; When it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite in the same orbital plane, message interaction is performed between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

14. A base station separation unit, deployed on a source DU satellite, comprising: The first DU interface communication module is configured to, when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, perform message interaction for inter-satellite interface switching with the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

15. A base station separation unit, deployed on a target DU satellite, comprising: A second DU inter-interface communication module is configured to perform message interaction between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite for inter-satellite interface switching, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DUs deployed in the same orbital plane, and the source DU satellite monitors whether to switch the UE in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite when using the orbital cell identification code COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, and initiates message interaction of inter-satellite interface switching to the target DU satellite when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite; The UE communication module is configured to use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for UEs in the target cell.

16. An interface switching device between co-orbital low-orbit satellites, comprising: An inter-DU interface configuration module is configured to establish an inter-DU interface between DU satellites in the same orbital plane; A switching monitoring module is configured to monitor whether the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite during the process of the source DU satellite using the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell, wherein the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite are low-orbit satellites with DU deployed in the same orbital plane; The switching message interaction module is configured to perform message interaction between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite through the DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite in the same orbital plane, so that the target DU satellite adopts the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

17. A satellite communication system comprising: A CU satellite and a plurality of DU satellites located in the same orbital plane as the CU satellite; each DU satellite communicates with the CU satellite via an F1 interface, and each DU satellite communicates with each other via a pre-established DU interface; The multiple DU satellites include: a source DU satellite and a target DU satellite; the DU satellite is a DU satellite that provides services to UEs in a target cell before the satellite interface is switched, and the target DU satellite is a DU satellite that provides services to UEs in a target cell after the satellite interface is switched; The source DU satellite is used to perform inter-satellite interface switching message interaction with the target DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the source DU satellite and the target DU satellite when it is determined that the UE in the target cell is switched from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite; The target DU satellite is used to perform message interaction for inter-satellite interface switching with the source DU satellite through the inter-DU interface between the target DU satellite and the source DU satellite, and after successfully switching the UE in the target cell from the source DU satellite to the target DU satellite, use the COI configuration information of the target cell to provide services for the UE in the target cell.

18. An electronic device, comprising: processor; as well as A memory, configured to store executable instructions of the processor; The processor is configured to execute the interface switching method between co-orbit low-orbit satellites as described in any one of claims 1 to 13 by executing the executable instructions.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 is implemented.

20. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method for interface switching between co-orbital low-orbit satellites as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 is implemented.

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