Communication method, communication apparatus, terminal, access network device and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication device and a storage medium. The communication method may comprise: an access network device, which is deployed on a satellite, determining the condition of a feeder link between the satellite and a ground station, and sending first information to a terminal on the basis of the condition of the feeder link, so that the terminal determines a first operation. By means of the present disclosure, for a communication system supporting satellite access, a terminal can operate on the basis of the state change of a feeder link.

Description

Communication method, communication device, terminal, access network equipment and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular to a communication method, a communication apparatus, a terminal, an access network device, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] The evolution of telecommunications network technology has seen the integration of non-terrestrial network (NTN) technologies and support for satellite access. This allows terminals to access the core network and conduct services via satellite access networks. However, due to issues such as insufficient satellite deployments and limited coverage, satellite access networks may not provide continuous satellite connectivity. This discontinuous satellite connection can include intermittent connections between satellites and terminals, or between satellites and ground stations.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, an access network device, a communication device, and a storage medium, so as to enable a terminal to operate according to the status changes of a feeder link for a communication system supporting satellite access.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, which is executed by an access network device, and the access network device is deployed on a satellite; the method includes: determining the condition of a feeder link between a satellite and a ground station; based on the condition of the feeder link, sending first information to a terminal, and the first information is used by the terminal to determine a first operation.

[0006] According to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, which is executed by a terminal. The method includes: receiving first information, which is sent by an access network device based on the situation of a feeder link between a satellite and a ground station; and performing a first operation based on the first information.

[0007] According to the third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is proposed, including: a first processing module, used to determine the condition of a feeder link between a satellite and a ground station; a first transceiver module, used to send first information to a terminal based on the condition of the feeder link, and the first information is used by the terminal to determine a first operation.

[0008] According to the fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is proposed, including: a second transceiver module, used to receive first information, the first information is sent by an access network device based on the feeder link between a satellite and a ground station; a second processing module, used to perform a first operation based on the first information.

[0009] According to the fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an access network device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing computer programs; wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0010] According to the sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing computer programs; wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is proposed, on which a computer program is stored, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in any one of the first and second aspects are implemented.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program product is proposed, comprising a computer program, which implements the steps of the method described in any one of the first and second aspects when executed by a processor.

[0013] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is proposed, which includes codes, and when the codes are executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in any one of the first and second aspects are implemented.

[0014] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is aimed at a communication system supporting satellite access, and can enable a terminal to operate according to the status changes of a feeder link.

[0015] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and do not constitute limitations on the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG1A is a schematic diagram showing an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG1B is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system architecture based on transparent transmission payload according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG1C is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system based on regenerative payload according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG2A is a schematic diagram illustrating normal or default satellite operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a store and forward satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] 3A to 3E are exemplary interaction diagrams illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] 4A to 4E are schematic diagrams showing an implementation flow of a communication method executed on an access network device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG5A and FIG5E are schematic diagrams showing an implementation flow of a communication method executed on a terminal side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG6A is another flowchart illustrating a communication method executed on an access network device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG6B is another schematic diagram of a flow chart of a communication method executed on a terminal side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] 7A and 7B are schematic structural diagrams of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG8A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG8B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication apparatus, a terminal, an access network device, and a storage medium.

[0031] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, which is executed by an access network device, and the access network device is deployed on a satellite; the method includes: determining the condition of a feeder link between the satellite and the ground station; based on the condition of the feeder link, sending first information to the terminal, and the first information is used by the terminal to determine a first operation.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the access network device sends first information to the terminal according to the status of the feeder link, so that the terminal can determine to perform a first operation according to the first information, thereby enabling the terminal to operate according to the status change of the feeder link.

[0033] In some possible implementations, the condition of the feeder link includes that the feeder link is available or that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0034] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the feeder link is unavailable; the access network device has started a store-and-forward operation; the access network device supports the store-and-forward operation; the access network device does not support the store-and-forward operation; the first operation that the terminal needs to perform.

[0035] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the access network device supports store-and-forward operation; the method further includes: switching from a normal satellite operation mode to a store-and-forward operation mode.

[0036] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the first operation includes one of the following: performing a state transition; performing a cell handover; performing a cell reselection; or switching from a normal satellite operation mode to a store-and-forward operation mode.

[0037] In some possible implementations, executing the state transition includes one of the following: transitioning from a connected state to an idle state; transitioning from a connected state to an inactive state; and transitioning from an inactive state to a connected state.

[0038] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is available, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the feeder link is available; the access network device has started normal satellite operation; and the access network device has stopped store-and-forward operation.

[0039] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is available, the access network device supports store-and-forward operation, and the method further includes: switching from the store-and-forward operation mode to the normal satellite operation mode.

[0040] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is available, the access network device supports a store-and-forward operation, and the method further includes: sending the stored uplink information of the terminal.

[0041] In some possible implementations, the first information is carried in a first message, and the first message includes an RRC message and / or a system broadcast message.

[0042] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, which is executed by a terminal. The method includes: receiving first information, which is sent by an access network device based on the situation of a feeder link between a satellite and a ground station; and performing a first operation according to the first information.

[0043] In some possible implementations, the condition of the feeder link includes that the feeder link is available or that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0044] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the feeder link is unavailable; the access network device has started a store-and-forward operation; the access network device supports the store-and-forward operation; the access network device does not support the store-and-forward operation; the first operation that the terminal needs to perform.

[0045] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the terminal or access network device does not support store-and-forward operations; the first operation includes one of the following: performing a state transition; performing a cell handover; or performing a cell reselection.

[0046] In some possible implementations, executing the state transition includes one of the following: transitioning from a connected state to an idle state; transitioning from a connected state to an inactive state; and transitioning from an inactive state to a connected state.

[0047] In some possible implementations, the first operation is performing cell switching, and the terminal remains in a connected state; or the first operation is performing cell reselection, and the terminal remains in a deactivated state or an idle state.

[0048] In some possible implementations, the access network device to which the candidate cell for cell reselection belongs supports a store-and-forward operation.

[0049] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the terminal and the access network device support store-and-forward operation; the first operation is switching from a normal satellite operation mode to a store-and-forward operation mode.

[0050] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is available, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the feeder link is available; the access network device has started normal satellite operation; and the access network device has stopped store-and-forward operation.

[0051] In some possible embodiments, the feeder link is available, and the first operation includes one of the following: switching from a store-and-forward operation mode to a normal satellite operation mode; converting to a connected state when the terminal needs to send uplink information and / or receive downlink information; and remaining in an inactive state or an idle state when the terminal does not need to send uplink information and / or receive downlink information.

[0052] In some possible implementations, the first information is carried in a first message, and the first message includes an RRC message and / or a system broadcast message.

[0053] In the third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, which includes: a first processing module, used to determine the condition of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station; a first transceiver module, used to send first information to the terminal based on the condition of the feeder link, and the first information is used by the terminal to determine a first operation.

[0054] In some possible implementations, the condition of the feeder link includes that the feeder link is available or that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0055] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the feeder link is unavailable; the access network device has started a store-and-forward operation; the access network device supports the store-and-forward operation; the access network device does not support the store-and-forward operation; the first operation that the terminal needs to perform.

[0056] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the access network device supports store-and-forward operation; the first processing module is further configured to switch from a normal satellite operation mode to a store-and-forward operation mode.

[0057] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the first operation includes one of the following: performing a state transition; performing a cell handover; performing a cell reselection; or switching from a normal satellite operation mode to a store-and-forward operation mode.

[0058] In some possible implementations, executing the state transition includes one of the following: transitioning from a connected state to an idle state; transitioning from a connected state to an inactive state; and transitioning from an inactive state to a connected state.

[0059] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is available, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the feeder link is available; the access network device has started normal satellite operation; and the access network device has stopped store-and-forward operation.

[0060] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is available, the access network device supports store-and-forward operation, and the first processing module is further configured to switch from the store-and-forward operation mode to the normal satellite operation mode.

[0061] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is available, the access network device supports a store-and-forward operation, and the first transceiver module is further configured to send the stored uplink information of the terminal.

[0062] In some possible implementations, the first information is carried in a first message, and the first message includes an RRC message and / or a system broadcast message.

[0063] In the fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, which includes: a second transceiver module, used to receive first information, the first information is sent by an access network device based on the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station; a second processing module, used to perform a first operation based on the first information.

[0064] In some possible implementations, the condition of the feeder link includes that the feeder link is available or that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0065] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the feeder link is unavailable; the access network device has started a store-and-forward operation; the access network device supports the store-and-forward operation; the access network device does not support the store-and-forward operation; the first operation that the terminal needs to perform.

[0066] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable and the terminal does not support a store-and-forward operation; the first operation includes one of the following: performing a state transition; performing a cell handover; or performing a cell reselection.

[0067] In some possible implementations, executing the state transition includes one of the following: transitioning from a connected state to an idle state; transitioning from a connected state to an inactive state; and transitioning from an inactive state to a connected state.

[0068] In some possible implementations, the first operation is performing cell switching, and the terminal remains in a connected state; or the first operation is performing cell reselection, and the terminal remains in a deactivated state or an idle state.

[0069] In some possible implementations, the access network device to which the candidate cell for cell reselection belongs supports a store-and-forward operation.

[0070] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is unavailable, and the terminal and the access network device support store-and-forward operation; the first operation is switching from a normal satellite operation mode to a store-and-forward operation mode.

[0071] In some possible implementations, the feeder link is available, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the feeder link is available; the access network device has started normal satellite operation; and the access network device has stopped store-and-forward operation.

[0072] In some possible embodiments, the feeder link is available, and the first operation includes one of the following: switching from a store-and-forward operation mode to a normal satellite operation mode; converting to a connected state when the terminal needs to send uplink information and / or receive downlink information; and remaining in an inactive state or an idle state when the terminal does not need to send uplink information and / or receive downlink information.

[0073] In some possible implementations, the first information is carried in a first message, and the first message includes an RRC message and / or a system broadcast message.

[0074] In the fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an access network device, comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing computer programs; wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect and any one of its possible implementations.

[0075] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing computer programs; wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect and any one of its possible implementations.

[0076] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, and any one of their possible implementations are implemented.

[0077] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, and any one of their possible implementations.

[0078] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program, which includes codes, and when the codes are executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, and any one of their possible implementations.

[0079] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system, which includes a processing circuit configured to execute the steps of the method described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0080] It is understandable that the above-mentioned communication devices, terminals, access network devices, computer storage media, computer program products, computer program chips, and chip systems are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0081] The present disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, terminal, access network device, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method" are interchangeable. The terms "communication device" and "information processing device" are interchangeable. The terms "communication system" and "satellite communication system" are interchangeable.

[0082] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Unless there is any contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementations in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all of the steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For another example, a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0083] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0084] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0085] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0086] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0087] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0088] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0089] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0090] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0091] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0092] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0093] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0094] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0095] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0096] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "access node", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femtocell", "picocell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0097] In some embodiments, the terms “terminal,” “terminal device,” “user equipment (UE),” “user terminal,” “mobile station (MS),” “mobile terminal (MT),” “subscriber station,” “mobile unit,” “subscriber unit,” “wireless unit,” “remote unit,” “mobile device,” “wireless device,” “wireless communication device,” “remote device,” “mobile subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “mobile terminal,” “wireless terminal,” “remote terminal,” “handset,” “user agent,” “mobile client,” “client,” and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0098] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it can also be set as a structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by sidelinks. The sidelink can also be replaced by a sidelink.

[0099] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0100] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0101] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0102] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0103] As shown in FIG1A , which is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 , an access network device 102 , and a core network device 103 .

[0104] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0105] In some embodiments, the access network device 102, for example, is a node or device that accesses the terminal to the wireless network, and may include at least one of an evolved node B (eNB), a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation node B (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0106] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the open radio access network (Open RAN) architecture. In this case, the interfaces between access network devices or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0107] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0108] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of one or more network elements. The network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC) network, a 5G core (5GC) network, and a next generation core (NGC) network.

[0109] In some embodiments, the core network may be an EPC network in a 4G system. In this case, the access network device 102 may be, for example, an eNB.

[0110] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may include a first core network element, such as a serving gateway (S-GW) or a packet data gateway (PDN-GW).

[0111] In some embodiments, the first core network element may be used for functions such as user plane processing, routing and forwarding of data packets, and its name is not limited thereto.

[0112] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may include a second core network element, such as a mobility management entity (MME).

[0113] In some embodiments, the second core network element can be used for user mobility management, bearer management, user authentication, S-GW selection, etc., and its name is not limited thereto.

[0114] In some embodiments, the core network may be a 5G 5G network in a 5G system. In this case, the access network device 102 may be, for example, a gNB.

[0115] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may include a first core network element, such as a user plane function (UPF).

[0116] In some embodiments, the first core network network element may be used for routing and forwarding core network user plane data packets, and its name is not limited thereto.

[0117] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may include a second core network element, such as a session management function (SMF) or an access mobility function (AMF).

[0118] In some embodiments, the second core network element may be used to process user services, and its name is not limited thereto.

[0119] In some embodiments, each network element in the core network device 103 may also be referred to as a network device, a network function, a network entity, etc., without limitation to the name.

[0120] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0121] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A , or some of the entities in the communication system 100 , but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1A are illustrative only. The communication system 100 may include all or some of the entities shown in FIG1A , or may include other entities other than those shown in FIG1A . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary. The entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0122] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to long term evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, international mobile telecommunications-advanced (IMT-advanced), 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.18 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (reg 802.20, ultra-wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), public land mobile network (PLMN) networks, device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0123] The various embodiments of the present disclosure may be applicable to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), including networks or network segments that utilize transmission equipment relay nodes or base stations carried on airborne or space-based vehicles, and any network involving non-terrestrial flying objects. For example, NTNs may include satellite communication networks and high altitude platform systems (HAPs). In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a satellite communication NTN is used as an example for illustration.

[0124] With the development of communication technology, satellite communication technology is considered an important aspect of the future development of wireless communication technology. Communication systems that support satellite access technology (such as 4G and 5G networks) can also be called satellite communication networks. In this communication network, terminals can access the core network (such as EPC and 5GC) through the satellite access network and conduct business. However, due to the insufficient number of satellite deployments, satellite access networks may have problems such as limited coverage. Therefore, satellites may not be able to provide continuous connection services. This discontinuous satellite connection includes interruptions in the service connection between the satellite and the terminal or the feeder connection between the satellite and the ground station.

[0125] In some embodiments, the connection between the satellite and the terminal may also be referred to as a service link, and the connection between the satellite and the ground station may also be referred to as a feeder link.

[0126] In some embodiments, the satellite communication network may have two different architectures: a satellite communication network architecture based on transparent payloads (i.e., transparent mode) and a satellite communication network architecture based on regenerative payloads (i.e., regenerative mode).

[0127] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1B, Figure 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a satellite communication system architecture based on transparent transmission payloads according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this satellite communication system architecture, the core network is described as a 5GC. Of course, the core network can also be other evolved versions of the core network, and this is not specifically limited in the present embodiment. In transparent transmission mode, gNB 20 is deployed on the ground, and satellite 10 performs the radio frequency functions of gNB 20.

[0128] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1C, a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system architecture based on a regenerative payload according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. In this satellite communication system architecture, the core network is still described as a 5GC. Of course, the core network can also be other evolved versions of the core network, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the disclosure. In regenerative mode, the gNB 20 is deployed on the satellite 10. In this case, the gNB can be referred to as a spaceborne gNB.

[0129] In some embodiments, handling discontinuous coverage of the service link when the satellite is in transparent transmission mode may include enhancing terminal mobility and power saving techniques when the satellite provides discontinuous coverage. However, when the satellite is in regeneration mode, handling discontinuous coverage of the feeder link has not yet been technically clarified to support terminal services.

[0130] In some embodiments, to provide delay-tolerant communication services, satellite communication systems support store and forward (S&F) functionality. Store and forward (S&F) operation is an operating mode of a communication system with satellite access (i.e., a satellite communication system). When satellite connectivity is intermittent or temporarily unavailable, the communication system can provide a certain level of service (e.g., storing and forwarding data). For example, this can provide communication services to terminals within satellite coverage without requiring simultaneous connection to a ground segment feeder link.

[0131] In some embodiments, the operation mode of the satellite communication system based on the transparent mode or the regeneration mode described above can be described as normal or default satellite operation.

[0132] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2A , FIG2A is a schematic diagram illustrating normal or default satellite operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the "normal / default satellite operation" mode, the interaction of signaling and data transmission between the terminal and the remote terrestrial network (TN) via the satellite requires that the service link and the feeder link are simultaneously active. Therefore, when the terminal interacts with the satellite via the service link, a continuous, end-to-end connection path exists between the terminal, the satellite, and the terrestrial network.

[0133] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2B, Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of a storage and forwarding satellite operation shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Compared with the above-mentioned normal satellite operation, under S&F satellite operation, the interaction of end-to-end signaling or data transmission is processed as a combination of two steps that are not performed at the same time (such as steps A and B in Figure 2B). In step A, signaling or data transmission is interactively performed between the terminal and the satellite. At this time, the satellite may not be connected to the ground network (that is, the satellite can use the service link when there is no available feeder link connection). In step B, a connection is established between the satellite and the ground network (that is, a feeder link is established), so that communication can be carried out between the satellite and the ground network. Therefore, the satellite moves from being connected to the terminal in step A to being connected to the ground network in step B.

[0134] In some embodiments, support for S&F satellite operations is particularly applicable to providing delay-tolerant or non-real-time IoT satellite services using non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) satellites.

[0135] For satellite access, the regenerative architecture deploys gNB functionality onboard the satellite. This allows for delay-tolerant services to be delivered even when there are discontinuous satellite connections. This requires the satellite to support store-and-forward functionality, allowing data to be stored onboard in the event of a satellite connection interruption and forwarded when the connection is restored. However, since the onboard gNB may or may not support store-and-forward functionality, terminals cannot determine how to operate when the satellite connection status changes. Therefore, how to enable terminal operations to adapt to changes in the satellite connection status is a pressing issue.

[0136] In order to solve the above problems, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a communication apparatus, a terminal, an access network device and a storage medium, so as to enable the terminal to operate according to the state change of the satellite connection in a communication system supporting satellite access.

[0137] As shown in Figure 3A, Figure 3A is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S3101 to S3112.

[0138] In some embodiments, the access network is described using a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) (also known as a 5G access network). The gNBs in the NG-RAN are deployed on satellites. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0139] In some embodiments, the gNB supports S&F satellite operations.

[0140] In some embodiments, the gNB supports S&F satellite operations, which means that the gNB has the ability to provide S&F satellite operations and the capacity to perform S&F satellite operations. In other words, the gNB supports S&F satellite operations and has the storage resources required for S&F satellite operations.

[0141] In some embodiments, the core network is 5GC as an example for description. 5GC may include at least one of AMF, SMF and UPF.

[0142] In step S3101, the terminal performs uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission.

[0143] In some embodiments, when the terminal performs uplink transmission, the gNB receives uplink information from the terminal and sends it to the core network side.

[0144] In some embodiments, when the terminal performs downlink transmission, the gNB receives downlink information from the core network side and sends it to the terminal. In one embodiment, the gNB receives downlink information from at least one of the AMF, SMF, and UPF.

[0145] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 operates in normal satellite operation mode. In this state, the serving link and feeder link are connected, and the gNB performs normal satellite operations. In some embodiments, a serving link being connected can be understood as a serving link being available. A feeder link being connected can be understood as a feeder link being available. In this state, there is a connection between the terminal and the satellite, and between the satellite and the ground station.

[0146] In some embodiments, in normal satellite operation mode, the terminal and the gNB may perform at least one of uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission via a serving link and a feeder link. In this case, the terminal is in a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED).

[0147] In step S3102, the gNB detects that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0148] In some embodiments, during normal operation mode, the gNB detects that the feeder link is unavailable due to satellite movement. Feeder link unavailability refers to a disconnection between the satellite and the ground station.

[0149] In some embodiments, the gNB detecting that the feeder link is unavailable can be understood as the gNB detecting that the feeder link is unavailable at the current moment. In this case, the feeder link has been interrupted and the connection between the satellite and the ground station has been disconnected.

[0150] In some embodiments, the gNB detecting that the feeder link is unavailable can be understood as the gNB detecting that the feeder link is unavailable at a future time. In this case, the feeder link is about to be interrupted, and the connection between the satellite and the ground station is about to be disconnected.

[0151] In some embodiments, the gNB detects that the feeder link is unavailable based on information A. In one embodiment, information A may be pre-configured or sent to the gNB by operation administration and maintenance (OAM).

[0152] In some embodiments, information A may include at least one of satellite-associated ephemeris information and time information determined based on the satellite's ephemeris information. The time information determined based on the ephemeris information may be used to indicate when a feeder link is available and / or when the satellite link is unavailable. In one example, information A may indicate a period during which a feeder link is available or a time when the feeder link is available. In another example, information A may indicate a period during which a feeder link is unavailable or a time when the feeder link is unavailable.

[0153] In some embodiments, the time information determined based on the satellite's ephemeris information can be derived from the ephemeris information associated with the satellite. Based on this information, the gNB can determine when the satellite is available to connect to the ground station, the duration of the feeder link, and when the satellite loses connection with the ground station, thereby detecting whether the feeder link is available or unavailable.

[0154] In some embodiments, if the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB may provide S&F satellite operation for the terminal because the gNB supports S&F satellite operation. After step S3102, the gNB may perform step S3103.

[0155] In step S3103, the gNB switches from normal satellite operation mode to S&F satellite operation mode.

[0156] In some embodiments, if the gNB supports S&F satellite operation, the gNB may provide S&F satellite operation for the terminal. After switching to S&F satellite operation, the gNB may configure storage resources for the terminal, which may be used to store uplink information sent by the terminal.

[0157] In some embodiments, the terminal maintains its current connected state during the gNB's transition from normal satellite operation mode to S&F satellite operation mode. In one example, before the gNB switches operation mode, the terminal is in a connected state (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED). Therefore, when the gNB performs step S3103, the terminal remains in the connected state.

[0158] In step S3104, the gNB sends a first message.

[0159] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first message.

[0160] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a first message to the terminal via a serving link. The first message carries information B. In this case, information B is the first information.

[0161] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine based on information B that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB is capable of providing S&F satellite operations.

[0162] In some embodiments, information B may include at least one of the following: feeder link unavailable, gNB supports S&F satellite operation, and gNB has started S&F satellite operation.

[0163] In one example, after detecting that the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB may indicate to the terminal the feeder link status, i.e., the feeder link is unavailable, and may also indicate that the gNB has enabled S&F satellite operation. Thus, the terminal may determine that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB is capable of providing S&F satellite operation.

[0164] In one example, after detecting that the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB may indicate the feeder link condition to the terminal, i.e., the feeder link is unavailable, and may also indicate that the gNB supports S&F satellite operation. Thus, the terminal can determine that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB is capable of providing S&F satellite operation.

[0165] In one example, after detecting that the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB may indicate to the terminal the feeder link condition, i.e., the feeder link is unavailable, and may also indicate that the gNB supports S&F satellite operation and that the gNB has enabled S&F satellite operation. Thus, the terminal may determine that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB is capable of providing S&F satellite operation.

[0166] In some embodiments, before step S3102, the gNB may indicate to the terminal that it supports S&F satellite operations. In this case, the terminal may determine that the gNB can provide S&F satellite operations based on information B and the gNB's support capability for S&F satellite operations. In one example, before step S3102, the gNB may broadcast that it supports S&F satellite operations.

[0167] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine the first operation that the terminal needs to perform based on information B.

[0168] In some embodiments, information B may include at least one of the following: feeder link unavailable, the gNB supports S&F satellite operation, the gNB has enabled S&F satellite operation, and switching from normal satellite operation mode to store-and-forward operation mode. In this case, the first operation that the terminal needs to perform may be switching from normal satellite operation mode to store-and-forward operation mode.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first message may be an RRC message. In one example, the RRC message may be an RRCReconfiguration message.

[0170] In some embodiments, different values ​​of Information B can be used to indicate that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB can provide S&F satellite operations. In some embodiments, Information B can be the "cause" parameter included in the RRC message. The value of the "cause" field indicates that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB can provide S&F satellite operations. In one example, when the RRC message is an RRCReconfiguration message, the "cause" field is used to indicate the reason for the RRC reconfiguration. In some embodiments, Information B can also be other parameters in the first message, which is not specifically limited in the present disclosure.

[0171] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine to perform S&F satellite operation in response to the first message. Then, after step S3104, the terminal may perform step S3105.

[0172] In some embodiments, if the terminal supports S&F satellite operation, the terminal may determine to perform S&F satellite operation and switch from the normal satellite operation mode to the S&F satellite operation mode. In this case, switching from the normal satellite operation mode to the S&F satellite operation mode is the first operation. In one example, the terminal may complete the switch from the normal satellite operation mode to the S&F satellite operation mode by initiating the S&F satellite operation.

[0173] In step S3105, the terminal sends a second message.

[0174] In some embodiments, the gNB receives the second message.

[0175] In some embodiments, the second message is used to indicate to the gNB that the terminal has started S&F satellite operation.

[0176] In some embodiments, the second message is a response message to the first message. In some embodiments, the second message is an RRC message. In one example, the second message may be an RRCReconfigurationComplete message.

[0177] In step S3106, the terminal sends uplink information.

[0178] In some embodiments, during steps S3102 to S3105, the serving link remains connected. The terminal and the gNB can communicate via the serving link. At this point, the terminal sends uplink information to the gNB.

[0179] In step S3107, the gNB stores the uplink information.

[0180] In some embodiments, after receiving the uplink information sent by the terminal, the gNB stores the uplink information, thereby implementing the storage operation in the S&F satellite operation.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine not to perform S&F satellite operation in response to information B in the first message. Then, after step S3102, the terminal may perform cell handover to another cell in normal satellite operation mode, thereby enabling transmission of uplink information and / or downlink data.

[0182] In some embodiments, when the terminal does not support S&F satellite operation, the terminal may determine not to perform S&F satellite operation but may perform cell switching. In this case, performing cell switching is the first operation.

[0183] In step S3108, the gNB detects that the feeder link is available.

[0184] In some embodiments, after determining that the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB may continue to monitor the feeder link. In one example, the gNB may monitor the feeder link or periodically monitor the feeder link.

[0185] In some embodiments, the gNB detecting that the feeder link is available can be understood as the gNB detecting that the feeder link is available at the current moment. In this case, the feeder link is established and the satellite is connected to the ground station.

[0186] In some embodiments, the gNB detecting that the feeder link is available can be understood as the gNB detecting that the feeder link is available at a future time. In this case, the feeder link is about to be established and the satellite is about to connect to the ground station.

[0187] In some embodiments, the gNB detects that the feeder link is available based on information A.

[0188] In some embodiments, the gNB switches from S&F operation mode to normal operation mode.

[0189] In step S3109, the gNB sends a third message.

[0190] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a third message.

[0191] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a third message to the terminal via the serving link. The third message carries information C. In this case, information C is the first information.

[0192] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine based on information C that the feeder link is available and that the gNB is capable of providing normal satellite operations.

[0193] In some embodiments, the information C may include at least one of the following: the feeder link is available, the gNB has stopped S&F satellite operation, and the gNB has started normal satellite operation.

[0194] In one example, after detecting that the feeder link is available, the gNB may indicate to the terminal the feeder link status, i.e., that the feeder link is available, and may also indicate that the gNB has stopped S&F satellite operations. Thus, the terminal can determine that the feeder link is available and that the gNB can provide normal satellite operations.

[0195] In one example, after detecting that the feeder link is available, the gNB may indicate to the terminal the feeder link status, i.e., that the feeder link is available, and may also indicate that the gNB has initiated normal satellite operations. Thus, the terminal may determine that the feeder link is available and that the gNB is capable of providing normal satellite operations.

[0196] In some embodiments, the third message may be an RRC message. In one example, the RRC message may be an RRCReconfiguration message.

[0197] In some embodiments, different values ​​of Information C can be used to indicate that the feeder link is available and the gNB can provide normal satellite operations. In some embodiments, Information C can be a "cause" parameter included in an RRC message. The value of the "cause" field indicates that the feeder link is available and the gNB can provide normal satellite operations. In one example, when the RRC message is an RRCReconfiguration message, the "cause" field is used to indicate the reason for the RRC reconfiguration. In some embodiments, Information C can also be other parameters in the third message, which is not specifically limited in the present disclosure.

[0198] In some embodiments, the terminal switches from the S&F satellite operation mode to the normal satellite operation mode. In this case, the switching from the S&F satellite operation mode to the normal satellite operation mode is a first operation. In one example, the terminal can complete the switching from the S&F satellite operation mode to the normal satellite operation mode by initiating normal satellite operation.

[0199] In step S3110, the terminal sends a fourth message.

[0200] In some embodiments, the gNB receives a fourth message.

[0201] In some embodiments, the fourth message is used to indicate to the gNB that the terminal has started normal satellite operation.

[0202] In some embodiments, the fourth message is a response message to the third message. In some embodiments, the fourth message is an RRC message. In one example, the fourth message may be an RRCReconfigurationComplete message.

[0203] In step S3111, the gNB sends uplink information.

[0204] In some embodiments, the core network side receives uplink information.

[0205] In some embodiments, at least one of the AMF, SMF, and UPF receives uplink information.

[0206] In some embodiments, the gNB sends the uplink information stored in itself to the core network side through the feeder link, thereby realizing the forwarding operation in the S&F satellite operation and completing the uplink transmission.

[0207] In step S3112, the terminal performs uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission.

[0208] In some embodiments, when the terminal performs uplink transmission, the gNB receives uplink information from the terminal and sends it to the core network. In one embodiment, the gNB sends the uplink information to at least one of the AMF, SMF, and UPF.

[0209] In some embodiments, when the terminal performs downlink transmission, the gNB receives downlink information from the core network side and sends it to the terminal. In one embodiment, the gNB receives downlink information from at least one of the AMF, SMF, and UPF.

[0210] At this point, when the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB supports S&F satellite operation, the terminal can perform S&F satellite operation or cell switching according to the instructions of the gNB, and when the feeder link is available, the terminal can perform normal satellite operation according to the instructions of the gNB. In this way, for communication systems that support satellite access, the terminal can operate according to the status changes of the feeder link.

[0211] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3112. For example, the combination of steps S3102 to S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3102 to S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3101 to S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3101 to S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3108 to S3110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3108 to S3111 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3108 to S3112 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3102 to S3110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3101 to S3110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3102 to S3111 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3101 to S3111 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3102 to S3112 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3101 to S3112 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more of steps S3101 to S3112 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0212] In some embodiments, step S3101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0213] In some embodiments, step S3112 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0214] In some embodiments, step S3111 and step S3109 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0215] As shown in Figure 3B, Figure 3B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method may include steps S3201 to S3204.

[0216] In some embodiments, NG-RAN is used as an example. The gNB in ​​NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0217] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0218] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations, which means that the gNB does not have the ability to provide S&F satellite operations and / or the capacity to perform S&F satellite operations, that is, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations and / or does not have the storage resources required for S&F satellite operations.

[0219] In some embodiments, the core network is 5GC as an example for description. 5GC may include at least one of AMF, SMF and UPF.

[0220] In step S3201, the terminal performs uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission.

[0221] The optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0222] In step S3202, the gNB detects that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0223] The optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0224] In some embodiments, if the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations for the terminal. Then, after step S3202, the gNB may perform step S3203.

[0225] In step S3203, the gNB sends the fifth message.

[0226] In step S3203, the terminal receives the fifth message.

[0227] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a fifth message to the terminal via the serving link. The fifth message carries information D. In this case, information D is the first information.

[0228] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine based on information D that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB is unable to provide S&F satellite operations.

[0229] In some embodiments, the information D may include at least one of the following: feeder link is unavailable, gNB does not support S&F satellite operation.

[0230] In one example, after detecting that the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB may indicate the feeder link condition to the terminal, i.e., the feeder link is unavailable, and may also indicate that the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations. Thus, the terminal may determine that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations.

[0231] In some embodiments, before step S3202, the gNB may indicate to the terminal that it does not support S&F satellite operations. In this case, the terminal may determine that the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations based on information B and the gNB's support capability for S&F satellite operations. In one example, before step S3202, the gNB may broadcast that it does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0232] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine, based on the information D, a first operation that the terminal needs to perform.

[0233] In some embodiments, the information D may include at least one of the following: feeder link unavailable, gNB not supporting S&F satellite operation, and performing cell handover. In this case, performing cell handover is the first operation that the terminal needs to perform.

[0234] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be an RRC message. In one example, the RRC message may be an RRCReconfiguration message.

[0235] In some embodiments, different values ​​of information D can be used to indicate that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations. In some embodiments, information D can be a "cause" parameter included in an RRC message. The value of the "cause" field indicates that the feeder link is unavailable and that the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations. In one example, when the RRC message is an RRCReconfiguration message, the "cause" field indicates the reason for the RRC reconfiguration. In some embodiments, information D can also be other parameters in the fifth message, which is not specifically limited in the present disclosure.

[0236] In step S3204, the terminal performs cell switching.

[0237] In some embodiments, after determining that the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operation, the terminal performs cell switching to switch to other cells in normal satellite operation mode to achieve transmission of uplink information and / or downlink data.

[0238] At this point, when the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB does not support S&F satellite operation, the terminal can perform cell switching according to the instructions of the gNB. In this way, for communication systems that support satellite access, the terminal can operate according to the status changes of the feeder link.

[0239] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 to S3204. For example, the combination of steps S3202 to S3204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3201 to S3204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more of steps S3201 to S3204 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but is not limited to this.

[0240] In some embodiments, step S3201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0241] As shown in Figure 3C, Figure 3C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S3301 to S3310.

[0242] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0243] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0244] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations, which means that the gNB does not have the ability to provide S&F satellite operations and / or the capacity to perform S&F satellite operations, that is, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations and / or does not have the storage resources required for S&F satellite operations.

[0245] In some embodiments, the core network is 5GC as an example for description. 5GC may include at least one of AMF, SMF and UPF.

[0246] In step S3301, the terminal performs uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission.

[0247] The optional implementation of step S3301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0248] In step S3302, the gNB detects that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0249] The optional implementation of step S3302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0250] In some embodiments, if the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations. Then, after step S3302, the gNB may perform step S3303.

[0251] In step S3303, the gNB determines to instruct the terminal to perform state transition.

[0252] In some embodiments, if the gNB is unable to provide S&F satellite operation for the terminal, the gNB determines to instruct the terminal to perform a state transition. In this case, performing the state transition is a first operation that the terminal needs to perform.

[0253] In step S3304, the gNB sends the sixth message.

[0254] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a sixth message.

[0255] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a sixth message to the terminal via the serving link.

[0256] In some embodiments, the sixth message carries information D. In this case, the information D is the first information.

[0257] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine, based on information D, that the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB is unable to provide S&F satellite operations. In this case, the terminal performs a state transition. In this case, the state transition is performed to the first operation.

[0258] In one example, the execution state transition may be transitioning from the connected state or the inactive state to the idle state. In another example, the execution state transition may be transitioning from the connected state to the deactivated state.

[0259] In some embodiments, the terminal selects a new gNB based on the information D, whose feeder link is available. In this case, selecting the new gNB is the first operation that the terminal needs to perform.

[0260] In some embodiments, the sixth message is used to indicate the release of a connection (e.g., a serving link) between the terminal and the gNB. Alternatively, the sixth message is used to indicate the suspension of a connection (e.g., a serving link) between the terminal and the gNB.

[0261] In some embodiments, the sixth message may be an RRC message. In one example, the RRC message may be an RRC Connection Release message. In one example, the RRC message may be an RRC Connection Release with suspend message.

[0262] In some embodiments, when the RRC message is an RRC Connection Release message, information D may trigger the terminal to transition from a connected state or an inactive state to an idle state, or information D may trigger the selection of a new gNB.

[0263] In some embodiments, when the RRC message is an RRC Connection Release with suspend message, operation B may trigger the terminal to transition from a connected state to an inactive state.

[0264] In step S3305, the terminal triggers cell reselection.

[0265] In some embodiments, the terminal performs cell reselection in response to information D in the sixth message.

[0266] In some embodiments, the gNB to which the candidate cell for cell reselection belongs supports S&F satellite operation. In some embodiments, the candidate cell for cell reselection does not include a cell with an unavailable feeder link and / or a cell to which the access network equipment does not support S&F satellite operation, thereby ensuring uplink and / or downlink transmission of the terminal.

[0267] In some embodiments, after step S3304, the terminal may also determine to remain in an idle state in the current cell.

[0268] In step S3306, the gNB detects that the feeder link is available.

[0269] The optional implementation of step S3306 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3105 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0270] In step S3307, the gNB broadcasts the seventh message.

[0271] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a seventh message.

[0272] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a seventh message to the terminal via broadcast. The seventh message carries information C. In this case, information C is the first information.

[0273] In some embodiments, the seventh message may be a system broadcast message. In one example, the information C may be system information (SI), such as a master information block (MIB), a system information block (SIB), or the like.

[0274] In some embodiments, when the terminal does not need to send uplink information and / or does not need to receive downlink information, the terminal may execute step S3308.

[0275] In step S3308, the terminal remains in a deactivated state or an idle state.

[0276] In some embodiments, after the feeder link becomes available, the terminal determines, based on the seventh message, that it can enter the Connected State and conduct uplink and / or downlink transmissions with the gNB. However, if the terminal does not have any uplink transmissions at this time, the terminal may remain in the Deactivated or Idle State instead of entering the Connected State to avoid resource usage and reduce terminal power consumption. In this case, remaining in the Deactivated or Idle State is the first operation.

[0277] In some embodiments, when the terminal needs to send uplink information and / or does not need to receive downlink information, the terminal may execute step S3309.

[0278] In step S3309, the terminal sends the eighth message.

[0279] In some embodiments, the gNB receives the eighth message.

[0280] In some embodiments, the eighth message is used to trigger the terminal to switch to a connected state.

[0281] In some embodiments, after the feeder link becomes available, the terminal determines, based on the seventh message, that it can enter the Connected state and perform uplink and / or downlink transmissions with the gNB. If the terminal is currently performing uplink transmissions, the terminal may send an eighth message to transition to the Connected state and further perform uplink and / or downlink transmissions with the gNB. In this case, transitioning to the Connected state is the first operation.

[0282] In some embodiments, the eighth message is used to indicate establishment of a connection (e.g., a serving link) between the terminal and the gNB. Alternatively, the sixth message is used to indicate restoration of a connection (e.g., a serving link) between the terminal and the gNB.

[0283] In some embodiments, the eighth message is an RRC message. In one example, the eighth message may be an RRC Connection Setup message. In one example, the eighth message may be an RRC Resume message.

[0284] In step S3310, the terminal performs uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission.

[0285] The optional implementation of step S3310 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3112 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0286] At this point, when the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations, the terminal can perform state transition or select a gNB with an available feeder link according to the instructions of the gNB. When the feeder link is available, the terminal can switch to a connected state or remain in an inactive state or idle state according to the instructions of the gNB. In this way, for communication systems that support satellite access, the terminal can operate according to the status changes of the feeder link.

[0287] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3301 to S3310. For example, the combination of steps S3302 to S3305 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3301 to S3305 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3306 to S3308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3306 to S3307 and step S3309 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3306 to S3308 and step S3310 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3306 to S3310 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3302 to S3308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3301 to S3308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3301 to S3307 and step S3309 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3302 to S3308 and step S3310 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3302 to S3307 and steps S3309 to S3310 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3301 to S3308 and step S3310 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3301 to S3307 and steps S3309 to S3310 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more steps in steps S3301 to S3310 may form a possible independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0288] In some embodiments, step S3301 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0289] In some embodiments, step S3310 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0290] In some embodiments, step S3308 or step S3309 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0291] As shown in Figure 3D, Figure 3D is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S3401 to S3408.

[0292] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0293] In some embodiments, the gNB supports S&F satellite operations.

[0294] In some embodiments, the core network is 5GC as an example for description. 5GC may include at least one of AMF, SMF and UPF.

[0295] In step S3401, the terminal performs uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission.

[0296] The optional implementation of step S3401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0297] In step S3402, the gNB detects that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0298] The optional implementation of step S3402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] In step S3403, the gNB broadcasts the ninth message.

[0300] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a ninth message.

[0301] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a ninth message to the terminal via a broadcast. The ninth message carries information B. In this case, information B is the first information.

[0302] In some embodiments, the ninth message may be a system broadcast message. In one example, the information B may be system information (SI), such as MIB, SIB, etc.

[0303] In some embodiments, before step S3402, the gNB may indicate to the terminal that it supports S&F satellite operations. In this case, the terminal may determine that the gNB can provide S&F satellite operations based on information B and the gNB's support capability for S&F satellite operations. In one example, before step S3402, the gNB may broadcast that it supports S&F satellite operations.

[0304] In some embodiments, after determining that the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB is capable of providing S&F satellite operations, the terminal may determine to perform S&F satellite operations if the terminal supports S&F satellite operations. Then, after step S3403, the terminal may perform step S3404.

[0305] In step S3404, the terminal switches from the normal satellite operation mode to the S&F satellite operation mode.

[0306] In some embodiments, switching from the normal satellite operation mode to the S&F satellite operation mode is the first operation. In one example, the terminal can complete the switching from the normal satellite operation mode to the S&F satellite operation mode by starting the S&F satellite operation.

[0307] In some embodiments, the terminal maintains the current connection state.

[0308] In some embodiments, during steps S3402 to S3404, the serving link remains connected. The terminal and the gNB can communicate via the serving link. At this point, the terminal sends uplink information to the gNB. After receiving the uplink information from the terminal, the gNB stores the uplink information, thereby implementing a storage operation in S&F satellite operations.

[0309] In some embodiments, when the terminal does not support S&F satellite operation, the terminal may determine not to perform S&F satellite operation but to perform cell handover or cell reselection. In this case, performing cell handover or cell reselection is the first operation.

[0310] In some embodiments, when the terminal is in a connected state, cell switching may be performed, and when the terminal is in a deactivated state or an idle state, cell reselection may be performed.

[0311] In step S3405, the gNB detects that the feeder link is available.

[0312] The optional implementation of step S3407 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3105 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0313] In step S3406, the gNB broadcasts the tenth message.

[0314] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a tenth message.

[0315] In some embodiments, the tenth message is used to indicate updating satellite operation, such as switching from S&F satellite operation mode to normal satellite operation mode.

[0316] In some embodiments, the gNB sends a tenth message to the terminal via a broadcast. The tenth message carries information C. In this case, information C is the first information.

[0317] In some embodiments, the tenth message may be a system broadcast message. In one example, the information C may be system information (SI), such as a master information block (MIB), a system information block (SIB), or the like.

[0318] In step S3407, the terminal switches from S&F satellite operation to normal satellite operation.

[0319] In some embodiments, switching from the S&F satellite operation mode to the normal satellite operation mode is the first operation. In one example, the terminal can complete the switching from the S&F satellite operation mode to the normal satellite operation mode by starting the normal satellite operation.

[0320] In some embodiments, the terminal maintains the current connection state.

[0321] In step S3408, the terminal performs uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission.

[0322] The optional implementation of step S3408 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3112 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0323] At this point, when the feeder link is unavailable and both the gNB and the terminal support S&F satellite operations, the terminal can perform S&F satellite operations, cell switching or cell reselection according to the instructions of the gNB. When the feeder link is available, the terminal can perform normal satellite operations according to the instructions of the gNB. In this way, for communication systems that support satellite access, the terminal can operate according to the status changes of the feeder link.

[0324] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3401 to S3408. For example, the combination of steps S3402 to S3404 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3401 to S3404 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3405 to S3407 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3405 to S3408 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3402 to S3407 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3402 to S3408 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3401 to S3407 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3401 to S3408 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more steps from steps S3401 to S3408 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0325] In some embodiments, step S3401 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0326] In some embodiments, step S3408 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0327] As shown in Figure 3E, Figure 3E is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S3501 to S3505.

[0328] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0329] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0330] In some embodiments, the core network is 5GC as an example for description. 5GC may include at least one of AMF, SMF and UPF.

[0331] In step S3501, the terminal performs uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission.

[0332] The optional implementation of step S3501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0333] In step S3502, the gNB detects that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0334] The optional implementation of step S3502 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0335] In step S3503, the gNB broadcasts the eleventh message.

[0336] In some embodiments, the terminal receives an eleventh message.

[0337] In some embodiments, the eleventh message carries information D. In this case, the information D is the first information.

[0338] In some embodiments, the gNB may indicate to the terminal that it does not support S&F satellite operations before step S3502. In this case, the terminal may determine that the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations based on information D and the gNB's support capability for S&F satellite operations. In one example, before step S3502, the gNB may broadcast that it does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0339] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine, in response to information D in the eleventh message, that the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB is unable to provide S&F satellite operations. If the terminal is in a connected state, step S3504 may be executed. If the terminal is in a deactivated state or an idle state, step S3505 may be executed.

[0340] In step S3504, the terminal performs cell switching.

[0341] In some embodiments, the terminal determines, in response to information D in the eleventh message, that the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB is unable to provide S&F satellite operation. At this time, the terminal performs cell switching to switch to another cell in normal satellite operation mode, thereby achieving transmission of uplink information and / or downlink data.

[0342] In step S3505, the terminal performs cell reselection.

[0343] In some embodiments, the terminal determines, in response to information D in the eleventh message, that the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB is unable to provide S&F satellite operations, at which point the terminal performs cell reselection.

[0344] In some embodiments, the gNB to which the candidate cell for cell reselection belongs supports S&F satellite operation. In some embodiments, the candidate cell for cell reselection does not include a cell with an unavailable feeder link and / or a cell to which the access network equipment does not support S&F satellite operation, thereby ensuring uplink and / or downlink transmission of the terminal.

[0345] In some embodiments, when executing step S3504 or step S3505, the terminal maintains the current connection state.

[0346] At this point, when the feeder link is unavailable and the terminal does not support S&F satellite operation, the terminal can perform cell switching or cell reselection according to the instructions of the gNB. In this way, for communication systems that support satellite access, the terminal can operate according to the status changes of the feeder link.

[0347] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3501 to S3505. For example, the combination of steps S3502 to S3504 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3501 to S3504 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3502 to S3505 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S3501 to S3505 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more steps in steps S3501 to S3505 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0348] In some embodiments, step S3501 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0349] In some embodiments, step S3504 or step S3505 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0350] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0351] In some embodiments, terms such as "release," "suspend," "pause," and "suspend" may be used interchangeably.

[0352] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0353] In some embodiments, the terms "component carrier (CC)", "cell", "frequency carrier", "carrier frequency" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0354] In some embodiments, the terms "carry," "include," "comprise," "encapsulate," etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0355] In some embodiments, the terms "bearer", "radio bearer", "connection", "resource" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0356] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform may be used interchangeably.

[0357] In some embodiments, the terms "operating mode," "operation," "mode," "state," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0358] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0359] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0360] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0361] As shown in Figure 4A, Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of a communication method executed by an access network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by an access network device. The above communication method includes steps S4101 to S4112.

[0362] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0363] In some embodiments, the gNB supports S&F satellite operations.

[0364] In step S4101, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0365] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0366] In step S4102, it is detected that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0367] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0368] In some embodiments, when the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB can provide S&F satellite operation for the terminal. Then, after step S4102, the gNB can perform step S4103.

[0369] In step S4103, the normal satellite operation mode is switched to the S&F satellite operation mode.

[0370] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3103 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0371] In step S4104, a first message is sent.

[0372] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3104 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0373] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine to perform S&F satellite operation in response to information B in the first message. Then, after step S4102, the terminal may perform step S4105.

[0374] In some embodiments, if the terminal supports S&F satellite operation, the terminal may determine to perform S&F satellite operation.

[0375] In step S4105, a second message is received.

[0376] The optional implementation of step S4105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3105 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0377] In step S4106, uplink information is sent.

[0378] In some embodiments, during steps S4102 to S4105, the serving link remains connected. The terminal and the gNB can communicate via the serving link. At this point, the terminal sends uplink information to the gNB.

[0379] In step S4107, the uplink information is stored.

[0380] The optional implementation of step S4105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3107 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0381] In step S4108, it is detected that the feeder link is available.

[0382] The optional implementation of step S4108 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3108 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0383] In some embodiments, the gNB switches from S&F satellite operation mode to normal satellite operation mode.

[0384] In step S4109, a third message is sent.

[0385] The optional implementation of step S4109 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3109 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0386] In step S4110, the fourth message is received.

[0387] The optional implementation of step S4110 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3110 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0388] In step S4111, uplink information is sent.

[0389] The optional implementation of step S4111 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3111 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0390] In step S4112, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0391] The optional implementation of step S4112 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3111 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0392] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4112. For example, the combination of steps S4102 to S4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4102 to S4107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4101 to S4105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4101 to S4107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4108 to S4110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4108 to S4111 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4108 to S4112 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4102 to S4110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4101 to S4110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4102 to S4111 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4101 to S4111 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4102 to S4112 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4101 to S4112 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more of steps S4101 to S4112 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0393] In some embodiments, step S4101 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0394] In some embodiments, step S4112 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0395] In some embodiments, step S4111 and step S4109 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0396] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments on the communication system side and the access network device side in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0397] As shown in Figure 4B, Figure 4B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method may include steps S4201 to S4203.

[0398] In some embodiments, NG-RAN is used as an example. The gNB in ​​NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0399] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0400] In step S4201, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0401] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0402] In step S4202, it is detected that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0403] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 4A, which will not be repeated here.

[0404] In some embodiments, if the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations for the terminal. Then, after step S4202, the gNB may perform step S4203.

[0405] In step S4203, the fifth message is sent.

[0406] The optional implementation of step S4203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3203 in Figure 3B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0407] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4201 to S4203. For example, the combination of steps S4202 to S4203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4201 to S4203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more of steps S4201 to S4203 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but is not limited to this.

[0408] In some embodiments, step S4201 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0409] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments on the communication system side and the access network device side in Figure 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0410] As shown in Figure 4C, Figure 4C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S4301 to S4308.

[0411] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0412] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0413] In step S4301, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0414] The optional implementation of step S4301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0415] In step S4302, it is detected that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0416] The optional implementation of step S4302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0417] In some embodiments, if the feeder link is unavailable, the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operations for the terminal. Then, after step S4302, the gNB may perform step S4303.

[0418] In step S4303, it is determined to instruct the terminal to perform state transition.

[0419] The optional implementation of step S4303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3303 in Figure 3C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0420] In step S4304, the sixth message is sent.

[0421] The optional implementation of step S4304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3304 in Figure 3C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0422] In step S4305, it is detected that the feeder link is available.

[0423] The optional implementation of step S4305 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3105 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0424] In step S4306, the seventh message is broadcast.

[0425] The optional implementation of step S4306 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3106 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0426] In some embodiments, when the terminal needs to send uplink information and / or does not need to receive downlink information, step S4307 can be executed.

[0427] In step S4307, the eighth message is received.

[0428] The optional implementation of step S4307 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3109 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0429] In step S4308, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0430] The optional implementation of step S4308 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3112 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0431] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4301 to S4308. For example, the combination of steps S4302 to S4304 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4301 to S4304 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4305 to S4306 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4305 to S4307 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4305 to S4306 and step S4308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4305 to S4308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4302 to S4306 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4301 to S4306 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4302 to S4307 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4301 to S4307 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4302 to S4306 and step S4308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4301 to S4306 and step S4308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4302 to S4308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4301 to S4308 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more steps in steps S4301 to S4308 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0432] In some embodiments, step S4301 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0433] In some embodiments, step S4308 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0434] In some embodiments, step S4307 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0435] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above communication system side and the access network device side embodiment in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0436] As shown in Figure 4D, Figure 4D is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S4401 to S4406.

[0437] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0438] In some embodiments, the gNB may support S&F satellite operations.

[0439] In step S4401, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0440] The optional implementation of step S4401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0441] In step S4402, it is detected that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0442] The optional implementation of step S4402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0443] In step S4403, the ninth message is broadcast.

[0444] The optional implementation of step S4403 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3403 in Figure 3D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0445] In step S4404, it is detected that the feeder link is available.

[0446] The optional implementation of step S4404 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3105 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0447] In step S4405, the tenth message is broadcast.

[0448] The optional implementation of step S4405 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3406 in Figure 3D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0449] In step S4406, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0450] The optional implementation of step S4406 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3112 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0451] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4401 to S4406. For example, the combination of steps S4402 to S4403 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4401 to S4403 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4404 to S4405 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4404 to S4406 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4402 to S4405 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4402 to S4406 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4401 to S4405 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4401 to S4406 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more steps from steps S4401 to S4406 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

[0452] In some embodiments, step S4401 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0453] In some embodiments, step S4408 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0454] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments on the communication system side and the access network device side in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0455] As shown in Figure 4E, Figure 4E is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S4501 to S4503.

[0456] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0457] In some embodiments, the gNB may or may not support S&F satellite operations.

[0458] In step S4501, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0459] The optional implementation of step S4501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0460] In step S4502, it is detected that the feeder link is unavailable.

[0461] The optional implementation of step S4502 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0462] In step S4503, the eleventh message is broadcast.

[0463] The optional implementation of step S4503 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3503 in Figure 3E and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3E, which will not be repeated here.

[0464] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4501 to S4503. For example, the combination of steps S4502 to S4503 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, the combination of steps S4501 to S4503 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. It should be noted that one or more of steps S4501 to S4503 may constitute a possible independent embodiment, but is not limited to this.

[0465] In some embodiments, step S4501 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0466] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above communication system side and the access network device side embodiment in Figure 3E, which will not be repeated here.

[0467] As shown in Figure 5A, Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of a communication method executed by a terminal side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by a terminal. The above communication method includes steps S5101 to S5107.

[0468] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0469] In some embodiments, the gNB supports S&F satellite operations.

[0470] In step S5101, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0471] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0472] In step S5102, a first message is received.

[0473] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3104 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0474] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine to perform S&F satellite operation in response to the first message. Then, after step S5102, the terminal may perform step S5103.

[0475] In some embodiments, when the terminal does not support S&F satellite operation, the terminal may determine not to perform S&F satellite operation but may perform cell switching. In this case, performing cell switching is the first operation.

[0476] In step S5103, a second message is sent.

[0477] The optional implementation of step S5103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3105 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0478] In step S5104, uplink information is sent.

[0479] The optional implementation of step S5104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3106 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0480] In step S5105, a third message is received.

[0481] The optional implementation of step S5105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3109 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0482] In step S5106, the fourth message is sent.

[0483] The optional implementation of step S5106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3110 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0484] In step S5107, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0485] The optional implementation of step S5107 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3112 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0486] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5101 to S5107. In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the embodiment of the communication system side and the terminal side in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0487] As shown in Figure 5B, Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of a communication method executed by a terminal side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned terminal. The above-mentioned communication method may include steps S5201 to S5203.

[0488] In some embodiments, NG-RAN is used as an example. The gNB in ​​NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0489] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0490] In step S5201, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0491] The optional implementation of step S5201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0492] In step S5202, the fifth message is received.

[0493] The optional implementation of step S5202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3103 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0494] In some embodiments, when the gNB cannot provide S&F satellite operation, the terminal can perform cell handover. In this case, performing cell handover is the first operation.

[0495] In step S5203, cell switching is performed.

[0496] The optional implementation of step S5203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3104 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0497] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5201 to S5203. In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the embodiment of the communication system side and the terminal side in Figure 3B, which will not be repeated here.

[0498] As shown in Figure 5C, Figure 5C is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of a communication method executed by a terminal side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned terminal. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S5301 to S5307.

[0499] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0500] In some embodiments, the gNB does not support S&F satellite operations.

[0501] In step S5301, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0502] The optional implementation of step S5301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0503] In step S5302, the sixth message is received.

[0504] The optional implementation of step S5301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3304 in Figure 3C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0505] In step S5303, cell reselection is triggered.

[0506] The optional implementation of step S5303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3305 in Figure 3C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0507] In step S5304, the seventh message is received.

[0508] The optional implementation of step S5304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3307 in Figure 3C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0509] In step S5305, the system remains in a deactivated state or an idle state.

[0510] The optional implementation of step S5305 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3308 in Figure 3C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0511] In step S5306, the eighth message is sent.

[0512] The optional implementation of step S5306 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3309 in Figure 3C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0513] In step S5307, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0514] The optional implementation of step S5307 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3310 in Figure 3C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0515] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5301 to S5307. In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the embodiment of the communication system side and the terminal side in Figure 3C, which will not be repeated here.

[0516] As shown in Figure 5D, Figure 5D is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of a communication method executed by a terminal side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned terminal. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S5401 to S5406.

[0517] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0518] In some embodiments, the gNB may support S&F satellite operations.

[0519] In step S5401, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0520] The optional implementation of step S5401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0521] In step S5402, a ninth message is received.

[0522] The optional implementation of step S5402 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3403 in Figure 3D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0523] In some embodiments, after determining that the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB is capable of providing S&F satellite operations, the terminal may determine to perform S&F satellite operations if the terminal supports S&F satellite operations. Then, after step S5402, the terminal may perform step S5403.

[0524] In step S5403, the normal satellite operation mode is switched to the S&F satellite operation mode.

[0525] The optional implementation of step S5403 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3404 in Figure 3D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0526] In some embodiments, when the terminal does not support S&F satellite operation, the terminal may determine not to perform S&F satellite operation but to perform cell handover or cell reselection. In this case, performing cell handover or cell reselection is the first operation.

[0527] In some embodiments, when the terminal is in a connected state, cell switching may be performed, and when the terminal is in a deactivated state or an idle state, cell reselection may be performed.

[0528] In step S5404, the tenth message is received.

[0529] The optional implementation of step S5404 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3406 in Figure 3D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0530] In step S5405, the S&F satellite operation mode is switched to the normal satellite operation mode.

[0531] The optional implementation of step S5405 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3407 in Figure 3D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0532] In step S5406, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0533] The optional implementation of step S5406 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3112 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0534] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5401 to S5406. In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the embodiment of the communication system side and the terminal side in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0535] As shown in Figure 5E, Figure 5E is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of a communication method executed by a terminal side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by the above-mentioned communication system 100. The above-mentioned communication method includes steps S5501 to S5504.

[0536] In some embodiments, the access network is described using an NG-RAN as an example. The gNB in ​​the NG-RAN is deployed on a satellite. In one example, the access network equipment is a satellite-based gNB.

[0537] In some embodiments, the gNB may or may not support S&F satellite operations.

[0538] In step S5501, uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission is performed.

[0539] The optional implementation of step S5501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in Figure 3A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3A, which will not be repeated here.

[0540] In step S5502, a ninth message is received.

[0541] The optional implementation of step S5502 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3403 in Figure 3D and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3D, which will not be repeated here.

[0542] In some embodiments, the terminal may determine, in response to information D in the eleventh message, that the feeder link is unavailable and the gNB is unable to provide S&F satellite operations. If the terminal is in a connected state, step S5502 may be performed. If the terminal is in a deactivated state or an idle state, step S5503 may be performed.

[0543] In step S5503, cell switching is performed.

[0544] The optional implementation of step S5503 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3504 in Figure 3E and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 3E, which will not be repeated here.

[0545] In step S5504, cell reselection is performed.

[0546] The optional implementation of step S5504 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3505 in Figure 3E and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 3E, which will not be repeated here.

[0547] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5501 to S5504. In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the embodiment of the communication system side and the terminal side in Figure 3E, which will not be repeated here.

[0548] As shown in Figure 6A, Figure 6A is another flow diagram of a communication method executed by an access network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The present embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is executed by an access network device. The communication method of the present embodiment of the present disclosure includes steps S6101 to S6102.

[0549] In step S6101, the status of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is determined.

[0550] For optional implementations of step S6101, please refer to step S3102, step S3108 in Figure 3A, step S3202 in Figure 3B, step S3302, step S3306 in Figure 3C, step S3402, step S3405 in Figure 3D, step S3502 in Figure 3E, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E, which will not be repeated here.

[0551] In step S6102, first information is sent to the terminal based on the situation of the feeder link.

[0552] For optional implementations of step S6102, please refer to step S3104, step S3109 in Figure 3A, step S3203 in Figure 3B, step S3304, step S3307 in Figure 3C, step S3403, step S3406 in Figure 3D, step S3504 in Figure 3E, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E, which will not be repeated here.

[0553] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments on the communication system side and the access network device side, which will not be repeated here.

[0554] As shown in Figure 6B, Figure 6B is another flow chart of a terminal side executing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a terminal. The communication method of the present disclosure embodiment includes step S6201.

[0555] In step S6201, first information is received.

[0556] For optional implementations of step S6201, please refer to step S3104, step S3109 in Figure 3A, step S3203 in Figure 3B, step S3304, step S3307 in Figure 3C, step S3403, step S3406 in Figure 3D, step S3504 in Figure 3E, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E, which will not be repeated here.

[0557] In some embodiments, the terminal performs a first operation according to the first information.

[0558] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments on the communication system side and the terminal side, which will not be repeated here.

[0559] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device) in any of the above methods.

[0560] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions, and in actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the above units or modules are realized by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD), taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0561] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capability, such as a CPU, a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (also understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP); in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable, such as a hardware circuit implemented by an ASIC or PLD, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0562] As shown in Figure 7A, Figure 7A is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The structure of the above-mentioned communication device 71 can be as shown in Figure 7A. The communication device 71 includes: a first processing module 7101. In some embodiments, the first processing module 7101 is used to determine the status of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station. Optionally, the above-mentioned first processing module 7101 is used to perform at least one of the other steps other than the communication steps performed by the access network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the communication device 71 also includes: a first transceiver module 7102. In some embodiments, the first transceiver module 7102 is used to send first information to the terminal based on the status of the feeder link. Optionally, the above-mentioned first transceiver module 7102 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the access network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0563] As shown in Figure 7B, Figure 7B is a structural diagram of a communication device shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The structure of the above-mentioned communication device 72 can be as shown in Figure 7B. The communication device 72 may include: a second transceiver module 7201. In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 7201 is used to receive first information, and the first information is sent by the access network device based on the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station. Optionally, the second transceiver module 7201 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the communication device 72 also includes: a second processing module 7201. In some embodiments, the second processing module 7201 is used to perform a first operation based on the first information. Optionally, the above-mentioned second processing module 7201 is used to perform at least one of the other steps other than the communication steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0564] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a first transceiver module 7102 and / or a second transceiver module 7201. The first transceiver module 7102 and the second transceiver module 7201 may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0565] As shown in Figure 8A, Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 810 can be an access network device, a terminal, a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the access network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 810 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0566] As shown in Figure 8A, access network device 810 includes one or more processors 811. Processor 811 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control communication devices (such as base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data.

[0567] In some embodiments, the access network device 810 further includes one or more transceivers 812. When the access network device 810 includes one or more transceivers 812, the transceiver 812 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. The processor 811 performs at least one of the other steps. In an optional embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface may be interchangeable, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be interchangeable, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be interchangeable.

[0568] In some embodiments, the access network device 810 also includes one or more memories 813 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 813 may be located outside the access network device 810. In an alternative embodiment, the access network device 810 may include one or more interface circuits 814. Optionally, the interface circuits 814 are connected to the memories 813 and may be used to receive data from the memories 813 or other devices, or to send data to the memories 813 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 814 may read data stored in the memories 813 and send the data to the processor 811.

[0569] The access network device 810 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the access network device 810 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the access network device 810 may not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0570] As shown in Figure 8B, Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of a chip structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the access network device 810 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip structure 820 shown in Figure 8B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0571] In some embodiments, chip 820 may include one or more processors 821 .

[0572] In some embodiments, chip 820 may further include one or more interface circuits 822. Alternatively, the terms interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 820 may further include one or more memories 823 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 823 may be located external to chip 820. Optionally, interface circuit 822 is connected to memory 823 and may be configured to receive data from memory 823 or other devices, or to send data to memory 823 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 822 may read data stored in memory 823 and send the data to processor 821.

[0573] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 822 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. For example, the interface circuit 822 performing the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method means that the interface circuit 822 performs data exchange between the processor 821, the chip 820, the memory 823, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 821 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0574] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the access network device 810, the access network device 810 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a transient storage medium.

[0575] The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a program product, which, when executed by the access network device 810, enables the access network device 810 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0576] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any one of the above methods.

[0577] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The embodiments disclosed herein are intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed in the embodiments disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

[0578] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exact structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, performed by an access network device deployed on a satellite; the method comprising: Determine the condition of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station; Based on the condition of the feeder link, first information is sent to the terminal, where the first information is used by the terminal to determine a first operation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The condition of the feeder link includes that the feeder link is available or that the feeder link is unavailable.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The feeder link is unavailable, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The feeder link is unavailable; The access network device has started a store-and-forward operation; The access network device supports store-and-forward operations; The access network device does not support store-and-forward operations; The terminal needs to perform a first operation.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The feeder link is unavailable, and the access network device supports store-and-forward operations; The method further comprises: Switches from normal satellite operation mode to store-and-forward operation mode.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The feeder link is unavailable, and the first operation includes one of the following: Execute state transitions; Perform cell handover; Perform cell reselection; Switches from normal satellite operation mode to store-and-forward operation mode.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The execution state transition includes one of the following: Transition from connected state to idle state; Convert from connected state to inactive state; Transitions from inactive state to connected state.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The feeder link is available, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The feeder link is available; The access network equipment has started normal satellite operations; The access network device has stopped the store-and-forward operation.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7, wherein: The feeder link is available, and the access network device supports a store-and-forward operation, and the method further includes: Switches from store-and-forward operation mode to normal satellite operation mode.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7 to 8, wherein The feeder link is available, and the access network device supports a store-and-forward operation, and the method further includes: Sending the stored uplink information of the terminal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The first information is carried in a first message, and the first message includes a radio resource control RRC message and / or a system broadcast message.

11. A communication method, performed by a terminal, comprising: receiving first information, where the first information is sent by an access network device based on a feeder link between a satellite and a ground station; A first operation is performed according to the first information.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The condition of the feeder link includes that the feeder link is available or that the feeder link is unavailable.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The feeder link is unavailable, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The feeder link is unavailable; The access network device has started a store-and-forward operation; The access network device supports store-and-forward operations; The access network device does not support store-and-forward operations; The terminal needs to perform a first operation.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The feeder link is unavailable, and the terminal or the access network device does not support a store-and-forward operation; the first operation includes one of the following: Execute state transitions; Perform cell handover; Perform cell reselection.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The execution state transition includes one of the following: Transition from connected state to idle state; Convert from connected state to inactive state; Transitions from inactive state to idle state.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The first operation is performing cell switching, and the terminal remains in a connected state; or the first operation is performing cell reselection, and the terminal remains in a deactivated state or an idle state.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The access network device to which the candidate cell for cell reselection belongs supports a store-and-forward operation.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein: The feeder link is unavailable, the terminal and the access network device support store-and-forward operation; and the first operation is switching from a normal satellite operation mode to a store-and-forward operation mode.

19. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The feeder link is available, and the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: The feeder link is available; The access network equipment has started normal satellite operations; The access network device has stopped the store-and-forward operation.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 or 12 and 19, wherein The feeder link is available, and the first operation includes one of the following: Switching from store-and-forward operation mode to normal satellite operation mode; When the terminal needs to send uplink information or receive downlink information, it switches to a connected state; When the terminal does not need to send uplink information or receive downlink information, it remains in an inactive state or an idle state.

21. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 20, wherein: The first information is carried in a first message, and the first message includes a radio resource control RRC message and / or a system broadcast message.

22. A communication device comprising: A first processing module is used to determine the status of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station; The first transceiver module is configured to send first information to the terminal based on the status of the feeder link, where the first information is used by the terminal to determine a first operation.

23. A communication device comprising: a second transceiver module, configured to receive first information, where the first information is sent by the access network device based on a feeder link between the satellite and the ground station; The second processing module is configured to perform a first operation according to the first information.

24. An access network device, comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing computer programs; The processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

25. A terminal comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing computer programs; The processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 11 to 21.

26. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 are implemented.

27. A computer program product comprising a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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