Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a related apparatus. In the method, a first satellite receives first storage demand information associated with a first terminal from a mobility management network element, and then stores acquired data of a first service of the first terminal on the basis of the first storage demand information; and subsequently, when a service link or a feeder link is available, the data stored in the first satellite is forwarded. On this basis, communication with only a unilateral link between a satellite and a terminal or a ground gateway station can be realized, and thus communication performance can be improved.

Description

Communication method and related device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 19, 2024, with application number 202410084848.0 and application name “Communication Methods and Related Devices”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0003] Satellite communications offer advantages such as long communication distances, wide coverage areas, and wide communication bandwidths. With the development of satellite communication technology, the application prospects of satellite communications are also expanding. For example, satellite communication systems can be integrated with cellular communication systems (such as the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5GS)). The powerful coverage capabilities of satellite communication systems can help cellular communication systems cover remote areas with sparse populations, as well as areas such as oceans and isolated islands that are difficult for terrestrial networks to reach.

[0004] Currently, satellites can be divided into low-orbit satellites, medium-orbit satellites, and high-orbit satellites based on their orbital altitude. With the exception of high-orbit satellites, which are stationary relative to the Earth, low-orbit and medium-orbit satellites are in constant motion relative to the Earth. In low-orbit or medium-orbit satellite scenarios, a single satellite, or multiple satellites that lack intersatellite link (ISL) networking, may not be able to simultaneously cover both the terminal and the ground gateway. For example, if the terminal is located over the ocean or in polar regions, when the terminal is covered by a satellite (i.e., a service link / air interface connection exists between the terminal and the satellite), the satellite may be unable to establish a connection with the ground gateway (i.e., no connection exists). Alternatively, when the ground gateway is covered by a satellite (i.e., a connection exists between the ground gateway and the satellite), the satellite may be unable to establish a connection with the terminal (i.e., no service link exists). Currently, existing technologies cannot support such communications where there is only a one-way link between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and related devices, which are conducive to improving communication performance.

[0006] The present application is introduced below from different aspects. It should be understood that the implementation methods and beneficial effects of the following different aspects can be referenced to each other.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method performed by a communication device, which may be a first satellite or a module within the first satellite. In this method, the first satellite receives storage requirement information from a mobility management network element, the storage requirement information including first storage requirement information associated with a first terminal. The first satellite then obtains data of a first service of the first terminal and stores the data of the first service of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information. Optionally, the first service is a non-real-time, delay-tolerant service.

[0008] It should be understood that in an embodiment of the present application, the first satellite receives the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and can then store the acquired data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, and forward the data stored in the first satellite when there is a service link or feeder link subsequently. Based on this, communication with only a single-sided link between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway can be achieved (or it can be said that the on-board storage and forwarding function of non-real-time, delay-tolerant services can be achieved), which is conducive to improving communication performance.

[0009] In a possible implementation, storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information includes:

[0010] When no connection exists between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, storing the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information; or

[0011] In a case where there is no connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, downlink data of the first service of the first terminal is stored according to the first storage requirement information.

[0012] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to the transmission of uplink data and downlink data, and the solution has a wide range of applicability.

[0013] In a possible implementation, when the first storage requirement information includes a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the amount of data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0014] In a possible implementation, when the first storage requirement information includes a data retention period associated with the first terminal, a storage duration of the data of the first service of the first terminal in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the storage requirement information further includes second storage requirement information associated with the second terminal, where the second storage requirement information includes a data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal; the first storage requirement information includes a data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, where the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal;

[0016] The storing, according to the first storage requirement information, the data of the first service of the first terminal includes:

[0017] When the remaining storage space of the first satellite does not meet the data size of the first service to be transmitted, the second service data of the second terminal stored in the first satellite is deleted, and the first service data of the first terminal is stored.

[0018] In this implementation, a terminal with a high store-and-forward priority can preempt the storage space of a terminal with a low store-and-forward priority, which has high applicability.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0020] First indication information is sent to the mobility management network element, where the first indication information indicates that the storage space of the second terminal is preempted.

[0021] In this implementation, the mobility management network element is informed that the storage space of the second terminal is preempted, so that the mobility management network element can continue to allocate resources to the second terminal.

[0022] In a possible implementation, obtaining data of the first service of the first terminal includes:

[0023] When the first satellite is connected to the first terminal, uplink data of the first service is received from the first terminal.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0025] When a data volume of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is greater than or equal to a first preset data volume, sending second indication information to the first terminal, wherein the second indication information instructs the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite within a first time period;

[0026] The first preset data size is related to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0027] In this implementation, when the storage space allocated to the first terminal in the first satellite is insufficient, the storage pressure of the first satellite is relieved by instructing the first terminal to stop sending data within the first time period.

[0028] In a possible implementation, after sending the second indication information to the first terminal and before the first time period ends, the method further includes:

[0029] When the data volume of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is smaller than the first preset data volume, third indication information is sent to the first terminal, wherein the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data.

[0030] In this implementation, before the first time period expires, if the storage space allocated to the first terminal in the first satellite becomes sufficient again, the first terminal may be instructed to continue sending data, which is conducive to improving transmission efficiency.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0032] When a connection exists between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, sending uplink data of the first service from the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the mobility management network element;

[0033] The uplink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is deleted.

[0034] In this implementation, after forwarding the data stored in the first satellite, deleting the data stored in the first satellite can release storage space for subsequent use.

[0035] In a possible implementation, obtaining data of the first service of the first terminal includes:

[0036] When the first satellite is connected to a ground storage server or a first application function, downlink data of the first service of the first terminal is received from the ground storage server or the first application function, where the first application function is an application function corresponding to the first terminal.

[0037] In this implementation, downlink data of the first service can be sent by the ground storage server or the first application function to the first satellite, and then stored and forwarded to the terminal by the first satellite. The solution has high applicability.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0039] When the first satellite is connected to the first terminal, sending downlink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the first terminal;

[0040] The downlink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is deleted.

[0041] In this implementation, after forwarding the data stored in the first satellite, deleting the data stored in the first satellite can release storage space for subsequent use.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first business of the first terminal, the data storage forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage forwarding priority of the first business of the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first business of the first terminal.

[0043] In this implementation, the configuration information associated with the first terminal may be service-level configuration information in the first terminal, which is more in line with actual needs.

[0044] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method performed by a communication device, which may be a mobility management network element or a module within the mobility management network element. In the method, the mobility management network element obtains remaining storage space of a first satellite; if the first satellite is able to establish a connection with a first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets a data volume of to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element sends first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite.

[0045] Optionally, the remaining storage space of the first satellite may be notified by the first satellite to the mobility management network element, or may be pre-configured by the mobility management network element, known by default, or obtained from other core network elements, without limitation.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the first storage requirement information includes one or more of the following information:

[0047] The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the data storage forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first business of the first terminal, the data storage forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage forwarding priority of the first business of the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first business of the first terminal.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the data volume of the to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal is the data volume of the to-be-transmitted data of the first service associated with the first terminal.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the amount of data to be transmitted of the first service associated with the first terminal includes one or more of the following:

[0051] The data volume of the uplink data of the first service, the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service, the data volume of the downlink data of the first service, or the data generation period of the downlink data of the first service.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0053] Fourth indication information is received from a satellite control center, where the fourth indication information indicates identification information of the first satellite that can establish a connection with the first terminal.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0055] Determining, based on the information of the first terminal and the information of the first satellite, that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal, and that remaining storage space of the first satellite satisfies a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or that remaining storage space of the first satellite satisfies a data volume of to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal;

[0056] The information of the first terminal includes one or more of the identification information of the first terminal, the location information of the first terminal, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, and the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal; the information of the first satellite includes one or more of the remaining storage space of the first satellite, the ephemeris information of the first satellite, and the identification information of the first satellite.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0058] If the maximum amount of data transmitted during the time period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage demand information to the second satellite; or

[0059] When a maximum amount of transmitted data during a time period in which the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than an amount of to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage requirement information to a second satellite;

[0060] The second satellite is capable of establishing a connection with the first terminal.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0062] In a case where the first satellite is connected to the mobility management network element, uplink data of a first service of the first terminal is received from the first satellite.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is downlink data of a first service, and a transmission mode of the downlink data is unicast;

[0064] The method further comprises:

[0065] Send a notification message to a ground storage server or a first application function, where the notification message includes one or more of the following information: identification information of the first satellite, identification information of the first terminal, a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or a data transmission time period; wherein the first application function is an application function corresponding to the first terminal.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is downlink data of a first service, and a transmission mode of the downlink data is multicast;

[0067] The method further comprises:

[0068] Send a notification message to the ground storage server or the first application function, where the notification message includes one or more of the following information: identification information of the first satellite, identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or a data transmission time period; wherein the first application function is an application function corresponding to the first terminal.

[0069] In a possible implementation, when the notification information is sent to the ground storage server, the method further includes:

[0070] Send the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0072] Sending address information of the first application function to the ground storage server.

[0073] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method performed by a communication device, which may be a ground storage server or a module within the ground storage server. In the method, the ground storage server receives notification information from a mobility management network element; and based on the notification information, transmits data of a first service of a first terminal to a first satellite; wherein the notification information includes one or more of the following information: identification information of the first satellite, identification information of the first terminal, identification information of each terminal included in a first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or a data transmission time period.

[0074] In a possible implementation, sending the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite according to the notification information includes:

[0075] sending downlink data of a first service of the first terminal to the first satellite during the data transmission time period;

[0076] The data volume of the downlink data of the first service is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0077] In a possible implementation, before sending the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite, the method further includes:

[0078] receiving downlink data of a first service of the first terminal from a first application function, where the first application function is an application function corresponding to the first terminal;

[0079] The downlink data of the first service of the first terminal is stored.

[0080] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0081] receiving address information of the first application function from the mobility management network element;

[0082] The storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal includes:

[0083] When the source address information in the packet header of the data packet of the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal is the address information of the first application function, the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal is stored.

[0084] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method performed by a communication device, which may be a first terminal or a module within the first terminal. In the method, the first terminal receives second indication information from a first satellite, where the second indication information instructs the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite within a first time period; and the first terminal sends data to the first satellite after the first time period based on the second indication information.

[0085] In a possible implementation, during the first time period, the method further includes:

[0086] receiving third indication information from the first satellite, wherein the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data;

[0087] Send data to the first satellite according to the third instruction information.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0089] The data volume of the uplink data of the first service and / or the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service are sent to the mobility management network element.

[0090] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method performed by a communication device, which may be a satellite control center or a module within the satellite control center. In the method, the satellite control center determines a first satellite based on ephemeris information of the first satellite and location information of the first terminal. Then, the satellite control center sends fourth indication information to a mobility management network element, where the fourth indication information indicates identification information of the first satellite that can establish a connection with the first terminal.

[0091] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a unit or module for executing any method as shown in the first to fifth aspects, or any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0092] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor, a transceiver and a memory, the processor, transceiver and memory are coupled, and a computer program is stored in the memory; the processor and the transceiver are used to call the computer program in the memory, so that the communication device executes any method as shown in the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or any possible implementation of any aspect therein.

[0093] In one possible design, the communication device may be a chip that implements the above method or a device including a chip.

[0094] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, and the processor being used to implement any method as described in any of the first to fifth aspects, or any possible implementation of any of the aspects, through a logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0095] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, it implements the method shown in any method in the first to fifth aspects, or any possible implementation of any aspect therein.

[0096] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer executes any method in the first to fifth aspects, or a method shown in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0097] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include a first satellite and a mobility management network element. The first satellite is used to execute the method shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the mobility management network element is used to execute the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Optionally, the communication system may further include a ground storage server, which is used to execute the method shown in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. Optionally, the communication system may further include a first terminal, which is used to execute the method shown in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. Optionally, the communication system may further include a satellite control center, which is used to execute the method shown in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0098] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system used in an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a satellite access scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application, in which a satellite is deployed with an onboard RAN and an onboard S&F;

[0101] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG5 is another flow chart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a first satellite performing data storage for terminals of different priorities according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG7 is another schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG8 is another flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG9 is another schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a possible communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0109] The specific embodiments of the present application are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0110] The terms "first" and "second" and the like in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish between different objects, not to describe a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or elements is not limited to the listed steps or elements, but may optionally include steps or elements not listed, or may optionally include other steps or elements inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0111] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0112] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0113] In this application, "sending information to... (e.g., a terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal. This can include sending information to the terminal directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)" or "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, which can include receiving information from the terminal directly or indirectly. The information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination of the information, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly and will not be repeated here.

[0114] To better understand the embodiments of the present application, the following first introduces the system architecture involved in the embodiments of the present application:

[0115] The technical solution of the present application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) or scenarios where NTN and terrestrial networks (TN) are integrated. NTN systems can be, for example, satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), etc. TN systems can be, for example, fourth-generation (4G) communication systems (for example, long-term evolution (LTE) systems), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems (for example, new radio (NR) systems), and future mobile communication systems.

[0116] The communication system provided in this application may include one or more network devices and one or more terminals.

[0117] The following is an exemplary explanation using the system architecture shown in Figure 1. Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system used in the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Exemplarily, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one network device (such as 110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as 120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal 120 is connected to the network device 110 via a wireless method. The network device 110 is connected to the core network 200 via a wireless or wired method. The core network device in the core network 200 and the network device 110 in the RAN 100 may be different physical devices, or may be the same physical device that integrates core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0118] It should be noted that RAN 100 can be a cellular access system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), for example, a 4G or 5G mobile communication system, or an evolved system after 5G. RAN 100 can also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), etc. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. It should be stated that the number of network devices and terminals in Figure 1 is only for illustration and should not be regarded as a specific limitation on the present application. The terminals and network devices involved in the system architecture are described in detail below.

[0119] 1. Terminal

[0120] A terminal can also be referred to as terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), mobile terminal, mobile equipment (ME), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device, or a device used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, or an IoT device. For example, a terminal includes a handheld device with wireless connectivity, an in-vehicle device, etc. Currently, terminals can include: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc.), vehicle-mounted devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, smart point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), wireless terminals in industrial control, smart home devices (such as refrigerators, TVs, air conditioners, electric meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in unmanned driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and flying devices (such as intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, and airplanes). Terminals can also be other devices with terminal functions, for example, a terminal can also be a device that functions as a terminal in D2D communication.

[0121] In addition, the terminal involved in the embodiments of the present application is a terminal that supports NTN access technology or has NTN capabilities.

[0122] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form factor of the terminal. The device used to implement the terminal's function can be a terminal; it can also be a device that supports the terminal in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete components.

[0123] 2. Network Equipment

[0124] A network device is a node in a radio access network (RAN), and can also be referred to as an access network device or a RAN node (or radio access network device). A network device is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. The multiple network devices 110 in the communication system 1000 can be nodes of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the network device 110 and the terminal 120 are relative. For example, the network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For the terminal 120j that accesses the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal. The network device 110 and the terminal 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices. For example, the network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0125] In one possible scenario, the network device may be a device with base station functions, such as an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), and an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.

[0126] In one possible scenario, the network device may also be a non-terrestrial network device in the NTN, for example, a device deployed on a high-altitude platform, such as a satellite. Optionally, RAN functions and store and forward (S&F) functions may be deployed on the satellite. The network device may also be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. The network device may also be a device that acts as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, drone communication, and machine communication. Exemplarily, the network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an on-board device, etc. For example, the network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0127] All or part of the functions of the network device in this application may also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The network device in this application may also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the network device is not limited. The device for implementing the function of the network device may be a network device, or it may be a device that can support the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device.

[0128] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be set separately, or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It is understandable that the network device may be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into a network device in the access network RAN, or the CU may be divided into a network device in the core network CN, without limitation here.

[0129] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0130] Optionally, CN 200 may include one or more network function entities (also called core network elements, logical network elements, network elements, or entities, etc.). For example, in a 5G communication system, the core network elements in CN 200 may include mobility management elements (such as access and mobility management function (AMF)), unified data management elements (such as unified data management (UDM)), application function elements (such as application function (AF)), etc., and this application does not impose any restrictions on this. Among them, the mobility management network element is mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc.; the unified data management network element is mainly responsible for the management of user identification, contract data, authentication data, user service network element registration management, etc.; the application function network element is mainly used to support interaction with the core network to provide services, such as data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some third-party services to the network side.

[0131] It should be noted that in a 5G communication system, each functional network element may have the name of the functional network element described above. In a communication system evolved after 5G, each functional network element may still have the name of the functional network element described above, or may have other names. For example, in a 5G communication system, a mobility management network element may be an AMF. In a communication system evolved after 5G, the mobility management network element may still be an AMF, or may have other names, which is not limited in this application.

[0132] Optionally, in a 4G communication system, the core network elements in the evolved packet core (EPC) may include a mobility management entity (MME) and a home subscriber server (HSS). The MME provides non-access stratum (NAS) signaling transmission with the terminal, and the HSS stores information related to the user's contract.

[0133] Optionally, the Internet 300 may refer to a data network (DN), which may provide, for example, operator services, Internet access or third-party services, including a server that implements video source encoding, rendering, and the like.

[0134] In order to facilitate understanding of the contents of this solution, some of the terms involved in the embodiments of this application are explained below to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. This part is only for ease of understanding and cannot be regarded as a specific limitation of this application.

[0135] 1. NTN

[0136] NTN, or non-terrestrial network, is a general term for networks involving flying objects, including satellite communication networks, high altitude platform systems (HAPS) and air-to-ground networks.

[0137] HAPS is carried on airborne platforms, mainly including aircraft, balloons and airships, and uses the high-altitude platform station as a mobile communication base station, using the same frequency band as the ground mobile network to provide mobile services. In other words, by deploying the base station or part of the base station function on non-ground network equipment (such as ships, high-altitude platforms, drones or satellites), seamless communication coverage is provided for the terminal to improve the reliability of the communication system. It should be noted that, for ease of understanding, the following text only uses the non-ground network equipment in NTN as a satellite as an example for explanation, which should not be regarded as a specific limitation of this application.

[0138] Satellite communication systems typically consist of satellites and ground gateways. A ground gateway, also known as a satellite gateway, gateway, or hub, is a ground station that transmits data (from the satellite) to a local area network. It houses antennas and equipment that convert radio frequency (RF) signals into Internet Protocol (IP) signals for terrestrial connections. Satellites can be divided into three types based on their orbital altitude: geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, also known as synchronous orbit satellites or high-orbit satellites; medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, also known as medium-orbit satellites; and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, also known as low-orbit satellites. In the scenario of low-orbit satellites or medium-orbit satellites, due to the relative motion of non-geosynchronous satellites such as low-orbit satellites and medium-orbit satellites, a single satellite or multiple satellites that do not yet have inter-satellite link-based networking may not be able to cover the terminal and the ground gateway at the same time (that is, the service link between the satellite and the terminal and the feeder link between the satellite and the ground gateway cannot exist at the same time, or there is only a one-way link between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway). As shown in Figure 2, at time 1, the satellite is located over the ocean and can cover terminal 1, but cannot establish a connection with the 5G core network (5GC) on land through the ground gateway; at time 2, the satellite moves over the land and can access the 5GC through the ground gateway; time 3: the satellite covers terminal 1 on the ocean again.

[0139] Currently, the integration of satellite and 5GS can be divided into two scenarios. The first scenario is that the satellite serves as 3GPP access, and the terminal accesses 5GS via the satellite. The second scenario is that the satellite link serves as a backhaul link, providing bearer between network elements (for example, providing bearer for N3 or N9). When 3GPP discussed satellite as 3GPP access in Release 17, it only considered the satellite as the RF module of the base station, providing transparent forwarding capabilities; when discussing satellite backhaul, the satellite only serves as a bearer node and is also transparent to the terminal data. In addition, 3GPP also considers satellite support for data processing, that is, considering the satellite to provide non-transparent forwarding capabilities or so-called renewable capabilities. Specifically, it considers the deployment of base stations and S&F functions on satellites, that is, satellite-borne RAN and satellite-borne S&F.

[0140] This solution assumes satellites have renewable capabilities and utilizes both onboard RAN and S&F. Terminals access the 5G core network through these two methods. Figure 3 illustrates a satellite access scenario where both RAN and S&F are deployed. It should be understood that when only a single-sided link exists between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway, the data exchanged between the terminal and the core network requires onboard storage. Therefore, S&F functionality must be deployed on the satellite to store and forward data.

[0141] Optionally, in some implementations, the S&F function may belong to the access network or the core network, which is not limited in this application.

[0142] 2. Ephemeris Information

[0143] Ephemeris, also known as ephemeris, almanac, or almanac, is information used to determine the position of celestial bodies at any given moment. Ephemeris refers to information related to the satellite constellation. Generally speaking, it includes the satellite's three-dimensional spatial position, velocity state vector, and orbital information. Specifically, this information can be categorized as the satellite's position and velocity state vector, orbital plane parameters, and satellite-level parameters. The basic elements (parameters) of the satellite ephemeris developed by the 3GPP RAN Working Group at the RAN2#108 meeting are shown in Table 1 below.

[0144] Table 1

[0145] It should be understood that Table 1 is only an example of some specific parameters that the ephemeris parameters may include. In the embodiment of the present application, the ephemeris parameters may not include one or more of the above parameters, and may also include other types of parameters. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific content of the ephemeris parameters.

[0146] It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the ephemeris information may also be referred to as ephemeris parameters, ephemeris parameters of a satellite, ephemeris parameters of a satellite in a satellite access network, ephemeris parameters of a satellite in a satellite return trip, or other possible names, and the present application does not limit this.

[0147] The ephemeris occupies a large space, and generally, the ephemeris information is configured in a pre-configured manner. In some embodiments of the present application, all orbital parameters and all satellite parameters that may serve the terminal can be pre-configured on the core network element.

[0148] 3. Ground Cover Information

[0149] Ground coverage information, also known as satellite ground coverage information, satellite coverage information, satellite reachable information, satellite available information or satellite coverage available information, etc. Ground coverage information can indicate the area on the ground that can be covered by a certain satellite signal. Exemplarily, the ground coverage information may include: for each area in one or more areas (such as grid points, matrix area diagrams, service area ranges), the time point when one or more satellites cover the area, or the time period when one or more satellites cover the area. For example, for the first service area and the first satellite that can cover the area, the ground coverage information includes the time point information when the first satellite covers the first service area. The time point can be the starting time of entry and the duration of coverage, or the time period information when the first satellite covers the first service area.

[0150] The ground coverage information of a satellite can be determined through the ephemeris information. That is, there is a mapping relationship between the ephemeris information and the ground coverage information. For example, the ground coverage information 1 of satellite A can be determined through the ephemeris information 1 of satellite A.

[0151] 4. Connection information of feeder link and service link

[0152] Based on the schematic diagram shown in Figure 3, the feeder link connection information describes the status of the signal path between the onboard network element (e.g., onboard RAN, onboard S&F) and the gateway (also called a ground station or ground gateway, see Figure 3), for example, whether the signal path is unobstructed. When both transmitted and received signals reach each other, the signal path is considered unobstructed. Similarly, the service link connection information describes the status of the signal path between the onboard RAN and the terminal, for example, whether the signal path is unobstructed. When both transmitted and received signals reach each other, the signal path is considered unobstructed.

[0153] In one possible implementation of the embodiment of the present application, the connection information of the feeder link may be signal strength information. When the onboard RAN receives a signal from a gateway and the signal strength becomes increasingly stronger and reaches a set threshold, it can be considered that the signal path between the onboard RAN and the gateway is unobstructed, or that the satellite has entered the area covered by the gateway. When the onboard RAN perceives that the signal strength with the gateway is increasingly weaker and falls below the set threshold, it can be considered that the signal path between the onboard RAN and the gateway is blocked, or that the satellite has left (or moved out of) the area covered by the gateway.

[0154] Furthermore, the onboard RAN can send information on whether the feeder link channel is smooth or blocked to onboard devices such as an onboard store and forward (S&F) function through the satellite's internal connection / interface.

[0155] In another possible implementation of the embodiment of the present application, the connection information of the feeder link can also be perceived by a satellite-borne router or a satellite-borne S&F. When the feeder link between the satellite and the gateway station is through laser communication, the router or the satellite-borne S&F can perceive the laser communication status on the link, and then send the perceived information on whether the channel of the feeder link is unobstructed or not to the satellite-borne RAN and other satellite-borne devices through the internal connection / interface of the satellite.

[0156] It should be understood that, as shown in Figure 2, current existing technologies cannot support such communications with only a single link between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway. Based on this, this application proposes a communication method that can achieve single-link communications between the satellite, the terminal, and the ground gateway, thereby improving communication performance.

[0157] It should be noted that the mobility management network element involved in the following embodiments may be MME or AMF, etc., without limitation. The unified data management network element may be HSS\UDM, and the first application function may be DN, AF or application server (AS).

[0158] It should be noted that the service link between the terminal and the satellite in this application can also be called an air interface connection link.

[0159] The communication method and communication device provided by this application are described in detail below:

[0160] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication method may include the following steps S401 to S403. The execution subject of the method shown in Figure 4 may be a first satellite, a first terminal, a mobility management network element, etc. Alternatively, the execution subject of the method shown in Figure 4 may be a chip in the first satellite or the first terminal or the mobility management network element. For the convenience of description, the present application is mainly explained with the first satellite, the first terminal, and the mobility management network element as the execution subjects, wherein the first satellite includes an onboard RAN and an onboard S&F. It should be understood that Figure 4 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of the method of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method, but these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiment of the present application may also perform other operations or variations of the various operations in Figure 4. In addition, the various steps in Figure 4 may be performed in a different order from that presented in Figure 4, and it may not be necessary to perform all the operations in Figure 4. Among them:

[0161] S401: A mobility management network element sends storage requirement information to a first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the storage requirement information from the mobility management network element.

[0162] The storage requirement information includes first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. Optionally, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal can also be understood as content included in the contract information of the first terminal.

[0163] Optionally, after the storage requirement information is sent to the first satellite, it may be stored in the onboard S&F.

[0164] Optionally, in addition to the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal, the storage requirement information may also include storage requirement information of other terminals, such as second storage requirement information associated with the second terminal. For ease of description, the following mainly uses the first storage requirement information as an example for schematic explanation.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the first storage demand information may include one or more of the following information: the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the data storage forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal. Optionally, the data storage space quota described in this application may also be referred to as an S&F data storage quota or a data storage quota, etc.; the data retention period described in this application may also be referred to as an S&F data retention period, data retention period, data storage period, data validity period, or data validity period, etc., without limitation. Among them, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal may also be understood as the storage space size contracted by the first terminal.

[0166] It is understandable that in one implementation, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal may be a terminal-level data storage space quota (i.e., one first terminal corresponds to one data storage space quota, or it can be understood that all businesses in a first terminal correspond to one data storage space). Similarly, the data storage forwarding priority associated with the first terminal may also be a terminal-level data storage forwarding priority (i.e., one first terminal corresponds to one data storage forwarding priority, or it can be understood that all businesses in a first terminal correspond to the same data storage forwarding priority). Similarly, the data retention period associated with the first terminal may also be a terminal-level data retention period (i.e., one first terminal corresponds to one data retention period, or it can be understood that all businesses in a first terminal correspond to the same data retention period).

[0167] In another implementation, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal may be a data storage space quota at the business level in the first terminal (for example, different data storage space quotas correspond to different services on the same terminal). Similarly, the data storage forwarding priority associated with the first terminal may also be a data storage forwarding priority at the business level in the first terminal (for example, different services on the same terminal correspond to different data storage forwarding priorities). Similarly, the data retention period associated with the first terminal may also be a data retention period at the business level in the first terminal (for example, different services on the same terminal correspond to different data retention periods). It should be understood that the first terminal involved in this application may be an Internet of Things device, wherein the first terminal may support one or more services. For the convenience of description, the following text mainly uses a service supported by the first terminal (for example, the first service) as an example for schematic explanation. Similarly, for the sake of distinction, the service supported by the second terminal may be referred to as the second service in the following text. The first service and the second service may be the same or different, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this. Exemplarily, the first service associated with the first terminal is a non-real-time, delay-tolerant service, such as a climate detection service in a polar environment, or a polar animal activity detection service (such as a health detection task / motion tracking task, etc.), or a temporary service (such as a terminal upgrade service), etc., which are not listed here one by one.

[0168] In the following text of this application, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first business of the first terminal, the data storage forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage forwarding priority of the first business of the first terminal, and the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first business of the first terminal.

[0169] Optionally, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal involved in the present application may refer to the data storage space quota corresponding to a single first terminal (or the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal when the transmission mode of the data called the first service is unicast), or it may also refer to the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs (or the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs when the transmission mode of the data called the first service is multicast). Generally speaking, the number of terminals included in the first terminal group is not less than 1, and the first terminal group includes at least the first terminal. For example, when the first service is a temporary service for terminals in the first terminal group (such as a terminal upgrade service), the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs. Similarly, the data storage forwarding priority associated with the first terminal may also refer to the data storage forwarding priority corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, and the data retention period associated with the first terminal may also refer to the data retention period corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0170] Optionally, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal involved in the present application may refer to the data storage space quota required for the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal (that is, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is only used to store uplink data), or, it may refer to the data storage space quota required for the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal (that is, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is only used to store downlink data), or, it may refer to the data storage space quota required for the uplink data and downlink data of the first terminal (that is, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal can be used to store both uplink data and downlink data). It should be understood that when the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is only used to store uplink data or downlink data, the data storage space quota required for the uplink data of the first terminal and the data storage space quota required for the downlink data of the first terminal may be the same, or may be different, and there is no limitation on this. For ease of understanding, the following text mainly uses the example that the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal can be used to store uplink data and downlink data.

[0171] Optionally, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal involved in this application may include the data storage priority of the first terminal and the data forwarding priority of the first terminal. The data storage priority of the first terminal and the data forwarding priority of the first terminal are positively correlated, that is, the higher the data storage priority of the first terminal, the higher the data forwarding priority of the first terminal; similarly, the lower the data storage priority of the first terminal, the lower the data forwarding priority of the first terminal. To simplify the description, the data storage priority and the data forwarding priority may be collectively referred to as the data storage forwarding priority in the following text.

[0172] S402: A first satellite obtains data of a first service of a first terminal.

[0173] It should be understood that the data of the first business involved in the present application may refer to the uplink data of the first business, or the downlink data of the first business. The uplink data of the first business refers to the data of the first business sent / issued by the first terminal, and the downlink data of the first business refers to the data of the first business sent to the first terminal by the ground storage server or the first application function. The transmission mode of the downlink data may be unicast, or the transmission mode of the downlink data may also be multicast (or multicast). Exemplarily, when the first business is a temporary business, such as a terminal upgrade business, the transmission mode of the downlink data of the first business is multicast, that is, each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs can receive the downlink data.

[0174] The transmission of uplink data and downlink data of the first service will be described separately below and will not be elaborated on here.

[0175] S403: The first satellite stores the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0176] Here, the first satellite storing the data of the first service of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information can be understood as follows: the amount of data of the first service that can actually be stored in the first satellite is not greater than the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal; and / or the storage duration of the data of the first service of the first terminal in the first satellite is not greater than the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal. In this application, "not greater than" means less than or equal to, and "not less than" means greater than or equal to. In two opposite branches, the case of "equal to" may belong to either branch, which is determined according to the actual situation and is not limited by this application.

[0177] It is understandable that when the storage time of the first service data of the first terminal in the first satellite is longer than the data retention period associated with the first terminal, the first satellite may release / delete the first service data stored in the first satellite.

[0178] Optionally, when the amount of data of the first service to be stored in the first satellite is greater than / exceeds the data storage space quota, the first satellite can first delete the data stored in the first satellite but whose data storage forwarding priority is lower than the data storage forwarding priority of the first service of the first terminal, so as to free up storage space for storing data with higher data storage forwarding priority. In other words, a service with higher data storage forwarding priority can preempt the data storage space of a service with lower data storage forwarding priority.

[0179] Optionally, if the data of the first service is downlink data, after a connection is established between the first satellite and the first terminal, the first satellite may forward the downlink data of the first service stored in the first satellite to the first device. If the data of the first service is uplink data, after a connection is established between the first satellite and the ground gateway, the first satellite may forward the uplink data of the first service stored in the first satellite to the ground gateway. Optionally, after completing data forwarding, the first satellite may release the storage space occupied by the first satellite for subsequent use.

[0180] In an embodiment of the present application, the first satellite receives first storage requirement information associated with a first terminal from a mobility management network element, and can then store data of a first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, and forward the data stored in the first satellite when a service link or a feeder link exists subsequently. Based on this, communication with only a single-sided link can be achieved between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway, which is conducive to improving communication performance.

[0181] Please refer to Figure 5, which is another flow chart of the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This process mainly describes the transmission process of uplink data. As shown in Figure 5, the communication method may include the following steps S501 to S505. The execution subject of the method shown in Figure 5 may be the first satellite, the first terminal, the mobility management network element, etc. Alternatively, the execution subject of the method shown in Figure 5 may be the first satellite or the first terminal or the chip in the mobility management network element. For the convenience of description, the present application is mainly explained with the first satellite, the first terminal, and the mobility management network element as the execution subjects. It should be understood that Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of the method of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method, but these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiment of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of the various operations in Figure 5. In addition, the various steps in Figure 5 can be executed in a different order from that presented in Figure 5, and it is possible that not all operations in Figure 5 need to be executed. Among them:

[0182] S501: A mobility management network element obtains remaining storage space of a first satellite.

[0183] Here, the information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite may be sent by the first satellite to the mobility management network element.

[0184] For example, in one possible embodiment, in a 4G communication system, when a connection exists between a first satellite and a terminal (e.g., the first terminal), the first terminal may send an attachment request to the first satellite. The attachment request may include one or more of the following information: identification information of the first terminal, location information of the first terminal, and the like. Accordingly, the first satellite receives the attachment request from the first terminal and stores the attachment request. When a connection subsequently exists between the first satellite and a mobility management network element, the first satellite sends the attachment request and information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the mobility management network element. Accordingly, the mobility management network element receives the attachment request from the first satellite and information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite.

[0185] As another example, in one possible approach, in a 5G communication system, when a connection exists between a first satellite and a terminal (e.g., the first terminal), the first terminal may send a registration request to the first satellite. The registration request may include information such as identification information of the first terminal. Accordingly, the first satellite receives the registration request from the first terminal and stores it. When a connection subsequently exists between the first satellite and a mobility management network element, the first satellite sends the registration request and information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the mobility management network element. Accordingly, the mobility management network element receives the registration request from the first satellite and information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite.

[0186] As another example, in one possible approach, the mobility management network element may calculate the remaining storage space of the first satellite based on pre-configured or default known storage space sizes of each satellite and the storage space already allocated to the first satellite by the mobility management network element. Alternatively, the mobility management network element may obtain storage space size information or total storage space information of the first satellite from other network elements, subtract the storage space already allocated to the first satellite, and calculate the remaining storage space information of the first satellite.

[0187] It should be understood that the remaining storage space of a satellite may also be referred to as satellite storage space margin or storage space margin, etc., which is not limited here.

[0188] It should be noted that, in the present application, the existence of a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal can be understood as the ability for the first satellite and the first terminal to communicate, or the signal path between the first satellite and the first terminal is unobstructed, or the connection information of the service link indicates that the signal path between the first satellite and the first terminal is unobstructed. Similarly, the existence of a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element can be understood as the ability for the first satellite and the mobility management network element to communicate, or the signal path between the first satellite and the mobility management network element is unobstructed, or the connection information of the feeder link indicates that the signal path between the first satellite and the mobility management network element is unobstructed.

[0189] Exemplarily, in another possible manner, the first satellite may periodically report / send information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the mobility management network element, or report / send information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the mobility management network element when there is message interaction with the mobility management network element.

[0190] Through step S501, the mobility management network element can know the information of the remaining storage space of all satellites currently connected to it.

[0191] S502: If the first satellite is able to establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume of to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element sends storage requirement information to the first satellite. In response, the first satellite receives the storage requirement information from the mobility management network element.

[0192] In some feasible implementations, the mobility management network element may select and allocate satellite storage resources based on known ephemeris information of satellites in the constellation, satellite operating conditions, location information of the first terminal, and the like.

[0193] Here, the ability of the first satellite to establish a connection with the first terminal can be understood as the satellite coverage information of the first satellite including the area where the first terminal is located (or described as the first satellite being able to cover the location of the first terminal in a certain time period, or referred to as the first satellite being able to cover the location of the first terminal). For the understanding of the satellite coverage information, please refer to the above-mentioned terminology explanation and will not be elaborated here.

[0194] It is understandable that the location information of the first terminal can be reported by the first terminal to the mobility management network element or the satellite control center, or it can also be sent to the mobility management network element or the satellite control center by the application function corresponding to the first terminal (hereinafter referred to as the first application function). This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0195] In one possible implementation, the mobility management network element may determine whether the first satellite can cover the location of the first terminal based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the location information of the first terminal. In another possible implementation, the satellite control center may determine whether the first satellite can cover the location of the first terminal based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the location information of the first terminal. If the satellite control center determines that the first satellite can cover the location of the first terminal, the satellite control center may send indication information (hereinafter referred to as fourth indication information for ease of distinction) to the mobility management network element. The fourth indication information indicates the identification information of the first satellite that can establish a connection with the first terminal. Accordingly, the mobility management network element receives the fourth indication information from the satellite control center, and may further determine, based on the fourth indication information, that the first satellite can cover the location of the first terminal.

[0196] Optionally, the mobility management network element may further determine, based on the obtained remaining storage space of the first satellite, whether the remaining storage space of the first satellite can satisfy the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal. Alternatively, the mobility management network element may determine, based on the obtained remaining storage space of the first satellite, whether the remaining storage space of the first satellite can satisfy the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal. It should be understood that the remaining storage space of the first satellite satisfying the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal can be understood as the remaining storage space of the first satellite being greater than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal. Similarly, the remaining storage space of the first satellite satisfying the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal can be understood as the remaining storage space of the first satellite being greater than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal. The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal may refer to the data storage space quota of uplink data of the first service to be sent by the first terminal (or the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal). Furthermore, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal may further include the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service.

[0197] In some feasible implementations, when the mobility management network element determines that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element may send first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite. Accordingly, the first satellite may receive the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element and save the first storage requirement information. Optionally, in this application, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal sent by the mobility management network element to the first satellite may be carried in the context information of the first terminal (or the context information of the first terminal includes the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal, or the first storage requirement information of the first terminal is part of the context information of the first terminal). Optionally, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal sent by the mobility management network element to the first satellite may not be carried in the context information of the first terminal (or the first storage requirement information of the first terminal does not belong to / is not part of the context information of the first terminal).

[0198] Optionally, after the first satellite saves the first storage requirement information, if the first satellite determines that local storage space is insufficient, for example, if the local storage space of the first satellite is less than a preset storage space threshold, the first satellite may send an indication message (hereinafter referred to as fifth indication message for ease of distinction) to the mobility management network element, indicating that the remaining storage space of the first satellite is insufficient. Accordingly, after the mobility management network element receives the fifth indication message, the mobility management network element may temporarily exclude the first satellite from selection when subsequently selecting a satellite that meets the requirement.

[0199] It is understandable that the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal in the present application may come from a unified data management network element. Generally speaking, the unified data management network element stores the storage requirement information associated with different terminals. Therefore, the mobility management network element may request the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the unified data management network element. For example, the mobility management network element may send a first request to the unified data management network element, and the first request is used to request the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. Accordingly, the unified data management network element receives the first request from the mobility management network element and sends a first response to the mobility management network element, and the first response includes the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. The first request and the first response may be existing messages, or the first request and the first response may be newly designed messages, which is not limited to this.

[0200] Exemplarily, in a 4G communication system, the first request may be a location update request, and the first response may be a location update response. After the mobility management network element receives the attachment request and information about the remaining storage space of the first satellite, the mobility management network element may send a location update request to the unified data management network element. The location update request is used to request the user's subscription information and to request the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. The location update request may include information such as identification information of the first terminal. Accordingly, the unified data management network element receives the location update request from the mobility management network element and sends a location update response to the mobility management network element. The location update response includes the user's subscription information. In addition, the location update response may also include the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal. Optionally, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal sent by the unified data management network element to the mobility management network element in this application may be carried in the subscription information of the first terminal (or the subscription information of the first terminal includes the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal, or the first storage requirement information of the first terminal is part of the subscription information of the first terminal). Optionally, the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal sent by the unified data management network element to the mobility management network element may not be carried in the contract information of the first terminal (or the first storage requirement information of the first terminal does not belong to / is not part of the contract information of the first terminal).

[0201] As another example, in a 5G communication system, the first request may be a UE registration / contract information request, and the first response may be a UE registration / contract information response.

[0202] Optionally, when the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal included in the unified data management network element is updated, the unified data management network element can also actively send a contract information update notification to the mobility management network element, and the contract information update notification includes the updated first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal.

[0203] For further understanding of the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal, please refer to the relevant description in FIG4 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0204] It should be noted that the preceding description mainly uses the example of a mobility management network element sending storage requirement information to a satellite (i.e., a first satellite) for illustration. Optionally, in some scenarios, in addition to sending storage requirement information to the first satellite, the mobility management network element may also need to send storage requirement information to other satellites. In other words, the mobility management network element may need to determine multiple satellites for storing and forwarding data. Therefore, the mobility management network element needs to send storage requirement information to the multiple satellites determined so that, after the terminal accesses, these multiple satellites can subsequently store and forward data associated with the terminal based on the received storage requirement information of the terminal. For ease of description, the following description mainly uses the example of the multiple satellites being the first satellite and the second satellite for schematic illustration.

[0205] The following mainly introduces two scenarios that require the participation of multiple satellites:

[0206] In one scenario, when the maximum amount of transmitted data during a time period in which a first satellite and a first terminal are connected is less than a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element may send first storage requirement information to the first satellite and the second satellite. Optionally, the first storage requirement information sent by the mobility management network element to the first satellite and the second satellite may be the same, or may be different. Therefore, the above-mentioned sending of the first storage requirement information by the mobility management network element to the first satellite and the second satellite can be understood as: the mobility management network element sending first storage requirement information 1 to the first satellite, and the mobility management network element sending first storage requirement information 2 to the second satellite, wherein the data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 1 may be the data storage space quota allocated by the mobility management network element to the first satellite based on the amount of data to be sent by the first terminal, and the data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 2 may be the data storage space quota allocated by the mobility management network element to the second satellite based on the amount of data to be sent by the first terminal. The data storage space quota in the first storage demand information 1 and the data storage space quota in the first storage demand information 2 may be the same or different. To simplify the description, they are treated the same unless otherwise explained. Therefore, the following text may simplify the description to the first storage demand information.

[0207] In another scenario, when the maximum amount of transmitted data during the time period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the amount of data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element can send first storage requirement information to the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0208] It should be noted that the maximum amount of data transmitted during the time period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal can be understood as the maximum amount of data received by the first satellite during the overhead time period. Here, the overhead time period can be understood as the time period / duration during which the first satellite is connected to the first terminal, or the time period / duration during which the first satellite and the first terminal can communicate normally, or the time period / duration during which the signal channel between the first satellite and the first terminal is unobstructed. For example, the communication quality can be measured by signal strength. For example, when the signal strength is greater than or equal to a set signal strength threshold, the channel can be considered unobstructed. When the signal strength is less than the set signal strength threshold, the channel can be considered unobstructed.

[0209] For example, assuming that the duration of the connection between the first satellite and the first terminal is 100 seconds (or the overhead duration is 100 seconds), and if the data transmission rate is 1 kbps, then the maximum amount of data transmitted during the connection between the first satellite and the first terminal is 100 kb. Furthermore, assuming that the amount of uplink data to be sent by the first terminal is 200 kb, since 100 kb < 200 kb, the mobility management network element needs to select other satellites in addition to the first satellite to participate in the storage and forwarding of the first terminal's uplink data, such as the second satellite. The maximum amount of data transmitted during the connection between the second satellite and the first terminal is 120 kb. Therefore, the first and second satellites meet the uplink data transmission requirements of the first terminal. In this case, the data storage space quota included in the first storage requirement information 1 sent by the mobility management network element to the first satellite can be 100kb, and the data storage space quota included in the first storage requirement information 2 sent by the mobility management network element to the second satellite can be 100kb; or, the data storage space quota included in the first storage requirement information 1 sent to the first satellite can be 90kb, and the data storage space quota included in the first storage requirement information 2 sent to the second satellite can be 110kb, and so on, without limitation.

[0210] It is understandable that the determined multiple satellites can subsequently store the first service data of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information. The following description primarily uses the example of a first satellite storing the first service data of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information. For an understanding of how a second satellite stores the first service data of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information, reference can be made to the description of the first satellite, and will not be repeated here.

[0211] S503: The first terminal sends uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0212] It should be understood that when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal, the first terminal can send uplink data of the first service to the first satellite, and correspondingly, the first satellite can receive the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0213] For example, in some feasible implementations, when the first satellite covers the first terminal, the first satellite can implement the subsequent access / attachment / registration process of the first terminal through paging. After the first terminal successfully accesses the first satellite, the first terminal can send uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite can receive uplink data of the first service from the first terminal. Optionally, when performing paging, the first satellite can also prioritize paging terminals with high storage and forwarding priorities based on storage and forwarding priority information, or can set different registration acceptance response times based on different storage and forwarding priorities, that is, sending a registration acceptance response to a terminal with a high storage and forwarding priority first, and sending a registration acceptance response to a terminal with a low storage and forwarding priority later, so that the terminal with a high storage and forwarding priority can send service data first.

[0214] S504: The first satellite stores the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0215] It should be noted that since the scenario applicable to this application is a single-link scenario as shown in Figure 2, that is, when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal, there is no connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element. Therefore, the first satellite needs to first store the received uplink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, so that when the first satellite and the mobility management network element are subsequently connected, the first satellite can forward the locally stored uplink data of the first service to the mobility management network element. Optionally, in addition to the first storage requirement information of the first terminal, the first satellite can also store the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal in combination with the context information of the first terminal.

[0216] Exemplarily, in a possible implementation method 1, when the first storage requirement information includes the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the first satellite stores the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, which can be understood as: the data volume of the uplink data of the first service stored in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0217] Optionally, when the amount of data for the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is greater than or equal to a first preset data amount, the mobility management network element may send an instruction message (hereinafter referred to as second instruction message for ease of distinction) to the first terminal, instructing the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite during a first time period. Accordingly, the first terminal receives the second instruction message from the mobility management network element and stops sending data to the mobility management network element during the first time period. Optionally, after the first time period, the first terminal may continue to send data to the first satellite. Optionally, the first time period referred to in this application may be a specified duration, which may be implemented by a timer. For example, before the timer expires, the first terminal no longer sends data. Alternatively, the first time period may refer to a specific time period, for example, the first terminal no longer sends data between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Beijing time.

[0218] Optionally, after sending the second indication information to the first terminal and before the end of the first time period, if the data volume of the first service data of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than a first preset data volume (for example, when the first satellite forwards the uplink data of the first service to the mobility management network element, the first satellite releases storage space again due to deletion of the forwarded data), then the first satellite may send indication information (hereinafter referred to as third indication information for ease of distinction) to the first terminal, where the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data (or is described as the third indication information instructing the first terminal to resume sending data, or is referred to as the third indication information for terminating a timer). Accordingly, the first terminal receives the third indication information from the first satellite and may continue to send data to the first satellite before the end of the first time period.

[0219] Optionally, the first preset data size may be related to a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal. For example, the first preset data size is equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal. This is not limited to the above.

[0220] For example, in a possible implementation manner 2, when the first storage requirement information includes a data retention period associated with the first terminal, the first satellite stores the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information, which can be understood as follows: the storage duration of the uplink data of the first service in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

[0221] Optionally, when the storage duration of the uplink data of the first service in the first satellite is greater than / exceeds the data retention period associated with the first terminal, the first satellite may release / delete the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite.

[0222] For example, in a possible implementation 3, when the first storage requirement information includes the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, the first satellite storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information can be understood as follows: before storing the uplink data of the first service, if the remaining storage space of the first satellite is insufficient (for example, when the remaining storage space of the first satellite does not meet the amount of uplink data to be stored for the first service), the first satellite may compare the data storage and forwarding priorities of other terminals (for example, the second terminal) stored in the first satellite with the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal. If the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal, the first satellite may release or delete the data of the second service of the second terminal stored in the first satellite (for example, uplink data of the second service, or downlink data of the second service), so that the released storage space can be used to store the uplink data of the first service. Optionally, if the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is lower than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal, the first satellite abandons storing or discards the uplink data of the first service.

[0223] For example, assume that the maximum storage space of a first satellite is 100 kilobytes (kb), and that the first satellite will pass over the area where the second terminal is located before passing over the area where the first terminal is located. Before the first satellite reaches the area where the first terminal is located, the first satellite has 5 kb of remaining storage space, with the remaining 95 kb occupied by the second terminal's data. Assume that the uplink data size of the first service is 50 kb. Because the first satellite's remaining storage space does not meet the size of the first terminal's to-be-transmitted data, and the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than that associated with the second terminal, the first satellite can release all / part of the space occupied by the second terminal's data to store the uplink data of the first service.

[0224] Optionally, when the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal (or when the first terminal preempts the data storage space of the second terminal in the first satellite), the first satellite may further send an indication message (hereinafter referred to as the first indication message for ease of distinction) to the mobility management network element. The first indication message indicates that the storage space of the second terminal has been preempted. Exemplarily, the first indication message may carry information such as the identifier of the second terminal, an identifier of the resource being preempted, and optionally the identifier of the first terminal. Accordingly, the mobility management network element may receive the first indication message from the first satellite. Based on the first indication message, the mobility management network element may learn that the data storage space of the second terminal has been preempted by other terminals, and therefore, there is still allocation of resources to be transmitted for the service data of the second terminal.

[0225] For example, Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a first satellite performing corresponding data storage for terminals of different priorities. Assume that the first satellite will first pass through the area where the second terminal with a low storage and forwarding priority is located (e.g., location area 2), and then pass through the area where the first terminal with a high storage and forwarding priority is located (e.g., location area 1). The terminal with a high storage and forwarding priority can preempt the storage space of terminals with a low storage and forwarding priority. As shown in Figure 6:

[0226] S601: A second terminal sends uplink data of a second service to a first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives uplink data of the second service from the second terminal.

[0227] Specifically, when the first satellite passes through location area 2, if the second terminal has a service transmission demand, the second terminal can send uplink data of the second service to the first satellite after access.

[0228] S602: The first satellite stores uplink data of a second service of the second terminal.

[0229] Specifically, the uplink data of the second service of the second terminal may be stored in the onboard S&F.

[0230] S603: The first terminal sends uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0231] Specifically, when the first satellite passes through location area 1, if the first terminal has a service transmission demand, the first terminal can send uplink data of the first service to the first satellite after access.

[0232] S604: If the local storage space of the first satellite is insufficient and the storage and forwarding priority of the first terminal is higher than that of the second terminal, delete the uplink data of the second service stored in the first satellite to release storage space for storing the uplink data of the first service.

[0233] In one possible implementation, assuming that the maximum storage space of the first satellite is 100 kilobytes (KB), and the transmission size of the uplink data of the second service of the second terminal is 100 KB, the local storage space of the first satellite may be depleted when passing through location area 1. Since the first terminal has a higher store-and-forward priority and the local storage space of the first satellite has reached its maximum, the first satellite may delete the uplink data of the second service stored in the first satellite to free up storage space for the uplink data of the first service.

[0234] S605: The first satellite sends first indication information to the mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the first indication information from the first satellite, where the first indication information indicates that the storage space of the second terminal is preempted.

[0235] Exemplarily, the first indication information may carry information such as an identifier of the second terminal, an identifier indicating that resources are preempted, and optionally an identifier of the first terminal.

[0236] In one possible implementation, since the first terminal has occupied the storage space of the second terminal, the first satellite may further record the identifier of the second terminal and form an alarm indication. When a connection is established between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, the first satellite may send the alarm prompt (i.e., the first indication information) to the mobility management network element so that the mobility management network element can subsequently continue to allocate resources for the service data transmission of the second terminal.

[0237] It should be noted that the above implementation modes 1 to 3 can be implemented separately or in combination with each other, and there is no limitation here.

[0238] S505: The first satellite sends uplink data of the first service from the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the mobility management network element. Correspondingly, the mobility management network element receives the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal on the first satellite.

[0239] Specifically, when a connection exists between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, the first satellite transmits uplink data of the first service from the first terminal, which has been stored in the first satellite, to the mobility management network element. It is understood that after the first satellite forwards the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal to the mobility management network element, the first satellite may release or delete the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal, which has been stored in the first satellite, to free up storage resources.

[0240] The embodiments of the present application mainly introduce the transmission process of uplink data when there is only a single-sided link between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway. Specifically, the first satellite receives first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and can then store the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information. When a feeder link is subsequently present, the data stored in the first satellite is forwarded to the mobility management network element. Based on this, communication between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway with only a single-sided link can be achieved, which is conducive to improving communication performance.

[0241] The following is a specific implementation scheme for uplink data transmission. Specifically, in a 4G communication system, the mobility management network element may be the MME, and the unified data management network element may be the HSS, as shown in Figure 7:

[0242] S701: A first terminal sends an attachment request to a first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the attachment request from the first terminal.

[0243] S702: The first satellite stores the attachment request.

[0244] S703: The first satellite sends an attach request and the remaining storage space of the first satellite to the MME. Correspondingly, the MME receives the attach request and the remaining storage space of the first satellite from the first satellite.

[0245] S704: The MME sends a location update request to the HSS. Correspondingly, the HSS receives the location update request from the MME.

[0246] S705: The HSS sends a location update response to the MME. Correspondingly, the MME receives the location update response from the HSS.

[0247] The location update response includes first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal.

[0248] S706: If the MME determines that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and that the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume of the to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal, the MME sends first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite. In response, the first satellite receives the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the MME.

[0249] S707: The first satellite stores first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal.

[0250] Optionally, when the first satellite finds that the local storage space has reached a threshold, the first satellite sends fifth indication information to the MME, where the fifth indication information indicates that the remaining storage space of the first satellite is insufficient, so that the MME does not subsequently continue to allocate data storage space associated with other terminals to the first satellite.

[0251] S708: The first satellite and the first terminal execute a paging and attach acceptance process.

[0252] S709: The first terminal sends uplink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

[0253] S710: The first satellite stores uplink data of the first service.

[0254] Optionally, when the data volume of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is greater than or equal to a first preset data volume, the first satellite sends second indication information to the first terminal, and the second indication information instructs the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite within the first time period.

[0255] S711. The first satellite sends uplink data of the first service stored in the first satellite to the MME.

[0256] S712: The first satellite releases the storage space occupied by the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal.

[0257] Please refer to Figure 8, which is another flow chart of the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This process mainly describes the transmission process of downlink data, and the downlink data is sent by the ground storage server. It should be understood that the ground storage server in this embodiment may refer to a storage server belonging to the operator. As shown in Figure 8, the communication method may include the following steps S801 to S808. The execution subject of the method shown in Figure 8 may be the first satellite, the first terminal, the mobility management network element, etc. Alternatively, the execution subject of the method shown in Figure 8 may be the first satellite or the first terminal or the chip in the mobility management network element, wherein the first satellite includes the onboard RAN and the onboard S&F. For the convenience of description, this application is mainly explained with the first satellite, the first terminal, and the mobility management network element as the execution subjects. It should be understood that Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of the method of the present application, which shows the detailed communication steps or operations of the method, but these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiment of the present application may also perform other operations or variations of the various operations in Figure 8. In addition, the various steps in Figure 8 may be performed in a different order than that presented in Figure 8, and it is possible that not all operations in Figure 8 need to be performed. Among them:

[0258] S801. A mobility management network element obtains remaining storage space of a first satellite.

[0259] For understanding of step S801 here, reference may be made to the description of step S501 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG5 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0260] S802: If the first satellite is able to establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume of to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element sends storage requirement information to the first satellite. In response, the first satellite receives the storage requirement information from the mobility management network element.

[0261] Here, for an understanding of how the mobility management network element determines that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and that the remaining storage space of the first satellite satisfies the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or that the remaining storage space of the first satellite satisfies the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, reference can be made to the relevant description of step S502 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG5 . The difference is that the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal involved in this embodiment refers to the data volume of the downlink data of the first service to be received by the first terminal (or the data volume to be received by the first terminal), and the data generation cycle of the downlink data of the first service.

[0262] It is understandable that in this embodiment, the information about the data volume of the downlink data of the first service to be received by the first terminal, which is learned by the mobility management network element, can come from the first application function. In other words, the mobility management network element can obtain the data volume information of the downlink data of the first service and the information about the one or more terminals to which the downlink data needs to be sent from the first application function network element.

[0263] It should be understood that the first application function referred to in this application is the application function corresponding to the first terminal (or the application function belonging to the first terminal, or the application function serving the first terminal, or the application function managing the first terminal). For example, the first application function is an application server managed by the enterprise or individual to which the first terminal asset belongs, and is used to manage all first terminals in all first terminal groups within the enterprise or individual.

[0264] Optionally, the mobility management network element may further send information of the first terminal to the first satellite. For example, the information of the first terminal may include one or more of identification information of the first terminal, location information of the first terminal, and the like.

[0265] S803: The mobility management network element sends the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function. Correspondingly, the first application function receives the address information of the ground storage server from the mobility management network element.

[0266] In one possible implementation, when the amount of downlink data is large, or for security reasons, the data to be sent by the first application function can be transferred through a ground storage server. Therefore, the mobility management network element can send the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function, so that the first application function knows which ground storage server to send the downlink data to.

[0267] S804: The first application function sends downlink data of the first service to the ground storage server. Correspondingly, the ground storage server receives the downlink data of the first service from the first application function.

[0268] It is understood that in this embodiment, the first application function may specifically send downlink data of the first service to the ground storage server. Accordingly, the ground storage server receives the downlink data of the first service from the first application function and stores the corresponding downlink data of the first service in the ground storage server, so that the ground storage server can subsequently send the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite.

[0269] It should be noted that the reason why the first application function knows to which ground storage server the downlink data of the first service should be sent is because the mobility management network element / unified data management network element has already sent the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function (as shown in step S803 in Figure 8, which shows the process of the mobility management network element sending the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function). Therefore, the first application function can know to which ground storage server the downlink data of the first service should be sent based on the received ground storage server address information.

[0270] Optionally, the mobility management network element / unified data management network element can also send the address information of the first application function to the ground storage server. Accordingly, the ground storage server receives the address information of the first application function from the mobility management network element for verification. In other words, the ground storage server will only store the downlink data of the first service from the designated application function, and will not store data sent by non-designated application functions. Specifically, when the source address information in the packet header of the data packet of the downlink data of the first service is the address information of the first application function, the ground storage server stores the downlink data of the first service from the first application function; otherwise, the received downlink data is discarded.

[0271] S805: The mobility management network element sends notification information to the ground storage server. Correspondingly, the ground storage server receives the notification information from the mobility management network element.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the ground storage server can be co-deployed with the user plane function (UPF) or deployed independently. When deployed independently, the ground storage server can establish a tunnel to directly communicate with the first satellite or relay the communication through the UPF. This application is not limited to this.

[0273] It is understandable that the notification information may include identification information of the first satellite, identification information of the first terminal (in unicast mode) / identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs (in multicast mode), the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, data transmission time period, and other information. Generally speaking, when the transmission mode of downlink data is unicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal; when the transmission mode of downlink data is multicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0274] It is understood that the above-mentioned data transmission time period can be understood as the time when the ground storage server sends downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Exemplarily, the data transmission time period can be one or more time periods, or the data transmission time period can also be a starting time point and a data transmission duration, or the data transmission time period can also occur periodically, which is not limited in this application.

[0275] Optionally, when the number of satellites determined by the mobility management network element is multiple (for example, taking the first satellite and the second satellite as an example), the notification information may also include identification information of the second satellite, operation information of the first satellite and the second satellite (or ephemeris information, or the order of passing the first terminal), etc. This application is not limited to this.

[0276] S806: The ground storage server sends downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the downlink data of the first service from the ground storage server.

[0277] It is understood that when the first satellite is connected to the ground storage server, the ground storage server transmits the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Optionally, the ground storage server may transmit the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite during the data transmission time period indicated by the notification information. Optionally, the amount of downlink data of the first service transmitted by the ground storage server to the first satellite may be less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0278] Optionally, when the number of satellites determined by the mobility management network element is multiple (for example, taking the first satellite and the second satellite as an example), the mobility management network element may further send first storage requirement information to the first satellite and the second satellite. Optionally, the first storage requirement information sent by the mobility management network element to the first satellite and the second satellite may be the same, or may be different. Therefore, the above-mentioned sending of the first storage requirement information by the mobility management network element to the first satellite and the second satellite may be understood as: the mobility management network element sending first storage requirement information 1 to the first satellite, and the mobility management network element sending first storage requirement information 2 to the second satellite, wherein the data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 1 may be the data storage space quota allocated by the mobility management network element to the first satellite based on the amount of data to be received by the first terminal (or described as the amount of data to be sent by the first application function / ground storage server), and the data storage space quota in the first storage requirement information 2 may be the data storage space quota allocated by the mobility management network element to the second satellite based on the amount of data to be received by the first terminal. The data storage space quota in the first storage demand information 1 and the data storage space quota in the first storage demand information 2 may be the same or different. To simplify the description, they are treated the same unless otherwise explained. Therefore, the following text may simplify the description to the first storage demand information.

[0279] It is understandable that the determined multiple satellites can subsequently store the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information. The following description primarily uses the example of a first satellite storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information. For an understanding of how a second satellite stores the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal based on the first storage requirement information, reference can be made to the description of the first satellite, and will not be repeated here.

[0280] S807: The first satellite stores the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0281] For understanding of step S807, please refer to the description of step S504 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG5 , except that, when the downlink data transmission mode is unicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal. When the downlink data transmission mode is multicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs. That is, in the case of multicast, the data storage space quota only needs to occupy one storage space, but when it is transmitted to the terminal over the air interface, the service data in the corresponding storage space can be sent to all terminals in the first terminal group.

[0282] S808: The first satellite transmits downlink data of the first service from the ground storage server, stored on the first satellite, to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs. Accordingly, the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs receives the downlink data of the first service from the first satellite.

[0283] Specifically, when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal / each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the first satellite sends downlink data of the first service from the ground storage server stored in the first satellite to the first terminal / each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0284] It is understandable that after the first satellite forwards the downlink data of the first service to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the first satellite may release or delete the downlink data of the first service stored in the first satellite.

[0285] The embodiments of the present application mainly introduce the transmission process of downlink data when there is only a single-sided link between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway. Specifically, the first satellite receives first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and can then store the downlink data of the first service from the ground storage server according to the first storage requirement information. When a service link exists subsequently, the data stored in the first satellite is forwarded to the terminal. Based on this, communication between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway with only a single-sided link can be achieved, which is conducive to improving communication performance.

[0286] Please refer to Figure 9, which is another flow diagram of the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This flow primarily describes the transmission process of downlink data, in which downlink data is sent by a first application function, which is an application function corresponding to the first terminal (or an application function belonging to the first terminal, or an application function serving the first terminal, or an application function managing the first terminal). As shown in Figure 9, the communication method may include the following steps S901 to S906. The method shown in Figure 9 may be performed by a first satellite, a first terminal, a mobility management network element, etc. Alternatively, the method shown in Figure 9 may be performed by a chip within the first satellite, the first terminal, or the mobility management network element. For ease of description, this application primarily describes the first satellite, the first terminal, and the mobility management network element as the performing entities, where the first satellite includes an onboard RAN and an onboard S&F. It should be understood that Figure 9 is a schematic flow diagram of an embodiment of the method of the present application, illustrating detailed communication steps or operations of the method. However, these steps or operations are merely examples, and embodiments of the present application may also perform other operations or variations of the various operations shown in Figure 9. In addition, the steps in FIG9 may be performed in a different order than that shown in FIG9 , and not all operations in FIG9 may be performed.

[0287] S901. A mobility management network element obtains remaining storage space of a first satellite.

[0288] For understanding of step S901 here, reference may be made to the description of step S501 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG5 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0289] S902: If the first satellite is able to establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume of to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal, the mobility management network element sends storage requirement information to the first satellite. In response, the first satellite receives the storage requirement information from the mobility management network element.

[0290] Here, for an understanding of how the mobility management network element determines that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and that the remaining storage space of the first satellite satisfies the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or that the remaining storage space of the first satellite satisfies the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, reference can be made to the relevant description of step S502 in the corresponding embodiment of FIG5 . The difference is that the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal involved in this embodiment refers to the data volume of the downlink data of the first service to be received by the first terminal (or the data volume to be received by the first terminal), and the data generation cycle of the downlink data of the first service.

[0291] Optionally, the mobility management network element may further send information of the first terminal to the first satellite. For example, the information of the first terminal may include one or more of identification information of the first terminal, location information of the first terminal, and the like.

[0292] S903: The mobility management network element sends notification information to the first application function. Correspondingly, the first application function receives the notification information from the mobility management network element.

[0293] It is understandable that the notification information may include identification information of the first satellite, identification information of the first terminal (in unicast mode) / identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs (in multicast mode), the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, data transmission time period, and other information. Generally speaking, when the transmission mode of downlink data is unicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal; when the transmission mode of downlink data is multicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0294] It is understood that the data transmission time period can be understood as the time during which the first application function sends downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. For example, the data transmission time period can be one or more time periods, or the data transmission time period can be a time transmission cycle, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0295] Optionally, when the number of satellites determined by the mobility management network element is multiple (for example, taking the first satellite and the second satellite as an example), the notification information may also include identification information of the second satellite, operation information of the first satellite and the second satellite (or ephemeris information, or the order of passing the first terminal), etc. This application is not limited to this.

[0296] S904: The first application function sends downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Correspondingly, the first satellite receives the downlink data of the first service from the first application function.

[0297] It is understood that when a connection exists between the first satellite and the first application function, the first application function transmits downlink data of the first service to the first satellite. Optionally, the first application function may transmit the downlink data of the first service to the first satellite during the data transmission time period indicated by the notification information. Optionally, the amount of downlink data of the first service transmitted by the first application function to the first satellite may be less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

[0298] S905: The first satellite stores the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0299] For the understanding of step S905 here, please refer to the description of step S504 in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 5 above. The difference is that when the transmission mode of downlink data is unicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal; when the transmission mode of downlink data is multicast, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota corresponding to the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0300] S906: The first satellite transmits downlink data of the first service from the first application function stored on the first satellite to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs. Accordingly, the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs receives the downlink data of the first service from the first satellite.

[0301] Specifically, when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal / each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the first satellite sends downlink data of the first service from the first application function stored in the first satellite to the first terminal / each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs.

[0302] It is understandable that after the first satellite forwards the downlink data of the first service to the first terminal or each terminal in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the first satellite may release or delete the downlink data of the first service stored in the first satellite to release storage resources.

[0303] The embodiments of the present application mainly introduce the transmission process of downlink data when there is only a single-sided link between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway. Specifically, the first satellite receives first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal from the mobility management network element, and can then store downlink data of a first service from a first application function according to the first storage requirement information. When a service link exists subsequently, the data stored in the first satellite is forwarded to the terminal. Based on this, communication between the satellite and the terminal and the ground gateway with only a single-sided link can be achieved, which is conducive to improving communication performance.

[0304] The communication device provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 .

[0305] It is understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0306] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of the structures of possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal (e.g., the first terminal), or the satellite (e.g., the first satellite), or the mobility management network element, or the ground storage server, or the satellite control center in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be a communication device, or it can be a module (e.g., a chip) applied to a communication device.

[0307] As shown in FIG10 , a communication device 1000 includes a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020. The communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of a terminal (e.g., a first terminal), or a satellite (e.g., a first satellite), or a mobility management network element, or a ground storage server, or a satellite control center in the method embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG9 . In particular:

[0308] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the first satellite in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 :

[0309] The transceiver unit 1020 is used to receive storage requirement information from the mobility management network element, where the storage requirement information includes first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal; the transceiver unit 1020 is used to obtain data of the first service of the first terminal; and the processing unit 1010 is used to store data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

[0310] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the mobility management network element in the method embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG9 :

[0311] The transceiver unit 1020 is configured to obtain the remaining storage space of the first satellite. The transceiver unit 1020 is configured to send first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite when the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume of the to-be-transmitted data associated with the first terminal.

[0312] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the ground storage server in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 :

[0313] The transceiver unit 1020 is configured to receive notification information from a mobility management network element; the transceiver unit 1020 is configured to send data of a first service of a first terminal to a first satellite based on the notification information; wherein the notification information includes one or more of the following information: identification information of the first satellite, identification information of the first terminal, identification information of each terminal included in a first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or a data transmission time period.

[0314] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of the first terminal in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 :

[0315] The transceiver unit 1020 is used to receive second indication information from the first satellite, where the second indication information instructs the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite within a first time period; the transceiver unit 1020 is used to send data to the first satellite after the first time period according to the second indication information.

[0316] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of the satellite control center in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 :

[0317] The processing unit 1010 is configured to determine the first satellite based on the ephemeris information of the first satellite and the location information of the first terminal;

[0318] The transceiver unit 1020 is configured to send fourth indication information to the mobility management network element, where the fourth indication information indicates identification information of the first satellite that can establish a connection with the first terminal.

[0319] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1010 and the transceiver unit 1020 , reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 .

[0320] As shown in Figure 11, communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110 and an interface circuit 1120. Processor 1110 and interface circuit 1120 are coupled to each other. It will be appreciated that interface circuit 1120 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1100 may further include a memory 1130 for storing instructions executed by processor 1110, input data required by processor 1110 to execute instructions, or data generated by processor 1110 after executing instructions.

[0321] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the methods shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9 , the processor 1110 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1010 , and the interface circuit 1120 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 1020 .

[0322] When the communication device is a chip used in a terminal, the terminal chip implements the terminal functions in the above method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information sent by the satellite to the terminal through other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna); or the terminal chip sends information to other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal to the satellite.

[0323] When the communication device is a module for a satellite, the satellite module implements the satellite functions described in the method embodiments. The satellite module receives information from other modules in the satellite (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), which is information sent by the terminal to the satellite; or the satellite module sends information to other modules in the satellite (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), which is information sent by the satellite to the terminal.

[0324] When the communication device is a chip used in a mobility management network element, the mobility management network element chip implements the functions of the mobility management network element in the above method embodiments. The mobility management network element chip receives information sent by a satellite to the mobility management network element through other modules in the mobility management network element (such as a radio frequency module or antenna); or the mobility management network element chip sends information to other modules in the mobility management network element (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), where the information is sent by the mobility management network element to the satellite.

[0325] When the communication device is a chip used in a satellite control center, the satellite control center chip implements the functions of the satellite control center in the above method embodiments. The satellite control center chip receives information sent by the satellite to the satellite control center through other modules in the satellite control center (such as a radio frequency module or antenna); or the satellite control center chip sends information to other modules in the satellite control center (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the satellite control center to the satellite.

[0326] When the communication device is a chip used in a ground storage server, the ground storage server chip implements the functions of the ground storage server in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The ground storage server chip receives information sent by the satellite to the ground storage server through other modules in the ground storage server (such as a radio frequency module or antenna); or the ground storage server chip sends information to other modules in the ground storage server (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the ground storage server to the satellite.

[0327] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0328] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a satellite or terminal or a mobility management network element or a ground storage server or a satellite control center. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a satellite or terminal or a mobility management network element or a ground storage server or a satellite control center.

[0329] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0330] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0331] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first satellite and includes: Receiving storage requirement information from a mobility management network element, where the storage requirement information includes first storage requirement information associated with a first terminal; Obtaining data of a first service of the first terminal; Storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information includes: In the case where there is no connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, storing uplink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information; or, In the case where there is no connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, storing downlink data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the case where the first storage requirement information includes a data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the amount of data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, In the case where the first storage requirement information includes a data retention period associated with the first terminal, the storage duration of the data of the first service of the first terminal in the first satellite is less than or equal to the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that The storage requirement information further includes second storage requirement information associated with a second terminal, and the second storage requirement information includes a data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal; The first storage requirement information includes a data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, and the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is higher than the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the second terminal; The storing the data of the first service of the first terminal according to the first storage requirement information includes: In the case where the remaining storage space of the first satellite does not meet the amount of data of the to-be-transmitted data of the first service, deleting the data of the second service of the second terminal stored in the first satellite and storing the data of the first service of the first terminal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The method further includes: Sending first indication information to the mobility management network element, where the first indication information indicates that the storage space of the second terminal has been preempted.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that The obtaining the data of the first service of the first terminal includes: In the case where there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, receiving the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The method further includes: In the case where the amount of data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is greater than or equal to a first preset data amount, sending second indication information to the first terminal, where the second indication information indicates that the first terminal stops sending data to the first satellite within a first time period; Wherein, the first preset data amount is related to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that After sending the second indication information to the first terminal and before the end of the first time period, the method further includes: When the amount of data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite is less than the first preset data amount, sending third indication information to the first terminal, where the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: When there is a connection between the first satellite and the mobility management network element, sending the uplink data of the first service from the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the mobility management network element; Deleting the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The obtaining the data of the first service of the first terminal includes: When there is a connection between the first satellite and a ground storage server or a first application function, receiving the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal from the ground storage server or the first application function, where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The method further includes: When there is a connection between the first satellite and the first terminal, sending the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite to the first terminal; Deleting the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal stored in the first satellite.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage and forwarding priority of the first service of the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a mobility management network element and includes: Obtaining the remaining storage space of the first satellite; When the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data amount of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage requirement information associated with the first terminal to the first satellite.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The first storage requirement information includes one or more of the following information: The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The data storage space quota associated with the first terminal is the data storage space quota required for the first service of the first terminal, the data storage and forwarding priority associated with the first terminal is the data storage and forwarding priority of the first service of the first terminal, or the data retention period associated with the first terminal is the data retention period required for the first service of the first terminal.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 - 16, characterized in that, The data amount of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the data amount of the data to be transmitted of the first service associated with the first terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The data volume of the data to be transmitted of the first service associated with the first terminal includes one or more of the following: The data volume of the uplink data of the first service, the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service, the data volume of the downlink data of the first service, or the data generation period of the downlink data of the first service.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14-18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving fourth indication information from a satellite control center, where the fourth indication information indicates the identification information of the first satellite capable of establishing a connection with the first terminal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14-19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determining, according to the information of the first terminal and the information of the first satellite, that the first satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal, and the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal or the remaining storage space of the first satellite meets the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal; Wherein, the information of the first terminal includes one or more of the identification information of the first terminal, the location information of the first terminal, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, and the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal; the information of the first satellite includes one or more of the remaining storage space of the first satellite, the ephemeris information of the first satellite, and the identification information of the first satellite.

21. The method according to any one of claims 14-20, characterized in that, The method further includes: In a case where the maximum data transmission volume during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage requirement information to a second satellite; or, In a case where the maximum data transmission volume during the period when the first satellite is connected to the first terminal is less than the data volume of the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal, sending the first storage requirement information to a second satellite; Wherein, the second satellite can establish a connection with the first terminal.

22. The method according to any one of claims 14-21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the uplink data of the first service of the first terminal from the first satellite when the first satellite is connected to the mobility management network element.

23. The method according to any one of claims 14-21, characterized in that, The data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the downlink data of the first service; The method further includes: Sending notification information to a ground storage server or a first application function, where the notification information includes one or more of the following information: the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of the first terminal, the identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or the data transmission time period; where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein In a case where the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the downlink data of the first service and the transmission mode of the downlink data is unicast, the notification information includes one or more of the following information: the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of the first terminal, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or the data transmission time period.

25. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, When the data to be transmitted associated with the first terminal is the downlink data of the first service, and the transmission mode of the downlink data is multicast, the notification information includes one or more of the following information: the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or the data transmission time period; wherein the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal.

26. The method according to any one of claims 23-25, characterized in that, When sending the notification information to the ground storage server; the method further includes: Sending the address information of the ground storage server to the first application function.

27. The method according to any one of claims 23-26, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending the address information of the first application function to the ground storage server.

28. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a ground storage server and includes: Receiving notification information from a mobility management network element; According to the notification information, sending the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite; Wherein, the notification information includes one or more of the following information: the identification information of the first satellite, the identification information of the first terminal, the identification information of each terminal included in the first terminal group to which the first terminal belongs, the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal, or the data transmission time period.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein The step of sending the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite according to the notification information includes; During the data transmission time period, sending the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite; Wherein, the data volume of the downlink data of the first service is less than or equal to the data storage space quota associated with the first terminal.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that, Before sending the data of the first service of the first terminal to the first satellite, the method further includes: Receiving the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal from the first application function, where the first application function is the application function corresponding to the first terminal; Storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein The method further includes: Receiving the address information of the first application function from the mobility management network element; The step of storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal includes: When the source address information in the packet header of the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal is the address information of the first application function, storing the downlink data of the first service of the first terminal.

32. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first terminal and includes: Receiving second indication information from the first satellite, where the second indication information instructs the first terminal to stop sending data to the first satellite within a first time period; According to the second indication information, sending data to the first satellite after the first time period.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, During the first time period, the method further includes: Receiving third indication information from the first satellite, where the third indication information instructs the first terminal to continue sending data; According to the third indication information, sending data to the first satellite.

34. The method according to claim 32 or 33, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending the data volume size and / or the data generation period of the uplink data of the first service to the mobility management network element.

35. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising units or modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-13, or comprising units or modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 14-27, or comprising units or modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 28-31, or comprising units or modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 32-34.

36. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-13, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 14-27, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 28-31, or to implement the method according to any one of claims 32-34, through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

37. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instructions are stored in the storage medium, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1-13 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 14-27 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 28-31 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 32-34 is implemented.

38. A computer program product, characterized in that, Comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, implements the method according to any one of claims 1-13, or implements the method according to any one of claims 14-27, or implements the method according to any one of claims 28-31, or implements the method according to any one of claims 32-34.

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