Wireless communication methods, terminal devices, and communication devices

Abstract

Provided are wireless communication methods, terminal devices, and communication devices. A wireless communication method comprises: a first network element sending first information to a second network element, the first information being associated with a first satellite that provides a service for a second terminal device, wherein the second network element comprises a first terminal device or a network element that provides a service for the first terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, a first network element sends first information to a second network element, wherein the first information is associated with a first satellite that provides a service for a second terminal device, thereby facilitating a first terminal device in learning about the first satellite that provides the service for the second terminal device.

Description

Wireless communication method, terminal device and communication device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a wireless communication method, terminal equipment, and communication equipment. Background Art

[0002] Currently, in satellite network architectures, one terminal device can communicate with another terminal device via one or more satellites. However, in this communication scenario, how to determine the satellite providing service to the second terminal device is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a wireless communication method, terminal device, and communication device. The following introduces various aspects of the present application.

[0005] In a first aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a first network element sends first information to a second network element, where the first information is associated with a first satellite providing services for a second terminal device; wherein the second network element includes the first terminal device or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

[0006] In a second aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a second network element receives first information sent by a first network element, where the first information is associated with a first satellite providing services for a second terminal device; wherein the second network element includes the first terminal device or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

[0007] According to a third aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a first terminal device sends a second request to a fifth network element, wherein the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device via a satellite.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a fifth network element receives a second request sent by a first terminal device, wherein the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, comprising: a second terminal device receives a second request sent by a first terminal device, wherein the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a seventh network element sends configuration information to a first satellite, the configuration information being used to configure one or more of the following: a first communication link for communication between a target terminal device and the first satellite; a second communication link for communication between the first satellite and a second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0011] In the seventh aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, including: a first satellite receives configuration information sent by a seventh network element, the configuration information being used to configure one or more of the following: a first communication link for communication between a target terminal device and the first satellite; a second communication link for communication between the first satellite and a second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, comprising: an eighth network element sends second information to a ninth network element, wherein the second information is used to determine service range information of a satellite associated with the eighth network element.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, a method for wireless communication is provided, comprising: a ninth network element receives second information sent by an eighth network element, wherein the second information is used to determine service range information of a satellite associated with the eighth network element.

[0014] In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a first network element and includes: a sending unit for sending first information to a second network element, wherein the first information is associated with a first satellite providing services for a second terminal device; wherein the second network element includes the first terminal device or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

[0015] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a second network element and includes: a receiving unit for receiving first information sent by a first network element, wherein the first information is associated with a first satellite providing services for a second terminal device; wherein the second network element includes a first terminal device or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

[0016] In the twelfth aspect, a terminal device is provided, which is a first terminal device, including: a sending unit, used to send a second request to a fifth network element, and the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

[0017] In the thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, characterized in that the communication device is a fifth network element, including: a receiving unit, used to receive a second request sent by a first terminal device, and the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

[0018] In the fourteenth aspect, a terminal device is provided, which is a second terminal device, including: a receiving unit, used to receive a second request sent by a first terminal device, and the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

[0019] In the fifteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is the seventh network element, including: a sending unit, used to send configuration information to a first satellite, and the configuration information is used to configure one or more of the following: a first communication link for communication between a target terminal device and the first satellite; a second communication link for communication between the first satellite and a second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0020] In the sixteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a first satellite, and includes: a receiving unit for receiving configuration information sent by a seventh network element, and the configuration information is used to configure one or more of the following: a first communication link for communication between a target terminal device and the first satellite; a second communication link for communication between the first satellite and a second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0021] In the seventeenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is an eighth network element and includes: a sending unit, used to send second information to a ninth network element, wherein the second information is used to determine the service range information of the satellite associated with the eighth network element.

[0022] In the eighteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a ninth network element and includes: a receiving unit for receiving second information sent by an eighth network element, wherein the second information is used to determine the service range information of the satellite associated with the eighth network element.

[0023] In the nineteenth aspect, a terminal device is provided, including a processor, a memory and a communication interface, the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to call the computer program in the memory so that the terminal device executes part or all of the steps in the methods of the above aspects.

[0024] In the twentieth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, a memory, and a transceiver, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to call the computer program in the memory so that the communication device executes part or all of the steps in the methods of the above aspects.

[0025] In a twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the above-mentioned terminal device and / or network device. In another possible design, the system may also include other devices that interact with the terminal device or communication device in the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0026] In aspect 22, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program enables a communication device (for example, a terminal device or a communication device) to perform some or all of the steps in the methods of the above aspects.

[0027] In a twenty-third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is operable to cause a communication device (e.g., a terminal device or a communication device) to perform some or all of the steps of the methods described in each of the above aspects. In some implementations, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0028] In aspect 24, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the processor can call and run a computer program from the memory to implement some or all of the steps described in the methods of the above aspects.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network element may send first information to the second network element, where the first information is associated with the first satellite providing services for the second terminal device, where the second network element may be the first terminal device or a network element providing services for the first terminal device, thereby helping the first terminal device to know the first satellite providing services for the second terminal device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] 1A-1C are system architecture diagrams of communication systems to which embodiments of the present application may be applied.

[0031] 2A-2E are system architecture diagrams of satellite communication systems to which embodiments of the present application may be applied.

[0032] FIG3 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] FIG4 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication method in an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] 7 to 9 are schematic flowcharts of a method for requesting authorization for a first terminal device to perform UE-satellite-UE communication in an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] FIG10 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG11 is a schematic flowchart of a method for configuring a communication link in an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] FIG12 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] FIG13 is a schematic flowchart of a satellite service information transmission scheme in an embodiment of the present application.

[0041] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0042] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0043] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] FIG19 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0047] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0050] Figure 23 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The technical solutions in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, the following first introduces a schematic diagram of the communication system architecture of an embodiment of this application in conjunction with Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application. The network architecture may include terminal devices, access network (AN) network elements, and core network network elements.

[0052] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system, satellite communication system, etc.

[0053] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless core network element, user agent or user device. The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user and can be used to connect people, objects and machines, such as a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. Optionally, the terminal device can be used to act as a base station. For example, the terminal device can act as a dispatching entity that provides sidelink signals between terminal devices in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) or device-to-device (D2D). For example, a cellular phone and a car communicate with each other using sidelink signals. The cellular phone and smart home devices communicate without relaying the communication signal through a base station.

[0054] An access network element can be an access network device. This device is used by terminals to wirelessly access the network architecture and is primarily responsible for radio resource management, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression, and encryption on the air interface side. An access network device can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device. For example, an access network device can be a base station. A base station may broadly cover various names as follows, or be replaced with the following names, such as: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master eNB (MeNB), secondary eNB (SeNB), multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node, or the like, or a combination thereof. A base station may also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip used to be set in the aforementioned device or apparatus. A base station may also be a mobile switching center and a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, a network-side device in a 6G network, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. A base station may support networks with the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the access network device.

[0055] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move based on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a device that communicates with another base station.

[0056] In some deployments, the access network device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a CU or a DU, or the access network device may include a CU and a DU. The gNB may also include an AAU.

[0057] The types of core network elements may include user plane function (UPF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, application function (AF), data network (DN), network slice selection function (NSSF), authentication server function (AUSF), unified data management function (UDM), network exposure function (NEF), network repository function (NRF), and network slice-specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF). Among them, the UPF network element is mainly responsible for the transmission of user data, and the other network elements can be called control plane function network elements, which are mainly responsible for authentication, authorization, registration management, session management, mobility management, and policy control, etc., to ensure the reliable and stable transmission of user data.

[0058] The UPF network element can be used to forward and receive data from the terminal. For example, the UPF network element can receive service data from the data network and transmit it to the terminal through the access network device; the UPF network element can also receive user data from the terminal through the access network device and forward it to the data network. Among them, the transmission resources allocated and scheduled by the UPF network element for the terminal are managed and controlled by the SMF network element. The bearer between the terminal and the UPF network element may include: the user plane connection between the UPF network element and the access network device, and the establishment of a channel between the access network device and the terminal. Among them, the user plane connection is a QoS flow that can be established between the UPF network element and the access network device to transmit data.

[0059] The AMF network element can be used to manage the terminal's access to the core network, such as terminal location update, network registration, access control, terminal mobility management, terminal attachment and detachment, etc. The AMF network element can also provide control plane storage resources for the session while providing services for the terminal's session, to store the session identifier, the SMF network element identifier associated with the session identifier, etc.

[0060] The SMF network element can be used to select a user plane network element for the terminal, redirect the user plane network element for the terminal, allocate an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the terminal, establish a bearer (also called a session) between the terminal and the UPF network element, modify and release the session, and control QoS.

[0061] The PCF network element is used to provide policies to the AMF network element and the SMF network element, such as QoS policy and slice selection policy.

[0062] The AF network element is used to interact with the 3GPP core network elements to support application-affected data routing, access network exposure functions, and interact with the PCF network elements for policy control.

[0063] A DN can provide data services to users on networks such as IP Multimedia Service (IMS) and the Internet. A DN can contain multiple application servers (ASs) that provide different application services, such as carrier services, Internet access, or third-party services. The ASs can implement AF functions.

[0064] NSSF is used for network slice selection and supports the following functions: selecting a set of network slice implementation schemes to serve terminal devices; determining the allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) and, when necessary, determining the mapping to the contracted single network slice selection assistance information (Single-Network Slice Selection Assistance Information, S-NSSAI); determining the configured NSSAI and, when necessary, determining the mapping to the contracted S-NSSAI; determining the set of AMFs that may be used to query terminal devices, or determining a list of candidate AMFs based on the configuration.

[0065] AUSF is used to receive the request from AMF to authenticate the terminal, request the key from UDM, and then forward the issued key to AMF for authentication processing.

[0066] UDM includes functions such as the generation and storage of user contract data, management of authentication data, and supports interaction with external third-party servers.

[0067] NEF is used for capability exposure. That is, based on NEF, network capabilities can be exported to external networks. External, untrusted applications can access core network data through NEF to ensure network security. NEF can also provide external application QoS capability exposure, event subscription, and AF request distribution.

[0068] The NRF is used to register, manage, and monitor the status of core network elements, enabling automated management of these elements. Upon startup, a core network element must register with the NRF before it can provide services. Registration information may include the core network element's type, address, and service list.

[0069] In addition, some networks (such as 5G networks) have added a network data analytics function (NWDAF) to the core network. Based on NWDAF, data can be collected from various core network elements and network management systems, and big data statistics, analysis, or intelligent data analysis can be performed to obtain network-side analysis or prediction data, thereby assisting various network elements to more effectively control terminal device access based on the data analysis results.

[0070] In some communication systems (such as 5G systems), core network elements may also be referred to as network functions (NFs).

[0071] The network elements in Figure 1 can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions implemented on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). It should be noted that the network architecture shown in the above figure is only an example of the network elements included in the entire network architecture. In the embodiments of the present application, the network elements included in the entire network architecture are not limited.

[0072] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the network architecture shown in FIG1 does not limit the network architecture. In a specific implementation, the network architecture may include more or fewer network elements than shown, or may combine certain network elements. It should be understood that in FIG1 , the AN or RAN is represented by (R)AN.

[0073] In some scenarios, network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the scenarios in which network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0074] As an example and not a limitation, in an embodiment of the present application, the network device may have a mobile feature, for example, the network device may be a mobile device. In some embodiments of the present application, the network device may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. In some embodiments of the present application, the network device may also be a base station set up in a location such as land or water.

[0075] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device can provide services for a cell, and the terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources used by the cell (for example, frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources). The cell can be a cell corresponding to the network device (for example, a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or a base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cells here may include: metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0076] For example, FIG1B is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG1B , a terminal device 1101 and a satellite 1102 are included, and wireless communication can be performed between the terminal device 1101 and the satellite 1102. The network formed between the terminal device 1101 and the satellite 1102 can also be referred to as an NTN. In the architecture of the communication system shown in FIG1B , the satellite 1102 can have the function of a base station, and the terminal device 1101 and the satellite 1102 can communicate directly. In the system architecture, the satellite 1102 can be referred to as a network device. In some embodiments of the present application, a plurality of network devices 1102 may be included in the communication system, and each network device 1102 may include other number of terminal devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0077] For example, FIG1C is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG1C , it includes a terminal device 1201, a satellite 1202, and a base station 1203. Wireless communication can be performed between the terminal device 1201 and the satellite 1202, and communication can be performed between the satellite 1202 and the base station 1203. The network formed between the terminal device 1201, the satellite 1202, and the base station 1203 can also be referred to as an NTN. In the architecture of the communication system shown in FIG1C , the satellite 1202 may not have the function of a base station, and the communication between the terminal device 1201 and the base station 1203 needs to be transferred through the satellite 1202. In this system architecture, the base station 1203 can be referred to as a network device. In some embodiments of the present application, a plurality of network devices 1203 may be included in the communication system, and each network device 1203 may include other number of terminal devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0078] It should be noted that Figures 1A-1C are only examples of the system to which this application is applicable. Of course, the method shown in the embodiment of this application can also be applied to other systems, such as 5G communication systems, LTE communication systems, etc., and the embodiment of this application does not make specific limitations on this.

[0079] In some embodiments of the present application, the wireless communication system shown in Figures 1A-1C may also include other network entities such as a mobility management entity (MME) and an access and mobility management function (AMF), but the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0080] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, a device having a communication function in a network / system may be referred to as a communication device. Taking the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A as an example, the communication device may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120 having a communication function. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 may be the specific devices described above and will not be described in detail here. The communication device may also include other devices in the communication system 100, such as a network controller, a mobility management entity, and other network entities, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0081] It should be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" can mean that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A; it can also mean that A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; it can also mean that there is an association between A and B.

[0082] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and being indicated, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0083] The “configuration” in the embodiment of the present application may include configuration through at least one of system messages, radio resource control (RRC) signaling and media access control element (MAC CE).

[0084] In some embodiments of the present application, "predefined" or "preset" may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined may refer to information defined in a protocol.

[0085] In some embodiments of the present application, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and this application does not limit this.

[0086] For ease of understanding, some relevant technical knowledge involved in the embodiments of this application is first introduced. The following related technologies can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application as optional solutions, and they all fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application include at least part of the following contents.

[0087] Non-terrestrial network (NTN)

[0088] The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is currently researching NTN technology. NTN typically uses satellite communications to provide communication services to terrestrial users. Compared to terrestrial cellular networks, satellite communications offer many unique advantages.

[0089] First, satellite communications are not restricted by user geography. For example, conventional terrestrial communication networks cannot cover areas where network equipment cannot be deployed, such as oceans, mountains, and deserts. Similarly, terrestrial communication networks do not cover certain sparsely populated areas. However, because satellite communications can cover a large ground area and orbit the Earth, theoretically, every corner of the Earth can be covered by a satellite communication network.

[0090] Secondly, satellite communications have significant social value. They can provide low-cost coverage to remote, mountainous areas and impoverished countries and regions, enabling people in these areas to enjoy advanced voice communications and mobile internet technologies. From this perspective, satellite communications help narrow the digital divide with developed regions and promote their development.

[0091] Again, satellite communication has the advantage of long distance, and the increase in communication distance does not significantly increase the cost of communication.

[0092] Finally, satellite communications are highly stable and not affected by natural disasters.

[0093] Communication satellites are classified according to their orbital altitude into low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), and high elliptical orbit (HEO). Currently, research focuses on LEO and GEO satellites.

[0094] LEO satellites typically operate at altitudes between 500 and 1500 km. Accordingly, their orbital period is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. For LEO satellites, the signal propagation delay for single-hop communication between users is typically less than 20 milliseconds. The maximum satellite visibility time for LEO satellites is approximately 20 minutes. LEO satellites offer advantages such as short signal propagation distances, low link loss, and low transmit power requirements for user devices.

[0095] GEO satellites orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km. They orbit the Earth every 24 hours. For GEO satellites, the signal propagation delay for single-hop communication between users is typically about 250 milliseconds.

[0096] To ensure satellite coverage and increase the capacity of the entire satellite communication system, satellites typically use multiple beams to cover the ground. Therefore, a single satellite can form dozens or even hundreds of beams to cover the ground. A single satellite beam can cover a ground area with a diameter of tens to hundreds of kilometers.

[0097] Currently, the NTN system includes the NR-NTN system and the Internet of Things (IoT)-NTN system.

[0098] Satellite network architecture

[0099] Some protocols (e.g., R18) are discussing scenarios where information transmitted between terminal devices can be locally routed through a UPF deployed on a satellite, without passing through a satellite gateway on the ground. Currently, there are two main scenarios for deploying UPF on satellites: Mode 1 and Mode 2.

[0100] In Mode 1, information between multiple devices can be relayed locally via a single satellite-based UPF. As shown in Figure 2A , devices 1 and 2 can communicate via the satellite-based UPF. In this mode, RAN 1, serving device 1, and RAN 2, serving device 2, can be located on the ground.

[0101] In Mode 2, information between multiple terminal devices can be forwarded via UPFs deployed on multiple satellites. Information between the multiple UPFs deployed on multiple satellites can be forwarded via interface N19. As shown in Figure 2B , UPF1 and UPF2 are located on Satellite 1 and Satellite 2, respectively. Accordingly, communication between Terminal Device 1 and Terminal Device 2 can proceed via UPF1 on Satellite 1 and UPF2 on Satellite 2. Furthermore, in this mode, RAN1, which serves Terminal Device 1, and RAN2, which serves Terminal Device 2, can be located on the ground.

[0102] In some implementations, the satellite network architectures shown in Figures 2A and 2B can be used for satellite backhaul. In other implementations, three satellite network architectures that can be used for satellite access are provided, which are described below in conjunction with Figures 2C to 2E. Of course, in the embodiments of this application, the scenarios in which the above satellite network architectures are applicable are not limited.

[0103] As shown in FIG2C , the network elements deployed on the satellite may include access network elements, or the network elements deployed on the satellite may include access network elements and core network devices. Accordingly, terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 may both communicate with network elements deployed on the ground (e.g., core network elements) via the network elements deployed on the satellite.

[0104] As shown in Figure 2D, the network elements deployed on the satellite may include access network elements, or the network elements deployed on the satellite may include access network elements and core network devices. Furthermore, the network elements that provide services for terminal device 1 are deployed on satellite 1, and the network elements that provide services for terminal device 2 are deployed on satellite 2. Accordingly, terminal device 1 can communicate with network elements deployed on the ground (e.g., core network elements) through the network elements deployed on satellite 1. Terminal device 2 can communicate with network elements deployed on the ground (e.g., core network elements) through the network elements deployed on satellite 2.

[0105] As shown in Figure 2E, the network elements deployed on the satellite may include access network elements, or the network elements deployed on the satellite may include access network elements and core network devices. Furthermore, the network elements that provide services to terminal device 1 are deployed on satellite 1, and the network elements that provide services to terminal device 2 are deployed on satellite 2. Accordingly, terminal device 1 can communicate with network elements (e.g., core network elements) deployed on other satellites through the network elements deployed on satellite 1. Terminal device 2 can communicate with network elements (e.g., core network elements) deployed on other satellites through the network elements deployed on satellite 2.

[0106] In some implementations, operators can assign a combination of DNN / S-NSSAI to UPFs so that deployed satellite UPFs can serve communications between terminal devices.

[0107] In some implementations, if the satellite backhaul type is indicated, the PCF may consider generating or updating URSP rules. For example, a routing descriptor for service-providing nodes deployed on the satellite may be included in the URSP, thereby enabling the PSA UPF to establish a PDU session on the satellite.

[0108] In some implementations, if the SMF chooses to deploy the anchor UPF for the terminal device's PDU session on the satellite, the SMF can configure the terminal device's N4 session to forward / detect data packets from the internal interface.

[0109] In some implementations, to establish N19 tunnels between PSA UPFs on satellite, the PSA UPFs may be controlled by the same SMF, which may reuse the 5G VN group to configure group-level N4 rules for each N19 tunnel.

[0110] In some implementations, to process packets transmitted between terminal devices and servers in the DN, the SMF can configure rules to route traffic through N6.

[0111] In some implementations, the group-level N4 sessions can be distinguished based on the corresponding DNN and S-NSSAI. Accordingly, the SMF can create, update, or delete group-level N4 sessions, i.e., add or delete N4 rules, and allocate or release N19 tunnel resources based on operator deployment. For example, the SMF can retire N19 tunnel resources based on a planned GEO satellite. For another example, the SMF can configure N19 tunnel resources based on a new GEO satellite.

[0112] In some implementations, the N6 interface can be used to carry traffic between PSA UPFs deployed on different satellites. If the N6 interface is used to transmit traffic between PSA UPFs on different satellites, the SMF can configure the corresponding N4 rules to handle traffic in and out of the N6 interface.

[0113] The above describes the satellite network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application, as well as the information transmission method in the satellite network architecture. In some scenarios, certain requirements that need to be met by a communication system with satellite access function (e.g., a 5G communication system) are specified.

[0114] Requirement 1: Communication systems with satellite access capabilities should support terminal equipment-satellite-terminal equipment (UE-Satellite-UE) communications regardless of the availability of feeder links, in accordance with regulatory requirements and operator policies.

[0115] Requirement 2: Communication systems with satellite access capabilities should be able to provide QoS control for UE-Satellite-UE communications, in accordance with regulatory requirements and operator policies.

[0116] Requirement 3: In accordance with regulatory requirements and operator policies, communication systems with satellite access capabilities should be able to support UE-Satellite-UE communications for different service types, where service types may include, for example, voice services, messaging services, broadband services, unicast services, multicast services, broadcast services, etc.

[0117] Currently, in a satellite network architecture, a terminal device can communicate with another terminal device via one or more satellites. However, in this communication scenario, there are still many problems that need to be solved. The following describes them in conjunction with Examples 1 to 4.

[0118] Example 1

[0119] As mentioned above, in a satellite network architecture, a first terminal device can communicate with a second terminal device via one or more satellites. However, how to determine the satellite providing service to the second terminal device (hereinafter referred to as the "first satellite") is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0120] To address the above issues, embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method. In this method, a first network element can send first information to a second network element, where the first information is associated with a first satellite providing service to a second terminal device. The second network element can be the first terminal device or a network element providing service to the first terminal device, thereby facilitating the first terminal device to learn about the first satellite providing service to the second terminal device.

[0121] In some implementations, the first terminal device may be a terminal device that requests to acquire the first satellite. For example, the first terminal device may be a terminal device participating in UE-Satellite-UE communication and preparing to initiate UE-Satellite-UE communication to the second terminal device.

[0122] In some implementations, the first satellite may be used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, or in other words, the first satellite may provide services for information transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0123] In the embodiments of the present application, there is no limitation on the first terminal device and the second terminal device. In some implementations, the first terminal device may be a transmitting end of UE-Satellite-UE communication, and correspondingly, the second terminal device may be a receiving end of UE-Satellite-UE communication. In other implementations, the first terminal device may be a receiving end of UE-Satellite-UE communication, and correspondingly, the second terminal device may be a transmitting end of UE-Satellite-UE communication.

[0124] In the embodiments of the present application, there is no limit on the number of second terminal devices. In some implementations, the second terminal device may be one or more terminal devices. In other implementations, the second terminal device may include one or more terminal devices in a terminal device group. In other implementations, the second terminal device may include one or more terminal devices in a target area. For example, if a first terminal device needs to send broadcast information to all terminal devices in a target area, the second terminal devices that perform UE-Satellite-UE communication with the first terminal device may be all terminal devices in the target area.

[0125] The following describes a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application in conjunction with FIG3 . As shown in FIG3 , in step S310 , a first network element sends first information to a second network element.

[0126] In some implementations, the first information is associated with a first satellite providing service to the second terminal device, and may include first information indicating the first satellite providing service to the second terminal device and / or first information indicating the time at which the first satellite provides service to the second terminal device. For more information about the first information, see below.

[0127] In some implementations, the first information includes one or more of the following: identification information of the second terminal device; identification information of one or more first satellites; identification information of a network element deployed on each first satellite; and time for indicating when one or more first satellites provide services to the second terminal device.

[0128] Taking the example that the first information includes the identification information of the second terminal device, in some implementations, the identification information of the second terminal device may include one or more of the following: telephone number, generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), user permanent identifier (SUPI), user hidden identifier (SUCI), permanent equipment identifier (PEI), temporary mobile subscriber identity (TMSI), globally unique temporary UE identity (GUTI), 5G-S-temporary mobile subscription identifier (5G-S-TMSI), global unique asset identifier (GUAMI), radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), inactive RNTI (I-RNTI). In other implementations, the identification information of the second terminal device may include the group identifier (group ID) of the second terminal device.

[0129] In an embodiment of the present application, identification information of the second terminal device may be carried in the first information, which helps to identify the second terminal device and determine the satellite providing services for the second terminal device.

[0130] Taking the example that the first information includes identification information of one or more first satellites, in some scenarios, since the positions of the satellites are changing, there may be multiple first satellites providing services for the second terminal device.

[0131] In some implementations, one or more satellites may also belong to a satellite group.

[0132] In an embodiment of the present application, one or more satellites may be indicated by the first information. In this way, the first satellite may be selected from the one or more satellites to improve the flexibility of determining the first satellite.

[0133] Taking the example of the first information including identification information of a network element deployed on a first satellite, in some scenarios, the first satellite may be multiple satellites. Accordingly, the first information may include identification information of a network element deployed on each of the multiple first satellites. In embodiments of the present application, the network element providing services to the second terminal device can be determined based on the identification information of the network element on each of the multiple first satellites indicated by the first information, thereby increasing flexibility in determining the network element providing services to the second terminal device.

[0134] In some implementations, the identification information of the network element on the first satellite may include identification information of a network element deployed in the first satellite that provides services for the second terminal device.

[0135] In the embodiments of the present application, the identification information of the network element is not limited. For example, if an access network device is deployed on a first satellite, the identification information of the network element on the first satellite may include an access network device identifier. For example, if an AMF is deployed on a first satellite, the identification information of the network element on the first satellite may include an AMF identifier. For example, if an SMF is deployed on a first satellite, the identification information of the network element on the first satellite may include an SMF identifier.

[0136] Taking the example of the first information including the time for indicating that the first satellite provides service to the second terminal device (also called "service time"), it helps the first terminal device select the first satellite based on the above service time. For example, the service time of the selected first satellite includes the communication time between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, so as to improve the accuracy of selecting the first satellite.

[0137] In some scenarios, the first satellite may include multiple satellites. Accordingly, the first information may be used to indicate the time when each of the multiple first satellites provides services to the second terminal device.

[0138] In the embodiment of the present application, the indication method of the above service time is not limited. In some implementations, the first information may include one or more of the following: the start time of the service time, the end time of the service time, and the duration of the service time.

[0139] For example, the first information only indicates the start time of the service time. In this case, the duration of the service time may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the service time based on the start time and the duration.

[0140] For another example, the first information only indicates the end time of the service time. In this case, the duration of the service time may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the service time based on the end time and the duration.

[0141] In the embodiments of the present application, the implementation method of the service time is not limited. In some implementations, the service time can be represented by a time window. In other implementations, the service time can also be represented by a period of time. In other implementations, the service time can also be represented by a moment.

[0142] The above describes the first information in the embodiments of the present application. The following describes the transmission method of the first information in the embodiments of the present application. In some scenarios, the first network element can directly transmit the first information to the second network element. For example, the first network element is a second terminal device, and the second network element can provide services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device. In this case, the second network element can directly communicate with the second terminal device. The following describes the wireless communication method in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with Figure 4.

[0143] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network element may include one or more of the following: UE, access network equipment, AMF, SMF, NWDAF, DN, application server. In some implementations, the first network element may be deployed on the ground or on a satellite.

[0144] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network element may include one or more of the following: access network equipment, AMF, SMF, UDM, NRF, NWDAF, DN, application server. In some implementations, the second network element may be deployed on the ground or on a satellite.

[0145] In other scenarios, the first network element may send the first information to the second network element via a third network element, where the third network element may be a network element with network storage capabilities and / or a network element providing services to the first terminal device. That is, step S310 includes: the first network element sending the first information to the second network element via the third network element. The wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application will be described below in conjunction with Figure 5.

[0146] In some implementations, the third network element includes a network element with a network storage function. This network element may store information related to a satellite providing services to the second terminal device. In other words, the network element with a network storage function may determine the first satellite providing services to the second terminal device based on the stored information. For example, the network element may store context information of the second terminal device, identification information of the first satellite, identification information of network elements deployed on the first satellite, service hours of the first satellite, and the like.

[0147] Of course, in this embodiment of the present application, the network element with network storage functionality may also store information related to satellites providing services to other terminal devices in the network. In other words, when the first network element cannot determine the satellite providing services to the second terminal device, the first network element can use the network storage functionality to find the first satellite.

[0148] In an embodiment of the present application, by introducing a network element with a network storage function to store relevant information of the satellite providing services to the second terminal device, it helps to increase the possibility of finding a satellite providing services to the second terminal device.

[0149] In some implementations, a network element with a network storage function may be deployed on the ground to obtain relevant information about satellites within a larger service range. Of course, in embodiments of the present application, a network element with a network storage function may also be located on a satellite. For example, the network element with a network storage function may be located on a first satellite. For another example, the network element with a network storage function may be located on a satellite providing services to the first terminal device. For another example, the network element with a network storage function may be located on another satellite.

[0150] In some implementations, the network element providing services for the first terminal device may include an access network device, or the network element providing services for the first terminal device may include an access network device and an access and mobility management network element. In other implementations, the above-mentioned network element providing services for the first terminal device may also include one or more of the following: AMF, MME, SMF, SGW, PGW, UDM, UDR, NRF. Of course, in an embodiment of the present application, the network element providing services for the first terminal device may also be a new network element introduced in a future communication system, for example, a new network element for satellite communication management introduced in a future communication system.

[0151] In the embodiments of the present application, the deployment method of the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device is not limited. For example, the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device are located on the same satellite. For another example, the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device are located on different satellites. For another example, the network element with network storage function is located on the ground, and the network element providing services for the first terminal device is located on the satellite.

[0152] In some implementations, the network element that provides services for the second terminal device may include an access network device, or the network element that provides services for the second terminal device may include an access network device and an access and mobility management network element.

[0153] For example, the first network element is the second terminal device, and the second network element cannot communicate directly with the second terminal device, or in other words, the second network element only serves the first terminal device but not the second terminal device. At this time, the second network element needs to obtain the first information from the second terminal device through the third network element.

[0154] For example, a first network element includes a network element that provides services for a second terminal device. However, the first network element does not provide services for the first terminal device. Furthermore, the second network element cannot directly communicate with the second terminal device. In other words, the second network element only serves the first terminal device and does not serve the second terminal device. In this case, the second network element needs to obtain the first information from the first network element through a third network element.

[0155] It should be noted that the first network element and the second network element may be located on different satellites. In this case, the communication between the first network element and the second network element may be performed through an inter-satellite link.

[0156] In some scenarios, the first information may be requested by the second network element, that is, before step S310, the above method also includes: step S320, the second network element sends a first request to the first network element, wherein the first request is used to request information about the satellite providing services to the second terminal device.

[0157] In some implementations, the first request is used to request the first information, that is, the first information can be sent based on the first request, which helps avoid sending the first information unnecessarily and improves the utilization of resources for transmitting the first information.

[0158] In some implementations, the first request may include one or more of the following: information associated with the second terminal device; information associated with the first terminal device; and a time for indicating the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0159] Taking the example of the first request including information associated with the second terminal device, the first request carrying the information associated with the second terminal device helps to identify the second terminal device.

[0160] In some implementations, the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more second terminal devices; address information of one or more second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs; and target area information.

[0161] In some implementations, the identification information of the second terminal device may include one or more of the following: telephone number, GPSI, SUPI, SUCI, PEI, TMSI, GUTI, 5G-S-TMSI, GUAMI, RNTI, C-RNTI, I-RNTI.

[0162] In some implementations, the address information of the second terminal device may include, for example, an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the second terminal device.

[0163] In some implementations, the identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs may include, for example, a group identifier of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs.

[0164] In some implementations, the target area indicated by the target area information is used to identify the second terminal device. For example, one or more terminal devices in the target area are all second terminal devices. Assuming that the first request carries the target area information but does not carry the identification information of the second terminal device, it can be understood that the first satellite requested by the first request provides service to all terminal devices in the target area. In other words, all terminal devices in the target area are second terminal devices.

[0165] For another example, the target area is the area where the second terminal device is located. In this case, the target area can be replaced by the location information of the second terminal device.

[0166] In the embodiments of the present application, the target area information is not specifically limited. In some implementations, the target area information may include one or more of the following: a tracking area identity (TAI), a cell identifier, the longitude of the target area, and the latitude of the target area. In other implementations, if the target area is used to indicate the location information of the second terminal device, the location information of the second terminal device may include the driving trajectory information of the second terminal device, or the location information of the second terminal device may be the location information of the second terminal device.

[0167] Taking the example of the first request including information associated with the first terminal device, it is helpful to determine the first satellite based on the information associated with the first terminal device, so as to avoid the time when the selected first satellite provides services to the second terminal device being staggered with the time of communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, resulting in the first terminal device and the second terminal device being unable to communicate through the first satellite, so as to improve the rationality of selecting the first satellite.

[0168] In some implementations, the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; ephemeris information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; service area information of one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device; identification information of network elements in one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; and time information when one or more satellites provide services to the first terminal device.

[0169] In some implementations, the identification information of the first terminal device may include one or more of the following: telephone number, GPSI, SUPI, SUCI, PEI, TMSI, GUTI, 5G-S-TMSI, GUAMI, RNTI, C-RNTI, I-RNTI.

[0170] In some implementations, the address information of the first terminal device may include the IP address of the first terminal device, or the MAC address of the first terminal device.

[0171] In some implementations, the identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device may include the identification of each satellite, or identification information of the group to which the one or more satellites belong. The identification information of the group to which the one or more satellites belong may include identification information of the satellite group.

[0172] In some implementations, the ephemeris information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device, wherein the ephemeris information of the satellite is used to indicate the orbit of the satellite, and therefore, the ephemeris information of the satellite is also called the orbital data of the satellite.

[0173] In an embodiment of the present application, by carrying the satellite's ephemeris information in the first request, it can be used to determine the duration of time the satellite provides services to the first terminal device, and / or the time the satellite provides services to the first terminal device. For example, when the receiving end of the first request is a second terminal device, the second terminal device can determine the time when the satellite serving the first terminal device covers the first terminal device based on the ephemeris information, and / or the coverage duration of the satellite serving the first terminal device. For another example, when the receiving end of the first request includes network elements such as AMF and MME, the above-mentioned network elements can determine the time when the satellite serving the first terminal device covers the first terminal device based on the ephemeris information.

[0174] In some implementations, the first request may include time information when one or more satellites provide service to the first terminal device, which is also referred to as "service time." Alternatively, the first request may include the time when each of the one or more satellites provides service to the first terminal device.

[0175] In an embodiment of the present application, by carrying the above-mentioned service time in the first request, it is helpful to select a satellite that provides services to the second terminal device. For example, the service time of the first satellite that provides services to the second terminal device may include carrying the above-mentioned service time in the first request, so that the first terminal device and the second terminal device can communicate via the satellite during the service time.

[0176] In the embodiment of the present application, the indication method of the above service time is not limited. In some implementations, the first request may include one or more of the following: the start time of the service time, the end time of the service time, and the duration of the service time.

[0177] For example, the first request only indicates the start time of the service time. In this case, the duration of the service time may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the service time based on the start time and the duration.

[0178] For another example, the first request only indicates the end time of the service time. In this case, the duration of the service time may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the service time based on the end time and the duration.

[0179] In the embodiments of the present application, the implementation of the service time is not limited. In some implementations, the service time can be represented by a time window. In other implementations, the service time can also be represented by a period of time. In other implementations, the service time can also be periodic, in which case the first request can also include the period of the service time. In other implementations, the service time can also be represented by a moment.

[0180] In some implementations, the service area information of the one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device may be replaced with coverage area information of the one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the manner of indicating the service area is not limited. In some implementations, the service area may include one or more of the following: TAI, cell identifier, longitude of the service area, and latitude of the service area.

[0181] In some implementations, the first request includes identification information of network elements in one or more satellites that provide services to the first terminal device, or in other words, the first request includes identification information of network elements in one or more satellites that provide services to the first terminal device.

[0182] In the embodiments of the present application, the identification information of the network element is not limited. For example, if the network element is an access network device, the identification information of the network element may include the access network device identifier. For example, if the network element is an AMF, the identification information of the network element may include the AMF identifier. For example, if the network element is an SMF, the identification information of the network element may include the SMF identifier.

[0183] Taking the time when the first request is used to indicate communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device as an example, the first satellite can be determined based on the time to avoid the time when the selected first satellite provides services to the second terminal device being staggered with the time when the first terminal device and the second terminal device communicate with each other, resulting in the first terminal device and the second terminal device being unable to communicate through the first satellite, which helps to improve the rationality of selecting the first satellite.

[0184] The above describes the first request in the embodiment of the present application. The following describes the transmission method of the first request in the embodiment of the present application. In some scenarios, the second network element can directly transmit the first request to the first network element. The scenario applicable to this solution is similar to the scenario in which the first network element directly sends the first information to the second network element above. For details, please refer to the above description.

[0185] In other implementations, the above step S320 may include: the second network element sending the first request to the first network element via a fourth network element. The fourth network element may include a network element with a network storage function and / or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

[0186] In some scenarios, the fourth network element may be the same as the third network element, that is, the transmission mode of the first information corresponds to the transmission mode of the first request, which will be described below in conjunction with Figure 5. Of course, in the embodiment of the present application, the fourth network element and the third network element may be different network elements. In this case, the transmission mode of the first information does not correspond to the transmission mode of the first request.

[0187] It should be understood that the network element with a network storage function described above can refer to the network element with a storage function described above in relation to the third network element. Furthermore, the network element providing services to the first terminal device described above can refer to the network element providing services to the first terminal device described above in relation to the third network element. For the sake of brevity, this description will not be repeated here.

[0188] The above describes the transmission method of the first information and / or the first request in the embodiment of the present application. The following describes the solution for determining the first satellite in the embodiment of the present application in combination with Examples 1 to 4.

[0189] Example 1: The first satellite is determined based on the location information of the second terminal device and the service range of the first satellite.

[0190] In some implementations, the first network element includes an access and mobility management network element, and the service range of the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on a tracking area broadcast by an access network device on the first satellite.

[0191] For example, assuming that the first network element includes an access and mobility management network element (for example, AMF or MME), the first request carries the location information of the second terminal device, and the access network device is deployed on a satellite, while the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, the access network device access and mobility management network element can obtain the corresponding tracking area from the access network devices deployed on multiple satellites. Afterwards, the access and mobility management network element can match the location information of the second terminal device with multiple tracking areas to determine the first tracking area, wherein the first tracking area matches the location information of the second terminal device, or in other words, the first tracking area includes the location information of the second terminal device. Afterwards, the satellite corresponding to the first tracking area is the first satellite.

[0192] In the embodiments of the present application, the method for obtaining a tracking area is not limited. In some implementations, an access network device deployed on a satellite may broadcast the access network device. Accordingly, the access and mobility management network element may obtain the tracking area through the access network device's broadcast. In other implementations, the access network device deployed on a satellite may proactively report the tracking area. For example, after the access network device deployed on a satellite is powered on, it may proactively send the tracking area to the access and mobility management network element. In other implementations, the access and mobility management network element may subscribe to the tracking area with the access network device.

[0193] In the embodiments of the present application, there is no limitation on the content that the access and mobility management network element can obtain from the access network device. In some implementations, the access and mobility management network element can obtain the tracking area code (TAC) from the access network device. In other implementations, the access and mobility management network element can obtain the correspondence between the tracking area and time from the access network device. Since the satellite is mobile, the tracking area corresponding to the satellite is changing. Therefore, the above correspondence can be used to indicate the tracking area corresponding to the satellite at a certain time.

[0194] In an embodiment of the present application, if the access and mobility management network element can obtain the above-mentioned correspondence from the access network device, then after determining the first satellite, the access and mobility management network element can also determine the service time of the first satellite based on the correspondence, which helps to improve the rationality of selecting the first satellite.

[0195] In some implementations, the location information of the second terminal device is determined based on context information of the second terminal device stored in the first network element.

[0196] For example, assuming that the first network element includes an access and mobility management network element (for example, AMF or MME), the first request carries the identification information of the second terminal device, and the access network device is deployed on a satellite, while the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, at this time, the access and mobility management network element can query the context of the second terminal device based on the identification information of the second terminal device to determine the location information of the second terminal device. The access network device usually broadcasts tracking areas, and accordingly, the access and mobility management network element can obtain tracking areas broadcast by multiple access network devices. Afterwards, the access and mobility management network element can match the location information of the second terminal device with multiple tracking areas to determine the first tracking area, wherein the first tracking area matches the location information of the second terminal device, or in other words, the first tracking area includes the location information of the second terminal device. Afterwards, the satellite corresponding to the first tracking area is the first satellite.

[0197] It should be noted that the above-mentioned access and mobility management network element (for example, AMF or MME) can be determined based on the location information of the second terminal device, wherein the location information of the second terminal device may include one or more of the following: registration area, TAI, cell identifier, area of ​​interest (AoI).

[0198] In some other implementations, the first network element is a network element that provides services for the first terminal device and is determined by a network element having a network storage function.

[0199] In some implementations, a network element with a network storage function (also referred to as a "network storage function network element") stores one or more of the following information: satellite ephemeris information of the first satellite; context information of the second terminal device; service area information of the first satellite; tracking area information sent by the access network device on the first satellite, which helps to find the satellite providing services to the second terminal device.

[0200] For example, assuming that access network equipment and access and mobility management network elements (for example, AMF or MME) are deployed on the satellite, the satellite information and terminal device information stored in the access and mobility management network element may be relatively limited, and it may be impossible to find a satellite providing services for the second terminal device. Therefore, in this scenario, a network element with a network storage function can be used to determine the first satellite providing services for the second terminal device. Accordingly, the network element with a network storage function can store the broadcast tracking areas of access network devices on multiple satellites, and the network element with a network storage function can match the location information of the second terminal device with multiple tracking areas to determine the first tracking area, wherein the first tracking area matches the location information of the second terminal device, or in other words, the first tracking area includes the location information of the second terminal device. Afterwards, the satellite corresponding to the first tracking area is the first satellite.

[0201] In an embodiment of the present application, the location information of the second terminal device may be carried in the first request. Alternatively, the first request may carry identification information of the second terminal device. Accordingly, the network element with a network storage function may determine the context information of the second terminal device based on the identification information of the second terminal device, and determine the location information of the second terminal device based on the context information of the second terminal device.

[0202] In the embodiment of the present application, the second network element is not limited and may include one of the following: a first terminal device, an access network device, or an application server (eg, an IMS server).

[0203] In the embodiments of the present application, the scenario applicable to the above Example 1 is not limited. In some implementations, the scenario may include the second network element querying the access and mobility management function (i.e., the first network element) for a satellite serving the second terminal device based on the location information of the second terminal device.

[0204] In other implementations, the aforementioned scenario may include transmitting the data to be transmitted via an inter-satellite link. For example, if the access network equipment on the satellite cannot maintain a connection with the second terminal device due to the satellite's mobility, it is necessary to find the next satellite that serves the second terminal device so that the information associated with the second terminal device can be sent to the second terminal device via the inter-satellite link via the new satellite.

[0205] In other implementations, the above scenario may include a satellite handover process. For example, if the access network device on the satellite cannot maintain a connection with the second terminal device due to the satellite's mobility, the first terminal device needs to find the next satellite serving the second terminal device (also known as the target satellite). The first terminal device can then initiate a handover process to switch to the access network device on the target satellite, thereby enabling subsequent communication with the second terminal device via the target satellite.

[0206] Example 2: The first satellite is a satellite where a user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is located, and the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is determined based on address information of the second terminal device.

[0207] In the embodiment of the present application, the user plane network element is not limited. For example, the user plane network element may include one or more of the following: SMF, MME, SGW, PGW.

[0208] For example, the first network element may find the user plane network element serving the second terminal device according to the address information of the second terminal device, and then determine that the satellite where the user plane network element is deployed is the first satellite.

[0209] In the embodiment of the present application, the second network element may include one of the following: a second terminal device, an access network device, or an application server (e.g., an IMS server). In addition, the first network element may include a user plane network element related to session management, for example, the first network element may include one of the following: an SMF, an MME, an UPF, an SGW, or a PGW.

[0210] In the embodiments of the present application, the scenario applicable to the above Example 2 is not limited. In some implementations, the above scenario includes that when the IP address of the second terminal device is determined, the user plane network element (i.e., the first network element) that manages the allocation of IP addresses can determine the corresponding PDU session based on the IP address of the second terminal device, and determine, based on the PDU session, that the satellite corresponding to the PDU session is the first satellite, which can be the satellite that carries the data transmission in the PDU session.

[0211] Example 3: The first network element is an access network device. If the second terminal device is located within the service range of the access network device, the first satellite is a satellite corresponding to the first access network device.

[0212] For example, the first network element obtains the location information of the second terminal device, and the first network element can determine whether the second terminal device is located in the service range of the first network element based on the location information of the second terminal device. The second terminal device can be carried in the first request.

[0213] For another example, if the first network element obtains target area information, the first network element may determine, based on the target area information, whether the target area indicated by the target area information matches the service range of the first network element, wherein one or more terminal devices in the target area indicated by the target area information are the second terminal devices. Alternatively, the target area may be carried in the first request.

[0214] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network element may be one or more of the following: a first terminal device, a core network element providing services for the first terminal device, or an access network device providing services for the first terminal device.

[0215] In the embodiments of the present application, the scenarios to which the above-mentioned Example 3 is applicable are not limited. In some implementations, the above-mentioned scenarios may include an access network device (i.e., a first network element) maintaining an association relationship between a terminal device and a satellite, and accordingly, other network elements (e.g., a second network element) may directly confirm with the access network device whether the second terminal device is within its service area. In other implementations, the above-mentioned scenarios may include an access network device (i.e., a first network element) storing context information of terminal devices within its coverage area, and accordingly, other network elements (e.g., a second network element) may directly confirm with the access network device whether the second terminal device is within its service area.

[0216] Example 4: The first satellite is determined by the first network element based on pre-stored information of the second terminal device and / or information of the first satellite.

[0217] In some implementations, the information of the second terminal device may include one or more of the following: identification information of the second terminal device, address information of the second terminal device, and location information of the second terminal device. In other implementations, the information of the second terminal device may be context information of the second terminal device.

[0218] In some implementations, the information of the first satellite may include identification information of the first satellite, ephemeris information of the first satellite, and service range information of the first satellite.

[0219] In this embodiment of the present application, the pre-stored information about the second terminal device and / or the information about the first satellite may be collected by the first network element from other network elements. This will be described below in conjunction with the methods shown in Figures 12 and 13. Of course, in this embodiment of the present application, the aforementioned information about the second terminal device and / or the information about the first satellite may be pre-configured for the first network element.

[0220] In some implementations, the first network element may be a network element with a network storage function, or the first network element may be a network element with artificial intelligence (AI) or statistical functions (eg, NWDAF).

[0221] For example, a first network element stores information about multiple satellites and multiple terminal devices. A first request received by the first network element carries identification information about a second terminal device and the time at which communication between the first and second terminal devices occurred via the first satellite. In this case, the first network element can determine the location information of the second terminal device from the information about the multiple terminal devices based on the identification information of the second terminal device. The first network element can then determine, from the information about the multiple satellites, a satellite with a service range that matches the location information of the second terminal device during that time, as the first satellite.

[0222] In the embodiments of the present application, the scenarios to which the above-mentioned Example 4 is applicable are not limited. In some implementations, the above-mentioned scenarios may include scenarios in which the first network element needs to collect information about satellites and / or information about terminal devices in the network to perform AI tasks such as model reasoning. In other implementations, the above-mentioned scenarios may include scenarios in which the first network element needs to collect information about satellites and / or information about terminal devices in the network to perform AI tasks such as model prediction. In other implementations, the above-mentioned scenarios may include scenarios in which the first network element needs to collect information about satellites and information about terminal devices to determine the association relationship between the satellite and the terminal device, and perform AI tasks such as model prediction based on the association relationship. The association relationship may be used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the terminal device and / or the target area associated with the terminal device is within the satellite service range; to indicate the terminal device and / or target area at which and when the satellite can provide services; and to indicate the duration for which the satellite can provide services to the terminal device and / or target area.

[0223] For ease of understanding, the wireless communication method of an embodiment of the present application is introduced below in conjunction with Figures 4 and 5.

[0224] 4 , assuming that UE-Satellite-UE communication may be initiated by a first terminal device and communicates with a second terminal device in a target area, the steps shown in FIG4 include steps S410 to S420 .

[0225] In step S410, the first terminal device sends a first request to the first network element, where the first request is used to request information about a satellite that provides services to the second terminal device.

[0226] In some implementations, the first request may include information related to the second terminal device, namely, target area information, where the target area information is used to indicate the target area. For details, please refer to the above description.

[0227] In some implementations, the first request includes information related to the first terminal device. For example, the first request may include one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device, address information of the first terminal device, identification information of a satellite providing services to the first terminal device, ephemeris information of a satellite providing services to the first terminal device, and identification information of a network element providing services to the first terminal device. For an introduction to the above information, please refer to the above.

[0228] In some implementations, the first request is also used to indicate the time for the first terminal device to perform UE-Satellite-UE communication with the second terminal device.

[0229] In step S420, the first network element sends first information (or a response message to the first request) to the first terminal device.

[0230] In some implementations, the first information may include one or more of the following: identification information of all second terminal devices within the target area; identification information of one or more first satellites providing services to the second terminal devices; identification information of one or more network elements on the first satellites providing services to the second terminal devices; and time when the one or more first satellites provided services to the second terminal devices. For an introduction to the above information, please refer to the above.

[0231] As shown in Figure 5, it is assumed that the access network device and access and mobility management function providing services for the first terminal device are deployed on the satellite SAT-2. At this time, the access and mobility management network element may only store the relevant information of the terminal devices in the area covered by its satellite (for example, the terminal device context). And the relevant information of the second terminal device does not match the relevant information of the terminal device stored in the access and mobility management network element. At this time, it is necessary to find the access and mobility management network element that manages the second terminal device through the network storage function network element deployed on the ground or on the satellite, so as to obtain the first satellite (STA-1) that serves the second terminal device. Among them, the access and mobility management network element that manages the second terminal device and the access network device are deployed on STA-1. The following is introduced in conjunction with steps S510 to S560. It should be noted that the relevant introduction to the first request and the first information can be found above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated below.

[0232] In step S510, the first terminal device sends a first request to SAT-2 to request a first satellite that provides services for the second terminal device.

[0233] In step S520, SAT-2 sends a first request to the network storage function network element.

[0234] In some implementations, if the access and mobility management network element in SAT-2 cannot determine the network element serving the second terminal device, SAT-2 sends a first request to the network storage function network element.

[0235] In step S530, the network storage function network element sends a first request to SAT-1.

[0236] In some implementations, the network storage function network element can find SAT-1 serving the second terminal device based on stored satellite ephemeris information, terminal device context, user subscription information, and other information, and forward the first request to SAT-1.

[0237] In step S540, in response to receiving the first request, SAT-1 sends first information to the network storage function network element.

[0238] In step S550, the network storage function network element sends first information to SAT-2.

[0239] In step S550, SAT-2 sends first information to the first terminal device.

[0240] Example 2

[0241] In some scenarios, a first terminal device can communicate with a second terminal device via one or more satellites. Currently, communication protocols do not specify which first terminal devices can communicate with the second terminal device in this manner, which may result in lower security for communications between the first and second terminal devices.

[0242] In response to the above-mentioned problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for wireless communication, in which the first terminal device can request the fifth network element to authorize the first terminal device and the second terminal device to communicate via satellite through a second request, which helps to improve the security of satellite communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0243] The following describes a method for wireless communication in an embodiment of the present application in conjunction with FIG6 , which is a schematic diagram of a method for wireless communication in an embodiment of the present application.

[0244] In step S610, the first terminal device sends a second request to the fifth network element, where the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite. Therefore, the second request can also be referred to as an "authorization request."

[0245] In an embodiment of the present application, the first terminal device may be a terminal device participating in UE-Satellite-UE communication, for example, the first terminal device may be an initiator of UE-Satellite-UE communication. For another example, the first terminal device may be a receiver of UE-Satellite-UE communication.

[0246] In some implementations, the fifth network element may be a second terminal device, in which case the second terminal device may be the one that determines whether to authorize the first terminal device. In an embodiment of the present application, the second terminal device itself determines whether to authorize communication with the first terminal device via a satellite, which helps to improve the accuracy of the authorization. At this time, the first terminal device may communicate indirectly with the second terminal device. For example, the first terminal device may send a second request to the second terminal device through network element 1, wherein network element 1 may be used to provide services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device, as will be described below in conjunction with FIG7 . For another example, the first terminal device may send a second request to the second terminal device through multiple network elements, wherein the multiple network elements may include a network element that provides services for the first terminal device (for example, an access network device), a network element that provides services for the second terminal device (for example, an access network device), and access and mobility management functions, as will be described below in conjunction with FIG8 .

[0247] In other implementations, the fifth network element may be a network element that provides services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device. In this case, after receiving the second request, the fifth network element may forward the second request to the second terminal device. This will be described below in conjunction with FIG.

[0248] In other implementations, the fifth network element may be a network element that provides services to the second terminal device. In this case, the fifth network element can help the second terminal device determine whether to authorize the first terminal device. For example, when the first terminal device requests authorization to communicate with the terminal device in the target area, the fifth network element can help the terminal device in the target area determine whether to authorize the first terminal device to communicate. This will be described below in conjunction with Figure 9. In an embodiment of the present application, the fifth network element helps the second terminal device determine whether to authorize communication with the first terminal device via satellite, which helps to reduce the complexity of the second terminal device in determining whether to authorize the above-mentioned communication.

[0249] In the embodiment of the present application, the fifth network element may include one or more of the following: access network equipment, MME, AMF, SMF, SGW, PGW, HSS, AUSF, UDM, NWDAF, IMS server, AF. In addition, some or all of the fifth network elements may be deployed on the ground or on one or more satellites.

[0250] In other implementations, the fifth network element may be a network element that provides services to the first terminal device. In this case, the fifth network element does not provide services to the second terminal device. In this case, the fifth network element sends the second request to the sixth network element. Accordingly, the sixth network element can provide services to the second terminal device. The sixth network element can then forward the second request to the second terminal device. This will be described below in conjunction with Figure 8.

[0251] The above describes the transmission method of the second request in the embodiment of the present application. The following describes the second request in the embodiment of the present application.

[0252] In some implementations, the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is conducted via a satellite; and information associated with a first service, where the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

[0253] Taking the example of the second request including information associated with the first terminal device, in an embodiment of the present application, carrying information associated with the first terminal device in the second request helps the fifth network element or the second terminal device to identify the first terminal device to determine whether to authorize the above-mentioned communication, thereby improving the accuracy of the authorization.

[0254] In some implementations, the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; and identification information of one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device.

[0255] In some implementations, the identification information of the first terminal device may include one or more of the following: telephone number, GPSI, SUPI, SUCI, PEI, TMSI, GUTI, 5G-S-TMSI, GUAMI, RNTI, C-RNTI, I-RNTI.

[0256] In some implementations, the address information of the first terminal device may include the IP address of the first terminal device or the MAC address of the first terminal device.

[0257] In some implementations, the identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device may include the identification of each satellite, or identification information of the group to which the one or more satellites belong. The identification information of the group to which the one or more satellites belong may include identification information of the satellite group.

[0258] In some implementations, the second request includes identification information of network elements in one or more satellites that provide services to the first terminal device, or in other words, the second request includes identification information of network elements in one or more satellites that provide services to the first terminal device.

[0259] In the embodiments of the present application, the identification information of the network element is not limited. For example, if the network element is an access network device, the identification information of the network element may include the access network device identifier. For example, if the network element is an AMF, the identification information of the network element may include the AMF identifier. For example, if the network element is an SMF, the identification information of the network element may include the SMF identifier.

[0260] Taking the example of the second request including information associated with the second terminal device, in an embodiment of the present application, carrying information associated with the second terminal device in the second request helps to identify the second terminal device to determine whether the communication to be authorized is between the first terminal device and which second terminal device.

[0261] In some implementations, the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more second terminal devices; address information of one or more second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs; and target area information.

[0262] In some implementations, the identification information of the second terminal device may include one or more of the following: telephone number, GPSI, SUPI, SUCI, PEI, TMSI, GUTI, 5G-S-TMSI, GUAMI, RNTI, C-RNTI, I-RNTI.

[0263] In some implementations, the address information of the second terminal device may include, for example, IP address information of the second terminal device, or a MAC address of the second terminal device.

[0264] In some implementations, the identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs may include, for example, a group identifier of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs.

[0265] In some implementations, the target area indicated by the target area information is used to identify the second terminal device. For example, one or more terminal devices in the target area are all second terminal devices. Assuming that the second request carries the target area information but does not carry the identification information of the second terminal device, it can be understood that the second request requests authorization to communicate with all terminal devices in the target area. In other words, all terminal devices in the target area are second terminal devices.

[0266] For another example, the target area is the area where the second terminal device is located. In this case, the target area can be replaced by the location information of the second terminal device.

[0267] In the embodiments of the present application, the target area information is not specifically limited. In some implementations, the target area information may include one or more of the following: TAI, cell identifier, longitude of the target area, and latitude of the target area. In other implementations, if the target area is used to indicate the location information of the second terminal device, the location information of the second terminal device may include the driving trajectory information of the second terminal device, or the location information of the second terminal device may be the location information of the second terminal device.

[0268] The second request includes information indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is to be performed via a satellite. In other words, the second request includes information indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is to be performed via a satellite. Therefore, this indication information may also be referred to as a "UE-satellite-UE indication."

[0269] Taking the example of the second request including information associated with the first service, in an embodiment of the present application, carrying information associated with the first service in the second request helps to identify the first service for transmission of the communication to be authorized, thereby improving the accuracy of authorizing the above communication.

[0270] In some implementations, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information indicating the duration of the first service; and information indicating the service type of the first service.

[0271] In an embodiment of the present application, the information indicating the duration of the first service can be used to determine the time when the satellite provides services to the second terminal device, which helps to improve the accuracy of determining whether to authorize the above-mentioned communication.

[0272] In the embodiment of the present application, the indication method of the above duration is not limited. In some implementations, the second request may include one or more of the following: the start time of the duration, the end time of the duration, and the duration of the duration.

[0273] For example, the second request only indicates the start time of the duration. In this case, the duration of the duration may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the duration based on the start time and the duration.

[0274] For another example, the second request only indicates the end time of the duration. In this case, the duration of the duration may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the duration based on the end time and the duration.

[0275] In the embodiments of the present application, there is no limitation on the implementation of the duration. In some implementations, the duration can be represented by a time window. In other implementations, the duration can also be represented by a period of time.

[0276] In some implementations, the first service may include a service transmitted via UE-Satellite-UE communication. Therefore, the first service may also be referred to as a "UE-Satellite-UE communication service."

[0277] In some implementations, if the first service is a service transmitted via UE-Satellite-UE communication, the information indicating the service type of the first service may be used to indicate that the service type is a UE-Satellite-UE service type. Of course, in the embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned service types may include live broadcast services, emergency message services, voice services, etc.

[0278] Of course, in an embodiment of the present application, the information associated with the first service may also include other information related to the first service, such as service description information of the first service, traffic information of the first service, latency of the first service, bit rate of the first service, IP quintuple of the first service, priority of the first service, or priority of terminal devices participating in transmitting the first service (for example, the priority of the first terminal device and / or the priority of the second terminal device).

[0279] The above introduces the second request in the embodiment of the present application, and the following introduces the transmission method of the second request in the embodiment of the present application.

[0280] In some scenarios, the fifth network element may include a network element that provides services to the second terminal device. Accordingly, the second request may be sent by the fifth network element to the second terminal device.

[0281] In some implementations, the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on identification information of the second terminal device, wherein the identification of the second terminal device may be carried in the second request.

[0282] For example, when the fifth network element is an access network device, the access network device can determine whether the second terminal device is within the service range of the fifth network element based on the RNTI of the second terminal device.

[0283] For another example, when the fifth network element is an access network device, the access network device can determine whether the second terminal device is within the service range of the fifth network element based on the TA where the second terminal device is located.

[0284] In some implementations, the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the location information of the second terminal device. The location information of the second terminal device may be included in the second request; for example, the second request may include target area information. Alternatively, the location information of the second terminal device is determined based on the identification information of the second terminal device. For example, the fifth network element may determine the context information of the second terminal device based on the identification information of the second terminal device. Accordingly, the fifth network element may determine the location information of the second terminal device based on the context information of the second terminal device.

[0285] For example, when the fifth network element includes an access network device and an access and mobility management network element, the fifth network element can query whether the context information of the second terminal device is included from the locally stored terminal device context information. If the terminal device context information locally stored in the fifth network element includes the context information of the second terminal device, the fifth network element can determine that the second terminal device is within the service range of the fifth network element.

[0286] In some implementations, the fifth network element is not a network element that provides services for the second terminal device, the second request is sent by the fifth network element to the sixth network element, and the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device.

[0287] In the embodiment of the present application, the fifth network element may be an access network device that provides services to the first terminal device (also referred to as "access network device-1"). In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the sixth network element may include an access network device that provides services to the second terminal device (also referred to as "access network device-2").

[0288] In some implementations, the sixth network element may also include an access and mobility management network element, which can be used to determine the access network device that provides services for the second terminal device. Accordingly, the access and mobility management network element can receive the second request from the fifth network element and forward the second request to the sixth network element.

[0289] In an embodiment of the present application, if the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following conditions: the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; the fifth network element is deployed on the satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; the fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on the satellite.

[0290] Alternatively, from the perspective of access network device 1 and access network device 2, for example, access network device 1 and access network device 2 can be the same access network device deployed on the same satellite. In another example, access network device 1 and access network device 2 can be deployed on different satellites. In another example, one of access network device 1 and access network device 2 can be deployed on a satellite, while the other can be deployed on the ground.

[0291] In the embodiments of the present application, there is no limitation on the location of the access and mobility management network element. For example, the access and mobility management network element may be deployed on a satellite. For another example, the access and mobility management network element may be deployed on the ground.

[0292] In some implementations, as shown in FIG6 , the method further includes step S620. In step S620, the fifth network element sends a response message to the first terminal device in response to the second request. The response message to the second request is used to indicate whether the second terminal device accepts or refuses to authorize the communication. Alternatively, the response message to the second request is used to indicate whether the second terminal device agrees to authorize or refuses to authorize the communication. The communication includes communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite, for example, "UE-satellite-UE communication."

[0293] In some implementations, if the response information of the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device refuses to authorize communication, the response message of the second request is used to indicate the reason why the second terminal device refuses to authorize communication, which helps the first terminal device determine whether to initiate the second request again based on the reason, so as to improve the efficiency of sending the second request.

[0294] In the embodiments of the present application, the reason for the second terminal device refusing authorization for communication is not limited. For example, the reason may include the satellite serving the second terminal device leaving the area within the communication (UE-satellite-UE communication) time requested by the first terminal device. Another example may include the satellite serving the second terminal device leaving the area due to a prolonged authorization period. Another example may include the second terminal device being located in a restricted area for satellite communication services. Another example may include the first terminal device being located in a restricted area for satellite communication services. Another example may include the first terminal device not being in the second terminal's authorization list, meaning the first terminal does not have permission to conduct UE-Satellite-UE communication with the second terminal. Another example may include the second terminal device's current communication load being too high, resulting in insufficient resources for UE-Satellite-UE communication with the first terminal device. Another example may include the second terminal device not supporting UE-Satellite-UE communication. Another example may include the second terminal device being about to leave the current satellite's coverage area. Another example may include the second terminal being about to enter power saving mode, sleep mode, airplane mode, or shutdown mode.

[0295] The above describes the response information of the second request in the embodiment of the present application, and the following describes the transmission method of the response information of the second request in the embodiment of the present application. In some implementations, the transmission method of the response information of the second request corresponds to the transmission method of the second request.

[0296] In some implementations, the response information of the second request is transmitted by the second terminal device to the fifth network element. The fifth network element may include a network element that provides services for the second terminal device, and details can be found in the above description.

[0297] In some other implementations, the response information to the second request may be transmitted by a sixth network element providing services for the second terminal device to the fifth network element, where the sixth network element is configured to provide services for the second terminal device, and the fifth network element is configured to provide services for the first terminal device. For details, see the above description of the fifth and sixth network elements.

[0298] The above describes the transmission method of the response information of the second request in the embodiment of the present application. The following describes the judgment method of agreeing to authorization or rejecting authorization in the embodiment of the present application.

[0299] In some implementations, the approval or refusal to authorize the communication is determined by a fifth network element.

[0300] In some implementations, the approval or refusal to authorize the above-mentioned communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: resource occupancy of the second terminal device; the priority of the above-mentioned communication transmission-based service; and the priority of the first terminal device.

[0301] In some implementations, the resource usage of the second terminal device may include the resource usage rate of the second terminal device. Generally, if the resource usage rate of the second terminal device is higher than a threshold, indicating that the second terminal device is relatively busy, authorization of the communication may be denied, thereby preventing the communication from impacting other communications already participated in by the second terminal device. Conversely, if the resource usage rate of the second terminal device is lower than a threshold, indicating that the second terminal device is relatively idle, authorization of the communication may be granted.

[0302] In some implementations, if the priority of a service based on communication transmission is higher than a threshold, indicating that the service is more urgent, the communication may be authorized, helping to meet the transmission needs of the more urgent service. Conversely, if the priority of a service based on communication transmission is higher than a threshold, indicating that the service is ordinary, the communication may be denied authorization, helping to prevent the service from affecting the transmission of more urgent services on the second terminal device.

[0303] In some implementations, if the priority of the first terminal device is higher than a threshold, indicating that the first terminal device has a higher priority, authorization of the communication may be granted, thereby helping to prioritize communication with the first terminal device. Conversely, if the priority of the first terminal device is lower than a threshold, indicating that the first terminal device has a lower priority, authorization of the communication may be denied, thereby helping to prevent communication with the first terminal device from affecting communications with higher-priority terminal devices.

[0304] In the embodiments of the present application, the fifth network element is not limited. For example, the fifth network element may be an access network device that provides services to the first terminal device and the second terminal device. In this case, the fifth network element may obtain the above information to determine whether to authorize or deny the above communication.

[0305] In some implementations, the approval or refusal to authorize the above-mentioned communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: location information of the first terminal device; location information of the second terminal device.

[0306] In some implementations, the location information of the first terminal device may include whether the first terminal device is located in a restricted area for satellite communications.

[0307] In some implementations, the location information of the second terminal device may include whether the second terminal device is located in a restricted area for satellite communications.

[0308] In the embodiment of the present application, the fifth network element is an access and mobility management network element, such as MME, AMF. Accordingly, the first terminal device can communicate with the access and mobility management network element through the access network device.

[0309] In some implementations, the approval or refusal to authorize the above-mentioned communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: identity authentication information of the first terminal device; contract information of the first terminal device.

[0310] In some implementations, the fifth network element may determine whether to authorize or deny authorization for the communication based on the identity authentication information of the first terminal device. For example, if the identity authentication information of the first terminal device indicates that the first terminal device is a legitimate terminal device, the fifth network element may confirm that authorization for the communication is approved. For another example, if the identity authentication information of the first terminal device indicates that the first terminal device is an illegitimate terminal device, the fifth network element may confirm that authorization for the communication is denied.

[0311] In some implementations, the fifth network element may determine whether to authorize or deny the communication based on the contract information of the first terminal device. For example, if the contract information of the first terminal device indicates that the first terminal device supports the communication, the fifth network element may confirm that it authorizes the communication. For another example, if the contract information of the first terminal device indicates that the first terminal device does not support the communication, the fifth network element may confirm that it denies the communication.

[0312] In the embodiments of the present application, the fifth network element is not limited. In some implementations, the fifth network element is an authentication server function network element. For example, the fifth network element can be one or more of the following: AUSF, HSS, and UDM. Accordingly, the first terminal device can communicate with the fifth network element through core network elements such as access network equipment and access and mobility management functions.

[0313] For ease of understanding, the following describes, in conjunction with Figures 7 to 9, a method for requesting authorization for a first terminal device to conduct UE-satellite-UE communication in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the second request and response information for the second request involved in Figures 7 to 9 can be found in the above description, and Figure 7 primarily describes the execution steps of the method flow in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

[0314] As shown in Figure 7 , it is assumed that the first terminal device and the second terminal device are within the service range of the same satellite SAT-1, and a fifth network element is deployed on SAT-1, wherein the fifth network element includes an access network device and an access and mobility management network element. The method shown in Figure 7 includes steps S710 to S740. It should be understood that the second request and the response information of the second request involved in Figure 7 can be referred to as described above. Figure 7 mainly describes the execution steps of the method flow in the embodiment of the present application.

[0315] In step S710, the first terminal device sends a second request to the fifth network element, where the second request is used to request authorization for the first terminal device to perform UE-satellite-UE communication with the second terminal device.

[0316] In step S720, if the fifth network element confirms that the second terminal device is within the service range of SAT-1, the fifth network element sends a second request to the second terminal device.

[0317] In step S730, the second terminal device sends response information of the second request to the fifth network element.

[0318] In some implementations, if the response information indicates that the second terminal device agrees to the authorization, the authorization is successful. Conversely, if the response information indicates that the second terminal device refuses the authorization, the authorization fails. In this case, the response message may include authorization failure reason information.

[0319] In step S740, the fifth network element sends response information of the second request to the first terminal device.

[0320] As shown in FIG8 , it is assumed that the access network device and the access and mobility management network element are deployed on different satellites, and that access network device 1 providing services to a first terminal device is located on one satellite (also referred to as SAT-1), while access network device 2 providing services to a second terminal device is located on another satellite (also referred to as SAT-2). The method shown in FIG8 includes steps S810 to S880.

[0321] In step S810, the first terminal device sends a second request to the access network device 1, wherein the second request is used to request authorization for the first terminal device to perform UE-satellite-UE communication with the second terminal device.

[0322] In step S820, if the access network device 1 confirms that the second terminal device is not within the service range of SAT-1, the access network device 1 sends a second request to the access and mobility management network element.

[0323] In step S830 , the access and mobility management network element determines that the access network device 2 serves the second terminal device, and the access and mobility management network element sends a second request to the access network device 2 .

[0324] In step S840, access network device 2 sends a second request to the second terminal device.

[0325] In step S850 , in response to the second request, the second terminal device sends response information of the second request to access network device 2 .

[0326] In some implementations, if the response information indicates that the second terminal device agrees to the authorization, the authorization is successful. Conversely, if the response information indicates that the second terminal device refuses the authorization, the authorization fails. In this case, the response message may include authorization failure reason information.

[0327] In step S860, access network device 2 sends response information of the second request to the access and mobility management network element.

[0328] In step S870 , the access and mobility management network element sends response information of the second request to access network device 1 .

[0329] In step S880, access network device 1 sends response information of the second request to the first terminal device.

[0330] 9 , assuming that a first terminal device requests authorization for UE-satellite-UE communication with a terminal device within a target area, a fifth network element may determine whether to authorize UE-satellite-UE communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device. The method shown in FIG9 may include steps S910 and S920.

[0331] In step S910, the first terminal device sends a second request to the fifth network element to request authorization to perform UE-satellite-UE communication with the terminal device in the target area.

[0332] In step S920, the fifth network element sends response information of the second request to the first terminal device.

[0333] In some implementations, if the response information indicates that the second terminal device agrees to the authorization, the authorization is successful. Conversely, if the response information indicates that the second terminal device rejects the authorization, the authorization fails. In this case, the response message may include information about the reason for the authorization failure. Regarding whether the fifth network element agrees to or rejects the authorization, please refer to the above description.

[0334] Example 3

[0335] In some scenarios, a first terminal device can communicate with a second terminal device via one or more satellites (e.g., a first satellite and / or a second satellite), also known as UE-Satellite-UE communication. However, current communication protocols do not specify how to determine the communication link to use in UE-Satellite-UE communication scenarios, which may result in UE-Satellite-UE communication failures.

[0336] In response to the above problem, a wireless communication method is provided, in which a seventh network element can send configuration information to the first satellite to configure a first communication link and / or a second communication link for the first satellite, wherein the first communication link and / or the second communication link can be used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device. Therefore, the configuration information can also be referred to as "path configuration information."

[0337] The following describes a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application in conjunction with Figure 10. Referring to Figure 10, in step S1010, the seventh network element sends configuration information to the first satellite.

[0338] In some implementations, the configuration information is used to configure one or more of: a first communication link for communication between the target terminal device and the first satellite; and a second communication link for communication between the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0339] In some implementations, the first communication link and / or the second communication link is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, or the first communication link and / or the second communication link is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

[0340] In some implementations, the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device. Accordingly, the first communication link may include a communication link between the first terminal device and the first satellite, and / or a communication link between the second terminal device and the first satellite.

[0341] In some scenarios, if the satellite providing services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device is the same, that is, the first satellite can provide services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device, then the communication link used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device may include a communication link between the first terminal device and the first satellite, and a communication link between the second terminal device and the first satellite.

[0342] In an embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned scenario in which the first terminal device and the second terminal device communicate through the same satellite can be applicable to a scenario in which the first terminal device and the second terminal device are close to each other. At this time, the first terminal device and the second terminal device can be located within the service range of the same satellite.

[0343] In some other implementations, the second communication link may include a communication link between the first satellite and the second satellite. Therefore, the second communication link may also be called an "inter-satellite link".

[0344] In some scenarios, if different satellites serve the first and second terminal devices, the communication link between the first and second terminal devices may include an intersatellite link. For example, if a first satellite serves the first terminal device and a second satellite serves the second terminal device, the communication link between the first and second terminal devices may include an intersatellite link between the first and second satellites.

[0345] In an embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned scenario of communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via an intersatellite link can be applicable to a scenario where the first terminal device and the second terminal device are far apart. At this time, the first terminal device and the second terminal device can be located within the service range of different satellites respectively.

[0346] In some implementations, the configuration information includes one or more of the following: QoS parameters corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; N4 rules corresponding to the first communication link; time for indicating that one or more satellites provide services to the second terminal device; identification information of network elements on one or more satellites; and information for indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is conducted via a satellite.

[0347] In some implementations, the configuration information may include quality of service (QoS) parameters corresponding to the first communication link, which helps communications on the first communication link meet service requirements. Correspondingly, the configuration information may include QoS parameters corresponding to the second communication link, which helps communications on the second communication link meet service requirements.

[0348] In some implementations, the configuration information may include an N4 rule corresponding to the first communication link, wherein the N4 rule corresponding to the first communication link may be understood as the N4 rule for the N4 interface between the control plane network element (e.g., UPF) and the user plane network element (e.g., SMF) during communication between the target terminal device and the first satellite. Correspondingly, the configuration information may include an N4 rule corresponding to the second communication link, wherein the N4 rule corresponding to the second communication link may be understood as the N4 rule for the N4 interface between the control plane network element (e.g., UPF) and the user plane network element (e.g., SMF) during communication between the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0349] In some implementations, the configuration information indicates the time during which one or more satellites provide service to the second terminal device, also referred to as "service time." Alternatively, the configuration information may include the time during which each of the one or more satellites provides service to the second terminal device. Including this time in the configuration information helps the first satellite and / or the first terminal device determine the availability of the satellite to which a connection is to be established.

[0350] In the embodiment of the present application, the indication method of the above service time is not limited. In some implementations, the configuration information may include one or more of the following: the start time of the service time, the end time of the service time, and the duration of the service time.

[0351] For example, the configuration information only indicates the start time of the service time. In this case, the duration of the service time may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the service time based on the start time and the duration.

[0352] For another example, the configuration information only indicates the end time of the service time. In this case, the duration of the service time may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the service time based on the end time and the duration.

[0353] In the embodiments of the present application, the implementation of the service time is not limited. In some implementations, the service time can be represented by a time window. In other implementations, the service time can also be represented by a period of time. In other implementations, the service time can also be periodic, in which case the configuration information can also include the period of the service time. In other implementations, the service time can also be represented by a moment.

[0354] In some implementations, the configuration information is used to indicate identification information of network elements on one or more satellites, wherein the identification information of the network elements on the satellite may include identification information of network elements on the satellite that can provide services for the second terminal device.

[0355] In some implementations, the one or more satellites are used to determine a second satellite that provides service to a second terminal device.

[0356] In the embodiments of the present application, the identification information of the network element is not limited. Taking the example of an access network device deployed on a satellite, the identification information of the network element on the satellite may include the access network device identification. Taking the example of an AMF deployed on a satellite, the identification information of the network element on the satellite may include the AMF identification. Taking the example of an SMF deployed on a satellite, the identification information of the network element on the satellite may include the SMF identification.

[0357] In some implementations, the configuration information includes information indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is to be conducted via a satellite. Alternatively, the configuration information includes information indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is to be conducted via a satellite, which helps determine that the communication link configured by the configuration information is applicable to UE-satellite-UE communication. Therefore, this information can also be referred to as a "UE-satellite-UE indication." Alternatively, this information is used to indicate that the configuration information is for UE-satellite-UE communication.

[0358] In some implementations, the configuration information is forwarded to the first terminal device by the first satellite, or in other words, the method further includes: the seventh network element sending the configuration information to the first terminal device.

[0359] In some implementations, the above method further includes: the first terminal device establishing a communication connection with the second satellite based on the configuration information, and the communication link is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0360] In the embodiment of the present application, the seventh network element is not limited. For example, the seventh network element may include one or more of the following: a first terminal device; a second terminal device; a session management network element; or a user plane network element.

[0361] Taking the seventh network element including the terminal device that initiates UE-Satellite-UE (also referred to as "terminal device 1") as an example, terminal device 1 can provide configuration information to terminal device 2. At this time, it can be understood that the communication link of UE-Satellite-UE is determined by terminal device 1, which helps to simplify the complexity of determining the communication link.

[0362] Taking the seventh network element including the session management network element as an example, the seventh network element may be an MME or an SMF.

[0363] Taking the seventh network element including the user plane network element as an example, the seventh network element can be one of the following: UPF, SGW, PGW.

[0364] Of course, in the embodiment of the present application, the seventh network element may also include an application server function network element, for example, the seventh network element includes an IMS server and / or an AF. Alternatively, the seventh network element may be a new network element for satellite-related service management. In this case, it can be understood that the UE-Satellite-UE communication link is determined by the network-side network element, which helps to improve the rationality of determining the communication link.

[0365] In the embodiments of the present application, the applicable scenarios of the above solution are not limited. For example, the solution can be used to initially establish a UE-Satellite-UE communication link. For another example, the solution can be used to update a UE-Satellite-UE communication link, where the update of the communication link may be caused by the mobility of the terminal device. Of course, in the embodiments of the present application, the update of the communication link may be caused by the mobility of the satellite.

[0366] In some implementations, if the network elements deployed on the first satellite and / or the second satellite only include access network devices, the first terminal device can communicate with the second terminal device only through the access network device, that is, the data sent by the first terminal device to the second terminal device is forwarded only through the access network device.

[0367] In other implementations, if the network elements deployed on the first satellite and / or the second satellite include access network devices and user plane network elements, the first terminal device can establish a PDU session with the network elements on the first satellite and / or the second satellite based on the configuration information.

[0368] In other implementations, if the network elements deployed on the first satellite and / or the second satellite include access network devices and session management network elements, the first terminal device can establish a PDU session with the network elements on the first satellite and / or the second satellite based on the configuration information.

[0369] In some scenarios, the access network equipment and the user plane network elements (for example, UPF, SGW, PGW, etc.) are deployed on different satellites. At this time, the seventh network element can inform the first terminal device to select the satellite where the access network device to be accessed is located, as well as the inter-satellite link between the satellite where the access network device accessed by the first terminal device is located and the satellite where the user plane network element is located.

[0370] In other scenarios, the access network device and the session management network element (for example, MME, SMF, etc.) are deployed on different satellites. At this time, the seventh network element can inform the first terminal device to select the satellite where the access network device to be accessed is located, and the inter-satellite link between the satellite where the access network device accessed by the first terminal device is located and the satellite where the user-plane network element is located.

[0371] In some scenarios, after sending the configuration information, the seventh network element may trigger the establishment of a connection between the terminal device and the satellite. For example, the seventh network element may trigger the establishment of a connection between the first terminal device and the first satellite. In another example, the seventh network element may trigger the establishment of a connection between the second terminal device and the second satellite.

[0372] Taking the establishment of a connection including the establishment of a PDU session as an example, the seventh network element triggers the establishment of a PDU session, and then configures packet detection rules (for example, which may include an IP five-tuple, a source interface) and forwarding rules (for example, including a destination interface) for the satellite (for example, the first satellite and / or the second satellite). Accordingly, if the first terminal device sends a data packet to the second terminal device, the first satellite can detect the data packet based on the packet detection rules, and forward the data packet to the second satellite based on the destination interface. Accordingly, the second satellite can detect the data packet based on the packet detection rules, and send the data packet to the second terminal device based on the destination interface. It should be understood that the scheme for the second terminal device to send a data packet to the first terminal device is similar to the scheme for the first terminal device to send a data packet to the second terminal device described above, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated.

[0373] Assuming that the network elements deployed on the first satellite and the second satellite include UPF and access network equipment, if the first terminal device sends a data packet to the second terminal device, the network element on the first satellite can configure the packet detection rule so that the source address is the address of the first terminal device, the destination address is the address of the second terminal device, and the source interface is the access side. At this time, the destination interface in the forwarding rule associated with the packet detection rule is the address of the second satellite (of course, it can also be the identifier of the second satellite, or the identifier of the network element on the second satellite). The network element on the second satellite can configure the packet detection rule so that the source address is the address of the first terminal device, the destination address is the address of the second terminal device, and the source interface is the address of the first satellite (of course, it can also be the identifier of the first satellite, or the identifier of the network element on the first satellite). The forwarding rule associated with this packet detection rule is the access side.

[0374] If the second terminal device sends a data packet to the first terminal device, the source address in the packet detection rule configured on the first satellite network element is the address of the second terminal device, the destination address is the address of the first terminal device, the source interface is the address of the second satellite (of course, it can also be the identifier of the second satellite, or the identifier of the second satellite network element), and the destination interface in the forwarding rule associated with the packet detection rule is the access side. The source address in the packet detection rule configured on the second satellite network element is the address of the second terminal device, the destination address is the address of the first terminal device, the source interface is the access side, and the forwarding rule associated with the packet detection rule is the address of the first satellite (of course, it can also be the identifier of the first satellite, or the identifier of the first satellite network element).

[0375] For ease of understanding, the following describes a scheme for configuring a communication link according to an embodiment of the present application, with reference to Figure 11. Assume that satellite SAT-1 provides service to a first terminal device, and satellite SAT-2 provides service to a second terminal device. The method shown in Figure 11 includes steps S1110 through S1130. It should be understood that the second request and response information involved in Figure 11 can be found in the description above. Figure 11 primarily describes the execution steps of the method flow according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0376] In step S1110, the seventh network element sends configuration information to SAT-1 to configure a communication link with SAT2 for the first terminal device.

[0377] In step S1120, SAT-1 sends configuration information to the first terminal device.

[0378] In step S1130, the first terminal device establishes a communication link with SAT-2 based on the configuration information. The communication link is used for UE-Satellite-UE communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0379] Example 4

[0380] In some scenarios, a first terminal device can communicate with a second terminal device via one or more satellites, also known as UE-Satellite-UE communication. However, current standards do not specify how to determine the satellite that can provide service for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0381] To address the above issues, the present application provides a wireless communication method, in which a network element in a communication system (also referred to as an "eighth network element") can send second information to a ninth network element, where the second information is used to determine service range information of a satellite associated with the eighth network element. In other words, the ninth network element can collect information about the service ranges of satellites associated with network elements in the communication system so that, based on the information collected by the ninth network element, it can subsequently determine a network element providing service for communication between a first terminal device and a second terminal device.

[0382] Figure 12 is a schematic flow chart of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method shown in Figure 12 includes: step S1210, an eighth network element sends second information to a ninth network element, the second information being used to determine service range information of a satellite associated with the eighth network element.

[0383] In some implementations, the second information includes one or more of the following: information indicating a service area of ​​the satellite service; time information indicating a target area of ​​the satellite service; information indicating a terminal device stored by the satellite; identification information of the satellite; and identification information of a network element on the satellite.

[0384] Taking the example that the second information includes information for indicating the service area of ​​satellite service, it helps the ninth network element to determine the information of the satellite's service area based on the second information, so that a suitable satellite can be provided when selecting a satellite to provide services for the second terminal device.

[0385] In some implementations, the service area may include one or more of the following: TAI, cell identity, longitude of the service area, and latitude of the service area.

[0386] For example, the second information includes time information indicating a satellite's service target area. This time is also referred to as "service time." Alternatively, the second information may include the time at which each of one or more satellites provides service to the first terminal device. This helps the ninth network element determine the satellite's service time based on the second information, so that when selecting a satellite to provide service to the second terminal device, it can provide an appropriate satellite.

[0387] In the embodiment of the present application, the indication method of the above service time is not limited. In some implementations, the second information may include one or more of the following: the start time of the service time, the end time of the service time, and the duration of the service time.

[0388] For example, the second information only indicates the start time of the service time. In this case, the duration of the service time may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the service time based on the start time and the duration.

[0389] For another example, the second information only indicates the end time of the service time. In this case, the duration of the service time may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the first device may determine the service time based on the end time and the duration.

[0390] In the embodiments of the present application, the implementation method of the service time is not limited. In some implementations, the service time can be represented by a time window. In other implementations, the service time can also be represented by a period of time. In other implementations, the service time can also be periodic, in which case the second information can also include the period of the service time. In other implementations, the service time can also be represented by a moment.

[0391] For example, the second information may include information indicating a terminal device stored by the satellite. The second information may include information about the terminal device served by the satellite. In some implementations, the terminal device information may include a context for the terminal device. In other implementations, the terminal device information may include identification information of the terminal device and / or location information of the terminal device.

[0392] In some implementations, the identification information of the terminal device may include one or more of the following: telephone number, GPSI, SUPI, SUCI, PEI, TMSI, GUTI, 5G-S-TMSI, GUAMI, RNTI, C-RNTI, I-RNTI.

[0393] In some implementations, the location information of the terminal device may be the actual location of the terminal device, or the location information of the terminal device may include the registration area information of the terminal device and / or the area information last visited by the terminal device in a connected state. Of course, in the embodiments of the present application, the location information of the terminal device may also include target area information associated with the terminal device, wherein the relevant introduction to the target area information can be found in the above text.

[0394] In the embodiments of the present application, the manner of indicating the area information last visited by the terminal device in the connected state is not limited. For example, the last visited area information may include the tracking area last visited by the terminal device in the connected state. For another example, the last visited area information may include the cell identifier of the area last visited by the terminal device in the connected state. For another example, the last visited area information may include the longitude and / or latitude information of the area last visited by the terminal device in the connected state.

[0395] Taking the example of the second information including satellite identification information, in some implementations, the satellite identification information may include identification information of each satellite. In other implementations, the satellite identification information may include identification information of the group to which the satellite belongs.

[0396] Taking the example that the second information includes identification information of the satellite network element, it helps the ninth network element to determine the network element deployed on the satellite based on the second information, so that when selecting a satellite to provide services for the second terminal device, it can further determine the network element on the corresponding satellite that provides services for the second terminal device.

[0397] If the network element is an access network device, the identification information of the network element may include the access network device identifier. If the network element is an AMF, the identification information of the network element may include the AMF identifier. If the network element is an SMF, the identification information of the network element may include the SMF identifier.

[0398] In the embodiment of the present application, the triggering method of the above-mentioned second information is not limited. In some implementations, the second information may be triggered based on the request of the ninth network element, that is, the second information may be sent according to the needs of the ninth network element, which helps to improve the sending efficiency of the second information. That is to say, the above method also includes: before step S1210, the above method also includes: a third request sent by the ninth network element to the eighth network element, wherein the third request may be, for example, a subscription request. In other implementations, the second information may also be periodically triggered, wherein the period of the second information may be predefined and preconfigured. In other implementations, the second information may also be triggered based on an event.

[0399] In some implementations, the third request carries one or more of the following: identification information of one or more terminal devices; information for determining a reporting time of the second information; and information for indicating a triggering condition for the second information.

[0400] In some implementations, the identification information of the one or more terminal devices mentioned above can be understood as the identification information of the one or more terminal devices requested by the ninth network element.

[0401] In the embodiments of the present application, the identification information of the terminal device is not limited. For example, the identification information of the terminal device may include one or more of the following: telephone number, GPSI, SUPI, SUCI, PEI, TMSI, GUTI, 5G-S-TMSI, GUAMI, RNTI, C-RNTI, I-RNTI.

[0402] In some implementations, the information used to determine the reporting time of the second information may include: a reporting period for the second information, and / or a reporting frequency for the second information. Of course, in embodiments of the present application, the reporting time may also be a specific reporting time for the second information. In embodiments of the present application, carrying the information used to determine the reporting time of the second information in the third request helps reduce the delay in reporting the second information.

[0403] In some implementations, the triggering condition determined by the information used to determine the triggering condition for the second information may be associated with one or more of the following: an area of ​​interest to the ninth network element; or a time period of interest to the ninth network element. In this embodiment of the present application, the third request may carry the information used to determine the triggering condition for the second information, thereby reducing the delay in reporting the second information.

[0404] In some implementations, if the trigger condition is associated with an area of ​​interest (AoI) of the ninth network element, the trigger condition may include a change in the second information corresponding to the area of ​​interest of the ninth network element. In an embodiment of the present application, the trigger condition may include a change in the second information corresponding to the area of ​​interest of the ninth network element. Accordingly, the eighth network element may determine whether to send the second information based on the trigger condition, which helps to simplify the process of sending the second information.

[0405] For example, the trigger condition may include a change in satellite service range in the area of ​​interest of the ninth network element.

[0406] For another example, a UE accesses an eighth network element on a satellite within a designated area of ​​interest. The eighth network element on the satellite stores the UE context for the UE. Accordingly, the eighth network element may confirm that an event has occurred and send second information to a ninth network element. The second information may include the UE context for the UE or all UEs within the area of ​​interest.

[0407] In the embodiments of the present application, the method for indicating the region of interest is not limited. In some implementations, the region of interest may be indicated by one or more tracking areas. In other implementations, the region of interest may be indicated by the cell identifiers of one or more cells. In still other implementations, the region of interest may be indicated by longitude information and / or latitude information.

[0408] In some implementations, if the trigger condition is associated with a time of interest to the ninth network element, the trigger condition may include a change in the second information corresponding to the time of interest to the ninth network element. In an embodiment of the present application, the trigger condition may include a change in the second information corresponding to the time of interest to the ninth network element. Accordingly, the eighth network element may determine whether to send the second information based on the trigger condition, thereby simplifying the process of sending the second information.

[0409] For example, the trigger condition may include a change in satellite service range during a time period of interest to the ninth network element.

[0410] For another example, assume that a UE accesses an eighth network element on a satellite during a time period of interest. At this time, the eighth network element on the satellite stores the UE context for the UE. Accordingly, the eighth network element may confirm that the event has occurred and send second information to a ninth network element. The second information may include the UE context for the UE or all UEs within the area of ​​interest.

[0411] In the embodiment of the present application, the method for indicating the time of interest is not limited. In some implementations, the third request may include one or more of the following: the start time of the time of interest, the end time of the time of interest, and the duration of the time of interest.

[0412] For example, the third request only indicates the start time of the time of interest. At this time, the duration of the time of interest can be predefined or preconfigured. At this time, the eighth network element can determine the time of interest to the ninth network element based on the start time and duration.

[0413] For another example, the third request only indicates the end time of the time of interest. In this case, the duration of the time of interest may be predefined or preconfigured. In this case, the eighth network element may determine the time of interest based on the end time and the duration.

[0414] In the embodiments of the present application, the implementation of the time of interest is not limited. In some implementations, the time of interest can be represented by a time window. In other implementations, the time of interest can also be represented by a period of time. In other implementations, the time of interest can also be periodic, in which case the third request can also include the period of the time of interest. In still other implementations, the time of interest can also be represented by a moment.

[0415] In the embodiments of the present application, the ninth network element is not limited. In some implementations, the ninth network element may be an access network device. In another implementation, the ninth network element may be any of the core network elements described above. In another implementation, the ninth network element may include both an access network device and a core network element. For example, the ninth network element may include both an access network device and an AMF. For example, the ninth network element may include both an access network device and an MME.

[0416] For ease of understanding, the following describes the satellite service information transmission scheme according to an embodiment of the present application in conjunction with FIG13 . Assume that the ninth network element is a network element located on a satellite. The method shown in FIG13 includes steps S1310 to S1320. It should be understood that the third request and second information involved in FIG13 can be found in the above description. FIG13 primarily describes the execution steps of the method flow according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0417] In step S1310, the ninth network element sends a third request to the eighth network element to request the eighth network element for service range information of the satellite where the eighth network element is located.

[0418] In step S1320, in response to the third request, the eighth network element sends second information to the ninth network element to indicate the service range information of the satellite where the eighth network element is located.

[0419] In the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of the term "service" and the meaning of "coverage" can be interchangeable. For example, "service area" can be replaced by "coverage area". For another example, "service time" can be replaced by "coverage time".

[0420] In addition, in an embodiment of the present application, "satellite provides services for terminal devices" may include the satellite providing satellite access services for terminal devices, that is, within a period of time, the satellite can cover the location of the terminal device so that the terminal device can access the satellite.

[0421] Generally, a satellite providing services may be referred to as a serving satellite. Depending on its orbit, a serving satellite covers a given geographical area (eg, the area where the terminal device is located) for a limited time.

[0422] In addition, the various embodiments of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application can be used independently of each other. Alternatively, the various embodiments of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application can be used in combination with each other. In some scenarios, the solution for determining the first satellite serving the second terminal device introduced in Example 1 can serve as the basis for Examples 2 to 3. For example, the first satellite serving the second terminal device can be determined based on the solution introduced in Example 1, and then a request is made based on the solution introduced in Example 2 to authorize the first terminal device to communicate with the second terminal device through the first satellite, which helps to improve the possibility of finding a satellite that provides services for the second terminal device while improving the possibility of the first terminal device communicating with the second terminal device. For another example, the first satellite serving the second terminal device can be determined based on the solution introduced in Example 1, and then a request is made based on the solution introduced in Example 3 to configure a communication link for the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device through the first satellite, which helps to improve the possibility of finding a satellite that provides services for the second terminal device while improving the rationality of configuring the communication link for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0423] In other scenarios, the scheme for reporting the second information in Example 4 can serve as a prerequisite for executing Example 1. That is, the ninth network element can collect the second information used to determine the service range of each satellite, so as to facilitate subsequent querying of the satellite providing service for the second terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, the scheme for reporting the second information in Example 4 is adopted to collect relevant information about the satellites in the communication system, and then the scheme in Example 1 is adopted to search for the satellite providing service for the second terminal device, which helps to increase the possibility of querying the satellite providing service for the second terminal device.

[0424] The method embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 1 to 13 . The device embodiment of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 14 to 23 . It should be understood that the description of the method embodiment corresponds to the description of the device embodiment. Therefore, for portions not described in detail, reference can be made to the above method embodiment.

[0425] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1400 shown in Figure 14 is a first network element and includes a sending unit 1410.

[0426] The sending unit 1410 is used to send first information to a second network element, where the first information is associated with a first satellite providing services for a second terminal device; wherein the second network element includes the first terminal device or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

[0427] In some implementations, the first satellite is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0428] In some implementations, the first information includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the first satellites; identification information of network elements deployed on the first satellite; and time for indicating the time when the first satellite provides service to the second terminal device.

[0429] In some implementations, the sending unit is used to send the first information to the second network element through a third network element, wherein the third network element includes a network element with a network storage function and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device.

[0430] In some implementations, the communication device further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive a first request sent by the second network element, where the first request is used to request the first information.

[0431] In some implementations, the first request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the second terminal device; information associated with the first terminal device; and a time for indicating communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0432] In some implementations, the first request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs; and target area information.

[0433] In some implementations, the first request includes the target area information, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the target area information are all the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the area where the second terminal device is located.

[0434] In some implementations, the first request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; ephemeris information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; identification information of network elements in one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; service area information of one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device; and time information when the one or more satellites provide services to the first terminal device.

[0435] In some implementations, the receiving unit is further used to receive the first request sent by the second network element through a fourth network element, wherein the fourth network element includes a network element with a network storage function; and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device.

[0436] In some implementations, if the fourth network element includes a network element with a network storage function and a network element that provides services for the first terminal device, the network element with a network storage function and the network element that provides services for the first terminal device satisfy one of the following: the network element with a network storage function and the network element that provides services for the first terminal device are located on the same satellite; the network element with a network storage function and the network element that provides services for the first terminal device are located on different satellites; the network element with a network storage function is located on the ground, and the network element that provides services for the first terminal device is located on a satellite.

[0437] In some implementations, the first satellite is determined based on location information of the second terminal device and a service range of the first satellite.

[0438] In some implementations, the first network element is an access and mobility management network element, the service range of the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the tracking area broadcast by the access network device on the first satellite; and / or the location information of the second terminal device is determined based on the context information of the second terminal device stored in the first network element.

[0439] In some implementations, the first network element is a network element that provides services for the first terminal device and is determined through a network element with a network storage function. The network element with a network storage function stores one or more of the following information: satellite ephemeris information of the first satellite; context information of the second terminal device; service area information of the first satellite; and tracking area information sent by the access network device on the first satellite.

[0440] In some implementations, the first satellite is a satellite where a user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is located, and the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is determined based on address information of the second terminal device.

[0441] In some implementations, the first network element is an access network device. If the second terminal device is located within the service range of the access network device, the first satellite is a satellite corresponding to the first access network device.

[0442] In some implementations, the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on pre-stored information of the second terminal device and / or information of the first satellite.

[0443] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1500 shown in FIG15 is a second network element, and the communication device 1500 includes: a receiving unit 1510 .

[0444] The receiving unit 1510 is used to receive first information sent by a first network element, where the first information is associated with a first satellite providing services for a second terminal device; wherein the second network element includes the first terminal device or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

[0445] In some implementations, the first satellite is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0446] In some implementations, the first information includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the first satellites; identification information of network elements deployed on the first satellite; and time for indicating the time when the first satellite provides service to the second terminal device.

[0447] In some implementations, the receiving unit is used to receive the first information sent by the first network element through a third network element, wherein the third network element includes a network element with a network storage function and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device.

[0448] In some implementations, the second network element includes a network element with a network storage function and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device, and the communication device also includes: a first sending unit for sending the first information to the first terminal device.

[0449] In some implementations, the communication device further includes: a second sending unit, configured to send a first request to the first network element, where the first request is used to request the first information.

[0450] In some implementations, the first request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the second terminal device; information associated with the first terminal device; and a time for indicating communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0451] In some implementations, the first request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs; and target area information.

[0452] In some implementations, the first request includes the target area information, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the target area information are all the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the area where the second terminal device is located.

[0453] In some implementations, the first request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; ephemeris information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; service area information of one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device; identification information of network elements in one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; and time information when the one or more satellites provide services to the first terminal device.

[0454] In some implementations, the second sending unit is further used to send the first request to the first network element through a fourth network element, wherein the fourth network element includes a network element with a network storage function; and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device.

[0455] In some implementations, if the fourth network element includes a network element with a network storage function and a network element that provides services for the first terminal device, the network element with a network storage function and the network element that provides services for the first terminal device satisfy one of the following: the network element with a network storage function and the network element that provides services for the first terminal device are located on the same satellite; the network element with a network storage function and the network element that provides services for the first terminal device are located on different satellites; the network element with a network storage function is located on the ground, and the network element that provides services for the first terminal device is located on a satellite.

[0456] In some implementations, the second network element includes a network element with a network storage function and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device. Before the second network element sends the first request to the first network element, the receiving unit is also used to receive the first request sent by the first terminal device.

[0457] In some implementations, the first satellite is determined based on location information of the second terminal device and a service range of the first satellite.

[0458] In some implementations, the first network element is an access and mobility management network element, the service range of the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the tracking area broadcast by the access network device on the first satellite; and / or the location information of the second terminal device is determined based on the context information of the second terminal device stored in the first network element.

[0459] In some implementations, the first network element is a network element that provides services for the first terminal device and is determined through a network element with a network storage function. The network element with a network storage function stores one or more of the following information: satellite ephemeris information of the first satellite; context information of the second terminal device; service area information of the first satellite; and tracking area information sent by the access network device on the first satellite.

[0460] In some implementations, the first satellite is a satellite where a user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is located, and the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is determined based on address information of the second terminal device.

[0461] In some implementations, the first network element is an access network device. If the second terminal device is located within the service range of the access network device, the first satellite is a satellite corresponding to the first access network device.

[0462] In some implementations, the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on pre-stored information of the second terminal device and / or information of the first satellite.

[0463] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device 1600 shown in FIG16 is a first terminal device, and the terminal device 1600 includes a sending unit 1610 .

[0464] The sending unit 1610 is used to send a second request to the fifth network element, where the second request is used to request authorization for the first terminal device and the second terminal device to communicate via a satellite.

[0465] In some implementations, the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is conducted via the satellite; and information associated with a first service, where the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

[0466] In some implementations, if the second request includes information associated with the first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information indicating the duration of the first service; information indicating the service type of the first service.

[0467] In some implementations, the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs; and target area information.

[0468] In some implementations, the second request includes the target area information, and the target area information indicates that one or more terminal devices in the scheduling target area are the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

[0469] In some implementations, the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; and identification information of one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device.

[0470] In some implementations, the fifth network element includes a network element that provides services for the second terminal device, and the second request is sent by the fifth network element to the second terminal device.

[0471] In some implementations, the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on location information of the second terminal device.

[0472] In some implementations, the fifth network element is not a network element that provides services for the second terminal device, and the second request is sent by the fifth network element to a sixth network element, which provides services for the second terminal device.

[0473] In some implementations, the terminal device further includes: a first receiving unit, configured to receive response information to the second request sent by the fifth network element, wherein the response information to the second request is used to indicate agreement to authorize or refusal to authorize the communication.

[0474] In some implementations, if the response information of the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device refuses to authorize the communication, the response message of the second request is used to indicate the reason why the second terminal device refuses to authorize the communication.

[0475] In some implementations, the response information of the second request is transmitted by the second terminal device to the fifth network element.

[0476] In some implementations, the response information of the second request is transmitted from a sixth network element that provides services for the second terminal device to the fifth network element.

[0477] In some implementations, the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following conditions: the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; the fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; the fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on a satellite.

[0478] In some implementations, the sixth network element further includes an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, or the access and mobility management network element is located on a satellite.

[0479] In some implementations, the approval to authorize or the refusal to authorize the communication is determined by the fifth network element.

[0480] In some implementations, the approval or refusal to authorize the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: resource occupancy of the second terminal device; priority of the service based on the communication transmission; and priority of the first terminal device.

[0481] In some implementations, the fifth network element is an access network device, and the fifth network element provides services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0482] In some implementations, whether the second terminal device accepts or rejects the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: location information of the first terminal device; location information of the second terminal device.

[0483] In some implementations, the fifth network element is an access and mobility management network element.

[0484] In some implementations, the consent to authorize or refusal to authorize the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: identity authentication information of the first terminal device; contract information of the first terminal device.

[0485] In some implementations, the fifth network element is an authentication server function network element.

[0486] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1700 shown in FIG17 is a fifth network element, and the communication device 1700 includes: a receiving unit 1710 .

[0487] The receiving unit 1710 is configured to receive a second request sent by a first terminal device, where the second request is used to request authorization for the first terminal device to communicate with a second terminal device via a satellite.

[0488] In some implementations, the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is conducted via the satellite; and information associated with a first service, where the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

[0489] In some implementations, if the second request includes information associated with the first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information indicating the duration of the first service; information indicating the service type of the first service.

[0490] In some implementations, the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs; and target area information.

[0491] In some implementations, the second request includes the target area information, and the target area information indicates that one or more terminal devices in the scheduling target area are the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

[0492] In some implementations, the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; and identification information of one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device.

[0493] In some implementations, the fifth network element includes a network element that provides services for the second terminal device, and the communication device further includes: a first sending unit, configured to send the second request to the second terminal device.

[0494] In some implementations, the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on location information of the second terminal device.

[0495] In some implementations, the fifth network element is not a network element that provides services for the second terminal device, and the communication device further includes: a second sending unit, configured to send the second request to a sixth network element, and the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device.

[0496] In some implementations, the communication device further includes: a third sending unit, configured to send response information to the second request to the first terminal device, wherein the response information to the second request is used to indicate consent to authorize or refusal to authorize the communication.

[0497] In some implementations, if the response information of the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device refuses to authorize the communication, the response message of the second request is used to indicate the reason why the second terminal device refuses to authorize the communication.

[0498] In some implementations, before the fifth network element sends response information to the first terminal device regarding the second request, the receiving unit is further configured to receive response information to the second request sent by the second terminal device.

[0499] In some implementations, the receiving unit is further configured to receive response information to the second request sent by a sixth network element that provides services to the second terminal device.

[0500] In some implementations, the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following conditions: the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; the fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; the fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on a satellite.

[0501] In some implementations, the sixth network element further includes an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, or the access and mobility management network element is located on a satellite.

[0502] In some implementations, the communication device further includes: in response to receiving the second request, a processing unit configured to determine whether to approve or deny authorization of the communication.

[0503] In some implementations, the approval or refusal to authorize the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: resource occupancy of the second terminal device; priority of the service based on the communication transmission; and priority of the first terminal device.

[0504] In some implementations, the fifth network element is an access network device, and the fifth network element provides services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0505] In some implementations, the approval or refusal to authorize the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: location information of the first terminal device; location information of the second terminal device.

[0506] In some implementations, the fifth network element is an access and mobility management network element.

[0507] In some implementations, the consent to authorize or refusal to authorize the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: identity authentication information of the first terminal device; contract information of the first terminal device.

[0508] In some implementations, the fifth network element is an authentication server function network element.

[0509] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device 1800 shown in FIG18 is a second terminal device, and the terminal device 1800 includes: a receiving unit 1810 .

[0510] The receiving unit 1810 is configured to receive a second request sent by a first terminal device, where the second request is used to request authorization for the first terminal device to communicate with a second terminal device via a satellite.

[0511] In some implementations, the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is conducted via the satellite; and information associated with a first service, where the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

[0512] In some implementations, if the second request includes information associated with the first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information indicating the duration of the first service; information indicating the service type of the first service.

[0513] In some implementations, the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group to which the second terminal device belongs; and service area.

[0514] In some implementations, the second request includes the service area, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the service area are all the second terminal devices; or the service area is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

[0515] In some implementations, the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services to the first terminal device; and identification information of one or more network elements providing services to the first terminal device.

[0516] In some implementations, the second terminal device receives the second request sent by the first terminal device, and the receiving unit is further used to: receive the second request sent by the first terminal device through a fifth network element.

[0517] In some implementations, the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on location information of the second terminal device.

[0518] In some implementations, the fifth network element is not a network element that provides services for the second terminal device, and the receiving unit is further used to receive the second request sent by the first terminal device through a sixth network element. The sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device, and the second request is sent by the fifth network element to the second terminal device through the sixth network element.

[0519] In some implementations, the terminal device further includes: a sending unit, configured to send response information to the second request to the first terminal device, where the response information to the second request is used to indicate approval or refusal to authorize the communication.

[0520] In some implementations, if the response information of the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device refuses to authorize the communication, the response message of the second request is used to indicate the reason why the first terminal device refuses to authorize the communication.

[0521] In some implementations, the sending unit is used to send response information for the second request to the first terminal device through a fifth network element.

[0522] In some implementations, the response information to the second request is sent by a sixth network element to the first terminal device through the fifth network element, and the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device.

[0523] In some implementations, the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following conditions: the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; the fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; the fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on a satellite.

[0524] In some implementations, the sixth network element further includes an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, or the access and mobility management network element is located on a satellite.

[0525] FIG19 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1900 shown in FIG19 is a seventh network element, and the communication device 1900 includes: a sending unit 1910 .

[0526] Sending unit 1910 is used to send configuration information to the first satellite, where the configuration information is used to configure one or more of the following: a first communication link for communication between a target terminal device and the first satellite; a second communication link for communication between the first satellite and a second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0527] In some implementations, the configuration information includes one or more of the following: QoS parameters corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; N4 rules corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; time for indicating when one or more satellites provide services to the second terminal device; identification information of network elements on the one or more satellites; information for indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is performed via a satellite; wherein the one or more satellites include the second satellite for providing services to the second terminal device.

[0528] In some implementations, the sending unit is configured to send the configuration information to the first terminal device via the first satellite.

[0529] In some implementations, the seventh network element includes one or more of the following: the first terminal device; the second terminal device; a session management network element; and a user plane network element.

[0530] FIG20 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2000 shown in FIG20 is a first satellite, and the communication device 2000 includes a receiving unit 2010 .

[0531] The receiving unit 2010 is used to receive configuration information sent by the seventh network element, where the configuration information is used to configure one or more of the following: a first communication link for communication between a target terminal device and the first satellite; a second communication link for communication between the first satellite and the second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0532] In some implementations, the configuration information includes one or more of the following: QoS parameters corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; N4 rules corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; time for indicating that one or more satellites provide services to the second terminal device; identification information of the network elements on the one or more satellites; information for indicating that the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is conducted through a satellite; wherein the one or more satellites include the second satellite for providing services to the second terminal device.

[0533] In some implementations, the communication device further includes: a sending unit, configured to send the configuration information to the first terminal device.

[0534] In some implementations, the seventh network element includes one or more of the following: the first terminal device; the second terminal device; a session management network element; and a user plane network element.

[0535] FIG21 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2100 shown in FIG21 is an eighth network element, and the communication device 2100 includes: a sending unit 2110 .

[0536] The sending unit 2110 is configured to send second information to a ninth network element, where the second information is used to determine service range information of the satellite associated with the eighth network element.

[0537] In some implementations, the second information includes one or more of the following: information indicating the service area served by the satellite; time information indicating the target area served by the satellite; information indicating the terminal device stored by the satellite; identification information of the satellite; and identification information of the network element on the satellite.

[0538] In some implementations, the second information includes information indicating the terminal device stored by the satellite, and the information indicating the terminal device stored by the satellite includes one or more of the following: identification information of the terminal device; location information of the terminal device.

[0539] In some implementations, the location information of the terminal device includes registration area information of the terminal device and / or area information last visited by the terminal device in a connected state.

[0540] In some implementations, the communication device further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive a third request sent by the ninth network element, where the third request is used to request the second information.

[0541] In some implementations, the third request carries one or more of the following: identification information of one or more terminal devices; information for determining a reporting time for the second information; and information for indicating a triggering condition for the second information.

[0542] In some implementations, if the third request carries the information for determining the reporting time of the second information, the information for determining the reporting time of the second information includes: the reporting period of the second information, and / or the reporting frequency of the second information.

[0543] In some implementations, if the third request carries the information for determining the trigger condition, the trigger condition is associated with one or more of the following: the area of ​​interest to the ninth network element; or the time of interest to the ninth network element.

[0544] In some implementations, the trigger condition includes one or more of the following: the second information corresponding to the area of ​​interest to the ninth network element changes; the second information corresponding to the time of interest to the ninth network element changes.

[0545] FIG22 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2200 shown in FIG22 is a ninth network element, and the communication device 2200 includes a receiving unit 2210 .

[0546] The receiving unit 2210 is configured to receive second information sent by an eighth network element, where the second information is used to determine service range information of a satellite associated with the eighth network element.

[0547] In some implementations, the second information includes one or more of the following: information indicating the service area served by the satellite; time information indicating the target area served by the satellite; information indicating the terminal device stored by the satellite; identification information of the satellite; and identification information of the network element on the satellite.

[0548] In some implementations, the second information includes information indicating the terminal device stored by the satellite, and the information indicating the terminal device stored by the satellite includes one or more of the following: identification information of the terminal device; location information of the terminal device.

[0549] In some implementations, the location information of the terminal device includes registration area information of the terminal device and / or area information last visited by the terminal device in a connected state.

[0550] In some implementations, the communication device further includes: a sending unit, configured to send a third request to the eighth network element, where the third request is used to request the second information.

[0551] In some implementations, the third request carries one or more of the following: identification information of one or more terminal devices; information for determining a reporting time for the second information; and information for indicating a triggering condition for the second information.

[0552] In some implementations, if the third request carries the information for determining the reporting time of the second information, the information for determining the reporting time of the second information includes: the reporting period of the second information, and / or the reporting frequency of the second information.

[0553] In some implementations, if the third request carries the information for determining the trigger condition, the trigger condition is associated with one or more of the following: the area of ​​interest to the ninth network element; or the time of interest to the ninth network element.

[0554] In some implementations, the trigger condition includes one or more of the following: the second information corresponding to the area of ​​interest to the ninth network element changes; the second information corresponding to the time of interest to the ninth network element changes.

[0555] Figure 23 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The dashed lines in Figure 23 indicate that the unit or module is optional. Device 2300 may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. Device 2300 may be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0556] The device 2300 may include one or more processors 2310. The processor 2310 may support the device 2300 to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. The processor 2310 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0557] The apparatus 2300 may further include one or more memories 2320. The memories 2320 store programs that can be executed by the processor 2310, causing the processor 2310 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The memories 2320 may be independent of the processor 2310 or integrated into the processor 2310.

[0558] The apparatus 2300 may further include a transceiver 2330. The processor 2310 may communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 2330. For example, the processor 2310 may transmit and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 2330.

[0559] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a terminal or network device provided in the present application, and the program enables a computer to execute the method performed by the terminal or network device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0560] The present application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to a terminal or network device provided in the present application, and the program causes a computer to execute the method performed by the terminal or network device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0561] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program. The computer program can be applied to the terminal or network device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program enables a computer to execute the method performed by the terminal or network device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0562] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. In addition, the terms used in this application are only used to explain the specific embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. The terms "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" in the specification and claims of this application and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0563] In the embodiments of this application, the term "indication" may refer to a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" may refer to a direct indication of B, e.g., B can obtain information through A; it may refer to an indirect indication of B, e.g., A indicates C, e.g., B can obtain information through C; or it may refer to an association between A and B.

[0564] In the embodiment of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A and B can be determined based on A. However, it should be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B based solely on A, but B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0565] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and indication, configuration and configuration, etc.

[0566] In the embodiments of the present application, "pre-definition" or "pre-configuration" may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a device (e.g., a terminal device and a network device). The present application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, pre-definition may refer to information defined in a protocol.

[0567] In the embodiments of the present application, the “protocol” may refer to a standard protocol in the communications field, for example, it may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and the present application does not limit this.

[0568] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0569] In various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0570] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0571] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0572] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0573] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be read by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital versatile disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0574] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that, comprising: A first network element sends first information to a second network element, and the first information is associated with a first satellite that provides services to a second terminal device; wherein, the second network element includes a first terminal device or a network element that provides services to the first terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first satellite is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the first information includes one or more of the following: Identification information of one or more of the first satellites; Identification information of network elements deployed on the first satellite; Time for indicating that the first satellite provides services to the second terminal device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, the first network element sending first information to the second network element includes: The first network element sends the first information to the second network element through a third network element, wherein the third network element includes a network element with network storage function and / or a network element that provides services to the first terminal device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, the method further includes: The first network element receives a first request sent by the second network element, and the first request is used to request the first information.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, the first request includes one or more of the following: Information associated with the second terminal device; Information associated with the first terminal device; Time for indicating communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, the first request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: Identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; Address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; Identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; Target area information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, the first request includes the target area information, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the target area information are all the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the area where the second terminal device is located.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that, the first request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: Identification information of the first terminal device; Address information of the first terminal device; Identification information of one or more satellites that provide services to the first terminal device; Ephemeris information of one or more satellites that provide services to the first terminal device; Identification information of network elements in one or more satellites that provide services to the first terminal device; Service area information of one or more network elements that provide services to the first terminal device; The time information for which the one or more satellites provide services to the first terminal device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 5-9, characterized in that the first network element receiving the first request sent by the second network element includes: the first network element receiving the first request sent by the second network element through a fourth network element, where the fourth network element includes a network element with network storage function; and / or a network element providing services to the first terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that if the fourth network element includes a network element with network storage function and a network element providing services to the first terminal device, the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services to the first terminal device satisfy one of the following: the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services to the first terminal device are located on the same satellite; the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services to the first terminal device are located on different satellites; the network element with network storage function is located on the ground, and the network element providing services to the first terminal device is located on a satellite.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the first satellite is determined based on the location information of the second terminal device and the service range of the first satellite.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the first network element is an access and mobility management network element, and the service range of the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the tracking area broadcast by the access network device on the first satellite; and / or the location information of the second terminal device is determined based on the context information of the second terminal device stored in the first network element.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the first network element is determined by a network element with network storage function for the network element providing services to the first terminal device, and the network element with network storage function stores one or more of the following information: the satellite ephemeris information of the first satellite; the context information of the second terminal device; the service area information of the first satellite; the tracking area information sent by the access network device on the first satellite.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the first satellite is the satellite where the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is located, and the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is determined based on the address information of the second terminal device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the first network element is an access network device. If the second terminal device is within the service range of the access network device, the first satellite is the satellite corresponding to the first access network device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the pre-stored information of the second terminal device and / or the information of the first satellite.

18. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that Including: The second network element receives the first information sent by the first network element, and the first information is associated with the first satellite that provides services for the second terminal device; Wherein, the second network element includes the first terminal device or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device.

19. The method according to claim 18, Characterized in that, The first satellite is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, Characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: Identification information of one or more of the first satellites; Identification information of network elements deployed on the first satellite; Time for indicating that the first satellite provides services for the second terminal device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18-20, Characterized in that, The second network element receives the first information sent by the first network element, including: The second network element receives the first information sent by the first network element through a third network element, wherein the third network element includes a network element with network storage function and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18-20, Characterized in that, The second network element includes a network element with network storage function and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device, and the method further includes: The second network element sends the first information to the first terminal device.

23. The method according to any one of claims 18-22, Characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network element sends a first request to the first network element, and the first request is used to request the first information.

24. The method according to claim 23, Characterized in that, The first request includes one or more of the following: Information associated with the second terminal device; Information associated with the first terminal device; Time for indicating communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

25. The method according to claim 24, Characterized in that, The first request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: Identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; Address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; Identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; Target area information.

26. The method according to claim 25, Characterized in that, The first request includes the target area information, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the target area information are all the second terminal devices; or The target area information is used to indicate the area where the second terminal device is located.

27. The method according to any one of claims 23-26, Characterized in that, The first request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: Identification information of the first terminal device; Address information of the first terminal device; Identification information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Ephemeris information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Service area information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device; Identification information of network elements in one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Time information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device.

28. The method according to any one of claims 23-27, characterized in that, the second network element sending a first request to the first network element includes: the second network element sending the first request to the first network element through a fourth network element, where the fourth network element includes a network element with network storage function; and / or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, if the fourth network element includes a network element with network storage function and a network element providing services for the first terminal device, the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device satisfy one of the following: the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device are located on the same satellite; the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device are located on different satellites; the network element with network storage function is located on the ground, and the network element providing services for the first terminal device is located on a satellite.

30. The method according to any one of claims 23-27, characterized in that, the second network element includes a network element with network storage function, and / or a network element providing services for the first terminal device. Before the second network element sends a first request to the first network element, the method further includes: the second network element receiving the first request sent by the first terminal device.

31. The method according to any one of claims 18-30, characterized in that, the first satellite is determined based on the location information of the second terminal device and the service range of the first satellite.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that, the first network element is an access and mobility management network element, and the service range of the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the tracking area broadcast by the access network device on the first satellite; and / or the location information of the second terminal device is determined based on the context information of the second terminal device stored in the first network element.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, the first network element is determined by a network element with network storage function through which a network element providing services for the first terminal device passes. The network element with network storage function stores one or more of the following information: Satellite ephemeris information of the first satellite; Context information of the second terminal device; Service area information of the first satellite; Tracking area information sent by the access network device on the first satellite.

34. The method according to any one of claims 18-30, characterized in that, The first satellite is the satellite where the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is located, and the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is determined based on the address information of the second terminal device.

35. The method according to any one of claims 18-30, wherein, the first network element is an access network device. If the second terminal device is within the service range of the access network device, the first satellite is the satellite corresponding to the first access network device.

36. The method according to any one of claims 18-30, wherein, the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the pre-stored information of the second terminal device and / or the information of the first satellite.

37. A method for wireless communication, wherein, comprising: A first terminal device sends a second request to a fifth network element, and the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device via a satellite.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein, the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information used to indicate that the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is via the satellite; information associated with a first service, and the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein, if the second request includes information associated with a first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information used to indicate the duration of the first service; information used to indicate the service type of the first service.

40. The method according to claim 38 or 39, wherein, the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; target area information.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein, the second request includes the target area information, and the target area information indicates that one or more terminal devices in the scheduling target area are all the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

42. The method according to any one of claims 38-41, wherein, the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; identification information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device.

43. The method according to any one of claims 37-42, wherein, The fifth network element includes a network element that provides services to the second terminal device, and the second request is sent by the fifth network element to the second terminal device.

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein, the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the location information of the second terminal device.

45. The method according to any one of claims 37-42, wherein, the fifth network element is not a network element that provides services to the second terminal device, the second request is sent by the fifth network element to a sixth network element, and the sixth network element provides services to the second terminal device.

46. The method according to any one of claims 37-45, wherein, the method further includes: the first terminal device receives response information for the second request sent by the fifth network element, and the response information for the second request is used to indicate consent to authorize or reject authorization of the communication.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein, if the response information for the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device rejects authorization of the communication, the response message for the second request is used to indicate the reason why the second terminal device rejects authorization of the communication.

48. The method according to claim 46 or 47, wherein, the response information for the second request is transmitted by the second terminal device to the fifth network element.

49. The method according to claim 46 or 47, wherein, the response information for the second request is transmitted by a sixth network element that provides services to the second terminal device to the fifth network element.

50. The method according to any one of claims 45-49, wherein, the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following: the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; the fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; the fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on a satellite.

51. The method according to any one of claims 45-50, wherein, the sixth network element further includes an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, or the access and mobility management network element is located on a satellite.

52. The method according to any one of claims 37-42, wherein, the consent to authorize or reject authorization of the communication is determined by the fifth network element.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein, the consent to authorize or reject authorization of the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: the resource occupancy of the second terminal device; the priority of the service based on which the communication is transmitted; the priority of the first terminal device.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein, The fifth network element is an access network device, and the fifth network element provides services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

55. The method according to claim 52, wherein, the second terminal device determines whether to receive or reject the communication based on one or more of the following information: the location information of the first terminal device; the location information of the second terminal device.

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein, the fifth network element is an access and mobility management network element.

57. The method according to claim 52, wherein, the determination of consenting to authorize or rejecting the authorization of the communication is based on one or more of the following information: the authentication information of the first terminal device; the subscription information of the first terminal device.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein, the fifth network element is an authentication server function network element.

59. A method for wireless communication, wherein, comprising: a fifth network element receives a second request sent by a first terminal device, where the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device via a satellite.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein, the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information for indicating that the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is via the satellite; information associated with a first service, where the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

61. The method according to claim 60, wherein, if the second request includes information associated with a first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information for indicating the duration of the first service; information for indicating the service type of the first service.

62. The method according to claim 60 or 61, wherein, the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; target area information.

63. The method according to claim 62, wherein, the second request includes the target area information, and the target area information indicates that one or more terminal devices in the scheduling target area are all the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

64. The method according to any one of claims 60-63, wherein, the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; Identification information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Identification information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device.

65. The method according to any one of claims 59 - 64, characterized in that the fifth network element includes a network element providing services for the second terminal device, and the method further includes: the fifth network element sends the second request to the second terminal device.

66. The method according to claim 65, characterized in that the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the location information of the second terminal device.

67. The method according to any one of claims 59 - 64, characterized in that the fifth network element is not a network element providing services for the second terminal device, and the method further includes: the fifth network element sends the second request to a sixth network element, and the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device.

68. The method according to any one of claims 59 - 67, characterized in that the method further includes: the fifth network element sends response information for the second request to the first terminal device, and the response information for the second request is used to indicate consent to authorize or reject authorization of the communication.

69. The method according to claim 68, characterized in that if the response information for the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device rejects authorization of the communication, the response message for the second request is used to indicate the reason for the second terminal device to reject authorization of the communication.

70. The method according to claim 68 or 69, characterized in that before the fifth network element sends response information for the second request to the first terminal device, the method further includes: the fifth network element receives response information for the second request sent by the second terminal device.

71. The method according to claim 68 or 69, characterized in that before the fifth network element sends response information for the second request to the first terminal device, the method further includes: the fifth network element receives response information for the second request sent by a sixth network element providing services for the second terminal device.

72. The method according to any one of claims 67 - 71, characterized in that the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following: the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; the fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; the fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on a satellite.

73. The method according to any one of claims 67 - 72, characterized in that the sixth network element further includes an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, or the access and mobility management network element is located on a satellite.

74. The method according to any one of claims 59-64, wherein, the method further comprises: in response to receiving the second request, the fifth network element determines to authorize or reject the authorization of the communication.

75. The method according to claim 74, wherein, the determination of authorizing or rejecting the authorization of the communication is based on one or more of the following information: the resource occupancy of the second terminal device; the priority of the service transmitted based on the communication; the priority of the first terminal device.

76. The method according to claim 75, wherein, the fifth network element is an access network device, and the fifth network element provides services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

77. The method according to claim 74, wherein, the determination of authorizing or rejecting the authorization of the communication is based on one or more of the following information: the location information of the first terminal device; the location information of the second terminal device.

78. The method according to claim 77, wherein, the fifth network element is an access and mobility management network element.

79. The method according to claim 74, wherein, the determination of authorizing or rejecting the authorization of the communication is based on one or more of the following information: the authentication information of the first terminal device; the subscription information of the first terminal device.

80. The method according to claim 79, wherein, the fifth network element is an authentication server function network element.

81. A method for wireless communication, wherein, comprises: a second terminal device receives a second request sent by a first terminal device, the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

82. The method according to claim 81, wherein, the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information for indicating that the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is via the satellite; information associated with a first service, the first service being the service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

83. The method according to claim 82, wherein, if the second request includes information associated with a first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information for indicating the duration of the first service; information for indicating the service type of the first service.

84. The method according to claim 82 or 83, wherein, the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; service area.

85. The method according to claim 84, wherein, The second request includes the service area, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the service area are all the second terminal devices; or The service area is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

86. The method according to any one of claims 82-85, characterized in that the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; identification information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device.

87. The method according to any one of claims 81-86, characterized in that the second terminal device receives a second request sent by the first terminal device, and the method further includes: the second terminal device receives the second request sent by the first terminal device through a fifth network element.

88. The method according to claim 87, characterized in that the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the location information of the second terminal device.

89. The method according to any one of claims 81-86, characterized in that the fifth network element is not a network element providing services for the second terminal device, and the second terminal device receives the second request sent by the first terminal device, including: the second terminal device receives the second request sent by the first terminal device through a sixth network element, the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device, and the second request is sent by the fifth network element to the second terminal device through the sixth network element.

90. The method according to any one of claims 81-89, characterized in that the method further includes: the second terminal device sends response information for the second request to the first terminal device, and the response information for the second request is used to indicate consent or refusal to authorize the communication.

91. The method according to claim 90, characterized in that if the response information for the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device refuses to authorize the communication, the response message for the second request is used to indicate the reason for the first terminal device to refuse to authorize the communication.

92. The method according to claim 90 or 91, characterized in that the second terminal device sends response information for the second request to the first terminal device, including: the second terminal device sends response information for the second request to the first terminal device through a fifth network element.

93. The method according to claim 90 or 91, characterized in that the response information for the second request is sent by the sixth network element to the first terminal device through the fifth network element, and the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device.

94. The method according to any one of claims 89-93, characterized in that The fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following: The fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; The fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; The fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; The fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on a satellite.

95. The method according to any one of claims 89-94, wherein, The sixth network element further includes an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, or the access and mobility management network element is located on a satellite.

96. A method for wireless communication, wherein, comprising: A seventh network element sends configuration information to a first satellite, and the configuration information is used to configure one or more of the following: A first communication link for a target terminal device to communicate with the first satellite; A second communication link for the first satellite to communicate with a second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for the first terminal device to communicate with the second terminal device.

97. The method according to claim 96, wherein, The configuration information includes one or more of the following: QoS parameters corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; N4 rules corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; Time for indicating that one or more satellites provide services for the second terminal device; Identification information of network elements on the one or more satellites; Information for indicating communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite; wherein the one or more satellites include the second satellite for providing services for the second terminal device.

98. The method according to claim 96 or 97, wherein, The seventh network element sending configuration information to the first satellite includes: The seventh network element sends the configuration information to the first terminal device through the first satellite.

99. The method according to any one of claims 96-98, wherein, The seventh network element includes one or more of the following: The first terminal device; The second terminal device; A session management network element; A user plane network element.

100. A method for wireless communication, wherein, comprising: A first satellite receives configuration information sent by a seventh network element, and the configuration information is used to configure one or more of the following: A first communication link for a target terminal device to communicate with the first satellite; A second communication link for the first satellite to communicate with a second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for the first terminal device to communicate with the second terminal device.

101. The method according to claim 100, wherein, The configuration information includes one or more of the following: QoS parameters corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; N4 rules corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; Time for indicating that one or more satellites provide services for the second terminal device; Identification information of network elements on the one or more satellites; Information for indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is carried out via satellite; Wherein, the one or more satellites include the second satellite for providing services for the second terminal device.

102. The method according to claim 100 or 101, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first satellite sends the configuration information to the first terminal device.

103. The method according to any one of claims 100-102, characterized in that, the seventh network element includes one or more of the following: the first terminal device; the second terminal device; session management network element; user plane network element.

104. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that, includes: an eighth network element sends second information to a ninth network element, and the second information is used to determine service range information of a satellite associated with the eighth network element.

105. The method according to claim 104, characterized in that, the second information includes one or more of the following: information for indicating a service area served by the satellite; time information for indicating a target area served by the satellite; information for indicating terminal devices stored on the satellite; identification information of the satellite; identification information of network elements on the satellite.

106. The method according to claim 105, characterized in that, the second information includes information for indicating terminal devices stored on the satellite, and the information for indicating terminal devices stored on the satellite includes one or more of the following: identification information of the terminal device; location information of the terminal device.

107. The method according to claim 106, characterized in that, the location information of the terminal device includes registration area information of the terminal device and / or area information of the last access of the terminal device in the connected state.

108. The method according to any one of claims 104-107, characterized in that, before the eighth network element sends the second information to the ninth network element, the method further includes: the eighth network element receives a third request sent by the ninth network element, and the third request is used to request the second information.

109. The method according to claim 108, characterized in that, the third request carries one or more of the following: identification information of one or more terminal devices; information for determining the reporting time of the second information; information for indicating a trigger condition of the second information.

110. The method according to claim 109, characterized in that, if the third request carries the information for determining the reporting time of the second information, the information for determining the reporting time of the second information includes: the reporting period of the second information and / or the reporting frequency of the second information.

111. The method according to claim 109, Characterized in that, If the third request carries the information for determining the trigger condition, the trigger condition is associated with one or more of the following: The area of interest of the ninth network element; The time of interest of the ninth network element.

112. The method according to claim 111, Characterized in that, The trigger condition includes one or more of the following: The second information corresponding to the area of interest of the ninth network element changes; The second information corresponding to the time of interest of the ninth network element changes.

113. A method for wireless communication, Characterized in that, Including: The ninth network element receives the second information sent by the eighth network element, and the second information is used to determine the service area information of the satellite associated with the eighth network element.

114. The method according to claim 113, Characterized in that, The second information includes one or more of the following: Information for indicating the service area of the satellite service; Time information for indicating the target area of the satellite service; Information for indicating the terminal devices stored by the satellite; The identification information of the satellite; The identification information of the network element on the satellite.

115. The method according to claim 114, Characterized in that, The second information includes information for indicating the terminal devices stored by the satellite, and the information for indicating the terminal devices stored by the satellite includes one or more of the following: The identification information of the terminal device; The location information of the terminal device.

116. The method according to claim 115, Characterized in that, The location information of the terminal device includes the registration area information of the terminal device and / or the area information of the last access of the terminal device in the connected state.

117. The method according to any one of claims 113-116, Characterized in that, Before the ninth network element receives the second information sent by the eighth network element, the method further includes: The ninth network element sends a third request to the eighth network element, and the third request is used to request the second information.

118. The method according to claim 117, Characterized in that, The third request carries one or more of the following: The identification information of one or more terminal devices; Information for determining the reporting time of the second information; Information for indicating the trigger condition of the second information.

119. The method according to claim 118, Characterized in that, If the third request carries the information for determining the reporting time of the second information, the information for determining the reporting time of the second information includes: the reporting period of the second information and / or the reporting frequency of the second information.

120. The method according to claim 118, Characterized in that, If the third request carries the information for determining the trigger condition, the trigger condition is associated with one or more of the following: The area of interest of the ninth network element; The time of interest of the ninth network element.

121. The method according to claim 120, Characterized in that, The trigger condition includes one or more of the following: The second information corresponding to the area of interest of the ninth network element changes; The second information corresponding to the time of interest to the ninth network element changes.

122. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device is a first network element, including: a sending unit, configured to send first information to a second network element, where the first information is associated with a first satellite that provides services for a second terminal device; wherein, the second network element includes a first terminal device or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device.

123. The communication device according to claim 122, characterized in that the first satellite is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

124. The communication device according to claim 122 or 123, characterized in that the first information includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the first satellites; identification information of network elements deployed on the first satellite; time for indicating that the first satellite provides services for the second terminal device.

125. The communication device according to any one of claims 122-124, characterized in that the sending unit is configured to: send the first information to the second network element through a third network element, where the third network element includes a network element with network storage function and / or a network element that provides services for the first terminal device.

126. The communication device according to any one of claims 122-125, characterized in that the communication device further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive a first request sent by the second network element, where the first request is used to request the first information.

127. The communication device according to claim 126, characterized in that the first request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the second terminal device; information associated with the first terminal device; time for indicating communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

128. The communication device according to claim 127, characterized in that the first request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; target area information.

129. The communication device according to claim 128, characterized in that the first request includes the target area information, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the target area information are all the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the area where the second terminal device is located.

130. The communication device according to any one of claims 126-129, characterized in that the first request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites that provide services for the first terminal device; Ephemeris information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Identification information of network elements in one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Service area information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device; Time information when the one or more satellites provide services for the first terminal device.

131. The communication device according to any one of claims 126 - 130, characterized in that the receiving unit is further configured to: receive the first request sent by the second network element through a fourth network element, where the fourth network element includes a network element with network storage function; and / or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

132. The communication device according to claim 131, characterized in that if the fourth network element includes a network element with network storage function and a network element providing services for the first terminal device, the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device satisfy one of the following: the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device are located on the same satellite; the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device are located on different satellites; the network element with network storage function is located on the ground, and the network element providing services for the first terminal device is located on a satellite.

133. The communication device according to any one of claims 122 - 132, characterized in that the first satellite is determined based on the location information of the second terminal device and the service range of the first satellite.

134. The communication device according to claim 133, characterized in that the first network element is an access and mobility management network element, and the service range of the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the tracking area broadcast by the access network device on the first satellite; and / or the location information of the second terminal device is determined based on the context information of the second terminal device stored in the first network element.

135. The communication device according to claim 133, characterized in that the first network element is determined by a network element providing services for the first terminal device through a network element with network storage function, and the network element with network storage function stores one or more of the following information: satellite ephemeris information of the first satellite; context information of the second terminal device; service area information of the first satellite; tracking area information sent by the access network device on the first satellite.

136. The communication device according to any one of claims 122 - 132, characterized in that the first satellite is the satellite where the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is located, and the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is determined based on the address information of the second terminal device.

137. The communication device according to any one of claims 122 - 132, characterized in that The first network element is an access network device. If the second terminal device is within the service range of the access network device, the first satellite is a satellite corresponding to the first access network device.

138. The communication device according to any one of claims 122-132, wherein, the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on pre-stored information of the second terminal device and / or information of the first satellite.

139. A communication device, wherein, the communication device is a second network element, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive first information sent by a first network element, where the first information is associated with a first satellite that provides services to a second terminal device; wherein, the second network element includes a first terminal device or a network element that provides services to the first terminal device.

140. The communication device according to claim 139, wherein, the first satellite is used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

141. The communication device according to claim 139 or 140, wherein, the first information includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the first satellites; identification information of a network element deployed on the first satellite; time for indicating that the first satellite provides services to the second terminal device.

142. The communication device according to any one of claims 139-141, wherein, the receiving unit is configured to: receive the first information sent by the first network element through a third network element, where the third network element includes a network element with network storage function and / or a network element that provides services to the first terminal device.

143. The communication device according to any one of claims 139-141, wherein, the second network element includes a network element with network storage function and / or a network element that provides services to the first terminal device, and the communication device further includes: a first sending unit, configured to send the first information to the first terminal device.

144. The communication device according to any one of claims 139-143, wherein, the communication device further includes: a second sending unit, configured to send a first request to the first network element, where the first request is used to request the first information.

145. The communication device according to claim 144, wherein, the first request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the second terminal device; information associated with the first terminal device; time for indicating communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

146. The communication device according to claim 145, wherein, the first request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; target area information.

147. The communication device according to claim 146, wherein, The first request includes the target area information, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the target area information are all the second terminal devices; or The target area information is used to indicate the area where the second terminal device is located.

148. The communication device according to any one of claims 144-147, characterized in that The first request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: Identification information of the first terminal device; Address information of the first terminal device; Identification information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Ephemeris information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Service area information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device; Identification information of network elements in one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; Time information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device.

149. The communication device according to any one of claims 144-148, characterized in that The second sending unit is further configured to: Send the first request to the first network element through a fourth network element, where the fourth network element includes a network element with network storage function; and / or a network element providing services for the first terminal device.

150. The communication device according to claim 149, characterized in that If the fourth network element includes a network element with network storage function and a network element providing services for the first terminal device, the network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device satisfy one of the following: The network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device are located on the same satellite; The network element with network storage function and the network element providing services for the first terminal device are located on different satellites; The network element with network storage function is located on the ground, and the network element providing services for the first terminal device is located on a satellite.

151. The communication device according to any one of claims 144-148, characterized in that The second network element includes a network element with network storage function, and / or a network element providing services for the first terminal device. Before the second network element sends the first request to the first network element, the receiving unit is further configured to: Receive the first request sent by the first terminal device.

152. The communication device according to any one of claims 139-151, characterized in that The first satellite is determined based on the location information of the second terminal device and the service range of the first satellite.

153. The communication device according to claim 152, characterized in that The first network element is an access and mobility management network element, and the service range of the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the tracking area broadcast by the access network device on the first satellite; and / or The location information of the second terminal device is determined based on the context information of the second terminal device stored in the first network element.

154. The communication device according to claim 153, wherein, the first network element is determined by a network element with network storage function for the network element providing services to the first terminal device, and the network element with network storage function stores one or more of the following information: the satellite ephemeris information of the first satellite; the context information of the second terminal device; the service area information of the first satellite; the tracking area information sent by the access network device on the first satellite.

155. The communication device according to any one of claims 139-151, wherein, the first satellite is the satellite where the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is located, and the user plane network element associated with the second terminal device is determined based on the address information of the second terminal device.

156. The communication device according to any one of claims 139-151, wherein, the first network element is an access network device. If the second terminal device is within the service range of the access network device, the first satellite is the satellite corresponding to the first access network device.

157. The communication device according to any one of claims 139-151, wherein, the first satellite is determined by the first network element based on the pre-stored information of the second terminal device and / or the information of the first satellite.

158. A terminal device, wherein, the terminal device is a first terminal device, including: a sending unit, configured to send a second request to a fifth network element, where the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

159. The terminal device according to claim 158, wherein, the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information for indicating that the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is via the satellite; information associated with a first service, where the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

160. The terminal device according to claim 159, wherein, if the second request includes information associated with a first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information for indicating the duration of the first service; information for indicating the service type of the first service.

161. The terminal device according to claim 159 or 160, wherein, the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; target area information.

162. The terminal device according to claim 161, Characterized in that, the second request includes the target area information, and the target area information indicates that one or more terminal devices in the scheduling target area are all the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

163. The terminal device according to any one of claims 159-162, characterized in that, the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; identification information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device.

164. The terminal device according to any one of claims 158-163, characterized in that, the fifth network element includes a network element providing services for the second terminal device, and the second request is sent by the fifth network element to the second terminal device.

165. The terminal device according to claim 164, characterized in that, the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the location information of the second terminal device.

166. The terminal device according to any one of claims 158-163, characterized in that, the fifth network element is not a network element providing services for the second terminal device, the second request is sent by the fifth network element to a sixth network element, and the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device.

167. The terminal device according to any one of claims 158-166, characterized in that, the terminal device further includes: a first receiving unit, configured to receive response information for the second request sent by the fifth network element, and the response information for the second request is used to indicate consent to authorize or reject authorization of the communication.

168. The terminal device according to claim 167, characterized in that, if the response information for the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device rejects authorization of the communication, the response message for the second request is used to indicate the reason why the second terminal device rejects authorization of the communication.

169. The terminal device according to claim 167 or 168, characterized in that, the response information for the second request is transmitted by the second terminal device to the fifth network element.

170. The terminal device according to claim 167 or 168, characterized in that, the response information for the second request is transmitted by a sixth network element providing services for the second terminal device to the fifth network element.

171. The terminal device according to any one of claims 166-170, characterized in that, the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following: the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; The fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; The fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on the satellite.

172. The terminal device according to any one of claims 166 - 171, characterized in that the sixth network element further includes an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, or the access and mobility management network element is located on the satellite.

173. The terminal device according to any one of claims 158 - 163, characterized in that the determination of consenting to authorize or rejecting to authorize the communication is made by the fifth network element.

174. The terminal device according to claim 173, characterized in that the determination of consenting to authorize or rejecting to authorize the communication is made based on one or more of the following information: the resource occupancy of the second terminal device; the priority of the service transmitted based on the communication; the priority of the first terminal device.

175. The terminal device according to claim 174, characterized in that the fifth network element is an access network device, and the fifth network element provides services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

176. The terminal device according to claim 173, characterized in that the reception or rejection of the communication by the second terminal device is determined based on one or more of the following information: the location information of the first terminal device; the location information of the second terminal device.

177. The terminal device according to claim 176, characterized in that the fifth network element is an access and mobility management network element.

178. The terminal device according to claim 173, characterized in that the determination of consenting to authorize or rejecting to authorize the communication is made based on one or more of the following information: the authentication information of the first terminal device; the subscription information of the first terminal device.

179. The terminal device according to claim 178, characterized in that the fifth network element is an authentication server function network element.

180. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device is a fifth network element, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive a second request sent by a first terminal device, where the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and a second terminal device via a satellite.

181. The communication device according to claim 180, characterized in that the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information used to indicate that the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is via the satellite; information associated with a first service, where the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

182. The communication device according to claim 181, characterized in that if the second request includes information associated with a first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information used to indicate the duration of the first service; information used to indicate the service type of the first service.

183. The communication device according to claim 181 or 182, characterized in that, the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; target area information.

184. The communication device according to claim 183, characterized in that, the second request includes the target area information, and the target area information indicates that one or more terminal devices in the scheduling target area are all the second terminal devices; or the target area information is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

185. The communication device according to any one of claims 181-184, characterized in that, the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; identification information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device.

186. The communication device according to any one of claims 180-185, characterized in that, the fifth network element includes a network element providing services for the second terminal device, and the communication device further includes: a first sending unit, configured to send the second request to the second terminal device.

187. The communication device according to claim 186, characterized in that, the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the location information of the second terminal device.

188. The communication device according to any one of claims 180-185, characterized in that, the fifth network element is not a network element providing services for the second terminal device, and the communication device further includes: a second sending unit, configured to send the second request to a sixth network element, and the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device.

189. The communication device according to any one of claims 180-188, characterized in that, the communication device further includes: a third sending unit, configured to send response information for the second request to the first terminal device, and the response information for the second request is used to indicate consent to authorize or reject authorization of the communication.

190. The communication device according to claim 189, characterized in that, if the response information for the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device rejects authorization of the communication, the response message for the second request is used to indicate the reason for the second terminal device to reject authorization of the communication.

191. The communication device according to claim 189 or 190, characterized in that, before the fifth network element sends the response information for the second request to the first terminal device, the receiving unit is further configured to: Receive the response information for the second request sent by the second terminal device.

192. The communication device according to claim 189 or 190, wherein, the receiving unit is further configured to: Receive the response information for the second request sent by the sixth network element that provides services for the second terminal device.

193. The communication device according to any one of claims 188-192, wherein, the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following: The fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; The fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; The fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; The fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on a satellite.

194. The communication device according to any one of claims 188-193, wherein, the sixth network element further includes an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground, or the access and mobility management network element is located on a satellite.

195. The communication device according to any one of claims 180-185, wherein, the communication device further includes: A processing unit, configured to determine to grant or reject authorization for the communication in response to receiving the second request.

196. The communication device according to claim 195, wherein, the granting or rejecting authorization for the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: The resource occupancy of the second terminal device; The priority of the service based on the communication transmission; The priority of the first terminal device.

197. The communication device according to claim 196, wherein, the fifth network element is an access network device, and the fifth network element provides services for the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

198. The communication device according to claim 195, wherein, the granting or rejecting authorization for the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: The location information of the first terminal device; The location information of the second terminal device.

199. The communication device according to claim 198, wherein, the fifth network element is an access and mobility management network element.

200. The communication device according to claim 195, wherein, the granting or rejecting authorization for the communication is determined based on one or more of the following information: The authentication information of the first terminal device; The subscription information of the first terminal device.

201. The communication device according to claim 200, wherein, the fifth network element is an authentication server function network element.

202. A terminal device, wherein, the terminal device is a second terminal device, including: A receiving unit, configured to receive a second request sent by a first terminal device, where the second request is used to request authorization for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via a satellite.

203. The terminal device according to claim 202, It is characterized in that the second request includes one or more of the following: information associated with the first terminal device; information associated with the second terminal device; information for indicating that the communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is carried out via the satellite; information associated with a first service, where the first service is a service transmitted between the first terminal device and the second terminal device via the satellite.

204. The terminal device according to claim 203, It is characterized in that if the second request includes information associated with a first service, the information associated with the first service includes one or more of the following: information for indicating the duration of the first service; information for indicating the service type of the first service.

205. The terminal device according to claim 203 or 204, It is characterized in that the second request includes information associated with the second terminal device, and the information associated with the second terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of one or more of the second terminal devices; address information of one or more of the second terminal devices; identification information of the terminal group where the second terminal device is located; service area.

206. The terminal device according to claim 205, It is characterized in that the second request includes the service area, and one or more terminal devices in the target area corresponding to the service area are all the second terminal devices; or the service area is used to indicate the target area where the second terminal device is located.

207. The terminal device according to any one of claims 203-206, It is characterized in that the second request includes information associated with the first terminal device, and the information associated with the first terminal device includes one or more of the following: identification information of the first terminal device; address information of the first terminal device; identification information of one or more satellites providing services for the first terminal device; identification information of one or more network elements providing services for the first terminal device.

208. The terminal device according to any one of claims 202-207, It is characterized in that the second terminal device receives the second request sent by the first terminal device, and the receiving unit is further configured to: receive the second request sent by the first terminal device through a fifth network element.

209. The terminal device according to claim 208, It is characterized in that the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the identification information of the second terminal device; or the second terminal device is determined by the fifth network element based on the location information of the second terminal device.

210. The terminal device according to any one of claims 202-207, It is characterized in that the fifth network element is not a network element providing services for the second terminal device, and the receiving unit is further configured to: receive the second request sent by the first terminal device through a sixth network element, where the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device, and the second request is sent by the fifth network element to the second terminal device through the sixth network element.

211. The terminal device according to any one of claims 202-210, characterized in that, the terminal device further comprises: a sending unit, configured to send response information for the second request to the first terminal device, where the response information for the second request is used to indicate consent to authorize or refusal to authorize the communication.

212. The terminal device according to claim 211, characterized in that, if the response information for the second request is used to indicate that the second terminal device refuses to authorize the communication, the response message for the second request is used to indicate the reason why the first terminal device refuses to authorize the communication.

213. The terminal device according to claim 211 or 212, characterized in that, the sending unit is configured to: send response information for the second request to the first terminal device through a fifth network element.

214. The terminal device according to claim 211 or 212, characterized in that, the response information for the second request is sent by a sixth network element to the first terminal device through the fifth network element, and the sixth network element provides services for the second terminal device.

215. The terminal device according to any one of claims 210-214, characterized in that, the fifth network element and the sixth network element are access network devices, and the fifth network element and the sixth network element satisfy one of the following: the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on different satellites; the fifth network element and the sixth network element are deployed on the same satellite; the fifth network element is deployed on a satellite, and the sixth network element is deployed on the ground; the fifth network element is deployed on the ground, and the sixth network element is deployed on a satellite.

216. The terminal device according to any one of claims 210-215, characterized in that, the sixth network element further comprises an access and mobility management network element, and the access and mobility management network element is located on the ground or on a satellite.

217. A communication device, characterized in that, the communication device is a seventh network element, comprising: a sending unit, configured to send configuration information to a first satellite, where the configuration information is used to configure one or more of the following: a first communication link for a target terminal device to communicate with the first satellite; a second communication link for the first satellite to communicate with a second satellite, where the target terminal device includes a first terminal device and / or a second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for the first terminal device to communicate with the second terminal device.

218. The communication device according to claim 217, characterized in that, the configuration information includes one or more of the following: QoS parameters corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; N4 rules corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; time for indicating that one or more satellites provide services for the second terminal device; identification information of network elements on the one or more satellites; information for indicating communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device through a satellite; Wherein, the one or more satellites include the second satellite for providing services to the second terminal device.

219. The communication device according to claim 217 or 218, characterized in that the sending unit is configured to: send the configuration information to the first terminal device via the first satellite.

220. The communication device according to any one of claims 217-219, characterized in that the seventh network element includes one or more of the following: the first terminal device; the second terminal device; a session management network element; a user plane network element.

221. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device is the first satellite and includes: a receiving unit configured to receive configuration information sent by a seventh network element, the configuration information being used to configure one or more of the following: a first communication link for a target terminal device to communicate with the first satellite; a second communication link for the first satellite to communicate with a second satellite, wherein the target terminal device includes the first terminal device and / or the second terminal device, and the first communication link and / or the second communication link are used for communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

222. The communication device according to claim 221, characterized in that the configuration information includes one or more of the following: QoS parameters corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; N4 rules corresponding to the first communication link and / or the second communication link; time for indicating that one or more satellites provide services to the second terminal device; identification information of network elements on the one or more satellites; information for indicating that communication between the first terminal device and the second terminal device is carried out via a satellite; wherein the one or more satellites include the second satellite for providing services to the second terminal device.

223. The communication device according to claim 221 or 222, characterized in that the communication device further includes: a sending unit configured to send the configuration information to the first terminal device.

224. The communication device according to any one of claims 221-223, characterized in that the seventh network element includes one or more of the following: the first terminal device; the second terminal device; a session management network element; a user plane network element.

225. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device is an eighth network element and includes: a sending unit configured to send second information to a ninth network element, the second information being used to determine service range information of a satellite associated with the eighth network element.

226. The communication device according to claim 225, characterized in that the second information includes one or more of the following: information for indicating a service area served by the satellite; time information for indicating a target area served by the satellite; information for indicating terminal devices stored on the satellite; identification information of the satellite; identification information of network elements on the satellite.

227. The communication device according to claim 226, characterized in that The second information includes information for indicating terminal devices stored in the satellite, and the information for indicating terminal devices stored in the satellite includes one or more of the following: Identification information of the terminal device; Location information of the terminal device.

228. The communication device according to claim 227, characterized in that the location information of the terminal device includes the registration area information of the terminal device, and / or the area information last accessed by the terminal device in the connected state.

229. The communication device according to any one of claims 225-228, characterized in that the communication device further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive a third request sent by the ninth network element, where the third request is used to request the second information.

230. The communication device according to claim 229, characterized in that the third request carries one or more of the following: Identification information of one or more terminal devices; Information for determining the reporting time of the second information; Information for indicating the trigger condition of the second information.

231. The communication device according to claim 230, characterized in that if the third request carries the information for determining the reporting time of the second information, the information for determining the reporting time of the second information includes: the reporting period of the second information, and / or the reporting frequency of the second information.

232. The communication device according to claim 230, characterized in that if the third request carries the information for determining the trigger condition, the trigger condition is associated with one or more of the following: The area of interest of the ninth network element; The time of interest of the ninth network element.

233. The communication device according to claim 232, characterized in that the trigger condition includes one or more of the following: The second information corresponding to the area of interest of the ninth network element changes; The second information corresponding to the time of interest of the ninth network element changes.

234. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device is a ninth network element, and includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive second information sent by an eighth network element, where the second information is used to determine service range information of a satellite associated with the eighth network element.

235. The communication device according to claim 234, characterized in that the second information includes one or more of the following: Information for indicating the service area of the satellite service; Time information for indicating the target area of the satellite service; Information for indicating terminal devices stored in the satellite; Identification information of the satellite; Identification information of the satellite network element.

236. The communication device according to claim 235, characterized in that the second information includes information for indicating terminal devices stored in the satellite, and the information for indicating terminal devices stored in the satellite includes one or more of the following: Identification information of the terminal device; Location information of the terminal device.

237. The communication device according to claim 236, characterized in that The location information of the terminal device includes the registration area information of the terminal device and / or the area information of the last access of the terminal device in the connected state.

238. The communication device according to any one of claims 234-237, wherein, the communication device further includes: a sending unit, configured to send a third request to the eighth network element, where the third request is used to request the second information.

239. The communication device according to claim 238, wherein, the third request carries one or more of the following: identification information of one or more terminal devices; information for determining the reporting time of the second information; information for indicating the triggering condition of the second information.

240. The communication device according to claim 239, wherein, if the third request carries the information for determining the reporting time of the second information, the information for determining the reporting time of the second information includes: the reporting period of the second information and / or the reporting frequency of the second information.

241. The communication device according to claim 239 or 240, wherein, if the third request carries the information for determining the triggering condition, the triggering condition is associated with one or more of the following: the area of interest of the ninth network element; the time of interest of the ninth network element.

242. The communication device according to claim 241, wherein, the triggering condition includes one or more of the following: the second information corresponding to the area of interest of the ninth network element changes; the second information corresponding to the time of interest of the ninth network element changes.

243. A terminal device, wherein, it includes a transceiver, a memory and a processor, the memory is used for storing programs, and the processor is used for calling the programs in the memory and controlling the transceiver to receive or send signals, so that the terminal device executes the method according to any one of claims 37-58, 81-95.

244. A communication device, wherein, it includes a transceiver, a memory and a processor, the memory is used for storing programs, and the processor is used for calling the programs in the memory and controlling the transceiver to receive or send signals, so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1-36, 59-80, 96-121.

245. A device, wherein, it includes a processor, configured to call a program from a memory, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1-121.

246. A chip, wherein, it includes a processor, configured to call a program from a memory, so that the device installed with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1-121.

247. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, a program is stored thereon, and the program enables a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-121.

248. A computer program product, wherein, it includes a program, and the program enables a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-121.

249. A computer program, characterized in that, the computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 - 121.

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