Non-terrestrial communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application discloses a non-terrestrial communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: receiving first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating quality of service (QoS) information of an access network device related to a store and forward mechanism, and the first information is sent by a core network device or another access network device; and on the basis of the first information, performing a related operation of the store and forward mechanism on received first data, wherein the first data comprises uplink information sent by a terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device. Therefore, limited storage resources of the access network device in a non-terrestrial network can be effectively utilized, and congestion control can be performed on communication information, so that the resource utilization rate is effectively improved and the system communication efficiency is improved.

Description

Non-terrestrial communication method and device Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a non-terrestrial communication method and device. Background Art

[0002] Non-terrestrial Network (NTN) is an important technology introduced by the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G), which provides wireless resources through satellites (or drones) instead of ground base stations.

[0003] The "store and forward" mode is a common data transmission method in non-terrestrial communications. This mode is particularly suitable for scenarios where real-time communication is not possible or the communication link is unstable.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a non-terrestrial communication method and apparatus.

[0006] A first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a non-terrestrial communication method, the method comprising:

[0007] receiving first information, where the first information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information of the access network device related to a storage and forwarding mechanism, and the first information is sent by a core network device or other access network device;

[0008] Based on the first information, performing operations related to a store and forward mechanism on the received first data;

[0009] The first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0010] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-terrestrial communication method, including:

[0011] Sending first information to an access network device, where the first information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information of the access network device related to a storage and forwarding mechanism, and the first information is used by the access network device to perform operations related to the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received first data;

[0012] The first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0013] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a non-terrestrial communication method, including:

[0014] The core network device or other access network device sends first information to the service access network device, where the first information is used to indicate the quality of service (QoS) information of the access network device related to the storage and forwarding mechanism;

[0015] The service access network device performs operations related to a store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information;

[0016] The first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0017] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides an access network device, including:

[0018] a transceiver module, configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information of the access network device related to a storage and forwarding mechanism, and the first information is sent by a core network device or other access network device;

[0019] a processing module, configured to perform operations related to a store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information;

[0020] The first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0021] A fifth embodiment of the present disclosure provides a core network device, including:

[0022] a transceiver module, configured to send first information to an access network device, where the first information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information of the access network device related to a storage and forwarding mechanism, and the first information is used by the access network device to perform operations related to the storage and forwarding mechanism on received first data;

[0023] The first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0024] The solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is to receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate service quality QoS information related to the storage and forwarding mechanism of the access network device, and the first information is sent by the core network device or other access network device; based on the first information, perform related operations of the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received first data; wherein the first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device, so that the limited storage resources of the access network device in the non-terrestrial network can be effectively utilized, congestion control can be performed on the communication information, resource utilization can be effectively improved, and the system communication efficiency is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background technology will be described below.

[0026] FIG1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] 3A-3E are flowcharts of a non-terrestrial communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] 4A-4D are flowcharts of a non-terrestrial communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG5 is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG6 is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG7B is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG8A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG8B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a non-terrestrial communication method and apparatus.

[0037] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a non-terrestrial communication method, the method comprising:

[0038] Receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information related to a storage and forwarding mechanism of an access network device, and the first information is sent by a core network device or other access network device; based on the first information, perform operations related to the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received first data; wherein the first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the limited storage resources of the access network equipment in the non-terrestrial network can be effectively utilized, the congestion of the communication information can be controlled, the resource utilization rate can be effectively improved, and the system communication efficiency can be enhanced.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following information:

[0041] First indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate priority information for storing and / or forwarding the first data;

[0042] Second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate whether the first data has the ability to preempt the occupied storage resources;

[0043] third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first data allows the storage resources occupied by it to be preempted;

[0044] Fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a storage time threshold of the first data in the access network device;

[0045] fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate allowed delay information of the first data;

[0046] Sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data of the control plane and / or the user plane;

[0047] The seventh indication information is used to indicate at least one bearer, and the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data on the at least one bearer.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, performing operations related to the store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes:

[0049] Based on the first indication information, the first data are stored in descending order of priority;

[0050] The first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0051] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, performing operations related to the store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes:

[0052] Based on the first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information, releasing storage resources corresponding to the first data with a lower priority;

[0053] Based on the released storage resources, storing the first data with a higher priority;

[0054] The higher priority first data has the ability to preempt already occupied storage resources, and the lower priority first data allows already occupied storage resources to be preempted, and the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, performing operations related to the store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes:

[0056] determining that the storage time of the first data in the access network device exceeds the storage time threshold indicated by the fourth indication information, and discarding the first data;

[0057] The first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0059] It is determined that the first data has not been stored, or that the first data has been discarded, and second information is sent to a terminal that sent the first data, where the second information is used to indicate that the first data has not been stored.

[0060] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information further includes the reason why the first data is not stored.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, performing operations related to the store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes:

[0062] Based on the first indication information, sending the first data to the core network device in descending order of priority of the first data;

[0063] The first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, performing operations related to the store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes:

[0065] Based on the fifth indication information, sending the first data to the core network device in order of the remaining latency of the first data from least to greatest;

[0066] The first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, performing operations related to the store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes:

[0068] Based on the first indication information and the fifth indication information, the first data are sent to the core network device in the order of the remaining delay of the first data from least to greatest, wherein the first data have the same priority; or

[0069] The first data are sent to the core network device in descending order of priority of the first data, wherein the residual delays of the first data are the same.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0071] Sending third information to the core network device, where the third information is used to instruct the core network device to send the downlink information;

[0072] Receive the above-mentioned downlink information sent by the above-mentioned core network device.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following information:

[0074] Eighth indication information, the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device is allowed to start sending the downlink information;

[0075] Ninth indication information, where the ninth indication information is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information sent by the core network device;

[0076] Tenth indication information, the tenth indication information is used to indicate that the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device is a control plane and / or a user plane;

[0077] Eleventh indication information, the eleventh indication information is used to indicate the bearer corresponding to the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device;

[0078] The twelfth indication information is used to indicate the size of the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0080] Send fourth information to the above-mentioned core network device, and the above-mentioned fourth information is used to instruct the above-mentioned core network device to stop sending the above-mentioned downlink information.

[0081] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information:

[0082] Thirteenth indication information, the thirteenth indication information is used to instruct the core network device to stop sending the downlink information;

[0083] Fourteenth indication information, the fourteenth indication information is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information;

[0084] Fifteenth indication information, the fifteenth indication information is used to instruct the core network device to stop sending the downlink information of the control plane and / or user plane;

[0085] The sixteenth indication information, the above-mentioned sixteenth indication information is used to instruct the above-mentioned core network device to stop sending the bearer corresponding to the above-mentioned downlink information.

[0086] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0087] Receive the fifth information sent by the above-mentioned core network device, where the above-mentioned fifth information is used to indicate the above-mentioned downlink information to be sent by the above-mentioned core network device.

[0088] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0089] The third information is determined based on the current storage resource status of the access network device and / or the fifth information.

[0090] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0091] The fourth information is determined based on the current storage resource status of the access network device and / or the fifth information.

[0092] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0093] The first information corresponds to the terminal;

[0094] The first information corresponds to the control plane CP or the user plane UP;

[0095] The above-mentioned first information corresponds to the bearer.

[0096] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a non-terrestrial communication method, the method comprising:

[0097] Sending first information to the access network device, where the first information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information related to a storage and forwarding mechanism on the access network device, and the first information is used by the access network device to perform operations related to the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received first data;

[0098] The first data mentioned above includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the limited storage resources of the access network equipment in the non-terrestrial network can be effectively utilized, the congestion of the communication information can be controlled, the resource utilization rate can be effectively improved, and the system communication efficiency can be enhanced.

[0100] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following information:

[0101] First indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate priority information for storing and / or forwarding the first data;

[0102] Second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate whether the first data has the ability to preempt the occupied storage resources;

[0103] third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first data allows the storage resources occupied by it to be preempted;

[0104] Fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a storage time threshold of the first data in the access network device;

[0105] fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate allowed delay information of the first data;

[0106] Sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data of the control plane and / or the user plane;

[0107] The seventh indication information is used to indicate at least one bearer, and the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data on the at least one bearer.

[0108] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0109] receiving the first data sent by the access network device, where the first data is sent by the access network device based on the first indication information in descending order of priority of the first data;

[0110] The first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0111] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0112] receiving the first data sent by the access network device, where the first data is sent by the access network device based on the fifth indication information in an order of least residual delay of the first data;

[0113] The first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0114] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0115] Receiving the first data sent by the access network device;

[0116] The first data is sent by the access network device based on the first indication information and the fifth indication information in the order of the remaining delay of the first data from least to greatest, and the first data have the same priority; or

[0117] The above-mentioned first data is sent by the above-mentioned access network device based on the above-mentioned first indication information and the above-mentioned fifth indication information in descending order of priority of the above-mentioned first data, wherein the residual delay of the above-mentioned first data is the same.

[0118] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0119] receiving third information sent by the access network device, where the third information is used to instruct the core network device to send the downlink information;

[0120] Based on the third information, the downlink information is sent to the access network device.

[0121] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following information:

[0122] Eighth indication information, the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device is allowed to start sending the downlink information;

[0123] Ninth indication information, where the ninth indication information is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information sent by the core network device;

[0124] Tenth indication information, the tenth indication information is used to indicate that the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device is a control plane and / or a user plane;

[0125] Eleventh indication information, the eleventh indication information is used to indicate the bearer corresponding to the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device;

[0126] The twelfth indication information is used to indicate the size of the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device.

[0127] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0128] Receive the fourth information sent by the above-mentioned access network device, where the above-mentioned fourth information is used to instruct the above-mentioned core network device to stop sending the above-mentioned downlink information.

[0129] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information:

[0130] Thirteenth indication information, the thirteenth indication information is used to instruct the core network device to stop sending the downlink information;

[0131] Fourteenth indication information, the fourteenth indication information is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information;

[0132] Fifteenth indication information, the fifteenth indication information is used to instruct the core network device to stop sending the downlink information of the control plane and / or user plane;

[0133] The sixteenth indication information, the above-mentioned sixteenth indication information is used to instruct the above-mentioned core network device to stop sending the bearer corresponding to the above-mentioned downlink information.

[0134] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes:

[0135] Send the fifth information to the access network device, where the fifth information is used to indicate the downlink information to be sent by the core network device.

[0136] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information is used by the access network device to determine the third information.

[0137] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fifth information is used by the access network device to determine the fourth information.

[0138] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information satisfies at least one of the following:

[0139] The first information corresponds to the terminal;

[0140] The first information corresponds to the control plane CP or the user plane UP;

[0141] The above-mentioned first information corresponds to the bearer.

[0142] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a non-terrestrial communication method, the method comprising:

[0143] The core network device or other access network device sends first information to the service access network device, where the first information is used to indicate the quality of service (QoS) information of the access network device related to the storage and forwarding mechanism;

[0144] The service access network device performs operations related to a store and forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information;

[0145] The first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0146] In the above embodiment, the limited storage resources of the access network equipment in the non-terrestrial network can be effectively utilized, the congestion of the communication information can be controlled, the resource utilization rate can be effectively improved, and the system communication efficiency can be enhanced.

[0147] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an access network device, which includes a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the access network device is used to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0148] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a core network device, which includes a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the core network device is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0149] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an access network device, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the access network device is used to execute the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0150] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a core network device, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the core network device is used to execute the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0151] In the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes: a terminal, an access network device and a core network device; wherein the access network device is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect, and the core network device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0152] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0153] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0154] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect and the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0155] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in accordance with the first aspect and its optional implementation, the second aspect and its optional implementation.

[0156] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, access network devices, core network devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0157] The present disclosure provides a non-terrestrial communication method and apparatus. In some embodiments, the terms "non-terrestrial communication method," "information processing method," and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "non-terrestrial communication apparatus," "information processing apparatus," and "communication apparatus" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0158] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0159] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0160] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0161] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0162] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0163] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0164] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0165] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0166] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0167] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0168] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0169] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0170] In some embodiments, devices and equipment can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0171] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

[0172] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and / or reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0173] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal" "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc.

[0174] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0175] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0176] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0177] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0178] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0179] FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0180] As shown in FIG1A , a communication system 100 includes an access network device 101 , a core network device 102 , and a terminal 103 .

[0181] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include nodes such as satellites or drones in non-terrestrial communication networks, evolved NodeB (eNB) in 5G communication systems, next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB), next generation RAN node (NG-RAN node), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved nodeB (HeNB), wireless backhaul equipment, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in 6G communication system, open base station (Open RAN), cloud base station (Cloud RAN), base station in other communication systems, and at least one of access nodes in Wi-Fi systems, but is not limited thereto.

[0182] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0183] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0184] In some embodiments, the core network device 102 may be a single device including a first network element 1021, a second network element 1022, etc., or may be a plurality of devices or a device group including all or part of the first network element 1021, the second network element 1022, etc. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0185] In some embodiments, the first network element 1021 is, for example, at least one of a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF), and a session management function (SMF).

[0186] In some embodiments, the first network element 1021 is used to "perform mobility management, identity authentication and security authentication, perform session management, location management, switching control, etc.", and the name is not limited to this.

[0187] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 is, for example, at least one of a serving gateway (SGW) and a user plane function (UPF).

[0188] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 is used to "provide transmission and mobility management of user data", but the name is not limited thereto.

[0189] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 may be independent of the core network device 102 .

[0190] In some embodiments, the second network element 1022 may be part of the core network device 102 .

[0191] In some embodiments, the terminal 103 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and at least one of a reduced capability (RedCap) terminal, but is not limited thereto.

[0192] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0193] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1A are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1A , or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1A . The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0194] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN), long term evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.18 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX ( 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0195] In some embodiments, the non-terrestrial network (NTN) is an important technology introduced by the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G). It provides wireless resources through satellites (or UAS platforms, where UAS, unmanned aircraft systems) rather than ground base stations, as shown in Figure 1A. The link between the satellite and the terminal is called a service link, and the link between the satellite and the core network equipment is called a feeder link.

[0196] The "store and forward" model is a common data transmission method in non-terrestrial communications. This model is particularly suitable for scenarios where real-time communication is not possible or the communication link is unstable.

[0197] In the "store and forward" mode, the process of non-terrestrial communication systems usually includes the following steps:

[0198] 1. Data collection: Ground stations or other sensors (or terminals) collect data and send it to satellites.

[0199] 2. Data storage: After receiving the data, the satellite will store it in its own memory instead of forwarding it immediately.

[0200] 3. Data forwarding: When the satellite moves over the destination ground station or terminal, or when a communication link becomes available, the satellite forwards the stored data to the ground station or terminal.

[0201] 4. Data processing: After receiving the data, the ground station or terminal processes and analyzes it.

[0202] However, the storage resources on the satellite are limited. In the "store and forward" mode, there is a high possibility of insufficient storage resources. Therefore, it may be necessary to introduce some congestion control methods to better utilize the limited storage resources on the satellite.

[0203] The non-terrestrial communication method and apparatus provided by the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0204] FIG2A is an interactive diagram of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, the method comprising:

[0205] Step S2101: The access network device 101 obtains first information.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate Quality of Service (QoS) information related to a store and forward (S&F) mechanism of the access network device.

[0207] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "QoS information (info)", "store and forward QoS information", "congestion control information", etc.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first information may be sent by the core network device 102 .

[0209] Optionally, during at least one of terminal context establishment, bearer establishment, terminal context modification, bearer modification, and switching based on the S1 interface application protocol, the core network device 102 may send the first information to the access network device 101 .

[0210] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the access network device 101 can send a response message to the core network device 102.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first information sent by the core network device 102 may be included in at least one of the following messages:

[0212] Initial UE Context Setup Request; UE Context Modification Request; E-RAB Setup Request; E-RAB Modify Request; Handover Request; Path Switch Request Acknowledge.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first information may be sent by other access network devices.

[0214] Optionally, during the terminal switching process, the source access network device corresponding to the terminal can send the first information to the target access network device.

[0215] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the access network device 101 can send a response message to the access network device that sent the first information.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first information sent by the other access network device may be included in a handover request (Handover Request) message.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first information corresponds to a terminal, that is, the first information is configured corresponding to each terminal.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first information corresponds to a control plane (CP) or a user plane (UP), that is, the first information corresponding to the control plane or the user plane is configured.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first information corresponds to a bearer, that is, the first information corresponding to each bearer is configured.

[0220] In some embodiments, the access network device can perform related operations of the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received first data based on the first information.

[0221] Optionally, the first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal 103 and / or downlink information sent by the core network device 102.

[0222] Optionally, the uplink information sent by the terminal 103 may include at least one of user plane data and control plane signaling.

[0223] Optionally, the downlink information sent by the core network device 102 may include at least one of user plane data and control plane signaling.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following information:

[0225] first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate priority information for storage and / or forwarding of the first data;

[0226] second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate whether the first data has the ability to preempt the occupied storage resources;

[0227] third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first data allows the storage resources occupied by the first data to be preempted;

[0228] Fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate a storage time threshold of the first data in the access network device;

[0229] fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate allowed delay information of the first data;

[0230] Sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data of the control plane and / or the user plane;

[0231] Seventh indication information, where the seventh indication information is used to indicate at least one bearer, and the information included in the first information is applicable to first data on the at least one bearer.

[0232] In some embodiments, the storage priority and forwarding priority corresponding to the first data indicated by the first indication information may be different or the same.

[0233] In some embodiments, the name of the first indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "storage priority", "forwarding priority", "storage and forwarding priority", etc.

[0234] In some embodiments, the name of the second indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "resource preemption capability", "store and forward preemption capability", etc.

[0235] In some embodiments, the name of the third indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "resource preemptible capability", "store and forward preemptible capability", etc.

[0236] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "packet loss time", "packet loss time of storage and forwarding", "storage time", etc.

[0237] In some embodiments, the name of the fifth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "delay budget", "store and forward delay budget", etc.

[0238] In some embodiments, the name of the sixth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "control plane / user plane indication", "transmission mode indication", etc.

[0239] In some embodiments, the name of the seventh indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "bearer identifier" and the like.

[0240] Step S2102: The access network device 101 obtains first data.

[0241] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 is capable of receiving first data sent by the terminal 103 and / or the core network device 102.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first data requires the access network device 101 to perform operations related to a storage and forwarding mechanism.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal 103 and / or downlink information sent by the core network device 102.

[0244] In some embodiments, the uplink information sent by the terminal 103 may include at least one of user plane data and control plane signaling.

[0245] In some embodiments, the downlink information sent by the core network device 102 may include at least one of user plane data and control plane signaling.

[0246] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines that the feeder link between the access network device 101 and the core network device 102 is switched or unavailable, and is able to receive and store uplink information sent by the terminal 103 .

[0247] In some embodiments, the core network device 102 determines that the feeder link between the access network device 101 and the core network device 102 is switched or unavailable, and can store the downlink information.

[0248] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines that the feeder link between the access network device 101 and the core network device 102 is available and can forward the stored uplink information sent by the terminal 103 to the core network device 102 .

[0249] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines that the feeder link between the access network device 101 and the core network device 102 is available and can receive downlink information sent by the core network device 102. The downlink information is the downlink information cached when the feeder link is unavailable.

[0250] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines that the air interface connection between the access network device 101 and the terminal 103 is unavailable, and can store the downlink information sent by the core network device 102.

[0251] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines that the air interface connection between the access network device 101 and the terminal 103 is available and can forward the stored downlink information to the terminal 103 .

[0252] Step S2103: store the first data.

[0253] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can store the first data based on the above-mentioned first information.

[0254] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can store the first data in descending order of priority based on the first indication information in the first information.

[0255] Optionally, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0256] Optionally, the access network device 101 may preferentially store uplink information with a high priority based on the priority corresponding to the uplink information.

[0257] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can release the storage resources corresponding to the first data with a lower priority based on the first indication information, the second indication information and the third indication information in the first information; and store the first data with a higher priority based on the released storage resources; wherein the first data with a higher priority has the ability to preempt the occupied storage resources, and the first data with a lower priority allows the storage resources occupied by it to be preempted.

[0258] Optionally, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0259] Optionally, in the case of insufficient storage resources, the access network device 101 can release the storage resources used by low-priority uplink information based on the priority, preemption capability and / or preemptibility of the uplink information, and use the storage resources to store high-priority uplink information.

[0260] In some embodiments, if it is determined that the storage time of the first data in the access network device 101 exceeds the storage time threshold indicated by the fourth indication information in the first information, the access network device 101 may discard the first data.

[0261] Optionally, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0262] Optionally, the access network device 101 determines that the storage time of the uplink information exceeds its corresponding packet loss time, and the access network device 101 may discard the uplink information to save storage resources.

[0263] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 determines that the first data has been discarded, or the access network device 101 determines that the first data has not been stored, and can send the second information to the terminal that sent the first data.

[0264] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate that the first data is not stored.

[0265] Optionally, the second information also includes the reason why the first data is not stored.

[0266] Optionally, the reason for not being stored may be, for example, congestion (such as low priority, or resources being preempted, etc.), timeout, etc., which is not limited here.

[0267] Step S2104: the access network device 101 sends the stored first data.

[0268] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can send the stored first data based on the above-mentioned first information.

[0269] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can send the uplink information sent by the terminal 103 and stored therein to the core network device 102 based on the first information.

[0270] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can forward the first data in descending order of priority based on the first indication information in the first information.

[0271] Optionally, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0272] Optionally, the access network device 101 may preferentially send high-priority uplink information to the core network device 102 based on the priority corresponding to the uplink information.

[0273] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can forward the first data in order of the remaining delay of the first data from least to greatest based on the fifth indication information in the first information.

[0274] Optionally, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0275] Optionally, the access network device 101 may preferentially send uplink information with less remaining delay to the core network device 102 based on the remaining delay corresponding to the uplink information.

[0276] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can forward the first data with the same priority in order of their residual delay from least to greatest based on the first indication information and the fifth indication information in the first information.

[0277] Optionally, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0278] Optionally, the access network device 101 may prioritize, based on the priority of the uplink information, sending uplink information with a higher priority to the core network device 102. For uplink information with the same priority, the uplink information with the shorter remaining delay may be prioritized for sending to the core network device 102 based on the remaining delay corresponding to the uplink information.

[0279] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 can forward the first data with the same remaining delay in descending order of priority based on the first indication information and the fifth indication information in the first information.

[0280] Optionally, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0281] Optionally, the access network device 101 may prioritize, based on the residual delay corresponding to the uplink information, uplink information with a shorter residual delay to the core network device 102. For uplink information with the same residual delay, the uplink information with a higher priority may be prioritized to be sent to the core network device 102 based on the priority corresponding to the uplink information.

[0282] Step S2105 : The core network device 102 sends fifth information to the access network device 101 .

[0283] In some embodiments, the access network device 101 receives the fifth information.

[0284] In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to indicate downlink information to be sent by the core network device 102.

[0285] In some embodiments, the name of the fifth information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "cache downlink information", "cache information", "cache downlink data indication", etc.

[0286] In some embodiments, the fifth information includes at least one of the following information: a bearer identifier, where the bearer identifier is used to indicate at least one bearer corresponding to the downlink information to be sent; the size of the downlink information to be sent, and the like.

[0287] In some embodiments, the downlink information to be sent by the core network device 102 is cached during the period when the feeder link between the core network device 102 and the access network device 101 is unavailable, and is the downlink information to be sent to the terminal 103.

[0288] Optionally, the downlink information to be sent may include at least one of user plane information and control plane information.

[0289] Step S2106 : The access network device 101 sends third information to the core network device 102 .

[0290] In some embodiments, the core network device 102 receives the third information.

[0291] In some embodiments, the third information is used to instruct the core network device 102 to send the downlink information to be sent that is cached therein.

[0292] In some embodiments, the core network device 102 receives the third information and is able to send its cached downlink information to the access network device 101 based on the third information.

[0293] In some embodiments, the name of the third information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "downlink information forwarding indication", "downlink information forwarding parameter", "downlink information forwarding request", etc.

[0294] In some embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following information:

[0295] Eighth indication information, where the eighth indication information is used to indicate that the core network device 102 is allowed to start sending the downlink information;

[0296] Ninth indication information, where the ninth indication information is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information sent by the core network device 102;

[0297] Tenth indication information, where the tenth indication information is used to indicate that the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device 102 is a control plane and / or a user plane;

[0298] Eleventh indication information, the eleventh indication information is used to indicate a bearer corresponding to the downlink information that is allowed to be sent by the core network device 102;

[0299] The twelfth indication information is used to indicate the size of the downlink information that the core network device 102 is allowed to send.

[0300] In some embodiments, the name of the eighth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "downlink information forwarding start indication", "downlink information forwarding start request", "information forwarding indication", etc.

[0301] In some embodiments, the name of the ninth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "terminal identification", "terminal identity", etc.

[0302] In some embodiments, the name of the tenth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "CP / UP identifier", "data transmission mode identifier", etc.

[0303] In some embodiments, the name of the eleventh indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "bearer identifier", "voluntary identifier", etc.

[0304] In some embodiments, the name of the twelfth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "data size", "information size", "data capacity allowed to be forwarded", etc.

[0305] Optionally, the third information may correspond to the terminal, or to the access network device / core network device, or to the bearer.

[0306] Optionally, the third information may be indicated according to at least one of per node, per UE, and per E-RAB.

[0307] Step S2107 : The access network device 101 sends fourth information to the core network device 102 .

[0308] In some embodiments, the core network device 102 receives the fourth information.

[0309] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to instruct the core network device 102 to stop sending its cached downlink information.

[0310] In some embodiments, the core network device 102 receives the fourth information and can stop sending its cached downlink information to the access network device 101 based on the fourth information.

[0311] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "downlink information forwarding indication", "downlink information forwarding parameter", "downlink information stop forwarding request", etc.

[0312] In some embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information:

[0313] Thirteenth indication information, the thirteenth indication information is used to instruct the core network device 102 to stop sending the downlink information;

[0314] Fourteenth indication information, the fourteenth indication information is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information;

[0315] Fifteenth indication information, where the fifteenth indication information is used to instruct the core network device 102 to stop sending downlink information, which is the control plane and / or user plane information;

[0316] The sixteenth indication information is used to instruct the core network device 102 to stop sending the bearer corresponding to the downlink information.

[0317] In some embodiments, the name of the thirteenth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "downlink information stop forwarding indication", "downlink information stop forwarding request", "information stop forwarding indication", etc.

[0318] In some embodiments, the name of the fourteenth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "terminal identification", "terminal identity", etc.

[0319] In some embodiments, the name of the fifteenth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "CP / UP identifier", "data transmission mode identifier", etc.

[0320] In some embodiments, the name of the sixteenth indication information is not limited, and it can be, for example, "bearer identifier", "voluntary identifier", etc.

[0321] Optionally, the fourth information may correspond to the terminal, or to the access network device / core network device, or to the bearer.

[0322] Optionally, the fourth information may be indicated according to at least one of per node, per UE, and per E-RAB.

[0323] In some embodiments, terms such as "eNB", "gNB", "base station", "NG-RAN node", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0324] In some embodiments, terms such as "MME", "CN", "AMF", "SMF", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0325] In some embodiments, terms such as "SGW" and "UPF" may be used interchangeably.

[0326] In some embodiments, the terms "bearer", "Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session", "Evolved Radio Access Bearer (E-RAB)", "EPS bearer", "QoS flow" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0327] In some embodiments, terms such as "Next Generation Application Proposal (NGAP)" and "S1 Application Proposal (S1AP)" may be used interchangeably.

[0328] In some embodiments, the terms "Xn Application Proposal (XnAP)" and "X2 Application Proposal (X2AP)" may be used interchangeably.

[0329] In some embodiments, terms such as "carrier", "band", and "frequency" can be used interchangeably.

[0330] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0331] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0332] In some embodiments, terms such as "physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)" and "DL data" can be used interchangeably, and terms such as "physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)" and "UL data" can be used interchangeably.

[0333] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0334] In some embodiments, terms such as "resource block (RB)", "physical resource block (PRB)", "sub-carrier group (SCG)", "resource element group (REG)", "PRB pair", "RB pair", "resource element (RE)", and "sub-carrier" can be used interchangeably.

[0335] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0336] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0337] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "some", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "some A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, some A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0338] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0339] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2107. For example, step 2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2103+2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps 2101+2102+2105+2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. 106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2105+2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2105+2106+2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2103+2104+2106+2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 2101+2102+2103+2104+2105+2106+2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but are not limited to this.

[0340] In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0341] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2A .

[0342] FIG3A is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by an access network device 101 and includes:

[0343] Step S3101, obtain first information.

[0344] The optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0345] Step S3102, obtaining first data.

[0346] The optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0347] Step S3103: store the first data.

[0348] The optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0349] Step S3104: Send the stored first data.

[0350] The optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] Step S3105, receiving the fifth information.

[0352] The optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0353] Step S3106, sending the third information.

[0354] The optional implementation of step S3106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0355] Step S3106, sending the fourth information.

[0356] The optional implementation of step S3107 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0357] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3107. For example, step 3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3103+3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps 3101+3102+3105+3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. 106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3105+3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3105+3106+3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3103+3104+3106+3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3101+3102+3103+3104+3105+3106+3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but are not limited to this.

[0358] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3102 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0359] FIG3B is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by access network device 101 and includes:

[0360] Step S3201, obtain first information.

[0361] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S3101 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0362] Step S3202, obtaining first data.

[0363] Optional implementations of step S3202 can be found in step S2102 of FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S3102 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0364] Step S3203: store the first data.

[0365] Optional implementations of step S3203 may refer to step S2103 in FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S3103 in FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0366] Step S3204: Send the stored first data.

[0367] Optional implementations of step S3204 can be found in step S2104 of FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S3104 of FIG. 3A , and other related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0368] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 to S3204. For example, step 3201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3201+3202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3201+3202+3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3201+3202+3203+3204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0369] FIG3C is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3C , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by access network device 101 and includes:

[0370] Step S3301, obtain first information.

[0371] The optional implementation of step S3301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S3101 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0372] Step S3302, obtaining first data.

[0373] The optional implementation of step S3302 can refer to step S2102 in Figure 2A, the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0374] Step S3303: store the first data.

[0375] Optional implementations of step S3303 may refer to step S2103 in FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S3103 in FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0376] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3301 to S3303. For example, step 3301 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3301+3302 may be implemented as independent embodiments, step 3303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3301+3302+3303 may be implemented as independent embodiments, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0377] FIG3D is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3D , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by access network device 101 and includes:

[0378] Step S3401, obtain first information.

[0379] The optional implementation of step S3401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S3101 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0380] Step S3402, receive the fifth information.

[0381] The optional implementation of step S3402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A, step S3105 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0382] Step S3403, sending the third information.

[0383] Optional implementations of step S3403 may refer to step S2106 in FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S3106 in FIG. 3A , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0384] Step S3404, sending the fourth information.

[0385] The optional implementation of step S3404 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2A, step S3107 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0386] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3401 to S3404. For example, step 3401 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3401+3402 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 3403 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3401+3402+3403 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3401+3402+3403+3404 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0387] FIG3E is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3E , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by access network device 101 and includes:

[0388] Step S3501, obtain first information.

[0389] The optional implementation methods of step S3501 can be found in step S2101 of Figure 2A, step S3101 of Figure 3A, step S3201 of Figure 3B, step S3301 of Figure 3C, and the optional implementation methods of step S3401 of Figure 3D, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0390] Step S3502: Based on the first information, perform relevant operations of the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received information to be processed.

[0391] For the optional implementation of step S3502, please refer to step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, step S2107 in Figure 2A, steps S3102, S3103, S3104, S3105, S3106, S3107 in Figure 3A, steps S3202, S3203, S3204 in Figure 3B, steps S3302, S3303 in Figure 3C, optional implementation of steps S3402, S3403, S3404 in Figure 3D, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0392] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3501 to S3502. For example, step 3501 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 3502 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 3501+3502 may be implemented as independent embodiments, etc., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0393] FIG4A is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by a core network device 102 and includes:

[0394] Step S4101, sending the first information.

[0395] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0396] Step S4102: Receive first data sent by the access network device 101.

[0397] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0398] Optionally, the first data is sent by the access network device 101 based on the first information, and the first data is obtained by the access network device and stored based on the first information. For optional implementations, see the optional implementations of steps S2102-S2103 in FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0399] Step S4103, sending the fifth information.

[0400] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0401] Step S4104, receiving third information.

[0402] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0403] Step S4105, receiving the fourth information.

[0404] The optional implementation of step S4105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0405] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4105. For example, step 4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 4101+4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 4101+4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 4101+4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 4101+4103+4104+4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 4101+4102+4103+4104+4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and so on, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0406] FIG4B is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by a core network device 102 and includes:

[0407] Step S4201, sending the first information.

[0408] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S3101 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0409] Step S4202: Receive first data sent by the access network device 101.

[0410] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A, step S3102 in Figure 3A, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0411] Optionally, the first data is sent by the access network device 101 based on the first information, and the first data is obtained by the access network device and stored based on the first information. For optional implementations, see the optional implementations of steps S2102-S2103 in FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0412] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4201 and S4202. For example, step 4201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps 4201+4202 may be implemented as independent embodiments, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0413] FIG4C is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4C , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by the core network device 102 and includes:

[0414] Step S4301, sending the first information.

[0415] The optional implementation of step S4301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0416] Step S4302, sending the fifth information.

[0417] The optional implementation of step S4302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0418] Step S4303, receiving the third information.

[0419] The optional implementation of step S4303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0420] Step S4304, receiving the fourth information.

[0421] The optional implementation of step S4304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0422] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4301 to S4304. For example, step 4301 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 4301+4303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 4301+4304 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps 4301+4302+4303+4304 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0423] FIG4D is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4D , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a non-terrestrial communication method, which is executed by the core network device 102 and includes:

[0424] Step S4401, sending the first information.

[0425] The optional implementation of step S4401 can be found in step S2101 of Figure 2A, step S4101 of Figure 4A, step S4201 of Figure 4B, step S4301 of Figure 4C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 4A, 4B, and 4C, which will not be repeated here.

[0426] Optionally, the first information is used by the access network device 101 to perform operations related to a store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data. Optional implementations thereof can be found in steps S2102, S2103, S2104, S2105, S2106, and S2107 of FIG. 2A , steps S4102, S4103, S4104, and S4105 of FIG. 4A , step S4202 of FIG. 4B , and steps S4302, S4303, and S4304 of FIG. 4C , as well as other related portions of the embodiments described in FIG. 2A , FIG. 4A , FIG. 4B , and FIG. 4C , which are not further described herein.

[0427] FIG5 is a flow chart of a non-terrestrial communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

[0428] In step S5101, the core network device 102 or other access network device sends first information to the access network device 101. The first information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information related to a storage and forwarding mechanism to the access network device 101.

[0429] Step S5102: The access network device 101 performs relevant operations of the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received first data based on the first information.

[0430] The optional implementation methods of steps S5101-S5102 can refer to the steps in any embodiment or any multiple embodiments in the above-mentioned Figures 2A, 3A-3E, and 4A-4D, and other related parts of the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 3A-3E, and 4A-4D.

[0431] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the communication system side, terminal side, network device side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0432] In this embodiment or example, unless there is any contradiction, each step can be independent, arbitrarily combined or exchanged in order, the optional methods or optional examples can be arbitrarily combined, and can be arbitrarily combined with any steps of other embodiments or other examples.

[0433] The following is an exemplary introduction to the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0434] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 6 , the following steps shown in FIG. 6 omits the prior art and the contents irrelevant to the present embodiment.

[0435] In this embodiment, “data” includes user plane data and / or control plane data.

[0436] In this embodiment, the following terms are interchangeable: "eNB" and "gNB", "base station", and "NG-RAN node" are interchangeable; "MME" is interchangeable with "CN", "AMF", and "SMF"; "SGW" is interchangeable with "UPF"; "bearer" is interchangeable with "PDU session", "E-RAB", "EPS bearer", and "QoS flow"; "NGAP" is interchangeable with "S1AP"; and "XnAP" is interchangeable with "X2AP".

[0437] In some embodiments, the process of obtaining S&F QoS info is as follows:

[0438] In steps 101 and 102, the serving eNB obtains S&F QoS info. The eNB may receive and save the S&F QoS info from a first node, where the first node may be an MME or another eNB.

[0439] In steps 101a to 102a, during the UE context establishment, bearer establishment, context modification, bearer modification, and S1-based handover process, the eNB may receive a first message from the MME, where the first message includes S&F QoS info.

[0440] In some embodiments, the first message is an S1AP message sent by the MME to the eNB, wherein the first message may be at least one of the following messages: Initial UE context setup request; UE context modification request; E-RAB Setup Request; E-RAB Modify Request; Handover request; Path switch request acknowledgement.

[0441] In step 101b, during the UE handover process, the target eNB may receive a first message from the source eNB, wherein the first message includes S&F QoS info. The first message is a Handover Request message.

[0442] In step 102b, the target eNB receives the message and information, and sends a Handover Request Acknowledge to the source eNB.

[0443] In some embodiments, the S&F QoS info is configured per UE; in another embodiment, the S&F QoS info is configured per E-RAB or per EPS bearer.

[0444] The S&F QoSinfo includes at least one of the following information:

[0445] S&F priority, used to indicate storage and / or forwarding priority information (in some embodiments, the storage priority and forwarding priority may be different);

[0446] S&F preemption capability is used to indicate whether the storage resource capacity of the bearer with lower priority can be preempted;

[0447] The S&F preemptibility is used to indicate whether a higher-priority bearer can preempt the used storage resources.

[0448] The S&F packet loss time is used to indicate that if the corresponding data cannot be forwarded after a certain period of time, it can be discarded to save storage resources;

[0449] The S&F delay budget indicates the tolerable delay for data on the UE or bearer, so that the base station can forward the stored data in a timely manner.

[0450] CP / UP indication: used to indicate whether the above parameters apply to data transmission on CP, UP, or CP+UP;

[0451] E-RAB ID is used to indicate that the above parameters are applied to data transmission on the bearer corresponding to the E-RAB ID.

[0452] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, S&F QoS info may be configured per UE, per CP / UP, and / or per E-RAB.

[0453] In some embodiments, the process of applying S&F QoS info to UL Datastore is as follows:

[0454] When feederlinkisunavailable, if multiple UEs send uplink data to the eNB on the satellite, the eNB needs to perform congestion control according to S&F QoSinfo.

[0455] The congestion control includes at least one of the following:

[0456] According to the priority of S&F, the uplink data with high priority is saved first;

[0457] When storage space is insufficient, storage resources used by low-priority data may be released based on the S&F priority, S&F preemption capability, and / or S&F preemptibility, and the storage resources may be used for high-priority uplink data;

[0458] When the stored uplink data time exceeds the corresponding S&F packet loss time, the corresponding uplink data can be discarded to save storage resources.

[0459] In step 103, when the eNB determines that the received uplink data cannot be stored or determines to discard the stored uplink data, the eNB sends a DL data is not stored notification to the UE that sends the uplink data, and carries the reason (eg, congestion, timeout, etc.).

[0460] In some embodiments, the process of applying S&F QoS info to UL Dataforward is as follows:

[0461] In step 104, when feeder link is available, the eNB performs forwarding control according to S&F QoS info.

[0462] The forwarding control includes at least one of the following:

[0463] According to the priority of S&F, the uplink data with higher priority is forwarded first;

[0464] Based on the S&F delay budget, uplink data with less remaining delay is forwarded first;

[0465] If both priority and latency are considered, uplink data with the same priority will be forwarded first with less remaining latency.

[0466] In some embodiments, the process of applying S&F QoS info to DL Data reception is as follows:

[0467] In step 105, when feederlinkisavailable, the MME sends a cached DL data indication to the base station to indicate the cached DL data. The indication may include the E-RAB ID and datasize corresponding to the cached data.

[0468] In step 106, the eNB sends a third message to the MME, wherein the third message includes information for indicating DL data forwarding, wherein the information is determined by the eNB according to its own storage resource situation and / or the cached DL data indication received from step 105.

[0469] The information used to indicate DL data forwarding may include at least one of the following information:

[0470] DL data start forward indication, used to indicate that the buffered downlink data can be sent;

[0471] UE ID, used to indicate that the cached DL data corresponding to the UE can be forwarded;

[0472] CP / UP indication, used to indicate that the buffered DL data corresponding to the transmission mode can be forwarded;

[0473] E-RAB ID, used to indicate that the cached DL data corresponding to the E-RAB ID can be forwarded;

[0474] Data size, used to indicate the size of data that can be forwarded.

[0475] In step 107, the MME receives the message and information, and starts forwarding the buffered DL data according to the information.

[0476] In step 108, when the satellite's storage resources are unavailable or insufficient, the eNB sends a fourth message to the MME, including information indicating that DL data forwarding should cease. The information indicating that DL data forwarding should cease is based on the eNB's own storage resources and / or the buffered DL data indication received in step 105.

[0477] The information for instructing to stop forwarding the DL data may include at least one of the following information:

[0478] DL data stop forward indication, used to indicate to stop sending the buffered downlink data;

[0479] UE ID, used to instruct the UE to stop sending the buffered DL data corresponding to the UE;

[0480] CP / UP indication, used to instruct the buffered DL data corresponding to the transmission mode to stop sending;

[0481] E-RAB ID, used to indicate that the cached DL data corresponding to the E-RAB ID stops sending.

[0482] The MME receives the message and information and stops sending the downlink buffered DL data according to the information.

[0483] Optionally, the above-mentioned starting or stopping of buffered data forwarding may be per node, per UE, or per E-RAB.

[0484] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0485] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0486] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0487] FIG7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the access network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7A , the access network device 7100 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 7101 and a processing module 7102. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate the quality of service (QoS) information of the access network device related to the storage and forwarding mechanism, and the first information is sent by a core network device or other access network device; the processing module is used to perform related operations of the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received first data based on the first information; wherein the first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0488] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the access network device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0489] Optionally, the processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps performed by the access network device 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0490] FIG7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the core network device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7B , the core network device 7200 may include: a transceiver module 7201. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send first information to the access network device, wherein the first information is used to indicate the quality of service (QoS) information of the access network device related to the storage and forwarding mechanism, and the first information is used by the access network device to perform related operations of the storage and forwarding mechanism on the received first data; wherein the first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

[0491] Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the core network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0492] Optionally, the processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps performed by the network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0493] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0494] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0495] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0496] As shown in Figure 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 8100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0497] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0498] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0499] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0500] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuit 8104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 may read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0501] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0502] FIG8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG8B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0503] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201 , and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0504] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected to the memory 8203. The interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0505] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 executes at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S2102, step S2103, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8201 executes at least one of the other steps.

[0506] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0507] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0508] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0509] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0510] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

[0511] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program 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 program 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 accessed 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 high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0512] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0513] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0514] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, but the scope of protection of the present disclosure 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 disclosure should be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A non-ground communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by an access network device, and the method includes: Receiving first information, where the first information is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information related to a store-and-forward mechanism of the access network device, and the first information is sent by a core network device or another access network device; Performing operations related to the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information; Wherein, the first data includes uplink information sent by a terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following types of information: First indication information, which is used to indicate priority information for storing and / or forwarding the first data; Second indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first data has the ability to preempt occupied storage resources; Third indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first data allows the storage resources occupied by it to be preempted; Fourth indication information, which is used to indicate a storage time threshold of the first data in the access network device; Fifth indication information, which is used to indicate latency information allowed for the first data; Sixth indication information, which is used to indicate that the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data in the control plane and / or the user plane; Seventh indication information, which is used to indicate at least one bearer, and the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data on the at least one bearer.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The performing operations related to the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes: Storing the first data in order of decreasing priority of the first data based on the first indication information; Wherein, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein The performing operations related to the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes: Releasing storage resources corresponding to first data with a lower priority based on the first indication information, the second indication information, and the third indication information; Storing first data with a higher priority based on the released storage resources; Wherein, the first data with a higher priority has the ability to preempt occupied storage resources, and the first data with a lower priority allows the storage resources occupied by it to be preempted, and the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein The performing operations related to the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information includes: Determining that the storage time of the first data in the access network device exceeds the storage time threshold indicated by the fourth indication information, and discarding the first data; Wherein, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determining that the first data is not stored, or the first data has been discarded, and sending second information to the terminal that sent the first data, where the second information is used to indicate that the first data is not stored.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The second information further includes the reason why the first data is not stored.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein Based on the first information, perform relevant operations of the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data, including: Based on the first indication information, send the first data to the core network device in the order of the priority of the first data from high to low; wherein, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

9. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Based on the first information, perform relevant operations of the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data, including: Based on the fifth indication information, send the first data to the core network device in the order of the remaining delay of the first data from less to more; wherein, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein Based on the first information, perform relevant operations of the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data, including: Based on the first indication information and the fifth indication information, send the first data to the core network device in the order of the remaining delay of the first data from less to more, wherein the priorities of the first data are the same; or Send the first data to the core network device in the order of the priority of the first data from high to low, wherein the remaining delays of the first data are the same.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send third information to the core network device, where the third information is used to instruct the core network device to send the downlink information; Receive the downlink information sent by the core network device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The third information includes at least one of the following information: The eighth indication information, which is used to indicate that the core network device is allowed to start sending the downlink information; The ninth indication information, which is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information sent by the core network device; The tenth indication information, which is used to indicate that the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device is of the control plane and / or the user plane; The eleventh indication information, which is used to indicate the bearer corresponding to the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device; The twelfth indication information, which is used to indicate the size of the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send fourth information to the core network device, where the fourth information is used to instruct the core network device to stop sending the downlink information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The fourth information includes at least one of the following information: The thirteenth indication information, which is used to indicate that the core network device stops sending the downlink information; The fourteenth indication information, which is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information; The fifteenth indication information, which is used to indicate that the downlink information stopped being sent by the core network device is of the control plane and / or the user plane; The sixteenth indication information, which is used to indicate the bearer corresponding to the downlink information stopped being sent by the core network device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive fifth information sent by the core network device, where the fifth information is used to indicate the downlink information to be sent by the core network device.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The method further includes: Determine the third information based on the current storage resource situation of the access network device and / or the fifth information.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein The method further includes: Determine the fourth information based on the current storage resource situation of the access network device and / or the fifth information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1-17, characterized in that, The first information satisfies at least one of the following: The first information corresponds to the terminal; The first information corresponds to the control plane CP or the user plane UP; The first information corresponds to the bearer.

19. A non-terrestrial communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a core network device, and the method includes: Send first information to the access network device, where the first information is used to indicate the quality of service QoS information related to the store-and-forward mechanism of the access network device, and the first information is used for the access network device to perform operations related to the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data; Wherein, the first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The first information includes at least one of the following information: First indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the priority information of the storage and / or forwarding of the first data; Second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate whether the first data has the ability to preempt the occupied storage resources; Third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate whether the first data allows the occupied storage resources to be preempted; Fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to indicate the storage time threshold of the first data in the access network device; Fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate the delay information allowed for the first data; Sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data of the control plane and / or the user plane; Seventh indication information, where the seventh indication information is used to indicate at least one bearer, and the information included in the first information is applicable to the first data on the at least one bearer.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first data sent by the access network device, where the first data is sent by the access network device based on the first indication information in descending order of the priority of the first data; Wherein, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein The method further includes: Receive the first data sent by the access network device, where the first data is sent by the access network device based on the fifth indication information in ascending order of the remaining delay of the first data; Wherein, the first data is uplink information sent by the terminal.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein The method further includes: Receive the first data sent by the access network device; Wherein, the first data is sent by the access network device based on the first indication information and the fifth indication information in ascending order of the remaining delay of the first data, where the priorities of the first data are the same; or, The first data is sent by the access network device based on the first indication information and the fifth indication information in the order of the priority of the first data from high to low, where the remaining delay of the first data is the same.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19-23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving third information sent by the access network device, where the third information is used to instruct the core network device to send the downlink information; Based on the third information, sending the downlink information to the access network device.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein The third information includes at least one of the following information: An eighth indication information, which is used to indicate that the core network device is allowed to start sending the downlink information; A ninth indication information, which is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information sent by the core network device; A tenth indication information, which is used to indicate that the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device is for the control plane and / or the user plane; An eleventh indication information, which is used to indicate the bearer corresponding to the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device; A twelfth indication information, which is used to indicate the size of the downlink information allowed to be sent by the core network device.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving fourth information sent by the access network device, where the fourth information is used to instruct the core network device to stop sending the downlink information.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein The fourth information includes at least one of the following information: A thirteenth indication information, which is used to indicate that the core network device stops sending the downlink information; A fourteenth indication information, which is used to indicate at least one terminal corresponding to the downlink information; A fifteenth indication information, which is used to indicate that the downlink information stopped being sent by the core network device is for the control plane and / or the user plane; A sixteenth indication information, which is used to indicate the bearer corresponding to the downlink information stopped being sent by the core network device.

28. The method according to any one of claims 24-27, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending fifth information to the access network device, where the fifth information is used to indicate the downlink information to be sent by the core network device.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein The fifth information is used for the access network device to determine the third information.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein The fifth information is used for the access network device to determine the fourth information.

31. The method according to any one of claims 19 - 30, characterized in that, The first information satisfies at least one of the following: The first information corresponds to the terminal; The first information corresponds to the control plane CP or the user plane UP; The first information corresponds to the bearer.

32. An access network device, characterized in that, The access network device includes: A transceiver module, configured to receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate the quality of service QoS information related to the store-and-forward mechanism of the access network device, and the first information is sent by the core network device or other access network devices; A processing module, configured to perform operations related to the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data based on the first information; Wherein, the first data includes uplink information sent by the terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

33. A core network device, characterized in that, The core network device includes: A transceiver module, configured to send a first message to an access network device, where the first message is used to indicate quality of service (QoS) information related to a store-and-forward mechanism of the access network device, and the first message is used for the access network device to perform operations related to the store-and-forward mechanism on the received first data; wherein the first data includes uplink information sent by a terminal and / or downlink information sent by the core network device.

34. An access network device, characterized in that, The access network device includes: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is configured to perform the non-terrestrial communication method according to any one of claims 1-18.

35. A core network device, characterized in that The core network device includes: one or more processors; wherein the network device is configured to perform the non-terrestrial communication method according to any one of claims 19-31.

36. A communication system, characterized in that, Including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the positioning measurement method according to any one of claims 1-18, and the network device is configured to implement the non-terrestrial communication method according to any one of claims 19-31.

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