Communication method and apparatus, and communication device

Abstract

The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and apparatus, and a communication device. The communication method in the embodiments of the present application comprises: a first core network function receiving a first message from a second core network function, wherein the first message is used for establishing a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message comprises related information of the first terminal and related information of a second terminal; and the first core network function executing a first operation or a second operation on the basis of the first message, wherein the first operation comprises determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network by means of the same satellite or different satellites, and the second operation comprises sending a second message to a third core network function, the second message being used for adding a fourth core network function to a communication path, and the fourth core network function being a core network function for controlling a user plane function (UPF) included in a satellite.

Description

Communication method, device and communication equipment

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410042725.0 filed in China on January 10, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to a communication method, apparatus, and communication equipment. Background Art

[0004] Related technologies propose a non-terrestrial network (NTN) scenario. In this scenario, the communication path for an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) call between two user equipment (UE, also known as "terminals") is UE1-satellite-ground station-ground network-ground station-satellite-UE2. Since the satellite is far away from the ground, the communication path is long, which leads to a large call delay. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, apparatus, and communication device, which can solve the problem of long call delay caused by long communication paths in NTN scenarios in related technologies.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, performed by a first core network function, the method comprising:

[0007] The first core network function receives a first message from the second core network function, where the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal.

[0008] The first core network function performs a first operation or a second operation based on the first message;

[0009] The first operation includes: determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0010] The second operation includes: sending a second message to the third core network function, where the second message is used to add a fourth core network function to the communication path, and the fourth core network function is a core network function used to control the user plane function UPF included in the satellite.

[0011] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, performed by a second core network function, the method comprising:

[0012] The second core network function receives a sixth message from the fifth core network function, where the sixth message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal;

[0013] The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0014] According to a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which is performed by a fourth core network function, and the method includes:

[0015] The fourth core network function receives a sixth message from the third core network function, where the sixth message includes the first information, where the first information includes information indicating a terminal-satellite-terminal USU service;

[0016] The fourth core network function performs a third operation based on the first information;

[0017] The third operation includes at least one of the following:

[0018] Add the UPF of the target satellite as the protocol data unit session anchor PSA to the protocol data unit PDU session;

[0019] Add the UPF of the target satellite as the uplink UL CL to the PDU session;

[0020] Sending a seventh message to the UPF of the target satellite, where the seventh message is used to instruct establishment of a voice bearer for the first terminal;

[0021] Sending third information to the UPF of the target satellite, where the third information includes a local forwarding rule;

[0022] The target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, applied to a first core network function, the device including:

[0024] a receiving unit, configured to receive a first message from a second core network function, where the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information about the first terminal and relevant information about a second terminal;

[0025] The device further comprises at least one of the following:

[0026] a first processing unit, configured to determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0027] The first sending unit is used to send a second message to the third core network function, where the second message is used to add a fourth core network function to the communication path, and the fourth core network function is a core network function used to control the user plane function UPF included in the satellite.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is applied to a second core network function, and the device includes:

[0029] A first receiving unit, configured to receive a sixth message from the fifth core network function, where the sixth message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal;

[0030] The processing unit is configured to determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0031] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, applied to a fourth core network function, the device including:

[0032] a receiving unit, configured to receive a sixth message from a third core network function, where the sixth message includes first information, where the first information includes information indicating a terminal-satellite-terminal USU service;

[0033] an execution unit, configured to execute a third operation based on the first information;

[0034] The third operation includes at least one of the following:

[0035] Add the UPF of the target satellite as the protocol data unit session anchor PSA to the protocol data unit PDU session;

[0036] Add the UPF of the target satellite as the uplink UL CL to the PDU session;

[0037] Sending a seventh message to the UPF of the target satellite, where the seventh message is used to instruct establishment of a voice bearer for the first terminal;

[0038] Sending third information to the UPF of the target satellite, where the third information includes a local forwarding rule;

[0039] The target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

[0040] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or implements the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or implements the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0041] In an eighth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to: receive a first message from a second core network function, the first message being used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, the first message including relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal; send a second message to a third core network function, the second message being used to add a fourth core network function to a communication path, the fourth core network function being a core network function for controlling a user plane function (UPF) included in a satellite;

[0042] or,

[0043] The communication interface is used to: receive a first message from a second core network function, the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal; the processor is used to: determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0044] In the ninth aspect, a network side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: receive a sixth message from a fifth core network function, the sixth message including relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal; the processor is used to: determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0045] In the tenth aspect, a network side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: receive a sixth message from a third core network function, the sixth message including first information, the first information including information for indicating a terminal-satellite-terminal USU service; the communication interface or the processor is used for at least one of the following: adding the UPF of the target satellite as a protocol data unit session anchor PSA to the protocol data unit PDU session; adding the UPF of the target satellite as an uplink UL CL to the PDU session; sending a seventh message to the UPF of the target satellite, the seventh message being used to indicate establishment of a voice bearer for the first terminal; sending third information to the UPF of the target satellite, the third information including local forwarding rules; wherein the target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

[0046] In the eleventh aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect are implemented.

[0047] In the twelfth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, including: a first core network function and a second core network function, wherein the first core network function can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the second core network function can be used to execute the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0048] In the thirteenth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the method as described in the first aspect, or the method as described in the second aspect, or the method as described in the third aspect.

[0049] In the fourteenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium and is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present application, a first core network function receives a first message from a second core network function, the first message being used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, the first message including relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal; the first core network function performs a first operation or a second operation based on the first message; wherein the first operation includes: determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; and the second operation includes: sending a second message to a third core network function, the second message being used to add a fourth core network function to a communication path, the fourth core network function being a core network function for controlling a user plane function (UPF) included in the satellite. In this way, by performing the first operation or the second operation, it is beneficial to enable two UEs to conduct a UE-satellite-UE (USU) call, thereby shortening the communication path of the call and reducing call latency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG2 is an IMS call flow chart in the related art;

[0053] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG4 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG5 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG6 is a flow chart of Example 1 provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0057] FIG7 is a flow chart of Example 2 provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0058] FIG8 is a flow chart of Example 3 provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0059] FIG9 is a flow chart of Example 4 provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0060] FIG10a is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG10b is a second structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG11 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG12 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG13 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a network-side device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0067] The terms "first", "second", etc. in this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same type, and do not limit the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "or" in this application represents at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three options, namely, Option 1: including A but not including B; Option 2: including B but not including A; Option 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0068] The term "indication" in this application can be either a direct indication (or explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or implicit indication). A direct indication can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc. in the instruction sent; an indirect indication can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc. based on the judgment result.

[0069] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the technology described can be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for illustrative purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description, but these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) systems. th Generation, 6G) communication system.

[0070] FIG1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Tablet Personal Computer), a laptop computer (Laptop Computer), a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR), a virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device (Wearable Device), an aircraft (Flight Vehicle), a vehicle-mounted device (VUE), a ship-mounted device, a pedestrian user equipment (PUE), a smart home (home appliances with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), a game console, a personal computer (PC), an ATM, or a self-service machine, or other terminal-side devices. Wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among them, the vehicle-mounted device can also be called a vehicle-mounted terminal, a vehicle-mounted controller, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip or a vehicle-mounted unit, etc. In addition to the above-mentioned terminal devices, it can also be a chip in the terminal, such as a modem chip, a system-on-chip (SoC). It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. The network side device 12 may include an access network device or a core network device, wherein the access network device may also be called a radio access network (RAN) device, a radio access network function or a radio access network unit. The access network device may include a base station, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node, etc.Among them, the base station can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), the next generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), access point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home evolved Node B (home evolved Node B), Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or other appropriate terms in the relevant field. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to specific technical vocabulary. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, the base station in the NR system is mainly introduced as an example, and the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0071] The core network equipment may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: core network node, core network function, mobility management entity (MME), access mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), policy control function (PCF), policy and charging rules function unit (PCRF), edge application service discovery function (EASDF), unified data management (UDM), unified data repository (UDR), home subscriber server (HSS), centralized network configuration (CNC), network storage function (NRF), network exposure function (NEF), local NEF (L-NEF), binding support function (BSF), application function ( It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the core network device in the NR system is mainly introduced as an example, and the specific type of the core network device is not limited.

[0072] The following is a brief introduction to the IMS call process in related technologies.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2, the IMS call process includes the following steps:

[0074] 1. UE1 sends a call request (invite) message to UE2, which includes the following content:

[0075] UE2's Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Uniform Resource Identifier (URI);

[0076] UE1's SIP URI;

[0077] Access network information (P-Access-Network-Info), including the cell global identity (CGI);

[0078] Session Description Protocol (SDP) offer.

[0079] CGI is the globally unique identifier of the cell where the UE resides. When the cell is a fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) cell, it is the NR cell global identifier (NCGI). When the cell is a fourth generation mobile communication technology (4G) cell, it is the E-UTRAN cell global identifier (ECGI).

[0080] 2. The Proxy-Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) sends an invite message to the Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF).

[0081] If IP1 is a private IP, the P-CSCF instructs the Access Gateway (AGW) to allocate a corresponding public IP to the private IP.

[0082] 3-4. The invite message is routed to UE2.

[0083] 5. UE2 replies with a 183 response message, which carries an SDP answer.

[0084] 6-7. The 183 message is sent to the P-CSCF.

[0085] 8. Based on the SDP offer and SDP answer, the P-CSCF generates media information (media info) and flow description (fDescs) corresponding to the voice media. fDescs contains the calling and called IP addresses and port numbers of the voice media.

[0086] If both UE1 and UE2 have public IP addresses, fDescs contains the public IP addresses of the calling and called UEs.

[0087] If UE1 has a private IP address, the fDescs contains the private IP address and port number of UE1 and the public IP address and port number of AGW.

[0088] 9. The PCF sends a message to the SMF, instructing it to establish a voice Quality of Service (QoS) flow. Establishing a voice QoS flow here can be understood as establishing a voice bearer. This message carries the service data flow template, which the PCF generated based on fDescs.

[0089] 10.SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to UPF.

[0090] 11.SMF sends a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session Modification command to AMF to establish a voice QoS flow.

[0091] 12.AMF sends a PDU session modification command to UE1 to establish a voice QoS flow.

[0092] It should be noted that the voice QoS flow can be understood as a QoS flow used to transmit voice media. The QoS level corresponding to this QoS flow is 1.

[0093] 13.UE1 replies with a response message, completing the establishment of the voice QoS flow.

[0094] 14. After the P-CSCF determines that the voice QoS flow of UE1 is successfully established, it sends a 183 response message to UE1.

[0095] 15-18. The user of UE2 answers the call, and UE2 replies with a 200 OK message, which is routed to UE1.

[0096] In related technologies, in an NTN scenario, the communication path for an IMS call between two UEs is UE1-satellite-ground station-terrestrial network (e.g., 5G UPF)-ground station-satellite-UE2. Because the satellite is far from the ground, this communication path is long, resulting in significant call latency and impacting the user experience. One solution is to place the UPF on the satellite. In this way, when two UEs access the network via the same satellite, they can conduct a UE-satellite-UE (USU) call. USU calls can shorten the communication path between the two UEs, thereby reducing call latency and improving the user experience.

[0097] It should be noted that in this application, USU call can also be understood or replaced by USU communication (communicate), and the following will not be repeated.

[0098] However, in the above-mentioned voice bearer establishment process, SMF cannot sense whether the two UEs access the network through the same satellite, so USU calls cannot be realized, and the problem of long call delays caused by long communication paths in the NTN scenario of related technologies cannot be solved.

[0099] Based on this, the embodiments of the present application propose a communication method, apparatus, and related equipment, which can solve the problem of long call delay caused by long communication paths in NTN scenarios of related technologies.

[0100] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0101] FIG3 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the communication method includes the following steps:

[0102] Step 301: A first core network function receives a first message from a second core network function, where the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal and includes information related to the first terminal and information related to a second terminal.

[0103] It should be noted that a voice bearer is a bearer or data channel used to transmit voice services. The corresponding concept in 5G communication systems is QoS flow, and the corresponding concept in 4G communication systems is EPS bearer. The corresponding QoS level for voice bearers is 1. The following is not repeated here.

[0104] Step 302: The first core network function performs a first operation or a second operation based on the first message.

[0105] The first operation includes determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites. The second operation includes sending a second message to a third core network function, where the second message is used to add a fourth core network function to a communication path, where the fourth core network function is a core network function used to control a UPF included in the satellite.

[0106] In the embodiment of the present application, the first terminal is a calling terminal and the second terminal is a called terminal. For the convenience of description, the first terminal can be represented as UE1 and the second terminal can be represented as UE2.

[0107] The first core network function may be, for example, an SMF, the second core network function may be, for example, a PCF, the third core network function may be, for example, an AMF, and the fourth core network function may be, for example, an intermediate SMF (Intermediate SMF, I-SMF).

[0108] The relevant steps involved in the embodiment of the present application can be understood as the part of establishing a voice bearer in the entire IMS call process, that is, step 8 and subsequent steps in Figure 2.

[0109] The first message is used to request or instruct the first core network function to establish a voice bearer (e.g., a QoS flow). The first message may carry a service data flow template. For example, the first message may be a PCF initiated SM policy association modification message.

[0110] Optionally, the first message further carries indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the USU service. For ease of description, this embodiment of the present application refers to the indication information as first information.

[0111] For example, before step 301, when the P-CSCF sends media information corresponding to the voice to the PCF, it may carry indication information for indicating that UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite. In other words, the P-CSCF has already predetermined in the previous process of establishing the IMS call that UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite and sends the corresponding indication information to the PCF. When the PCF sends a first message to the first core network function, the first message may carry indication information (i.e., the first information). It should be noted that the indication information sent by the P-CSCF to the PCF may be the same as or different from the indication information carried in the first message.

[0112] Since the first message may or may not carry the first information, the first core network function may perform the first operation or the second operation based on the first message.

[0113] For example, if the first message does not carry the first information, the first core network function does not know whether UE1 and UE2 access the network via the same satellite. Therefore, the first core network function may choose to perform the first operation. If the first message carries the first information, the first core network function may choose to perform the second operation. Of course, even if the first message carries the first information, the first core network function may choose to perform the first operation, and this embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0114] If the first core network function chooses to perform the first operation, the first core network function may determine what subsequent operation to perform based on the determination result. For example, if the first core network function determines that UE1 and UE2 access the network via the same satellite, the first core network function may perform subsequent operations required for a USU call. Therefore, the first core network function's determination that UE1 and UE2 access the network via the same satellite or different satellites facilitates a USU call between the two UEs, thereby shortening the call's communication path and reducing call latency.

[0115] It should be noted that the phrase "the first core network function determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites" can be replaced with "the first core network function determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite." The word "determine" can be replaced with words of similar meaning, such as "judge," "determine," "decide," and "verify."

[0116] It should be noted that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, which can be understood as the satellite containing a base station function, the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to the base station in the same satellite, and connected to the 5G core network, 4G core network or IMS network through the base station; or, the first terminal and the second terminal are under the same satellite (under the same satellite), and are both connected to the 5G core network, 4G core network or IMS network through the base station contained in the satellite.

[0117] It should be noted that "accessing the network through different satellites" can be replaced by "accessing the network through different satellites." The first terminal and the second terminal accessing the network through different satellites can be understood as: the first terminal and the second terminal both access the network through satellites, but the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to different satellites; or, only one of the first terminal and the second terminal accesses the network through a satellite, and the other accesses the network through a ground base station.

[0118] If the first core network function chooses to perform the second operation, it indicates that UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite. In this way, the third core network function can add the fourth core network function used to control the UPF contained in the satellite to the communication path according to the second message. In this way, the UPF contained in the satellite can be controlled through the fourth core network function, which is also conducive to the realization of USU calls between the two UEs, thereby shortening the communication path of the call and reducing the call delay.

[0119] Therefore, no matter whether the first core network function performs the first operation or the second operation, it is beneficial to enable the two UEs to conduct USU calls, thereby shortening the communication path of the call and reducing the call delay.

[0120] In an embodiment of the present application, a first core network function receives a first message from a second core network function, the first message being used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, the first message including relevant information about the first terminal and relevant information about the second terminal; the first core network function performs a first operation or a second operation based on the first message; the first operation includes determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites; and the second operation includes sending a second message to a third core network function, the second message being used to add a fourth core network function to the communication path, the fourth core network function being a core network function for controlling the UPF included in the satellite. In this way, by performing the first operation or the second operation, a USU call between two UEs can be facilitated, thereby shortening the communication path for the call and reducing call latency.

[0121] The following describes how the first core network function determines whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0122] In some embodiments, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0123] When determining that the satellite where the first terminal is located includes a UPF, the first core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0124] Here, the satellite where UE1 is located including (or having) a UPF means that the UPF is placed or deployed on the satellite where UE1 is located. As mentioned above, the satellite where UE1 is located including a UPF is a condition that UE1 can conduct USU calls with other UEs located on the satellite.

[0125] Therefore, in this implementation, the first core network function can first determine whether the satellite where UE1 is located contains UPF. If the satellite where UE1 is located contains UPF, it can then determine whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite. This can avoid the first core network function from performing unnecessary related processing, thereby reducing unnecessary waste of resources.

[0126] It should be noted that the satellite where UE1 is located can also be understood as a satellite including a base station function, and UE1 is connected to the base station on the satellite.

[0127] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first IP address, or the relevant information of the first terminal includes the first IP address and first port information;

[0128] The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information;

[0129] The determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0130] Determining, based on the first IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0131] According to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, it is determined whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0132] As mentioned above, the first message can carry a service data flow template, which may include relevant information of the source UE (i.e., UE1) and relevant information of the destination UE (i.e., UE2), such as source IP (Source IP, i.e., the first IP address, referred to as IP1), destination IP (target IP, i.e., the second IP address, referred to as IP2), source port (source port, i.e., the first port information, referred to as port1) and destination port (target port, i.e., the second port information, referred to as port2).

[0133] The first core network function may determine whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite based on IP1 and IP2, or determine whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite based on IP1+port1 and IP2+port2. A variety of optional determination schemes are provided below.

[0134] Optionally, determining, based on the first IP address and the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0135] Determining, based on an IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and an IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0136] Determining, based on the realm information corresponding to the first IP address and the realm information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0137] Determining a first CGI based on the first IP address, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0138] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address, determining a first CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0139] Determining a first satellite ID based on the first IP address, and determining a second satellite ID based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the first satellite ID and the second satellite ID, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0140] An identifier of the first terminal is determined based on the first IP address, a first satellite identifier is determined based on the identifier of the first terminal, an identifier of the second terminal is determined based on the second IP address, a second satellite identifier is determined based on the identifier of the second terminal, and based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0141] It should be noted that the UE may carry a private IP address or a public IP address during IMS registration. The UE may also carry the realm information corresponding to the IP address during IMS registration. Therefore, the IP address included in the service data flow template may be a public IP address or a private IP address. If it is a private IP address, the first core network function may obtain the public IP address corresponding to the private IP address, or obtain the domain information corresponding to the private IP address.

[0142] It should be noted that the first core network function can directly determine the CGI based on the IP, or first determine the corresponding identifier of the UE based on the IP, such as the Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) or the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and then determine the CGI based on the corresponding identifier of the UE.

[0143] It should be noted that the first core network function can directly determine the satellite identifier based on the IP, or first determine the identifier corresponding to the UE, such as SUPI or IMSI, based on the IP, and then determine the satellite identifier based on the identifier corresponding to the UE.

[0144] It should be noted that the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier may be sent to the first core network function by other core network functions (such as AMF). Exemplarily, the AMF obtains the satellite identifier based on the base station identifier received from the base station (the AMF pre-stores the association or correspondence between the base station identifier and the satellite identifier), or the AMF receives the satellite identifier from the base station to obtain the satellite identifier.

[0145] Optionally, the determining, based on the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0146] Determining a first CGI based on the first IP address and the first port information, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0147] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address and the first port information, determining a first CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0148] Determining a first satellite identifier based on the first IP address and the first port information, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0149] Determine an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address and the first port information, determine a first satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0150] It should be noted that the first core network function can directly determine the CGI based on the IP+port, or first determine the identifier corresponding to the UE, such as SUPI or IMSI, based on the IP+port, and then determine the CGI based on the identifier corresponding to the UE.

[0151] It should be noted that the first core network function can directly determine the satellite identifier based on the IP+port, or first determine the identifier corresponding to the UE, such as SUPI or IMSI, based on the IP+port, and then determine the satellite identifier based on the identifier corresponding to the UE.

[0152] It should be noted that the first CGI is the CGI corresponding to the first terminal; the second CGI is the CGI corresponding to the second terminal.

[0153] It should be noted that the first satellite identifier is a satellite identifier corresponding to the first terminal; and the second satellite identifier is a satellite identifier corresponding to the second terminal.

[0154] Optionally, determining, based on an IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and an IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0155] When the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0156] Optionally, determining, according to domain information corresponding to the first IP address and domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0157] When the domain information corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0158] Optionally, determining, according to the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes any one of the following:

[0159] When the first CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite;

[0160] When the base station corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0161] When the satellite corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0162] It should be noted that the base station corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, which can be understood or replaced as the base station identifier corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station identifier corresponding to the second CGI.

[0163] It should be noted that the satellite corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, which can be understood or replaced by the satellite identifier corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite identifier corresponding to the second CGI.

[0164] Optionally, determining, according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0165] When the first satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0166] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information;

[0167] The determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0168] determining, based on the third IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0169] determining, based on a third CGI and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0170] Determining, according to a third satellite identifier and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0171] Determining, based on the third IP address and the third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0172] Determining, according to the third CGI, the second IP address, and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0173] Determining, according to a third satellite identifier, the second IP address, and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0174] The third IP address is the IP address of the first terminal stored by the first core network function;

[0175] The third port information is the port information of the first terminal stored by the first core network function;

[0176] The third CGI is the CGI of the first terminal saved by the first core network function;

[0177] The third satellite identifier is an identifier of the satellite where the first terminal is located, which is saved by the first core network function.

[0178] In other words, if the first core network function stores relevant information about UE1, it only needs to obtain relevant information about UE2 from the first message and determine whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite based on the stored relevant information about UE1 and the obtained relevant information about UE2. This approach can appropriately reduce the overhead required by the first core network function to obtain information.

[0179] Optionally, the first core network function may obtain and save relevant information of UE1 from the AMF when UE1 establishes or modifies a PDU session; or, the first core network function may obtain and save relevant information of UE1 from the AMF when UE1 enters a connected state from an idle state. The subsequent steps are the same and will not be repeated here.

[0180] Optionally, determining, based on the third IP address and the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0181] Determining, based on the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0182] Determining, based on the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0183] Determining a third CGI based on the third IP address, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0184] determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address, determining a third CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0185] Determining a third satellite identifier based on the third IP address, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0186] Determine the identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address, determine a third satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0187] Optionally, determining, based on the third CGI and the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0188] Determining a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determining, according to the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0189] The identifier of the second terminal is determined according to the second IP address, the second CGI is determined according to the identifier of the second terminal, and according to the third CGI and the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0190] Optionally, determining, based on the third CGI, the second IP address, and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0191] Determine a second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine, according to the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0192] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI.

[0193] Optionally, determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0194] Determining a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determining, according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0195] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

[0196] Optionally, the determining, based on the third satellite identifier, the second IP address, and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0197] Determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0198] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

[0199] Optionally, determining, based on the third IP address and the third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0200] Determining a third CGI based on the third IP address and the third port information, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0201] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address and the third port information, determining a third CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0202] Determining a third satellite identifier based on the third IP address and the third port information, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0203] Determine the identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address and the third port information, determine a third satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0204] Optionally, determining, based on an IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and an IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0205] In a case where the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0206] Optionally, determining, according to the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0207] When the domain information corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0208] Optionally, determining, according to the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes any one of the following:

[0209] When the third CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0210] When the base station corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0211] In a case where the satellite corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0212] Optionally, determining, according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0213] When the third satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0214] For the rest, please refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned embodiment. To avoid repetition, this will not be described in detail.

[0215] In some embodiments, when the first message further includes first information or second information, determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0216] Determining, based on the first information or the second information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite;

[0217] Wherein, the first information includes information for indicating USU services;

[0218] The second information is used to indicate that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, or to indicate that the first terminal and the second terminal are under the same satellite (under the same satellite) or under the coverage of one serving satellite, or the second information is used to indicate that local switching (Local Switch) is performed on the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second information is used to indicate the performance of local switching.

[0219] Exemplarily, the information for indicating the USU service may be a Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI) corresponding to the USU service. That is, the first message may carry a DNAI, which is a DNAI corresponding to the USU service, that is, the DNAI may indicate the USU service.

[0220] It should be noted that the USU service in this application can also be understood or replaced by USU call service, USU voice service, USU data service or USU network service, and the same will not be repeated later.

[0221] It should be noted that local switching can also be understood or replaced by local routing (Local Routing), and the following description will be omitted.

[0222] As mentioned above, the first message may carry the first information. That is, when the first message includes the first information, the first core network function may directly determine that UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite.

[0223] For the second core network function (such as PCF), it can determine whether to send the first information to the first core network function based on the indication information sent by other core network functions (such as P-CSCF); or, determine whether to send the first information to the first core network function based on the Source IP and target IP (or, Source IP, source port, target IP and target port) in the fDescs sent by the P-CSCF.

[0224] For example, the PCF determines the CGI based on the IP (or IP+port), and determines whether UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite based on the CGI. The PCF can determine the CGI based on locally stored information, or obtain the CGI from the SMF.

[0225] Exemplarily, the PCF determines the satellite ID based on the IP (or IP+port), and determines whether UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite based on the satellite ID. The PCF can determine the satellite ID based on locally stored information, or obtain the satellite ID from the SMF.

[0226] Exemplarily, the PCF determines whether UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite according to whether the IP addresses of UE1 and UE2 belong to the same range or realm.

[0227] The above describes how the first core network function determines whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite or different satellites. The following describes subsequent operations performed by the first core network function.

[0228] In some embodiments, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0229] The first core network function adds (adds or inserts) the UPF included in the target satellite as a protocol data unit session anchor (PDU Session Anchor, PSA) to the PDU session;

[0230] The first core network function adds (adds or inserts) the UPF included in the target satellite as an uplink classifier (UL CL) to the PDU session;

[0231] The first core network function sends a third message to the UPF included in the target satellite, where the third message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal;

[0232] The first core network function sends third information to the UPF included in the target satellite, where the third information includes a local forwarding rule;

[0233] The first core network function sends a fourth message to the third core network function, where the fourth message is used to add the fourth core network function to the communication path;

[0234] The first core network function sends a fifth message to the fourth core network function, where the fifth message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal;

[0235] The target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

[0236] In this implementation, the UPF contained in the target satellite can be controlled by the first core network function, or by a fourth core network function (such as I-SMF) that specifically controls the UPF contained in the satellite.

[0237] Controlling the UPF included in the target satellite may include: adding the UPF included in the target satellite as a PSA to the PDU session, or adding the UPF included in the target satellite as a UL CL to the PDU session.

[0238] Adding the target satellite's UPF as a PSA to the PDU session can be understood as assigning the target satellite's UPF the logical functionality of a PSA. Alternatively, the target satellite's UPF is used as a new PSA. For example, N4 can be used to establish a new PSA for the PDU session. Alternatively, the target satellite's UPF is selected and used as the new PSA for the PDU session.

[0239] For the sake of distinction, the PSA corresponding to the original UPF can be called PSA1, and the PSA corresponding to the UPF contained in the target satellite can be called PSA2.

[0240] Based on the use of the UPF within the satellite as PSA2, third information containing local forwarding rules can also be sent to PSA2. For example, the rule can be generated based on the source IP and target IP (or source IP, source port, target IP, and target port) in the service data flow template. For example, the local forwarding rule can be: directly forward or send packets with a source address of IP1 and a destination address of IP2 to UE2; or directly forward or send packets with a source address of IP1+port1 and a destination address of IP2+port2 to UE2.

[0241] On the basis of using the UPF in the satellite as PSA2, a third message (such as N4 session modification request) can also be sent to PSA2 to establish a voice bearer (such as QoS flow) for UE1.

[0242] It should be noted that the third message is used to request or instruct the UPF to allocate resources for the voice bearer, for example, tunnel-related resources. The third message is a step of establishing a voice bearer for UE1.

[0243] Adding the UPF on the target satellite as a UL CL to the PDU session can be understood as indicating that the UPF on the target satellite has the logical functionality of a UL CL. Alternatively, the UPF on the target satellite is used as a new UL CL. Alternatively, the UPF on the target satellite is selected and used as the new UL CL for the PDU session. For example, a new UL CL can be established for the PDU session via N4.

[0244] When the UPF included in the target satellite is added to the PDU session as a PSA, and the UPF included in the target satellite is added to the PDU session as a UL CL, the UPF included in the target satellite has two logical functions: PSA and UL CL.

[0245] Adding the UPF contained in the target satellite as PSA to the PDU session, and adding the UPF contained in the target satellite as UL CL to the PDU session can be achieved through one message or two messages, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0246] In addition, the first core network function may also update the N4 connection of PSA1 to establish a connection between PSA1 and the UL CL.

[0247] The first core network function may also send a PDU session modification command to the third core network function to establish a voice QoS flow. The third core network function may also send a PDU session modification command to UE1 to establish a voice QoS flow.

[0248] The above are related operations for controlling the UPF included in the target satellite by the first core network function. By performing the above operations, USU calls can be implemented through the UPF of the satellite, thereby shortening the call delay.

[0249] As mentioned above, the control of the UPF included in the target satellite can be achieved by a fourth core network function that specifically controls the UPF included in the satellite. In this case, the first core network function does not need to perform related operations for controlling the UPF included in the target satellite, but instead determines to insert the fourth core network function. When it is determined to insert the fourth core network function, the first core network function sends a fourth message to the third core network function (such as AMF), and the fourth message is used to add the fourth core network function to the communication path.

[0250] The fourth message may be, for example, an SM context status notification (Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify). Optionally, the fourth message may include first information indicating a USU service.

[0251] For the third core network function, it can select a specific fourth core network function that can control the UPF included in the target satellite based on the fourth message.

[0252] Exemplarily, the fourth message may carry a DNAI, which is a DNAI corresponding to the USU service, that is, the DNAI may indicate the USU service. The third core network function selects a fourth core network function that can provide services for the DNAI, and sends a create SM context request (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext) to the selected fourth core network function.

[0253] The fourth core network function may request the context of UE1 from the first core network function. The context of UE1 may include CGI or satellite ID.

[0254] The first core network function may also send a fifth message to the fourth core network function, where the fifth message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal. The fifth message may be, for example, an update request (Nsmf_PDUSession_Update Request) used to establish a voice QoS flow, and the request may carry a service data flow template.

[0255] It can be seen from the above implementation that the first core network function can perform an operation of determining whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite (corresponding to the first operation). After determining that UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite, the first core network function can also perform related operations of controlling the UPF included in the satellite, or, instead of performing related operations of controlling the UPF included in the satellite, determine to insert the fourth core network function (corresponding to the second operation).

[0256] In another embodiment of the present application, when the first message also includes first information indicating a USU service, the first core network function may not determine whether UE1 and UE2 access the network via the same satellite, but may directly determine to insert a fourth core network function. In this case, the first core network function performs less work, and the functionality enhancement is mainly in the fourth core network function. The following describes the relevant behavior of the first core network function in this case.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first core network function performs a first operation or a second operation based on the first message, including:

[0258] In a case where the first message further includes first information for indicating a USU service, the first core network function performs a second operation;

[0259] The second message includes information indicating USU services.

[0260] Exemplarily, the second message may carry a DNAI, which is a DNAI corresponding to the USU service, that is, the DNAI may indicate the USU service.

[0261] It should be noted that the second and fourth messages have the same meaning and are both messages sent by the first core network function to the third core network function to instruct the insertion of the fourth core network function. The distinction between the second and fourth messages is based on the differences in the prerequisites and timing of their transmission. The prerequisite for sending the second message is that the first message includes the first information. The prerequisite for sending the fourth message is that the first core network function has already performed an operation to determine whether UE1 and UE2 access the network via the same satellite, and has determined that UE1 and UE2 access the network via the same satellite.

[0262] The above are the relevant behaviors on the first core network function side. The following describes the relevant behaviors on the second core network function side.

[0263] FIG4 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , the communication method includes the following steps:

[0264] Step 401: A second core network function receives a sixth message from a fifth core network function, where the sixth message includes relevant information about a first terminal and relevant information about a second terminal.

[0265] Step 402: The second core network function determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0266] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0267] The second core network function sends a first message to the first core network function when determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0268] The first message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal, the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal, and the first message also includes first information, which includes information for indicating the terminal-satellite-terminal USU service.

[0269] Optionally, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including:

[0270] In a case where the sixth message further includes second information, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0271] The second information is used to instruct the first terminal and the second terminal to access the network through the same satellite, or to instruct to perform local switching on the first terminal and the second terminal, or to instruct to perform local switching.

[0272] Optionally, the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first Internet Protocol IP address, or the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first IP address and first port information;

[0273] The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information;

[0274] The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0275] The second core network function determines, based on the first IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0276] The second core network function determines, based on the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0277] Optionally, the second core network function determines, according to the first IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0278] The second core network function determines, based on the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0279] The second core network function determines, based on the domain information corresponding to the first IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0280] The second core network function determines a first cell global identifier (CGI) based on the first IP address, determines a second CGI based on the second IP address, and determines, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0281] The second core network function determines, based on the first IP address and the first port information, an identifier of the first terminal, determines a first CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determines, based on the second IP address and the second port information, determines a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0282] The second core network function determines a first satellite identifier based on the first IP address, determines a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address, and determines, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0283] The second core network function determines an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address and the first port information, determines a first satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determines an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determines a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0284] Optionally, the second core network function determines, based on the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0285] The second core network function determines a first CGI based on the first IP address and the first port information, determines a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determines, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0286] The second core network function determines, based on the first IP address and the first port information, an identifier of the first terminal, determines a first CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determines, based on the second IP address and the second port information, determines a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0287] The second core network function determines a first satellite identifier based on the first IP address and the first port information, determines a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determines, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0288] The second core network function determines an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address and the first port information, determines a first satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determines an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determines a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0289] Optionally, the second core network function determines, based on the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including:

[0290] When the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0291] Optionally, the second core network function determines, based on the domain information corresponding to the first IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including:

[0292] When the domain information corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0293] Optionally, the determining, according to the first CGI and the second CGI, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes any one of the following:

[0294] When the first CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite;

[0295] When the base station corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0296] In a case where the satellite corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0297] It should be noted that the base station corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, which can be understood or replaced as the base station identifier corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station identifier corresponding to the second CGI.

[0298] It should be noted that the satellite corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, which can be understood or replaced by the satellite identifier corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite identifier corresponding to the second CGI.

[0299] Optionally, the determining, according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0300] When the first satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0301] Optionally, the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information;

[0302] The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0303] The second core network function determines, based on the third IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0304] The second core network function determines, based on the third CGI and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0305] The second core network function determines, based on the third satellite identifier and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0306] The second core network function determines, based on the third IP address and the third port information, as well as the second IP address and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0307] The second core network function determines, based on the third CGI, the second IP address, and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0308] The second core network function determines, based on the third satellite identifier, the second IP address, and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0309] The third IP address is the IP address of the first terminal saved by the second core network function;

[0310] The third port information is the port information of the first terminal stored by the second core network function;

[0311] The third CGI is the CGI of the first terminal saved by the second core network function;

[0312] The third satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the first terminal is located, which is saved by the second core network function.

[0313] That is, if the second core network function stores relevant information about UE1, it only needs to obtain relevant information about UE2 from the sixth message and determine whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite based on the stored relevant information about UE1 and the obtained relevant information about UE2. This approach can appropriately reduce the overhead required by the second core network function to obtain information.

[0314] Optionally, the second core network function may obtain and save relevant information of UE1 from AMF or SMF when UE1 establishes or modifies a PDU session; or, the second core network function may obtain and save relevant information of UE1 from AMF or SMF when UE1 enters a connected state from an idle state. The subsequent steps are the same and will not be repeated here.

[0315] Optionally, the second core network function determines, based on the third IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0316] The second core network function determines, based on the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0317] The second core network function determines, based on the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0318] The second core network function determines a third CGI based on the third IP address, and determines a second CGI based on the second IP address, and determines, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0319] The second core network function determines, based on the third IP address, an identifier of the first terminal, determines a third CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determines, based on the second IP address, an identifier of the second terminal, determines a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0320] The second core network function determines a third satellite identifier based on the third IP address, and determines a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address, and determines, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0321] The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address, determines a third satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determines the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determines a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0322] Optionally, the second core network function determines, according to the third CGI and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0323] The second core network function determines a second CGI based on the second IP address, and determines, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0324] The second core network function determines the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determines the second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites based on the third CGI and the second CGI.

[0325] Optionally, the second core network function determines, based on the third CGI, the second IP address, and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0326] The second core network function determines a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determines, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0327] The second core network function determines the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determines the second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites based on the third CGI and the second CGI.

[0328] Optionally, the second core network function determines, according to the third satellite identifier and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0329] The second core network function determines a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address, and determines, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0330] The second core network function determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determines the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0331] Optionally, the second core network function determines, according to the third satellite identifier, the second IP address, and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0332] The second core network function determines a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determines, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0333] The second core network function determines the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determines the second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

[0334] Optionally, the second core network function determines, based on the third IP address and third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following:

[0335] The second core network function determines a third CGI based on the third IP address and the third port information, determines a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determines, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0336] The second core network function determines, based on the third IP address and the third port information, an identifier of the first terminal, determines a third CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determines, based on the second IP address and the second port information, an identifier of the second terminal, determines a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0337] The second core network function determines a third satellite identifier based on the third IP address and the third port information, determines a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determines, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0338] The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address and the third port information, determines a third satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determines the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determines a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determines, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0339] Optionally, the second core network function determines, based on the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including:

[0340] When the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0341] Optionally, the second core network function determines, based on the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including:

[0342] When the domain information corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0343] Optionally, determining, according to the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes any one of the following:

[0344] When the third CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0345] When the base station corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0346] In a case where the satellite corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0347] Optionally, determining, according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes:

[0348] When the third satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0349] For the relevant description of the embodiments of the present application, please refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment of Figure 3, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they will not be described in detail.

[0350] The following describes the relevant behaviors on the fourth core network function side.

[0351] FIG5 shows a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG5 , the communication method includes the following steps:

[0352] Step 501: The fourth core network function receives a sixth message from the third core network function, where the sixth message includes first information, and the first information includes information indicating a USU service.

[0353] Step 502: The fourth core network function performs a third operation based on the first information;

[0354] The third operation includes at least one of the following:

[0355] Add the UPF of the target satellite as PSA to the PDU session;

[0356] Add the UPF of the target satellite as UL CL to the PDU session;

[0357] Sending a seventh message to the UPF of the target satellite, where the seventh message is used to instruct establishment of a voice bearer for the first terminal;

[0358] Sending third information to the UPF of the target satellite, where the third information includes a local forwarding rule;

[0359] The target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

[0360] For the relevant description of the embodiments of the present application, please refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment of Figure 3, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they will not be described in detail.

[0361] The following provides a specific embodiment to illustrate the embodiments of the present application by taking the first core network function as SMF, the second core network function as PCF, the third core network function as AMF, and the fourth core network function as I-SMF as an example.

[0362] Example 1: SMF determines whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite

[0363] As shown in Figure 6, the following steps are included:

[0364] 8. The P-CSCF generates the media information corresponding to the voice media based on the SDP offer and SDP answer.

[0365] Optionally, the P-CSCF sends a first indication to the PCF, where the first indication is used to indicate that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite (under the coverage of one serving satellite); or, to indicate that a local switch is to be performed on UE1 and UE2; or, to indicate that a local switch is to be performed.

[0366] 9. PCF sends a PCF initiated SM policy association modification message to SMF.

[0367] Optionally, the PCF sends a second indication to the SMF. The second indication may be the same as or different from the first indication.

[0368] 10. When the SMF determines that the message in step 9 is used to establish a voice QoS flow for UE1, it determines whether UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite. The determination method is as follows:

[0369] Method 1: SMF is determined based on the Source IP and target IP in the service data flow template, or based on the Source IP, source port, target IP, and target port in the service data flow template.

[0370] Method 1.1: SMF determines CGI based on IP or IP+port, and determines that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite based on CGI.

[0371] Optionally, the SMF first determines the UE identifier, such as SUPI, according to the IP or IP+port, and then determines the CGI according to the UE identifier.

[0372] Method 1.2: SMF determines that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite based on the IP addresses of UE1 and UE2 belonging to the same range or realm.

[0373] Method 2: The SMF determines according to the second indication sent by the PCF.

[0374] The second indication is used to indicate that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite; alternatively, the second indication may be a DNAI, which is a DNAI corresponding to a USU service, that is, the DNAI may indicate a USU voice service or a USU network service.

[0375] Solution 1: The PCF determines to send a second instruction to the SMF based on the first instruction.

[0376] Solution 2: PCF determines to send the second instruction to SMF based on the Source IP and target IP in fDescs, or determines to send the second instruction to SMF based on the Source IP, source port, target IP and target port in fDescs.

[0377] Solution 2.1: The PCF determines the CGI based on the IP or IP+port, and determines that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite based on the CGI. The PCF determines the CGI based on locally stored information, or obtains the CGI from the SMF.

[0378] Solution 2.2: PCF determines that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite based on the IP addresses of UE1 and UE2 belonging to the same range or realm.

[0379] Optionally, when the SMF determines that the satellite where UE1 is located includes the UPF, it determines whether UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite.

[0380] 11. SMF performs subsequent operations. For subsequent operations, see Example 2 and Example 3.

[0381] For the remaining steps in FIG6 , please refer to the relevant description of FIG2 .

[0382] Example 2: SMF controls the UPF of the satellite

[0383] As shown in Figure 7, the following steps are included:

[0384] 1. The SMF determines that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite (see the relevant description of step 10 in embodiment 1, that is, step 1 in FIG. 7 is step 10 in FIG. 6 ).

[0385] 2.SMF uses the UPF in the satellite as the new PSA, and establishes a new PDU session Anchor 2 for the PDU session through N4.

[0386] Optionally, SMF sends local forwarding rules to PSA 2, which are generated based on the Source IP and target IP (or Source IP, source port, target IP and target port) in the service data flow template.

[0387] For example, a data packet with a source address of IP1 and a destination address of IP2 is directly forwarded to UE2; or a data packet with a source address of IP1+port1 and a destination address of IP2+port2 is directly forwarded to UE2.

[0388] The new PSA is referred to as PSA 2, and the original UPF is referred to as PSA 1.

[0389] Note: The service data flow template is sent by the PCF to the SMF in step 9 of Figure 6.

[0390] 3.SMF uses the UPF in the satellite as the UL CL, and SMF establishes a new UL CL for the PDU session through N4.

[0391] Note: The UPF on the satellite has two logical functions: PSA2 and UL CL.

[0392] Step 2 and step 3 can also be implemented through a message.

[0393] 4.SMF updates the N4 connection of PSA1 to establish the connection between PSA1 and UL CL.

[0394] 5.SMF sends an N4 session modification request to PSA2 to establish a voice QoS flow for UE1.

[0395] 6.SMF sends a PDU session modification command to AMF to establish voice QoS flow.

[0396] 7.AMF sends a PDU session modification command to UE1 to establish a voice QoS flow.

[0397] Example 3: SMF determines whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite, and I-SMF controls the UPF of the satellite

[0398] As shown in Figure 8, the following steps are included:

[0399] 1. The SMF determines that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite (see the relevant description of step 10 in embodiment 1, that is, step 1 in FIG8 is step 10 in FIG6 ).

[0400] 2.SMF determines to insert I-SMF to control the UPF in the satellite.

[0401] SMF sends an SM context status notification (Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify) to AMF, carrying specific DNAI information.

[0402] The specific DNAI is a DNAI corresponding to a USU service, that is, the DNAI may indicate a USU voice service or a USU network service.

[0403] 3.AMF selects an I-SMF that can provide services for this specific DNAI.

[0404] 4.AMF sends a create SM context request (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext) to I-SMF.

[0405] 5. I-SMF requests the UE context from SMF. The UE context includes CGI or satellite ID.

[0406] 6. The I-SMF uses the UPF in the satellite as the new PSA and establishes a new PDU session Anchor 2 for the PDU session through N4.

[0407] I-SMF determines the UPF within the satellite based on the CGI or satellite ID.

[0408] The new PSA is referred to as PSA2, and the original UPF is referred to as PSA1.

[0409] 7. The I-SMF uses the UPF in the satellite as the UL CL, and establishes a new UL CL for the PDU session through N4.

[0410] Note: The UPF on the satellite has two logical functions: PSA2 and UL CL.

[0411] Steps 6 and 7 can also be implemented through a message.

[0412] 8. I-SMF sends a create request (Nsmf_PDUSession_Create request) to SMF.

[0413] 9. SMF updates the downlink information of PSA1 to establish the connection between PSA1 and UL CL.

[0414] 10.SMF sends an update request (Nsmf_PDUSession_Update request) to I-SMF to establish a voice QoS flow. The request carries the service data flow template.

[0415] Note: The service data flow template is sent by the PCF to the SMF in step 9 of Figure 6.

[0416] 11. The I-SMF sends an N4 session modification request to PSA 2 to establish a voice QoS flow.

[0417] Optionally, the I-SMF sends local forwarding rules to PSA2, where the rules are generated based on the Source IP and target IP (or Source IP, source port, target IP, and target port) in the service data flow template.

[0418] For example, a data packet with a source address of IP1 and a destination address of IP2 is directly forwarded to UE2; or a data packet with a source address of IP1+port1 and a destination address of IP2+port2 is directly forwarded to UE2.

[0419] 12.I-SMF sends a response message (Nsmf_PDUSession_Update response) to AMF.

[0420] 13.SMF sends a PDU session modification command to AMF to establish voice QoS flow.

[0421] 14.AMF sends a PDU session modification command to UE1 to establish a voice QoS flow.

[0422] Example 4: I-SMF determines whether UE1 and UE2 access the network through the same satellite, and I-SMF controls the UPF of the satellite

[0423] As shown in Figure 9, the following steps are included:

[0424] 2. The P-CSCF generates the media information corresponding to the voice based on the SDP offer and SDP answer.

[0425] Optionally, the P-CSCF sends a first indication to the PCF, where the first indication is the same as the first indication in step 8 of FIG. 6 .

[0426] 3. PCF sends a specific DNAI to SMF. This DNAI is the same as the DNAI in step 10 of Figure 6.

[0427] The PCF sends a specific DNAI to the SMF when UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite. The PCF judgment method includes:

[0428] Method 1: PCF is determined based on the Source IP and target IP (or Source IP, source port, target IP, and target port) in fDescs.

[0429] Sub-solution 1: PCF determines CGI based on IP or IP+port, and determines that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite based on CGI.

[0430] The PCF determines the CGI based on locally stored information, or the PCF obtains the CGI from the SMF.

[0431] Sub-solution 2: PCF determines that UE1 and UE2 are in the same satellite based on the IP addresses of UE1 and UE2 belonging to the same range or realm.

[0432] Method 2: The PCF determines according to the first indication sent by the P-CSCF.

[0433] 4. Based on the specific DNAI, SMF determines to insert I-SMF, and SMF sends an SM context status notification to AMF, carrying the special DNAI information.

[0434] 5.AMF selects I-SMF based on the special DNAI.

[0435] 6.AMF sends a create SM context request to I-SMF, and the UE context contains CGI or satellite ID.

[0436] 7. I-SMF requests the UE context from SMF. The context sent by SMF to I-SMF includes the service data flow template.

[0437] 8. The I-SMF uses the UPF in the satellite as the new PSA and establishes a new PDU session Anchor 2 for the PDU session through N4.

[0438] I-SMF determines the UPF within the satellite based on the CGI or satellite ID.

[0439] The new PSA is referred to as PSA2, and the original UPF is referred to as PSA1.

[0440] 9. The I-SMF uses the UPF in the satellite as the UL CL and establishes a new UL CL for the PDU session through N4.

[0441] 10. I-SMF sends a create request to SMF.

[0442] 11.SMF updates the downlink information of PSA1 to establish the connection between PSA1 and UL CL.

[0443] 12.SMF sends an update request to I-SMF to establish voice QoS flow.

[0444] 13. The I-SMF sends an update request to PSA 2 to establish the voice QoS flow.

[0445] Optionally, the I-SMF sends local forwarding rules to PSA2, where the rules are generated based on the Source IP and target IP (or Source IP, source port, target IP, and target port) in the service data flow template.

[0446] For example, a data packet with a source address of IP1 and a destination address of IP2 is directly forwarded to UE2; or a data packet with a source address of IP1+port1 and a destination address of IP2+port2 is directly forwarded to UE2.

[0447] 14.I-SMF sends a response message to AMF.

[0448] 15.SMF sends a PDU session modification command to AMF to establish voice QoS flow.

[0449] 16.AMF sends a PDU session modification command to UE1 to establish a voice QoS flow.

[0450] 17. Complete the next steps.

[0451] In summary, the embodiments of the present application are conducive to enabling USU calls between two UEs, thereby shortening the communication path of the call and reducing the call delay.

[0452] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed by a communication device. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described by taking the communication method executed by the communication device as an example.

[0453] Figures 10a and 10b show a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the first core network function. As shown in Figure 10a, the communication device 910 includes:

[0454] A receiving unit 911 is configured to receive a first message from a second core network function, where the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information about the first terminal and relevant information about a second terminal;

[0455] The first processing unit 912 is configured to determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0456] Alternatively, as shown in FIG10b , the communication means 910 includes:

[0457] A receiving unit 911 is configured to receive a first message from a second core network function, where the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information about the first terminal and relevant information about a second terminal;

[0458] The first sending unit 913 is used to send a second message to the third core network function, where the second message is used to add the fourth core network function to the communication path, and the fourth core network function is a core network function used to control the user plane function UPF included in the satellite.

[0459] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0460] In a case where it is determined that the satellite where the first terminal is located includes a UPF, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0461] Optionally, the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first Internet Protocol IP address, or the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first IP address and first port information;

[0462] The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information;

[0463] The first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0464] Determining, based on the first IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0465] According to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, it is determined whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0466] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0467] Determining, based on the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0468] Determining, based on the domain information corresponding to the first IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0469] Determine a first cell global identifier (CGI) according to the first IP address, determine a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determine, according to the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0470] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address, determining a first CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0471] Determining a first satellite identifier based on the first IP address, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0472] An identifier of the first terminal is determined based on the first IP address, a first satellite identifier is determined based on the identifier of the first terminal, an identifier of the second terminal is determined based on the second IP address, a second satellite identifier is determined based on the identifier of the second terminal, and based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0473] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0474] The determining, based on the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following:

[0475] Determining a first CGI based on the first IP address and the first port information, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0476] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address and the first port information, determining a first CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0477] Determining a first satellite identifier based on the first IP address and the first port information, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0478] Determine an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address and the first port information, determine a first satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0479] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0480] When the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0481] or,

[0482] When the domain information corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0483] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically used for any of the following:

[0484] When the first CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite;

[0485] When the base station corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0486] In a case where the satellite corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0487] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0488] When the first satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0489] Optionally, the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information;

[0490] The first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0491] determining, based on the third IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0492] determining, based on a third CGI and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0493] Determining, according to a third satellite identifier and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0494] Determining, based on the third IP address and the third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0495] Determining, according to the third CGI, the second IP address, and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0496] Determining, according to a third satellite identifier, the second IP address, and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0497] The third IP address is the IP address of the first terminal stored by the first core network function;

[0498] The third port information is the port information of the first terminal stored by the first core network function;

[0499] The third CGI is the CGI of the first terminal saved by the first core network function;

[0500] The third satellite identifier is an identifier of the satellite where the first terminal is located, which is saved by the first core network function.

[0501] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0502] Determining, based on the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0503] Determining, based on the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0504] Determining a third CGI based on the third IP address, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0505] determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address, determining a third CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0506] Determining a third satellite identifier based on the third IP address, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0507] Determine the identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address, determine a third satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0508] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0509] Determining a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determining, according to the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0510] The identifier of the second terminal is determined according to the second IP address, the second CGI is determined according to the identifier of the second terminal, and according to the third CGI and the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0511] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0512] Determine a second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine, according to the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0513] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI.

[0514] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0515] Determining a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determining, according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0516] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

[0517] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0518] Determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0519] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

[0520] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0521] Determining a third CGI based on the third IP address and the third port information, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0522] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address and the third port information, determining a third CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0523] Determining a third satellite identifier based on the third IP address and the third port information, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0524] Determine the identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address and the third port information, determine a third satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0525] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0526] In a case where the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0527] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0528] When the domain information corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0529] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically used for any of the following:

[0530] When the third CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0531] When the base station corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0532] In a case where the satellite corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0533] Optionally, the first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0534] When the third satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0535] Optionally, when the first message further includes first information or second information, the first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0536] Determining, based on the first information or the second information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite;

[0537] The first information includes information indicating a terminal-satellite-terminal USU service;

[0538] The second information is used to instruct the first terminal and the second terminal to access a network through the same satellite, or the second information is used to instruct to perform local switching for the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second information is used to instruct to perform local switching.

[0539] Optionally, the device further comprises at least one of the following:

[0540] A second processing unit is configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, add the UPF included in the target satellite as a PDU session anchor point PSA to the PDU session;

[0541] A third processing unit is configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, add the UPF included in the target satellite as an uplink offload UL CL to the PDU session;

[0542] A second sending unit is configured to send a third message to a UPF included in a target satellite when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, wherein the third message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal;

[0543] A third sending unit is configured to send third information to the UPF included in the target satellite when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, where the third information includes a local forwarding rule;

[0544] a fourth sending unit, configured to, when determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, send a fourth message to the third core network function, wherein the fourth message is used to add the fourth core network function to the communication path;

[0545] A fifth sending unit is configured to send a fifth message to the fourth core network function when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, wherein the fifth message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal;

[0546] The target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

[0547] Optionally, the fourth message includes first information, and the first information includes information for indicating USU services.

[0548] Optionally, the first sending unit is specifically configured to:

[0549] When the first message further includes information indicating a USU service, sending a second message to a third core network function;

[0550] The second message includes information indicating USU services.

[0551] Optionally, the information indicating the USU service includes a data network access identifier DNAI corresponding to the USU service.

[0552] FIG11 shows a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to a second core network function. As shown in FIG11 , the communication device 920 includes:

[0553] The first receiving unit 921 is configured to receive a sixth message from the fifth core network function, where the sixth message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal;

[0554] The processing unit 922 is configured to determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0555] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0556] a sending unit, configured to send a first message to a first core network function when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0557] The first message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal, the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal, and the first message also includes first information, which includes information for indicating the terminal-satellite-terminal USU service.

[0558] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0559] In a case where the sixth message further includes second information, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite;

[0560] The second information is used to instruct the first terminal and the second terminal to access the network through the same satellite, or to instruct to perform local switching on the first terminal and the second terminal, or to instruct to perform local switching.

[0561] Optionally, the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first Internet Protocol IP address, or the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first IP address and first port information;

[0562] The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information;

[0563] The processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0564] Determining, based on the first IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0565] According to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, it is determined whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0566] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0567] Determining, based on the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0568] Determining, based on the domain information corresponding to the first IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0569] Determine a first cell global identifier (CGI) according to the first IP address, determine a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determine, according to the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0570] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address, determining a first CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0571] Determining a first satellite identifier based on the first IP address, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0572] An identifier of the first terminal is determined based on the first IP address, a first satellite identifier is determined based on the identifier of the first terminal, an identifier of the second terminal is determined based on the second IP address, a second satellite identifier is determined based on the identifier of the second terminal, and based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0573] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0574] Determining a first CGI based on the first IP address and the first port information, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0575] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address and the first port information, determining a first CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the first CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0576] Determining a first satellite identifier based on the first IP address and the first port information, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0577] Determine an identifier of the first terminal based on the first IP address and the first port information, determine a first satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0578] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0579] When the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0580] or,

[0581] When the domain information corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0582] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically used for any of the following:

[0583] When the first CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite;

[0584] When the base station corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0585] In a case where the satellite corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0586] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0587] When the first satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0588] Optionally, the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information;

[0589] The processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0590] determining, based on the third IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0591] determining, based on a third CGI and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0592] Determining, according to a third satellite identifier and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0593] Determining, based on the third IP address and the third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0594] Determining, according to the third CGI, the second IP address, and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0595] Determining, according to a third satellite identifier, the second IP address, and the second port information, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0596] The third IP address is the IP address of the first terminal saved by the second core network function;

[0597] The third port information is the port information of the first terminal stored by the second core network function;

[0598] The third CGI is the CGI of the first terminal saved by the second core network function;

[0599] The third satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the first terminal is located, which is saved by the second core network function.

[0600] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0601] Determining, based on the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0602] Determining, based on the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0603] Determining a third CGI based on the third IP address, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0604] determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address, determining a third CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0605] Determining a third satellite identifier based on the third IP address, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, that the first terminal and the second terminal access a network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0606] Determine the identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address, determine a third satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0607] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0608] Determining a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determining, according to the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0609] The identifier of the second terminal is determined according to the second IP address, the second CGI is determined according to the identifier of the second terminal, and according to the third CGI and the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0610] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0611] Determine a second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine, according to the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0612] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI.

[0613] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0614] Determining a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determining, according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0615] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

[0616] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0617] Determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0618] Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

[0619] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0620] Determining a third CGI based on the third IP address and the third port information, and determining a second CGI based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0621] Determining an identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address and the third port information, determining a third CGI based on the identifier of the first terminal, and determining an identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determining a second CGI based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determining, based on the third CGI and the second CGI, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access a network via the same satellite or different satellites;

[0622] Determining a third satellite identifier based on the third IP address and the third port information, and determining a second satellite identifier based on the second IP address and the second port information, and determining, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites;

[0623] Determine the identifier of the first terminal based on the third IP address and the third port information, determine a third satellite identifier based on the identifier of the first terminal, determine the identifier of the second terminal based on the second IP address and the second port information, determine a second satellite identifier based on the identifier of the second terminal, and determine, based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0624] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0625] In a case where the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0626] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0627] When the domain information corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0628] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically used for any of the following:

[0629] When the third CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0630] When the base station corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite;

[0631] In a case where the satellite corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0632] Optionally, the processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0633] When the third satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

[0634] FIG12 shows a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the fourth core network function. As shown in FIG12 , the communication device 930 includes:

[0635] A receiving unit 931 is configured to receive a sixth message from a third core network function, where the sixth message includes first information, where the first information includes information indicating a terminal-satellite-terminal USU service;

[0636] an executing unit 932, configured to execute a third operation based on the first information;

[0637] The third operation includes at least one of the following:

[0638] Add the UPF of the target satellite as the PDU session anchor point PSA to the PDU session;

[0639] Add the UPF of the target satellite as the uplink UL CL to the PDU session;

[0640] Sending a seventh message to the UPF of the target satellite, where the seventh message is used to instruct establishment of a voice bearer for the first terminal;

[0641] Sending third information to the UPF of the target satellite, where the third information includes a local forwarding rule;

[0642] The target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

[0643] The communication device in the embodiments of the present application can be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or chip. The electronic device can be a terminal, or it can be other devices other than a terminal. For example, the terminal can include but is not limited to the types of terminals listed above, and other devices can be servers, network attached storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0644] The communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiments of Figures 3 to 8 and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described here.

[0645] As shown in Figure 13, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device 1100, including a processor 1101 and a memory 1102, and the memory 1102 stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor 1101. For example, when the communication device 1100 is a first core network function, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1101 to implement the various steps of the method embodiment of the first core network function side, and can achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 1100 is a second core network function, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1101 to implement the various steps of the method embodiment of the second core network function side, and can achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 1100 is a fourth core network function, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1101 to implement the various steps of the method embodiment of the fourth core network function side, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0646] An embodiment of the present application further provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to the processor, the communication interface being configured to: receive a first message from a second core network function, the first message being used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, the first message including relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal; and send a second message to a third core network function, the second message being used to add a fourth core network function to a communication path, the fourth core network function being a core network function for controlling a user plane function (UPF) included in a satellite;

[0647] or,

[0648] The communication interface is used to: receive a first message from a second core network function, the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal; the processor is used to: determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0649] This network side device embodiment corresponds to the method embodiment of the first core network function side mentioned above. The various implementation processes and implementation methods of the above method embodiments can be applied to this network side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0650] An embodiment of the present application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the communication interface is used to: receive a sixth message from a fifth core network function, wherein the sixth message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal; and the processor is used to: determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

[0651] This network side device embodiment corresponds to the method embodiment of the above-mentioned second core network function side. The various implementation processes and implementation methods of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be applied to this network side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0652] An embodiment of the present application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface, which is coupled to the processor, and the communication interface is used to: receive a sixth message from a third core network function, the sixth message including first information, the first information including information for indicating a terminal-satellite-terminal USU service; the communication interface or the processor is used for at least one of the following: adding the UPF of the target satellite as a protocol data unit session anchor PSA to a protocol data unit PDU session; adding the UPF of the target satellite as an uplink UL CL to the PDU session; sending a seventh message to the UPF of the target satellite, the seventh message being used to indicate establishment of a voice bearer for the first terminal; sending third information to the UPF of the target satellite, the third information including a local forwarding rule; wherein the target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

[0653] This network side device embodiment corresponds to the method embodiment of the fourth core network function side mentioned above. The various implementation processes and implementation methods of the above method embodiments can be applied to this network side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0654] Specifically, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network-side device. As shown in FIG14 , the network-side device 1300 includes a processor 1301, a network interface 1302, and a memory 1303. The network interface 1302 is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0655] Specifically, the network side device 1300 of an embodiment of the present invention also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 1303 and executable on the processor 1301. The processor 1301 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 1303 to execute the methods executed by the modules shown in Figures 10a, 10b, 11 to 12, and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0656] An embodiment of the present application also provides a readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the various processes of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment are implemented and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0657] The processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiment. The readable storage medium includes a computer-readable storage medium, such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0658] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0659] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0660] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium. The computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned communication method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0661] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: a terminal and a network side device, wherein the terminal can be used to execute the steps of the above-mentioned terminal side communication method, and the network side device can be used to execute the steps of the above-mentioned first core network function side communication method.

[0662] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprise", "include" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the opposite order according to the functions involved. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0663] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by means of a computer software product plus a necessary general-purpose hardware platform, or of course, by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0664] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of this application, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms of implementation methods without departing from the purpose of this application and the scope of protection of the claims. These implementation methods are all within the protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, comprising: A first core network function receives a first message from a second core network function, where the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of a second terminal; The first core network function performs a first operation or a second operation based on the first message; Wherein, the first operation includes: determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; The second operation includes: sending a second message to a third core network function, where the second message is used to add a fourth core network function to a communication path, and the fourth core network function is a core network function for controlling a user plane function (UPF) included in a satellite.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes: When the first core network function determines that the satellite where the first terminal is located includes a UPF, determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The relevant information of the first terminal includes a first Internet Protocol (IP) address, or the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first IP address and first port information; The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information; The determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following: Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the second IP address; Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the second IP address includes at least one of the following: Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address; Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the domain information corresponding to the first IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address; Determining a first cell global identifier (CGI) according to the first IP address, determining a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI; Determine the identifier of the first terminal according to the first IP address, determine the first CGI according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI; Determine the first satellite identifier according to the first IP address, and determine the second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; Determine the identifier of the first terminal according to the first IP address, determine the first satellite identifier according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein The step of determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information includes at least one of the following: Determine the first CGI according to the first IP address and the first port information, and determine the second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI; Determine the identifier of the first terminal according to the first IP address and the first port information, determine the first CGI according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI; Determine the first satellite identifier according to the first IP address and the first port information, and determine the second satellite identifier according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; Determine the identifier of the first terminal according to the first IP address and the first port information, determine the first satellite identifier according to the identifier of the first terminal, and, determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

6. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address includes: When the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the domain information corresponding to the first IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address includes: When the domain information corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI includes any one of the following: When the first CGI is the same as the second CGI, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; When the base station corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; When the satellite corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier includes: When the first satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The relevant information of the second terminal includes the second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes the second IP address and the second port information; Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes at least one of the following: Determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third IP address and the second IP address; Determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second IP address; Determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second IP address; Determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third IP address, the third port information, the second IP address, and the second port information; Determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI, the second IP address, and the second port information; Determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier, the second IP address, and the second port information; Wherein, the third IP address is the IP address of the first terminal saved by the first core network function; The third port information is the port information of the first terminal saved by the first core network function; The third CGI is the CGI of the first terminal saved by the first core network function; The third satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the first terminal is located saved by the first core network function.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third IP address and the second IP address includes at least one of the following: Determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address; Determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address; Determine the third CGI according to the third IP address, determine the second CGI according to the second IP address, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; Determine the identifier of the first terminal according to the third IP address, determine the third CGI according to the identifier of the first terminal, determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; Determine the third satellite identifier according to the third IP address, determine the second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; Determine the identifier of the first terminal according to the third IP address, determine the third satellite identifier according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second IP address includes at least one of the following: Determine a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine a second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; Or determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI, and the second IP address and the second port information includes at least one of the following: Determine a second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine a second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second IP address includes at least one of the following: Determine a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determine a second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; Or determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier, and the second IP address and the second port information includes at least one of the following: Determine a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; Determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third IP address and the third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information includes at least one of the following: Determine a third CGI according to the third IP address and the third port information, and determine a second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; Determine the identifier of the first terminal according to the third IP address and the third port information, determine the third CGI according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; Determine a third satellite identifier according to the third IP address and the third port information, and determine a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; Determine the identifier of the first terminal according to the third IP address and the third port information, determine the third satellite identifier according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determine the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determine the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, The determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address includes: When the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites based on the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address includes: When the domain information corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites based on the third CGI and the second CGI includes any of the following: When the third CGI is the same as the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; When the base station corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; When the satellite corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites based on the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier includes: When the third satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein When the first message further includes the first information or the second information, determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes: Based on the first information or the second information, determining that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; wherein the first information includes information for indicating the terminal-satellite-terminal USU service; The second information is used to indicate that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, or the second information is used to indicate performing local switching on the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second information is used to indicate performing local switching.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, When it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, the method further includes at least one of the following: The first core network function adds the UPF included in the target satellite as the protocol data unit session anchor point PSA to the protocol data unit PDU session; The first core network function adds the UPF included in the target satellite as the uplink split UL CL to the PDU session; The first core network function sends a third message to the UPF included in the target satellite, and the third message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal; The first core network function sends third information to the UPF included in the target satellite, and the third information includes local forwarding rules; The first core network function sends a fourth message to the third core network function, and the fourth message is used to add a fourth core network function to the communication path; The first core network function sends a fifth message to the fourth core network function, where the fifth message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal; Wherein, the target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The fourth message includes first information, and the first information includes information for indicating the USU service.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein Based on the first message, the first core network function performs a first operation or a second operation, including: When the first message further includes first information for indicating the USU service, the first core network function performs a second operation; Wherein, the second message includes information for indicating the USU service.

17. The method according to claim 13 or 15 or 16, wherein, The information for indicating the USU service includes the data network access identifier DNAI corresponding to the USU service.

18. A communication method, including: The second core network function receives a sixth message from the fifth core network function, where the sixth message includes relevant information of a first terminal and relevant information of a second terminal; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

19. The method according to claim 18, the method further includes: When the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, the second core network function sends a first message to the first core network function; Wherein, the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal, the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of the second terminal, and the first message further includes first information, and the first information includes information for indicating the terminal-satellite-terminal USU service.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including: When the sixth message further includes second information, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Wherein, the second information is used to indicate that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, or to indicate to perform local switching on the first terminal and the second terminal, or to indicate to perform local switching.

21. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein, The relevant information of the first terminal includes a first Internet protocol IP address, or the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first IP address and first port information; The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the second IP address; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the second IP address, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the domain information corresponding to the first IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address; The second core network function determines a first cell global identifier (CGI) according to the first IP address, determines a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal according to the first IP address, determines the first CGI according to the identifier of the first terminal, determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determines the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines a first satellite identifier according to the first IP address, determines a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal according to the first IP address, determines the first satellite identifier according to the identifier of the first terminal, determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determines the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines a first CGI according to the first IP address and the first port information, and determines a second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal according to the first IP address and the first port information, determines the first CGI according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determines the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines a first satellite identifier according to the first IP address and the first port information, and determines a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal according to the first IP address and the first port information, determines the first satellite identifier according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determines the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein, The second core network function determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, including: When the IP address range corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, The second core network function determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the domain information corresponding to the first IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, including: When the domain information corresponding to the first IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first CGI and the second CGI includes any one of the following: When the first CGI is the same as the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; When the base station corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; When the satellite corresponding to the first CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, The determining, according to the first satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites includes: When the first satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

25. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein, The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third IP address and the second IP address; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third CGI and the second IP address; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third satellite identifier and the second IP address; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third IP address and third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third CGI, and the second IP address and the second port information; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third satellite identifier, and the second IP address and the second port information; Wherein, the third IP address is the IP address of the first terminal saved by the second core network function; The third port information is the port information of the first terminal saved by the second core network function; The third CGI is the CGI of the first terminal saved by the second core network function; The third satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the first terminal is located saved by the second core network function.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein, The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third IP address and the second IP address, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address; The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address; The second core network function determines a third CGI according to the third IP address, determines a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal according to the third IP address, determines the third CGI according to the identifier of the first terminal, determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determines the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines a third satellite identifier according to the third IP address, determines a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal according to the third IP address, determines the third satellite identifier according to the identifier of the first terminal, determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determines the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein, The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second IP address, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines a second CGI according to the second IP address, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determines the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; Or, The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI, and the second IP address and the second port information, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines a second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determines a second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI.

28. The method according to claim 25, wherein, The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to a third satellite identifier and the second IP address, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; The second core network function determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address, determines a second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; Or, The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to a third satellite identifier, and the second IP address and the second port information, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines a second satellite identifier according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; The second core network function determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determines a second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

29. The method according to claim 25, wherein, The second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to a third IP address and a third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, including at least one of the following: The second core network function determines a third CGI according to the third IP address and the third port information, and determines a second CGI according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network via the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal according to the third IP address and the third port information, determines the third CGI according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determines the second CGI according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI; The second core network function determines the third satellite identifier according to the third IP address and the third port information, and determines the second satellite identifier according to the second IP address and the second port information, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier; The second core network function determines the identifier of the first terminal according to the third IP address and the third port information, determines the third satellite identifier according to the identifier of the first terminal, and determines the identifier of the second terminal according to the second IP address and the second port information, determines the second satellite identifier according to the identifier of the second terminal, and determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier.

30. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein, The second core network function determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address and the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, including: When the IP address range corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the IP address range corresponding to the second IP address, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, The second core network function determines whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the domain information corresponding to the third IP address and the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, including: When the domain information corresponding to the third IP address is the same as the domain information corresponding to the second IP address, the second core network function determines that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third CGI and the second CGI includes any one of the following: When the third CGI is the same as the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; When the base station corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the base station corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; When the satellite corresponding to the third CGI is the same as the satellite corresponding to the second CGI, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Or, Determining whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the third satellite identifier and the second satellite identifier includes: When the third satellite identifier is the same as the second satellite identifier, it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite.

31. A communication method includes: A fourth core network function receives a sixth message from a third core network function, the sixth message includes first information, and the first information contains information for indicating a terminal-satellite-terminal USU service; The fourth core network function performs a third operation based on the first information; Wherein, the third operation includes at least one of the following: Adding the UPF of the target satellite as a protocol data unit session anchor point PSA to a protocol data unit PDU session; Adding the UPF of the target satellite as an uplink split UL CL to the PDU session; Sending a seventh message to the UPF of the target satellite, the seventh message is used to indicate establishing a voice bearer for the first terminal; Sending third information to the UPF of the target satellite, the third information contains a local forwarding rule; Wherein, the target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

32. A communication device is applied to a first core network function, and the device includes: A receiving unit, configured to receive a first message from a second core network function, the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of a second terminal; A first processing unit, configured to determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; Or, The device includes: A receiving unit, configured to receive a first message from a second core network function, the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for a first terminal, and the first message includes relevant information of the first terminal and relevant information of a second terminal; A first sending unit, configured to send a second message to a third core network function, the second message is used to add a fourth core network function to a communication path, and the fourth core network function is a core network function for controlling a user plane function UPF included in a satellite.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein, The first processing unit is specifically configured to: When it is determined that the satellite where the first terminal is located includes a UPF, determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

34. The device according to claim 32 or 33, wherein, The relevant information of the first terminal includes a first Internet protocol IP address, or the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first IP address and first port information; The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information; The first processing unit is specifically configured to at least one of the following: Determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the second IP address; Determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information.

35. The apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein, The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information; The first processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following: Determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third IP address and the second IP address; Determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third CGI and the second IP address; Determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third satellite identifier and the second IP address; Determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third IP address and third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information; Determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third CGI, and the second IP address and the second port information; Determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites according to a third satellite identifier, and the second IP address and the second port information; Wherein, the third IP address is the IP address of the first terminal saved by the first core network function; The third port information is the port information of the first terminal saved by the first core network function; The third CGI is the CGI of the first terminal saved by the first core network function; The third satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the first terminal is located saved by the first core network function.

36. The device according to claim 32 or 33, wherein In the case that the first message further includes first information or second information, the first processing unit is specifically configured to: Based on the first information or the second information, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Wherein, the first information includes information for indicating the terminal-satellite-terminal USU service; The second information is used to indicate that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, or the second information is used to indicate performing local switching on the first terminal and the second terminal, or the second information is used to indicate performing local switching.

37. The apparatus according to any one of claims 32 to 36, further comprising at least one of the following: A second processing unit, configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, add the UPF included in the target satellite as a protocol data unit session anchor point PSA to the protocol data unit PDU session; A third processing unit, configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, add the UPF included in the target satellite as an uplink split (UL CL) to the PDU session; A second sending unit, configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, send a third message to the UPF included in the target satellite, where the third message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal; A third sending unit, configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, send third information to the UPF included in the target satellite, where the third information includes a local forwarding rule; A fourth sending unit, configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, send a fourth message to the third core network function, where the fourth message is used to add a fourth core network function to the communication path; A fifth sending unit, configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, send a fifth message to the fourth core network function, where the fifth message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal; Wherein, the target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

38. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein, The first sending unit is specifically configured to: When the first message further includes first information for indicating the USU service, send a second message to the third core network function; Wherein, the second message includes information for indicating the USU service.

39. A communication device, applied to a second core network function, the device includes: A first receiving unit, configured to receive a sixth message from a fifth core network function, where the sixth message includes relevant information of a first terminal and relevant information of a second terminal; A processing unit, configured to determine whether the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

40. The device according to claim 39, further includes: A sending unit, configured to, when it is determined that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, send a first message to a first core network function; Wherein, the first message is used to establish a voice bearer for the first terminal, the first message includes the relevant information of the first terminal and the relevant information of the second terminal, and the first message further includes first information, where the first information includes information for indicating the terminal-satellite-terminal (USU) service.

41. The apparatus according to claim 39 or 40, wherein The processing unit is specifically configured to: When the sixth message further includes second information, determine that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite; Wherein, the second information is used to indicate that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite, or indicate to perform local switching on the first terminal and the second terminal, or indicate to perform local switching.

42. The device according to claim 39 or 40, wherein The relevant information of the first terminal includes a first Internet Protocol (IP) address, or the relevant information of the first terminal includes a first IP address and first port information; The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information; The processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following: Determine, according to the first IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; Determine, according to the first IP address and the first port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites.

43. The apparatus according to claim 39 or 40, wherein, The relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address, or the relevant information of the second terminal includes a second IP address and second port information; The processing unit is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following: Determine, according to a third IP address and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; Determine, according to a third CGI and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; Determine, according to a third satellite identifier and the second IP address, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; Determine, according to a third IP address and third port information, and the second IP address and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; Determine, according to a third CGI, and the second IP address and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; Determine, according to a third satellite identifier, and the second IP address and the second port information, that the first terminal and the second terminal access the network through the same satellite or different satellites; Wherein, the third IP address is the IP address of the first terminal saved by the second core network function; The third port information is the port information of the first terminal saved by the second core network function; The third CGI is the CGI of the first terminal saved by the second core network function; The third satellite identifier is the identifier of the satellite where the first terminal is located saved by the second core network function.

44. A communication apparatus applied to a fourth core network function, the apparatus comprising: A receiving unit, configured to receive a sixth message from a third core network function, where the sixth message includes first information, and the first information includes information for indicating a terminal-satellite-terminal USU service; An execution unit, configured to perform a third operation based on the first information; Wherein, the third operation includes at least one of the following: Add the UPF of the target satellite as a protocol data unit session anchor point PSA to a protocol data unit PDU session; Add the UPF of the target satellite as an uplink split UL CL to the PDU session; Send a seventh message to the UPF of the target satellite, where the seventh message is used to indicate establishing a voice bearer for the first terminal. Send third information to the UPF of the target satellite, where the third information includes local forwarding rules; Wherein, the target satellite is the satellite where the first terminal and the second terminal are located.

45. A communication device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores programs or instructions that can run on the processor. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 17 are implemented, or the steps of the communication method described in any one of claims 18 to 30 are implemented, or the steps of the communication method described in claim 31 are implemented.

46. A readable storage medium stores programs or instructions thereon. When the programs or instructions are executed by a processor, the steps of the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 17 are implemented, or the steps of the communication method described in any one of claims 18 to 30 are implemented, or the steps of the communication method described in claim 31 are implemented.

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