Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a first network entity receiving second request information, which is used for requesting a first function sequence; and on the basis of the second request information, determining the first function sequence, wherein the first function sequence is used for indicating at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, the first function sequence is used for executing a first core network service, and the first network entity is deployed on a first satellite and / or a second satellite. In consideration of the limited loading capacity of a satellite, different core network elements are replaced by means of deploying a network entity, thereby reducing the deployment complexity of a satellite-borne core network; moreover, instead of being collaboratively completed by core network elements on a plurality of satellites, a core network service requested by a terminal device can be implemented by the network entity, thereby avoiding context migration caused by an unstable network topology, reducing a communication delay, and improving the quality of service.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on February 6, 2024, with application number 202410171494.3 and invention name “A Communication Method and Communication Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to a satellite network, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), such as satellite communications, have significant advantages such as global coverage, long-distance transmission, flexible networking, easy deployment, and freedom from geographical restrictions. They have been widely used in many fields, including maritime communications, positioning and navigation, disaster relief, scientific experiments, video broadcasting, and earth observation.

[0004] In satellite communication systems, to reduce the latency caused by core network signaling between the satellite and the ground, core network elements can be deployed on satellite platforms to provide core network services to users. However, due to the dynamic changes in the satellite network topology, the user's serving satellite may change. The core network elements deployed on the original serving satellite need to migrate the user's context to the core network elements deployed on the target serving satellite. The core network elements deployed on the target serving satellite then provide core network services to the user. Satellite network topology changes frequently, and inter-satellite links are unstable. Frequent user context migration results in high signaling overhead and a high probability of context errors, impacting service quality.

[0005] Therefore, how to reduce the frequency of context migration between core network elements and improve service quality is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method that can deploy core network functions on a satellite, so that the user's core network service request can be realized through the onboard core network function, thereby reducing the core network communication delay.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first access network device, or can be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the first access network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0008] The method includes: receiving first request information, where the first request information is used to request a first core network service; sending second request information to a first network entity according to the first request information, where the second request information is used to request a first function sequence, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, where the first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service, and where the first network entity is deployed on the first satellite or the second satellite.

[0009] The first access network device is deployed on the first satellite.

[0010] Among them, the first core network service includes network functions that can be implemented by core network network elements, such as registration function, mobility management function, session establishment function, session update function, authentication function and user positioning function.

[0011] In this application, the access network equipment and network entities deployed on the same satellite can exchange information through an interface, for example, the A1 interface.

[0012] Network entities deployed on different satellites can exchange information through interfaces, such as the A2 interface.

[0013] The at least one processing function includes a processing function that can execute a single operation, such as a context read / write function, an authentication / authorization function, a transmission configuration function, an auxiliary positioning function, etc.

[0014] The first function sequence may include multiple processing functions in a specific order. For example, a function sequence for executing a session establishment function may be: context read function -> authentication / authorization function -> policy generation function -> transmission configuration function -> context write function. Executing these functions in this order can implement the logical function of session establishment. This execution order can be predefined, and this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0015] The first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service, which can be understood as implementing the functions of the first core network service, such as implementing the registration function, the mobility management function, etc., or can also be understood as the process of processing the core network service, such as the process of processing the registration function, the process of processing the session establishment function, etc. Implementing the first core network service can be replaced by completing the first core network service, or can also be replaced by executing the first core network service, etc., and this application is not limited to this.

[0016] Based on this technical solution, a network entity (e.g., a first network entity) can be deployed on a satellite. Based on the core network service requested by the terminal device, the access network device requests the network entity to execute a function sequence for the core network service, and core network services are provided to the terminal device based on this function sequence. On the one hand, considering the limited payload capacity of the satellite, deploying a network entity instead of different core network elements reduces the deployment complexity of the onboard core network. On the other hand, the core network service requested by the terminal device can be implemented through this network entity without involving the coordinated completion of core network elements on multiple satellites. This avoids context migration caused by unstable network topology, reduces communication latency, and improves service quality.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes receiving the first function sequence.

[0018] The first network entity provides a first function sequence to the access network device based on the requested core network service, so as to implement the first core network service.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in an implementation of the first aspect, the first function sequence is a function sequence generated according to at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, the at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

[0020] In this technical solution, the first network entity can perform function orchestration to generate a function sequence based on the processing function deployed on the first satellite, or can perform function orchestration to generate a function sequence based on the processing function deployed on the second satellite, or can perform function orchestration to generate a function sequence based on the processing functions deployed on the first satellite and the second satellite. The satellites can exchange processing function deployment information through network entities, which is conducive to resource sharing and avoids occupying too many satellite payload resources.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the at least one first processing function and / or the at least one second processing function is executed according to the first function sequence.

[0022] In this technical solution, the first access network device can execute a specific processing function according to the first function sequence determined by the first network entity, thereby implementing the first core network service requested by the terminal device.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, a first message is sent, where the first message is used to indicate at least one processing function or function sequence associated with the first access network device and / or the third access network device, and the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

[0024] In this technical solution, the first access network device can indicate the locally deployed processing function or function sequence to the terminal device, or it can indicate the processing function or function sequence deployed on the satellite where the adjacent access network device is located to the terminal device, to assist the terminal device in selecting the requested access network device.

[0025] In combination with the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, a second message is sent, where the second message is used to indicate processing load information of the first access network device and / or the third access network device, and the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

[0026] In this technical solution, the first access network device can indicate to the terminal device the load capacity of the local or adjacent access network device, for example, the remaining available resource ratio, processing delay, etc., which is used to assist the terminal device in selecting the requested access network device.

[0027] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a first network entity, or may be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the first network entity, and this application does not limit this.

[0028] The method includes: receiving second request information, where the second request information is used to request a first function sequence; determining a first function sequence based on the second request information, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and an execution order of the at least one processing function, where the first function sequence is used to implement a first core network service, and where the first network entity is deployed on a first satellite.

[0029] Among them, the first core network service includes network functions that can be implemented by core network network elements, such as registration function, mobility management function, session establishment function, session update function, authentication function and terminal equipment positioning function.

[0030] In this application, the communication interface between the access network device and the network entity, and the communication interface between network entities of different satellites can refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0031] The description of the processing function and the first function sequence may refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0032] Based on this technical solution, a network entity (e.g., a first network entity) can be deployed on a satellite. Based on the core network service requested by a terminal device, the first network entity can determine a function sequence for executing the core network service, thereby providing core network services to the terminal device based on this function sequence. On the one hand, considering the limited payload capacity of satellites, deploying network entities instead of different core network elements reduces the deployment complexity of the onboard core network. On the other hand, the core network service requested by the terminal device can be implemented through this network entity without involving the coordinated completion of multiple core network elements on the satellite. This avoids context migration caused by unstable network topology, reduces communication latency, and improves service quality.

[0033] In combination with the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the second request information is received from a first access network device or a second access network device, where the first access network device is deployed on the first satellite and the second access network device is deployed on the second satellite.

[0034] In this technical solution, the first network entity may receive the second request information from an access network device of the same satellite, or may receive the second request information from an access network device of an adjacent satellite.

[0035] In combination with the second aspect, in an implementation of the second aspect, the first function sequence is generated according to at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, the at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

[0036] In this technical solution, the first network entity can perform function orchestration to generate a function sequence based on the processing function deployed on the first satellite, or can perform function orchestration to generate a function sequence based on the processing function deployed on the second satellite, or can perform function orchestration to generate a function sequence based on the processing functions deployed on the first satellite and the second satellite. The satellites can exchange processing function deployment information through network entities, which is conducive to resource sharing and avoids occupying too many satellite payload resources.

[0037] In combination with the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the at least one second processing function is received from a second network entity, and the second network entity is deployed on the second satellite; and the first function sequence is generated according to the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

[0038] In this technical solution, a first network entity can obtain a portion of processing functions (at least one second processing function) from a neighboring network entity and combine them with local processing functions (at least one first processing function) to perform function orchestration and generate a first function sequence. This enables resource sharing and avoids resource waste.

[0039] In combination with the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first satellite or the second satellite deploys at least one function sequence, and determining the first function sequence according to the second request information includes: determining the first function sequence according to the at least one function sequence.

[0040] In this technical solution, a pre-programmed function sequence can be deployed on the satellite. In this case, the network entity does not need to perform function orchestration and determines the corresponding function sequence based on the requested first core network service. This method reduces the complexity of the network entity and improves communication efficiency.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first function sequence is sent.

[0042] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by the first satellite, or can be executed by a chip or circuit configured in the first satellite, and this application does not limit this.

[0043] The method includes: receiving third request information, the third request information is used to request a first core network service; determining a first function sequence based on the third request information, the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, and the first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service.

[0044] Among them, the first core network service includes network functions that can be implemented by core network network elements, such as registration function, mobility management function, session establishment function, session update function, authentication function and terminal equipment positioning function.

[0045] The description of the processing function and the first function sequence may refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0046] Based on this technical solution, a first satellite can determine a function sequence for executing a first core network service requested by a terminal device, thereby providing core network services to the terminal device based on the function sequence. The core network functions requested by the terminal device typically require the coordinated implementation of core network elements deployed on multiple satellites. The satellite provided in this application can determine the corresponding function sequence based on the core network service requested by the terminal device. This not only saves satellite payload, but also avoids the coordinated implementation of core network elements on multiple satellites, thus avoiding context migration caused by unstable network topology, reducing communication latency, and improving service quality.

[0047] In combination with the third aspect, in an implementation of the third aspect, determining the first function sequence based on the third request information includes: generating the first function sequence based on at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, the at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

[0048] In this technical solution, the beneficial effects of the satellite determining the first function sequence can be referred to the first aspect and will not be described in detail.

[0049] In combination with the third aspect, in an implementation of the third aspect, generating the first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function includes: sending a fourth request information to the second satellite, the fourth request information being used to request the first core network service; receiving the at least one second processing function; and generating the first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

[0050] In this technical solution, the beneficial effects of jointly determining the first function sequence between satellites can be referred to the first aspect and will not be described in detail.

[0051] In combination with the third aspect, in an implementation of the third aspect, generating the first function sequence according to the at least one second processing function includes: sending fifth request information to a second satellite, where the fifth request information is used to request the first core network service; and receiving the first function sequence, where the first function sequence is a function sequence generated by the second satellite according to the at least one second processing function.

[0052] In this technical solution, the beneficial effects of jointly determining the first function sequence between satellites can be referred to the first aspect and will not be described in detail.

[0053] In combination with the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, access network equipment and network entities are deployed on the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may be a first access network device, or may be a chip or circuit configured in the first access network device. This application does not limit this.

[0055] The device includes: a transceiver unit, configured to receive first request information, where the first request information is used to request a first core network service; a processing unit, configured to send second request information to a first network entity based on the first request information, where the second request information is used to request a first function sequence, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, where the first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service, and where the first network entity is deployed on the first satellite or the second satellite.

[0056] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive the first function sequence.

[0057] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an implementation of the fourth aspect, the first function sequence is a function sequence generated according to at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, the at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

[0058] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further used to execute the at least one first processing function and / or the at least one second processing function according to the first function sequence.

[0059] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an implementation method of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is also used to send a first message, wherein the first message is used to indicate at least one processing function or function sequence associated with the first access network device and / or the third access network device, and the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

[0060] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an implementation of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is also used to send a second message, wherein the second message is used to indicate processing load information of the first access network device and / or the third access network device, and the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

[0061] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may be a first network entity, or a chip or circuit configured in the first network entity, which is not limited in this application.

[0062] The device includes: a transceiver unit, configured to receive second request information, where the second request information is used to request a first function sequence; a processing unit, configured to determine a first function sequence based on the second request information, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and an execution order of the at least one processing function, where the first function sequence is used to implement a first core network service, and where the first network entity is deployed on a first satellite.

[0063] In combination with the fifth aspect, in an implementation of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is also used to receive the second request information from a first access network device or a second access network device, the first access network device is deployed on the first satellite, and the second access network device is deployed on the second satellite.

[0064] In combination with the fifth aspect, in an implementation of the fifth aspect, the processing unit is also used to generate the first function sequence based on at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, the at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

[0065] In combination with the fifth aspect, in an implementation of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive the at least one second processing function from a second network entity, and the second network entity is deployed on the second satellite; the processing unit is further used to generate the first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

[0066] In combination with the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the first satellite or the second satellite deploys at least one function sequence, and the processing unit is further used to determine a first function sequence based on the at least one function sequence.

[0067] In combination with the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to send the first function sequence.

[0068] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may be a first satellite, or a chip or circuit configured in the first satellite, which is not limited in this application.

[0069] The device includes: a transceiver unit for receiving a third request information, wherein the third request information is used to request a first core network service; a processing unit for determining a first function sequence based on the third request information, wherein the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, and the first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service.

[0070] In combination with the sixth aspect, in an implementation of the sixth aspect, the processing unit is also used to generate the first function sequence based on at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, the at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

[0071] In combination with the sixth aspect, in an implementation of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is also used to send a fourth request information to the second satellite, and the fourth request information is used to request the first core network service; the transceiver unit is also used to receive the at least one second processing function; and the processing unit is also used to generate the first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

[0072] In combination with the sixth aspect, in an implementation of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to send fifth request information to the second satellite, where the fifth request information is used to request the first core network service; the transceiver unit is further used to receive the first function sequence, where the first function sequence is a function sequence generated by the second satellite according to the at least one second processing function.

[0073] In combination with the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, access network equipment and network entities are deployed on the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0074] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, the device being configured to execute the method provided in any of the first to third aspects. Specifically, the communication device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and / or a communication unit, configured to execute the method provided in any of the above-mentioned implementations of any of the first to third aspects.

[0075] In one implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Alternatively, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Alternatively, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0076] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip, chip system, or circuit in a network device. When the communication device is a chip, chip system, or circuit in a network device, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; and the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0077] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and, optionally, a memory, wherein the processor is used to control a transceiver to send and receive signals, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory, so that the sending device executes a method in any possible implementation of any aspect from the first to the third aspect above.

[0078] Optionally, there are one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0079] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be provided separately from the processor.

[0080] Optionally, the network device further includes a transceiver, which may specifically be a transmitter (transmitter) and a receiver (receiver).

[0081] In the ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or code. When the computer program or code is run on a computer, the computer executes the method in any possible implementation of any aspect from the first to the third aspect.

[0082] In the tenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to call and run the computer program from the memory, so that a sending device equipped with the chip system executes a method in any possible implementation of any of the above-mentioned first to third aspects.

[0083] The chip may include an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0084] In the eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: computer program code, which, when the computer program code is executed by a sending device, executes the method in any possible implementation of any aspect from the first to the third aspect above.

[0085] The beneficial effects of the fourth to eleventh aspects can refer to the beneficial effects of the first to third aspects and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0086] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture 100 of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0087] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture 200 of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0088] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an architecture 300 of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0089] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 400 applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 500 applicable to a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0091] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of an architecture 600 of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0092] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 700 applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0093] FIG8 is a structural block diagram of a communication device applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0094] FIG9 is a structural block diagram of a communication device applicable to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0096] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: fifth generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems.

[0097] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0098] First, a communication system applicable to this application is briefly introduced as follows.

[0099] Referring to Figure 1, as an example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture 100 of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, a terrestrial mobile terminal UE accesses the network via the 5G new air interface. The access network equipment is deployed on a satellite and connected to the core network function on the satellite via a wireless link. At the same time, a wireless link exists between the satellites to complete the signaling interaction and user data transmission between the access network equipment. The various network elements in Figure 1 and their interfaces are described as follows:

[0100] Terminal device: A mobile device that supports the 5G new air interface, typically a mobile phone, tablet, or other mobile device. It can access the satellite network through the air interface and initiate calls, access the Internet, and other services.

[0101] Access network equipment: mainly provides wireless access services, dispatches wireless resources to access terminals, and provides reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, such as base stations.

[0102] Core network: Provides services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. It consists of multiple functional units, divided into control plane and data plane functional entities. The access and mobility management function (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. The user plane function (UPF) manages user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, and other functions.

[0103] 5G New Air Interface: The wireless link between the terminal and access network equipment.

[0104] Xn interface: The interface between 5G access network devices, mainly used for signaling interaction such as switching.

[0105] NG interface: The interface between 5G access network equipment and 5G core network, mainly used for interacting with core network high-layer signaling (non access stratum, NAS) and other signaling, as well as user service data.

[0106] SBA interface: service-oriented interface between the base station and the onboard core network functional unit.

[0107] The core network plays a key role in communications networks, serving as the hub for connection and service management. The 5G Service-Based Architecture (SBA), standardized by 3GPP, achieves decoupling and integration of network functions through modularization. The core network's NFs can provide their capabilities as services through their service-oriented interfaces.

[0108] Next, we introduce the network architecture applicable to this application, as follows.

[0109] Refer to FIG2 , which shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture as an example.

[0110] As shown in Figure 2, the network architecture takes the 5G system (5GS) as an example. The network architecture may include but is not limited to: network slice selection function (NSSF), authentication server function (AUSF), unified data management (UDM), network exposure function (NEF), network storage function (NF repository function, NRF), policy control function (PCF), application function (AF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user equipment (UE), radio access network equipment, user plane function (UPF), and data network (DN).

[0111] Among them, DN can be the Internet; NSSF, AUSF, UDM, NEF, NRF, PCF, AF, AMF, SMF, and UPF are network elements in the core network. Since Figure 2 takes the 5G system as an example, the core network can be called the 5G core network (5G core network, 5GC or 5GCN).

[0112] The following is a brief introduction to each network element shown in FIG2 .

[0113] 1. UE (including UE1 and UE2 in FIG1 ): may be referred to as terminal equipment, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device.

[0114] The terminal device can be a device that provides voice / data to users, for example, a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with a wireless connection function. At present, some examples of terminals are: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks or future evolved public land mobile communication networks (PLMNs). The terminal equipment in the network (PLMN), etc., is not limited to this in the embodiments of the present application.

[0115] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be called wearable smart devices, which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0116] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0117] It should be noted that the terminal device and the access network device can communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology). The terminal devices can also communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology).

[0118] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be the terminal device, or it can be a device that can support the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system or chip, which can be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0119] 2. (Radio) Access Network (R)AN) equipment: This equipment provides access to the communications network for authorized users in a specific area. Specifically, it can include wireless network equipment in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) networks as well as access points in non-3GPP networks. For ease of description, the term "AN" is used below.

[0120] AN equipment can adopt different wireless access technologies. There are currently two types of wireless access technologies: 3GPP access technology (for example, the wireless access technology used in the third generation (3rd generation, 3G), fourth generation (4G) or 5G systems) and non-3GPP (non-3GPP) access technology. 3GPP access technology refers to access technology that complies with 3GPP standard specifications. For example, the access network equipment in the 5G system is called the next generation Node Base station (gNB) or RAN equipment. Non-3GPP access technologies may include air interface technologies represented by access points (APs) in wireless fidelity (WiFi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), code division multiple access (CDMA), etc. AN equipment can allow terminal devices and the 3GPP core network to interconnect and communicate using non-3GPP technologies.

[0121] AN equipment is responsible for radio resource management, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption, etc. on the air interface side. AN equipment provides access services to terminal devices and forwards control signals and user data between terminal devices and the core network.

[0122] AN devices may include, for example, but are not limited to: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), radio network controllers (RNCs), node Bs (NBs), base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved NodeBs, or home NodeBs, HNBs), baseband units (BBUs), APs in WiFi systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, transmission points (TPs) or transmission and reception points (TRPs), etc., and may also be gNBs or transmission points (TRPs or TPs) in 5G (e.g., NR) systems, one or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system, or network nodes constituting gNBs or transmission points, such as distributed units (DUs), or base stations in future communication networks. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the AN devices.

[0123] 3. AMF: Mainly used for access control, mobility management, attachment and detachment functions.

[0124] 4. SMF: Mainly used for user-plane network element selection, user-plane network element redirection, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation for terminal devices, as well as session establishment, modification and release and QoS control.

[0125] 5. UPF: Mainly responsible for receiving and forwarding user plane data. For example, the UPF can receive user plane data from the DN and send it to the terminal device through the AN device. The UPF can also receive user plane data from the terminal device through the AN device and forward it to the DN.

[0126] 6. NEF: Mainly used to securely open the services and capabilities provided by 3GPP network functions to the outside world.

[0127] 7. PCF: A unified policy framework mainly used to guide network behavior and provide policy rule information for control plane network elements (such as AMF, SMF, etc.).

[0128] 8. AF: Mainly used to provide services to the 3GPP network, such as interacting with the PCF for policy control.

[0129] 9. Network slice selection function (NSSF): mainly used for network slice selection.

[0130] 10. UDM: Mainly used for UE contract data management, including storage and management of UE identification, UE access authorization, etc.

[0131] 11. DN: Operator network mainly used to provide data services to UE, such as the Internet, third-party service networks, and IP Multimedia Service (IMS) networks.

[0132] 12. AUSF: Mainly used for user authentication, etc.

[0133] 13. NRF: Mainly used to store description information of network functional entities and the services they provide.

[0134] In the network architecture shown in Figure 2, network elements can communicate with each other through interfaces. For example, UE2 connects to the AN device through the radio resource control (RRC) protocol, and the UE and AN device communicate using the Uu interface. UE1 and UE2 communicate using the PC5 interface, which can be used for mutual discovery between UEs and data and signaling transmission between UEs. In addition, in Figure 1, N1 is the interface between UE2 and AMF, N2 is the interface between (R)AN and AMF, used for sending NAS messages, etc.; N3 is the interface between RAN and UPF, used for transmitting user plane data, etc.; N4 is the interface between SMF and UPF, used for transmitting information such as tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data cache indication information, and downlink data notification messages; N6 is the interface between UPF and DN, used for transmitting user plane data, etc.; N11 is the interface between AMF and SMF.

[0135] It should be understood that the network architecture shown above is only an exemplary illustration, and the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is not limited to this. Any network architecture that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0136] It should also be understood that the functions or network elements such as AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, UDM, NSSF, AUSF shown in Figure 2 can be understood as network elements for implementing different functions, for example, they can be combined into network slices as needed. These network elements can be independent devices, or they can be integrated into the same device to implement different functions, or they can be network elements in hardware devices, or they can be software functions running on dedicated hardware, or they can be virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform). This application does not limit the specific form of the above network elements.

[0137] It should also be understood that the above naming is defined only to facilitate the distinction between different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not exclude the possibility of adopting other naming in future communication networks and other future networks. For example, in future communication networks, some or all of the above network elements may continue to use 5G terminology, or may adopt other names.

[0138] In satellite communication systems, in order to reduce the delay caused by the core network signaling between the satellite and the ground, the core network elements can be deployed on the satellite platform, thereby providing core network services to users.

[0139] However, due to the limited payload capacity of satellites, it is difficult to deploy complete core network functions on a single satellite. For example, different satellites may deploy different core network elements, such as AMF and SMF. To complete a core network function requested by a user, such as user registration or session establishment, multiple core network elements must work together to perform the corresponding operations to implement the core network function. However, due to the dynamic changes in the satellite network topology, the user's serving satellite may change. The core network elements deployed on the original serving satellite need to migrate the user's context to the core network elements deployed on the target serving satellite. The core network elements deployed on the target serving satellite then provide core network services for the user. Satellite network topology changes frequently, and inter-satellite links are unstable. Frequent user context migration results in high signaling overhead and a high probability of context errors, affecting service quality.

[0140] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication solution that can deploy core network functions on a satellite, enabling users' core network service requests to be implemented through the onboard core network functions, thereby reducing core network communication latency.

[0141] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment provided by the present application can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG1 above without limitation.

[0142] The solution of this application is described in detail below.

[0143] As an example, FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG3 , the communication system includes at least one satellite and at least one terminal device, such as Satellite #1, Satellite #2, and UEs #1 to #10 in FIG3 .

[0144] Among them, access network device #1 and network entity #1 are deployed on satellite #1, UE #1~UE #5 can access access network device #1 through the new air interface, and access network device #1 and network entity #1 can exchange information through an interface, for example, the A1 interface.

[0145] Among them, access network device #2 and network entity #2 are deployed on satellite #2, UE #6~UE #10 can access access network device #2 through the new air interface, access network device #2 and network entity #2 can exchange information through the interface, for example, the A1 interface, and network entity #1 and network entity #2 can exchange information through the interface, for example, the A2 interface.

[0146] Satellite #1 and satellite #2 may be adjacent satellites, and satellite #1 and satellite #2 may communicate via an inter-satellite link.

[0147] In this application, the specific naming of the interface between the access network device and the network entity and the interface between the network entities does not limit the protection scope of this application, and they are uniformly described as A1 interface and A2 interface respectively below.

[0148] The network entities (eg, network entity #1 and network entity #2) are used to determine a function sequence according to a core network service requested by a user (eg, UE#1 to UE#10).

[0149] Among them, core network services include network functions that can be implemented by core network network elements, such as registration function, mobility management function, session establishment function, session update function, authentication function and user positioning function.

[0150] The function sequence refers to at least one processing function that needs to be executed to implement a core network service and the execution order of at least one processing function.

[0151] Among them, at least one processing function includes a processing function that can perform a single operation, for example, a context read / write function, which is used to obtain / write the user's latest context parameters from the data storage unit, including subscription data / policy data / session data, etc., and its functions are similar to Nudsf_UnstructuredDataManagement_Query / Namf_Communication_UEContextTransfer / Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement / Npcf_AMPolicyControl and other operations; an authentication / authorization function, which is based on the user context and selects the corresponding algorithm for identity identification, authentication, etc.; a policy generation function, which creates / maintains mobility management policies, session policies, etc. for users, and its functions are similar to Npcf_AMPolicyControl / Npcf_SMPolicyControl, etc.; a transmission configuration function, which is used to maintain the transmission path, mainly generates CN side tunnel parameters and AN side tunnel parameters, associates the two, and opens up the uplink and downlink data links. The tunnel parameters include IP address and port number; an auxiliary positioning function, which is used to perform user location calculation, etc.

[0152] For example, a function sequence that can execute the session establishment function might be: context read function -> authentication / authorization function -> policy generation function -> transmission configuration function -> context write function. Executing these functions in this order can implement the session establishment logic. This execution sequence can be predefined, but this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0153] For example, a function sequence that can execute the registration function might be: context read function -> authentication / authorization function -> policy generation function -> context write function. Executing these functions in this order can implement the registration logic. This order can be predefined, but this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0154] For example, a function sequence that can execute the switching function can be: context read function -> transfer configuration function -> context write function. Function operations executed in this order can implement the switching logic function. This execution order can be executed in a predefined order. This is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0155] In the present application, a storage entity may be deployed on the satellite, and the storage entity may be used to store (or store, save) the above-mentioned at least one processing function, or the storage entity may be used to store (or store, save) at least one function sequence.

[0156] In one implementation, the network entity may select at least one processing function according to the core network service to perform function arrangement to obtain a function sequence.

[0157] As an example, storage entity #1 can be deployed on satellite #1, and at least one processing function can be stored on storage entity #1. Network entity #1 on satellite #1 calls (or selects, chooses) the corresponding processing function from storage entity #1 according to the core network service to perform function orchestration and generate a function sequence; storage entity #2 can be deployed on satellite #2, and at least one processing function can be stored on storage entity #2. Network entity #2 on satellite #2 calls (or selects, chooses) the corresponding processing function from storage entity #2 according to the core network service to perform function orchestration and generate a function sequence.

[0158] In one implementation, at least one function sequence may be directly deployed on the satellite, and the network entity selects a function sequence based on the core network service.

[0159] As an example, storage entity #1 can be deployed on satellite #1, and at least one function sequence can be stored on storage entity #1. Network entity #1 on satellite #1 calls (or selects, chooses) the corresponding function sequence from storage entity #1 according to the core network service; storage entity #2 can be deployed on satellite #2, and at least one function sequence can be stored on storage entity #2. Network entity #2 on satellite #2 calls (or selects, chooses) the corresponding function sequence from storage entity #2 according to the core network service.

[0160] In this application, considering the multi-satellite collaboration scenario, a single satellite may not be able to complete the complete core network functions, and the core network capabilities of multiple other satellites are required to collaborate to complete them.

[0161] As an example, FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture 400 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , the communication system includes at least one satellite and at least one terminal device, such as satellite #1 to satellite #7 in FIG4 .

[0162] The deployment of satellite #1 and satellite #2 is the same as that of satellite #1 and satellite #2 in architecture 300 and will not be repeated here.

[0163] Different from architecture 300, architecture 400 also includes satellites #3 to #7. The deployment of satellites #3 to #7 is the same as that of satellite #1 or #2, that is, network entity #3 is deployed on satellite #3, network entity #4 is deployed on satellite #4, and so on.

[0164] In addition, network entities may also communicate with each other through interfaces, for example, A2 interfaces.

[0165] Among them, satellite #1 to satellite #7 can be adjacent satellites, and satellite #1 to satellite #7 can communicate through inter-satellite links.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the network entity may assign a core network service index to the core network service requested by the terminal device, and determine at least one processing function and a function execution order (ie, a function sequence) for executing the core network service.

[0167] Optionally, the network entity may also determine the access network device execution order of the at least one processing function (recorded as the access network device execution sequence).

[0168] The at least one processing function may include a processing function deployed on the same satellite, or may include processing functions deployed on different satellites.

[0169] Furthermore, the network entity can encapsulate the index of the core network service, the function sequence, the access network device execution sequence and the context information of the terminal device. The encapsulated data packet is used to instruct at least one access network device to execute the corresponding processing function in the function sequence according to the access network device execution sequence and perform terminal device context processing, thereby realizing the core network service.

[0170] In this implementation, the access network device can execute the processing function corresponding to the function sequence based on the processing function execution sequence in the encapsulated data packet and perform terminal device context processing, and update the function sequence at the same time (for example, 3 processing functions have been executed, and 5 processing functions have not been executed), and determine the next access network device according to the access network device execution sequence. The network entity re-encapsulates the updated terminal device context and function sequence and sends the re-encapsulated data packet to the next access network device to execute the corresponding processing function and perform terminal device context processing until the corresponding processing function in the function sequence is completed.

[0171] Among them, the encapsulated data packets exchanged between network entities between satellites may include control information and data information. The control information includes the index of the core network service, function sequence, and access network device execution sequence. The data information includes the context information of the terminal device to be processed.

[0172] It can be understood that when the data packet encapsulated by the network entity does not include the access network device execution sequence, the access network device can determine the next hop node based on local capabilities, and the network entity re-encapsulates the updated terminal device context and function sequence and sends the re-encapsulated data packet to the next access network device to execute the corresponding processing function and perform terminal device context processing until the corresponding processing function in the function sequence is completed.

[0173] It should be understood that the network architecture shown above is only an exemplary illustration, and the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is not limited to this. Any network architecture that can realize the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0174] Referring to Figure 5, as an example, Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. For the convenience of description below, method 500 is exemplarily illustrated by taking the interaction between the execution subject as an access network device and a network entity as an example. It can be understood that the execution subject of method 500 can also be a component of the access network device (such as a chip or circuit) or a component of the network entity (such as a chip or circuit), and this is not limited. The steps described below as being performed by a single execution subject can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution subjects, and these execution subjects can be logically and / or physically separated.

[0175] The first access network device in method 500 is an access network device deployed on a first satellite, for example, access network device #1, and the second access network device is an access network device deployed on a second satellite, for example, access network device #2.

[0176] At least one function or function sequence may be deployed on the first satellite and the second satellite. For example, at least one first processing function may be deployed on the first satellite, and at least one second processing function may be deployed on the second satellite. For another example, at least one function sequence may be deployed on the first satellite or the second satellite. The at least one function or function sequence may be described with reference to FIG. 3 and will not be further described.

[0177] In the present application, a storage entity may be deployed on a satellite, and the storage entity may be used to store (or store, save) the at least one processing function described above, or the storage entity may be used to store (or store, save) at least one function sequence. For example, storage entity #1 may be deployed on satellite #1, and storage entity #1 may store at least one first processing function and / or at least one function sequence; storage entity #2 may be deployed on satellite #2, and storage entity #2 may store at least one second processing function and / or at least one function sequence.

[0178] Among them, at least one first processing function and at least one second processing function may be partially identical, completely identical, or completely different, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0179] Among them, at least one function sequence deployed on the first satellite and at least one function sequence deployed on the second satellite may be partially identical, completely identical, or completely different, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0180] A network entity, for example, a first network entity, may be deployed on the first satellite and / or the second satellite.

[0181] The method 500 shown in FIG. 5 may include the following steps.

[0182] S510: A first access network device receives first request information.

[0183] The first access network device receives first request information from the terminal device, where the first request information is used to request a first core network service.

[0184] The first core network service is an example of the above-mentioned core network service, for example, a registration function, a mobility management function, a session establishment function, a session update function, an authentication function, and a user positioning function.

[0185] S520: The first access network device sends second request information to the first network entity according to the first request information.

[0186] The first access network device determines the first core network service requested by the terminal device based on the first request information, and sends second request information to the first network entity based on the first core network service, where the second request information is used to request the first function sequence.

[0187] The first function sequence indicates at least one processing function and an execution order of the at least one processing function.

[0188] The first function sequence is used to execute a first core network service.

[0189] For example, if the first core network service is a registration function, the first function sequence may be context reading function->authentication / authorization function->policy generation function->context writing function.

[0190] The first function sequence is a function sequence generated according to at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function.

[0191] In the present application, the first access network device may request the network entity deployed on the first satellite to determine the first function sequence, or may request the network entity deployed on the second satellite to determine the first function sequence.

[0192] Exemplarily, the first access network device has a poor load processing capability, and the first access network device may request a network entity deployed on the second satellite to determine a first function sequence.

[0193] In summary, the first network entity may be a network entity deployed on the first satellite or a network entity deployed on the second satellite, which may include the following two solutions.

[0194] Option 1:

[0195] A first network entity is deployed on the first satellite, and a second network entity is deployed on the second satellite.

[0196] In a possible implementation, the first access network device sends second request information to the first network entity.

[0197] Option 2:

[0198] The second network entity is deployed on the first satellite, and the first network entity is deployed on the second satellite.

[0199] In another possible implementation, the first access network device may send the second request information to the first network entity through the second access network device.

[0200] The first access network device may also send the second request information to the first network entity through a network entity (second network entity) deployed on the first satellite.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may send a second message to the terminal device, where the second message is used to indicate processing load information of the first access network device and / or a third access network device, where the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

[0202] The third satellite is an adjacent satellite, and the third satellite may be the same satellite as the second satellite.

[0203] Exemplarily, the processing load information may be the percentage of remaining available resources, processing delay, etc.

[0204] Exemplarily, the second message may be a system message, such as a SIB message.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the first access network device may send a first message to the terminal device, where the first message is used to indicate at least one processing function or function sequence associated with the first access network device and / or a third access network device, where the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

[0206] The first message and the second message are used by the terminal device to select an access point (access network device).

[0207] Exemplarily, the first message may be a system message, such as a SIB message.

[0208] Exemplarily, the first access network device and / or the third access network device is associated with at least one processing function, and the description information element of the processing function is carried in the SIB message.

[0209] S530: The first network entity determines a first function sequence according to the second request information.

[0210] The first network entity may determine the first function sequence in the following two ways:

[0211] Mode 1: The first network entity performs function arrangement based on at least one processing function to generate a function sequence (first function sequence) with an execution order.

[0212] As an example, the first network entity performs function arrangement based on at least one processing function stored (or stored, saved) in storage entity #1 and / or storage entity #2 to obtain the first function sequence.

[0213] It can be understood that in a multi-satellite collaboration scenario, the first network entity can perform function arrangement based on multiple processing functions stored (or stored, saved) on multiple storage entities (for example, storage entity #1, storage entity #2, storage entity #3, storage entity #4, storage entity #5) to obtain the first function sequence.

[0214] Mode 2: The first network entity selects a function sequence (first function sequence) that can execute the first core network service based on the function sequences deployed on the first satellite or the second satellite.

[0215] As an example, the first network entity selects the first function sequence based on at least one function sequence stored (or stored, saved) in storage entity #1 and / or storage entity #2.

[0216] The above two methods are described in detail below in combination with the two solutions in S520.

[0217] In a possible implementation, the first function sequence is generated according to at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function.

[0218] For solution 1: a first network entity is deployed on a first satellite, and a second network entity is deployed on a second satellite.

[0219] Exemplarily, the first network entity performs function orchestration according to at least one first processing function to generate a first function sequence.

[0220] It can be understood that when the first access network device sends the second request information to the first network entity deployed on the first satellite, and at least one first processing function deployed on the first satellite is sufficient to implement the first core network service, the first network entity can generate a first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function.

[0221] It can be understood that the first network entity can obtain the at least one first processing function from the storage entity #1.

[0222] Exemplarily, the first network entity performs function arrangement according to at least one first processing function and at least one second processing function to generate a first function sequence.

[0223] It can be understood that when the first access network device sends a second request information to the first network entity deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one first processing function deployed on the first satellite is insufficient to implement the first core network service, the first network entity can obtain at least one second processing function through the second network entity deployed on the second satellite, perform function orchestration according to the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function, and generate a first function sequence.

[0224] It can be understood that the first network entity can obtain the at least one first processing function from storage entity #1, the second network entity can obtain the at least one second processing function from storage entity #2, and the second network entity sends the at least one second processing function to the first network entity.

[0225] It should be understood that when the processing capacity of the first access network device is limited, the first access network device can send the core network service request of the terminal device (for example, the first core network service) to the access network device of the adjacent satellite (for example, the second access network device of the second satellite), so that the function sequence can be determined through the network entity of the adjacent satellite.

[0226] The processing capability of the first access network device may be, for example, the load capability of the first access network device.

[0227] For solution 2: the second network entity is deployed on the first satellite, and the first network entity is deployed on the second satellite.

[0228] Exemplarily, the first network entity performs function orchestration according to the at least one second processing function to generate a first function sequence.

[0229] It can be understood that the first access network device can forward the second request information to the network entity deployed on the second satellite through the second access network device, requesting the network entity (first network entity) deployed on the second satellite to determine the first function sequence. When at least one second processing function deployed on the second satellite is sufficient to implement the first core network service, the first network entity can generate the first function sequence based on the at least one second processing function.

[0230] It can be understood that the first network entity can obtain the at least one second processing function from storage entity #2.

[0231] Exemplarily, the first network entity performs function arrangement according to at least one first processing function and at least one second processing function to generate a first function sequence.

[0232] It can be understood that the first access network device can forward the second request information to the network entity deployed on the second satellite through the second access network device, requesting the network entity (first network entity) deployed on the second satellite to determine the first function sequence. When the at least one second processing function deployed on the second satellite is insufficient to implement the first core network service, the first network entity can obtain at least one first processing function through the second network entity deployed on the first satellite, perform function orchestration according to the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function, and generate a first function sequence.

[0233] It can be understood that the first network entity can obtain the at least one second processing function from storage entity #2, the second network entity can obtain the at least one first processing function from storage entity #1, and the second network entity sends the at least one first processing function to the first network entity.

[0234] In another possible implementation, the first satellite or the second satellite deploys at least one function sequence, and the first function sequence is determined according to the at least one function sequence.

[0235] For solution 1: a first network entity is deployed on a first satellite, and a second network entity is deployed on a second satellite.

[0236] Exemplarily, the first network entity determines the first function sequence according to at least one function sequence deployed on the first satellite.

[0237] It can be understood that the first network entity may determine that among at least one function sequence deployed on the first satellite, there is a function sequence that can implement the first core network service, and then directly determine the function sequence as the first function sequence.

[0238] For example, the first core network service is a registration function, and the first network entity includes a function sequence {context reading function->authentication / authorization function->policy generation hash function->context writing function}. The first network entity may determine that the function sequence is a first function sequence.

[0239] It should be understood that in this implementation, the first network entity does not need to perform function selection and function orchestration. The first network entity can select a function sequence that meets the first core network service from the orchestrated function sequence according to the first core network service requirements.

[0240] It can be understood that the first network entity can obtain the first function sequence from storage entity #1.

[0241] Exemplarily, the first network entity determines the first function sequence according to at least one function sequence deployed on the second satellite.

[0242] It can be understood that the first network entity can determine that there is no function sequence that can implement the first core network service among at least one function sequence deployed on the first satellite. The first network entity can obtain a function sequence through the second network entity, and the function sequence can meet the first core network service. The function sequence is the first function sequence.

[0243] For example, the first core network service is a registration function, and the second network entity includes a function sequence {context reading function->authentication / authorization function->policy generation hash function->context writing function}. The first network entity can obtain the function sequence through the first network entity, and the function sequence is the first function sequence.

[0244] It can be understood that the first network entity cannot obtain the first function sequence from storage entity #1, the second network entity can obtain the first function sequence from storage entity #2, and the second network entity sends the first function sequence to the first network entity.

[0245] For solution 2: the second network entity is deployed on the first satellite, and the first network entity is deployed on the second satellite.

[0246] Exemplarily, the first network entity determines the first function sequence according to at least one function sequence deployed on the second satellite.

[0247] For example, the network entity (second network entity) deployed on the first satellite may determine that there is no function sequence that can implement the first core network service among at least one function sequence deployed on the first satellite. The second network entity may forward the first core network service request to the network entity (first network entity) deployed on the second satellite. The first network entity determines a function sequence that can satisfy the first core network service based on at least one function sequence deployed on the second satellite. The function sequence is the first function sequence.

[0248] It can be understood that the second network entity cannot obtain the first function sequence from storage entity #1, the first network entity can obtain the first function sequence from storage entity #2, and the first network entity sends the first function sequence to the second network entity.

[0249] For another example, the processing capacity of the first access network device is limited. The first access network device forwards the first core network service request to the network entity (first network entity) deployed on the second satellite through the second access network device. The first network entity determines a function sequence that can meet the first core network service based on at least one function sequence deployed on the second satellite. The function sequence is the first function sequence.

[0250] S540: The first network entity sends a first function sequence to the first access network device.

[0251] Correspondingly, the first access network device receives the first function sequence from the first network entity.

[0252] For solution 1, the first network entity is deployed on the first satellite, and the first access network device receives the first function sequence from the first network entity.

[0253] For solution 2, the first network entity is deployed on the second satellite, and the first access network device receives the first function sequence from the first network entity through the second access network device.

[0254] The first access network device executes at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function according to the first function sequence, thereby providing a first core network service for the terminal device.

[0255] Exemplarily, the first core network service is a session establishment function, and the first function sequence is {context reading function->authentication / authorization function->policy generation hash function->transmission configuration function->context writing function}. The first access network device executes {context reading function->authentication / authorization function->policy generation hash function->transmission configuration function->context writing function} to complete the session establishment and send a session establishment completion response message to the terminal device.

[0256] In the above scheme, the first access network device and the first network entity, and the second access network device and the second network entity can communicate through the A1 interface shown in Figure 3, and the first network entity and the second network entity can communicate through the A2 interface shown in Figure 3.

[0257] Based on the above solution, a network entity can be deployed on the satellite. This network entity can perform function orchestration or determine a function sequence based on the core network services requested by the terminal device, and provide core network services to the terminal device based on this function sequence. On the one hand, considering the limited payload capacity of the satellite, deploying a network entity instead of different core network elements reduces the deployment complexity of the onboard core network. On the other hand, the core network services requested by the terminal device can be implemented through this network entity without involving the coordinated completion of core network elements on multiple satellites. This avoids context migration caused by unstable network topology, reduces communication latency, and improves service quality.

[0258] Next, a specific implementation applicable to the above method 500 is introduced.

[0259] Referring to Figure 6, as an example, Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. For the convenience of description below, method 600 is exemplarily illustrated by taking the interaction between the execution subject as an access network device and a network entity as an example. It can be understood that the execution subject of method 600 can also be a component of the access network device (such as a chip or circuit) or a component of the network entity (such as a chip or circuit), and this is not limited. The steps described below as being performed by a single execution subject can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution subjects, and these execution subjects can be logically and / or physically separated.

[0260] In the method 600, access network device #1 and network entity #1 are deployed on satellite #1, access network device #2 and network entity #2 are deployed on satellite #2, and the UE can communicate with the network through access network device #1.

[0261] In addition, at least one processing function #1 may be deployed on satellite #1, and at least one processing function #2 may be deployed on satellite #2.

[0262] For example, a storage entity #1 is deployed on a first satellite and includes at least one processing function #1; a storage entity #2 is deployed on a second satellite and includes at least one processing function #2.

[0263] Alternatively, at least one function sequence #a may be deployed on satellite #1, and one function sequence #b may be deployed on satellite #2.

[0264] For example, a storage entity #1 is deployed on a first satellite and includes at least one function sequence #a; a storage entity #2 is deployed on a second satellite and includes at least one function sequence #b.

[0265] Among them, at least one processing function #1 and at least one processing function #2 may be partially identical, completely identical, or completely different, and this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0266] Among them, at least one function sequence #a and at least one function sequence #b may be partially identical, completely identical, or completely different, and this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0267] The above-mentioned processing function #1 or processing function #2, function sequence #a or function sequence #b can refer to the description in Figure 3 and will not be repeated here.

[0268] The method 600 shown in FIG. 6 may include the following steps.

[0269] S610, the UE sends a request message #1 to the access network device #1.

[0270] Request message #1 is used to request core network service #1 from access network device #1.

[0271] The request message #1 may include identification information of the core network service #1.

[0272] The core network service #1 is an example of the first core network service, and can be described with reference to the description in method 400, which will not be repeated here.

[0273] When access network device #1 receives request message #1 from UE, it can determine whether it has processing capability. For example, when the remaining available resources of access network device #1 account for a large proportion, access network device #1 can determine that the load capacity is sufficient to process the core network service #1 (referred to as solution one). However, when the remaining available resources of access network device #1 account for a small proportion, access network device #1 can determine that the load capacity is insufficient to process the core network service #1, and can forward the request for the core network service #1 to access network device #2 (referred to as solution two). When access network device #1 has processing capability, the specific execution steps include S620a-S640a; when access network device #1 does not have processing capability, the specific execution steps include S620b-S640b.

[0274] S620a-S640a:

[0275] S620a, access network device #1 sends a request message #2 to network entity #1.

[0276] Access network device #1 sends a request message #2 to network entity #1 based on request message #1. Request message #2 is used to request network entity #1 to determine function sequence #1.

[0277] The request message #2 may include identification information of the core network service #1.

[0278] S630a, network entity #1 determines function sequence #1.

[0279] Network entity #1 may determine function sequence #1 based on identification information of core network service #1.

[0280] As an example, the network entity #1 may perform function orchestration based on at least one processing function #1 to generate a function sequence #1.

[0281] As another example, the network entity #1 may select a function sequence as function sequence #1 based on at least one function sequence #a, where function sequence #1 is one of the at least one function sequence #a.

[0282] As another example, network entity #1 may perform function orchestration based on at least one processing function #1 and at least one processing function #2 to generate function sequence #1.

[0283] In this implementation, network entity #1 may obtain at least one processing function #2 from network entity #2, that is, before S630a, network entity #1 may execute S621a.

[0284] S621a, network entity #1 obtains information #1 from network entity #2.

[0285] The information #1 includes at least one processing function #2.

[0286] It can be understood that network entity #1 can send a request for core network service #1 to network entity #2, and network entity #2 sends at least one processing function #2 to network entity #1 based on the request for core network service #1.

[0287] It can be understood that network entity #1 can obtain the above-mentioned at least one processing function #1 or at least one function sequence #a from storage entity #1; network entity #2 can obtain the above-mentioned at least one processing function #2 or at least one function sequence #b from storage entity #2 and send it to network entity #1.

[0288] S640a, network entity #1 sends a response message #2 to access network device #1.

[0289] Response message #2 includes function sequence #1.

[0290] Access network device #1 executes at least one processing function #1 and / or at least one processing function #2 according to function sequence #1, thereby providing core network service #1 for UE.

[0291] S620b-S640b:

[0292] S620b: Access network device #1 sends a request message #3 to access network device #2.

[0293] Access network device #1 sends a request message #3 to access network device #2 based on request message #1. Request message #3 is used to request network entity #2 of access network device #2 to determine function sequence #1.

[0294] The request message #3 may include identification information of the core network service #1.

[0295] S621b, access network device #2 sends a request message #4 to network entity #2.

[0296] The request message #4 is used to request the network entity #2 to determine the function sequence #1.

[0297] The request message #4 may include identification information of the core network service #1.

[0298] S630b, network entity #2 determines function sequence #1.

[0299] Network entity #2 may determine function sequence #1 based on identification information of core network service #1.

[0300] As an example, network entity #2 may perform function orchestration based on at least one processing function #2 to generate function sequence #1.

[0301] As another example, the network entity #2 may select a function sequence as the function sequence #1 based on at least one function sequence #b, where the function sequence #1 is one of the at least one function sequence #b.

[0302] As another example, network entity #2 may perform function orchestration based on at least one processing function #1 and at least one processing function #2 to generate function sequence #1.

[0303] In this implementation, network entity #2 may obtain at least one processing function #1 from network entity #1, that is, before S630b, network entity #2 may execute S622b.

[0304] S622b, network entity #2 obtains information #2 from network entity #1.

[0305] The information #2 includes at least one processing function #1.

[0306] It can be understood that network entity #2 can send a request for core network service #1 to network entity #1, and network entity #1 sends at least one processing function #1 to network entity #2 based on the request for core network service #1.

[0307] It can be understood that network entity #2 can obtain the above-mentioned at least one processing function #2 or at least one function sequence #b from storage entity #2; network entity #1 can obtain the above-mentioned at least one processing function #1 or at least one function sequence #a from storage entity #1 and send it to network entity #2.

[0308] S640b: Network entity #2 sends a response message #3 to access network device #1 through access network device #2.

[0309] Response message #3 includes function sequence #1.

[0310] Access network device #1 executes at least one processing function #1 and / or at least one processing function #2 according to function sequence #1, thereby providing core network service #1 for UE.

[0311] Based on the above solution, a network entity can be deployed on the satellite. This network entity can orchestrate functions or determine a function sequence based on the core network services requested by the terminal device, and provide core network services to the terminal device based on this function sequence. By deploying a network entity instead of different core network elements, the deployment complexity of the onboard core network is reduced. The core network services requested by the terminal device can be implemented through this network entity, avoiding context migration caused by unstable network topology, reducing communication latency, and improving service quality.

[0312] In this application, the access network device, network entity, and storage entity can be coupled to the satellite device, or in other words, the access network device, network entity, and storage entity can be implemented as the internal part of the satellite, and the satellite device can implement the operations of the above-mentioned access network device, network entity, and storage entity. In this case, the terminal device can send a request for a core network service to the satellite, and the satellite determines the corresponding function sequence based on the request for the core network service.

[0313] As a possible implementation, the first satellite receives third request information from a terminal device, where the third request information is used to request a first core network service; a first function sequence is determined based on the third request information, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, and the first function sequence is used to execute the first core network service.

[0314] The at least one processing function includes at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, which may be referred to the description in method 300 and will not be repeated here.

[0315] For another example, the first satellite may also send a fourth request message to the second satellite, where the fourth request message is used to request the first core network service; receive at least one second processing function from the second satellite; and generate the first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

[0316] For another example, the first satellite may further send fifth request information to the second satellite, where the fifth request information is used to request the first core network service; and receive the first function sequence from the second satellite, where the first function sequence is a function sequence generated by the second satellite according to the at least one second processing function.

[0317] The above specific determination method can refer to method 500 and method 600, which will not be repeated here.

[0318] Next, an implementation of the architecture 400 applicable to a multi-satellite scenario is described.

[0319] Referring to Figure 7, as an example, Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. For the convenience of description below, method 700 is exemplarily illustrated by taking the interaction between the execution subject as an access network device and a network entity as an example. It can be understood that the execution subject of method 700 can also be a component of the access network device (such as a chip or circuit) or a component of the network entity (such as a chip or circuit), and this is not limited. The steps described below as being performed by a single execution subject can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution subjects, and these execution subjects can be logically and / or physically separated.

[0320] In method 700, access network device #1 and network entity #1 are deployed on satellite #1, and access network device #n and network entity #n are deployed on satellite #n. Satellite #n may include at least one of satellites adjacent to satellite #1, for example, satellite #n includes satellite #2, satellite #5, and satellite #7. A UE can communicate with the network through access network device #1.

[0321] In addition, at least one processing function #1 and / or at least one function sequence #a may be deployed on satellite #1, and at least one processing function #n and / or at least one function sequence #n may be deployed on satellite #n.

[0322] In the present application, a storage entity may be deployed on a satellite, and the storage entity may be used to store (or store, save) the at least one processing function described above, or the storage entity may also be used to store (or store, save) at least one function sequence. For example, storage entity #1 may be deployed on satellite #1, and storage entity #1 may store at least one processing function #1 and / or at least one function sequence #a; storage entity #2 may be deployed on satellite #2, and storage entity #2 may store at least one processing function #2 and / or at least one function sequence #b; storage entity #3 may be deployed on satellite #3, and storage entity #3 may store at least one processing function #3 and / or at least one function sequence #c; and so on.

[0323] Among them, at least one processing function #1 and at least one processing function #n may be partially identical, completely identical, or completely different, and this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0324] Among them, at least one function sequence #1 and at least one function sequence #n may be partially identical, completely identical, or completely different, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0325] The above-mentioned processing function #1 or processing function #n can refer to the description in Figure 3 and will not be repeated here.

[0326] The above function sequence #1 or function sequence #n can refer to the description in Figure 3 and will not be repeated here.

[0327] The method 700 shown in FIG. 7 may include the following steps.

[0328] S710, the UE sends a request message #5 to the access network device #1.

[0329] Request message #5 is used to request core network service #1 from access network device #1.

[0330] The request message #1 may include identification information of the core network service #1 and context information of the UE.

[0331] The core network service #1 is an example of the first core network service, and can be described with reference to the description in method 500, which will not be repeated here.

[0332] S720, access network device #1 sends a request message #6 to network entity #1.

[0333] Access network device #1 sends a request message #6 to network entity #1 based on request message #5. Request message #6 is used to request network entity #1 to determine a function sequence for executing core network service #1.

[0334] The request message #6 may include identification information of the core network service #1 and context information of the UE.

[0335] S730: Network entity #1 determines first information.

[0336] In one possible implementation, network entity #1 may assign index #1 to core network service #1 based on the identification information of core network service #1, and determine at least one processing function to execute for core network service #1 and the function execution order (function sequence #1).

[0337] Optionally, network entity #1 can also determine the execution sequence of the access network device (recorded as execution sequence #1), that is, the processing functions in the above function sequence #1 need to be executed in a certain order by multiple access network devices deployed on multiple satellites. For example, function sequence #1 includes 8 processing functions, among which access network device #1 can execute the 1st to 3rd processing functions, access network device #2 can execute the 4th to 6th processing functions, and access network device #3 can execute the 7th to 8th processing functions.

[0338] Among them, index #1 is used to identify or indicate a core network service, such as a registration function, an authentication function, or a session establishment function.

[0339] The method for determining function sequence #1 may refer to step S530 and will not be described in detail.

[0340] The processing functions in the function sequence #1 may include processing functions deployed on at least one of satellite #1 and satellite #n.

[0341] For example, based on core network service #1, network entity #1 can determine that processing function #a on satellite #1, processing function #b on satellite #2, and processing function #3 on satellite #5 can implement core network service #1. Network entity #1 can also determine the execution order of processing function #a, processing function #b, and processing function #c, thereby determining function sequence #1.

[0342] It can be understood that the network entity #1 can determine the function sequence #1 based on the locally deployed processing function #1 and the processing functions #n deployed by other satellites.

[0343] It can be understood that network entity #1 can interact with local associated processing functions of various network entities based on the B2 interface.

[0344] Furthermore, the network entity #1 encapsulates the index #1, the function sequence #1, the execution sequence #1 and the context information of the UE to obtain the first information.

[0345] It should be noted that, when the first information does not include the execution sequence #1, the access network device may determine the next hop node based on local capabilities, and send the information to the next access network device to execute the corresponding processing function.

[0346] S740 , the network entity # 1 sends a response message # 6 to the access network device # 1 .

[0347] The response message #6 includes the first information.

[0348] S750, access network device #1 and access network device #n execute core network service #1 based on the first information.

[0349] The access network device #1 may determine at least one processing function that can be executed locally according to the execution sequence #1 in the first information.

[0350] After access network device #1 executes the corresponding processing function and processes the UE context, network entity #1 repackages the unexecuted processing function in function sequence #1 (recorded as function sequence #2) and the processed UE context to obtain the second information.

[0351] Access network device #1 may also determine a next hop node (eg, access network device #2) according to execution sequence #1 in the first information.

[0352] Network entity #1 sends the second information to network entity #2, and access network device #2 continues to execute the corresponding processing function and UE context processing. Network entity #2 repackages the remaining unexecuted processing functions and the processed UE context to obtain the third information, and sends it to the next node for further processing, and so on, until all processing functions in function sequence #1 are executed, and the core network service #1 is completed.

[0353] It can be understood that when the first information does not include the execution sequence #1, each access network device can determine the next hop based on local information and send it to the next hop until the core network service #1 is completed.

[0354] This technical solution considers that a single satellite cannot complete a complete core network operation and requires the core network capabilities of other satellites to collaborate. For multi-satellite collaboration scenarios, a core network entity can be deployed on the satellite. This core network entity can determine one or more processing functions to be executed, as well as the order of these functions, based on the core network service requested by the terminal device. This function is then encapsulated with the terminal device's context information, thereby instructing the access network equipment deployed on each satellite to execute the corresponding processing functions and terminal device context processing until the core network service is completed. On the one hand, considering the limited satellite payload capacity, deploying network entities instead of different core network elements reduces the deployment complexity of the onboard core network. On the other hand, even if multiple satellite collaboration scenarios still exist in this solution, each satellite processing node will encapsulate the current terminal device context. The encapsulated data exchanged between network entities between satellites includes control information for the processing functions to be executed and core network data to be processed, namely, terminal device context information. Even if the satellite network topology is unstable, context migration is not required. Simply sending the currently encapsulated data packet to the next processing node (the next satellite) determines the current terminal device context information and processing progress, thereby reducing communication latency and improving service quality.

[0355] In this application, the access network device, network entity, and storage entity can be coupled with the satellite device. In other words, the access network device, network entity, and storage entity can be implemented as the internal part of the satellite, and the satellite device can implement the operations of the aforementioned access network device, network entity, and storage entity. In this case, the terminal device can send a request for a core network service to the satellite. Based on the request for the core network service, the satellite determines the function sequence and each satellite node corresponding to the execution of the core network service. The specific method can refer to the above-mentioned method 700 and is not further described.

[0356] It should be understood that other possible implementations of the embodiments of the present application are similar to the above-mentioned method 600 or method 700. Please refer to the description in method 600 or method 700, and no further details will be given here.

[0357] It should be understood that the size of the serial numbers of the above processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0358] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that each network element, such as a transmitting end device or a receiving end device, includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to the execution of each function in order to implement the above functions. Those skilled in the art should be aware that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0359] In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules of the transmitting device or the receiving device can be divided according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following is an example of dividing each functional module according to each function.

[0360] The method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail above with reference to Figures 3 to 7 . Below, the apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail with reference to Figures 8 to 9 . It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, reference can be made to the method embodiment above, and for the sake of brevity, no further description will be given here.

[0361] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0362] The device 800 includes a transceiver unit 810 and a processing unit 820 , wherein the transceiver unit 810 can be used to implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 820 can be used to perform data processing.

[0363] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 may also be referred to as a communication interface or communication unit, and may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit. The transceiver unit 810 may be a transceiver (including a transmitter and / or a receiver), an input / output interface (including an input and / or output interface), a pin, or a circuit. The transceiver unit 810 may be configured to perform the transmitting and / or receiving steps in the above-described method embodiments.

[0364] Optionally, the processing unit 820 may be a processor (may include one or more), a processing circuit with processor functions, etc., and may be used to execute other steps except sending and receiving in the above method embodiment.

[0365] Optionally, the apparatus 800 further includes a storage unit, which may be a memory, an internal storage unit (e.g., a register, a cache, etc.), an external storage unit (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.), etc. The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the processing unit 820 executes the instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the communication apparatus to perform the above method.

[0366] In one design, the apparatus 800 may be used to perform the actions performed by the first access network device in each of the above method embodiments. For example, the apparatus 800 may be used to perform the actions performed by the first access network device in the above method 500. In this case, the apparatus 800 may be a component of the first access network device, the transceiver unit 810 may be used to perform the transceiver-related operations on the first access network device side in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 820 may be used to perform the processing-related operations of the first access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0367] For example, the transceiver unit 810 is used to receive first request information, where the first request information is used to request a first core network service; the processing unit 820 is used to send a second request information to the first network entity based on the first request information, where the second request information is used to request a first function sequence, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, where the first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service, and where the first network entity is deployed on the first satellite or the second satellite.

[0368] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to receive the first function sequence.

[0369] For another example, the processing unit 820 is further configured to execute the at least one first processing function and / or the at least one second processing function according to the first function sequence.

[0370] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further used to send a first message, where the first message is used to indicate at least one processing function or function sequence associated with the first access network device and / or the third access network device, and the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

[0371] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further used to send a second message, where the second message is used to indicate processing load information of the first access network device and / or the third access network device, and the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

[0372] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 810 and the processing unit 820 may also perform other operations performed by the first access network device in the above method 500, which will not be described in detail here.

[0373] In one design, the apparatus 800 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the first network entity in each of the above method embodiments. For example, the apparatus 800 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the first network entity in the above method 500. In this case, the apparatus 800 may be a component of the first network entity, the transceiver unit 810 may be configured to perform the transceiver-related operations on the first network entity side in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 820 may be configured to perform the processing-related operations on the first network entity side in the above method embodiments.

[0374] For example, the transceiver unit 810 is used to receive a second request information, where the second request information is used to request a first function sequence; the processing unit 820 is used to determine a first function sequence based on the second request information, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, where the first function sequence is used to implement a first core network service, and where the first network entity is deployed on a first satellite or.

[0375] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to receive the second request information from a first access network device or a second access network device, where the first access network device is deployed on the first satellite and the second access network device is deployed on the second satellite.

[0376] For another example, the processing unit 820 is further configured to generate the first function sequence according to at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, wherein the at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

[0377] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further used to receive the at least one second processing function from a second network entity, where the second network entity is deployed on the second satellite; and the processing unit 820 is further used to generate the first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

[0378] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further used to receive the at least one first processing function from a second network entity, where the second network entity is deployed on the first satellite; and the processing unit 820 is further used to generate the first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

[0379] For another example, the processing unit 820 is further configured to determine a first function sequence according to the at least one function sequence.

[0380] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to send the first function sequence.

[0381] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 810 and the processing unit 820 may also perform other operations performed by the first network entity in the above method 500, which will not be described in detail here.

[0382] In one design, the apparatus 800 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the first satellite in each of the above method embodiments. For example, the apparatus 800 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the first satellite in the above method 500. In this case, the apparatus 800 may be a component of the first satellite, the transceiver unit 810 may be configured to perform the transceiver-related operations on the first satellite side in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 820 may be configured to perform the processing-related operations on the first satellite side in the above method embodiments.

[0383] For example, the transceiver unit 810 is used to receive a third request information, where the third request information is used to request a first core network service; the processing unit 820 is used to determine a first function sequence based on the third request information, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and the execution order of the at least one processing function, and the first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service.

[0384] For another example, the processing unit 820 is further configured to generate the first function sequence according to at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function, wherein the at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

[0385] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further used to send a fourth request message to the second satellite, where the fourth request message is used to request the first core network service; the transceiver unit 810 is further used to receive the at least one second processing function; and the processing unit 820 is further used to generate the first function sequence based on the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

[0386] For another example, the transceiver unit 810 is further used to send fifth request information to the second satellite, where the fifth request information is used to request the first core network service; the transceiver unit is further used to receive the first function sequence, where the first function sequence is a function sequence generated by the second satellite according to the at least one second processing function.

[0387] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 810 and the processing unit 820 may also perform other operations performed by the first satellite in the above method 500, which will not be described in detail here.

[0388] It should also be understood that the device 800 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 800 can be specifically a network device in the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, they will not be described here.

[0389] The apparatus 700 of each of the above-mentioned solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the device in the above-mentioned method, or the apparatus 700 of each of the above-mentioned solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the network device in the above-mentioned method. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or the corresponding software can be implemented by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the sending and receiving operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0390] In addition, the transceiver unit 710 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, may include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0391] It should be noted that the apparatus in FIG7 may be a network element or device in the aforementioned embodiment, or may be a chip or chip system, such as a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit may be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. This is not limited here.

[0392] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 shown in Figure 9 includes a processor 910 and a transceiver 920. Optionally, the processor 910 and the transceiver 920 may be interconnected via a bus 930. The communication device 900 may be a terminal device or a network device.

[0393] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a memory 940. The memory 940 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), and is used to store relevant instructions and data.

[0394] The processor 910 is coupled to the memory 940 and is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 940 to control the transceiver 920 to send signals and / or receive signals.

[0395] It should be understood that the processor 910 and memory 940 described above can be combined into a single processing device, with the processor 910 configured to execute program code stored in the memory 940 to implement the aforementioned functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 940 can also be integrated into the processor 910 or independent of the processor 910. It should be understood that the processor 910 can also correspond to the various processing units in the aforementioned communication device, and the transceiver 920 can correspond to the various receiving units and transmitting units in the aforementioned communication device.

[0396] It should also be understood that the transceiver 920 may include a receiver (or receiver) and a transmitter (or transmitter). The transceiver may further include an antenna, and the number of antennas may be one or more. The transceiver may also be a communication interface or interface circuit.

[0397] Specifically, the communication device 900 may correspond to the first access network device in method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 may include the units of the method performed by the first access network device in method 400. It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0398] Specifically, the communication device 900 may correspond to the first network entity in method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 may include the units of the method performed by the first network entity in method 400. It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0399] When the communication device 900 is a chip, the chip includes an interface unit and a processing unit, wherein the interface unit may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; and the processing unit may be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0400] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0401] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0402] The present application also provides a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0403] The present application also provides a computer program product, which implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

[0404] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0405] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a concrete way.

[0406] It should be understood that references to "embodiments" throughout this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, various embodiments throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0407] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application. The names of all nodes and messages in this application are merely names set by this application for the convenience of description. The names in the actual network may be different. It should not be understood that this application limits the names of various nodes and messages. On the contrary, any name with the same or similar function as the node or message used in this application is regarded as the method or equivalent replacement of this application, and is within the scope of protection of this application.

[0408] It should also be understood that in this application, "when", "if" and "if" all mean that the UE or base station will take corresponding measures under certain objective circumstances. It does not limit the time, and does not require the UE or base station to take judgment actions when implementing it, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0409] Additionally, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. The term "and / or" is simply used to describe an association between related objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone.

[0410] As used herein, the term "at least one of" or "at least one of" refers to all or any combination of the listed items. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, B and C together, and A, B, and C together. As used herein, "at least one" means one or more. "A plurality" means two or more.

[0411] It should be understood that in each embodiment of the present application, the terms "include", "comprise", "have" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0412] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the first, second, and various numerical numbers are merely distinctions for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0413] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0414] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0415] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0416] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0417] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0418] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0419] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first access network device, where the first access network device is deployed on a first satellite, the method includes: receiving first request information, where the first request information is used to request a first core network service; A second request message is sent to a first network entity according to the first request message, where the second request message is used to request a first function sequence, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and an execution order of the at least one processing function, where the first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service, and where the first network entity is deployed on the first satellite or the second satellite.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first function sequence is received.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The at least one processing function includes at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function. The at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The at least one processing function is executed according to the first function sequence.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first message is sent, where the first message is used to indicate at least one processing function or function sequence associated with the first access network device and / or a third access network device, where the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: A second message is sent, where the second message is used to indicate processing load information of the first access network device and / or a third access network device, where the third access network device is deployed on a third satellite.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first network entity, the method includes: receiving second request information, where the second request information is used to request a first function sequence; A first function sequence is determined according to the second request information, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and an execution order of the at least one processing function, the first function sequence is used to implement a first core network service, and the first network entity is deployed on a first satellite.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The receiving the second request information includes: The second request information is received from a first access network device or a second access network device, where the first access network device is deployed on the first satellite and the second access network device is deployed on the second satellite.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The at least one processing function includes at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function. The at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving the at least one second processing function from a second network entity, the second network entity being deployed on the second satellite; The first function sequence is generated according to the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The first satellite or the second satellite deploys at least one function sequence, and the determining the first function sequence according to the second request information includes: A first function sequence is determined based on the at least one function sequence.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first function sequence is sent.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a first satellite, the method comprises: receiving third request information, where the third request information is used to request a first core network service; A first function sequence is determined according to the third request information, where the first function sequence is used to indicate at least one processing function and an execution order of the at least one processing function, and the first function sequence is used to implement the first core network service.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The at least one processing function includes at least one first processing function and / or at least one second processing function. The at least one first processing function is deployed on the first satellite, and the at least one second processing function is deployed on the second satellite.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending fourth request information to the second satellite, where the fourth request information is used to request the first core network service; receiving the at least one second processing function; The first function sequence is generated according to the at least one first processing function and the at least one second processing function.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending fifth request information to the second satellite, where the fifth request information is used to request the first core network service; The first function sequence is received, where the first function sequence is a function sequence generated by the second satellite according to the at least one second processing function.

17. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising a unit for performing the method of any one of claims 1-6, 7-12 or 13-16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program or instructions, the processor being used to execute the computer program or instructions in the memory, so that the device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or performs the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, or performs the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, or the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

20. A chip system, characterized in that: include: A processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory so that a communication device equipped with the chip system executes the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or executes the method described in any one of claims 7 to 12, or executes the method described in any one of claims 13 to 16.

21. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or the steps of the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, or the steps of the method according to any one of claims 13 to 16.

Images