Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and apparatus, which are used for improving the flexibility of a terminal device accessing a network in an NTN communication scenario. In the method, after a first base station receives a first access request message of a first terminal device and it is determined that the first access request message should be processed by the first base station, the first base station can send an access response message to the first terminal device on the basis of the first access request message, such that the first terminal device accesses a network by means of the first base station. In this way, the problem of how a first terminal device accesses a network when a cell supports a first mode and a second mode can be solved, thereby improving the flexibility of terminal devices accessing a network.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410855097.8 filed on June 27, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] Non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication has the advantages of wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, great flexibility, high throughput, etc., and is not affected by geographical environment, climate conditions and natural disasters, and has been widely applied in the fields of aviation communication, maritime communication, etc. According to the working mode, the data transmission mode of NTN communication can be divided into two categories, which are transparent mode and regenerative mode. Among them, the transparent mode can transmit messages and data between the satellite and the ground access network through the terminal device; the regenerative mode can set the access network function on the satellite, so that the satellite has the processing capability of air interface signals.

[0004] However, in the scenario of NTN communication, how to improve the flexibility of terminal device access to the network to better meet the needs of future communication is a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus to improve the flexibility of terminal device access to the network in the scenario of NTN communication.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first base station, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the function of the first base station. The method is described below by way of example with the first base station performing the method. The method comprises: broadcasting, by the first base station, a first message, the first message being used to indicate that a cell supports a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being that the first base station processes data of a terminal device, the second mode being that the first base station transmits data of the terminal device to a second base station for processing, the first base station being a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station being a base station arranged on the ground; receiving, by the first base station, a first access request message from a first terminal device; and in a case where the first base station determines to process the first access request message, sending, by the first base station, an access response message to the first terminal device according to the first access request message, the first terminal device camping on the cell.

[0008] According to the method of the first aspect, the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, that is, the first base station can process data of the terminal device, or the first base station can transmit data of the terminal device to the second base station for processing, that is, both the first base station and the second base station can provide services for the terminal device camping on the cell. In this case, the first base station can determine the base station for the terminal device camping on the cell to access the network. For example, when the first base station receives the first access request message from the first terminal device and determines to process the first access request message, the first base station can send the access response message to the first terminal device according to the first access request message, so as to enable the first terminal device to access the network through the first base station. In this way, the problem of how the first terminal device accesses the network in the case where the cell supports the first mode and the second mode can be solved, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal device accessing the network. In addition, in the NTN communication scenario, the information of the terminal device is first sent to the first base station, and then sent to other devices such as a core network element and the second base station through the first base station. Therefore, by determining the base station for the terminal device to access the network by the first base station, the first base station can avoid sending the access request message multiple times when the second base station determines the terminal device to access the network through the first base station, thereby reducing the communication overhead of the first base station and the second base station.

[0009] It can be understood that the first message described above can be a system message. The first access request message described above is only an example of a message name, and the first access request message can also be replaced by any other possible expression, such as a random access request message, without limitation.

[0010] In a possible design, before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the method of the first aspect further includes: the first base station determining, by interacting with the second base station, that the first base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, the first base station and the second base station can negotiate that the first base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the first base station and the second base station can determine that the first base station processes the access request message by sending messages to each other, for example: the first base station sends a message (denoted as message #1) to the second base station for requesting to determine that the first base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the second base station sends a response message (denoted as message #2) to the first base station for indicating that the first base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell based on the message and the current load of the second base station. The message #1 and the message #2 can be newly defined messages, or can be existing messages, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and are not limited.

[0011] In a possible design, the first base station determining to process the first access request message includes: the first base station determining that the first base station is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station of the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell, that is, the anchor base station is responsible for establishing a connection between the terminal device and a core network element (such as an access and mobility management function, AMF, network element), and establishing a connection between the terminal device and the core network element. The terminal device residing in the cell can access the network through the anchor base station. After receiving the first access request message, the first base station can determine whether the first base station is the anchor base station, and when the first base station determines that the first base station is the anchor base station, the first base station determines to process the first access request message, that is, the first base station determines that the first terminal device accesses the network through the first base station.

[0012] In a possible design, the first base station determining to process the first access request message includes: the first base station determining that the first access request message uses a first resource, the first resource being an access resource allocated by the first base station. It can be understood that the first resource can be a resource used by a terminal device to send an access request message when the first base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the first base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device residing in the cell sends an access request message using the first resource, for example, the first terminal device sends the first access request message using the first resource. In this way, the first base station can determine that the first base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell when determining that the access request message uses the first resource, that is, the first base station can determine to process the first access request message according to the first access request message using the first resource.

[0013] It can be understood that the first information can be a random access occasion (RO) and / or a preamble, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0014] Optionally, the method of the first aspect further includes: determining, by the first base station, the first resource by interacting with the second base station; and broadcasting, by the first base station, the first resource. In this way, the terminal device camping on the cell can receive the first resource and use the first resource to send the access request message. It can be understood that the first base station and the second base station can negotiate the first resource. The first base station and the second base station can determine the first resource by sending messages to each other, and the messages can be newly defined messages or existing messages, which are not limited. In addition, the first resource can be determined in the process of negotiating, by the first base station and the second base station, that the first base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0015] In a possible design, the determining, by the first base station, to process the first access request message includes: determining, by the first base station, that the first access request message uses the first resource, the first resource being a resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the first base station is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station of the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station being used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the first base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device camping on the cell uses the first resource to send the access request message, for example, the first terminal device uses the first resource to send the first access request message. In this way, the first base station can determine that the first base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell when determining that the access request message uses the first resource, that is, the first base station can determine to process the first access request message according to that the first access request message uses the first resource.

[0016] In a possible design, the method of the first aspect further includes: in a case where the first base station determines not to process the first access request message, sending, by the first base station, the first access request message to the second base station. That is, the first access request message is processed by the second base station at this time, that is, the first terminal device can access the network through the second base station.

[0017] Optionally, before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the method of the first aspect further comprises: the first base station determines, by interacting with the second base station, that the second base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the first base station and the second base station can negotiate that the second base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. And the first base station and the second base station can determine by the first base station processing the access request message by sending messages to each other, such as: the first base station sends a message (denoted as message #11) to the second base station for requesting to determine to process the access request message of the terminal device corresponding to the cell. The second base station sends a response message (denoted as message #22) to the first base station indicating that the second base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell based on the message and the current load of the second base station. It can also be understood that message #11 and message #22 can be newly defined messages, or can be existing messages, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and are not limited.

[0018] Optionally, the first base station determines not to process the first access request message, comprising: the first base station determines that it is not an anchor base station, the anchor base station is a base station in the first base station and the second base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell, that is, the anchor base station is responsible for establishing a connection between the terminal device and a connection between the core network element (such as an AMF network element). It can also be understood that the terminal device residing in the cell can access the network through the anchor base station. After receiving the first access request message, the first base station can determine whether it is an anchor base station. When the first base station determines that it is not an anchor base station, the first base station can determine that it does not process the first access request message, or in other words, the first base station can determine that the second base station processes the first access request message, and at this time the first base station forwards the first access request message to the second base station.

[0019] Optionally, the first base station determining not to process the first access request message comprises: the first base station determining that the first access request message uses the second resource, the second resource being an access resource allocated to the second base station. It can be understood that the second resource can be a resource used by a terminal device to send an access request message when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device residing in the cell sends an access request message using the second resource, such as the first terminal device sending the first access request message using the second resource. In this way, the first base station can determine that the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell when it is determined that the access request message uses the second resource, that is, the first base station can forward the first access request message to the second base station according to the first access request message using the second resource.

[0020] It can be understood that the first information described above can be a random access occasion (RO) and / or a preamble, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions without limitation.

[0021] Optionally, the first base station determining not to process the first access request message comprises: the first base station determining that the first access request message uses the second resource, the second resource being an access resource used by a terminal device corresponding to the cell when the second base station is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell among the first base station and the second base station, and the anchor base station being used to process an access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device residing in the cell sends an access request message using the second resource, such as the first terminal device sending the first access request message using the second resource. In this way, the first base station can determine that the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell when it is determined that the access request message uses the second resource, that is, the first base station can forward the first access request message to the second base station according to the first access request message using the second resource.

[0022] Further, the method of the first aspect further comprises: the first base station determining the second resource by interacting with the second base station; and the first base station broadcasting the second resource. It can be understood that the first base station and the second base station can determine the second resource by sending messages to each other, and the message can be a newly defined message or an existing message without limitation. In addition, the second resource can be determined in the process of negotiating between the first base station and the second base station that the second base station processes an access request message from a terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0023] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second base station, or by a component of the second base station, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the second base station, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the function of the second base station. The method is described below by way of example with the method being performed by the second base station. The method comprises: receiving, by the second base station, a first access request message from a first base station; and sending, by the second base station, an access response message to a first terminal device in response to the first access request message, wherein the first access request message is used by the first terminal device to request access to a network, a cell in which the first terminal device is located supports a first mode and a second mode, the first mode is that the first base station processes data of the terminal device, the second mode is that the first base station transmits data of the terminal device to the second base station for processing, the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground.

[0024] According to the method of the second aspect, in the case where the cell supports the first mode and the second mode and the first base station sends the first access request message to the second base station, the second base station processes the first access request message from the first base station. In this way, the problem of how the first terminal device accesses the network in the case where the cell supports the first mode and the second mode can be solved.

[0025] In a possible design, the sending, by the second base station, of the access response message to the first terminal device comprises: in the case where the second base station determines to process the first access request message, sending, by the second base station, the access response message to the first terminal device. In this way, it can be ensured that the first access request message is processed by the second base station, so that the first terminal device can avoid failing to access the network.

[0026] Optionally, before the second base station broadcasts the first message, the method of the first aspect further comprises: determining, by the second base station, that the second base station processes access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to the cell by interacting with the first base station.

[0027] Optionally, the determining, by the second base station, to process the first access request message comprises: determining, by the second base station, that the second base station is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station of the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal devices corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the anchor base station is used to process access request messages from terminal devices corresponding to the cell, that is, the anchor base station is responsible for establishing a connection between the terminal device and a core network element (such as an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element), and for establishing a connection between the terminal device and the core network element. It can also be understood that the terminal devices residing in the cell can access the network through the anchor base station. After receiving the first access request message, the second base station can determine whether the second base station is the anchor base station, and when the second base station determines that the second base station is the anchor base station, the second base station can determine to process the first access request message, that is, the second base station determines that the first terminal device accesses the network through the second base station.

[0028] Optionally, the second base station determining to process the first access request message comprises: the second base station determining that the first access request message uses the second resource, the second resource being an access resource allocated to the second base station. It can be understood that the second resource can be a resource used by a terminal device to send an access request message when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device residing in the cell sends an access request message using the second resource, such as the first terminal device sending the first access request message using the second resource. In this way, the second base station can determine that it is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell when it determines that the access request message uses the second resource, that is, the second base station can determine to process the first access request message according to the first access request message using the second resource.

[0029] It can be understood that the above-mentioned first information can be a random access occasion (RO) and / or a preamble, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions without limitation.

[0030] Optionally, the second base station determining to process the first access request message comprises: the second base station determining that the first access request message uses the second resource, the second resource being an access resource used by a terminal device corresponding to the cell when the second base station is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell among the first base station and the second base station, and the anchor base station being used to process an access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, when the second base station is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the terminal device residing in the cell sends an access request message using the second resource, such as the first terminal device sending the first access request message using the second resource. In this way, the second base station can determine that it is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell when it determines that the access request message uses the second resource, that is, the second base station can determine to process the first access request message according to the first access request message using the second resource.

[0031] Optionally, the method of the second aspect further comprises: the second base station determining the second resource by interacting with the first base station; and the second base station broadcasting the second resource. It can be understood that the first base station and the second base station can determine the second resource by sending messages to each other, and the message can be a newly defined message or an existing message without limitation. In addition, the second resource can be determined in the process of negotiating between the first base station and the second base station that the second base station processes an access request message from a terminal device corresponding to the cell. It can also be understood that the second base station can broadcast the second resource through the first base station.

[0032] In a possible design, the method of the second aspect further includes: the second base station broadcasting the first message, where the first message is used to indicate that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode. In this way, the terminal device camping on the cell can determine the data transmission mode for the service of the terminal device according to the first message. In addition, the second base station can broadcast the first message through the first base station.

[0033] In addition, the technical effects of the method of the second aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method of the first aspect, which are not described herein again.

[0034] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first terminal device, a component of the first terminal device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first terminal device, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the function of the first terminal device. Hereinafter, the method is described by taking the first terminal device as an example. The method includes: receiving, by the first terminal device, a first message, where the first message is used to indicate that a cell supports a first mode and a second mode, the first mode is that a first base station processes data of a terminal device, the second mode is that the first base station transmits the data of the terminal device to a second base station for processing, the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite, the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground, and the first terminal device camps on the cell; determining, by the first terminal device, a data transmission mode, where the data transmission mode is the first mode or the second mode; and sending, by the first terminal device, a first access request message according to the data transmission mode.

[0035] Based on the method of the third aspect, in the case where the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, the first terminal device can send the first access request message according to the data transmission mode. In this way, the first terminal device can select a corresponding base station to process the first access request message according to the data transmission mode, for example, when the first terminal device determines to use the first mode, the first base station processes the first access request message, and for example, when the first terminal device determines to use the second mode, the second base station processes the first access request message. That is, this can solve the problem of how the first terminal device accesses the network in the case where the cell supports the first mode and the second mode.

[0036] In a possible design, the first terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: determining, by the first terminal device, a data transmission mode corresponding to a first service. For example, the first terminal device can determine the data transmission mode according to the quality of service (QoS) requirement of the first service, for example, when the QoS requirement is high, the first mode is determined, and for example, when the QoS requirement is low, the second mode is determined.

[0037] Optionally, the method of the third aspect further includes: receiving, by the first terminal device, mapping information, the mapping information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between the service and the data transmission mode; determining, by the first terminal device, the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service, including: determining, by the first terminal device, the data transmission mode according to the mapping information and the first service. In this way, the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service can be quickly determined.

[0038] In a possible design, the determining, by the first terminal device, of the data transmission mode includes: determining, by the first terminal device, the data transmission mode according to a service QoS or a service experience QoE. For example, the first terminal device can determine the data transmission mode according to a quality of service QoS requirement of the first service, such as determining to use the first mode when the QoS requirement or the QoE of the service is high, or determining to use the second mode when the QoS requirement or the QoE of the service is low. In this way, the data transmission mode corresponding to the service can be flexibly determined according to actual conditions.

[0039] In a possible design, the method of the third aspect further includes: receiving, by the first terminal device, a first resource and a second resource, the first resource being an access resource associated with the first mode, and the second resource being an access resource associated with the second mode; and sending, by the first terminal device, a first access request message according to the data transmission mode, including: in a case where the data transmission mode is the first mode, sending, by the first terminal device, the first access request message using the first resource; or in a case where the data transmission mode is the second mode, sending, by the first terminal device, the first access request message using the second resource.

[0040] In addition, the technical effects of the method of the third aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method of the first aspect, which will not be described herein again.

[0041] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first base station, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first base station. The method is described below by taking the first base station as an example. The method includes: receiving, by the first base station, a first request message from a first core network element, the first request message including information used to indicate a first mode, the first mode being that data of a terminal device is processed by the first base station, and the first base station being a base station arranged on a satellite or on the ground; and sending, by the first base station, a first response message to the first core network element in response to the first request message, the first response message including access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station, the access network tunnel information being used for the first core network element to send the data of the terminal device to the first base station.

[0042] Based on the method of the fourth aspect, when the first core network element requests the first base station to establish the data transmission channel, the first core network element sends information indicating the first mode to the first base station. In this way, the first base station can determine to establish the data transmission channel between the first base station and the second core network element according to the first mode, that is, the first base station can send the access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station to the first core network element according to the first mode. In this way, the establishment of the data transmission channel between the base station and the core network element can be realized.

[0043] In a possible design, after the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element, the method of the fourth aspect includes that the first base station sends a first message to the terminal device, and the first message includes information indicating the first mode. In this way, the first base station can indicate to the terminal device that the current protocol data unit (PDU) session and / or quality of service (QoS) flow adopts the first mode.

[0044] Optionally, the first message further includes data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameters, and the DRB configuration parameters include information indicating the first mode. In this way, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DRB configuration parameters.

[0045] In a possible design, the first base station sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and the DCI includes information indicating the first mode. It can be understood that after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted in combination with the DRB parameters for the first mode, that is, after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine that the data of the first mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resource indicated by the DCI.

[0046] In a possible design, the first base station sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and the DCI includes information indicating the first mode. It can be understood that after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted in combination with the DRB parameters for the first mode, that is, after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine that the data of the first mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resource indicated by the DCI.

[0047] Based on the method of the fifth aspect, the terminal device can determine the first mode and indicate the first mode to the first core network element. In this way, the first core network can indicate the first mode to the first base station, so that the first base station determines to establish the data transmission channel between the first base station and the second core network element according to the first mode.

[0048] In a possible design, the terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: the terminal device determines a first mode corresponding to the service. That is, the terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode according to the related information of the service.

[0049] In a possible design, the terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: the terminal device determines a first mode according to a service quality QoS or a service experience QoE of the service. In this way, the first mode can be determined according to the actual situation of the service.

[0050] In a possible design, the method in the fifth aspect further includes: the terminal device receives a first message from the first base station, the first message including a DRB configuration parameter, the DRB configuration parameter including information used to indicate the first mode; the terminal device receives a downlink control information DCI from the first base station, the DCI including information used to indicate the first mode; the terminal device determines the first data according to the DRB configuration parameter and the DCI; and the terminal device sends the first data.

[0051] In addition, the technical effects of the method in the fifth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method in the fourth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0052] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first core network element, a component of the first core network element, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first core network element, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first core network element. The method is described below by taking the first core network element as an example. The method includes: determining, by the first core network element, a first mode corresponding to a terminal device according to service related information of the terminal device, the first mode being that data of the terminal device is processed by a first base station, and the first base station being a base station arranged on a satellite or on the ground; and indicating, by the first core network element, the first mode to the first base station.

[0053] In a possible design, the service related information is a service quality QoS requirement.

[0054] In addition, the technical effects of the method in the sixth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method in the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0055] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first base station, a component of the first base station, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first base station, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first base station. The method is described below by way of example with the first base station performing the method. The method includes: receiving, by the first base station, a first request message from a first core network element, the first request message including core network tunnel information and information indicating a second mode, the second mode being that data of a terminal device is processed by a second base station, and the core network tunnel information being used for the second base station to send data of the terminal device to a second core network element; in response to the first request message, sending, by the first base station, a second request message to the second base station, the second request message being used to request the second base station to create a data transmission channel with the second core network element, and the second request message including the core network tunnel information; receiving, by the first base station, a second response message from the second base station, the second response message including access network tunnel information, the access network tunnel information being used for the second core network element to send data of the terminal device to the second base station; and sending, by the first base station, a first response message to the first core network element, the first response message including the access network tunnel information; wherein the first base station is a base station disposed on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station disposed on the ground, or the second base station is a base station disposed on a satellite, and the first base station is a base station disposed on the ground.

[0056] According to the method of the seventh aspect, when the first core network element requests the first base station to establish a data transmission channel, the first core network element can send information indicating the second mode to the first base station. In this way, the first base station can determine to establish a data transmission channel between the second base station and the second core network element according to the second mode, that is, the first base station can trigger the second base station and the second core network element to establish a data transmission channel according to the second mode. In this way, the establishment of the data transmission channel can be achieved.

[0057] In a possible design, after the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station, the method of the seventh aspect includes: sending, by the first base station, a first message to the terminal device, the first message including information indicating the second mode. In this way, the first base station can indicate to the terminal device that the current protocol data unit (PDU) session and / or quality of service (QoS) flow adopts the second mode.

[0058] Optionally, the first message further includes data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameters, and the DRB configuration parameters include the second mode. In this way, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DRB configuration parameters.

[0059] In a possible design, the first base station sends, to the terminal device, downlink control information DCI, and the DCI includes the second mode. It can be understood that after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted in combination with the DRB parameter for the second mode, that is, the terminal device can determine, after receiving the DCI, that the data of the second mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resource indicated by the DCI.

[0060] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a terminal device, or by a component of the terminal device, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the terminal device, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The method is described below by taking the terminal device as an example. The method includes: determining, by the terminal device, a second mode, the second mode being that data of the terminal device is processed by a second terminal device, and the second base station being a base station disposed on a satellite or on the ground; and sending, by the terminal device, information indicating the second mode to a first core network element.

[0061] According to the method of the eighth aspect, the terminal device can determine the second mode and indicate the second mode to the first core network element. In this way, the first core network can indicate the second mode to the first base station, so that the first base station triggers the second base station to establish a data transmission channel with the second core network element according to the second mode.

[0062] In a possible design, the terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: determining, by the terminal device, a second mode corresponding to a service. That is, the terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode according to the related information of the service.

[0063] In a possible design, the terminal device determines the data transmission mode, including: determining, by the terminal device, the second mode according to a quality of service QoS or a quality of experience QoE of the service. In this way, the first mode can be determined according to the actual situation of the service.

[0064] In a possible design, the method of the eighth aspect further includes: receiving, by the terminal device, a first message from the first base station, the first message including a DRB configuration parameter, and the DRB configuration parameter including information indicating the second mode; receiving, by the terminal device, DCI from the first base station, the DCI including information indicating the second mode; determining, by the terminal device, first data according to the DRB configuration parameter and the DCI; and sending, by the terminal device, the first data.

[0065] In addition, the technical effects of the method of the eighth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method of the seventh aspect, which will not be described here.

[0066] In a ninth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first core network element, or by a component of the first core network element, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first core network element, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the function of the first core network element. The method includes: determining, by the first core network element, a second mode corresponding to a terminal device according to service-related information of the terminal device, the second mode being that data of the terminal device is processed by a second base station, the second base station being a base station disposed on a satellite or on the ground; and indicating, by the first core network element, the second mode to a first base station.

[0067] In a possible design, the service-related information is a service quality of service (QoS) requirement.

[0068] In addition, the technical effects of the method of the ninth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method of the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, which will not be described herein.

[0069] In a tenth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first base station, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the function of the first base station. The method includes: receiving, by the first base station, a first request message from a first core network element, the first request message being used to request establishment or modification of a protocol data unit (PDU) session, the first base station being a base station disposed on a satellite or on the ground; in response to the first request message, determining, by the first base station, a first mode corresponding to a terminal device according to service-related information of the terminal device, the first mode being that data of the terminal device is processed by the first base station; and sending, by the first base station, a first response message to the first core network element according to the first mode, the first response message including access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station, the access network tunnel information being used for the first core network element to send data of the terminal device to the first base station.

[0070] Based on the method of the tenth aspect, when the first core network element requests the first base station to establish a data transmission channel, the first base station can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device. In this way, the first base station can send the access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station to the first core network element when determining that the first mode corresponds to the terminal device. In this way, the establishment of the data transmission channel between the base station and the core network element can be implemented.

[0071] In a possible design, after the first base station determines the first mode corresponding to the terminal device according to the service-related information of the terminal device, the method of the tenth aspect includes: sending, by the first base station, a first message to the terminal device, the first message including information used to indicate the first mode.

[0072] Optionally, the first message further includes a data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameter, and the DRB configuration parameter includes the first mode.

[0073] In a possible design, the first base station sends, to the terminal device, downlink control information (DCI), and the DCI includes the first mode.

[0074] In a possible design, the service-related information is a service quality of service (QoS) requirement.

[0075] In addition, the technical effects of the method of the tenth aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method of the fourth aspect, which are not described herein again.

[0076] In a first aspect, a method is provided. The method can be performed by a first base station, or by a component of the first base station, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first base station, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the function of the first base station. The method includes: receiving, by the first base station, a first request message from a first core network element, the first request message including core network tunnel information used for a second base station to send data of a terminal device to a second core network element; in response to the first request message, determining, by the first base station, a second mode corresponding to the terminal device according to service-related information of the terminal device, the second mode being used by the second base station to process the data of the terminal device; sending, by the first base station, a second request message to the second base station according to the second mode, the second request message being used to request the second base station to create a data transmission channel with the second core network element, the second request message including the core network tunnel information; receiving, by the first base station, a second response message from the second base station, the second response message including access network tunnel information used for the second core network element to send the data of the terminal device to the second base station; and sending, by the first base station, a first response message to the first core network element, the first response message including the access network tunnel information; wherein the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground; or the second base station is a base station arranged on a satellite, and the first base station is a base station arranged on the ground.

[0077] Based on the method of the eleventh aspect, when the first core network element requests the first base station to establish a data transmission channel, the first base station can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device. In this way, the first base station can trigger the second base station to establish the data transmission channel between the second base station and the second core network element when the first base station determines the second mode corresponding to the terminal device. In this way, the establishment of the data transmission channel between the base station and the core network element can be implemented.

[0078] In a possible design, after receiving the second response message from the second base station, the method of the eleventh aspect comprises: the first base station sending a first message to the terminal device, the first message comprising the second mode.

[0079] Optionally, the first message further comprises a data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameter, and the DRB configuration parameter comprises the second mode.

[0080] In a possible design, the first base station sends downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal device, and the DCI comprises the second mode.

[0081] In a possible design, the service-related information is a service quality of service (QoS) requirement.

[0082] In addition, the technical effects of the method of the eleventh aspect can also refer to the technical effects of the method of the seventh aspect, which are not described herein again.

[0083] The twelfth aspect provides a communication method, which comprises: a first base station performing the method of the first aspect, and a second base station performing the method of the second aspect.

[0084] The thirteenth aspect provides a communication method, which comprises: a first base station performing the method of the fourth aspect, and a first core network element performing the method of the sixth aspect.

[0085] The fourteenth aspect provides a communication method, which comprises: a first base station performing the method of the seventh aspect, and a first core network element performing the method of the ninth aspect.

[0086] The fifteenth aspect provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus comprises a module used for performing the method of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, for example, a transceiver module and a processing module. For example, the transceiver module is used for indicating the transceiving function of the communication apparatus, and the processing module is used for performing the function of the communication apparatus other than the transceiving function.

[0087] Optionally, the transceiver module can comprise a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used for implementing the sending function of the communication apparatus of the fifteenth aspect, and the receiving module is used for implementing the receiving function of the communication apparatus of the fifteenth aspect.

[0088] It can be understood that the communication apparatus of the fifteenth aspect can be a terminal device or a network device, can be a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that can be arranged in the terminal device or the network device, and can also be an apparatus containing the terminal device or the network device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0089] Further, the technical effects of the communication apparatus of the fifteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the method of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0090] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus includes a processor. When the processor executes computer instructions, the communication apparatus performs the method of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect.

[0091] In a possible design, the communication apparatus of the sixteenth aspect can further include a transceiver. The transceiver can be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for the communication apparatus of the sixteenth aspect to communicate with other communication apparatuses.

[0092] In a possible design, the communication apparatus of the sixteenth aspect can further include a memory. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or can be separately arranged. The memory can be used to store computer programs and / or data involved in the method of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect.

[0093] In embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus of the sixteenth aspect can be the terminal device or the network device of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, or a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that can be arranged in the terminal device or the network device, or an apparatus including the terminal device or the network device.

[0094] Further, the technical effects of the communication apparatus of the sixteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the method of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0095] In a seventeenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus includes a processor coupled with a memory. The processor is configured to execute computer programs stored in the memory, so that the communication apparatus performs the method of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect.

[0096] In a possible design, the communication apparatus of the seventeenth aspect can further include a transceiver. The transceiver can be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for the communication apparatus of the seventeenth aspect to communicate with other communication apparatuses.

[0097] In embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus of the seventeenth aspect can be the terminal device or the network device of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, or a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that can be arranged in the terminal device or the network device, or an apparatus including the terminal device or the network device.

[0098] In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus of the seventeenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the method of any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0099] In an eighteenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including: a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store a computer program, when the processor executes the computer program, to make the communication apparatus execute the method of any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect.

[0100] In a possible design, the communication apparatus of the eighteenth aspect can further include a transceiver. The transceiver can be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be configured to enable the communication apparatus of the eighteenth aspect to communicate with other communication apparatuses.

[0101] In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus of the eighteenth aspect can be the terminal device or the network device of any one of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, or a chip (system) or other components or assemblies provided in the terminal device or the network device, or an apparatus including the terminal device or the network device.

[0102] In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus of the eighteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects of the method of any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0103] In a nineteenth aspect, a communication chip is provided, including: a logic circuit and a communication interface, the logic circuit is configured to execute computer instructions, the communication interface is configured to enable the communication chip to communicate with other apparatuses or chips, and when the logic circuit executes the computer instructions, the method of any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect is implemented.

[0104] In a twentieth aspect, a communication system is provided, including: a first base station configured to execute the method of the first aspect, and a second base station configured to execute the method of the second aspect.

[0105] In a twenty-first aspect, a communication system is provided, including: a first base station configured to execute the method of the fourth aspect, and a first core network element configured to execute the method of the sixth aspect.

[0106] In a twenty-second aspect, a communication system is provided, including: a first base station configured to execute the method of the seventh aspect, and a first core network element configured to execute the method of the ninth aspect.

[0107] In a twenty-third aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, including a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect.

[0108] In a twenty-fourth aspect, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0109] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0110] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0111] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a transparent forwarding mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0112] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a regenerative mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0113] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0114] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0115] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0116] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0117] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0118] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0119] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0120] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0121] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0122] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0123] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0124] FIG. 16 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] FIG. 17 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0126] For the convenience of understanding, the following first introduces technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application.

[0127] 1. Fourth generation (4th generation, 4G) mobile communication system (referred to as evolved packet system (evolved packet system, EPS))

[0128] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is an architecture schematic diagram of a 4G system according to an embodiment of the present application. The 4G system includes evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (universal mobile telecommunications system, UMTS) terrestrial radio access network (evolved UMTS territorial radio access network, E-UTRAN) equipment, a mobility management entity (mobility management entity, MME), a serving gateway (serving gateway, SGW), a packet data network (packet data network, PDN) gateway (PDN gateway, PGW), a policy and charging rules function (policy and charging rules function, PCRF) network element, and a home subscriber server (home subscriber server, HSS) and the like. Network element or equipment.

[0129] Among them, the user equipment (uesr equipment, UE) (introduced below) accesses the E-UTRAN equipment through the LTE-Uu, the E-UTRAN equipment communicates with the MME through the S1-MME, the E-UTRAN equipment communicates with the SGW through the S1-U, different MMEs communicate through the S10 (only one MME is exemplarily given in FIG. 1), the MME communicates with the HSS through the S6a, the MME communicates with the SGW through the S11, the SGW communicates with the PGW through the S5, the PGW accesses the server through the SGi, the PGW accesses the operator's internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) service (such as IP multimedia subsystem (IP multimedia subsystem, IMS) and the like) through the SGi, the PCRF communicates with the PGW through the Gx, and the PCRF accesses the operator's IP service through the Rx.

[0130] Optionally, in order to provide backward compatibility with the general packet radio service (GPRS) data service provided by the 2G / 3G system, better implement the interworking between the EPS and the 2G / 3G system, as shown in FIG. 1, the 4G system can further include the UTRAN / GSM or enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) radio access network (GERAN) equipment of the second generation (2G) / third generation (3G) system and a serving GPRS support node (SGSN), which participate in the inter-system mobility of the terminal between the 4G system and the 2G / 3G system, including the mobility in the idle state and the handover in the connected state, which are collectively described below and will not be described again. When the terminal accesses from the 2G / 3G system, the terminal communicates with the SGSN through the UTRAN / GERAN equipment, the UTRAN / GERAN equipment communicates with the SGW through S12, the SGSN communicates with the MME through S3, and the SGSN communicates with the SGW through S4.

[0131] 2. 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system (5G system, 5GS)

[0132] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the 5GS, as shown in FIG. 2, the 5GS includes an access network (AN) and a core network (CN), and can further include a terminal device.

[0133] The terminal device can be a terminal device with transceiver function, or a chip or chip system that can be disposed in the terminal device. The terminal device can also be referred to as a UE, an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a user station, a mobile station (MS), a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user equipment. The terminal in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a Pad, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a handset, a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a vehicle-mounted terminal, a road side unit (RSU) with terminal function, etc. The terminal device in the present application can also be a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip, or a vehicle-mounted unit built in a vehicle as one or more components or units. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type or category of terminal device.

[0134] The AN is used to implement access-related functions, can provide network access functions for authorized users in a specific area, and can determine transmission links of different qualities to transmit user data according to the level of a user, the demand of a service, and the like. The AN forwards control signals and user data between a terminal and a CN. The AN can include an access network device, which can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device. The CN is mainly responsible for maintaining subscription data of a mobile network, and provides a terminal device with functions such as session management, mobility management, policy management, and security authentication. The CN mainly includes the following: a user plane function (UPF), an authentication server function (AUSF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a network slice selection function (NSSF), a network exposure function (NEF), a network repository function (NRF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management (UDM), a unified data repository (UDR), an application function (AF), a network data analytics function (NWDAF), and an analytics data repository function (ADRF).

[0135] As shown in FIG. 2, a UE accesses a 5G network through a RAN device, the UE communicates with an AMF through an N1 interface (referred to as N1 for short); the RAN communicates with the AMF through an N2 interface (referred to as N2 for short); the RAN communicates with a UPF through an N3 interface (referred to as N3 for short); an SMF communicates with the UPF through an N4 interface (referred to as N4 for short), and the UPF accesses a data network (DN) through an N6 interface (referred to as N6 for short). In addition, the AUSF, AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, UDR, AF, NWDAF and the like control plane functions shown in FIG. 2 interact using service interfaces. For example, the service interface provided by the AUSF to the outside includes Nausf; the service interface provided by the AMF to the outside includes Namf; the service interface provided by the SMF to the outside includes Nsmf; the service interface provided by the NSSF to the outside includes Nnssf; the service interface provided by the NEF to the outside includes Nnef; the service interface provided by the NRF to the outside includes Nnrf; the service interface provided by the PCF to the outside includes Npcf; the service interface provided by the UDM to the outside includes Nudm; the service interface provided by the UDR to the outside includes Nudr; and the service interface provided by the AF to the outside includes Naf.

[0136] The RAN device can be a device providing access for the terminal device. For example, the RAN device can include a future communication network, for example, an access network device of the future communication network, for example, a base station of the future communication network, or in the future communication network, the network device can also have other naming ways, which are all included in the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application, and the present application does not make any limitation on this. Or, the RAN device can also include a gNB in 5G, such as a new radio (NR) system, or one or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of antenna panels of the base station in 5G, or it can also be a network node constituting a gNB, a transmission and reception point (transmission and reception point, TRP or transmission point, TP) or a transmission measurement function (transmission measurement function, TMF), such as a building base band unit (building base band unit, BBU), or a centralized unit (centralized unit, CU) or a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU), an RSU with base station function, or a wired access gateway, or a core network of 5G. Or, the RAN device can also include an access point (access point, AP) in a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, WiFi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted devices, etc.

[0137] The UPF is mainly responsible for user data processing (forwarding, receiving, charging, etc.).

[0138] The AUSF is mainly used to perform security authentication of the terminal device.

[0139] The AMF is mainly used for mobility management in the mobile network. For example, user location update, user registration network, user switching, etc.

[0140] The SMF is mainly used for session management in the mobile network. For example, session establishment, modification, release. Specific functions, such as allocating an internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) address for a user, selecting a UPF providing packet forwarding function, etc.

[0141] The PCF mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, providing policy rules to control layer network functions, and being responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decision. The PCF can provide policies, such as quality of service (quality of service, QoS) policies, slice selection policies, etc., to the AMF and the SMF.

[0142] The NSSF is mainly used for selecting a network slice for a terminal device.

[0143] The NEF is a control plane function provided by an operator, and is mainly used to enable third parties to use services provided by the network, support network exposure of capabilities, event and data analysis, conversion of information between a public land mobile network (PLMN) and a security arrangement, and conversion of information between inside and outside of a PLMN. For example, the NEF can expose some capabilities of a 5G network to a third-party application through an application program interface (API), and the third-party application can obtain some capabilities of the 5G network by calling the API provided by the NEF through an AF, so that the third-party application can control some behaviors of the 5G network and a terminal device.

[0144] The NRF is a control plane function provided by an operator, and can be used to maintain real-time information of network functions and services in a network.

[0145] The UDM is mainly used to store user data, such as subscription data, authentication / authorization data, and the like.

[0146] The UDR is mainly used to store structured data, and the stored content includes subscription data and policy data, structured data exposed to the outside, and application-related data.

[0147] The AF is mainly used to provide corresponding services by interacting with a CN, such as providing roaming UE visiting network selection information, guiding data flow routing, accessing the NEF, and the like.

[0148] For convenience of description, network functions (such as the NEF, the SMF, and the like) are collectively / referred to as NFs in embodiments of the present application, that is, the NFs described hereinafter in embodiments of the present application can be replaced by any network function. In addition, terminal devices are referred to as UEs in embodiments of the present application, that is, the UEs described hereinafter in embodiments of the present application can be replaced by terminal devices. FIG. 2 only schematically describes some network functions, and the NFs described hereinafter are not limited to the network functions shown in FIG. 2. In addition, in embodiments of the present application, the NFs can also be referred to as NF network elements, that is, the NFs and the NF network elements indicate the same content.

[0149] It should be understood that the above naming is only defined for the convenience of distinguishing different functions, and should not constitute any limitation on the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of using other names in 5G networks and future other networks. For example, in future communication networks, some or all of the above network elements can use the terms in 5G, or other names, and the like.

[0150] 3. NTN communication

[0151] Non-terrestrial communication has the advantages of wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, great flexibility, high throughput, and is not affected by geographical environment, climate conditions and natural disasters, and has been widely used in aviation communication, maritime communication and other fields. The introduction of NTN into the 5th generation (5G) mobile network can improve the performance of the communication system.

[0152] According to the working mode, the data transmission mode of NTN communication can be generally divided into two categories. The first type is a transparent forwarding mode, as shown in FIG. 3, the satellite forwards the information of the cell of the ground network device (such as a next generation Node-B (gNB)), and the role of the satellite is wireless frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, that is, the satellite mainly acts as a layer 1 relay (L1 relay), regenerates the physical layer signal, and does not have other higher protocol layers. In other words, for the transparent forwarding mode, the messages and data between the terminal device and the ground access network can be transmitted through the satellite. The second type is a regenerative mode, as shown in FIG. 4, the satellite has the processing function of the base station, that is, the access network function is set on the satellite, so that the satellite has the processing capability of the air interface signal. It should be understood that for the regenerative mode, in addition to the access network function can be set on the satellite, part or all of the core network function can also be set on the satellite.

[0153] Through research, it is found that in order to meet the future communication demand, the cell can simultaneously support the above-mentioned first mode and second mode, that is, the terminal device in the cell can be served by the base station (denoted as base station 1) set on the satellite and the base station (denoted as base station 2) set on the ground. Among them, the first mode is that the first base station processes the data of the UE, that is, the base station 1 establishes the quality of service (QoS) flow, tunnel between the UPF, and the data radio bearer between the base station 1 and the UE. The first mode can also be referred to as a regenerative mode, or other possible names, without limitation. The second mode is that the base station 1 transmits the data of the UE to the base station 2 for processing, that is, the base station 2 establishes the QoS flow, tunnel between the UPF, and the data radio bearer between the base station 2 and the UE. The second mode can also be referred to as a transparent transmission mode, or other possible names, without limitation (the system architecture suitable for the cell simultaneously supporting the above-mentioned first mode and second mode is introduced below).

[0154] In other words, the terminal device residing in the cell can transmit data through the first mode or the second mode according to actual conditions, for example, when the rate requirement of the service of the terminal device is high, the terminal device can transmit data through the first mode, and for example, when the rate requirement of the service of the terminal device is low, the terminal device can transmit data through the second mode. However, in this case, the terminal device cannot determine the base station of the network accessed by the terminal device after sending the random access request, which causes the terminal device to be unable to access the network. Therefore, in the scenario of NTN communication, how to improve the flexibility of the terminal device accessing the network is a problem to be solved.

[0155] To solve the above technical problems, the technical scheme provided in the embodiments of the present application is as follows, which is used to realize the terminal device accessing the network in the case that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal device accessing the network.

[0156] The technical scheme in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0157] The technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system such as a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5G mobile communication system such as a new radio (NR) system, and a communication system evolved after 5G, such as a future communication system, and can also be applied to a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a vehicle to everything (V2X) communication system, a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a vehicle networking communication system, etc.

[0158] The present application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around a system that can include a plurality of devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system can include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or can not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In addition, combinations of these schemes can also be used.

[0159] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "example", "for example", etc. are used to represent an example, illustration or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "example" in the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the word "example" is intended to present the concept in a specific manner.

[0160] In the embodiments of this application, "information", "signal", "message", "channel", and "signaling" can be used interchangeably at times. It should be pointed out that when the distinction is not emphasized, the meanings expressed are matched. "Of", "corresponding", and "corresponding" can be used interchangeably at times. It should be pointed out that when the distinction is not emphasized, the meanings expressed are matched. In addition, the " / " mentioned in this application can be used to represent the "or" relationship.

[0161] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0162] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, the communication system shown in FIG. 5 is taken as an example to explain the communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application in detail. For example, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0163] As shown in FIG. 5, the communication system includes a first terminal device, a first base station, and a second base station. The first terminal device can refer to the related description in the aforementioned "2.5GS", which will not be repeated here. The first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground; or, the first base station is a base station arranged on the ground, and the second base station is a base station arranged on a satellite. For details, please refer to the related description in the aforementioned "2.5GS", which will not be repeated here.

[0164] Optionally, the communication system can further include a first core network element. The first core network element can be used for mobility management in a mobile network, such as access control, mobility management, etc. And the first core network element can be an AMF network element. In future communication systems, the first core network element can still be an AMF network element, or it can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0165] Further, the communication system can further comprise a second core network element and a third core network element. The second core network element can be configured to perform session management in the mobile network, such as user plane network element selection, user plane network element redirection, etc., and the second core network element can be a SMF element. The third core network element can be configured to perform packet routing and forwarding, quality of service (QoS) handling for user plane data, etc., and the third core network element can be a UPF element. It can be understood that in the future communication system, the second core network element can still be a SMF element, the third core network element can still be a UPF element, or the second core network element and the third core network element can have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0166] The system architecture applicable to the above communication system is introduced as follows. As shown in FIG. 6, the first base station and the second base station can simultaneously serve the UE, the first base station is arranged on the satellite, and the second base station is arranged on the ground, that is, the satellite simultaneously supports the first mode and the second mode described above. It can be understood that under the system architecture, the first base station or the second base station can be responsible for the control plane, that is, the first base station or the second base station can be responsible for establishing the connection with the UE and the connection with the core network element (such as the first core network element). Moreover, the service corresponding to the UE can adopt the first mode or the second mode, and the service corresponding to the UE can be switched between the first mode and the second mode.

[0167] For example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the first base station is responsible for the control plane, that is, the first base station is responsible for establishing the connection (such as the radio resource control (RRC) connection) with the UE and the connection (such as the NG connection) with the core network element. The service corresponding to the UE can adopt the first mode, at this time, the first base station establishes the data transmission channel (such as the bearer, the QoS flow, the tunnel, etc.) with the user plane function entity (such as the UPF) and the data radio bearer between the first base station and the UE. The service corresponding to the UE can also adopt the second mode, at this time, the second base station establishes the data transmission channel with the user plane function entity and the data radio bearer between the second base station and the UE.

[0168] For another example, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the second base station is responsible for the control plane, that is, the second base station is responsible for establishing the connection with the UE and the connection with the core network element. The service corresponding to the UE can adopt the first mode or the second mode, which can be referred to the above description, and details are not described herein.

[0169] It can be understood that, as shown in Fig. 6, when there are multiple UEs in the above system architecture, such as two UEs, for each of the multiple UEs, the control plane can be responsible by the first base station or the second base station, and the service corresponding to each of the multiple UEs can adopt the first mode or the second mode, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0170] It can also be understood that when the first base station is arranged on the ground and the second base station is arranged on the satellite, the first base station and the second base station in Fig. 6 can be exchanged, which will not be repeated here.

[0171] In the above communication system, when the first base station receives the first access request message of the first terminal device and determines to process the first access request message, the first base station can send an access response message to the first terminal device according to the first access request message, so as to realize the first terminal device accessing the network through the first base station. In this way, the first terminal device can access the network in the case that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, so as to provide flexibility of the terminal device accessing the network.

[0172] It can be understood that Fig. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram for understanding, and the communication system can further include other network devices and / or other terminal devices, which are not shown in Fig. 5.

[0173] For the convenience of understanding, the interaction process between the first terminal device, the first base station and the second base station will be specifically introduced below by means of embodiments with reference to Figs. 7 and 8.

[0174] Scenario 1:

[0175] For example, Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the application. In scenario 1, the base station 1 (the first base station) receives the random access request message sent by the UE 1 (the first terminal device), and determines whether to process the random access request message. When the base station 1 determines to process the random access request message, the base station 1 sends a random access response message to the UE; when the base station 1 determines not to process the random access request message, the base station 1 forwards the random access request message to the base station 2 (the second base station) for processing.

[0176] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0177] S701, the base station 1 and the base station 2 determine the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0178] The cell can support the first mode and the second mode. The first mode is that the base station 1 processes data of the UE, i.e., the base station 1 establishes a QoS flow, a tunnel between the base station 1 and the UPF, and a data radio bearer between the base station 1 and the UE. The second mode is that the base station 1 transmits data of the UE to the base station 2 for processing, i.e., the base station 2 establishes a QoS flow, a tunnel between the base station 2 and the UPF, and a data radio bearer between the base station 2 and the UE. It can be understood that the UE is camped in the cell, and the base station 1 and the base station 2 can provide services for the UE camped in the cell. In addition, the first mode can also be referred to as a regenerative mode, or other possible names, without limitation. The second mode can also be referred to as a transparent transmission mode, or other possible names, without limitation.

[0179] The anchor base station is a base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with a terminal device corresponding to a cell, i.e., the anchor base station is responsible for a control plane, i.e., the anchor base station is responsible for establishing an RRC connection between the UE and an NG connection between the core network element (such as the AMF (the first core network element described above)) and the UE. It can be understood that the anchor base station can analyze signaling between the UE and the base station. The UE corresponding to the cell can be understood as a UE camped in the cell.

[0180] The base station 1 and the base station 2 can negotiate which base station to be the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, such as the base station 1 as the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, or the base station 2 as the anchor base station corresponding to the cell. The base station 1 and the base station 2 can negotiate which base station to be the anchor base station corresponding to the cell by sending messages to each other. The message can be a newly defined message or an existing message, without limitation. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific negotiation method between the base station 1 and the base station 2. In addition, the base station 1 or the base station 2 can be pre-set as the anchor base station.

[0181] It can be understood that when the base station 1 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, the base station 1 can process a random access request message sent by the UE corresponding to the cell, which is specifically introduced in S702a-S707a below (referred to as case 7.1); when the base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, the base station 2 can process a random access request message sent by the UE corresponding to the cell, which is specifically introduced in S702b-S709b below (referred to as case 7.2).

[0182] S702a, the base station 1 determines and broadcasts system messages and random access resources of the cell.

[0183] The system message carries indication information, which is used to indicate that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, or in other words, the cell has the capability of the first mode and the second mode.

[0184] The random access resource can include a random access channel occasion (RO), a preamble, and the like, and details can be referred to the related description in the prior art, which will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the random access resource can be divided by the anchor base station. For example, the random access resource is divided into random access resource 1 and random access resource 2, the random access resource 1 is used when the base station 1 is the anchor base station of the cell, and the random access resource 2 is used when the base station 2 is the anchor base station of the cell. In this case (i.e., case 7.1), the base station 1 determines and broadcasts the random access resource 1.

[0185] When the base station 1 and the base station 2 negotiate that the base station 1 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, the base station 1 can determine to send the indication information and the random access resource, and broadcast the system message carrying the indication information and the random access resource. It can be understood that the indication information can also be carried on other messages, such as a newly defined message, and the base station 1 broadcasts the message carrying the indication information at this time. It can also be understood that after receiving the system message, the terminal device can determine the transmission mode of the service according to the system message, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0186] S703a, the UE1 sends a random access request message. Correspondingly, the base station 1 receives the random access request message from the UE1.

[0187] After receiving the random access request resource, the UE1 can send a random access request message based on the random access request resource, and the specific implementation principle can be referred to the prior art, which will not be repeated here.

[0188] It can be understood that the UE1 resides in the above-mentioned cell. In addition, if the base station 1 broadcasts the random access resource 1, the UE1 uses the random access resource 1 to send the random access request message.

[0189] S704a, the base station 1 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling.

[0190] After receiving the random access request message from the UE1, the base station 1 can determine to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling according to that the base station 1 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, or the random access request message uses the random access resource 1. The subsequent signaling can be understood as the signaling between the UE1 and the base station 1, and the signaling between the base station 1 and the core network element (such as AMF).

[0191] For example, after receiving the random access request message from the UE 1, the base station 1 can determine whether it is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell. If the base station 1 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, the base station 1 determines to process the random access request message sent by the UE 1 and subsequent signaling.

[0192] For another example, after receiving the random access request message from the UE 1, the base station 1 can determine whether the random access request message uses the random access resource 1. If the random access request message uses the random access resource 1, such as the preamble or RO corresponding to the random access request message belongs to the random access resource 1, the base station 1 determines to process the random access request message sent by the UE 1 and subsequent signaling. It can be understood that the random access request message using the random access resource 1 can mean that the base station 1 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0193] S705a, the base station 1 sends a random access response message to the UE 1. Correspondingly, the UE 1 receives the random access response message from the base station 1.

[0194] After determining to process the random access request message, the base station 1 can send a random access response message to the UE 1 according to the random access request message.

[0195] S706a, the UE 1 establishes an RRC connection with the base station 1.

[0196] S707a, the base station 1 establishes an NG connection with the AMF.

[0197] The specific implementation principles of S705a-S707a can refer to the prior art, which will not be described here.

[0198] S702b, the base station 2 determines and broadcasts the system information and the random access resource of the cell.

[0199] The system information and the random access resource can refer to the related description in the foregoing S702a, which will not be described here.

[0200] It can be understood that if the random access resource is divided into the random access resource 1 and the random access resource 2 according to the anchor base station, and the random access resource 2 is used as the random access resource when the base station 2 is the anchor base station of the cell, the base station 2 determines and broadcasts the random access resource 2.

[0201] In addition, the base station 2 can broadcast the system information and the random access resource of the cell through the base station 1. That is, the base station 2 can send the system information and the random access resource to the base station 1, and the base station 1 broadcasts the system information and the random access resource.

[0202] S703b, UE1 sends the random access request message. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives the random access request message from UE1.

[0203] The specific implementation principle of S703b can refer to the related description of S703a.

[0204] It can be understood that if the random access resource 2 is broadcasted by base station 2, UE1 uses the random access resource 2 to send the random access request message.

[0205] S704b, base station 1 determines to send the random access request message to base station 2.

[0206] After receiving the random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine to send (or pass through, or forward) the random access request message to base station 2 according to that it is not the anchor base station corresponding to the cell or the random access request message uses the random access resource 2, or in other words, base station 1 determines not to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling.

[0207] For example, after receiving the random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether it is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, and if base station 1 is not the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, base station 1 sends the random access request message to base station 2.

[0208] For another example, after receiving the random access request message from UE1, base station 1 can determine whether the random access request message uses the random access resource 1, and if the random access request message does not use the random access resource 1, or the random access request message uses the random access resource 2, such as the preamble or RO corresponding to the random access request message belongs to the random access resource 2, base station 1 sends the random access request message to base station 2. It can be understood that the random access request message using the random access resource 2 can indicate that base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0209] S705b, base station 1 sends the random access request message sent by UE1 to base station 2. Correspondingly, base station 2 receives the random access request message from base station 1.

[0210] That is, base station 1 forwards the random access request message sent by UE1 to base station 2.

[0211] S706b, base station 2 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling.

[0212] After receiving the random access request message from base station 1, base station 2 can determine to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling based on that base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, or the random access request message uses the random access resource 2. The subsequent signaling can refer to the related description of S704a, which will not be described here.

[0213] For example, after receiving the random access request message, the base station 2 can determine whether it is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell. If the base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, the base station 2 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling.

[0214] For another example, after receiving the random access request message, the base station 2 can determine whether the random access request message uses the random access resource 2. If the random access request message uses the random access resource 2, such as the preamble or RO corresponding to the random access request message belongs to the random access resource 2, the base station 2 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. It can be understood that the random access request message using the random access resource 2 can mean that the base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0215] It can be understood that after receiving the random access request message from the base station 1, the base station 2 can also directly process the random access request message, that is, at this time the base station 2 can not need to determine whether it needs to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. In this way, the processing overhead of the base station 2 can be reduced.

[0216] S707b, the base station 2 sends a random access response message to the UE 1 through the base station 1. Correspondingly, the UE 1 receives the random access response message.

[0217] After determining to process the random access request message, the base station 2 can send a random access response message to the UE 1 according to the random access request message.

[0218] S708b, the UE 1 establishes an RRC connection with the base station 2.

[0219] S709b, the base station 2 establishes an NG connection with the AMF.

[0220] The specific implementation principles of S707b-S709b can refer to the prior art, and will not be described here.

[0221] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the information between the base station 2 and the UE 1 needs to be transmitted through the base station 1, such as the base station 2 needs to send information to the UE 1 through the base station 1, and such as the UE 1 needs to send information to the base station 2 through the base station 1.

[0222] In summary, according to the introduction of scenario 1, in the case that base station 1 and base station 2 can both provide services for UE 1, base station 1 and base station 2 can negotiate the anchor base station corresponding to the cell, so that the anchor base station processes the random access request message sent by the camping UE 1, establishes an RRC connection with UE 1, and establishes an NG connection with the core network element. In this way, in the case that base station 1 and base station 2 can both provide services for UE 1, that is, in the new network architecture, UE 1 can access the network.

[0223] Scenario 2:

[0224] For example, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the application. In scenario 2, UE 1 (the first terminal device described above) can determine the transmission mode of data, and send a random access request message using the corresponding random access resource according to the determined transmission mode. After receiving the random access request message, base station 1 (the first base station) can determine whether to process the random access request message according to the random access resource used by the random access request message. When base station 1 determines to process the random access request message, it sends a random access response message to UE; when base station 1 determines not to process the random access request message, it forwards the random access request message to base station 2 (the second base station) for processing.

[0225] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0226] S801, base station 1 and base station 2 divide random access resources.

[0227] Base station 1 and base station 2 divide random access resources according to the transmission mode of data.

[0228] For example, the random access resources can be divided into random access resource 1 and random access resource 2. Random access resource 1 is associated with a first mode, which is that base station 1 processes the data of UE, that is, base station 1 establishes a QoS flow and a tunnel between itself and UPF, and a data radio bearer between base station 1 and UE. Random access resource 2 is associated with a second mode, which is that base station 1 transmits the data of UE to base station 2 for processing, that is, base station 2 establishes a QoS flow and a tunnel between itself and UPF, and a data radio bearer between base station 2 and UE. That is, when UE 1 selects the first mode, it can send a random access request message using random access resource 1; when UE 1 selects the second mode, it can send a random access request message using random access resource 2.

[0229] In addition, the first mode and the second mode described above can refer to the related introduction in the foregoing S701, which will not be described here.

[0230] S802, UE 1 acquires indication information.

[0231] The indication information is used to indicate that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, or in other words, the cell has the capability of the first mode and the second mode. The indication information is also used to indicate the random access resource 1 associated with the first mode and the random access resource 2 associated with the second mode. It can be understood that the information used to indicate that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode and the information used to indicate the random access resource 1 associated with the first mode and the random access resource 2 associated with the second mode can be carried in the same message or in different messages, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions and is not limited.

[0232] After the base station 1 and the base station 2 divide the random access resources, the base station 1 or the base station 2 can broadcast the above indication information. At this time, the terminal device can receive the indication information. It can be understood that the base station 2 can broadcast the indication information through the base station 1.

[0233] S803, the UE 1 determines the transmission mode and selects the corresponding random access resource according to the determined transmission mode.

[0234] The transmission mode can be the first mode or the second mode. The UE 1 can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the service according to the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode or the related information of the service (such as QoS, etc.). The following will be introduced respectively.

[0235] Mode 1: The UE 1 determines the transmission mode corresponding to the service according to the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode.

[0236] That is, the service is associated with the transmission mode, such as associating the high-rate service with the first mode, associating the low-rate service with the second mode, such as associating the large-bandwidth service with the first mode, and associating the low-latency service with the second mode, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions and is not limited.

[0237] The network can configure the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode to the UE 1 by means of a configuration strategy, that is, the strategy includes the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode. It can be understood that the strategy can be an independent strategy, or the existing strategy can be reused, such as: the network can reuse the user route selection strategy (UE route selection policy, URSP), in this case, the URSP can be increased with a satellite transmission mode parameter, and the satellite transmission mode parameter includes the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode, which is shown in Table 1 as follows.

[0238] Table 1

[0239] After the network configures the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode for UE1, UE1 can determine the transmission mode used by the service when accessing the network through the satellite. For example, as shown in Table 2, Table 2 is the mapping relationship between the service and the transmission mode configured by the network for UE1, and the current service of UE1 is service 1. UE1 can determine to use the first mode according to the mapping relationship.

[0240] Table 2

[0241] Mode 2: UE1 determines the transmission mode corresponding to the service according to the related information of the service.

[0242] That is, UE1 can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the service according to the QoS requirement of the service and the user experience (QoE) of the current service. For example, when the QoS requirement of the service is high or the user experience is high, such as when the QoS requirement or the user experience is higher than a preset value, it can be determined to use the first mode; otherwise, it can be determined to use the second mode.

[0243] Of course, UE1 can also determine the transmission mode corresponding to the service according to other related information of the service. The specific determination can be flexibly set according to the actual situation, and is not limited.

[0244] It can be understood that the above describes two modes of UE1 determining the transmission mode. After UE1 determines the transmission mode, it can select the corresponding random access resource according to the determined transmission mode. For example, if UE1 determines to use the first mode, it can select random access resource 1; and if UE1 determines to use the second mode, it can select random access resource 2.

[0245] S804, UE1 sends a random access request message. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives the random access request message from UE1.

[0246] After determining the transmission mode, UE1 can select the corresponding random access resource according to the determined transmission mode and the above indication information. For example, if UE1 determines to use the first mode, it can use random access resource 1; and if UE1 determines to use the second mode, it can use random access resource 2. The specific selection can be set according to the actual situation, and is not limited.

[0247] For example, if UE1 determines to adopt the first mode, UE1 can adopt random access resource 1 to send the random access request message, i.e., UE1 can select a corresponding RO and a preamble from random access resource 1 according to the received synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB), and send the preamble on the RO.

[0248] For another example, if UE1 determines to adopt the second mode, UE1 can adopt random access resource 2 to send the random access request message, i.e., UE1 can select a corresponding RO and a preamble from random access resource 2 according to the received SSB, and send the preamble on the RO.

[0249] It can be understood that after receiving the random access request message, base station 1 can determine whether to process the random access request message according to the random access resource corresponding to the random access request message. If the random access resource corresponding to the random access request message is random access resource 1, base station 1 determines to process the random access request message, which will be described in detail below (denoted as case 8.1). If the random access resource corresponding to the random access request message is random access resource 2, base station 1 determines not to process the random access request message, which will be described in detail below (denoted as case 8.2).

[0250] S805a, base station 1 determines to process the random access request message according to the random access resource corresponding to the random access request message.

[0251] After receiving the random access request message of UE1, base station 1 can determine whether the resource used by the random access request message is random access resource 1. If the random access resource used by the random access request message is random access resource 1, base station 1 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. The subsequent signaling can refer to the related description of S704a described above, which will not be described here. It can be understood that the resource used by the random access request message is random access resource 1, which can indicate that base station 1 selects to adopt the first mode, in which case base station 1 is responsible for establishing a signaling connection for UE1.

[0252] S806a, base station 1 sends a random access response message to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives the random access response message from base station 1.

[0253] S807a, UE1 establishes an RRC connection with base station 1.

[0254] S808a, base station 1 establishes an NG connection with AMF.

[0255] The implementation principle of S806a-S808a can refer to the foregoing related description of S705a-S707a, and details are not described herein again.

[0256] S805b, the base station 1 determines not to process the random access request message according to the random access resource corresponding to the random access request message.

[0257] After receiving the random access request message of the UE 1, the base station 1 can determine whether the resource used by the random access request message is the random access resource 1. If the random access resource used by the random access request message is the random access resource 2, that is, the random access resource used by the random access request message is not the random access resource 1, the base station 1 determines not to process the random access request message. It can be understood that the resource used by the random access request message is the random access resource 2, which can indicate that the base station 1 selects to adopt the second mode, and in this case, the base station 2 is responsible for establishing a signaling connection for the UE 1.

[0258] S806b, the base station 1 sends the random access request message sent by the UE 1 to the base station 2. Correspondingly, the base station 2 receives the random access request message from the base station 1.

[0259] The implementation principle of S806b can refer to the foregoing related description of S705b, and details are not described herein again.

[0260] S807b, the base station 2 determines to process the random access request message according to the random access resource corresponding to the random access request message.

[0261] After receiving the random access request message from the base station 1, the base station 2 can determine to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling based on that the random access request message uses the random access resource 2. The subsequent signaling can refer to the foregoing related description of S704a, and details are not described herein again.

[0262] For example, after receiving the random access request message, the base station 2 can determine whether the random access request message uses the random access resource 2. If the random access request message uses the random access resource 2, such as the preamble or RO corresponding to the random access request message belongs to the random access resource 2, the base station 2 determines to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. It can be understood that the random access request message uses the random access resource 2, which can indicate that the base station 2 is the anchor base station corresponding to the cell.

[0263] It can be understood that after receiving the random access request message from the base station 1, the base station 2 can directly process the random access request message, that is, at this time, the base station 2 can not need to determine whether it needs to process the random access request message and subsequent signaling. In this way, the processing overhead of the base station 2 can be reduced.

[0264] S808b, the base station 2 sends a random access response message to the UE 1 through the base station 1. Correspondingly, the UE 1 receives the random access response message.

[0265] S809b, the UE 1 establishes an RRC connection with the base station 2.

[0266] S8010b, the base station 2 establishes an NG connection with the AMF.

[0267] The specific implementation principles of S808b-S8010b can refer to the related descriptions of S707b-S709b, which are not described here again.

[0268] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the contents indicated by "service" and "application" are the same, that is, they can be replaced with each other.

[0269] In summary, according to the introduction of scenario 2, in the case that the base station 1 and the base station 2 can both provide services for the UE 1, the UE 1 can send a random access request message using the random access resource corresponding to the transmission mode of the service according to the transmission mode of the service. In this way, the base station 1 can determine the random access resource used by the random access request message from the UE 1 according to the received random access request message, and determine whether to process the random access request message according to the random access resource. In this way, in the case that the base station 1 and the base station 2 can both provide services for the UE 1, that is, in the new network architecture, the UE 1 can access the network.

[0270] It can be understood that the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 are applicable to 5GS. In EPS, the MME has the function of the AMF, that is, the MME can perform the related operations of the AMF; the SGW and / or PGW has the function of the UPF described above, that is, the SGW and / or PGW can perform the related operations of the UPF. When the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 are used in EPS, the above-mentioned AMF can be replaced by MME, and the UPF can be replaced by SGW and / or PGW, which will not be described here again. In addition, with the evolution of the network, in future communication networks, various NFs, network elements, connection modes, resource names, or message names in the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 can change, such as being replaced by other names, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0271] The flow of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in detail above in combination with FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The overall flow of the communication method is introduced below in combination with FIG. 9.

[0272] Exemplarily, FIG. 9 is a flow diagram three of the communication method. The communication method mainly involves the interaction between the first terminal device, the first base station and the second base station. Wherein, the first terminal device can be understood as the UE1 in the above scenario 1 and scenario 2, the first base station can be understood as the base station 1 in the above scenario 1 and scenario 2, and the second base station can be understood as the base station 2 in the above scenario 1 and scenario 2.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 9, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0274] S901, the first base station broadcasts the first message. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first message.

[0275] The first message is used to indicate that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode. The first message can be an existing message, such as a system message, or a newly defined message, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited. In addition, the first message can be understood as the system message in the above scenario 1 and scenario 2.

[0276] The first mode is that the first base station processes the data of the terminal device, and the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite. The second mode is that the first base station transmits the data of the terminal device to the second base station for processing, and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground. For details, please refer to the related description in the foregoing S701, which will not be repeated here.

[0277] The first terminal device resides in the above cell, or in other words, the first terminal device is a terminal device residing in the above cell.

[0278] In the embodiments of the present application, the first base station can actively broadcast the first message. For example, when the first base station and the second base station determine that the first base station processes the access request message of the terminal device corresponding to the cell, or in other words, when the first base station acts as an anchor base station, the first base station can actively broadcast the first message. For details, please refer to the related description in the foregoing S702a and S802, which will not be repeated here. Alternatively, the second base station can broadcast the first message through the first base station. For example, when the first base station and the second base station determine that the second base station processes the access request message of the terminal device corresponding to the cell, or in other words, when the second base station acts as an anchor base station, the second base station sends the first message to the first base station for broadcasting. For details, please refer to the related description in the foregoing S702b and S802, which will not be repeated here. Wherein, the anchor base station is the base station in the first base station and the second base station which is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. For details, please refer to the related description in the foregoing S702a, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] It can be understood that when the second base station broadcasts the first message through the first base station, before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the above communication method can further include: the second base station broadcasts the first message.

[0280] In addition, when the access request messages of the terminal devices corresponding to the cells are processed by different base stations, the terminal devices corresponding to the cells can use different access resources, so that the first base station and the second base station determine the base station processing the access request messages through the access resources. For example, the first base station is associated with a first resource, which can be a resource used by the terminal devices corresponding to the cells to send the access request messages when the first base station processes the access request messages of the terminal devices corresponding to the cells; the second base station is associated with a second resource, which can be a resource used by the terminal devices corresponding to the cells to send the access request messages when the second base station processes the access request messages of the terminal devices corresponding to the cells.

[0281] When there is a base station (denoted as base station A) in the cell that can process the access request messages of the terminal devices corresponding to the cells, the first base station or the second base station can broadcast the resource associated with the base station A. For example, when the first base station processes the access request messages of the terminal devices corresponding to the cells, the first base station can broadcast the first resource, so that the terminal devices corresponding to the cells send the access request messages using the first resource. For another example, when the second base station processes the access request messages of the terminal devices corresponding to the cells, the second base station or the first base station can broadcast the second resource, so that the terminal devices corresponding to the cells send the access request messages using the second resource.

[0282] In this case, the communication method can further include that the first base station determines the first resource by interacting with the second base station, and the first base station broadcasts the first resource. Alternatively, the communication method can further include that the second base station determines the second resource by interacting with the first base station, and the second base station broadcasts the second resource. It can be understood that the first base station and the second base station can negotiate the first resource or the second resource. The first base station and the second base station can determine the first resource or the second resource by sending messages to each other, and the messages can be newly defined messages or existing messages, which are not limited. In addition, the first resource or the second resource can be determined in the process in which the first base station and the second base station negotiate that the first base station processes the access request messages from the terminal devices corresponding to the cells. It can also be understood that the network can also pre-set the first resource and the second resource, or the protocol can predefine the first resource and the second resource, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0283] When there are two base stations (a first base station and a second base station) in the cell that can process an access request message of a terminal device corresponding to the cell, the first base station or the second base station can broadcast a first resource associated with the first base station and a second resource associated with the second base station. In this case, the terminal device can determine, according to a data transmission mode of a service, a base station that processes the access request message sent by the terminal device. For example, the first base station broadcasts the first resource associated with the first base station and the second resource associated with the second base station, and the terminal device sends the access request message using the first resource. After receiving the access request message, the first base station can determine, according to the access request message using the first resource, that the first base station itself processes the access request message. For another example, the first base station broadcasts the first resource associated with the first base station and the second resource associated with the second base station, and the terminal device sends the access request message using the second resource. After receiving the access request message, the first base station can determine, according to the access request message using the second resource, that the second base station processes the access request message. At this time, the first base station transmits the access request message to the second base station.

[0284] In this case, the communication method can further include that the first base station or the second base station sends the first resource and the second resource, the first resource is an access resource associated with the first mode, and the second resource is an access resource associated with the second mode. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first resource and the second resource from the first base station or the second base station.

[0285] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device corresponding to the cell can be understood as a terminal device camping in the cell.

[0286] S902, the first terminal device sends a first access request message. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first access request message from the first terminal device.

[0287] The first access request message is used to request access to the network, and details can be referred to the related description of the random access request message in the foregoing scenarios 1-2, which will not be described here. It can be understood that the first access request message is only an exemplary message name, and the "first access request message" can also be replaced by any other possible expression, such as "random access request message" or "network access message", without limitation.

[0288] In a first possible design, when there is one base station in the cell that can process an access request message of a terminal device corresponding to the cell, the first terminal device can send the first access request message using the received first resource or second resource. For example, the first terminal device receives the first resource, and the first terminal device sends the first access request message using the first resource. For another example, the first terminal device receives the second resource, and the first terminal device sends the first access request message using the second resource.

[0289] In the second possible design, when the two base stations (the first base station and the second base station) in the cell can process the access request message of the terminal device corresponding to the cell, the first base station can send the first access request message according to the data transmission mode of the service.

[0290] For example, the first terminal device sending the first access request message can specifically include: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode, the data transmission mode being the first mode or the second mode; and the first terminal device sending the first access request message according to the data transmission mode. In this way, the first terminal device can flexibly select the base station processing the first access request message according to the actual situation of the service.

[0291] In a possible implementation, the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode can specifically include: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service. That is, the first terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode according to the related information of the first service.

[0292] Optionally, the above communication method can further include: the first terminal device receiving mapping information, the mapping information being used to indicate the mapping relationship between the service and the data transmission mode; and the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service can specifically include: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode according to the mapping information and the first service, which can be specifically referred to the related description of the first mode in the foregoing S803, and details are not described herein again. In this way, the first terminal device can quickly determine the data transmission mode.

[0293] In another possible implementation, the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode can specifically include: the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode according to the QoS or QoE of the service, which can be specifically referred to the related description of the second mode in the foregoing S803, and details are not described herein again.

[0294] It can be understood that the above content introduces the related content of the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode. After the first terminal device determines the data transmission mode, the first terminal device can select the corresponding access resource to send the first access request message according to the determined data transmission mode.

[0295] For example, the first terminal device sending the first access request message according to the data transmission mode can specifically include: in the case that the data transmission mode is the first mode, the first terminal device sending the first access request message using the first resource; or in the case that the data transmission mode is the second mode, the first terminal device sending the first access request message using the second resource, which can be specifically referred to the related description of the foregoing S804, and details are not described herein again. It can be understood that the first resource and the second resource can be understood as the resource 1 and the resource 2 in the foregoing scene 1 to scene 2.

[0296] S903, in a case where the first base station determines to process the first access request message, the first base station sends, according to the first access request message, an access response message to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the access response message from the first base station (denoted as case 9.1).

[0297] Before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the above communication method can further include: the first base station determines, by interacting with the second base station, that the first base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, the first base station and the second base station can negotiate that the first base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the first base station and the second base station can determine that the first base station processes the access request message by sending messages to each other. The message can be a newly defined message or an existing message, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0298] In a possible design, the first base station determining to process the first access request message can specifically include: the first base station determines that it is an anchor base station, and the anchor base station is a base station in the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. For details, refer to the related description in the foregoing S704a, which will not be described here.

[0299] In another possible design, the first base station determining to process the first access request message can specifically include: the first base station determines that the first access request message uses the first resource, and the first resource is an access resource allocated by the first base station. That is, in a case where the first base station or the second base station broadcasts the first resource, or in a case where the first base station or the second base station broadcasts the first resource and the second resource, the first base station can determine to process the first access request message according to that the first access request message uses the first resource.

[0300] Alternatively, the first base station determining to process the first access request message can specifically include: the first base station determines that the first access request message uses the first resource, and the first resource is an access resource used by the terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the first base station is an anchor base station, and the anchor base station is a base station in the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. The anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0301] It can be understood that the first base station determining to process the first access request message according to the first resource can refer to the related description in the foregoing S704a and S805a, which will not be described here.

[0302] In summary, in the embodiments of the present application, in the case that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, when the first base station receives the first access request message of the first terminal device and determines to process the first access request message, the first base station can send an access response message to the first terminal device according to the first access request message, so as to realize that the first terminal device accesses the network through the first base station. In this way, the first terminal device can access the network in the case that the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, thereby improving the flexibility of the terminal device accessing the network.

[0303] Optionally, in combination with the above-mentioned embodiments, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: in the case that the first base station determines not to process the first access request message, the first base station sends the first access request message to the second base station, and correspondingly, the second base station receives the first access request message from the first base station (denoted as S904); in response to the first access request message, the second base station sends an access response message to the first terminal device (denoted as S905). That is, at this time, the first base station can transparently transmit or forward the first access request message to the second base station, and the second base station processes the first access request message (denoted as case 9.2).

[0304] Before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station determines, by interacting with the second base station, that the second base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. That is, the first base station and the second base station can negotiate that the second base station processes the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell. It can be understood that the first base station and the second base station can determine that the second base station processes the access request message by sending messages to each other. The message can be a newly defined message or an existing message, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0305] In a possible implementation, the first base station determining not to process the first access request message can specifically include: the first base station determines that it is not an anchor base station, and the anchor base station is a base station in the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell. The anchor base station is used to process the access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and specific details can be referred to the foregoing related introduction of S704b, which will not be described here.

[0306] In another possible implementation, the first base station determining not to process the first access request message can specifically include: the first base station determines that the first access request message uses the second resource, and the second resource is the access resource allocated by the second base station. That is, in the case that the first base station or the second base station broadcasts the second resource, or in the case that the first base station or the second base station broadcasts the first resource and the second resource, the first base station can determine not to process the first access request message according to that the first access request message uses the second resource.

[0307] Alternatively, the first base station determining not to process the first access request message can specifically include: the first base station determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, the second resource being an access resource used by a terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the second base station is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station of the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station being used to process an access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0308] It can be understood that the first base station determining not to process the first access request message according to the second resource can be described in the foregoing S704b and S805b, and will not be described here again.

[0309] In addition, after receiving the first access request message, the second base station can also determine whether to process the first access request message. For example, the second base station sending the access response message to the first terminal device can specifically include: in the case where the second base station determines to process the first access request message, the second base station sends the access response message to the first terminal device. That is, when the second base station determines to process the first access request message, the second base station sends the access response message to the first terminal device.

[0310] In a possible implementation, the second base station determining to process the first access request message can specifically include: the second base station determining that the second base station is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station of the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and specific implementation can be referred to the foregoing S706b, and will not be described here again.

[0311] In another possible implementation, the second base station determining to process the first access request message can specifically include: the second base station determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, the second resource being an access resource allocated by the second base station. That is, in the case where the first base station or the second base station broadcasts the second resource, or in the case where the first base station or the second base station broadcasts the first resource and the second resource, the second base station can determine to process the first access request message according to the first access request message using the second resource.

[0312] Alternatively, the second base station determining to process the first access request message can specifically include: the second base station determining that the first access request message uses a second resource, the second resource being an access resource used by a terminal device corresponding to the cell when accessing the network when the second base station is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station of the first base station and the second base station that is responsible for establishing a signaling connection with the terminal device corresponding to the cell, and the anchor base station being used to process an access request message from the terminal device corresponding to the cell.

[0313] It can be understood that the second base station determines the first access request message according to the second resource, which can be understood according to the foregoing related description of S706b and S807b, and details are not described herein again.

[0314] In addition, the embodiments of the present application can be understood with reference to the foregoing related description of scenario 1-scenario 2.

[0315] It can be understood that the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-9 introduce how the first terminal device accesses the network in the case that the first terminal device can be served by both the first base station and the second base station, for example, the first terminal device accesses the network through the anchor base station, and for example, the first terminal device accesses the network through the first base station or the second base station according to the service. After the first terminal device accesses the network, a data transmission channel corresponding to the different modes (the first mode or the second mode) needs to be established. Details are introduced below.

[0316] For the convenience of understanding, the interaction process between the first terminal device, the first base station and the second base station will be introduced in detail below by combining FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0317] Scenario 3:

[0318] For example, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In scenario 3, the transmission mode (the first mode or the second mode) of the protocol data unit (PDU) session and / or QoS flow is determined by UE1 (the first terminal device) or SMF (the second core network element). After UE1 or SMF determines the transmission mode, UE1 or SMF indicates the determined transmission mode to base station 1 (the first base station), so that base station 1 establishes a corresponding data transmission channel according to the determined transmission mode. Wherein, base station 1 is an anchor base station, which can be understood with reference to the foregoing related description of S701, and details are not described herein again; or in other words, base station 1 is a base station that establishes an RRC connection with UE1 and establishes an NG connection with AMF.

[0319] In addition, in the case that UE1 determines the transmission mode of the PDU session and / or QoS flow, UE1 can send the determined transmission mode to SMF through a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message, and SMF sends the determined transmission mode to base station 1 through an N1N2 transmission message, so that base station 1 performs subsequent operations, which are introduced below as S1001a-S1002a (referred to as case 10.1a). In the case that SMF determines the transmission mode of the PDU session and / or QoS flow, SMF can send the determined transmission mode to base station 1 through an N1N2 transmission message, so that base station 1 performs subsequent operations, which are introduced below as S1001b-S1002b (referred to as case 10.1b).

[0320] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0321] S1001a, the UE1 determines a transmission mode.

[0322] The transmission mode can be the first mode or the second mode, which can be referred to the related description in the foregoing S701, and details are not described herein again. The UE1 can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the service according to the mapping relationship between the service (or application) and the transmission mode, or the related information (such as QoS, etc.) of the service (or application), and details can be referred to the related description in the foregoing S803, and details are not described herein again.

[0323] S1002a, the UE1 sends a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message from the UE1.

[0324] The PDU session establishment message is used to request to establish a PDU session. The PDU session establishment message includes information (denoted as information #1) used to indicate the transmission mode determined by the UE1. The transmission mode can be the first mode or the second mode, and the information #1 is used to indicate the transmission mode of the PDU session or the QoS flow requested to be established by the UE1. The PDU session establishment message can further include the QoS requirement corresponding to the current service. It can be understood that when the UE1 needs to establish a PDU session, the UE1 can send the PDU session establishment message carrying the information #1 to the SMF.

[0325] The PDU session modification request message is used to request to modify an existing (or existing) PDU session. The PDU session modification request message includes the information #1. The transmission mode indicated by the information #1 can be the first mode or the second mode, and the information #1 is used to indicate the transmission mode of the PDU session or the QoS flow requested to be modified by the UE1. The PDU session modification request message can further include the QoS requirement corresponding to the current service. It can be understood that when the UE1 needs to modify an existing PDU session, the UE1 can send the PDU session modification request message carrying the transmission mode determined by the UE1 to the SMF.

[0326] It can be understood that the UE1 can send the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message to the SMF through the base station 1 and the AMF (the first core network element described above).

[0327] S1001b, the SMF determines to establish or modify the PDU session.

[0328] In a possible implementation, the SMF can determine to modify the PDU session according to a policy change of the service. For example, the PCF sends a policy modification message to the SMF, the policy modification message being used to indicate a policy modified for the service, and the policy modification message can include the QoS requirement; after receiving the policy modification message, the SMF can determine to modify the PDU session based on the policy modification message. It can be understood that the QoS requirement can be carried in the policy modification message, so that the SMF determines the transmission mode according to the QoS requirement.

[0329] In another possible implementation, the UE 1 can send a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message to the SMF, and the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message can include the QoS requirement. After receiving the PDU session establishment message or the modification request message, the SMF can determine to establish or modify the PDU session according to the PDU session establishment message or the modification request message.

[0330] It can be understood that the specific implementation principle of the UE 1 sending the PDU session establishment message or the modification request message to the SMF is similar to that of S1002a, except that in S1001b, the PDU session establishment message or the modification request message does not carry information #1, that is, the UE 1 does not need to determine the transmission mode; the same as S1001b as S1002a can be referred to the related description in the foregoing S1002a, which is not described here again.

[0331] In S1002b, the SMF determines the transmission mode based on the QoS requirement.

[0332] The transmission mode can be the first mode or the second mode. The first mode or the second mode can be referred to the related description in the foregoing S701, which is not described here again.

[0333] In the embodiments of the present application, the SMF can determine the transmission mode according to the QoS requirement carried in the policy modification message, the PDU session establishment message, or the modification request message, or determine the transmission mode of the PDU session and / or the QoS flow based on the local policy of the SMF. For example, when the QoS requirement of the service is high, such as the QoS requirement or higher than a preset value, the first mode can be determined; otherwise, the second mode can be determined. It can be understood that the SMF can also determine the transmission mode according to other information such as QoE, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0334] In S1003, the SMF obtains core network tunnel information (CN tunnel info).

[0335] After receiving the PDU session establishment message or the PDU modification request message carrying the transmission mode (S1002a), or after determining the transmission mode (S1002b), the SMF can send an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message to the UPF. After receiving the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message from the SMF, the UPF (the third core network element described above) can allocate CN tunnel information corresponding to the QoS flow. The N4 session establishment message can request to establish an N4 session, and the N4 session modification message can be used to request to modify an existing N4 session. The CN tunnel information can be used for the base station (the base station 1 or the base station 2 (the second base station described above)) to send data of the UE 1 to the UPF.

[0336] It can be understood that when the SMF requests the CN tunnel information from the UPF, the SMF can send information of the base station that establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF to the UPF, such as an identifier of the base station, an internet protocol (IP) address, and the like. For example, when the transmission mode is the first mode, the SMF can request the CN tunnel information for the first base station to send data to the UPF from the UPF. For another example, when the transmission mode is the second mode, the SMF can request the CN tunnel information for the second base station to send data to the UPF from the UPF. Of course, the SMF can also not indicate the information of the base station that establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF to the UPF, and in this case, the UPF does not perceive the base station that establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF.

[0337] It can also be understood that the N4 session is associated with the PDU session in S1002a. The message type (i.e., the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message) sent by the SMF is related to the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message sent by the UE 1, that is, if the UE 1 sends the PDU session establishment message, the SMF sends the N4 session establishment message, if the UE 1 sends the PDU session modification request message, the SMF sends the N4 session modification message. In addition, if the SMF determines to modify the PDU session according to a change in the policy of the service, the SMF sends the N4 session modification message.

[0338] In S1004, the SMF sends the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container to the base station 1. Correspondingly, the base station 1 receives the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container from the SMF.

[0339] The N2 session management information includes information (denoted as information #2) used to indicate the transmission mode determined by the UE 1. The information #2 can be the same as or different from the information #1 described above, without limitation. The N2 session management information can further include at least one of a PDU session identifier, a QoS flow identifier, or CN tunnel information. It can be understood that the N2 session management information is information sent by the SMF to the base station 1, and the PDU session identifier and the QoS flow identifier carried in the N2 session management information can indicate the PDU session and the QoS flow corresponding to the transmission mode to the base station 1, that is, which QoS flow in which PDU session corresponds to the transmission mode.

[0340] The N1 session management container includes the information #2. The N1 session management container can further include at least one of a PDU session identifier or a QoS flow identifier. It can be understood that the N1 session management container is information sent by the SMF to the UE 1, and the PDU session identifier and the QoS flow identifier carried in the N1 session management container can indicate the PDU session and the QoS flow corresponding to the transmission mode to the UE 1.

[0341] In the embodiments of the present application, the SMF can send the N1N2 transmission message carrying the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container to the AMF; after receiving the N1N2 transmission message from the SMF, the AMF can send the N2 session request message carrying the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container to the base station 1 according to the N1N2 transmission message, so that the base station 1 obtains the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container after receiving the N2 session request message.

[0342] It can be understood that after receiving the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container, the base station 1 does not parse the N1 session management container, but transmits the N1 session management container to the UE 1 in subsequent operations (such as S1007 or S10011).

[0343] S1005, the base station 1 determines to perform the steps of case 10.2a or case 10.2b based on the information #2.

[0344] After receiving the N2 session management information, the base station 1 can determine the operation to be performed subsequently according to the information #2 in the N2 session management information. For example, when the information #2 in the N2 session management information indicates the first mode, the base station 1 is responsible for the data transmission of the user plane of the UE 1, i.e., the base station 1 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF, and then the base station 1 performs the following S1006-S1009, which corresponds to the above case 10.2a. When the information #2 in the N2 session management information indicates the second mode, the base station 2 is responsible for the data transmission of the user plane of the UE 1, i.e., the base station 2 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF, and then the base station 1 performs the following S10010-S10015, which corresponds to the above case 10.2b.

[0345] S1006, the base station 1 sends an N2 session management response message 1 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the N2 session management response message 1 from the base station 1.

[0346] The N2 session management response message 1 includes the AN tunnel information (denoted as AN tunnel information #1) allocated by the base station 1. The AN tunnel information #1 can be used for the UPF to send the data of the UE 1 to the base station 1. The N2 session management response message can also include a QoS flow identifier (QFI) to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to the AN tunnel information #1 through the QFI.

[0347] It can be understood that when the base station 1 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF, the base station 1 needs to allocate AN tunnel information and send the AN tunnel information to the UPF, so that the UPF can subsequently send the data of the UE 1 to the base station 1 based on the AN tunnel information.

[0348] S1007, the base station 1 sends an RRC reconfiguration message 1 to the UE 1. Correspondingly, the UE 1 receives the RRC reconfiguration message 1 from the base station 1.

[0349] The RRC reconfiguration message 1 includes an N1 session management container, which can refer to the related description in the above S1004 and will not be described here. The RRC reconfiguration message 1 can also include at least one of the following: a QFI or a data radio bearer (DRB) configuration parameter. The DRB configuration parameter includes information (denoted as information #3) for indicating the first mode, so that the UE 1 can determine the data corresponding to the first mode according to the DRB.

[0350] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the base station (base station 1 or base station 2) sends the uplink resource scheduling information to UE1, and the uplink resource scheduling information includes information for indicating the transmission mode, so as to indicate that the uplink resource indicated by the uplink resource scheduling information is used for transmitting the data corresponding to the transmission mode. For example, the base station 1 sends the downlink control information (DCI) to the UE1, and the DCI includes information for indicating the first mode. After receiving the DCI, the UE1 can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DCI and the DRB configuration parameter, that is, the UE1 can determine that the data of the first mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resource indicated by the DCI.

[0351] In addition, S1006 and S1007 can be performed simultaneously or sequentially, for example, S1006 is performed first, and then S1007 is performed, or S1007 is performed first, and then S1006 is performed.

[0352] S1008, the SMF sends the AN tunnel information #1 to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the AN tunnel information #1 from the SMF.

[0353] After receiving the AN tunnel information #1 from the base station 1, that is, after S1006, the SMF can send the AN tunnel information #1 to the UPF, so that the UPF subsequently sends the data of the UE1 to the base station 1 according to the AN tunnel information #1.

[0354] For example, the SMF sends the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message carrying the AN tunnel information #1 to the UPF, and correspondingly, the UPF receives the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message from the SMF, and obtains the AN tunnel information #1 from the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message. It can be understood that the message type (that is, the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message) sent by the SMF is the same as the message type sent by the SMF to the UPF in the foregoing S1003, that is, in S1003 and S1008, the SMF sends the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message to the UPF.

[0355] S1009, the UE1 transmits (sends or receives) data based on the first mode.

[0356] That is, the UE1 can transmit data through the data transmission channel between the base station 1 and the UPF. For example, the UE1 can send data to the UPF through the base station 1, and the UPF can send data to the UE1 through the base station 1.

[0357] S10010, the base station 1 sends message 1 to the base station 2. Correspondingly, the base station 2 receives the message 1 from the base station 1.

[0358] Message 1 is used to request base station 2 to establish a data transmission channel with UPF. Message 1 includes CN tunnel information allocated by UPF. This CN tunnel information can be used by base station 2 to send data of UE1 to UPF. For details, please refer to the relevant description in S1003 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0359] S10011, Base station 2 sends message 2 to base station 1. Correspondingly, base station 1 receives message 2 from base station 2.

[0360] That is, after receiving message 1, base station 2 can send a response message, i.e. message 2, to base station 1 based on message 1.

[0361] Message 2 includes AN tunnel information allocated by base station 2 (denoted as AN tunnel information #2). This AN tunnel information #2 can be used by the UPF to send data of UE1 to base station 2. Message #2 may also include at least one of the following: QFI or DRB configuration parameters. The QFI is used to indicate the QoS flow corresponding to AN tunnel information #2, that is, the QoS flow for establishing the data transmission channel. The DRB configuration parameters include information for indicating the second mode (denoted as information #4), which is described in detail below (S10013).

[0362] It is understandable that in S10010 and S10011, base station 1 and base station 2 can also exchange information such as UE1's context, PDU session identifier, and QoS parameters. The specific settings can be flexibly configured according to the actual situation without any restrictions.

[0363] S10012, Base Station 1 sends N2 Session Management Response Message 2 to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives N2 Session Management Response Message 2 from Base Station 1.

[0364] N2 session management response message 2 includes AN tunnel information #2. N2 session management response message 2 may also include a QFI, which indicates the QoS flow corresponding to AN tunnel information #2.

[0365] It is understandable that when base station 2 establishes a data transmission channel with UPF, base station 2 needs to allocate AN tunnel information and send the AN tunnel information to UPF through base station 1 so that UPF can subsequently send UE1's data to base station 2 based on the AN tunnel information.

[0366] S10013, Base Station 1 sends RRC reconfiguration message 2 to UE1. Correspondingly, UE1 receives RRC reconfiguration message 2 from Base Station 1.

[0367] The RRC reconfiguration message 2 includes an N1 session management container, which can refer to the related description in S1004 above, and details are not described herein again. The RRC reconfiguration message 2 can further include at least one of the following: a QFI or a DRB configuration parameter. The DRB configuration parameter includes information (denoted as information #5) for indicating the second mode, so that the UE1 can determine the data corresponding to the second mode according to the DRB.

[0368] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the base station (base station 1 or base station 2) includes information for indicating the transmission mode in the uplink resource scheduling information sent to the UE1, to indicate that the uplink resource indicated by the uplink resource scheduling information is used for transmitting the data corresponding to the transmission mode. For example, the base station 1 includes information for indicating the second mode in the DCI sent to the UE1, and the UE1 can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DCI and the DRB configuration parameter after receiving the DCI, that is, the UE1 can determine that the data of the second mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resource indicated by the DCI after the DCI.

[0369] In S10014, the SMF sends the AN tunnel information #2 to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the AN tunnel information #2 from the SMF.

[0370] After receiving the AN tunnel information #2 from the base station 1, that is, after S10012, the SMF can send the AN tunnel information #2 to the UPF, so that the UPF subsequently sends the data of the UE1 to the base station 2 according to the AN tunnel information #2.

[0371] For example, the SMF sends an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message carrying the AN tunnel information #2 to the UPF, and correspondingly, the UPF receives the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message from the SMF and obtains the AN tunnel information #2 from the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message. It can be understood that the message type (that is, the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message) sent by the SMF is the same as the message type sent by the SMF to the UPF in the foregoing S1003, that is, in S1003 and S1008, the SMF sends the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message to the UPF.

[0372] In S10015, the UE1 transmits (sends or receives) data through the second mode.

[0373] That is, the UE1 can transmit data through the data transmission channel between the base station 2 and the UPF. For example, the UE1 can send data to the UPF through the base station 2, and the UPF can send data to the UE1 through the base station 2.

[0374] It can be understood that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the base station 1 is a base station arranged on a satellite, and the base station 2 is a base station arranged on the ground. Of course, the base station 1 can also be a base station arranged on the ground, and the base station 2 can also be a base station arranged on a satellite. In this case, the first mode is that the base station 1 processes the data of the UE, that is, the base station 2 transmits the data of the UE to the base station 1 for processing, that is, the base station 1 establishes the QoS flow and the tunnel between the base station 1 and the UPF, and the data radio bearer between the base station 1 and the UE; and the second mode is that the base station 2 processes the data of the UE, that is, the base station 2 establishes the QoS flow and the tunnel between the base station 2 and the UPF, and the data radio bearer between the base station 2 and the UE.

[0375] It can also be understood that the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is applicable to the 5GS. In the EPS, the MME has the functions of the AMF and the SMF described above, that is, the MME can perform the related operations of the AMF and the SMF; and the SGW and / or the PGW have the function of the UPF described above, that is, the SGW and / or the PGW can perform the related operations of the UPF. When the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is used in the EPS, it can be understood that the AMF and the SMF described above are replaced by the MME, and the UPF is replaced by the SGW and / or the PGW, which will not be described herein. In addition, with the evolution of the network, in future communication networks, various NFs, network elements, connection modes, or message names in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 described above can be changed, such as being replaced by other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0376] In summary, according to the introduction of scenario 3, it can be known that the base station 1 and the base station 2 can both provide services for the UE 1, and in the case that the base station 1 is an anchor base station, when the UE 1 establishes or modifies a PDU session, the SMF can send the transmission mode corresponding to the PDU session to the base station 1, so that the base station 1 establishes the data transmission channel between the base station 1 or the base station 2 and the UPF according to the transmission mode, such as establishing the data transmission channel between the base station 1 and the UPF when the transmission mode is the first mode, and triggering the base station 2 to establish the data transmission channel between the base station 2 and the UPF when the transmission mode is the second mode.

[0377] The flow of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in detail above in combination with FIG. 10. The overall flow of the communication method is introduced below in combination with FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

[0378] For example, FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the communication method. The communication method mainly involves the interaction between the first terminal device, the first base station and the second base station, the first core network element, the second core network element and the third core network element.

[0379] As shown in FIG. 11, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0380] S1101, the first core network element sends a first request message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element.

[0381] The first base station can be a base station arranged on a satellite or the ground, which can be flexibly arranged according to actual conditions, and is not limited. The first base station is an anchor base station, which can refer to the related description of S701, and will not be repeated here. Alternatively, the first base station can be a base station that establishes a connection (such as an RRC connection) with UE1 and establishes a connection (such as an NG connection) with the AMF. It can be understood that when the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite, the second base station can be a base station arranged on the ground; when the first base station is a base station arranged on the ground, the second base station can be a base station arranged on a satellite.

[0382] The first request message can be used to request access network tunnel information, which can be used by the second core network element to send terminal device data to the base station. Alternatively, the first request message can be used to request the establishment of a data transmission channel for transmitting terminal device data. The first request message includes information indicating the first mode, such as an identifier of the first mode. The first request message can be an N1N2 transmission message, which can include N2 session management information and an N1 session management container, which can refer to the related description of S1004, and will not be repeated here. It can be understood that in this case, the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container both include the first mode. The first request message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, which are not limited.

[0383] The first mode is that the first base station processes the data of the terminal device, which can refer to the related description of S701, and will not be repeated here. There are various ways to determine the first mode, such as being determined by the terminal device, or being determined by the first core network element. The following cases are described.

[0384] Case 1: The terminal device determines the first mode.

[0385] In this case, the above communication method can further include: the terminal device determines the first mode and sends the first mode to the first core network element, and correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first mode from the terminal device.

[0386] There are various ways for the terminal to determine the first mode. The following are described respectively.

[0387] In one possible implementation, the terminal device determining the data transmission mode can specifically include: the terminal device determining the first mode corresponding to the service. For example, the first terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode according to the related information of the first service.

[0388] Optionally, the above communication method can further include: the first terminal device receiving mapping information, the mapping information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between the service and the data transmission mode; and the first terminal device determining the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service can specifically include: the first terminal device determining the first mode according to the mapping information and the first service, which can be understood with reference to the related description of the first mode in the above S803, and will not be described here. In this way, the first terminal device can quickly determine the data transmission mode. It can be understood that the mapping information can also be pre-set in the first terminal device, and can also be pre-defined by a protocol, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0389] In another possible implementation, the terminal device determining the data transmission mode can specifically include: the terminal device determining the first mode according to the service QoS or QoE, which can be understood with reference to the related description of the second mode in the above S803, and will not be described here.

[0390] It can be understood that after the terminal device determines the first mode, the above communication method can further include: the terminal device sending information used to indicate the first mode to the first core network element, to indicate the first mode to the first core network element.

[0391] Case 2: The first mode is determined by the first core network element.

[0392] In this case, the above communication method can further include: the first core network element determining the first mode corresponding to the terminal device according to service-related information of the terminal device. The service-related information can be service QoS requirement, or other information that can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, which is not limited. It can be understood that the first core network element determining the first mode can be understood with reference to the related description of the above S1002b, and will not be described here.

[0393] In addition, after the first core network element determines the first mode corresponding to the terminal device, the first core network element can also indicate the first mode to the first base station, such as sending a first request message carrying information used to indicate the first mode to the first base station, to indicate the first mode to the first base station.

[0394] It can be understood that the above case 1 and case 2 introduce the determination of the first mode. It can also be understood that the first core network element can also send core network tunnel information to the terminal device, which can be used for the first base station to send data of the terminal device to the second core network element. The first core network element can obtain the core network tunnel information from the second core network element, which can be understood with reference to the related description of the above S1003. And the first core network element can send the core network tunnel information to the first base station through the first request message, which can be understood with reference to the related description of the above S1004, and will not be described here.

[0395] In addition, the cell in which the terminal device is located supports the first mode and a second mode described above, and the second mode is processing the terminal device by a second base station. It can be understood that when the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground, the second mode can refer to the related description in the foregoing S701, which will not be described here again.

[0396] S1102, in response to the first request message, the first base station sends a first response message to the first core network element. Correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first response message from the first base station.

[0397] The first response message includes access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station. The access network tunnel information is used for the second core network element to send data of the terminal device to the first base station, and can refer to the related description of the AN tunnel information #1 in S1006, which will not be described here again.

[0398] The first response message can also include information for indicating a PDU session and / or a QoS flow, such as QFI. The PDU session and / or the QoS flow are the PDU session and / or the QoS flow for establishing a data transmission channel.

[0399] The first response message can be an N2 session management response message, and can refer to the related description of the N2 session management response message 1 in S1006, which will not be described here again. It can be understood that the first response message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, which are not limited.

[0400] S1103, the first core network element sends the access network tunnel information to the second core network element. Correspondingly, the second core network element sends the access network tunnel information to the first core network element.

[0401] After receiving the access network tunnel information from the first base station, the first core network element can send the access network tunnel information to the second core network element, so that the second core network element sends data of the terminal device to the first base station according to the access network tunnel information.

[0402] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the data of the terminal device can also be understood as information of the terminal device.

[0403] In summary, in the embodiments of the present application, when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, the first core network element can send information indicating the first mode to the first base station when requesting the first base station to establish a data transmission channel. In this way, the first base station can determine to establish a data transmission channel with the second core network element according to the first mode, i.e., the first base station can send the access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station to the first core network element according to the first mode. In this way, the data transmission channel can be established when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode.

[0404] Optionally, in combination with the above-mentioned embodiments, after the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station sends a first message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message from the first base station, wherein the first message includes information indicating the first mode. In this way, the first base station can indicate to the terminal device that the current PDU session and / or QoS flow adopts the first mode.

[0405] Further, the first message can further include a DRB configuration parameter, and the DRB configuration parameter includes information indicating the first mode. In this way, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DRB configuration parameter, which can be referred to the related description in the foregoing 1007, and will not be described here again.

[0406] It can be understood that the above-mentioned first message can be referred to the related description of the RRC reconfiguration message 1 in the foregoing S1007, and will not be described here again.

[0407] Further, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station sends a DCI to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the DCI from the first base station, wherein the DCI includes information indicating the first mode; the terminal device determines the first data according to the DRB configuration parameter and the DCI; and the terminal device sends the first data. In this way, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DCI and the DRB configuration parameter, i.e., after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine that the data of the first mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resource indicated by the DCI, which can be referred to the related description in the foregoing 1007, and will not be described here again.

[0408] For example, FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the communication method. The communication method mainly involves the interaction between the first terminal device, the first base station and the second base station, the first core network element, the second core network element and the third core network element.

[0409] As shown in FIG. 12, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0410] S1201, the first core network element sends a first request message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element.

[0411] The first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground; or the first base station is a base station arranged on the ground, and the second base station is a base station arranged on a satellite. It can be understood that the first base station is an anchor base station, which can be referred to the related description of S701, and will not be described here. In other words, the first base station can be a base station that establishes a connection (such as an RRC connection) with UE1 and establishes a connection (such as an NG connection) with the AMF.

[0412] The first request message can be used to request access network tunnel information, which can be used by the second core network element to send terminal device data to the base station. Alternatively, the first request message can be used to request the establishment of a data transmission channel for transmitting terminal device data. The first request message includes core network tunnel information and information indicating the second mode. The first request message can be an N1N2 transmission message, which can include N2 session management information and an N1 session management container. For details, please refer to the related description of S1004. The N2 session management information and the N1 session management container both include the second mode in this case. The first request message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, without limitation.

[0413] The above-mentioned core network tunnel information is used by the second base station to send terminal device data to the second core network element. It can be understood that the first core network element can obtain the core network tunnel information from the second core network element. For details, please refer to the related description of S1003.

[0414] The above-mentioned second mode is to process the data of the second terminal device by the second base station. It can be understood that when the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground, the second mode can be referred to the related description of S701, and will not be described here. The second mode can be determined in various ways, such as being determined by the terminal device or being determined by the first core network element. The following cases are described separately.

[0415] Case 1: The terminal device determines the second mode.

[0416] In this case, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the terminal device determines the second mode and sends the second mode to the first core network element, and correspondingly, the first core network element receives the second mode from the terminal device. The terminal determines the second mode in various ways. The following are described separately.

[0417] In a possible implementation, the determining, by the terminal device, of the data transmission mode can specifically include: determining, by the terminal device, the second mode corresponding to the service. For example, the first terminal device can determine the corresponding transmission mode according to the related information of the first service.

[0418] Optionally, the communication method can further include: receiving, by the first terminal device, mapping information, the mapping information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between the service and the data transmission mode; and determining, by the first terminal device, the data transmission mode corresponding to the first service can specifically include: determining, by the first terminal device, the second mode according to the mapping information and the first service, which can be understood with reference to the related description of the first mode in the foregoing S803, and details are not described herein again. In this way, the first terminal device can quickly determine the data transmission mode. It can be understood that the mapping information can also be pre-set in the first terminal device, and can also be pre-defined by a protocol, and details can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, which are not limited.

[0419] In another possible implementation, the determining, by the terminal device, of the data transmission mode can specifically include: determining, by the terminal device, the second mode according to the QoS or QoE of the service, which can be understood with reference to the related description of the second mode in the foregoing S803, and details are not described herein again.

[0420] It can be understood that after determining the second mode, the communication method can further include: sending, by the terminal device to the first core network element, information used to indicate the second mode, to indicate the second mode to the first core network element.

[0421] Case 2: determining, by the first core network element, of the second mode.

[0422] In this case, the communication method can further include: determining, by the first core network element, of the second mode corresponding to the terminal device according to the service related information of the terminal device. The service related information can be a QoS requirement of the service, or other information that can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, which is not limited. It can be understood that the determining, by the first core network element, of the second mode can be understood with reference to the related description of the S1002b, and details are not described herein again.

[0423] In addition, after determining the second mode corresponding to the terminal device, the first core network element can further indicate the second mode to the first base station, for example, by sending a first request message carrying the second mode to the first base station, to indicate the second mode to the first base station.

[0424] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the cell in which the terminal device resides supports the first mode and the second mode described above, and the first mode can be understood with reference to the related description of the S701, and details are not described herein again.

[0425] S1202, in response to the first request message, the first base station sends a second request message to the second base station. Correspondingly, the second base station receives the second request message from the first base station.

[0426] The second request message is used to request the second base station to create a data transmission channel with the second core network element. The second request message includes the core network tunnel information. It can be understood that the second request message can refer to the related description of message 1 in S10010, which will not be repeated here.

[0427] S1203, the second base station sends a second response message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station.

[0428] After receiving the second request message, the second base station can send a second response message to the first base station according to the second request message.

[0429] The second response message includes access network tunnel information. The access network tunnel information is used for the second core network element to send data of the terminal device to the second base station. It can be understood that the access network tunnel information can be allocated by the second core network element. The second response message can refer to the related description of message 2 in S10011, which will not be repeated here.

[0430] S1204, the first base station sends a first response message to the first core network element. Correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first response message from the first base station.

[0431] After receiving the second response message, the first base station can send a first response message to the first core network element. The first response message includes the access network tunnel information.

[0432] The first response message can be an N2 session management response message, which can refer to the related description of N2 session management response message 2 in S10012, which will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the first response message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, which are not limited.

[0433] S1205, the first core network element sends the access network tunnel information to the second core network element. Correspondingly, the second core network element sends the access network tunnel information to the first core network element.

[0434] After receiving the access network tunnel information from the first base station, the first core network element can send the access network tunnel information to the second core network element, so that the second core network element sends data of the terminal device to the second base station according to the access network tunnel information.

[0435] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the data of the terminal device can also be understood as the information of the terminal device.

[0436] In summary, in the embodiments of the present application, when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, the first core network element can send the second mode to the first base station when requesting the first base station to establish a data transmission channel. In this way, the first base station can determine the establishment of the data transmission channel between the second base station and the second core network element according to the second mode, i.e. the first base station can trigger the second base station to establish the data transmission channel with the second core network element according to the second mode. In this way, the establishment of the data transmission channel can be realized when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode.

[0437] Optionally, in combination with the above-mentioned embodiments, after the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station sends a first message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message from the first base station, wherein the first message includes information for indicating the second mode. In this way, the first base station can indicate to the terminal device that the current PDU session and / or QoS flow adopts the second mode.

[0438] Further, the first message can further include a DRB configuration parameter, and the DRB configuration parameter includes information for indicating the second mode. In this way, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DRB configuration parameter, which can be referred to the related description in the foregoing 10013, and will not be described here again.

[0439] It can be understood that the above-mentioned first message can be referred to the related description of the RRC reconfiguration message 2 in the foregoing S10013, and will not be described here again.

[0440] Further, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station sends a DCI to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the DCI from the first base station, wherein the DCI includes information for indicating the second mode; the terminal device determines the first data according to the DRB configuration parameter and the DCI; and the terminal device sends the first data. In this way, the terminal device can determine the data that can be transmitted according to the DCI and the DRB configuration parameter, i.e. after receiving the DCI, the terminal device can determine that the data of the second mode mapped to the DRB can be transmitted through the resource indicated by the DCI, which can be referred to the related description in the foregoing 10013, and will not be described here again.

[0441] The embodiments shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 10-FIG. 12 introduce that the base station 1 or the base station 2 establishes the data transmission channel with the UPF when the UE or the SMF determines the transmission mode of the service. It can be understood that the anchor base station (such as the base station 1) can also determine the transmission mode of the service, and the anchor base station triggers the base station 1 or the base station 2 to establish the data transmission channel with the UPF according to the transmission mode. The following will be described in detail.

[0442] For easy understanding, the interaction process between the first terminal device, the first base station and the second base station will be specifically introduced below by a method embodiment in combination with FIG. 13.

[0443] Scenario 4:

[0444] For example, FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the application. In scenario 4, the base station 1 (the first base station) determines the transmission mode (the first mode or the second mode) of the PDU session or the QoS flow corresponding to the service of the UE 1 (the first terminal device), and establishes the data transmission channel corresponding to the PDU session or the QoS flow with the UPF according to the transmission mode, or triggers the base station 2 to establish the data transmission channel corresponding to the PDU session or the QoS flow with the UPF. The base station 1 is an anchor base station, which can be referred to the related description of the foregoing S701, and details are not described herein again. Alternatively, the base station 1 is a base station that establishes an RRC connection with the UE 1 and establishes an NG connection with the AMF.

[0445] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0446] S1301a, the UE 1 sends a PDU session establishment message or a PDU session modification request message to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message.

[0447] The PDU session establishment message is used to request to establish a PDU session. The PDU session modification request message is used to request to modify a PDU session. The PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message can include QoS requirements.

[0448] The UE 1 can send the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message to the SMF when the service starts, or the UE 1 can send the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message to the SMF during the service running.

[0449] S1301b, the SMF determines to modify the PDU session according to a policy.

[0450] The SMF can determine to modify the PDU session according to the policy modification of the service, that is, the policy changes. Details can be referred to the related description of the foregoing S1001b, and details are not described herein again.

[0451] It can be understood that S1301a and S1301b are two parallel steps, that is, S1302 is performed after S1301a or S1301b. Specifically, S1301a or S1301b can be set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0452] S1302, the SMF obtains CN tunnel information.

[0453] After receiving the PDU session establishment message or the PDU modification request (S1301a), or after determining to modify the PDU session (S1301b), the SMF can send an N4 session establishment message or an N4 session modification message to the UPF to obtain CN tunnel information from the UPF through the N4 session establishment message or the N4 session modification message. The specific implementation principle of the SMF obtaining the CN tunnel information from the UPF can refer to the related description of the foregoing S1003, and details are not described herein again.

[0454] S1303, the SMF sends the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container to the base station 1. Correspondingly, the base station 1 receives the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container from the SMF.

[0455] It can be understood that the specific implementation principle of S1303 is similar to that of S1004, except that in S1004, the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container both include the transmission mode, while in S1303, the N2 session management information and the N1 session management container both do not include the transmission mode. Therefore, the same part of S1303 and S1004 can be understood with reference to S1004, and details are not described herein again.

[0456] S1304, the base station 1 determines the transmission mode, and determines to perform the steps of case 13.1 or case 13.2 based on the transmission mode.

[0457] The transmission mode can be the first mode or the second mode, which can refer to the related description in the foregoing S701, and details are not described herein again.

[0458] The base station 1 can determine the transmission mode according to the QoS requirement of the service. For example, the base station 1 can determine the transmission mode according to the QoS requirement in the N2 session management information sent by the SMF. For example, when the QoS requirement of the service is high or the user experience is high, such as when the QoS requirement is higher than a preset value, the first mode can be determined to be used; otherwise, the second mode can be determined to be used. It can be understood that the base station 1 can also determine the transmission mode according to other information, such as QoE, rate, latency, bandwidth, etc. of the service. For example, when the rate of the service is high or the service is a high-latency service, the first mode can be determined to be used; otherwise, the second mode can be determined to be used, which can be flexibly set according to actual conditions, and is not limited.

[0459] After determining the transmission mode, the base station 1 can determine the operation to be performed subsequently according to the transmission mode. For example, when the base station 1 determines that the service adopts the first mode, the base station 1 is responsible for the data transmission of the user plane of the UE 1, that is, the base station 1 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF, and at this time, the following S1305-S1308 are performed, that is, corresponding to the above case 13.1. When the base station 1 determines that the service adopts the second mode, the base station 2 is responsible for the data transmission of the user plane of the UE 1, that is, the base station 2 establishes a data transmission channel with the UPF, and at this time, the base station 1 performs the following S1309-S13014, that is, corresponding to the above case 13.2.

[0460] S1305, the base station 1 sends an N2 session management response message 1 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the N2 session management response message 1 from the base station 1.

[0461] S1306, the base station 1 sends an RRC reconfiguration message 1 to the UE 1. Correspondingly, the UE 1 receives the RRC reconfiguration message 1 from the base station 1.

[0462] S1307, the SMF sends AN tunnel information #1 to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the AN tunnel information #1 from the SMF.

[0463] S1308, the UE 1 transmits (or receives) data based on the first mode transmission.

[0464] S1309, the base station 1 sends a message 1 to the base station 2. Correspondingly, the base station 2 receives the message 1 from the base station 1.

[0465] S13010, the base station 2 sends a message 2 to the base station 1. Correspondingly, the base station 1 receives the message 2 from the base station 2.

[0466] S13011, the base station 1 sends an N2 session management response message 2 to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the N2 session management response message 2 from the base station 1.

[0467] S13012, the base station 1 sends an RRC reconfiguration message 2 to the UE 1. Correspondingly, the UE 1 receives the RRC reconfiguration message 2 from the base station 1.

[0468] S13013, the SMF sends AN tunnel information #2 to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the AN tunnel information #2 from the SMF.

[0469] S13014, the UE 1 transmits (or receives) data through the second mode transmission.

[0470] The specific implementation principles of S1305-S13014 can refer to the related descriptions of S1006-S10015 in the foregoing embodiment shown in FIG. 10, which will not be described here again.

[0471] It can be understood that, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the base station 1 is a base station arranged on a satellite, and the base station 2 is a base station arranged on the ground. Of course, the base station 1 can also be a base station arranged on the ground, and the base station 2 can also be a base station arranged on a satellite. In this case, the first mode is that the base station 1 processes the data of the UE, that is, the base station 2 transmits the data of the UE to the base station 1 for processing; and the second mode is that the base station 2 processes the data of the UE, which can be understood with reference to the related description in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and will not be described here.

[0472] It can also be understood that the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is applicable to 5GS. In EPS, the MME has the functions of the AMF and the SMF described above, that is, the MME can perform the related operations of the AMF and the SMF; and the SGW and / or the PGW have the function of the UPF described above, that is, the SGW and / or the PGW can perform the related operations of the UPF. When the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is used in EPS, the AMF and the SMF described above can be replaced by the MME, and the UPF can be replaced by the SGW and / or the PGW, which will not be described here. In addition, with the evolution of the network, in future communication networks, various NFs, network elements, connection modes, or message names in the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 can be changed, such as being replaced by other names, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0473] In summary, according to the introduction of scenario 4, it can be known that the base station 1 and the base station 2 can both provide services for the UE 1, and in the case that the base station 1 is an anchor base station, when the UE 1 establishes or modifies a PDU session, the base station 1 can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the PDU session, so as to establish a data transmission channel between the base station 1 or the base station 2 and the UPF according to the transmission mode, such as establishing a data transmission channel between the base station 1 and the UPF when the transmission mode is the first mode, and triggering the base station 2 to establish a data transmission channel with the UPF when the transmission mode is the second mode.

[0474] The flow of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in detail above in combination with FIG. 13. The overall flow of the communication method is introduced below in combination with FIG. 14.

[0475] For example, FIG. 14 is an eighth flowchart of the communication method. The communication method mainly involves the interaction between the first terminal device, the first base station and the second base station, the first core network element, the second core network element and the third core network element.

[0476] As shown in FIG. 14, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0477] S1401, the first core network element sends a first request message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element.

[0478] The first base station can be a base station disposed on a satellite or on the ground. The first base station can be an anchor base station, which can be described with reference to the foregoing S701, and thus will not be described herein again. Alternatively, the first base station can be a base station that establishes an RRC connection with the UE 1 and establishes an NG connection with the AMF. It can be understood that when the first base station is a base station disposed on a satellite, the second base station can be a base station disposed on the ground. When the first base station is a base station disposed on the ground, the second base station can be a base station disposed on a satellite.

[0479] The first request message is used to request establishment or modification of a protocol data unit (PDU) session. The first request message can include core network tunnel information. The first request message can be an N1N2 transmission message, which can include N2 session management information and an N1 session management container. Details can be described with reference to the foregoing S1303, and thus will not be described herein again. The first request message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, without limitation. It can be understood that the first core network element can obtain the core network tunnel information from the second core network element. Details can be described with reference to the foregoing S1302.

[0480] In addition, the first core network can send the first request message to the first base station according to the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request message sent by the terminal device. Details can be described with reference to the foregoing S1301a, and thus will not be described herein again. The first core network element can also send the first request message to the first base station according to a policy modification. Details can be described with reference to the foregoing S1301b, and thus will not be described herein again.

[0481] S1402, in response to the first request message, the first base station determines, according to service-related information of the terminal device, that the terminal device corresponds to a first mode.

[0482] The first mode is that the first base station processes data of the terminal device. Details can be described with reference to the foregoing S701, and thus will not be described herein again.

[0483] The service-related information can be service QoS requirements or other information that can determine the transmission mode of the terminal device, without limitation. It can be understood that the first base station determining the first mode can be described with reference to the foregoing S1304, and thus will not be described herein again.

[0484] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the cell in which the terminal device is located supports the first mode and the second mode, and the second mode is processing the terminal device by the second base station. It can be understood that, when the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground, the second mode can refer to the related description in the foregoing S701, and details are not described herein again.

[0485] S1403, the first base station sends a first response message to the first core network element according to the first mode. Correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first response message from the first base station.

[0486] The first response message includes access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station. The access network tunnel information is used for the second core network element to send data of the terminal device to the first base station, and details can refer to the related description of the AN tunnel information #1 in S1305, and details are not described herein again.

[0487] The first response message can also include information for indicating a PDU session and / or a QoS flow, such as QFI, QoS parameter, etc. The PDU session and / or the QoS flow are the PDU session and / or the QoS flow for establishing a data transmission channel.

[0488] The first response message can be an N2 session management response message, and details can refer to the related description of the N2 session management response message 1 in S1305, and details are not described herein again. It can be understood that the first response message can also be other types of messages, such as newly defined messages or other existing messages, which are not limited.

[0489] S1404, the first core network element sends the access network tunnel information to the second core network element. Correspondingly, the second core network element sends the access network tunnel information to the first core network element.

[0490] After receiving the access network tunnel information from the first base station, the first core network element can send the access network tunnel information to the second core network element, so that the second core network element sends data of the terminal device to the first base station according to the access network tunnel information.

[0491] It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the data of the terminal device can also be understood as information of the terminal device.

[0492] In summary, in the embodiments of the present application, when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, the first core network element can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device when requesting the first base station to establish a data transmission channel, i.e., the transmission mode adopted by the current PDU session and / or QoS flow. In this way, the first base station can send the access network tunnel information allocated by the first base station to the first core network element when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode and the terminal device corresponds to the first mode. In this way, the data transmission channel can be established when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode.

[0493] Optionally, in combination with the above-mentioned embodiments, after the first base station determines that the terminal device corresponds to the first mode according to the service-related information of the terminal device, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station sends a first message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message from the first base station, wherein the first message includes the first mode, and specific details can be referred to the related description in the above-mentioned embodiment of FIG. 11.

[0494] Further, the first message can further include a DRB configuration parameter, and the DRB configuration parameter includes information for indicating the first mode, and specific details can be referred to the related description in the above-mentioned embodiment of FIG. 11.

[0495] Further, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station sends a DCI to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the DCI from the first base station, and the DCI includes information for indicating the first mode; the terminal device determines the first data according to the DRB configuration parameter and the DCI; and the terminal device sends the first data, and specific details can be referred to the related description in the above-mentioned embodiment of FIG. 11.

[0496] Exemplarily, FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the communication method. The communication method mainly involves the interaction between the first terminal device, the first base station and the second base station, the first core network element, the second core network element and the third core network element.

[0497] As shown in FIG. 15, the flow of the communication method is as follows:

[0498] S1501, the first core network element sends a first request message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the first request message from the first core network element.

[0499] The first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground; or the first base station is a base station arranged on the ground, and the second base station is a base station arranged on a satellite. It can be understood that the first base station can be an anchor base station, which can be referred to in the foregoing S701, and details are not repeated here. Alternatively, the first base station can be a base station that establishes an RRC connection with the UE1 and establishes an NG connection with the AMF.

[0500] The first request message includes core network tunnel information, and the core network tunnel information is used for the second base station to send data of the terminal device to a second core network element. It can be understood that the first request message can be referred to in the foregoing S1401, and details are not repeated here. It can also be understood that the first core network element can obtain the core network tunnel information from the second core network element, which can be referred to in the foregoing S1302.

[0501] In addition, the first core network can send the first request message to the first base station according to the PDU session establishment message or the PDU session modification request sent by the terminal device, which can be referred to in the foregoing S1301a, and details are not repeated here. The first core network element can also send the first request message to the first base station according to the policy modification, which can be referred to in the foregoing S1301b, and details are not repeated here.

[0502] S1502, in response to the first request message, the first base station determines the second mode corresponding to the terminal device according to the service-related information of the terminal device.

[0503] The second mode is that the data of the terminal device is processed by the second base station, which can be referred to in the foregoing S701, and details are not repeated here. It can be understood that when the first base station is a base station arranged on a satellite and the second base station is a base station arranged on the ground, the second mode can be referred to in the foregoing S701, and details are not repeated here.

[0504] The above-mentioned service-related information can be service QoS requirement, or other information that can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, without limitation. It can be understood that the first base station determines the second mode, which can be referred to in the foregoing S1304, and details are not repeated here.

[0505] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the cell in which the terminal device resides supports the first mode and the second mode described above, and the first mode can be referred to in the foregoing S701, and details are not repeated here.

[0506] S1503, the first base station sends a second request message to the second base station according to the second mode. Correspondingly, the second base station receives the second request message from the first base station.

[0507] The second request message is used to request the second base station to create a data transmission channel with the second core network element, and the second request message includes core network tunnel information, which can refer to the related description in the foregoing S1202, and details are not described herein again. In addition, the second request message can also refer to the related description of the message 1 in the foregoing S1309, and details are not described herein again.

[0508] S1504, the second base station sends a second response message to the first base station. Correspondingly, the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station.

[0509] The second response message includes access network tunnel information. The access network tunnel information is used for the second core network element to send data of the terminal device to the second base station.

[0510] In addition, the specific implementation principle of S1504 can refer to the related description of the foregoing S1203, and the second response message can refer to the related description of the message 2 in the foregoing S13010, and details are not described herein again.

[0511] S1505, the first base station sends a first response message to the first core network element. Correspondingly, the first core network element receives the first response message from the first base station.

[0512] The first response message includes access network tunnel information, which can refer to the related description in the foregoing S1204, and details are not described herein again. In addition, the first response message can also refer to the related description of the N2 session management response message 2 in the foregoing S13011, and details are not described herein again.

[0513] After receiving the second response message, the first base station can send the first response message to the first core network element based on the second response message.

[0514] S1506, the first core network element sends access network tunnel information to the second core network element. Correspondingly, the second core network element sends the access network tunnel information to the first core network element.

[0515] The specific implementation principle of S1506 can refer to the related description of the foregoing S1205, and details are not described herein again.

[0516] In summary, in the embodiments of the present application, when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, the first base station can determine the transmission mode corresponding to the terminal device, that is, the transmission mode adopted by the current PDU session and / or QoS flow. In this way, the first base station can trigger the second base station to establish a data transmission channel with the second core network element when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode, and the terminal device corresponds to the second mode. In this way, the data transmission channel can be established when the cell supports the first mode and the second mode.

[0517] Optionally, in combination with the above-mentioned embodiments, after the first base station receives the second response message from the second base station, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station sends a first message to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message from the first base station, wherein the first message includes information indicating the second mode, and details can be referred to the related description in the above-mentioned embodiment of FIG. 12, which will not be repeated here.

[0518] Further, the first message can further include a DRB configuration parameter, and the DRB configuration parameter includes information indicating the second mode, and details can be referred to the related description in the above-mentioned embodiment of FIG. 12, which will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the first message can refer to the related description of the RRC reconfiguration message 2 in the above-mentioned S13012, which will not be repeated here.

[0519] Further, the above-mentioned communication method can further include: the first base station sends a DCI to the terminal device, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the DCI from the first base station, and the DCI includes information indicating the second mode; the terminal device determines the first data according to the DRB configuration parameter and the DCI; and the terminal device sends the first data, and details can be referred to the related description in the above-mentioned embodiment of FIG. 12, which will not be repeated here.

[0520] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments of FIGS. 7-15, “transmission mode” and “service” are only exemplary expressions, the “transmission mode” can also be replaced by any other possible expression, such as “data transmission mode”, “satellite transmission mode”, etc., and the “service” can also be replaced by any other possible expression, such as “application”, etc., without limitation.

[0521] The above describes the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application in combination with FIGS. 7-15. The communication device for executing the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described in detail in combination with FIGS. 16-17.

[0522] FIG. 16 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 16, the communication device 1600 includes a transceiver module 1601 and a processing module 1602. For the convenience of description, FIG. 16 only shows the main components of the communication device.

[0523] The transceiver module 1601 is configured to perform the transceiving functions of the above-mentioned method of FIGS. 7-15, and the processing module 1602 is configured to perform other functions of the above-mentioned method of FIGS. 7-15 except the transceiving functions.

[0524] Optionally, the transceiver module 1601 can include a sending module (not shown in FIG. 16) and a receiving module (not shown in FIG. 16). The sending module is configured to implement the sending function of the communication device 1600, and the receiving module is configured to implement the receiving function of the communication device 1600.

[0525] Optionally, the communication device 1600 can further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 16), which stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1602 executes the programs or instructions, the communication device 1600 can perform the functions of the terminal device or the network device (such as the first core network element, the second core network element, or the third core network element) in the methods shown in FIGS. 7-15.

[0526] It can be understood that the communication device 1600 can be a terminal device or a network device, or a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that can be arranged in the terminal device or the network device, or a device containing the terminal device or the network device, and the present application does not limit the same.

[0527] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device 1600 can refer to the technical effects of the communication methods shown in FIGS. 7-15, which will not be repeated here.

[0528] FIG. 17 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be a terminal device or a network device, or a chip (system) or other components or assemblies that can be arranged in the terminal device or the network device. As shown in FIG. 17, the communication device 1700 can include a processor 1701. Optionally, the communication device 1700 can further include a memory 1702 and / or a transceiver 1703. The processor 1701 is coupled with the memory 1702 and the transceiver 1703, for example, through a communication bus.

[0529] The various constituent components of the communication device 1700 will be specifically introduced below in combination with FIG. 17:

[0530] The processor 1701 is a control center of the communication device 1700, which can be one processor or collectively refer to multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1701 is one or more central processing units (CPUs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more integrated circuits configured to perform the functions of the embodiments of the present application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0531] Optionally, the processor 1701 can perform various functions of the communication device 1700 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1702 and calling data stored in the memory 1702, such as the communication method described above.

[0532] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 1701 can include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG. 17.

[0533] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1700 can also include multiple processors, such as the processor 1701 and the processor 1704 shown in FIG. 17. Each of these processors can be a single-CPU or a multi-CPU. The processor here can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (such as computer program instructions).

[0534] The memory 1702 is used to store software programs for executing the schemes of the present application, and is controlled by the processor 1701 to execute, and the specific implementation can refer to the method embodiments described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0535] Optionally, the memory 1702 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory 1702 can be integrated with the processor 1701 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1701 through the interface circuit (not shown in FIG. 17) of the communication apparatus 1700, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited in this regard.

[0536] The transceiver 1703 is configured to communicate with other communication apparatuses. For example, the communication apparatus 1700 is a terminal, and the transceiver 1703 can be configured to communicate with a network apparatus or another terminal. For another example, the communication apparatus 1700 is a network apparatus, and the transceiver 1703 can be configured to communicate with a terminal or another network apparatus.

[0537] Optionally, the transceiver 1703 can include a receiver and a transmitter (not shown separately in FIG. 17). The receiver is configured to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is configured to implement the transmitting function.

[0538] Optionally, the transceiver 1703 can be integrated with the processor 1701 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1701 through the interface circuit (not shown in FIG. 17) of the communication apparatus 1700, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited in this regard.

[0539] It can be understood that the structure of the communication apparatus 1700 shown in FIG. 17 does not constitute a limitation on the communication apparatus, and an actual communication apparatus can include more or fewer components than those shown, or combine certain components, or have different arrangement of components.

[0540] In addition, the technical effects of the communication apparatus 1700 can refer to the technical effects of the methods described in the above method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0541] It should be appreciated that a processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0542] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Among them, the nonvolatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0543] The above-described embodiments can be implemented in part or in whole through software, hardware (e.g., circuitry), firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, the above-described embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When loaded and executed by a computer, the computer instructions or computer programs can produce the processes or functions described above in accordance with the embodiments of the present application. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, such as from a website site, a computer, a server, or a data center to another website site, a computer, a server, or a data center through a wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium or a collection of medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, a data center, etc. containing one or more available medium. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium can be a solid state disk.

[0544] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this document is merely used to describe an associated relationship between associated objects, and can represent three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects, but can also represent an "and / or" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood according to the context before and after.

[0545] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of the items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0546] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of the above-described processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to their functions and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0547] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0548] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0549] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0550] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0551] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically independently, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0552] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts that contribute to the prior art or parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing 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 methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0553] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The first base station broadcasts a first message, the first message being used to indicate that a cell supports a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being that the first base station processes data of a terminal device, and the second mode being that the first base station transmits data of a terminal device to a second base station for processing, the first base station being a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station being a base station arranged on the ground; The first base station receives a first access request message from a first terminal device, the first terminal device camping on the cell; In a case where the first base station determines to process the first access request message, the first base station sends an access response message to the first terminal device according to the first access request message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the first base station broadcasts the first message, the method further comprises: The first base station determines to process an access request message from a terminal device corresponding to the cell by interacting with the second base station.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first base station determines to process the first access request message, comprising: The first base station determines that it is an anchor base station, the anchor base station being a base station responsible for establishing a signaling connection with a terminal device corresponding to the cell among the first base station and the second base station.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first base station determines to process the first access request message, comprising: The first base station determines that the first access request message uses a first resource, the first resource being an access resource allocated by the first base station.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: The first base station determines the first resource by interacting with the second base station; The first base station broadcasts the first resource.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: In a case where the first base station determines not to process the first access request message, the first base station sends the first access request message to the second base station.

7. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: A first terminal device receives a first message, the first message being used to indicate that a cell supports a first mode and a second mode, the first mode being that a first base station processes data of a terminal device, and the second mode being that the first base station transmits data of a terminal device to a second base station for processing, the first base station being a base station arranged on a satellite, and the second base station being a base station arranged on the ground, the first terminal device camping on the cell; The first terminal device determines a data transmission mode, the data transmission mode being the first mode or the second mode; The first terminal device sends a first access request message according to the data transmission mode.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first terminal device determines a data transmission mode, comprising: The first terminal device determines the data transmission mode corresponding to a first service.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: The first terminal device receives mapping information, the mapping information being used to indicate a mapping relationship between a service and a data transmission mode; The first terminal device determines the data transmission mode corresponding to a first service, comprising: The first terminal device determines the data transmission mode according to the mapping information and the first service.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first terminal device determines a data transmission mode, comprising: The first terminal device determines the data transmission mode according to service quality of service (QoS) or service quality of experience (QoE).

11. The method according to any one of claims 7-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first terminal device receives a first resource and a second resource, the first resource being an access resource associated with the first mode, and the second resource being an access resource associated with the second mode; The first terminal device transmits a first access request message according to the data transmission mode, including: In a case where the data transmission mode is the first mode, the first terminal device transmits the first access request message using the first resource; or In a case where the data transmission mode is the second mode, the first terminal device transmits the first access request message using the second resource.

12. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus includes modules for performing the method of any of claims 1-11.

13. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus includes a processor, and when the processor executes computer instructions, the communication apparatus performs the method of any of claims 1-11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium includes computer programs or instructions, when the computer programs or instructions are run on a computer, the computer performs the method of any of claims 1-11.

15. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes computer programs or instructions, when the computer programs or instructions are run by a communication apparatus, the method of any of claims 1-11 is performed.

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