Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus, applicable to a first network device. The method comprises: receiving data from a terminal device; when a communication link between the first network device and a first service gateway deployed on the ground is unavailable, storing the data, wherein the first service gateway is used for data transmission of the terminal device; receiving information of a first NTN gateway, wherein a communication link exists between the first NTN gateway and the first service gateway; and on the basis of the information of the first NTN gateway, when a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available, sending the stored data to the first service gateway by means of the first NTN gateway. In a satellite store-and-forward scenario, on the basis of the information of the first NTN gateway, when the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, the first network device ensures that the data of the terminal device is successfully transmitted from the first network device to the first service gateway by means of the first NTN gateway.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410891012.1, filed on July 3, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and communication apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] Currently, in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system, a terminal device and a satellite communicate with each other through a service link, a satellite and a ground station communicate with each other through a feeder link, and satellites communicate with each other through an inter-satellite link (ISL). The ground station can serve as an interface between the satellite and the ground network, and is mainly responsible for transmitting data collected by the satellite to the ground network for use by terminal devices and application servers. Generally, after a terminal device accesses the network through the NTN system, the terminal device can use the service link, the inter-satellite link, and the feeder link to realize end-to-end communication between the terminal device and the ground network.

[0004] However, in a satellite store-and-forward scenario, the feeder link between the satellite and the ground network can be discontinuous, for example, some areas do not have ground stations deployed, or the deployed ground stations are sparse. In this case, although the satellite can cover the location of the terminal device and receive data from the terminal device through the service link, the satellite can not be able to transmit the data of the terminal device to the ground station connected to the ground network corresponding to the terminal device through the feeder link or the inter-satellite link and the feeder link, which results in that the data of the terminal device cannot be successfully transmitted. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus to successfully transmit data of a terminal device in a satellite store-and-forward scenario.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a first network device. The first network device can be the first network device itself, or can also be a component (such as a unit, a module, a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) of the first network device, which is not limited in the present application. The following is illustrated by taking the first network device as an example.

[0007] The method is suitable for a first network device deployed on a first satellite, and comprises: receiving data from a terminal device; in a case where a communication link between the first network device and a first service gateway deployed on the ground is unavailable, the first network device storing the data, the first service gateway being used for data transmission of the terminal device; receiving information of a first NTN gateway, the first NTN gateway having a communication link with the first service gateway; and the first network device transmitting the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway according to the information of the first NTN gateway in a case where a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available.

[0008] It should be understood that the communication link between the first network device and the first service gateway can be understood as a data transmission link. The first service gateway is used to serve the terminal device.

[0009] It should also be understood that the existence of the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first service gateway can be understood as that the first NTN gateway is connected with the first service gateway and can transmit data.

[0010] It should also be understood that the NTN gateway (for example, the first NTN gateway) involved in the present application is deployed on the ground, wherein the NTN gateway can also be referred to as a gateway station, a ground station, a network device, a communication device, a communication apparatus or other names, and the present application does not limit the name of the NTN gateway.

[0011] According to the method provided in the present application, the first NTN gateway has a communication link with the first service gateway, and the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available when the first network device transmits data of the terminal device, so that the data of the terminal device can be successfully transmitted from the first network device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates that the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available; and the transmitting the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway according to the information of the first NTN gateway in a case where the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available comprises: transmitting the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway under triggering of the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0013] It should be understood that the information of the first NTN gateway can be used to trigger the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0014] It should also be understood that the information of the first NTN gateway indicates that a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available, and the first network device sends data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in response to the information of the first NTN gateway indicating that the communication link is available.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, under the triggering of the information of the first NTN gateway, the first network device sends data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway, which can reduce the processing complexity of the first network device.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time instant at which a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available; and the sending, according to the information of the first NTN gateway, of the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case where the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is currently available, comprises: sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway at the first time instant.

[0017] It should be understood that the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a time instant (for example, the first time instant) at which a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available. The first time instant does not refer to one time instant, and the first time instant can be a plurality of discrete time instants or continuous time instants, which are not limited by the present application.

[0018] Based on the above technical solution, the first network device sends the stored data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway at the first time instant indicated by the information of the first NTN gateway, which can timely send the data of the terminal device.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the determining, according to the information of the first NTN gateway, of whether a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is currently available, comprises: determining, according to the information of the first NTN gateway, whether a current coverage range of the first satellite includes a location of the first NTN gateway; and the sending, in a case where the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is currently available, of the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway, comprises: in a case where the current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0020] It should be understood that whether the current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway can be understood as whether the first satellite currently covers the location of the first NTN gateway.

[0021] According to the technical solution, the first network device determines whether the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available based on the relationship between the location of the first NTN gateway and the coverage range of the first satellite.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identifier of the first NTN gateway, and the sending of the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in the case where the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is currently available according to the information of the first NTN gateway comprises:

[0023] In the case where the first list includes the identifier of the first NTN gateway, the sending of the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway, the first list including identifiers of at least one NTN gateway, and the communication link between the at least one NTN gateway and the first network device being available.

[0024] It should be understood that the first list can be determined by the first network device itself.

[0025] According to the technical solution, the first network device determines whether to transmit the stored data through the first NTN gateway based on the identifier of the first NTN gateway.

[0026] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, before the information of the first NTN gateway is received, the method further includes: sending second information, the second information including information of the first service gateway.

[0027] It should be understood that the information of the first service gateway includes address information of the first service gateway.

[0028] Optionally, the information of the first service gateway further includes tunnel endpoint identifier information of the first service gateway.

[0029] In combination with the first aspect, in some possible implementation manners, before the information of the first NTN gateway is received, the method further includes: sending service request information of the terminal device, the service request information being used to request access to a network.

[0030] It should be understood that the service request information can include identifier information of the terminal device.

[0031] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a second network device. The second network device can be the second network device itself, or can also be a component (for example, a unit, a module, a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) of the second network device, which is not limited in the present application. The following is exemplarily described taking the second network device as an example.

[0032] The method is applicable to the second network device, and includes: receiving second information, the second information including information of a first service gateway deployed on the ground, the first service gateway being used for data transmission of a terminal device; determining a first NTN gateway according to network topology information, the network topology information indicating at least one NTN gateway having a communication link with the first service gateway, the at least one NTN gateway including the first NTN gateway; and sending information of the first NTN gateway, the information of the first NTN gateway being used for transmission of data of the terminal device between the first network device and the first NTN gateway.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner, the network topology information includes topology information between an NTN gateway and a service gateway, the NTN gateway including the first NTN gateway, and the service gateway including the first service gateway.

[0034] Optionally, the network topology information can further include topology information between NTN gateways and / or topology information between service gateways.

[0035] It should be understood that the second network device can be deployed on a second satellite or on the ground. The first network device can be deployed on a first satellite. Wherein, when the second network device is deployed on the second satellite, the first satellite and the second satellite can be the same satellite or different satellites.

[0036] Based on the above technical solution, the second network device receives the second information, determines an NTN gateway (for example, the first NTN gateway) having a communication link with the first service gateway according to the network topology information, and sends information of the first NTN gateway, which helps the data of the terminal device to be successfully transmitted to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0037] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the sending of the information of the first NTN gateway includes: in a case where a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, sending the information of the first NTN gateway, the information of the first NTN gateway being used for triggering the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0038] Based on the technical scheme, in the case that the second network device has both a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first service gateway and a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device available, the information of the first NTN gateway triggers the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway, which helps to reduce the processing complexity of the first network device.

[0039] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the sending of the information of the first NTN gateway in the case that the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available comprises: in the case that a current coverage range of a first satellite includes a location of the first NTN gateway, sending the information of the first NTN gateway, wherein the first network device is deployed on the first satellite.

[0040] Based on the technical scheme, in the case that the coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, the second network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway to trigger the first network device to transmit the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway, so that when the data of the terminal device is transmitted from the first network device to the first NTN gateway, the first NTN gateway is within the coverage range of the first satellite, thereby improving the success rate of data transmission.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time point at which the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available.

[0042] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: determining the first time point according to information indicating a coverage range of a first satellite, and the first network device is deployed on the first satellite.

[0043] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a location of the first NTN gateway.

[0044] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identifier of the first NTN gateway.

[0045] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the second network device is deployed on a second satellite, and the method further includes: receiving the network topology information from a third network device deployed on the ground.

[0046] It should be understood that when the second network device is deployed on a second satellite, the network topology information of the second network device can be acquired from a third network device deployed on the ground.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, after receiving the network topology information from the third network device, the second network device stores the network topology information locally.

[0048] As an example, the third network device is configured to periodically send the network topology information to the second network device, and the second network device can periodically receive the network topology information from the third network device.

[0049] As another example, the third network device determines that the network topology information changes, and sends updated network topology information to the second network device. In the case where the network topology information changes, the second network device receives the network topology information from the third network device. In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, before the receiving the network topology information from the third network device deployed on the ground, the method further includes: sending request information for obtaining the network topology information.

[0050] In combination with the second aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the method further includes: receiving information indicating the coverage range of the first satellite from the third network device.

[0051] It should be understood that the information indicating the coverage range of the first satellite in the present application can include ephemeris information and / or first satellite coverage available information. The first satellite coverage available information includes a mapping relationship between the first satellite coverage area and time. The second network device can determine the coverage range of the first satellite at a certain time (for example, the current time) according to the mapping relationship between the time and the first satellite coverage area.

[0052] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a fourth network device. The fourth network device can be the fourth network device itself, or can also be a component (for example, a unit, a module, a chip, a chip system or a circuit) of the fourth network device, which is not limited in the present application. The following is exemplarily described taking the fourth network device as an example.

[0053] The method is applicable to the fourth network device deployed on a third satellite, and includes: sending second information, the second information including information of a first service gateway deployed on the ground, the first service gateway being used for data transmission of the terminal device; receiving third information, the third information indicating information of an NTN gateway having a communication link with the first service gateway, the NTN gateway including a first NTN gateway; and sending information of the first NTN gateway to a first network device, the information of the first NTN gateway being used for transmission of data of the terminal device between the first network device and the first NTN gateway.

[0054] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth network device receives the third information, and sends information of a first NTN gateway in the NTN gateway based on the NTN gateway indicated by the third information. There is a communication link between the first NTN gateway and a first service gateway used for data transmission of the terminal device, so that in the satellite storage and forwarding scenario, the first NTN gateway can transmit data of the terminal device to the first service gateway, ensuring normal transmission of data of the terminal device.

[0055] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the sending, to the first network device, of the information of the first NTN gateway comprises: in a case where a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, sending, to the first network device, the information of the first NTN gateway, the information of the first NTN gateway being used to trigger the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0056] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth network device determines that the first NTN gateway has both a communication link with the first service gateway and a currently available communication link with the first network device, and triggers the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway by using the information of the first NTN gateway, thereby avoiding the first network device from determining again an NTN gateway having an available communication link with the first network device, and reducing the processing complexity of the first network device.

[0057] In combination with the third aspect, in some possible implementation manners, the third information is used to indicate a location of the first NTN gateway, and the sending, to the first network device, of the information of the first NTN gateway in a case where a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available comprises: in a case where a coverage range of a first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, sending, to the first network device, the information of the first NTN gateway, the first network device being deployed on the first satellite.

[0058] Based on the above technical solution, the fourth network device determines whether the first NTN gateway is within the coverage range of the first satellite, and determines that a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available in a case where the coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway. The fourth network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device to trigger the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway, thereby reducing the processing complexity of the first network device.

[0059] In some possible implementation modes, the third information is used to indicate a first time instant at which a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, and the sending of the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device in the case that the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available comprises: sending the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device at the first time instant.

[0060] Based on the technical solution described above, the third information indicates a first time instant, and the fourth network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway at the first time instant to trigger the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway, thereby reducing the processing complexity of the first network device.

[0061] In some possible implementation modes, the third information is used to indicate an identifier of the first NTN gateway, and the sending of the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device in the case that the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available comprises:

[0062] In the case that the first list comprises the identifier of the first NTN gateway, the information of the first NTN gateway is sent to the first network device.

[0063] In some possible implementation modes, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a location of the first NTN gateway.

[0064] In some possible implementation modes, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time instant at which a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available.

[0065] In some possible implementation modes, the method further comprises: determining, according to information used to indicate a coverage range of a first satellite, the first time instant as a time instant at which the coverage range of the first satellite comprises the location of the NTN gateway, and the first network device is deployed on the first satellite.

[0066] In some possible implementation modes, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identifier of the first NTN gateway.

[0067] For the third aspect, refer to the description of the first aspect and the second aspect, and the description of each embodiment and the corresponding technical effects in the first aspect and the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0068] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus is configured to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect. Specifically, the apparatus can include a unit and / or module configured to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect, such as a processing unit and / or a communication unit.

[0069] In an implementation, the apparatus is a communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the fourth network device). When the apparatus is a communication device, the communication unit can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0070] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, chip system or circuit for a communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the fourth network device). When the apparatus is a chip, chip system or circuit for a communication device, the communication unit can be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or related circuitry, etc. on the chip, chip system or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit, etc.

[0071] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes at least one processor configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory to execute the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect. Optionally, the apparatus further includes the memory configured to store the computer programs or instructions. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a communication interface through which the processor reads the computer programs or instructions in the memory.

[0072] In an implementation, the apparatus is a communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the fourth network device).

[0073] In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, chip system or circuit for a communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the fourth network device).

[0074] In a sixth aspect, a processor is provided. The processor is configured to execute the method provided in the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0075] For the sending and obtaining / receiving operations involved in the processor, if there is no special description, or if it does not contradict the actual role or inherent logic in the related description, it can be understood as the processor output and receive, input, etc. operations, and can also be understood as the sending and receiving operations performed by the radio frequency circuit and the antenna, which are not limited in the present application.

[0076] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a memory for storing a computer program or instructions; and the at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory.

[0077] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a communication interface, which is coupled to the processor and configured to input information to the processor or output information from the processor.

[0078] In a seventh aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a program code for execution by an apparatus, and the program code comprises instructions for performing the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0079] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0080] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, which comprises a processor and a communication interface, and the processor is configured to read instructions on a memory through the communication interface and perform the method provided by any of the implementations of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0081] Optionally, as an implementation, the chip further comprises a memory, and the memory stores a computer program or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions on the memory, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to perform the method provided by any of the implementations of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0082] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product containing instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method provided by any of the implementations of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0083] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which comprises the first network device and the second network device as described above.

[0084] Optionally, the communication system further comprises the fourth network device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0085] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0086] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0087] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0088] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 400 provided by embodiments of the present application.

[0089] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another communication method 500 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0090] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0092] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 800 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0093] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0094] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0095] The technical solutions provided by the present application can be applied to NTN systems such as inter-satellite communication and satellite communication. As an example, a satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and a terminal device. The satellite base station provides communication services for the terminal device. The satellite can refer to a drone, a hot air balloon, a low-orbit satellite, a medium-orbit satellite, a high-orbit satellite, etc. The satellite can also refer to a non-ground base station or a non-ground device, etc.

[0096] The technical solutions provided by the present application can also be applied to various communication systems, such as a 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, etc. The technical solutions provided by the present application can also be applied to future communication systems. The technical solutions provided by the present application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and internet of things (IoT) communication systems. The V2X can include vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle to infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) communication, vehicle to network (V2N) communication, or future communication systems, etc.

[0097] A device in a communication system can send a signal to another device or receive a signal from another device. Wherein the signal can include information, signaling or data, etc. Wherein the device can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, network element, gateway, communication device, communication module, node, communication node, etc.

[0098] Next, the network architecture and scenario suitable for the embodiments of the present application are introduced in combination with FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture suitable for the embodiments of the present application.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 1, the network architecture takes NTN as an example. As an example, the network architecture can include a ground gateway (GW), a satellite, a terminal device, a ground network, etc. The ground gateway can also be referred to as a ground station. The ground station can provide similar functions as the gateway in the terrestrial communication system, for example, the ground station can establish a connection with the terminal device through the satellite, and transmit the data of the terminal device transmitted by the satellite to the ground network for use by the application server. The ground station also has functions of monitoring and fault querying the satellite, packet switching of communication data, interface protocol conversion, etc. As an example, the link between the ground station and the satellite is called feeder link, and the link between the satellite and the terminal device is called service link.

[0101] The ground network in FIG. 1 can include a core network device in the 4th generation (4G) communication system, can also include a core network device in the 5th generation (5G) communication system, and can also include a device with the function of the core network device in the 5G or 4G communication system in the future communication system. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this, and the following describes the case that the ground network includes the core network device in the 4G communication system.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is another network architecture diagram of the embodiments of the present application.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 2, the network architecture mainly involves terminal device, evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN), mobility management entity (MME) in 4G core network device, serving gateway (S-GW) and packet data network gateway (P-GW) and the like.

[0104] It should be understood that the E-UTRAN and MME in FIG. 2 can be deployed on the satellite shown in FIG. 1, or deployed on different satellites respectively. The S-GW and P-GW are deployed in the ground network in FIG. 1.

[0105] The MME is a core network element in the 4G core network, and as the name implies, the MME is mainly responsible for mobility management and control, including authentication of terminal devices, paging, location update and handover and the like. Generally, the terminal device needs to report its location to the MME regularly, and if the terminal device wants to access the network for data transmission, the terminal device needs to be authenticated by the MME first. If the terminal device moves to the coverage of other base stations, the terminal device also needs to coordinate the related matters of base station handover through the MME.

[0106] The S-GW has functions of local mobility anchor point for inter-base station handover, mobility anchor for inter-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) mobility, packet routing and forwarding, transport level packet marking, or considering inter-operator charging and the like.

[0107] The P-GW is used for connection of UE and public data network (PDN). One terminal device can be connected to multiple PDN gateways at the same time to access multiple packet data networks. The PDN gateway has functions of performing policy implementation, filtering data packets for each user, charging support, lawful interception and data packet screening and the like.

[0108] It should be understood that, as shown in FIG. 2, assuming that the terminal device sends data to the network, the data needs to be transmitted to the P-GW through the S-GW, and then transmitted to the IP service of the operator by the P-SW.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is another network architecture suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0110] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of transmitting data of a terminal device in a non-continuous scenario of a feeder link based on a load of a satellite deploying a base station (or called a regenerative satellite). In Fig. 3, (1) is a schematic diagram of a scenario without an inter-satellite link, and (2) is a schematic diagram of a scenario with an inter-satellite link.

[0111] As shown in (1) of Fig. 3, when the terminal device is included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite, for example, the terminal device is included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite, and the ground station is not included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite; when the ground station is included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite, the terminal device is not included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite. It can be seen that when the service link between the regenerative satellite and the terminal device is available, the feeder link between the regenerative satellite and the ground station is unavailable; when the feeder link between the regenerative satellite and the ground station is available, the service link between the regenerative satellite and the terminal device is unavailable.

[0112] As shown in (2) of Fig. 3, when the terminal device is included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite, the ground station is not included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite, and the regenerative satellite can be connected to another satellite through an inter-satellite link, and the ground station is still not included in the current coverage range of the other satellite connected through the inter-satellite link; when the ground station is included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite, the terminal device is not included in the current coverage range of the regenerative satellite, and the regenerative satellite can be connected to another satellite through an inter-satellite link, and the terminal device is still not included in the current coverage range of the other satellite connected through the inter-satellite link. It can be seen that when the service link between the regenerative satellite and the terminal device is available, the regenerative satellite is connected to the other satellite through the inter-satellite link, and the feeder link between the other satellite and the ground station is still unavailable; when the feeder link between the regenerative satellite and the ground station is available, the regenerative satellite is connected to the other satellite through the inter-satellite link, and the service link between the other satellite and the terminal device is still unavailable.

[0113] The above-mentioned Figs. 1 to 3 are only schematic diagrams, and the system architecture and scenarios suitable for the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0114] For the scenario of satellite storage and forwarding, there can be a non-continuous feeder link limitation. For example, when the satellite can be connected to the terminal device through the service link, the satellite cannot be connected to the ground network providing services for the terminal device through the feeder link or the inter-satellite link and the feeder link. After the satellite receives the data from the terminal device, the satellite cannot send the data of the terminal device to the ground gateway corresponding to the terminal device, the ground gateway cannot receive the data of the terminal device, and thus the data of the terminal device cannot be transmitted to the ground network providing services for the terminal device, resulting in that the user data cannot be successfully transmitted.

[0115] It should be understood that, for the above restrictions, the terminal device can be provided with communication services through a satellite store-and-forward operation: for uplink transmission, "store" refers to storing uplink signaling / data from the terminal device on the satellite, and "forward" refers to forwarding the stored uplink signaling / data to the ground network; for downlink transmission, "store" refers to storing downlink signaling / data from the ground network on the satellite, and "forward" refers to forwarding the stored downlink signaling / data to the terminal device.

[0116] Therefore, the present application provides a solution that can realize normal transmission of user data in a satellite store-and-forward scenario.

[0117] The specific solutions of the present application will be described below. Before the specific solutions of the present application are described, the following points are explained.

[0118] (1) In the present application, "indication" can include direct indication, indirect indication, explicit indication, and implicit indication. When it is described that certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0119] In the present application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as to-be-indicated information. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information, for example but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or an index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be indicated only by a part of the to-be-indicated information, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, a protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. In addition, the to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately into multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different.

[0120] (2) In the present application, "sending" and "receiving" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to XX" can be understood as that the destination of the information is XX, which can include direct sending through the air interface, or indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as that the source of the information is YY, which can include direct receiving from YY through the air interface, or indirect receiving from YY through the air interface by other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or can be carried out within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, wire or interface.

[0121] (3) In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0122] (4) In the present application, "first" and "second" are only for convenience of description, used to distinguish objects, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. They are not used to describe the order or sequence of features. It should be understood that the objects thus described can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so as to describe solutions other than the embodiments of the present application.

[0123] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments provided by the present application can be applied to the architectures shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, without limitation.

[0124] It should be understood that the embodiments shown below do not particularly limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, as long as the execution subject can communicate according to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application by running a program in which the code of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is recorded. For example, the execution subject of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device or a fourth network device, or a functional module in the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device or the fourth network device that can call and execute the program. Hereinafter, without loss of generality, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail by taking the interaction between the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device and the fourth network device as an example.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 400 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0126] It should be understood that the first network device involved in FIG. 4 can be the above-mentioned satellite-based base station deployed on a satellite in FIG. 1, or can be the above-mentioned E-UTRAN in FIG. 2, or can also be the above-mentioned base station deployed on a regenerative satellite in FIG. 3. In the case that the second network device is deployed on the ground, the second network device can be the above-mentioned ground station shown in FIG. 1. The terminal device can be the above-mentioned terminal device shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. The first service gateway can be the S-GW shown in FIG. 2.

[0127] The method 400 shown in FIG. 4 can include the following steps.

[0128] 401, the terminal device sends data to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receives the data from the terminal device.

[0129] Wherein, the first network device is deployed on the first satellite. When the service link between the first satellite and the terminal device is available, the terminal device sends data to the first network device.

[0130] In a possible implementation manner, the first network device receives the data of the terminal device, and in the case that the communication link between the first network device and the first service gateway for data transmission of the terminal device is unavailable, the first network device stores the data of the terminal device locally.

[0131] It should be understood that the first service gateway is deployed on the ground.

[0132] It should also be understood that the first network device receives the data of the terminal device, and the first network device can determine whether the communication link between the first network device and the first service gateway is available according to the information indicating the coverage of the first satellite. For example, the location of the first service gateway is not within the coverage of the first satellite, then the communication link between the first network device and the first service gateway is unavailable, or can be understood as that the feeder link between the first network device and the first service gateway is disconnected.

[0133] 402, the first network device sends second information to the second network device, and correspondingly, the second network device receives the second information of the first network device.

[0134] It should be understood that the first network device sends the second information to the second network device. The second information includes the information of the first service gateway. The information of the first service gateway includes the identification information of the first service gateway and / or the address information of the first service gateway.

[0135] Optionally, the information of the first service gateway further comprises a tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) of the first service gateway. The TEID of the first service gateway is used to identify a tunnel for transmitting data of the terminal device.

[0136] It should also be understood that the first network device determines the information of the first service gateway before sending the second information to the second network device. The information of the first service gateway can be determined according to an S1-application protocol (S1-AP) message.

[0137] For example, after the first network device receives the data of the terminal device, the first network device determines the information of the first service gateway for transmitting the data of the terminal device. The information of the service gateway corresponding to the terminal device can be carried in an initial context setup request in an S1-AP message.

[0138] It should be understood that the method shown in FIG. 4 can be performed after the terminal device performs a service request procedure. For example, the method shown in FIG. 4 is performed after the terminal device sends service request information to the first network device, and the first network device forwards the service request information to the fourth network device. After the fourth network device receives the service request information of the terminal device, the terminal device is authenticated and authorized. In the case of successful authentication and authorization, the fourth network device sends the information of the service gateway (e.g., the first service gateway) allocated for the terminal device to the first network device, which is used for the first network device to subsequently transmit the data of the terminal device to the corresponding service gateway. For example, the fourth network device can send the information of the first service gateway to the first network device through an S1-AP message.

[0139] It should be understood that the second network device can be deployed on a second satellite or on the ground. The second satellite can be the same satellite as the first satellite or a different satellite.

[0140] 403, the second network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device, and accordingly, the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway from the second network device.

[0141] For example, after the second network device receives the second information from the first network device, the second network device determines the first NTN gateway according to the network topology information and sends the information of the first NTN gateway. The network topology information is used to indicate at least one NTN gateway that has a communication link with the first service gateway, and the at least one NTN gateway includes the first NTN gateway.

[0142] It should be understood that the network topology information can comprise topology information between the at least one NTN gateway and the first serving gateway.

[0143] For example, the network topology information comprises a mapping relationship between an identity of the at least one NTN gateway and an address or an identity of the first serving gateway. Assuming that the second information comprises address information of the first serving gateway, the second network device determines the at least one NTN gateway corresponding to the first serving gateway according to the mapping relationship in the network topology information and an address indicated by the address information of the first serving gateway.

[0144] Optionally, the network topology information can further comprise topology information between NTN gateways and / or topology information between serving gateways, the NTN gateways comprising the first NTN gateway, and the serving gateways comprising the first serving gateway.

[0145] It should be understood that assuming that the second network device is deployed on the second satellite. The network topology information can be network topology information stored locally by the second network device, or be acquired by the second network device from other network devices (for example, the third network device) after receiving the second information.

[0146] In a possible implementation manner, the information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0147] It should be understood that after receiving the second information from the first network device, the second network device determines the first NTN gateway according to the network topology information. In a case where a communication link is available between the first NTN gateway and the first network device, the information of the first NTN gateway is sent. The information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0148] For example, after receiving the second information from the first network device, the second network device determines the first NTN gateway according to the network topology information. In a case where a current coverage range of the first satellite comprises a location of the first NTN gateway, the second network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway. The information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0149] It should be understood that the coverage range of the first satellite can be determined according to information used to indicate the coverage range of the first satellite. The information used to indicate the coverage range of the first satellite can be acquired by the second network device from other network devices (for example, the third network device).

[0150] In another possible implementation manner, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time instant. The communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available at the first time instant.

[0151] For example, after receiving the second information from the first network device, the second network device determines the first NTN gateway according to the network topology information, and sends, to the first network device, the first time instant at which the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, by the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0152] It should be understood that the first time instant does not refer to one time instant, and the first time instant can be a plurality of discrete time instants or continuous time instants, which are not limited by the present application.

[0153] It should also be understood that the second network device can determine the first time instant according to the information indicating the coverage range of the first satellite. For example, the second network device can determine a moving path of the coverage range of the first satellite according to the information indicating the coverage range of the first satellite, and thus determine at which specific time instants the coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway. In the case where the coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available. It can be seen that the time instant at which the coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway is the first time instant, and at the first time instant, the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available. The second network device can indicate the first time instant by the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0154] In another possible implementation manner, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a location of the first NTN gateway.

[0155] For example, after receiving the second information from the first network device, the second network device determines the first NTN gateway according to the network topology information, and sends, to the first network device, the location of the first NTN gateway by the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0156] In another possible implementation manner, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identifier of the first NTN gateway.

[0157] For example, after receiving the second information from the first network device, the second network device determines the first NTN gateway according to the network topology information, and sends, to the first network device, the identifier of the first NTN gateway by the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0158] 404, the first network device sends, to the first service gateway, data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0159] For example, the first network device receives information of the first NTN gateway from the second network device, and according to the information of the first NTN gateway, transmits data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case that a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available.

[0160] It should be understood that the first service gateway receives the data of the terminal device, and can also transmit the data of the terminal device to an IP service of an operator.

[0161] In a possible implementation manner, the first network device receives information of the first NTN gateway from the second network device, and according to the information of the first NTN gateway, transmits data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0162] The information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger (or be referred to as indicate) the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0163] For example, the first network device receives information of the first NTN gateway from the second network device, and the information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway. The first network device transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway triggered by the information of the first NTN gateway, or the first network device transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in response to the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0164] In another possible implementation manner, the first network device receives information of the first NTN gateway from the second network device, and according to the information of the first NTN gateway, determines whether a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available. In a case that the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available, the first network device transmits data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0165] As an example, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time. The communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available at the first time.

[0166] It should be understood that the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway, and transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway at the first time indicated by the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0167] As another example, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a location of the first NTN gateway.

[0168] It should be understood that the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway, and determines whether the current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway according to the location of the first NTN gateway indicated by the information of the first NTN gateway, that is, whether the first satellite currently covers the first NTN gateway. In the case that the current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, or the first satellite currently covers the first NTN gateway, it indicates that the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is currently available, and the first network device transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0169] As another example, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates the identification of the first NTN gateway.

[0170] It should be understood that the first network device determines whether the first NTN gateway includes the identification of the first NTN gateway according to the identification of the first NTN gateway indicated by the information of the first NTN gateway. The first list includes the identification of at least one NTN gateway, and the communication link between the at least one NTN gateway and the first network device is available. In the case that the first list includes the identification of the first NTN gateway, it indicates that the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, and the first network device transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0171] In combination with the method shown in FIG. 4, the first network device sends the second information including the information of the first service gateway to the second network device, the second network device determines the first NTN gateway having the communication link with the first service gateway according to the network topology information, and sends the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device. After receiving the first NTN gateway, the first network device can send the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway based on the trigger of the information of the first NTN gateway, or based on the determination that the first NTN gateway has the available communication link with the first network device, to ensure the normal transmission of the data of the terminal device.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 500 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 500 shown in FIG. 5 can include the following steps.

[0173] It should be understood that the first network device involved in FIG. 5 can be the above-mentioned satellite-based base station deployed on a satellite in FIG. 1, or can be the above-mentioned E-UTRAN in FIG. 2, or can also be the above-mentioned base station deployed on a regenerative satellite in FIG. 3. In the case that the second network device is deployed on the ground, the second network device can be the ground station shown in FIG. 1. The terminal device can be the terminal device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The first service gateway can be the S-GW shown in FIG. 2. The fourth network device can be the MME in FIG. 2.

[0174] 501, the terminal device sends service request information.

[0175] For example, the terminal device sends service request information to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receives the service request information from the terminal device. After receiving the service request information from the terminal device, the first network device can send the service request information to the fourth network device. Correspondingly, the fourth network device receives the service request information from the terminal device. The service request information is used to request access to the network.

[0176] Optionally, the service request information includes identification information of the terminal device.

[0177] It should be understood that the first network device is deployed on a first satellite, and the fourth network device is deployed on a third satellite. The first satellite and the third satellite can be the same satellite or different satellites. Assuming that the first satellite and the third satellite are different satellites, i.e., the first network device and the fourth network device can transmit the service request information of the terminal device through the inter-satellite link between the first satellite and the third satellite.

[0178] It should also be understood that the service request information of the terminal device in step 501 can trigger the fourth network device to send second information to the second network device (as in step 502 below), or in the process of the terminal device requesting to access the network, after the fourth network device configures the service gateway (for example, the first service gateway) corresponding to the terminal device for the terminal device, the fourth network device can send second information to the second network device (as in step 502 below). It can be seen that step 501 is an optional step.

[0179] 502, the fourth network device sends second information to the second network device, and correspondingly, the second network device receives the second information from the fourth network device.

[0180] For example, after receiving the service request information of the terminal device, the fourth network device determines the first service gateway corresponding to the terminal device, and sends second information to the second network device. The second information includes information of the first service gateway, and the first service gateway is used for data transmission of the terminal device.

[0181] It should be understood that the second information in this FIG. 5 is similar to the second information in the step 402 in the above-mentioned FIG. 4, and specific reference can be made to the detailed description in the above-mentioned FIG. 4.

[0182] For another example, after the fourth network device receives the service request information of the terminal device, the fourth network device can authenticate and / or verify the terminal device. In the case that the authentication and / or verification is successful, the fourth network device sends the information of the service gateway (for example, the first service gateway) corresponding to the terminal device to the second network device through the second information, which can be used by the second network device to determine the NTN gateway having the communication link with the first service gateway.

[0183] It should be understood that the second network device can be deployed on the second satellite or on the ground. Assuming that the second network device is deployed on the second satellite, the second satellite can be the same satellite as the first satellite on which the first network device is deployed or a different satellite from the third satellite on which the fourth network device is deployed. The first network device and / or the fourth network device can be deployed on the same satellite as the second network device or on different satellites.

[0184] 503. The fourth network device receives the third information from the second network device, and accordingly, the second network device sends the third information to the fourth network device.

[0185] For example, after the second network device receives the second information from the fourth network device, the second network device determines the third information according to the network topology information and sends the third information to the fourth network device. The third information indicates the information of the NTN gateway deployed on the ground having the communication link with the first service gateway, and the NTN gateway includes the first NTN gateway.

[0186] In a possible implementation manner, the third information is further used to indicate the location of the first NTN gateway.

[0187] In another possible implementation manner, the third information is further used to indicate the first time, which is the available time of the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device.

[0188] In another possible implementation manner, the third information is further used to indicate the identity of the first NTN gateway.

[0189] Alternatively, it can be understood that the third information can include the information used to indicate the identity of the first NTN gateway, the information used to indicate the location of the first NTN gateway, or the information used to indicate the first time.

[0190] It should be understood that the second network device determines the third information according to network topology information, which can be stored locally by the second network device or acquired by requesting the third network device. For details, refer to the specific description in FIG. 6 above.

[0191] 504, the fourth network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device, and correspondingly, the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway from the fourth network device.

[0192] For example, the fourth network device receives the third information from the second network device, and sends the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device.

[0193] In a possible implementation manner, the information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0194] It should be understood that after the fourth network device receives the third information from the second network device, in the case that there currently exists a usable communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device, the fourth network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device. The information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0195] For example, the fourth network device receives the third information from the second network device, and the third information indicates the location of the first NTN gateway. The fourth network device determines whether the current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway according to the location of the first NTN gateway and the information used to indicate the coverage range of the first satellite. In the case that the current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, the fourth network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device. The information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0196] It should be understood that the coverage range of the first satellite can be determined by the fourth network device according to the information used to indicate the coverage range of the first satellite. The information used to indicate the coverage range of the first satellite can be stored locally by the fourth network device or acquired from other network devices (for example, the first network device or the second network device).

[0197] For example, the fourth network device receives the third information from the second network device, and the third information is used to indicate a first time. At the first time, the fourth network device sends the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device. The information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0198] For example, the fourth network device receives third information from the second network device, the third information indicating the identity of the first NTN gateway. The fourth network device determines whether the first list includes the identity of the first NTN gateway according to the identity of the first NTN. In a case where the first list includes the identity of the first NTN gateway, the fourth network device sends information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device. The information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

[0199] It should be understood that the first list can be acquired by the fourth network device from the first network device.

[0200] In another possible implementation manner, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time. The communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available at the first time.

[0201] For example, the fourth network device receives third information from the second network device, the fourth network device sends information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device, and the information of the first NTN gateway indicates the first time.

[0202] The first time indicated by the information of the first NTN gateway can be the first time indicated by the third information, or be determined by the fourth network device according to the information indicating the coverage range of the first satellite.

[0203] It should be understood that the fourth network device can determine the first time according to the information indicating the coverage range of the first satellite. For example, the fourth network device can determine a moving path of the coverage range of the first satellite according to the information indicating the coverage range of the first satellite, and thus determine at which times the coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway. In a case where the coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available. It can be seen that the times at which the coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway are the first time, at which the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available. The fourth network device can indicate the first time through the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0204] In another possible implementation manner, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates the location of the first NTN gateway.

[0205] It should be understood that the fourth network device receives third information from the second network device, the third information indicating the location of the first NTN gateway. The fourth network device indicates the location of the first NTN gateway in the third information to the first network device through the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0206] In a possible implementation, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identity of the first NTN gateway.

[0207] It should be understood that the fourth network device receives third information from the second network device, the third information indicating the identity of the first NTN gateway. The fourth network device indicates the identity of the first NTN gateway in the third information to the first network device through the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0208] It should be understood that there is no logical relationship between the first network device receiving the information of the first NTN gateway in step 504 and the first network device receiving the data of the terminal device. For example, step 504 can be performed before the first network device receives the data of the terminal device, or after the first network device receives the data of the terminal device.

[0209] 505, the first network device sends the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0210] For example, the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway from the fourth network device, and according to the information of the first NTN gateway, sends the data of the terminal device to the first NTN gateway under the condition that the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available.

[0211] In a possible implementation, the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway from the fourth network device, and according to the information of the first NTN gateway, transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0212] The information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger (or indicate) the first network device.

[0213] For example, the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway from the fourth network device, and the information of the first NTN gateway is used to trigger the first network device to transmit the data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway. The first network device sends the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway under the trigger of the information of the first NTN gateway. Or it can be understood that the first network device sends the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in response to the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0214] In another possible implementation, the first network device receives information of a first NTN gateway from a fourth network device, determines whether a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available according to the information of the first NTN gateway. In a case where the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available, the first network device transmits data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0215] As an example, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time. The communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available at the first time.

[0216] It should be understood that the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway, and transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway at the first time indicated by the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0217] As another example, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates a location of the first NTN gateway.

[0218] It should be understood that the first network device receives the information of the first NTN gateway, and determines whether a current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, or whether the first satellite currently covers the first NTN gateway according to the location of the first NTN gateway indicated by the information of the first NTN gateway. In a case where the current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, or the first satellite currently covers the first NTN gateway, it indicates that the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is currently available, and the first network device transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0219] As another example, the information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identity of the first NTN gateway.

[0220] It should be understood that the first network device determines whether the identity of the first NTN gateway indicated by the information of the first NTN gateway is included in a first list according to the information of the first NTN gateway. The first list includes identities of at least one NTN gateway, and a communication link between the first network device and the at least one NTN gateway is available. In a case where the identity of the first NTN gateway is included in the first list, it indicates that the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, and the first network device transmits the data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway.

[0221] In combination with the method shown in FIG. 5, the fourth network device sends second information including information of the first service gateway to the second network device, the second network device determines the first NTN gateway having a communication link with the first service gateway according to the network topology information, and sends third information to the fourth network device. The fourth network device sends information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device according to the third information. After receiving the first NTN gateway, the first network device can trigger based on the information of the first NTN gateway, or determine that there is an available communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device based on the information of the first NTN gateway, and the first network device sends data of the terminal device to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway to ensure normal transmission of the data of the terminal device.

[0222] Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 600 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 600 shown in FIG. 6 can include the following steps.

[0223] It should be understood that the network device #1 or the network device #2 in FIG. 6 can be the second network device in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. When the second network device is deployed on a second satellite, the second network device can be understood as the network device #1 in FIG. 6; when the second network device is deployed on the ground, the second network device can be understood as the network device #2 in FIG. 6.

[0224] 601, the network device #2 sends network topology information to the network device #1, and correspondingly, the network device #1 receives the network topology information of the network device #2.

[0225] In an embodiment, the network device #1 is deployed on a satellite, and the network device #2 is deployed on the ground.

[0226] In an embodiment, the network device #1 and the network device #2 can be used to maintain network topology information including NTN gateway information. For example, for some specific network element and / or address information (for example, address information of the first service gateway in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), the network device #1 and the network device #2 can be responsible for determining information of the NTN gateway that can reach the specific network element and / or address information.

[0227] It should be understood that the network device #1 and the network device #2 can be referred to as an NTN gateway topology management (NGTM) module. For example, the network device #1 can be referred to as a first NGTM, and the network device #2 can be referred to as a second NGTM. The first NGTM is deployed on a satellite, and the second NGTM is deployed on the ground.

[0228] It should be understood that the first NGTM and the second NGTM can be separate network elements, or can be integrated in the first network device, the fourth network device, or other network devices as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5. In the embodiments of the present application, the network device #1 and the network device #2 are exemplarily introduced.

[0229] It should be understood that the specific content of the network topology information is similar to the network topology information involved in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, and specific details are described in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0230] In a possible implementation, the network device #2 sends the network topology information to the network device #1 when the first condition is met, that is, the method of FIG. 6 performs step 601.

[0231] The first condition can include one or more of the following: the network topology information changes, the network device #2 is configured to periodically send the network topology information, and the sending period arrives, or the communication link between the network device #1 and the network device #2 is available, and the like.

[0232] For example, the network device #2 sends the changed (or updated) network topology information to the network device #1 through step 601 when the network topology information changes.

[0233] For another example, the network device #2 periodically performs step 601 to send the network topology information to the network device #1, where the period of the network device #2 performing step 601 can be preconfigured by the system or defined by the protocol, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0234] For another example, when the communication link between the network device #2 and the network device #1 is available, that is, information can be transmitted between the network device #1 and the network device #2, the network device #2 performs step 601 to send the network topology information to the network device #1 through information #1, and correspondingly, the network device #1 receives the information #1 from the network device #2.

[0235] It should be understood that the network device #2 sends the first information to the network device #1 when the first condition is met, that is, the first condition can trigger step 601.

[0236] It should be understood that the first condition can be pre-defined or pre-configured by the protocol / system, and the present application does not limit this.

[0237] In another possible implementation, step 601 can also be triggered by the network device #2 receiving the request information (for example, the first request information) from the network device #1 to request the network topology information. As shown in FIG. 6, before step 601, the method can further include:

[0238] 602, the network device #1 sends the first request information to the network device #2, and correspondingly, the network device #2 receives the first request information from the network device #1.

[0239] The first request information is used to request to obtain the network topology information.

[0240] It should be understood that the network device #2 receives the first request information from the network device #1, and performs step 601 according to the first request information to send the network topology information to the network device #1.

[0241] Optionally, after the network device #1 receives the network topology information from the network device #2, the network device #1 stores the network topology information locally.

[0242] In a possible implementation manner, the network device #1 stores the network topology information locally, and in other scenarios (for example, a satellite storage forwarding scenario), information about an available NTN gateway that can transmit data of a terminal device to a service gateway corresponding to the terminal device can be determined according to the locally stored network topology information, so as to ensure normal transmission of uplink data of the terminal device.

[0243] It should be understood that the network device #1 and the network device #2 can respectively send the network topology information to a consumer network element (for example, the first network device and the fourth network device in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). For example, when the consumer network element requests to obtain NTN gateway information that can be connected to a specific network element and / or address (for example, the first service gateway in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), the consumer network element can send request information for obtaining the network topology information to the network device #1 and / or the network device #2, and the request information includes information such as an identifier and / or an address of a target service gateway that the consumer network element wants to connect. Correspondingly, the network device #1 and / or the network device #2 send response information to the consumer network element according to the identifier and / or the address of the target service gateway in the request information received from the consumer network element. The response information includes information such as an identifier, an address, or a location of an NTN gateway that can be connected to the target service gateway.

[0244] It should also be understood that in the method shown in Figure 6, network device #2 can also send information indicating the satellite coverage area to network device #1, and correspondingly, network device #1 receives the information indicating the satellite coverage area from network device #2. Optionally, network device #1 can store the information indicating the satellite coverage area locally. The conditions that trigger network device #2 to send information indicating the satellite coverage area to network device #1 are similar to the conditions that trigger network device #2 to send network topology information to network device #1, and will not be repeated here. The information indicating the satellite coverage area and the network topology information can be carried in the same message and transmitted simultaneously, or carried in different messages and transmitted sequentially; this application does not limit this.

[0245] Combining the method shown in Figure 6 above, network device #1 and network device #2 can sense network topology information, including the NTN gateway. Specifically, network device #1, deployed on the satellite, can obtain network topology information from network device #2, deployed on the ground, and store the network topology information locally. This facilitates providing consumer network elements with information about the NTN gateway that can connect to the target service gateway, thereby ensuring normal data transmission.

[0246] It is understood that in some of the above embodiments, the network devices or gateways are repeatedly mentioned as being deployed on satellites or on the ground. Taking the deployment of a gateway on a satellite as an example, it can mean that the gateway is set up on the satellite, or it can be considered that the satellite has the gateway function, and this is not limited.

[0247] It is also understood that some optional features in the various embodiments of this application may not depend on other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios, without limitation.

[0248] It is also understood that the solutions in the various embodiments of this application can be used in reasonable combinations, and the explanations or descriptions of the various terms appearing in the embodiments can be referenced or explained to each other in the various embodiments, without limitation.

[0249] It is also understood that, in the above-described method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by a device (such as a terminal device or a network device) can also be implemented by components of the device (such as chips or circuits), without limitation.

[0250] The methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 4 to 6. The apparatus provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 7 to 9. It should be understood that the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiments above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0251] Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 700 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 700 includes a transceiver unit 710. The transceiver unit 710 can be configured to implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 710 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit. Optionally, the apparatus 700 further includes a processing unit 720. The processing unit 720 can be configured to perform processing, such as determining an access gateway, and / or allocating transmission resources, and the like.

[0252] Optionally, the apparatus 700 can further include a storage unit, which can be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 720 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit, so that the apparatus implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0253] Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 can include a receiving unit and a sending unit. The receiving unit can be configured to perform operations related to receiving, such as operations of receiving data or messages. The sending unit can be configured to perform operations related to sending, such as operations of sending data or messages.

[0254] In a first possible design, the apparatus 700 can be the first network device in the foregoing embodiments. The apparatus 700 can implement steps or procedures corresponding to those performed by the first network device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the apparatus 700 can implement steps or procedures corresponding to those performed by the first network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The transceiver unit 710 can be configured to perform operations related to receiving and / or sending of the first network device in the foregoing method embodiments, such as operations of sending and / or receiving data or messages. The processing unit 720 can be configured to perform operations related to processing of the first network device in the foregoing method embodiments, or operations other than receiving and / or sending, such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages.

[0255] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive data from a terminal device. In a case where a communication link between the first network device and a service gateway deployed on the ground is unavailable, the processing unit 720 is configured to store the data, and the service gateway is configured to transmit data of the terminal device. The transceiver unit 710 is further configured to receive information of a first NTN gateway, and there is an available communication link between the first NTN gateway and the service gateway. The processing unit 720 is further configured to instruct the transceiver unit 710 to send the stored data to the service gateway through the first NTN gateway, in a case where a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available, according to the information of the first NTN gateway.

[0256] In a second possible design, the apparatus 700 can be the second network device in the preceding embodiments, which can implement steps or procedures performed by the second network device in the above method embodiments, e.g., the apparatus 700 can implement steps or procedures performed by the second network device in the above method embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 5, or the apparatus 700 can implement steps or procedures performed by the network device #1 in the above method embodiment shown in FIG. 7. The transceiver 710 can be configured to perform operations related to receiving and / or transmitting (e.g., operations of transmitting and / or receiving data or messages) of the second network device (or the network device #1) in the above method embodiments. The processor 720 can be configured to perform operations related to processing (e.g., operations other than receiving and / or transmitting, such as operations other than transmitting and / or receiving data or messages) of the second network device (or the network device #1) in the above method embodiments.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 710 can be configured to receive second information, the second information including information of a service gateway deployed on the ground, the service gateway being configured to transmit data of a terminal device; the processor 720 can be configured to determine a first NTN network according to the network topology information; and the transceiver 710 can be further configured to transmit information of the first NTN gateway.

[0258] In a third possible design, the apparatus 700 can be the fourth network device in the preceding embodiments, which can implement steps or procedures performed by the fourth network device in the above method embodiments, e.g., the apparatus 700 can implement steps or procedures performed by the fourth network device in the above method embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The transceiver 710 can be configured to perform operations related to receiving and / or transmitting (e.g., operations of transmitting and / or receiving data or messages) of the fourth network device in the above method embodiments. The processor 720 can be configured to perform operations related to processing (e.g., operations other than receiving and / or transmitting, such as operations other than transmitting and / or receiving data or messages) of the fourth network device in the above method embodiments.

[0259] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 710 can be configured to transmit second information, the second information including information of a first service gateway deployed on the ground, the first service gateway being configured to transmit data of a terminal device; the transceiver 710 can be further configured to receive third information, the third information indicating information of an NTN gateway having a communication link with the first service gateway, the NTN gateway including a first NTN gateway; and the transceiver 710 can be further configured to transmit information of the first NTN gateway.

[0260] It should be understood that the specific process in which each unit performs the corresponding steps described above has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and thus is not described herein again for the sake of brevity.

[0261] It should also be understood that the apparatus 700 is embodied in the form of a functional block diagram. The term "unit" herein can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (for example, a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor, etc.) and a memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combination of logic circuitry and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus 800 can be embodied as a communication apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the communication apparatus in each of the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described here.

[0262] The apparatus 700 of each of the above-mentioned schemes has a function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the communication apparatus in the above-mentioned methods. The function can be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing unit, can be replaced by a processor, which respectively performs the transceiving operation and the related processing operation in each of the method embodiments.

[0263] In addition, the transceiver unit 710 described above can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, which can include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit can be a processing circuit.

[0264] It should be noted that the apparatus in FIG. 7 can be a network element in the above-mentioned embodiments, or a chip or a chip system, for example, a system on chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit, a communication interface; and the processing unit can be a processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. Here, no limitation is made.

[0265] Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 800 provided by the embodiments of the present application. The apparatus 800 includes a processor 810, and the processor 810 is coupled with a memory 820, the memory 820 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data, and the processor 810 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 820, or read the data stored in the memory 820, to execute the methods in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0266] Optionally, the processor 810 is one or more.

[0267] Optionally, the memory 820 is one or more.

[0268] Optionally, the memory 820 is integrated with the processor 810, or is separately arranged.

[0269] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus 800 further includes a transceiver 830 for receiving and / or sending signals. For example, the processor 810 is configured to control the transceiver 830 to receive and / or send signals.

[0270] For example, the processor 810 can have the functions of the processing unit 720 shown in FIG. 7, the memory 820 can have the functions of a storage unit, and the transceiver 830 can have the functions of the transceiving unit 710 shown in FIG. 7.

[0271] As an example, the apparatus 800 is configured to implement operations performed by a communication apparatus in the various method embodiments.

[0272] For example, the processor 810 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 820 to implement the related operations of the first network device in the various method embodiments.

[0273] For another example, the processor 810 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 820 to implement the related operations of the second network device in the various method embodiments.

[0274] For yet another example, the processor 810 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 820 to implement the related operations of the fourth network device in the various method embodiments.

[0275] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0276] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile 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). For example, the RAM can be used as an external cache. As an example but not limitation, the RAM includes the following various forms: static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0277] It should be noted that when the processor is a general processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a FPGA or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated in the processor.

[0278] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0279] Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 900 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The chip system 900 (or also can be called a processing system) includes a logic circuit 910 and an input / output interface 920.

[0280] The logic circuit 910 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 900. The logic circuit 910 can be coupled to a storage unit, and invoke instructions in the storage unit, so that the chip system 900 can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 920 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 900, and output information processed by the chip system 900, or input data or signaling information to be processed by the chip system 900.

[0281] Optionally, the logic circuit 910 can be implemented by one or more processors, including the one or more processors or processing portions in the one or more processors.

[0282] Optionally, the input / output interface 920 can include a transceiver, a transceiver, an input / output circuit or a communication interface.

[0283] As an option, the chip system 900 is configured to implement the operations performed by the communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the third network device, the fourth network device) in the above various method embodiments.

[0284] For example, the logic circuit 910 is configured to implement processing-related operations performed by the communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the third network device, the fourth network device) in the above method embodiments; the input / output interface 920 is configured to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the third network device, the fourth network device) in the above method embodiments.

[0285] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions for implementing the method performed by the communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the third network device, the fourth network device) in the above various method embodiments.

[0286] For example, the computer program is executed by a computer, so that the computer can implement the method performed by the communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the third network device, the fourth network device) in the above various method embodiments.

[0287] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which includes instructions executed by a computer to implement the method performed by the communication device (e.g., the first network device, the second network device, the third network device, the fourth network device) in the above various method embodiments.

[0288] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which comprises at least one of the first network device, the second network device, the third network device, the fourth network device, etc. in the above embodiments. For example, the system comprises the first network device and the second network device in FIG. 4. For another example, the system comprises the first network device, the second network device and the fourth network device in FIG. 5.

[0289] The explanations and beneficial effects of the related contents in any of the above-provided devices can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0290] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there can be 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 or components shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0291] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available media sets. The available media can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disk (SSD), etc. For example, the foregoing available media includes but is not limited to: a variety of media that can store program codes such as a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0292] 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 range 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: A first network device suitable for being deployed on a first satellite, the method comprising: receiving data from a terminal device; storing the data in a case that a communication link between the first network device and a first service gateway deployed on the ground is unavailable, the first service gateway being used for data transmission of the terminal device; receiving information of a first non-terrestrial network, NTN, gateway, there being a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first service gateway; sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case that a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available according to the information of the first NTN gateway.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates that the communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available; The sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case that a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available according to the information of the first NTN gateway comprises: sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway triggered by the information of the first NTN gateway.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time instant at which the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available; The sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case that a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available according to the information of the first NTN gateway comprises: sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway at the first time instant.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates a location of the first NTN gateway, the sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case that a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available according to the information of the first NTN gateway comprises: sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case that a current coverage range of the first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identity of the first NTN gateway, the sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case that a communication link between the first network device and the first NTN gateway is available according to the information of the first NTN gateway comprises: sending the stored data to the first service gateway through the first NTN gateway in a case that a first list includes the identity of the first NTN gateway, the first list including identities of at least one NTN gateway, a communication link between the first network device and the at least one NTN gateway being available.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Before the receiving the information of the first NTN gateway, the method further comprises: The second information includes information of the first service gateway.

7. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is suitable for a second network device, and the method comprises: receiving second information, the second information including information of a first service gateway deployed on the ground, the first service gateway being used for data transmission of a terminal device; determining a first NTN gateway according to network topology information, the network topology information indicating at least one NTN gateway having a communication link with the first service gateway, the at least one NTN gateway including the first NTN gateway; sending information of the first NTN gateway, the information of the first NTN gateway being used for transmission of data of the terminal device between the first network device and the first NTN gateway.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The sending of the information of the first NTN gateway includes: sending the information of the first NTN gateway in a case where a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, the information of the first NTN gateway being used for triggering the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The sending of the information of the first NTN gateway in the case where the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available includes: sending the information of the first NTN gateway in a case where a current coverage range of a first satellite includes a location of the first NTN gateway, wherein the first network device is deployed on the first satellite.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time at which the communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The method further comprises: determining the first time according to information indicating a coverage range of a first satellite, the first network device being deployed on the first satellite.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates a location of the first NTN gateway.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identifier of the first NTN gateway.

14. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that, The second network device is deployed on a second satellite, and the method further comprises: receiving the network topology information from a third network device deployed on the ground.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving information indicating the coverage range of the first satellite from the third network device.

16. A method of communication, comprising: The method is suitable for a fourth network device, and the method comprises: sending second information, the second information including information of a first service gateway deployed on the ground, the first service gateway being used for data transmission of a terminal device; receiving third information, the third information indicating information of an NTN gateway having a communication link with the first service gateway, the NTN gateway including a first NTN gateway, sending information of the first NTN gateway to a first network device, the information of the first NTN gateway being used for transmission of data of the terminal device between the first network device and the first NTN gateway.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The sending of the information of the first NTN gateway to the first network device includes: In a case that a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, the information of the first NTN gateway is sent to the first network device, the information of the first NTN gateway being used to trigger the first network device to transmit data of the terminal device through the first NTN gateway.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The third information is used to indicate a location of the first NTN gateway, and the information of the first NTN gateway is sent to the first network device in a case that a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, including: In a case that a coverage of a first satellite includes the location of the first NTN gateway, the information of the first NTN gateway is sent to the first network device, The first network device is deployed on the first satellite.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, The third information is used to indicate a first time point, and a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available at the first time point, The information of the first NTN gateway is sent to the first network device in a case that a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, including: The information of the first NTN gateway is sent to the first network device at the first time point.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein, The third information is used to indicate an identifier of the first NTN gateway, and the information of the first NTN gateway is sent to the first network device in a case that a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available, including: In a case that a first list includes the identifier of the first NTN gateway, the information of the first NTN gateway is sent, the first list including identifiers of at least one NTN gateway, and a communication link between the at least one NTN gateway and the first network device is available.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates a location of the first NTN gateway.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates a first time point, and a communication link between the first NTN gateway and the first network device is available at the first time point.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The method further includes: According to the information used to indicate a coverage of a first satellite, the first time point is determined as a time point at which the coverage of the first satellite includes the location of the NTN gateway, and the first network device is deployed on the first satellite.

24. The method of any one of claims 16-23, wherein, The information of the first NTN gateway indicates an identifier of the first NTN gateway.

25. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus includes a module or unit for performing the method of any of claims 1-24.

26. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus includes a processor configured to execute a computer program or instructions in a memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1-24.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1-24.

28. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes computer program or instructions for performing the method of any of claims 1-24.

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