Backhaul link selection method, apparatus and system, and communication device and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to a backhaul link selection method, apparatus and system, and a communication device and a storage medium. The method comprises: in response to receiving a registration request sent by user equipment, acquiring from a policy control function network element a signaling backhaul rule for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network (S210), wherein the plurality of backhaul links respectively correspond to the ground and a plurality of satellites in different orbits; and on the basis of the signaling backhaul rule, determining a target backhaul link from among current backhaul links between the access network and the core network (S220).

Description

Backhaul link selection method, device, system, communication equipment and storage medium

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application number 2024103134410, filed on March 19, 2024, entitled “Backhaul link selection method, apparatus, system, communication equipment and storage medium,” the entire text of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a backhaul link selection method, apparatus, system, communication equipment, and storage medium. Background Art

[0004] With the development of wireless communications, a 6G-oriented integrated space-ground network technology has emerged. To ensure reliable system connectivity and flexible allocation of link loads, this technology configures multiple different types of backhaul links between the access network and the core network, including high-, medium-, and low-orbit satellite backhaul links, as well as ground backhaul links. The access network can select one of the backhaul links or multiple backhaul links at the same time for signaling backhaul.

[0005] In the existing technology, backhaul links can be manually specified, but this method is difficult to adapt to complex and changeable actual communication scenarios and is easily affected by the instability of non-terrestrial access, resulting in low reliability of terminal signaling backhaul and difficulty in achieving high-throughput backhaul services.

[0006] Therefore, the current backhaul link selection technology has the problem of low signaling backhaul reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Based on this, the present application provides a backhaul link selection method, apparatus, system, communication device, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a backhaul link selection method, which is performed by a network access control function element of a core network, the method comprising:

[0009] In response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, obtaining, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network; the plurality of backhaul links respectively corresponding to a plurality of satellites on the ground and in different orbits;

[0010] According to the signaling backhaul rule, a target backhaul link is determined from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, the registration request is sent by the user equipment to the network access control function network element of the core network through any one of a plurality of backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

[0012] In one embodiment, in response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, obtaining, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network, includes:

[0013] Upon receiving the registration request, sending a return rule request to the policy control function network element;

[0014] Receive the signaling backhaul rules of the multiple backhaul links returned by the policy control function network element to the network access control function network element according to the backhaul rule request.

[0015] In one embodiment, the signaling backhaul rule includes a rule identifier and a multipath transmission protocol, a multipath transmission mode, and a backhaul link list corresponding to the rule identifier.

[0016] In one embodiment, the multipath transmission mode includes at least one of a primary-backup mode, a redundant mode, a load sharing mode, and a priority mode.

[0017] In one embodiment, the backhaul link list includes each backhaul link type corresponding to the multipath transmission mode.

[0018] In one embodiment, the backhaul link type includes at least one of terrestrial, high orbit, mid orbit and low orbit.

[0019] In one embodiment, determining a target backhaul link from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rule includes:

[0020] Determining a current link identifier and a current link type of the current backhaul link;

[0021] The target backhaul link is determined from the current backhaul links according to the signaling backhaul rule, the current link identifier, and the current link type.

[0022] In one embodiment, after determining a target backhaul link from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rule, the method further includes:

[0023] generating link indication information corresponding to the user equipment according to the target backhaul link;

[0024] generating a registration response including the link indication information;

[0025] The registration response is returned to the access network; and the access network performs signaling backhaul through the target backhaul link according to the link indication information in the registration response.

[0026] In one embodiment, the current link type is high orbit, medium orbit, low orbit or ground.

[0027] In one embodiment, the multiple return links include a ground return link, a low-orbit satellite return link, a medium-orbit satellite return link, and a high-orbit satellite return link.

[0028] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a backhaul link selection device, which is executed by a network access control function element of a core network, and the device includes:

[0029] a rule acquisition module, configured to, in response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, acquire, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network; the plurality of backhaul links respectively corresponding to a plurality of satellites on the ground and in different orbits;

[0030] The link determination module is configured to determine a target backhaul link from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rule.

[0031] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a backhaul link selection system, the system comprising a user equipment, an access network, and a network access control function network element and a policy control function network element of a core network;

[0032] The user equipment is configured to send a registration request to the network access control function network element through the access network;

[0033] The network access control function network element is used to obtain, in response to receiving the registration request, signaling backhaul rules of multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network from the policy control function network element; the multiple backhaul links correspond to multiple satellites on the ground and in different orbits respectively; and according to the signaling backhaul rules, determine the target backhaul link from the current backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, the following steps are implemented:

[0035] In response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, obtaining, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network; the plurality of backhaul links respectively corresponding to a plurality of satellites on the ground and in different orbits;

[0036] According to the signaling backhaul rule, a target backhaul link is determined from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

[0037] In a fifth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0038] In response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, obtaining, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network; the plurality of backhaul links respectively corresponding to a plurality of satellites on the ground and in different orbits;

[0039] According to the signaling backhaul rule, a target backhaul link is determined from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the following steps:

[0041] In response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, obtaining, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network; the plurality of backhaul links respectively corresponding to a plurality of satellites on the ground and in different orbits;

[0042] According to the signaling backhaul rule, a target backhaul link is determined from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or related technologies, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or related technical descriptions. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0044] FIG1 is a diagram illustrating an application environment of a backhaul link selection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a backhaul link selection method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG3 is a signaling interaction diagram of a method for selecting a return link for multipath transmission in a satellite return scenario according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG4 is a structural block diagram of a backhaul link selection device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG5 is a structural block diagram of a backhaul link selection system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG6 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a communication device in one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] 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 only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0051] The backhaul link selection method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied in the application environment shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, UE (User Equipment) 102 communicates with access network 104 via a service link. Access network 104 can communicate with the core network via different backhaul links. The different backhaul links can be terrestrial backhaul links, low-orbit satellite backhaul links, medium-orbit satellite backhaul links, and high-orbit satellite backhaul links. The core network can be provided with a NACF (Network Access Control Function) network element 106 and a PCF (Policy Control Function) network element 108.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG2 , a backhaul link selection method is provided, which is described by taking the method applied to the NACF network element 106 in FIG1 as an example, and includes the following steps S210 to S220 . In particular:

[0053] Step S210, in response to receiving a registration request sent by the user equipment, obtaining signaling backhaul rules of multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network from the policy control function network element; the multiple backhaul links correspond to the ground and multiple satellites in different orbits respectively.

[0054] The registration request may be information for the user equipment requesting registration in the core network.

[0055] Among them, the multiple return links can be but are not limited to ground return links, low-orbit satellite return links, medium-orbit satellite return links and high-orbit satellite return links.

[0056] The signaling return rule may be a signaling return policy that records the correspondence between a rule identifier, a multipath transmission protocol, a multipath transmission mode, and a return link list. The multipath transmission protocol includes, but is not limited to, MPTCP (Multipath Transmission Control Protocol) and MPQUIC (Multipath Quick User Datagram Protocol Internet Connection); the multipath transmission mode includes, but is not limited to, active-standby mode, redundant mode, load sharing mode, and priority mode; and the return link list may be a table that records the return links corresponding to the multipath transmission modes.

[0057] Optionally, the UE can send a registration request to the access network, and the access network sends the registration request to the core network NACF network element through any one of the multiple backhaul links. Upon receiving the registration request from the UE, the NACF network element can send a backhaul rule request to the PCF network element. Upon receiving the backhaul rule request, the PCF network element returns the signaling backhaul rules of the multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network to the NACF network element.

[0058] Exemplarily, the access network may send a registration request of the UE to the NACF network element through any backhaul link (e.g., a terrestrial backhaul link). Upon receiving the registration request, the NACF network element sends a backhaul policy request to the PCF network element. Upon receiving the backhaul policy request, the PCF network element returns all pre-stored signaling backhaul policies to the NACF network element. Each signaling backhaul policy may include a policy identifier and its corresponding multipath transmission protocol, multipath transmission mode, and backhaul link list. Among them, the multipath transmission mode can be a primary-backup mode, a redundant mode, a load sharing mode, or a priority mode, and the return link list can be generated according to the multipath transmission mode. For example, if the multipath transmission mode is the primary-backup mode, and the ground return link is set as the primary return link and the high-orbit satellite return link is set as the backup return link, then the return link list includes the ground return link and the high-orbit satellite return link; if the multipath transmission mode is the redundant mode, and all return links are set to transmit the same signaling, then the return link list includes the ground return link, the low-orbit satellite return link, the medium-orbit satellite return link, and the high-orbit satellite return link; if the multipath transmission mode is the load sharing mode, and the ground return link is set to bear 90% of the signaling return and the high-orbit satellite return link is set to bear 10% of the signaling return, then the return link list includes the ground return link and the high-orbit satellite return link; if the multipath transmission mode is the priority mode, all return links are prioritized, and the return link with the highest priority is selected as the signaling return link, and the return link list includes the return link with the highest priority.

[0059] Step S220 : According to the signaling backhaul rule, a target backhaul link is determined from the current backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

[0060] The current backhaul link may be a currently available backhaul link between the access network and the core network, and the target backhaul link may be a finally selected backhaul link.

[0061] Optionally, the NACF network element can obtain the current backhaul link between the access network and the core network. After receiving the signaling backhaul rule, it determines the target backhaul link from the current backhaul link according to the signaling backhaul rule. The access network can communicate with the core network through the target backhaul link to perform UE signaling backhaul.

[0062] For example, assuming that there are only terrestrial backhaul links and high-orbit satellite backhaul links between the access network where the UE is currently located and the NACF network element, after receiving the signaling backhaul policy sent by the PCF network element, the NACF network element can generate link indication information according to the signaling backhaul policy. In the active-standby mode, the link indication information can be that the terrestrial backhaul link and the high-orbit satellite backhaul link are both target backhaul links, where the terrestrial backhaul link is the active backhaul link and the high-orbit satellite backhaul link is the standby backhaul link; in the redundant mode, the link indication information can be that the terrestrial backhaul link and the high-orbit satellite backhaul link are both target backhaul links, and the two transmit the same signaling; in the load sharing mode, the link indication information can be that the terrestrial backhaul link and the high-orbit satellite backhaul link are both target backhaul links, where the terrestrial backhaul link undertakes 90% of the signaling backhaul and the high-orbit satellite backhaul link undertakes 10% of the signaling backhaul; in the priority mode, the link indication information can be that the one with the higher priority among the terrestrial backhaul link and the high-orbit satellite backhaul link is the target backhaul link.

[0063] The above-mentioned backhaul link selection method obtains the signaling backhaul rules of multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network from the policy control function network element in response to a registration request sent by the user equipment, and determines the target backhaul link from the current backhaul link between the access network and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rules; based on the signaling backhaul rules pre-stored in the policy control function network element and the actual situation of the current backhaul link between the access network and the core network, one or more target backhaul links that are compatible with the actual communication scenario can be determined from multiple backhaul links such as high-, medium-, and low-orbit satellite backhaul links and ground backhaul links to ensure reliable signaling backhaul.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the registration request is sent by the user equipment to the network access control function element of the core network through any one of multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

[0065] Optionally, the multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network may include a terrestrial backhaul link, a low-orbit satellite backhaul link, a medium-orbit satellite backhaul link, and a high-orbit satellite backhaul link. The UE sends a registration request to the access network, and the access network may forward the registration request to the NACF network element of the core network through any one of the terrestrial backhaul link, the low-orbit satellite backhaul link, the medium-orbit satellite backhaul link, and the high-orbit satellite backhaul link.

[0066] In this embodiment, by sending the registration request from the user equipment to the network access control function network element of the core network through any one of the multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network, the registration request can be quickly transmitted to the NACF network element, and the UE's registration request can be quickly responded to.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the above-mentioned step S210 may specifically include: sending a backhaul rule request to the policy control function network element when a registration request is received; and receiving the signaling backhaul rules of multiple backhaul links returned by the policy control function network element to the network access control function network element according to the backhaul rule request.

[0068] The backhaul rule request may include information requesting the PCF network element to send a signaling backhaul policy, which may also be referred to as a backhaul policy request.

[0069] Optionally, when the NACF network element receives a registration request from the UE, it may send a backhaul rule request to the PCF network element. When the PCF network element receives the backhaul rule request, it returns a pre-stored signaling backhaul rule to the NACF network element. The signaling backhaul rule may record the rules for signaling backhaul for all backhaul links between the access network and the core network. For example, the signaling backhaul rule may include rules for signaling backhaul for all backhaul links including ground backhaul links, low-orbit satellite backhaul links, medium-orbit satellite backhaul links, and high-orbit satellite backhaul links.

[0070] In this embodiment, upon receiving a registration request, a backhaul rule request is sent to the policy control function network element, and the policy control function network element receives the signaling backhaul rules of multiple backhaul links returned to the network access control function network element based on the backhaul rule request. This allows the NACF network element to obtain the backhaul rules for all backhaul links between the access network and the core network. Based on these backhaul rules, the target backhaul link can be selected more accurately, thereby increasing the accuracy and reliability of the backhaul link selection.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, the signaling backhaul rule includes a rule identifier and a multipath transmission protocol, a multipath transmission mode, and a backhaul link list corresponding to the rule identifier; the multipath transmission mode includes at least one of a primary-backup mode, a redundant mode, a load sharing mode, and a priority mode; the backhaul link list includes each backhaul link type corresponding to the multipath transmission mode, and the backhaul link type includes at least one of ground, high orbit, medium orbit, and low orbit.

[0072] The active-standby mode can be a mode where both the primary and backup backhaul links transmit data. The redundant mode can be a mode where multiple backhaul links transmit the same information. The load-sharing mode can be a mode where multiple backhaul links transmit data proportionally. The priority mode can be a mode where only the high-priority backhaul link transmits data.

[0073] Optionally, the PCF network element can return signaling backhaul rules to the NACF network element. The signaling backhaul rules include multiple rule identifiers and the multipath transmission protocol, multipath transmission mode and backhaul link list corresponding to each rule identifier. Among them, the multipath transmission protocol can be MPTCP or MPQUIC; the multipath transmission mode can be the primary-backup mode, redundant mode, load sharing mode or priority mode; the backhaul link list can be generated according to the multipath transmission mode. For example, if the multipath transmission mode is the primary-backup mode, and the ground backhaul link is set as the primary backhaul link, and the high-orbit satellite backhaul link is the backup backhaul link, then the backhaul link types recorded in the backhaul link list include ground and high-orbit; if the multipath transmission mode is the redundant mode, and all backhaul links are set to transmit the same signaling, then the backhaul link type recorded in the backhaul link list includes ... The return link types recorded in the return link list include ground, low orbit, medium orbit and high orbit; if the multipath transmission mode is load sharing mode, and the ground return link is set to undertake 90% of the signaling return, and the high orbit satellite return link is set to undertake 10% of the signaling return, then the return link types recorded in the return link list include ground and high orbit; if the multipath transmission mode is priority mode, all return links are prioritized and the return link with the highest priority is selected as the signaling return link, then the return link type recorded in the return link list is the type of the highest priority return link.

[0074] In this embodiment, the backhaul rule includes a rule identifier and a multipath transmission protocol, a multipath transmission mode, and a backhaul link list corresponding to the rule identifier. The multipath transmission mode includes at least one of a primary / standby mode, a redundant mode, a load sharing mode, and a priority mode. The backhaul link list includes each backhaul link type corresponding to the multipath transmission mode. The backhaul link type includes at least one of terrestrial, high-orbit, medium-orbit, and low-orbit. This allows the NACF network element to obtain signaling backhaul rules for all backhaul links between the access network and the core network. Based on the signaling backhaul rules, the target backhaul link can be selected more accurately, thereby increasing the accuracy and reliability of backhaul link selection.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, the above step S220 may specifically include: determining the current link identifier and the current link type of the current backhaul link; and determining the target backhaul link from the current backhaul links according to the signaling backhaul rule, the current link identifier and the current link type.

[0076] The current link identifier may be an identifier of the current backhaul link.

[0077] The current link type may be the type of the current backhaul link, for example, high orbit, medium orbit, low orbit, or ground.

[0078] Optionally, the NACF network element may obtain the current link identifier according to the identifier of the current backhaul link, obtain the current link type according to the type of the current backhaul link, and determine the target backhaul link in the current backhaul link according to the current link identifier and the current link type based on the signaling backhaul rule.

[0079] For example, if there are only ground return links and high-orbit satellite return links between the access network where the UE is currently located and the NACF network element, that is, the current link types are ground and high-orbit, which are identified by 1 and 4 respectively, and the current link identifiers 1 and 4 are obtained, which are represented by "1-ground" and "4-high-orbit". On this basis, the target return links are determined according to the multipath transmission mode in the signaling return strategy. If the multipath transmission mode is the primary-backup mode, it can be determined that the ground and high-orbit are both target return links, where the ground is the primary return link and the high-orbit is the backup return link, which is represented by "1-ground-primary-backup mode-target return link" and "4-high-orbit-primary-backup mode-target return link"; if the multipath transmission mode is the redundant mode, it can be determined Both the ground and the high-orbit are target return links, and both transmit the same signaling, which is represented by "1-ground-redundancy mode-target return link" and "4-high-orbit-redundancy mode-target return link". If the multipath transmission mode is load sharing mode, it can be determined that both the ground and the high-orbit are target return links, of which the ground is responsible for 90% of the signaling backhaul and the high-orbit is responsible for 10% of the signaling backhaul, which is represented by "1-ground-load sharing mode-target return link" and "4-high-orbit-load sharing mode-target return link". If the multipath transmission mode is priority mode, the link with higher priority between the ground and high-orbit can be determined as the target return link. Assuming that the ground priority is higher, it is represented by "1-ground-priority mode-target return link".

[0080] In this embodiment, by determining the current link identifier and the current link type of the current backhaul link, the target backhaul link is determined from the current backhaul link according to the signaling backhaul rule, the current link identifier and the current link type. The target backhaul link can be flexibly determined according to the specific situation of the current backhaul link to adapt it to the actual situation and ensure the reliability of the determination of the target backhaul link.

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, after the above-mentioned step S220, it may further specifically include: generating link indication information corresponding to the user equipment according to the target backhaul link; generating a registration response including the link indication information; returning the registration response to the access network; and the access network performing signaling backhaul through the target backhaul link according to the link indication information in the registration response.

[0082] The link indication information may be indication information of an actual backhaul link between the access network and the core network.

[0083] The registration response may be a response signal to the registration request sent by the UE.

[0084] Optionally, after determining the target backhaul link, the NACF network element may generate link indication information according to the target backhaul link, include the link indication information in a registration response, and return it to the access network. The access network returns the registration response to the UE. Subsequently, the access network may communicate with the core network through the target backhaul link according to the registration response to perform UE signaling backhaul.

[0085] For example, if there are only ground return links and high-orbit satellite return links between the access network where the UE is currently located and the NACF network element, that is, the current link types are ground and high-orbit, which are identified by 1 and 4 respectively, and the link identifiers 1 and 4 are obtained, which can be represented by "1-ground" and "4-high-orbit". If the multipath transmission mode is the primary-backup mode, it can be determined that the ground and high-orbit are both target return links, where the ground is the primary return link and the high-orbit is the backup return link, and the generated link indication information is "1-ground-primary-backup mode-target return link-primary" and "4-high-orbit-primary-backup mode-target return link-backup"; if the multipath transmission mode is the redundant mode, it can be determined that the ground and high-orbit are both target return links. If the multipath transmission mode is load sharing, both the ground and high-orbit are target backhaul links, with the ground responsible for 90% of the signaling backhaul and the high-orbit responsible for 10%. The generated link indication information is "1-ground-load sharing mode-target backhaul link-90%" or "4-high-orbit-load sharing mode-target backhaul link-10%." If the multipath transmission mode is priority mode and the ground priority is higher, the generated link indication information is "1-ground-priority mode-target backhaul link." The registration response carries the above link indication information and is sent to the access network and UE respectively. The access network can then communicate with the core network based on the received link indication information to perform UE signaling backhaul.

[0086] In this embodiment, by generating link indication information corresponding to the user equipment based on the target backhaul link, generating a registration response including the link indication information, and returning the registration response to the access network, it is possible to ensure that signaling is backhauled through the target backhaul link and that signaling is reliably backhauled.

[0087] In order to facilitate those skilled in the art to have a deeper understanding of the embodiments of the present application, a specific example will be used for illustration below.

[0088] This application proposes a return link selection method for multipath transmission in a satellite return link scenario, which enables the access network to achieve flexible traffic scheduling of the return link when connecting to the core network through high-, medium-, and low-orbit satellites and the ground at the same time, thereby ensuring the reliability of terminal signaling transmission and greatly avoiding the instability of non-ground access, thereby enabling the development of high-throughput satellite return link services.

[0089] Optionally, multiple backhaul links can be configured between the access network and the core network. When a UE accesses the network through the access network, it needs to send a registration request to the core network's NACF element. The NACF element then needs to obtain the UE signaling backhaul policy from the PCF element and notify the access network. The access network and NACF element can then send and receive UE signaling based on the backhaul policy. Figure 3 provides a signaling interaction diagram for a backhaul link selection method for multipath transmission in a satellite backhaul scenario. According to Figure 3, the backhaul link selection method for multipath transmission in a satellite backhaul scenario may include the following steps:

[0090] Step S301: The access network sends a UE registration request to the NACF network element via any one of the high-, medium-, and low-orbit satellite backhaul links and the terrestrial backhaul link.

[0091] Step S302: The NACF network element sends a UE policy request to the PCF network element.

[0092] Step S303: The PCF network element returns the signaling multipath backhaul strategy of the UE according to the UE identifier;

[0093] Among them, the signaling multipath backhaul strategy may include: policy identifier, multipath transmission protocol (for example, MPTCP, MPQUIC, etc.), multipath transmission mode (for example, active-standby mode, redundant mode, load sharing mode, priority mode, etc.), and multipath backhaul list.

[0094] The multipath backhaul list, also called the backhaul link list, is used to describe each backhaul link type (including but not limited to terrestrial, high orbit, medium orbit, and low orbit) supported by the UE according to the multipath transmission mode.

[0095] Among them, when the multipath transmission mode is the primary-backup mode, the ground can be set as the primary backhaul link and the high-orbit can be set as the backup backhaul link; when the multipath transmission mode is the redundant mode, all backhaul link types can be set to transmit the same signaling; when the multipath transmission mode is the load sharing mode, the ground can be set to bear 90% of the signaling backhaul and the high-orbit can bear 10% of the signaling backhaul; when the multipath transmission mode is the priority mode, all backhaul link types can be prioritized and the backhaul link type with the highest priority can be selected as the UE signaling backhaul link.

[0096] In step S304, after receiving the signaling multipath backhaul policy, the NACF network element establishes a mapping relationship between the backhaul link identifier and the target backhaul link in a specific multipath transmission mode based on information about multiple backhaul links currently existing between the access network where the UE is located and the NACF network element, such as the backhaul link identifier and the backhaul link type, and the signaling multipath backhaul policy of the UE, thereby forming signaling multipath backhaul information for the UE.

[0097] Step S305: The NACF network element returns the UE's signaling multipath backhaul information to the access network via a registration response.

[0098] In the above-mentioned backhaul link selection method for multipath transmission in the satellite backhaul scenario, the NACF network element is enabled to support generating the UE's signaling multipath backhaul information based on the information of multiple backhaul links currently existing between the access network where the UE is located and the NACF network element, as well as the UE's signaling multipath backhaul strategy. The access network and the NACF network element support forwarding the UE's signaling to the corresponding backhaul link according to the UE's signaling multipath backhaul information, and the PCF network element supports sending the UE's signaling multipath backhaul strategy to the NACF network element. In the satellite backhaul scenario, the multipath transmission mechanism can be used to flexibly schedule the load of different backhaul links, and more flexible and controllable signaling transmission can be achieved through multiple types of backhaul links, thereby improving the reliability of signaling transmission between the access network and the core network.

[0099] It should be understood that, although the various steps in the flowcharts involved in the various embodiments described above are displayed in sequence according to the instructions of the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in sequence in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least a portion of the steps in the flowcharts involved in the various embodiments described above can include multiple steps or multiple stages, and these steps or stages are not necessarily executed and completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and the execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily to be carried out in sequence, but can be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least a portion of steps or stages in other steps.

[0100] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present application also provide a backhaul link selection device for implementing the backhaul link selection method described above. The solution provided by this device is similar to the solution described in the method described above. Therefore, the specific limitations of one or more of the following backhaul link selection device embodiments can be found in the above-described limitations of the backhaul link selection method and will not be further elaborated here.

[0101] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG4 , a backhaul link selection apparatus is provided, which is executed by a network access control function element of a core network and includes: a rule acquisition module 410 and a link determination module 420 , wherein:

[0102] A rule acquisition module 410 is configured to, in response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, acquire, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network; the plurality of backhaul links respectively corresponding to a plurality of satellites on the ground and in different orbits;

[0103] The link determination module 420 is configured to determine a target backhaul link from the current backhaul links between the access network and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rule.

[0104] In an exemplary embodiment, the registration request is sent by the user equipment to the network access control function network element of the core network through any one of a plurality of backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

[0105] In an exemplary embodiment, the above-mentioned rule acquisition module 410 is also used to send a backhaul rule request to the policy control function network element when the registration request is received; and receive the signaling backhaul rules of the multiple backhaul links returned by the policy control function network element to the network access control function network element based on the backhaul rule request.

[0106] In an exemplary embodiment, the signaling backhaul rule includes a rule identifier and a multipath transmission protocol, a multipath transmission mode, and a backhaul link list corresponding to the rule identifier; the multipath transmission mode includes at least one of a primary-backup mode, a redundant mode, a load sharing mode, and a priority mode; the backhaul link list includes each backhaul link type corresponding to the multipath transmission mode, and the backhaul link type includes at least one of ground, high orbit, medium orbit, and low orbit.

[0107] In an exemplary embodiment, the link determination module 420 is further used to determine the current link identifier and the current link type of the current backhaul link; and determine the target backhaul link from the current backhaul link according to the signaling backhaul rule, the current link identifier and the current link type.

[0108] In an exemplary embodiment, the above-mentioned backhaul link selection device further includes a registration response module, which is used to generate link indication information corresponding to the user equipment based on the target backhaul link; generate a registration response including the link indication information; return the registration response to the access network; and the access network performs signaling backhaul through the target backhaul link based on the link indication information in the registration response.

[0109] Each module in the aforementioned backhaul link selection apparatus may be implemented in whole or in part through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. Each module may be embedded in or independent of a processor within a communication device in hardware form, or may be stored in a memory within the communication device in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the corresponding operations of each module.

[0110] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG5 , a backhaul link selection system is provided, including: a user equipment 510 , an access network 520 , and a network access control function network element 530 and a policy control function network element 540 of a core network;

[0111] The user equipment 510 is configured to send a registration request to the network access control function network element 530 through the access network 520;

[0112] The network access control function network element 530 is used to obtain, in response to receiving the registration request, the signaling backhaul rules of the multiple backhaul links between the access network 520 and the core network from the policy control function network element 540, and determine the target backhaul link from the current backhaul links between the access network 520 and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rules; the multiple backhaul links correspond to the ground and multiple satellites in different orbits respectively.

[0113] Optionally, the UE can send a registration request to the access network, and the access network sends the registration request to the core network NACF network element through any one of the multiple backhaul links. Upon receiving the UE's registration request, the NACF network element can send a backhaul rule request to the PCF network element. Upon receiving the backhaul rule request, the PCF network element returns the signaling backhaul rules of the multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network to the NACF network element. The NACF network element can also obtain the current backhaul link between the access network and the core network. After receiving the signaling backhaul rule, the NACF network element determines the target backhaul link from the current backhaul link according to the signaling backhaul rule. The access network can communicate with the core network through the target backhaul link to perform UE signaling backhaul.

[0114] Since the specific processing procedures of the user equipment, access network, network access control function network element and policy control function network element have been described in detail in the above embodiments, they will not be repeated here.

[0115] In the above-mentioned backhaul link selection system, the user equipment sends a registration request to the network access control function network element through the access network. In response to receiving the registration request, the network access control function network element obtains the signaling backhaul rules of multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network from the policy control function network element, and determines the target backhaul link from the current backhaul links between the access network and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rules; based on the signaling backhaul rules pre-stored in the policy control function network element and the actual situation of the current backhaul link between the access network and the core network, one or more target backhaul links that are compatible with the actual communication scenario can be determined from multiple backhaul links such as high-, medium-, and low-orbit satellite backhaul links and ground backhaul links to ensure reliable signaling backhaul.

[0116] In an exemplary embodiment, a communication device is provided, which may be a server, and its internal structure diagram may be shown in Figure 6. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, an input / output interface (I / O), and a communication interface. The processor, memory, and I / O interface are connected via a system bus, and the communication interface is connected to the system bus via the I / O interface. The processor of the communication device is used to provide computing and control capabilities. The memory of the communication device includes a non-volatile storage medium and an internal memory. The non-volatile storage medium stores an operating system, a computer program, and a database. The internal memory provides an environment for the operation of the operating system and computer program in the non-volatile storage medium. The database of the communication device is used to store backhaul link selection data. The I / O interface of the communication device is used to exchange information between the processor and an external device. The communication interface of the communication device is used to communicate with an external terminal via a network connection. When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements a backhaul link selection method.

[0117] Those skilled in the art will understand that the structure shown in Figure 6 is merely a block diagram of a partial structure related to the scheme of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the communication device to which the scheme of the present application is applied. The specific communication device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have a different component arrangement.

[0118] In an exemplary embodiment, a communication device is further provided, including a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor implements the steps in the above method embodiments when executing the computer program.

[0119] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps in the above-mentioned method embodiments are implemented.

[0120] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps in the above method embodiments are implemented.

[0121] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of relevant data must comply with relevant regulations.

[0122] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to memory, database or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application may include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory may include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The database involved in the various embodiments provided herein may include at least one of a relational database and a non-relational database. Non-relational databases may include, but are not limited to, distributed databases based on blockchains. The processor involved in the various embodiments provided herein may be, but are not limited to, a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a digital signal processor, a programmable logic unit, a data processing logic unit based on quantum computing, and the like.

[0123] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0124] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A backhaul link selection method, applied to a network access control function element of a core network, comprising: In response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, obtaining, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network; the plurality of backhaul links respectively corresponding to a plurality of satellites on the ground and in different orbits; According to the signaling backhaul rule, a target backhaul link is determined from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The registration request is sent by the user equipment to the network access control function network element of the core network through any one of multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The obtaining, in response to receiving a registration request sent by the user equipment, signaling backhaul rules of multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network from the policy control function network element includes: Upon receiving the registration request, sending a return rule request to the policy control function network element; Receive the signaling backhaul rules of the multiple backhaul links returned by the policy control function network element to the network access control function network element according to the backhaul rule request.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The signaling return rule includes a rule identifier and a multipath transmission protocol, a multipath transmission mode, and a return link list corresponding to the rule identifier.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The multipath transmission mode includes at least one of a primary-backup mode, a redundant mode, a load sharing mode and a priority mode.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The backhaul link list includes each backhaul link type corresponding to the multipath transmission mode.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The backhaul link type includes at least one of terrestrial, high orbit, medium orbit and low orbit.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The determining, according to the signaling backhaul rule, a target backhaul link from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network includes: Determining a current link identifier and a current link type of the current backhaul link; The target backhaul link is determined from the current backhaul links according to the signaling backhaul rule, the current link identifier, and the current link type.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein After determining a target backhaul link from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rule, the method further includes: generating link indication information corresponding to the user equipment according to the target backhaul link; generating a registration response including the link indication information; The registration response is returned to the access network; and the access network performs signaling backhaul through the target backhaul link according to the link indication information in the registration response.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein The current link type is high orbit, medium orbit, low orbit or ground.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The multiple return links include ground return links, low-orbit satellite return links, medium-orbit satellite return links and high-orbit satellite return links.

12. A backhaul link selection device, executed by a network access control function element of a core network, comprising: a rule acquisition module, configured to, in response to receiving a registration request sent by a user equipment, acquire, from a policy control function network element, signaling backhaul rules for a plurality of backhaul links between an access network and a core network; the plurality of backhaul links respectively corresponding to a plurality of satellites on the ground and in different orbits; The link determination module is configured to determine a target backhaul link from current backhaul links between the access network and the core network according to the signaling backhaul rule.

13. A backhaul link selection system, comprising a user equipment, an access network, and a network access control function network element and a policy control function network element of a core network; The user equipment is configured to send a registration request to the network access control function network element through the access network; The network access control function network element is used to obtain, in response to receiving the registration request, signaling backhaul rules of multiple backhaul links between the access network and the core network from the policy control function network element; the multiple backhaul links correspond to multiple satellites on the ground and in different orbits respectively; and according to the signaling backhaul rules, determine the target backhaul link from the current backhaul links between the access network and the core network.

14. A communication device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 when executing the computer program.

15. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 are implemented.

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