Inter-beam batch handover method, apparatus, device and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an inter-beam batch handover method, an apparatus, a device and a storage medium. In the present disclosure, for each terminal device within the coverage of a source beam, a source network device sends to a target network device a handover request message carrying source beam center point position information, so that the target network device determines a target beam on the basis of the source beam center point position information. Even if the multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam are far apart from each other, as the center of the same target beam determined by the target network device for each terminal device is as close as possible to the center of the source beam, the coverage of the target beam overlaps as much as possible the coverage of the source beam, such that the target beam covers as much as possible all of the terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam. Therefore, the same target beam determined by the target network device for each terminal device is sufficient to cover all of the terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam, thus saving beam resources.

Description

Inter-beam batch switching method, device, equipment and storage medium

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on November 17, 2023, with application number 2023115416983 and invention name “Inter-beam batch switching method, device, equipment and storage medium”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in this disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, device, and storage medium for batch switching between beams. Background Art

[0004] In current satellite communication systems, due to factors such as interference avoidance, satellite movement, end of a beam planning time, and cell energy-saving deactivation, batch user switching between beams will be triggered, that is, multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the same beam need to perform cell switching separately.

[0005] In the current inter-beam batch switching process, the source network device (e.g., source satellite or source base station) needs to select a target network device (e.g., target satellite or target base station) for each terminal device and send a switching request message to the target network device, which includes the terminal device's location information. Upon receiving each switching request message, the target network device needs to determine whether the location corresponding to the terminal device's location information already has coverage based on the terminal device's location information. If so, the terminal device is switched to that beam. If not, a new beam is created with the terminal device's location as the center.

[0006] If the distance between multiple terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam is far, for example, the distance between multiple terminal devices is greater than the radius of the beam coverage, the target network device needs to create multiple new beams, resulting in a waste of beam resources.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems or at least partially solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, device and storage medium for batch switching between beams to save beam resources.

[0009] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for batch switching between beams, applied to a source network device, including:

[0010] When multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam migrate, a handover request message is sent to a target network device for each terminal device, where the handover request message includes the location information of the center point of the source beam; the target network device is configured to determine a target beam based on the location information of the center point of the source beam, where the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0011] receiving a handover response message fed back by the target network device, where the handover response message includes information about the target beam;

[0012] According to the switching response message, the terminal device is migrated to the coverage of the target beam.

[0013] Optionally, before sending a handover request message to the target network device for each terminal device, the method further includes:

[0014] Based on the fact that the terminal device is the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target network device is determined according to the position information of the center point of the source beam;

[0015] Based on the fact that the terminal device is not the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target network device corresponding to the first terminal device is determined as the target network device.

[0016] Optionally, the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0017] Optionally, when the terminal device is the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target beam is an existing beam in the target network device or a newly created beam in the target network device.

[0018] Optionally, when the terminal device is not the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target beam is the target beam after the migration of the first terminal device.

[0019] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for batch switching between beams, applied to a target network device, including:

[0020] receiving a switching request message sent by a source network device, where the switching request message includes source beam center point position information;

[0021] Determine a target beam according to the center point position information of the source beam, wherein the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0022] A switching response message is sent to the source network device, where the switching response message includes information about the target beam. The source network device is used to migrate the terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

[0023] Optionally, the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0024] Optionally, determining a target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam includes:

[0025] Based on the fact that the handover request message is received for the first time, determining, based on the source beam center point location information, whether a first beam already exists in the target network device, and a distance between a center of the first beam and a center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0026] If the first beam exists in the target network device, the first beam is determined as the target beam.

[0027] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0028] If the first beam does not exist in the target network device, create a second beam, where a distance between a center of the second beam and a center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0029] The second beam is determined as the target beam.

[0030] Optionally, determining a target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam includes:

[0031] Based on the fact that the handover request message is not received for the first time, the target beam is determined to be the target beam determined when the handover request message is received for the first time.

[0032] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device for batch switching between beams, including:

[0033] A sending module is used to send a switching request message to a target network device for each terminal device when multiple terminal devices within the coverage of a source beam migrate, and the switching request message includes the source beam center point location information; the target network device is used to determine a target beam based on the source beam center point location information, and the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;.

[0034] A receiving module, configured to receive a switching response message fed back by the target network device, the switching response message including information of the target beam;

[0035] A migration module is used to migrate the terminal device to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an inter-beam batch switching device, including:

[0037] A receiving module, configured to receive a switching request message sent by a source network device, the switching request message including source beam center point position information;

[0038] a determination module, configured to determine a target beam based on the position information of the center point of the source beam, wherein the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0039] The sending module is used to send a switching response message to the source network device, where the switching response message includes information about the target beam. The source network device is used to migrate the terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a source network device, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor:

[0041] A memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations:

[0042] When multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam migrate, a handover request message is sent to a target network device for each terminal device, where the handover request message includes the location information of the center point of the source beam; the target network device is configured to determine a target beam based on the location information of the center point of the source beam, where the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0043] receiving a handover response message fed back by the target network device, where the handover response message includes information about the target beam;

[0044] According to the switching response message, the terminal device is migrated to the coverage of the target beam.

[0045] Optionally, the processor is further configured to:

[0046] Based on the fact that the terminal device is the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target network device is determined according to the position information of the center point of the source beam;

[0047] Based on the fact that the terminal device is not the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target network device corresponding to the first terminal device is determined as the target network device.

[0048] Optionally, the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0049] Optionally, when the terminal device is the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target beam is an existing beam in the target network device or a newly created beam in the target network device.

[0050] Optionally, when the terminal device is not the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target beam is the target beam after the migration of the first terminal device.

[0051] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a target network device, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor:

[0052] A memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations:

[0053] receiving a switching request message sent by a source network device, where the switching request message includes source beam center point position information;

[0054] Determine a target beam according to the center point position information of the source beam, wherein the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0055] A switching response message is sent to the source network device, where the switching response message includes information about the target beam. The source network device is used to migrate the terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

[0056] Optionally, the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0057] Optionally, when the processor determines the target beam according to the source beam center point position information, it is specifically configured to:

[0058] Based on the fact that the handover request message is received for the first time, determining, based on the source beam center point location information, whether a first beam already exists in the target network device, and a distance between a center of the first beam and a center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0059] If the first beam exists in the target network device, the first beam is determined as the target beam.

[0060] Optionally, if the first beam does not exist in the target network device, a second beam is created, and a distance between a center of the second beam and a center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; and the second beam is determined as the target beam.

[0061] Optionally, when the processor determines the target beam according to the source beam center point position information, it is specifically configured to:

[0062] Based on the fact that the handover request message is not received for the first time, the target beam is determined to be the target beam determined when the handover request message is received for the first time.

[0063] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a processor-readable storage medium, which stores a program for causing the processor to execute the method of the first aspect.

[0064] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a processor-readable storage medium, which stores a program for causing the processor to execute the method as described in the second aspect.

[0065] The inter-beam batch switching method, apparatus, device and storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are such that the source network device sends a switching request message carrying the source beam center point location information to the target network device for each terminal device within the coverage range of the source beam, so that the target network device determines the target beam based on the source beam center point location information. Since the switching request message received by the target network device each time carries the same source beam center point location information, and the target beam determined by the target network device each time based on the same source beam center point location information is relatively fixed, the target beam determined by the target network device for different terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam is the same. That is, even if the distance between multiple terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam is far, for example, greater than the radius of the beam coverage, the center of the same target beam determined by the target network device for each terminal device is as close as possible to the center of the source beam, so that the coverage range of the target beam overlaps with the coverage range of the source beam as much as possible, so that the target beam covers all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam as much as possible. Therefore, the same target beam determined by the target network device for each terminal device is sufficient to accommodate all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam. The target network device does not need to create different target beams for different terminal devices, thereby saving beam resources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0067] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0068] FIG1 is an overall flow chart of batch switching between beams in the prior art;

[0069] FIG2 is an example diagram of batch switching plane positions in the prior art;

[0070] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication system for an inter-beam batch switching method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0071] FIG4 is a flow chart of a batch switching method between beams provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0072] FIG5 is a flow chart of a batch switching method between beams provided by another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0073] FIG6 is a flow chart of a batch switching method between beams provided by another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0074] FIG7 is an overall flow chart of batch switching between beams provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0075] FIG8 shows an example diagram of batch switching plane positions provided by this embodiment;

[0076] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a grid and beams provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0077] FIG10 is a flow chart of a batch switching method between beams provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0078] FIG11 is a flow chart of a batch switching method between beams provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0079] FIG12 is a flow chart of a batch switching method between beams provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0080] FIG13 is a flow chart of a method for batch switching between beams provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0081] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for batch switching between beams provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0082] FIG15 is a schematic structural diagram of an inter-beam batch switching device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0083] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a source network device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0084] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the target network device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] In embodiments of the present invention, the term "and / or" describes the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0086] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "plurality" refers to two or more than two, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0087] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0088] In current satellite communication systems, due to factors such as interference avoidance, satellite movement, end of a beam planning time, and cell energy-saving deactivation, batch user switching between beams will be triggered, that is, each terminal device within the coverage of the same beam needs to perform cell switching separately.

[0089] In the current batch switching process between beams, the source network device (such as a source satellite or a source base station) needs to select a target network device (such as a target satellite or a target base station) for each terminal device and send a switching request message to the target network device. The switching request message includes the location information of the terminal device (such as longitude, latitude, and altitude). When the target network device receives each switching request message, it needs to determine whether the location corresponding to the location information already has beam coverage based on the location information of the terminal device, such as calculating whether the distance from the terminal device to the center of all existing beams is less than the beam service radius R (it is considered to be covered only if it is less than). If it already exists, the terminal device is cut into the beam. If it does not exist, a new beam is created with the location of the terminal device as the center.

[0090] Figure 1 shows the overall flow chart of batch handover between beams in the prior art. Assume that two user equipment (UE) need to be handed over, and the distance between the two UEs is greater than the beam service radius R. As shown in Figure 1, the overall process includes the following steps:

[0091] Step 1. Batch switching between beams is triggered due to scenarios such as satellite movement and interference avoidance.

[0092] For example, inter-beam (inter-cell) batch user handovers triggered by factors such as interference avoidance, satellite movement, the end of a beam planning period, and cell energy-saving deactivation require the migration of all UEs in Beam 1. Specifically, UE1 and UE2 shown in Figure 1 are both UEs in Beam 1.

[0093] Step 2. Source satellite 1 selects a target satellite based on the position of UE1.

[0094] For example, source satellite 1 first performs handover for UE1. Steps 2 through 7 shown in Figure 1 represent the handover process for UE1. In step 2, source satellite 1 selects a target satellite based on UE1's location information. In one feasible implementation, source satellite 1 may be surrounded by multiple other satellites. Source satellite 1 may select one of these satellites as the target satellite based on UE1's location information and the location information of other satellites, for example, the target satellite closest to UE1. In another feasible implementation, source satellite 1's coverage area includes multiple cells, UE1 is located in one of these cells, and multiple neighboring cells are located around this cell. Source satellite 1 may select one of these neighboring cells as the target cell based on UE1's location information and the center location information of each neighboring cell, for example, the neighboring cell closest to UE1. It is understood that the target cell may be within the coverage area of ​​source satellite 1 or within the coverage area of ​​another satellite. In other words, UE1 can handover between different cells within the coverage area of ​​the same satellite or between different satellites. In some embodiments, the satellite corresponding to the target cell is used as the target satellite. Furthermore, it should be understood that the several feasible implementations for source satellite 1 to select a target satellite based on the location information of UE 1 are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these feasible implementations, as long as a suitable target satellite or target cell can be selected. Assume that the target satellite selected in step 2 is target satellite 2 as shown in FIG1 .

[0095] Step 3: The source satellite 1 sends a handover request message to the public processing module of the target satellite 2. The handover request message carries the location information of UE1.

[0096] Step 4. The public processing module of target satellite 2 determines whether there is a beam based on the position of UE1. If not, a new beam is created, such as Beam2.

[0097] For example, the target satellite 2 determines whether there is a beam that can cover UE1 according to the location information of UE1, that is, determines whether there is an existing beam that can cover UE1.

[0098] Assuming that there is no existing beam that can cover UE1, target satellite 2 needs to create a new beam with the position of UE1 as the center point, for example, Beam2.

[0099] Step 5. Target satellite 2 sends a handover response message to source satellite 1. The handover response message carries Beam2 information.

[0100] Step 6. Source satellite 1 sends a handover reconfiguration message to UE1. The handover reconfiguration message carries Beam2 information.

[0101] Step 7. UE1 sends a handover completion message to the target satellite 2.

[0102] For example, UE1 searches for the Beam2 beam according to the Beam2 information and accesses the target beam Beam2, and sends a handover completion message to the target satellite 2.

[0103] Step 8. Source satellite 1 selects a target satellite based on the position of UE2.

[0104] For example, after source satellite 1 completes handover for UE1, it then performs handover for UE2. Steps 8-13 shown in Figure 1 represent the handover process for UE2. In step 8, source satellite 1 selects a target satellite based on UE2's location. Specifically, the implementation of step 8 is similar to that of step 2 and will not be repeated here. However, it should be understood that the target satellite selected by source satellite 1 for UE1 and the target satellite selected by source satellite 1 for UE2 may be the same or different target satellites. This is because source satellite 1 selects the target satellite based on the UE's location. However, UE1's location is different from UE2's location. When the distance between UE1 and UE2 is relatively long, for example, the distance between UE1 and UE2 is greater than the beam service radius R, the target satellite selected by source satellite 1 for UE1 and the target satellite selected by source satellite 1 for UE2 may be different. When the distance between UE1 and UE2 is relatively close, for example, the distance between UE1 and UE2 is less than the beam service radius R, the target satellite selected by source satellite 1 for UE1 and the target satellite selected by source satellite 1 for UE2 may be the same. Therefore, the target satellite selected by the source satellite 1 for UE1 and the target satellite selected by the source satellite 1 for UE2 may be the same or different.

[0105] Step 9. The source satellite 1 sends a handover request message to the public processing module of the target satellite 2. The handover request message carries the location information of UE2.

[0106] Step 10. The public processing module of target satellite 2 determines whether there is a beam based on the position of UE2. If not, a new beam is created, such as Beam3.

[0107] For example, the target satellite 2 determines whether there is a beam that can cover the UE2 according to the location information of the UE2, that is, determines whether there is an existing beam that can cover the UE2.

[0108] Assuming no existing beam can cover UE2, target satellite 2 needs to create a new beam, for example, Beam3, centered around UE2. As can be understood, because the distance between UE1 and UE2 is greater than the beam service radius R, Beam2, created centered around UE1, cannot cover UE2. Therefore, a different beam, for example, Beam3, needs to be created for UE2.

[0109] Step 11. The target satellite 2 sends a handover response message to the source satellite 1. The handover response message carries Beam3 information.

[0110] Step 12: Source satellite 1 sends a handover reconfiguration message to UE2, where the handover reconfiguration message carries Beam3 information.

[0111] Step 13: UE2 sends a handover completion message to target satellite 2.

[0112] For example, UE2 searches for the Beam3 beam according to the Beam3 information and accesses the target beam Beam3, and sends a switching completion message to the target satellite 2.

[0113] Figure 2 shows an example diagram of the plane position of batch switching in the prior art. For example, in Figure 2, satellite 1 is recorded as the source satellite, and satellite 2 is recorded as the target satellite. The coverage area of ​​satellite 1 is also called the coverage range of satellite 1, and the coverage area of ​​satellite 2 is also called the coverage range of satellite 2. The beam service radius, i.e., the beam radius, is recorded as R. The distance between UE1 and UE2 is greater than the beam service radius R. Before the batch switching, UE1 and UE2 are located in Beam1 of satellite 1. During the switching process, the target satellite creates Beam2 for UE1, and the center of Beam2 is the location of UE1, and then UE1 accesses Beam2. The target satellite creates Beam3 for UE2, and the center of Beam3 is the location of UE2, and then UE2 accesses Beam3, thereby completing the migration of all UEs in Beam1.

[0114] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, if the number of UEs within the coverage area of ​​a source beam, such as Beam1, is not limited to two, that is, not limited to UE1 and UE2, but includes more UEs, and if the distance between the multiple UEs is far, for example, the distance between the multiple UEs is greater than the radius of the beam coverage, the target network device, such as the target satellite, needs to create multiple new beams (because during the handover process of each UE, the beam created for that UE may not cover other UEs), resulting in a waste of beam resources.

[0115] To address the above problems, embodiments of the present application provide a method and apparatus for batch switching between beams to save beam resources.

[0116] Among them, the method and the device are based on the same application concept. Since the principles of solving problems by the method and the device are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0117] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applicable to a variety of systems. For example, applicable systems may be long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, long term evolution advanced (LTE-A) systems, universal mobile telecommunication systems (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) systems, 5G new radio (NR) systems and their evolved communication systems, etc. These various systems may include terminal devices and network devices. The system may also include a core network part, such as an evolved packet system (EPS), a 5G system (5GS), etc.

[0118] The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem. In different systems, the name of the terminal device may also be different. For example, in a 5G system, the terminal device may be called User Equipment (UE). A wireless terminal device may be a USB storage device, other personal computer memory devices, and a dongle. It may also communicate with one or more core networks (CN) via a radio access network (RAN). A wireless terminal device may be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal device. For example, it may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges language and / or data with a radio access network. For example, Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), personal computers, tablet computers, Machine-type Communication (MTC) terminal devices, etc. Wireless terminal devices may also be referred to as systems, subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, mobile stations, remote stations, access points, remote terminal devices, access terminal devices, user terminal devices, user agents, user devices, and wireless access points and routers / modems that meet the limitations of this definition, but are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0119] The network device involved in the embodiments of the present application may be a base station, which may include multiple cells providing services to the terminal. Depending on the specific application scenario, the base station may also be called an access point, or may be a device in the access network that communicates with the wireless terminal device through one or more sectors on the air interface, or other names. The network device may be used to interchange received air frames with Internet Protocol (IP) packets, acting as a router between the wireless terminal device and the rest of the access network, wherein the rest of the access network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communication network. The network device may also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. For example, the network device involved in the embodiments of the present application may be an evolutionary network device (eNB or e-NodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5G base station (gNB) in a next generation system, etc., or a home evolved Node B (HeNB), a relay node, a femto, a pico base station (pico), a network test device, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In some network structures, network devices may include centralized unit (CU) nodes and distributed unit (DU) nodes. The centralized unit and the distributed unit may also be arranged geographically separately.

[0120] In addition, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the various systems shown above, but can also be applied to 5G, 5G extension, 6G non-terrestrial networks (NTN), such as inter-station or inter-satellite switching, intra-station or intra-satellite switching and other scenarios of satellite communication systems such as satellite networking and satellite-ground fusion networking. The inter-beam batch switching method provided in the embodiments of the present application includes a source side (i.e., a source network device, such as a source satellite, a source base station, etc.) for batch switching processing, location information carried by a switching request message, and a target side (i.e., a target network device such as a target satellite, a target base station, etc.) for batch switching processing. The following is an introduction in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0121] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a satellite communication system applicable to the inter-beam batch switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The satellite communication system may include satellite 31, satellite 32, terminal device 33 communicating with satellite 31, and terminal device 34 communicating with satellite 31. Although Figure 3 only shows two satellites and two terminal devices, Figure 3 is merely an illustrative illustration and does not limit the applicable scenarios of the inter-beam batch switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0122] It is understood that the satellite communication system shown in FIG3 is merely for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application and does not limit the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. For example, the satellite communication system may also include other devices, such as core network devices, network control devices, etc. (not shown in FIG3).

[0123] The communication system and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0124] The inter-beam batch switching method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below.

[0125] FIG4 is a flow chart of a method for batch switching between beams according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method can be executed by a source network device, such as a source satellite or a source base station. As shown in FIG4 , the method comprises the following specific steps:

[0126] S401. When multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam migrate, a switching request message is sent to the target network device for each terminal device, and the switching request message includes the source beam center point location information; the target network device is used to determine the target beam based on the source beam center point location information, and the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0127] For example, satellite 31 shown in Figure 3 is the source satellite, and satellite 32 is the target satellite. Terminal devices 33 and 34 are both within the coverage of satellite 31's source beam. Assume that factors such as interference avoidance, satellite movement, the end of a beam planning period, and cell energy-saving deactivation trigger inter-beam (inter-cell) batch user handover. This means that each terminal device within the coverage of the source beam needs to migrate out of the source beam. In this case, satellite 31 can send a handover request message to the target satellite, i.e., satellite 32, for each terminal device within the coverage of the source beam. This handover request message includes the location information of the source beam center point.

[0128] For example, satellite 31 first performs a handover for terminal device 33 and needs to send a handover request message to satellite 32. This handover request message includes the source beam center location information. After satellite 31 completes the handover for terminal device 33, it then performs a handover for terminal device 34 and also needs to send a handover request message to satellite 32. This handover request message also includes the source beam center location information. In other words, satellite 31 needs to send a handover request message to satellite 32 once for each terminal device within the coverage area of ​​the source beam, and each handover request message sent carries the source beam center location information, rather than the location information of each terminal device.

[0129] Each time satellite 32 receives a handover request message, it can determine the target beam based on the source beam center point location information carried in the handover request message. The target beam can be an existing beam of satellite 32 or a newly created beam of satellite 32. The distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold. It is understood that this embodiment does not limit the specific value of the preset threshold. The preset threshold is used here to control the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam to be as small as possible, so that the overlap between the coverage range of the target beam and the coverage range of the source beam is as large as possible, so that the target beam covers all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam as much as possible, ensuring that all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam can be smoothly migrated to the target beam. It is understood that while ensuring that the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is as small as possible, a preferred approach is to have the center of the target beam be equal to the center of the source beam, that is, the coverage range of the target beam and the coverage range of the source beam completely overlap and are equal. However, in actual operations or real scenarios, a reasonable distance range is allowed between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam. The distance range is related to the preset threshold. For example, the specific value of the preset threshold can be determined based on the distance range.

[0130] It can be understood that since the switching request message received by satellite 32 each time carries the same source beam center point position information, and the target beam determined by satellite 32 each time based on the same source beam center point position information is relatively fixed, the target beam determined by satellite 32 for different terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam is the same.

[0131] S402: Receive a switching response message fed back by the target network device, where the switching response message includes information about the target beam.

[0132] For example, during a handover process for terminal device 33, after satellite 32 determines the target beam, it can send a handover response message including information about the target beam to satellite 31. Accordingly, satellite 31 can receive the handover response message fed back by satellite 32.

[0133] Similarly, during the handover process for terminal device 34, after satellite 32 determines the target beam, it can send a handover response message including information about the target beam to satellite 31. Accordingly, satellite 31 can receive the handover response message fed back by satellite 32.

[0134] S403. According to the switching response message, migrate the terminal device to the coverage of the target beam.

[0135] For example, during a handover process for terminal device 33, after satellite 31 receives the handover response message fed back by satellite 32, it can send a handover reconfiguration message to terminal device 33 based on the handover response message. This handover reconfiguration message carries information about the target beam. Terminal device 33 can search for and access the target beam based on this target beam information, and then send a handover completion message to satellite 32, thereby completing the handover process for terminal device 33 from satellite 31's source beam to satellite 32's target beam.

[0136] Similarly, during the handover process for terminal device 34, after satellite 31 receives the handover response message fed back by satellite 32, it can send a handover reconfiguration message to terminal device 34 based on the handover response message. This handover reconfiguration message carries the target beam information. Terminal device 34 can search for and access the target beam based on this target beam information, and then send a handover completion message to satellite 32, completing the handover process for terminal device 34 from satellite 31's source beam to satellite 32's target beam.

[0137] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the source network device sends a switching request message carrying the source beam center point location information to the target network device for each terminal device within the coverage of the source beam, so that the target network device determines the target beam based on the source beam center point location information. Since the switching request message received by the target network device each time carries the same source beam center point location information, the target beam determined by the target network device each time based on the same source beam center point location information is relatively fixed, so that the target beam determined by the target network device for different terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam is the same. That is to say, even if the distance between multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam is far, for example, greater than the radius of the beam coverage, since the center of the same target beam determined by the target network device for each terminal device is as close as possible to the center of the source beam, the coverage of the target beam overlaps with the coverage of the source beam as much as possible, so that the target beam covers all terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam as much as possible. Therefore, the same target beam determined by the target network device for each terminal device is sufficient to accommodate all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam. The target network device does not need to create different target beams for different terminal devices, thereby saving beam resources.

[0138] Optionally, for each terminal device within the coverage of the source beam, before sending a switching request message to the target network device, the method also includes: if the terminal device is the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, determining the target network device based on the position information of the center point of the source beam; if the terminal device is not the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, determining the target network device corresponding to the first terminal device as the target network device.

[0139] For example, in this embodiment, the first terminal device to migrate or switch within the coverage of the source beam can be recorded as the first terminal device, the second terminal device to migrate or switch within the coverage of the source beam can be recorded as the second terminal device, and so on. The second terminal device and subsequent terminal devices are not the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam.

[0140] As shown in Figure 3, terminal device 33 is the first terminal device to migrate or switch within the coverage area of ​​the source beam, denoted as the first terminal device. Terminal device 34 is the second terminal device to migrate or switch within the coverage area of ​​the source beam, denoted as the second terminal device. Therefore, satellite 31 performs the handover of terminal device 33 first, followed by the handover of terminal device 34.

[0141] When satellite 31 performs a handover for terminal device 33, it can determine a target satellite based on the source beam center location information. Specifically, the process by which satellite 31 determines a target satellite based on the source beam center location information is similar to the process by which source satellite 1 selects a target satellite based on the location information of UE 1, as described above. For example, in one feasible implementation, multiple other satellites are located around satellite 31. Satellite 31 selects one of the multiple satellites as the target satellite based on the source beam center location information and the location information of the other satellites. For example, the satellite closest to the source beam center is selected as the target satellite. In another feasible implementation, the coverage area of ​​satellite 31 includes multiple cells, terminal device 33 is located in one of the cells, and multiple neighboring cells are located around the cell. Satellite 31 can select one of the multiple neighboring cells as the target cell based on the source beam center location information and the center location information of each neighboring cell. For example, the neighboring cell closest to the source beam center is selected as the target cell. It is understood that the target cell may be within the coverage area of ​​satellite 31 or within the coverage area of ​​another satellite. That is, the terminal device 33 can switch between different cells within the coverage area of ​​the same satellite, or between different satellites. Furthermore, the satellite corresponding to the target cell is used as the target satellite. For example, in this embodiment, the target satellite determined for the terminal device 33 is the satellite 32 shown in FIG3 .

[0142] When satellite 31 completes the handover for terminal device 33 and then performs the handover for terminal device 34, satellite 31 can directly use the target satellite determined during the handover process for terminal device 33 as the target satellite for terminal device 34. That is, the target satellite determined by satellite 31 for terminal device 34 is also satellite 32. This is because, when performing the handover for either terminal device 33 or terminal device 34, satellite 31 determines the target satellite based on the position information of the source beam center point. Since terminal devices 33 and 34 are located within the coverage area of ​​the same source beam, they correspond to the same source beam center point, and thus the target satellite determined for both terminals 33 and 34 is the same satellite. It will be understood that in actual operation, if terminal device 33 is the first terminal device to switch in the source beam, satellite 31 can determine the target satellite using the several feasible implementations described above. For a terminal device that is not the first to switch in the source beam, such as terminal device 34, the target satellite determined during the handover process for terminal device 33 can be directly used as the target satellite for terminal device 34.

[0143] This embodiment calculates and selects a target satellite or target cell once when the first terminal device switches, and directly uses the target satellite or target cell selected in the first handover process in subsequent terminal device switches. Through the above method, the present disclosure only needs to calculate and select once, eliminating the need to perform calculations and selections for each terminal device separately, thereby reducing the computing resource consumption of the source network device and reducing the processing load of the source network device.

[0144] The above embodiment mentioned that while ensuring that the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is as small as possible, there is a preferred method that the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam. Different situations are introduced below.

[0145] Specifically, when the switching request message is a switching request message for the first terminal device within the coverage of the source beam, that is, the target network device receives the switching request message for the first time, the target beam is an existing beam in the target network device, or the target beam is a newly created beam of the target network device, wherein the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0146] For example, terminal device 33 shown in Figure 3 is the first terminal device to migrate or switch within the coverage area of ​​the source beam; terminal device 34 is the second terminal device to migrate or switch within the coverage area of ​​the source beam. During the handover process for terminal device 33, the handover request message sent by satellite 31 to the target satellite, such as satellite 32, is the handover request message for the first terminal device within the coverage area of ​​the source beam. That is, this handover request message is the first handover request message to carry the source beam center point location information. After satellite 32 receives the handover request message carrying the source beam center point location information for the first time, it can use the source beam center point location information to search for an existing beam within satellite 32 whose center is equal to the source beam center. In other words, it matches all existing beams of satellite 32 with an existing beam that is equal to the source beam center. If so, satellite 32 uses this existing beam as the target beam. If not, satellite 32 creates a new beam with the center equal to the source beam center and uses this new beam as the target beam.

[0147] In addition, when the switching request message is a switching request message for a terminal device other than the first one within the coverage of the source beam, that is, the target network device does not receive the switching request message for the first time, the target beam is the target beam after the migration of the first terminal device.

[0148] During the handover process for terminal device 34, the handover request message sent by satellite 31 to the target satellite, such as satellite 32, is not a handover request message for the first terminal device within the coverage area of ​​the source beam. Since this is not the first time satellite 32 has received the handover request message, satellite 32 can use the target beam determined during the handover of terminal device 33 as the target beam corresponding to terminal device 34. In other words, the target beam corresponding to terminal device 34 is the target beam after the migration of terminal device 33.

[0149] In this embodiment, the target network device searches for an existing beam or creates a new beam for the first terminal device that migrates or switches within the coverage of the source beam. For terminal devices that subsequently migrate or switch within the coverage of the source beam, the existing beam found for the first time or the new beam created for the first time is directly used, so that when batch switching terminal devices between beams, at most only one target beam needs to be matched or created. The present disclosure reduces the number of beams matched or created by the target network device through the above method, improves the efficiency of batch switching between beams, and improves the efficiency of beam resource utilization.

[0150] FIG5 is a flow chart of a method for batch switching between beams according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is executed by a target network device, such as a target satellite or a target base station. In this embodiment, the method includes the following steps:

[0151] S501: Receive a switching request message sent by a source network device, where the switching request message includes source beam center point location information.

[0152] For example, satellite 31 shown in Figure 3 is the source satellite, and satellite 32 is the target satellite. Terminal devices 33 and 34 are both within the coverage of satellite 31's source beam. Assuming that factors such as interference avoidance, satellite movement, the end of a beam planning period, and cell energy-saving deactivation trigger inter-beam (inter-cell) batch user handover, that is, multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam need to migrate out of the source beam, satellite 31 can send a handover request message to the target satellite, i.e., satellite 32, for each terminal device within the coverage of the source beam. The handover request message includes the location information of the center point of the source beam. Satellite 32 receives the handover request message.

[0153] S502: Determine a target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, where the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0154] Each time satellite 32 receives a switching request message, it can determine the target beam based on the source beam center point position information carried in the switching request message. The target beam can be an existing beam of satellite 32, or it can be a newly created beam of satellite 32. The distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold. It is understandable that this embodiment does not limit the specific value of the preset threshold. The preset threshold is used here to control the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam to be as small as possible, so that the overlap between the coverage range of the target beam and the coverage range of the source beam is as large as possible and the target beam covers all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam as much as possible, ensuring that all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam can be smoothly migrated to the target beam. It is understandable that, while ensuring that the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is as small as possible, there is a preferred way that the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam, that is, the coverage range of the target beam and the coverage range of the source beam just completely overlap and are equal. However, in actual operations or real-world scenarios, there may be a reasonable distance range between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam, and the distance range is related to the preset threshold. For example, the specific value of the preset threshold can be determined based on the distance range.

[0155] S503. Send a switching response message to the source network device, where the switching response message includes information about the target beam. The source network device is configured to migrate the terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

[0156] For example, during the switching process for terminal device 33, after satellite 32 determines the target beam, it can send a switching response message to satellite 31, and the switching response message includes information about the target beam. Accordingly, satellite 31 can receive the switching response message fed back by satellite 32. After satellite 31 receives the switching response message fed back by satellite 32, it can send a switching reconfiguration message to terminal device 33 based on the switching response message. The switching reconfiguration message carries the information about the target beam, so that terminal device 33 can search for the target beam and access the target beam based on the information about the target beam. Then, satellite 31 sends a switching completion message to satellite 32, thereby completing the process of terminal device 33 switching from the source beam of satellite 31 to the target beam of satellite 32.

[0157] Similarly, during the handover process for terminal device 34, after satellite 32 determines the target beam, it can send a handover response message to satellite 31, and the handover response message includes information about the target beam. Accordingly, satellite 31 can receive the handover response message fed back by satellite 32. After satellite 31 receives the handover response message fed back by satellite 32, it can send a handover reconfiguration message to terminal device 34 based on the handover response message. The handover reconfiguration message carries the information about the target beam, so that terminal device 34 can search for the target beam and access the target beam based on the information about the target beam. Satellite 31 then sends a handover completion message to satellite 32, thereby completing the process of terminal device 34 switching from the source beam of satellite 31 to the target beam of satellite 32.

[0158] In this embodiment, the source network device sends a switching request message carrying the source beam center point location information to the target network device for each terminal device within the coverage range of the source beam, so that the target network device determines the target beam based on the source beam center point location information. Since the switching request message received by the target network device each time carries the same source beam center point location information, the target beam determined by the target network device each time based on the same source beam center point location information is relatively fixed, so that the target beam determined by the target network device for different terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam is the same. In other words, even if the distance between multiple terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam is far, for example, greater than the radius of the beam coverage, since the center of the same target beam determined by the target network device for each terminal device is as close as possible to the center of the source beam, that is, the coverage range of the target beam overlaps with the coverage range of the source beam as much as possible, so that the target beam covers all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam as much as possible. Therefore, the same target beam determined by the target network device for each terminal device is sufficient to accommodate all terminal devices within the coverage range of the source beam. The target network device does not need to create different target beams for different terminal devices, thereby saving beam resources.

[0159] Optionally, determining the target beam according to the source beam center point position information includes the following steps shown in FIG6 :

[0160] Step 600: The target network device determines whether it is the first time to receive the handover request message including the source beam center point location information. If yes, execute S601; otherwise, execute S604.

[0161] Step 601: Based on the source beam center point location information, the target network device determines whether a first beam already exists in the target network device, and whether the distance between the center of the first beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold. In some embodiments, the center of the first beam may also be equal to the center of the source beam. If so, step 602 is executed; otherwise, step 603 is executed.

[0162] Step 602: Determine the first beam as the target beam.

[0163] Step 603: Create a second beam, where the distance between the center of the second beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold. In some embodiments, the center of the second beam may also be equal to the center of the source beam. Determine the second beam as the target beam.

[0164] For example, terminal device 33 shown in FIG3 is the first terminal device to migrate or switch within the coverage of the source beam; terminal device 34 is the second terminal device to migrate or switch within the coverage of the source beam. During the switching process for terminal device 33, the switching request message sent by satellite 31 to the target satellite, such as satellite 32, is a switching request message for the first terminal device within the coverage of the source beam. That is, the switching request message is the first switching request message carrying the source beam center point location information. At this time, satellite 32 can search for an existing beam in satellite 32 based on the source beam center point location information, and the center of the existing beam is equal to the center of the source beam. That is, it matches an existing beam equal to the center of the source beam from all existing beams of satellite 32. If it exists, satellite 32 uses the existing beam (referred to as the first beam) as the target beam. If it does not exist, satellite 32 creates a new beam, such that the center of the newly created beam is equal to the center of the source beam, and uses the newly created beam (referred to as the second beam) as the target beam.

[0165] Step 604: Based on the fact that this is not the first time that the target network device receives the handover request message, determine that the target beam is the target beam determined when the target network device receives the handover request message for the first time.

[0166] During the handover process for terminal device 34, the handover request message sent by satellite 31 to the target satellite, for example, satellite 32, is not the first handover request message received by satellite 32. In this case, satellite 32 can use the target beam determined during the handover of terminal device 33 as the target beam corresponding to terminal device 34. That is, the target beam corresponding to terminal device 34 is the target beam after the migration of terminal device 33.

[0167] In this embodiment, the target network device searches for an existing beam or creates a new beam for the first terminal device that migrates or switches within the coverage of the source beam. For terminal devices that subsequently migrate or switch within the coverage of the source beam, the existing beam found for the first time or the new beam created for the first time is directly used. This allows for batch switching of terminal devices between beams, requiring only one target beam to be matched or created. The above method can reduce the number of beams that the target network device matches or creates, improve the efficiency of batch switching between beams, and improve the efficiency of beam resource utilization.

[0168] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the overall inter-beam batch switching process provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. Assume that two user equipment (UE) need to be switched, and the distance between the two UEs is greater than the beam service radius R. As shown in Figure 7, the overall process includes the following steps:

[0169] Step 1. Batch switching between beams is triggered due to scenarios such as satellite movement and interference avoidance.

[0170] For example, inter-beam (inter-cell) batch user handovers triggered by factors such as interference avoidance, satellite movement, the end of a beam planning period, and cell energy-saving deactivation require the migration of all UEs in Beam 1. Specifically, UE1 and UE2 shown in Figure 7 are both UEs in Beam 1.

[0171] Step 2. Source satellite 1 selects a target satellite based on the source beam center point position information.

[0172] For example, source satellite 1 first performs handover for UE1. This means that UE1 is the first terminal device to migrate or handover within the coverage area of ​​the source beam and is denoted as the first terminal device. Steps 2 through 7 in Figure 7 illustrate the handover process for UE1. In step 2, source satellite 1 selects a target satellite based on the location of the source beam center point. The specific selection method is described above and will not be repeated here.

[0173] Step 3. The source satellite 1 sends a switching request message to the public processing module of the target satellite 2. The switching request message carries the source beam center point position information.

[0174] Step 4. The public processing module of target satellite 2 determines whether a beam exists based on the position of the center point of the source beam. If not, a new beam is created.

[0175] For example, when the public processing module of target satellite 2 receives the switching request message, since the switching request message carries the source beam center point location information rather than the location information of a single terminal device, the public processing module of target satellite 2 identifies the switching request message as a batch switching. In addition, since the public processing module of target satellite 2 receives the switching request message carrying the source beam center point location information for the first time, target satellite 2 determines that this switching is for the first terminal device within the coverage of the source beam. At this time, target satellite 2 searches for an existing beam in target satellite 2 based on the source beam center point location, and the distance between the center of the existing beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold, that is, matches an existing beam from all existing beams of target satellite 2 whose center distance to the source beam is less than or equal to the preset threshold. In some embodiments, the existing beam is equal to the center of the source beam. If it exists, target satellite 2 uses the existing beam as the target beam. If no existing beam exists, target satellite 2 creates a new beam such that the distance between the center of the newly created beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold, and uses the newly created beam as the target beam. In some embodiments, the center of the newly created beam is equal to the center of the source beam. Assuming that no existing beam exists, target satellite 2 creates a new beam with the center of the source beam as its center point as the target beam.

[0176] Step 5. The target satellite 2 sends a handover response message to the source satellite 1. The handover response message carries the target beam information.

[0177] Step 6. Source satellite 1 sends a handover reconfiguration message to UE1, where the handover reconfiguration message carries target beam information.

[0178] Step 7. UE1 sends a handover completion message to the target satellite 2.

[0179] For example, UE1 searches for the target beam according to the target beam information and accesses the target beam, and sends a handover completion message to the target satellite 2.

[0180] Step 8. Source satellite 1 directly uses the target satellite selected by UE1 during the handover process as the target satellite of UE2.

[0181] For example, after source satellite 1 completes the handover for UE1, it then performs the handover for UE2. Steps 8 to 13 shown in Figure 7 are the handover process for UE2. In step 8, source satellite 1 directly uses the target satellite selected by UE1 as the target satellite for UE2.

[0182] Step 9. The source satellite 1 sends a switching request message to the public processing module of the target satellite 2. The switching request message carries the source beam center point position information.

[0183] Step 10. Target satellite 2 directly uses the target beam determined by UE1 during the handover process.

[0184] For example, when the public processing module of target satellite 2 receives the switching request message, since the switching request message carries the source beam center point location information rather than the location information of a single terminal device, the public processing module of target satellite 2 identifies the switching request message as a batch switching. In addition, since this is not the first time that the public processing module of target satellite 2 has received the switching request message carrying the active beam center point location information, target satellite 2 determines that this switching is for subsequent terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam. According to the position of the source beam center point, it is determined that a target beam already exists at this location, that is, the beam selected or created by UE1 during the switching process. Therefore, the target beam can be directly selected.

[0185] Step 11. The target satellite 2 sends a handover response message to the source satellite 1. The handover response message carries target beam information.

[0186] Step 12. Source satellite 1 sends a handover reconfiguration message to UE2, where the handover reconfiguration message carries target beam information.

[0187] Step 13: UE2 sends a handover completion message to target satellite 2.

[0188] For example, UE2 searches for the target beam according to the target beam information and accesses the target beam, and sends a switching completion message to the target satellite 2.

[0189] FIG8 shows an example diagram of the plane position of batch switching provided by this embodiment. For example, in FIG8 , satellite 1 is denoted as the source satellite, and satellite 2 is denoted as the target satellite. The coverage area of ​​satellite 1 is also called the coverage range of satellite 1, and the coverage area of ​​satellite 2 is also called the coverage range of satellite 2. The beam service radius, i.e., the beam radius, is denoted as R. The distance between UE1 and UE2 is greater than the beam service radius R. Before the batch switching, UE1 and UE2 are located in Beam1 of satellite 1. During the switching process, the target satellite creates Beam2 for UE1. The center of Beam2 is the center of the source beam Beam1, that is, the two are at the same position. Then, UE1 accesses Beam2. The target satellite directly selects Beam2 for UE2. Then, UE2 also accesses Beam2, thereby completing the migration of all UEs in Beam1.

[0190] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, if the number of UEs within the coverage area of ​​a source beam, such as Beam1, is not limited to two (i.e., UE1 and UE2), but includes more UEs, then even if the distance between the multiple UEs is large (for example, the distance between the multiple UEs is greater than the beam coverage radius), the target network device, such as the target satellite, can create a new beam to cover all UEs in the source beam. This solution eliminates the need to create multiple new beams, thereby conserving beam resources.

[0191] Beams such as Beam 1, Beam 2, and Beam 3 shown above are service beams, specifically beams used for UE services in satellite communication networks. These beams have a narrow coverage area and serve only a specific area. Each satellite can transmit a limited number of beams.

[0192] In this embodiment, the service beam is sized to completely cover the grid area, and the grid and service beam are aligned one-to-one, with their centers coinciding. A grid is a regular grid pattern of longitude and latitude cut into the Earth's surface at a certain granularity. Each grid can be assigned a number, known as a grid ID.

[0193] As shown in Figure 9, satellite 1 is the source satellite, and satellite 2 is the target satellite. Satellite 1's coverage area can include multiple grids, and satellite 2's coverage area can also include multiple grids. Each grid is divided into a regular grid with a certain granularity based on longitude and latitude, and each grid has its own ID. Assume Beam1 is a beam from satellite 1. The coverage area of ​​this beam is exactly the size of a grid, that is, the center point of the beam is equal to the center point of the grid. Assume that the ID of this grid is ID1. Beam1's coverage area includes UE1 and UE2.

[0194] In the above embodiment, each switching request message sent by the source network device carries the source beam center point location information. In this embodiment, the source beam center point location information has the following two expressions. One expression method is to use the grid ID corresponding to the source beam center to express the source beam center point location information. For example, Beam1 shown in Figure 9 is the source beam. Since the coverage range of the source beam is exactly the size of a grid, the center point of the grid is equal to the center point of the source beam. Therefore, the center point of the grid can be used to replace the center point of the source beam. In addition, since each grid corresponds to an ID, and a grid ID corresponds to the location information of the grid center, the grid ID1 shown in Figure 9 can be used to express the source beam center point location information. Another expression method is to use the longitude, latitude and altitude of the source beam center point to express the source beam center point location information. In a specific application scenario, any of the methods shown above can be used to express the source beam center point location information. During batch handover, as shown in Figure 10, source satellite 1 transmits the source beam center point location information to target satellite 2 via a handover request message, allowing target satellite 2 to search for or create more optimal beam resources. Compared to the prior art handover request message, which only carries UE-level location information, this embodiment also carries the source beam center point location information in the handover request message, allowing the target side to subsequently search for or create more optimal beam resources.

[0195] As shown in Figure 11, when executing the switching of the first UE, this embodiment calculates and selects the target satellite or target cell based on the position of the center point of the source beam. When executing subsequent UE switching, the result selected during the first UE switching process is directly used as the target satellite or target cell. Compared with the prior art, when batch switching between beams occurs, the source side, that is, the source network device side, calculates and selects the target satellite or target cell based on the UE's position information when each UE switches. In this embodiment, the source side only calculates and selects the target satellite or target cell based on the position information of the source beam center point during the first UE switching process. In the subsequent UE switching processes, there is no need to calculate and select again, but directly uses the target satellite or target cell selected during the first UE switching process, thereby reducing the amount of calculation on the source side.

[0196] As shown in Figure 12, when the source beam triggers inter-beam batch switching, the switching request message of each UE carries the source beam center point location information, but does not carry the UE-level location information. If it is not an inter-beam batch switching, but a separate switching triggered by the UE moving to the beam boundary, the switching request message does not carry the source beam center point location information, but carries the UE-level location information. For example, the switching of UE1 and UE2 belongs to inter-beam batch switching, and the switching of UE3 belongs to individual switching. The switching request message for UE1 and UE2 carries the source beam center point location information, and the target side, that is, the target network device (such as target satellite 2), can identify it as a batch switching based on the source beam center point location information. The switching request message for UE3 carries the UE-level location information, and the target satellite 2 can identify it as an individual switching based on the UE-level location information. Therefore, this embodiment carries the source beam center point location information in the switching request message, so that the target side can accurately distinguish whether the switching of a certain UE is an inter-beam batch switching or an individual switching.

[0197] As shown in Figure 13, when the target side receives a switching request message, if it is determined that the switching request message carries the source beam center point location information, it is considered to be a batch switching between beams. If the switching request message is the first switching request message received by the target side that carries the source beam center point location information (for example, position X), the target side searches for a beam with the same center point based on the source beam center point location. If the target side finds an existing beam that meets the conditions, the existing beam is used as the target beam, so that the terminal device accesses the existing beam. Otherwise, the target side creates a new beam with the source beam center point location as the center point, and uses the new beam as the target beam, so that the terminal device accesses the new beam. If the switching request message is not the first switching request message received by the target side that carries the source beam center point location information (for example, position X), the target side directly uses the beam selected in the previous switching process or the newly created beam as the target beam. Compared to the prior art, in batch switching, the target side searches for a complex calculation and judgment process based on the UE-level location information each time a switching request message is received to determine whether there is an existing beam that can cover the UE. In batch switching, this embodiment only needs to determine whether the source beam center point location information carried in the switching request message during the first UE switching process is the same as the existing beam center point location information. No complex calculation is required, and the judgment is simple. If no beam with the same center position is found, a new beam is created with the source beam center position as the target beam, and for subsequent UEs switching, there is no need to search, determine, or create beams. The target beam determined by the previous switching process is directly used. The method provided by this embodiment can reduce the allocation and occupancy of beam resources, improve beam resource utilization, and at the same time reduce the calculation workload on the target side and reduce the processing load.

[0198] It is understandable that FIG10-FIG13 only extracts some of the steps shown in FIG7 to further illustrate the improvement of the existing technology and the realization of the technical effects of these steps.

[0199] The method shown in this embodiment can support the target side to flexibly process according to different scenarios in satellite communication networking scenarios such as 5G extension and 6G NTN networking, such as satellite networking and satellite-ground fusion networking, by carrying the source beam center point location information in the switching request message. The method shown in this embodiment is that the source side only calculates and screens the target satellite or target cell once when the first UE switches, and the result of the first switching screening can be directly used in the subsequent switching process, thereby reducing the consumption of computing resources and reducing the satellite processing load. By judging whether a switching UE is a user switching in batches or a user switching individually, it is convenient for the target side to select different processing strategies. The method shown in this embodiment is that the target side only needs to search whether there is an existing beam as the target beam based on the source beam center position carried by the first switching UE. When switching users in batches subsequently, there is no need to calculate and search again, and the search result of the previous switching process is directly used, thereby reducing the target side's computing resource consumption and reducing the switching process time. If the first switching UE does not find an existing matching beam, the target side creates a new beam as the target beam based on the center position of the source beam. When the users are subsequently switched in batches, there is no need to calculate and search for matching beams or create new beams. Instead, the beam created in the previous switching process is used directly, thereby reducing the computing resource consumption on the target side, reducing the switching process time, reducing the number of created beams, and improving beam resource allocation and utilization.

[0200] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an inter-beam batch switching apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The inter-beam batch switching apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure can execute the processing flow provided in an embodiment of the inter-beam batch switching method. The inter-beam batch switching apparatus can be provided in a source network device, or the inter-beam batch switching apparatus can be a component or assembly in the source network device, or the inter-beam batch switching apparatus can be the source network device. As shown in FIG14 , the inter-beam batch switching apparatus 140 includes:

[0201] Transmitting module 141 is configured to, when multiple terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​a source beam need to migrate, send a handover request message to a target network device for each terminal device. The handover request message includes source beam center point location information. The target network device is configured to determine a target beam based on the source beam center point location information, where the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0202] A receiving module 142 is configured to receive a handover response message fed back by the target network device, where the handover response message includes information about the target beam;

[0203] The migration module 143 is used to migrate the terminal device to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

[0204] Optionally, the inter-beam batch switching device 140 also includes: a determination module 144, which is used to determine the target network device according to the position information of the source beam center point based on the fact that the terminal device is the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam before sending a switching request message to the target network device for each terminal device; and determine the target network device corresponding to the first terminal device as the target network device based on the fact that the terminal device is not the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam.

[0205] Optionally, the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0206] Optionally, when the handover request message is the first handover request message received by the target network, the target beam is an existing beam in the target network device, or the target beam is a newly created beam by the target network device, and the distance between the center of the existing beam and the center of the newly created beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold. In some embodiments, the center of the existing beam and the center of the newly created beam are equal to the center of the source beam.

[0207] Optionally, when the switching request message is not the first switching request message received by the target network, the target beam is the target beam after the first terminal device migrates.

[0208] The inter-beam batch switching device of the embodiment shown in FIG14 can be used to implement the technical solution of the above-mentioned source network device side method embodiment. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0209] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an inter-beam batch switching apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The inter-beam batch switching apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure can execute the processing flow provided in an embodiment of the inter-beam batch switching method. The inter-beam batch switching apparatus can be provided in a target network device, or the inter-beam batch switching apparatus can be a component or assembly in the target network device, or the inter-beam batch switching apparatus can be the target network device. As shown in FIG15 , the inter-beam batch switching apparatus 150 includes:

[0210] The receiving module 151 is configured to receive a handover request message sent by a source network device, wherein the handover request message includes source beam center point location information;

[0211] a determination module 152, configured to determine a target beam based on the position information of the center point of the source beam, wherein the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold;

[0212] The sending module 153 is used to send a switching response message to the source network device, where the switching response message includes information about the target beam. The source network device is used to migrate the terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

[0213] Optionally, the center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0214] Optionally, when determining the target beam based on the source beam center point location information, the determination module 152 is specifically configured to: if the receiving module 151 receives a handover request message including the source beam center point location information for the first time, determine whether a first beam already exists in the target network device based on the source beam center point location information; if the first beam exists, determine the first beam as the target beam. The distance between the center of the first beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold. In some embodiments, the center of the first beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0215] Optionally, the determination module 152 is further configured to: if the first beam does not exist, create a second beam; and determine the second beam as the target beam. The distance between the center of the second beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold. In some embodiments, the center of the second beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

[0216] Optionally, when the determination module 152 determines the target beam based on the source beam center point position information, it is specifically used to: if the receiving module 151 does not receive the switching request message including the source beam center point position information for the first time, then the target beam determined when the target network device receives the switching request message for the first time will be used as a response to the target beam.

[0217] The inter-beam batch switching device of the embodiment shown in FIG15 can be used to execute the technical solution of the above-mentioned target network device side method embodiment. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0218] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0219] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application.

[0220] It should be noted here that the above-mentioned device provided by the embodiment of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented by the above-mentioned method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. The parts and beneficial effects that are the same as the method embodiment in this embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0221] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a source network device, as shown in FIG16 , which includes a processor 160, a transceiver 161, and a memory 162. The memory 162 stores a computer program configured to cause the processor 162 to execute the method steps on the source network device side.

[0222] The transceiver 161 is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processor 160 .

[0223] In FIG16 , the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically various circuits linked together by one or more processors represented by a processor and a memory represented by a memory. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and are therefore not further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 161 may be a plurality of components, i.e., a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium, such as a wireless channel, a wired channel, an optical cable, and the like. The processor is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 162 may store data used by the processor 160 when performing operations.

[0224] The processor 160 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0225] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a target network device, as shown in FIG17 , which includes a processor 170, a transceiver 171, and a memory 172. The memory 172 stores a computer program configured to cause the processor 172 to execute the method steps described above on the target network device side.

[0226] The transceiver 171 is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processor 170 .

[0227] In FIG17 , the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically various circuits linked together by one or more processors represented by a processor and a memory represented by a memory. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and are therefore not further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 171 may be a plurality of components, i.e., a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium, such as a wireless channel, a wired channel, an optical cable, and the like. The processor is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 172 may store data used by the processor 170 when performing operations.

[0228] The processor 170 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0229] It should be noted here that the above-mentioned device provided in the embodiment of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the above-mentioned method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. The parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0230] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a processor-readable storage medium, which stores a program for causing the processor to execute the inter-beam batch switching method executed by the source network device of the above embodiment.

[0231] In addition, an embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a processor-readable storage medium, which stores a program for causing the processor to execute the inter-beam batch switching method executed by the target network device of the above embodiment.

[0232] The processor-readable storage medium can be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by the processor, including but not limited to magnetic storage (such as floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, magneto-optical disks (MO)), optical storage (such as CDs, DVDs, BDs, HVDs, etc.), and semiconductor storage (such as ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, non-volatile memories (NAND FLASH), solid-state drives (SSDs)), etc.

[0233] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage and optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0234] The present application is described with reference to the flowchart and / or block diagram of the method, device (system), and computer program product according to the embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, and the combination of the process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram can be implemented by computer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processing machine or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the function specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and / or one box or multiple boxes in the block diagram.

[0235] These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a processor-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the processor-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0236] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for batch switching between beams, applied to a source network device, characterized in that: The method comprises: When multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam migrate, for each terminal device, a switching request message is sent to the target network device, the switching request message including the location information of the center point of the source beam; the target network device is used to determine the target beam according to the location information of the center point of the source beam, and the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; receiving a switching response message fed back by the target network device, wherein the switching response message includes information of the target beam; According to the switching response message, the terminal device is migrated to the coverage of the target beam.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that For each of the terminal devices, before sending a switching request message to the target network device, the method further includes: Based on the fact that the terminal device is the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target network device is determined according to the location information of the center point of the source beam; Based on the fact that the terminal device is not the first terminal device that migrates within the coverage of the source beam, a target network device corresponding to the first terminal device is determined as the target network device.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: When the terminal device is the first terminal device that migrates within the coverage of the source beam, the target beam is a beam that already exists in the target network device or a beam that is newly created by the target network device.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the terminal device is not the first terminal device that migrates within the coverage of the source beam, the target beam is the target beam after the migration of the first terminal device.

6. A method for batch switching between beams, characterized in that: Applied to a target network device, the method comprises: Receiving a switching request message sent by a source network device, wherein the switching request message includes source beam center point location information; Determine a target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, wherein the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; A switching response message is sent to the source network device, wherein the switching response message includes information of the target beam, and the source network device is used to migrate terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that Determining a target beam according to the source beam center point position information includes: Based on the fact that the switching request message is received for the first time, determining, according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, whether a first beam already exists in the target network device, and a distance between the center of the first beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; If the first beam exists in the target network device, the first beam is determined as the target beam.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that Also includes: If the first beam does not exist in the target network device, create a second beam, where the distance between the center of the second beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; The second beam is determined as the target beam.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that Determining a target beam according to the source beam center point position information includes: Based on the fact that the handover request message is not received for the first time, the target beam is determined to be the target beam determined when the handover request message is received for the first time.

11. A batch switching device between beams, characterized in that: include: A sending module, used for sending a switching request message to a target network device for each terminal device when multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam migrate, wherein the switching request message includes the location information of the center point of the source beam; The target network device is used to determine the target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, and the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; A receiving module, configured to receive a switching response message fed back by the target network device, wherein the switching response message includes information of the target beam; A migration module is used to migrate the terminal device to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

12. A batch switching device between beams, characterized in that: include: A receiving module, configured to receive a switching request message sent by a source network device, wherein the switching request message includes source beam center point location information; A determination module, used to determine a target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, wherein the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; A sending module is used to send a switching response message to the source network device, wherein the switching response message includes information of the target beam, and the source network device is used to migrate the terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

13. A source network device, characterized in that: Including memory, transceiver, processor: Memory for storing computer programs; a transceiver, for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; A processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory and execute: When multiple terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam migrate, for each terminal device, a switching request message is sent to the target network device, wherein the switching request message includes the location information of the center point of the source beam; The target network device is used to determine the target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, and the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; receiving a switching response message fed back by the target network device, wherein the switching response message includes information of the target beam; According to the switching response message, the terminal device is migrated to the coverage of the target beam.

14. The source network device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The processor is further configured to: Based on the fact that the terminal device is the first terminal device to migrate within the coverage of the source beam, the target network device is determined according to the location information of the center point of the source beam; Based on the fact that the terminal device is not the first terminal device that migrates within the coverage of the source beam, a target network device corresponding to the first terminal device is determined as the target network device.

15. The source network device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

16. The source network device according to claim 13, characterized in that: When the terminal device is the first terminal device that migrates within the coverage of the source beam, the target beam is a beam that already exists in the target network device or a beam that is newly created by the target network device.

17. The source network device according to claim 13, characterized in that: When the terminal device is not the first terminal device that migrates within the coverage of the source beam, the target beam is the target beam after the migration of the first terminal device.

18. A target network device, characterized in that: Including memory, transceiver, processor: Memory for storing computer programs; a transceiver, for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; A processor, configured to read the computer program in the memory and execute: Receiving a switching request message sent by a source network device, wherein the switching request message includes source beam center point location information; Determine a target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, wherein the distance between the center of the target beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; A switching response message is sent to the source network device, wherein the switching response message includes information of the target beam, and the source network device is used to migrate terminal devices within the coverage of the source beam to the coverage of the target beam according to the switching response message.

19. The target network device according to claim 18, characterized in that: The center of the target beam is equal to the center of the source beam.

20. The target network device according to claim 18, characterized in that: The processor is used to: Based on the fact that the switching request message is received for the first time, determining, according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, whether a first beam already exists in the target network device, and a distance between the center of the first beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; If the first beam exists in the target network device, the first beam is determined as the target beam.

21. The target network device according to claim 20, characterized in that: The processor is further configured to: If the first beam does not exist in the target network device, create a second beam, where the distance between the center of the second beam and the center of the source beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold; The second beam is determined as the target beam.

22. The target network device according to claim 18, characterized in that: When the processor determines the target beam according to the position information of the center point of the source beam, it is used to: Based on the fact that the handover request message is not received for the first time, the target beam is determined to be the target beam determined when the handover request message is received for the first time.

23. A processor-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The processor-readable storage medium stores a program, and the program is used to enable the processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

24. A processor-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The processor-readable storage medium stores a program, and the program is used to enable the processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

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