Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which are used for supporting a terminal in establishing a connection with a satellite when the terminal cannot access any satellite in a storage and forwarding monitoring list due to movement, etc. The method comprises: a terminal acquiring first information and a first satellite list, wherein the first information comprises at least one piece of the following information: information of a first timer; ephemeris information; a third satellite list, wherein the first satellite list is unavailable in the case of coverage by a satellite in the third satellite list; and information of a first area corresponding to the first satellite list, wherein the first satellite list is available in the first area. The method further comprises: the terminal sending a first message on the basis of the first information, wherein the first message is used for updating the first satellite list; and the terminal receiving a second satellite list.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411093144.6, filed on August 8, 2024, and entitled “A Communication Method and Apparatus”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] In a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication scenario, there is a feeder discontinuous scenario under a regenerative repeater satellite architecture. In this scenario, the service link between the terminal and the base station and / or the feeder link between the base station and the core network is not available at all times. In this scenario, the network device indicates the satellites that the terminal can access by sending a store-and-forward monitoring list to the terminal. The store-and-forward monitoring list can contain one or more satellite identifiers. The terminal only needs to attempt to access the satellites in the store-and-forward monitoring list and does not need to attempt to access the satellites whose identifiers are not contained in the satellite list.

[0005] Currently, in the scenario where the terminal position moves, the terminal can not be able to access any one of the satellites in the store-and-forward monitoring list. At this time, since the terminal cannot attempt to access the satellites outside the store-and-forward monitoring list, it can lead to the terminal being unable to access the satellites, resulting in communication failure or increased communication delay. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus that supports the terminal establishing a connection with the satellite in the case where the terminal cannot access any one of the satellites in the store-and-forward monitoring list due to movement or other reasons.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first communication device, or in other words, the method can be applied to the first communication device. In the absence of special description, the "first communication device" in the present application can refer to a terminal device itself, a component in the terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal device functions. The components in the present application may, for example, include at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, a transceiving unit, or other functional modules. Taking the terminal as an execution subject, the method includes: the terminal obtains first information and a first satellite list, wherein the first information includes at least one of the following information: information of a first timer; ephemeris information; a third satellite list, the first satellite list being unavailable in the case that the satellites in the third satellite list cover the terminal; information of a first region corresponding to the first satellite list, the first satellite list being available in the first region; the terminal sends a first message according to the first information, the first message being used to update the first satellite list; and the terminal receives a second satellite list.

[0008] Based on the method shown in the first aspect, the terminal can send a first message according to the first information, the first message being used to update the first satellite list, and the terminal can also obtain a second satellite list, so that the terminal can access the satellite through the updated second satellite list. The method can support the terminal to establish a connection with the satellite in the case that the terminal cannot access any satellite in the store-and-forward monitoring list due to movement or other reasons.

[0009] It can be understood that the satellite list in the present application can also be referred to as a store-and-forward monitoring list (S&F monitoring list) or a monitoring list, etc. The satellite list can be used to indicate satellites that the terminal is allowed or authorized to access, or the terminal can determine whether to access a satellite based on the satellite list, or the terminal can determine the satellites that are allowed to access based on the satellite list, or the satellite list can be used to assist the terminal to obtain downlink (DL) data or mobile terminated (MT) data. Alternatively, the terminal can communicate with the core network through the satellites in the satellite list, such as sending uplink (UL) data, mobile originated (MO) data or signaling to the core network, and / or receiving downlink data, mobile terminated data or other signaling. The "first message is used to update the first satellite list" can also be replaced by "the first message is used to update the satellite list", "the first message is used to indicate to update the satellite list", "the first message is used to indicate to update the first satellite list", "the first message is used to request an updated satellite list", etc. Alternatively, as long as the entity receiving the first message updates the first satellite list after receiving the first message or sends a new satellite list to the terminal, it can be understood that "the first message is used to update the first satellite list".

[0010] In the present application, the satellite list can include one or more satellites, and specifically can include information of one or more satellites. The information of the satellite can include the identification of the satellite, or other information that can be used to identify the satellite.

[0011] In the present application, "the identification of the satellite" can also be replaced by "the identification of the base station / core network / core network device deployed on the satellite", "the identification in the broadcast message sent by the base station deployed on the satellite, such as cell ID, etc.", "other arbitrary information that can identify a satellite", and other information that can be used to identify the satellite.

[0012] It can be understood that the satellite list in the present application can be determined according to the location information of the terminal. For example, the first satellite list can be determined according to the location of the terminal when it enters the network, the location of the terminal when it is covered by the satellite, the location of the terminal when the first satellite list is determined, the location of the terminal when it obtains the first satellite list, or the location of the terminal when the satellite sends the first satellite list to the terminal. For example, part or all of the types in the first satellite list can cover the location.

[0013] The second satellite list can be understood as an updated first satellite list, or a new satellite list. Optionally, the updated first satellite list can be a list that has the same identifier or name as the list before the update, but the content of the list after the update covers the content of the list before the update, or the list after the update can only include the part that is different from the list before the update, so as to update the content of the list. The specific implementation of updating the first satellite list is not limited.

[0014] The second satellite list can be determined according to the position of the terminal when the second satellite list is determined, the position of the terminal when the terminal obtains the second satellite list, or the position of the terminal when the satellite sends the second satellite list to the terminal. For example, part or all of the types in the second satellite list can cover the position.

[0015] The "information of the first timer" can be replaced by "the first timer", "available timer of the first satellite list", and the like. Alternatively, the "information of the first timer" can be replaced by "first time information", and the terminal can obtain the first time information and generate or determine the first timer according to the first time information.

[0016] The "information of the first area" can be replaced by "the first area", "available area of the first satellite list", and the like. Optionally, the information of the first area can be an area represented by longitude and latitude, or an area represented by one or more tracking areas (TA).

[0017] In this application, "for indicating" can include "for directly indicating" and "for indirectly indicating".

[0018] In a possible implementation, the terminal can receive the first information from the first satellite and the first satellite list, and the satellites in the first satellite list include the first satellite.

[0019] Based on the implementation, the first information and the first satellite list can be sent to the terminal by the first satellite. In addition, the terminal can also obtain the first information from the local configuration. For example, the terminal can obtain the information of the first timer and / or ephemeris information from the local configuration.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first information includes the information of the first timer, and the terminal can send the first message or trigger the first satellite to send the first message when or after the first timer expires.

[0021] Based on the implementation, the first timer can represent a validity period of the first satellite list. For example, the first satellite list can be considered available before the first timer expires, i.e., the first satellite list can not be updated before the first timer expires. Wherein, the terminal can start the first timer according to the information of the first timer after obtaining the first satellite list.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the terminal can further receive a broadcast message from a second satellite, the first satellite list does not include the second satellite; and the terminal can send the first message to the second satellite.

[0023] Based on the implementation, the terminal can send the first message to the second satellite after receiving a broadcast message of the second satellite other than the first satellite list. In combination with the requirement of the first timer, the terminal can send the first message to the second satellite or trigger sending the first message to the second satellite when or after the first timer expires after receiving the broadcast message of the second satellite other than the first satellite list.

[0024] In the present application, the satellite other than the first satellite list can mean that the first satellite list does not include the satellite, i.e., the identifier of the satellite does not belong to the first satellite list.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the second satellite list can include the second satellite.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the terminal can further receive a broadcast message from a satellite in the first satellite list and reset the first timer.

[0027] Optionally, "resetting the first timer" can be setting the timer to 0 and starting the counting, or setting the timer to the maximum and starting the countdown, or can be understood as restarting the counting according to the information of the first timer. "Resetting the first timer" can also be replaced by "refreshing the first timer", "restarting the first timer", "setting the first timer to zero", "setting the first timer to the maximum", etc.

[0028] Optionally, the terminal can reset the first timer according to the received broadcast message from the satellite in the first satellite list. Optionally, the terminal resets the first timer according to the broadcast message itself or the information in the broadcast message, for example, the information in the broadcast message can be the identifier of the satellite sending the broadcast message.

[0029] Based on the implementation, in a normal scenario where the terminal does not move, if the terminal can still be covered by the satellites in the first satellite list, i.e., can receive the broadcast messages of the satellites in the first satellite list, the terminal can access or attempt to access only the satellites in the first satellite list, and does not access or attempt to access the satellites outside the first satellite list. Since there are satellites in the first satellite list that can cover the terminal position, the update of the satellite list does not need to be triggered.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first information includes the ephemeris information, and the terminal can determine the fourth satellite list according to the position information of the terminal and the ephemeris information. In a case where the coverage areas of the satellites in the fourth satellite list include the position of the terminal and the first satellite list does not include the satellites in the fourth satellite list, the terminal can send the first message.

[0031] Optionally, the terminal can obtain the ephemeris information from a core network device, an access network device, a satellite, an ephemeris maintenance function device, or other devices, or the ephemeris information can be locally configured by the terminal.

[0032] Based on the implementation, the terminal can determine whether to send the first message according to the ephemeris information, the position information of the terminal, and the satellites in the first satellite list. After obtaining the fourth satellite list, the terminal can determine whether the first satellite list includes the satellites in the fourth satellite list. If the first satellite list includes at least one satellite in the fourth satellite list, or there is at least one satellite in the first satellite list that can cover the position of the terminal, the first satellite list is not updated, i.e., the first message does not need to be sent. If the first satellite list does not include any satellite in the fourth satellite list, or there is no satellite in the first satellite list that can cover the position of the terminal, the first satellite list needs to be updated, i.e., the terminal sends the first message.

[0033] It can be understood that the fourth satellite list can include one or more satellites that can cover the current position of the terminal. In implementation, the fourth satellite list can be replaced by one or more satellites, i.e., the terminal does not need to obtain the identities of the satellites that can cover the position of the terminal in the form of a list. The current position of the terminal can be understood as the position of the terminal when the fourth satellite list is determined. The current position of the terminal can be the position of the terminal when the determination of the fourth satellite list is triggered, e.g., the terminal triggers the determination of the fourth satellite list after receiving the broadcast message of the satellite that does not belong to the first satellite list, and the current position of the terminal can be the position when the broadcast message is received.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes indication information of a time period; accordingly, the terminal can determine the fourth satellite list according to the indication information of the time period, the location information of the terminal, and the ephemeris information, where the coverage area of the satellites in the fourth satellite list within the time period includes the location of the terminal.

[0035] Based on the implementation, the terminal can determine one or more satellites (e.g., as the fourth satellite list) that can cover the location of the terminal within a time period according to the location information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, and the indication information of the time period. If the first satellite list includes at least one satellite in the fourth satellite list, or if there is at least one satellite in the first satellite list that can cover the location of the terminal within the time period, the first satellite list can not be updated, i.e., the first message does not need to be sent. If the first satellite list does not include any satellite in the fourth satellite list, or if there is no satellite in the first satellite list that can cover the location of the terminal within the time period, the first satellite list needs to be updated, i.e., the terminal sends the first message.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the first information includes information of the first area, and the terminal sends the first message if the first area does not include the location of the terminal.

[0037] Based on the implementation, the terminal can send the first message to update the first satellite list in the case of moving out of the available area of the first satellite list. The "first area does not include the location of the terminal" can also be replaced by "the terminal determines to move out of or leave the first area".

[0038] In a possible implementation, the first area is determined according to at least one of the following information: the location information of the terminal; the ephemeris information; the capability information of the satellite; the preference information of the terminal; and the coverage area information of the satellite in the first satellite list.

[0039] In this application, the location information of the terminal can be used to indicate the location of the terminal. For the determination of the first area, the location information of the terminal can be used to indicate the location of the terminal sending or not sending the first message, which can be the geographic position coordinates of the terminal and / or the identification of the area where the terminal is located. The area identification can be, for example, TA identification, base station identification, or cell identification, and is not specifically limited.

[0040] The ephemeris information can be used to indicate the position and / or coverage of the satellite. For example, the ephemeris information can be the motion law information of the satellite, e.g., including the orbital parameters, angular velocity, and speed of the satellite, etc. Based on these information, the communication device can calculate the position of the satellite on the orbit at each time. The ephemeris information can be referred to the description in the specific implementation part, which is not repeated here.

[0041] The capability information of the satellite can include total storage space of the satellite and / or remaining storage space of the satellite. A satellite with small total storage space and / or a satellite with small remaining storage space can not be included in the satellite list, i.e., the satellite can not be considered when determining the first region. Alternatively, when a satellite outside the satellite list has little storage space at the edge of the region, the region can be expanded to ensure that the terminal can be covered by a satellite with storage space after leaving the first region.

[0042] The preference information of the terminal can include requirement (or preference) of the terminal for energy saving and / or requirement (or preference) of the terminal for latency. For example, when there are four satellites that can cover the terminal, as an example, if the requirement of the terminal for energy saving is "general (or low)", the satellite list can include more satellites, for example, three of the four satellites, and the first region can be the coverage area of the three satellites; if the requirement of the terminal for energy saving is "strong", the satellite list can include fewer satellites, for example, one of the four satellites, and the first region can be the coverage area of the one satellite, thereby helping to reduce power consumption of the terminal. As another example, if the terminal has low requirement for latency and strong requirement for energy saving, the satellite list includes one of the four satellites, and the first region can be the coverage area of the one satellite; if the terminal has high requirement for latency and general requirement for energy saving, the satellite list includes three of the four satellites, and the first region can be the coverage area of the three satellites, to reduce service latency.

[0043] Based on the implementation, flexible and accurate determination of the first region can be achieved.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the first information includes a third satellite list. The terminal can receive a broadcast message from a third satellite in the third satellite list and send the first message. Alternatively, the terminal can receive a broadcast message from a third satellite in the third satellite list and send the first message according to the broadcast message. Alternatively, the terminal can send the first information after receiving a broadcast message from a satellite in the third satellite list.

[0045] Based on the implementation, the terminal can send the first message after receiving a broadcast message from a satellite in the third satellite list, or in the coverage of the satellite in the third satellite list. At this time, the first satellite list is unavailable.

[0046] The third satellite list can be determined according to the satellites covering the first region, for example, the satellites in the third satellite list do not include the satellites covering the first region. The first region does not include the location of the terminal when the terminal sends the first message. Alternatively, the third satellite list does not include the satellites in the first satellite list.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the first satellite list does not include the satellites in the third satellite list.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the third satellite list is determined according to at least one of the following information: location information of the terminal; ephemeris information; capability information of the satellite; preference information of the terminal; coverage area information of the satellites in the first satellite list.

[0049] Based on the implementation, flexible and accurate determination of the first area can be implemented.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the first message is an attach request, a registration request, or a tracking area update (TAU) request.

[0051] Based on the implementation, the terminal device can send the first message to the first network device, and the first network device can update the first satellite list after receiving the attach request, the registration request, or the TAU request. For example, the first network device updates the satellite list each time it receives the attach request, the registration request, or the TAU request.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the first message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate updating the first satellite list.

[0053] Based on the implementation, the first network device can update the first satellite list according to the second information after obtaining the second information in the first message.

[0054] The "used to indicate updating the first satellite list" can mean that the second information directly or indirectly indicates updating the first satellite list. The "used to indicate updating the first satellite list" can also be replaced by "used to request updating the first satellite list".

[0055] In a possible implementation, the coverage area of the satellite in the second satellite list includes the location of the terminal.

[0056] Therefore, by obtaining the second satellite list, the terminal can access or attempt to access the satellite that can cover the current location of the terminal. The current location is, for example, the location of the terminal when the first message is sent.

[0057] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second communication device, or in other words, the method can be applied to the second communication device. In the present application, the "second communication device" can refer to the first network device itself, a component in the first network device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the first network device, unless otherwise specified. In the present application, the component can include at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, a transceiving unit, or other functional modules, and the like. As an example, the first network device can be a mobility management entity (MME), an MME-non terrestrial (MME-NT), an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, or an AMF-non terrestrial (AMF-NT), and the like.

[0058] Taking the first network device as an execution subject, the method includes: a first network device deployed on a second satellite receives a first message from the terminal, the first message being used to update a first satellite list of the terminal, and the first message being sent by the terminal according to first information; the first network device sends a second satellite list to the terminal; wherein the first information includes at least one of the following information: information of a first timer; ephemeris information; a third satellite list; or information of a first region corresponding to the first satellite list, the first satellite list being available in the first region.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the first network device is deployed on a second satellite, and a coverage area of the second satellite includes a location of the terminal; the first network device can further determine that the satellites in the first satellite list do not include the second satellite.

[0060] Based on the implementation, in the case that the first network device can obtain the first satellite list, the first network device can send the second satellite list to the terminal in the case that the first satellite list does not include the first satellite, thereby avoiding unnecessary update of the satellite list in the case that the first satellite list includes the second satellite.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the first network device can further send an identifier of the second satellite to a second network device; and receive third information, the third information being used to indicate that the satellites in the first satellite list do not include the second satellite.

[0062] Based on the implementation, in a case that the first network device cannot obtain the first satellite list, the first network device can send the identity of the second satellite to the second network device in a case that the first network device determines that the first satellite list does not include the first satellite, so that the second network device determines whether the first satellite list includes the second satellite. In a case that the second network device indicates through the third information that the first satellite list does not include the first satellite, the first network device sends the second satellite list to the terminal, avoiding unnecessary update of the satellite list in a case that the first satellite list includes the second satellite.

[0063] The second network device can obtain the first satellite list.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the first network device can further determine the second satellite list according to the location information of the terminal.

[0065] Based on the implementation, the first network device can determine the second satellite list.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the first network device can further send the location information of the terminal to the second network device, and receive the second satellite list from the second network device, the second satellite list being determined according to the location information of the terminal.

[0067] Based on the implementation, the second network device can determine and send the second satellite list to the first network device.

[0068] Optionally, in addition to determining the second satellite list according to the location information of the terminal, the first network device and / or the second network device can further determine the second satellite list according to at least one of ephemeris information, capability information of the satellite, or preference information of the terminal. In a case that the second network device determines the second satellite list, the first network device can further send the capability information of the satellite and / or the preference information of the terminal to the second network device.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the first message includes an attach request or a tracking area update request.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the first message includes second information, the second information being used to request to update the first satellite list.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the coverage area of the satellite in the second satellite list includes the location of the terminal.

[0072] The above beneficial effects of the second aspect and each possible implementation thereof can refer to the effect description of the first aspect and the corresponding implementation, and repeated description is not repeated.

[0073] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a third communication device, or in other words, the method can be applied to the third communication device. In the absence of special description, the "third communication device" in the present application can refer to the second network device itself, or a component in the second network device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the second network device. For example, the component in the present application can include at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, a transceiving unit or other functional modules. As an example, the second network device can be a home subscriber server (HSS), a MME-terrestrial (MME-T), a user data management (UDM) or an AMF-terrestrial (AMF-T), etc.

[0074] Taking the second network device as an execution subject, the method includes: receiving, by the second network device, an identifier of a second satellite from a first network device; and sending, by the second network device, third information to the first network device, the third information being used to indicate that the second satellite is not included in a first satellite list.

[0075] The "first network device", "first satellite list", "third information" and "second satellite" in the third aspect can refer to the descriptions in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0076] Optionally, the second network device can determine whether the second satellite is included in the first satellite list according to the first satellite list and the identifier of the second satellite.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the second network device can further receive position information of a terminal from the first network device, and send, to the first network device, a second satellite list determined according to the position information of the terminal.

[0078] Optionally, the second network device can determine the second satellite list according to the position information of the terminal.

[0079] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a fourth communication device, or in other words, the method can be applied to the fourth communication device. In the absence of special description, the "fourth communication device" in the present application can refer to the third network device itself, or a component in the third network device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the third network device. The component in the present application may, for example, include at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, a transceiving unit, or other functional modules. As an example, the third network device can be deployed on the first satellite, for example, the third network device is an access network device or a core network device on the first satellite. As an example, the third network device can be an MME, an MME-NT, an AMF or an AMF-NT deployed on the first satellite. The first satellite is included in the first satellite list.

[0080] Taking the fourth network device as the execution subject, the method can include: the fourth network device sending first information and a first satellite list. The first information can include at least one of the following information: information of a first timer; ephemeris information; a third satellite list; information of a first area corresponding to the first satellite list.

[0081] In a possible implementation, the fourth network device can determine the first information.

[0082] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device can implement the method in any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. The device has the functions of the first communication device, the second communication device, the third communication device or the fourth communication device. The device is, for example, a terminal device, a first network device, a second network device or a third network device, or a functional module in the terminal device, the first network device, the second network device or the third network device.

[0083] In an alternative implementation, the apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions of any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, which can be implemented in hardware circuit, software, or combination of hardware circuit and software. In an alternative implementation, the apparatus includes a processing unit (sometimes referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (sometimes referred to as a transceiver module, a communication module, etc.). The transceiver unit can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the transmitting function, it can be referred to as a transmitting unit (sometimes referred to as a transmitting module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving unit (sometimes referred to as a receiving module). The transmitting unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is referred to as a transceiver unit, and can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the transmitting unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit refers to these functional modules in general.

[0084] For example, when the apparatus is configured to perform the method described in any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the apparatus can include a communication unit and a processing unit.

[0085] In the sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus, including a processor configured to execute a computer program (or computer executable instructions) stored in a memory, when the computer program (or computer executable instructions) is executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0086] In a possible implementation, the processor and the memory are integrated together.

[0087] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication apparatus.

[0088] The communication apparatus further includes a communication interface configured to enable the communication apparatus to communicate with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. For example, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces.

[0089] In the seventh aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which is configured to store a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are executed, causing the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect and the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect to be implemented.

[0090] In the eighth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, causing the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect to be implemented.

[0091] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus, which is configured to execute the method in any possible implementation of the method in the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0092] In a tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, which includes a logic circuit (or can be understood as including a processor, which can include the logic circuit, etc.), and can further include an input / output interface. The input / output interface can be configured to input a message, and can also be configured to output a message. The input / output interface can be the same interface, i.e., the same interface can be configured to implement the sending function and the receiving function; or the input / output interface includes an input interface and an output interface, the input interface is configured to implement the receiving function, i.e., is configured to receive a message; and the output interface is configured to implement the sending function, i.e., is configured to send a message. The logic circuit can be configured to perform operations other than the transceiving function in the method in any possible implementation of the method in the first aspect to the fourth aspect; and the logic circuit can also be configured to transmit a message to the input / output interface, or receive a message from the input / output interface and the message is from another communication apparatus. The chip system can be configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of the method in the first aspect to the fourth aspect. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include the chip and other discrete devices.

[0093] Optionally, the chip system can further include a memory, which can be configured to store instructions, and the logic circuit can invoke the instructions stored in the memory to implement corresponding functions.

[0094] In an eleventh aspect, a communication method is provided, which can include the method implemented by the first communication apparatus in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the method implemented by the second communication apparatus in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0095] Optionally, the communication method can further include the method implemented by the third communication apparatus in the third aspect, and / or the method implemented by the fourth communication apparatus in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0096] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, which can include a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus. The first communication apparatus can be configured to implement the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second communication apparatus can be configured to implement the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication system can further include a third communication apparatus and / or a fourth communication apparatus, wherein the third communication apparatus can be configured to implement the method in the third aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the fourth communication apparatus can be configured to implement the method in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0097] The technical effects brought by the second aspect to the twelfth aspect can refer to the description of the beneficial effects of the corresponding solutions in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0098] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of another structure of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0110] The specific implementation manners of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0111] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the communication system can include a cellular system, such as a global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS), a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a 5th generation (5G) system or a new radio (NR), or a future communication system or other similar communication system. For another example, the communication system can include a non-cellular system, such as an ultra wide band (UWB) system, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) communication system or a WiFi system.

[0112] Figure 1 shows a possible, non-limiting, schematic diagram of a system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The RAN can also be referred to as an access network (AN). Optionally, the communication system can also include an Internet 300. The RAN 100 can include at least one RAN device (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 1) and at least one terminal (e.g., 120a-120j in Figure 1). The terminal connects to the RAN device wirelessly, and the RAN device connects to the CN through wire or wirelessly. The CN device and the RAN device can be independent and different physical devices, or can be integrated into the same physical device, or can be a physical device integrated with part of the CN device function and part of the RAN device function. The terminals and the terminals, and the RAN devices and the RAN devices can be connected to each other through wire or wirelessly. Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system can also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0113] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the access network device can represent the base station and other wireless access network devices.

[0114] The access network device can be an apparatus in the RAN that provides priority and / or wireless communication functions for the terminal device, referred to as a RAN device or (R)AN device. The RAN can be an access network in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), for example, a 4th generation (4G), 5G, or future communication network. The RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication network of two or more of the above networks. The RAN device can be a base station in a long term evolution (LTE) or LTE advanced (LTE-A) communication system, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB / eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a long range radio (LoRa) system, or a vehicle-to-everything system. The RAN device can also be a module or unit that completes part of the functions of a base station, for example, a CU, a DU, a CU-user plane (UP), or an RU, etc. For example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer and above protocol layers (such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer and / or the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, etc.); the DU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer below protocol layers (such as the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and / or the physical (PHY) layer, etc.). For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3GPP. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU).The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, for example, included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). Any of the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. The wireless access network device can also be a macro base station (such as 110a in FIG. 1), or a micro base station or indoor station (such as 110b in FIG. 1), and can also be a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the wireless access network device. For ease of description, the base station can be taken as an example of the wireless access network device in this application.

[0115] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as O-RU. For ease of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0116] In the embodiments of this application, the form of the access network device is not limited, and the device for implementing the function of the access network device can be the access network device; or can be a device capable of supporting the access network device to implement the function, such as a module or a chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in combination with the access network device.

[0117] In this application, core network devices can be deployed in the core network 200.

[0118] The steps of different embodiments in this application can be used in combination, which is not limited herein.

[0119] In this application, the network device can represent the access network device and the core network device.

[0120] It can be understood that the network device can be referred to as a communication apparatus. For example, the network device can be understood as an apparatus having a network device function. For example, the apparatus for implementing the function of the network device can be the network device; or part of the elements in the network device, for example, a CU, a DU or an RU, etc. The apparatus for implementing the function of the network device can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, for example, a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, which can be installed in the network device or can be used in matching with the network device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0121] The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a UE, a station (STA), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely applied to various scenarios, for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable equipment, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, smart home equipment, etc.

[0122] Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal. It can be understood that the terminal can be referred to as a communication apparatus. For example, the terminal can be understood as an apparatus having a terminal function. For example, the apparatus for implementing the function of the terminal can be the terminal; or an apparatus capable of supporting the terminal to implement the function, for example, a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, which can be installed in the terminal or can be used in matching with the terminal.

[0123] The network device and the terminal can be fixed in position or movable. The network device and / or the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface; can also be deployed on an airplane, a balloon and a man-made satellite. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the network device and the terminal.

[0124] The roles of the network device and the terminal can be relative. For example, the helicopter or the drone 120i in FIG. 1 can be configured as a mobile base station or an AP, and for the terminal 120j that accesses the wireless access network 100 through the drone 120i, the drone 120i is a network device; but for the network device 110a, the drone 120i is a terminal, that is, the 110a and the 120i communicate through a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, the 110a and the 120i can also communicate through an interface protocol between network devices and network devices, and at this time, the 120i is also a network device relative to the 110a. Therefore, the network device and the terminal can be collectively referred to as a communication apparatus, and the 110a and the 110b in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication apparatus with a network device function, and the 120a-120j in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication apparatus with a terminal function.

[0125] In this application, the network device and the terminal, the network device and the network device, and the terminal and the terminal can communicate through the licensed spectrum, or through the unlicensed spectrum (or referred to as the license-exempt spectrum), or through the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum at the same time; can communicate through the spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or through the spectrum above 6 GHz, or through the spectrum below 6 GHz and the spectrum above 6 GHz at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0126] In this 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, and "sending information" can include direct sending or indirect sending through other communication devices, communication apparatuses, units or modules. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as that the source of the information is YY, and "receiving information" can include direct receiving from YY or indirect receiving from YY through other communication devices, communication apparatuses, units or modules. In addition, "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" or "receiving" can be performed between devices, for example, the base station and the terminal send or receive through the air interface respectively, and "sending" or "receiving" can also be performed within the device, for example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within the device through the bus, wire or interface.

[0127] In this application, "for indicating" can include "for directly indicating" and "for indirectly indicating". When describing that "information" is "for indicating A", it can include that the information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and does not mean that A is necessarily carried in the information.

[0128] If the information indicated by one information is referred to as to-be-indicated information, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information in the implementation process, 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 only partially indicated, 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, specified by a protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common part of each information can be identified and uniformly indicated to reduce the indication overhead caused by separately indicating the same information.

[0129] In addition, the specific indication manner can also be other manners, for example, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication manners and various combinations thereof. The specific details of various indication manners are not described herein, and will not be described herein. As can be seen from the above, for example, when multiple information of the same type needs to be indicated, the indication manners of different information can be different. In the implementation process, the required indication manner can be selected according to the specific needs, and the selected indication manner is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. In this way, the indication manners involved in the embodiments of the present application should be understood as covering various methods that can enable the to-be-indicated party to know the to-be-indicated information.

[0130] 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 occasion of the sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited by the present application. The sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be pre-defined, for example, pre-defined according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting end device by sending configuration information to the receiving end device. Taking the configuration of the access network device to the UE as an example, the configuration information can include, for example, but not limited to, one or a combination of at least two of RRC signaling (or RRC message), MAC layer signaling, and PHY layer signaling. The MAC layer signaling includes, for example, a MAC control element (CE). The PHY layer signaling includes, for example, at least one of downlink control information (DCI).

[0131] In the embodiments shown below, the first, second, and various numerical numbers are only used for differentiation for convenience of description, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. For example, different indication information is differentiated.

[0132] The "preset" or "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be realized by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables or other means for indicating relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminals and network devices), and can also be pre-defined in the protocol. The specific implementation mode is not limited in the present application. Wherein, "storing" can mean storing in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separately arranged, or integrated in the encoder or decoder, processor, or communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially separately arranged and partially integrated in the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, which is not limited in the present application.

[0133] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to a communication system integrating a terrestrial communication system and a non-terrestrial communication system, which can also be referred to as an NTN system. The terrestrial communication system can be, for example, an LTE system, a UMTS, a 5G communication system, or various future communication systems, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0134] The NTN communication system has a wider coverage range than the traditional communication system, and can overcome natural geographical obstacles such as oceans, deserts, and mountains. In order to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional communication system, the NTN communication system can be an effective supplement to the traditional communication system. According to the different orbital heights, the satellite communication system can be divided into three types: geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite communication system, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication system, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication system. The GEO satellite communication system can also be referred to as a synchronous orbit satellite system. Generally, compared with terrestrial communication, NTN has different channel characteristics (e.g., large transmission delay, large Doppler frequency offset, etc.). Exemplarily, the round-trip delay of the GEO satellite communication system is 238-270 milliseconds (ms), and the round-trip delay of the LEO satellite communication system is 8-20 ms.

[0135] In the NTN communication scenario, unmanned aerial vehicles, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), satellites, and other non-terrestrial access network devices can provide data transmission, voice communication, and other services for terminals. In the following, satellite base stations are mainly described, but not limited thereto.

[0136] In NTN communication, the working mode of the NTN device can include a transparent mode and a regenerative mode. According to the working mode of the NTN device, the architecture of NTN communication can be divided into two categories:

[0137] One type is a transparent architecture, or a transparent payload architecture, in which the NTN device can be a relay or an amplifier, which can perform radio frequency filtering, amplification, etc., to regenerate the physical layer signal. The NTN device can be responsible for layer 1 (L1) relaying for physical layer forwarding, and higher layers are not visible. For example, in the transparent architecture, the RAN device and the core network device are both deployed on the ground.

[0138] Another type is a regenerative architecture, in which the NTN device has the processing function of the access network device. For example, a satellite in a regenerative mode can be divided into a regenerative satellite without an inter-satellite link (ISL), i.e., there is no ISL between satellites; or a regenerative satellite with an ISL, i.e., there is an interface for direct data interaction between satellites, where the ISL is an Xn interface; or a regenerative satellite with the processing function of a distributed unit (DU) of the access network device, in which case the satellite acts as a DU.

[0139] For example, in the regenerative architecture, part or all of the functions of the RAN device and / or part or all of the functions of the core network device are deployed on the satellite.

[0140] For example, the regenerative architecture can have various forms, such as architecture one or architecture two.

[0141] Architecture one: FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system architecture to which embodiments of the present application can be applied. The NTN communication architecture can be a communication architecture of a regenerative satellite with the processing function of an access network device (such as an eNB or gNB), i.e., in this architecture, the access network device (such as an eNB or gNB) can be deployed on the satellite. Optionally, the satellite can also deploy core network elements. The ground can deploy core network elements, and optionally, all core network elements can be deployed on the satellite. The satellite can communicate with the core network through an NTN gateway, and the connection between the NTN gateway and the satellite or the connection between the core network device deployed on the ground and the satellite is called a feeder link. In addition, the satellite can also provide wireless access services for terminal devices.

[0142] Embodiments of the present application can also be applied to scenarios with a base station (gNB) with integrated access and backhaul (IAB) function (gNB processed payload based on relay-like architectures), and the satellite can be an integrated access and backhaul IAB. In addition, embodiments of the present application can also be applied to scenarios with or without an inter-satellite link.

[0143] It should be noted that FIG. 2 only shows one satellite and one NTN gateway, and in actual use, multiple satellites and / or multiple NTN gateways can be adopted according to requirements. Each satellite can provide services to one or more terminal devices, each NTN gateway can correspond to one or more satellites, and each satellite can correspond to one or more NTN gateways, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In addition, FIG. 2 is only an example of the NTN communication architecture, and the NTN communication architecture can also include other specific devices, which are not limited in the present application.

[0144] As an example, the present application can be used in the 4th generation system (4GS). For example, a terminal accesses a 4G network through a base station deployed on a satellite, at this time the satellite base station can include an eNB. For another example, network elements in a 4G core network (such as MME, service gateway (SGW), public data network / packet data network (PDN) gateway (PGW), or HSS, etc.) can be deployed on a satellite. The 4G related network elements are described in detail in 3GPP technical specification (TS) 23.401.

[0145] As another example, the present application can be used in the 5th generation system (5GS). For example, the access network device in the 5GS architecture can be deployed on a satellite.

[0146] For example, the core network device in the 5G communication system can include an AMF network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, and a user plane function (UPF), etc.

[0147] The AMF network element is mainly used for functions such as mobility management and access management. In the 5G communication system, the AMF network element can be used for functions such as mobility management, access authentication or authorization, etc.

[0148] The SMF network element can be used to be responsible for session management of the terminal device (including establishment, modification and release of the session), selection and reselection of the user plane function network element, internet protocol (IP) address allocation of the terminal device, quality of service (QoS) control, etc.

[0149] The UPF network element can be used to perform forwarding and receiving of user data in the terminal device. A session (or connection, link, etc.) for transmitting user data can be established between the UPF network element and the access network device. The UPF network element can receive user data from a data network and transmit the user data to the terminal device through the session between the UPF network element and the access network device. The UPF network element can also receive user data sent by the terminal device through the session and forward the data to the data network. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided for the terminal device in the UPF network element can be managed and controlled by the session management function network element.

[0150] It can be understood that the AMF can also be replaced by an access management network element. The access management network element in the present application can be used to manage the access control and / or mobility of the terminal device. In actual application, the access management network element can include the mobility management function in the MME in the network framework in LTE. That is, in 4G, the access management network element can be MME. The access management network element can also include the access management function, which can be responsible for the registration of the terminal device, mobility management, tracking area update process, reachability detection, selection of the session management function network element, management of mobile state conversion, etc. For example, in 5G, the access management network element can be an AMF network element; in future communication systems, the access management network element can still be an AMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application. When the access management network element is an AMF network element, the AMF can provide Namf services.

[0151] In summary, the present application can be applied to at least 4G and / or 5G networks.

[0152] Taking the satellite communication system of 4G and 5G as an example, the embodiments of the present application can be applicable to but not limited to the following network deployment modes:

[0153] Mode 1: RAN is deployed on the satellite, i.e., RAN onboard. In this architecture, only RAN is deployed on the satellite, and other network elements are deployed on the ground. For example, the RAN can be an eNB or a gNB.

[0154] Mode 2: Part of the functions of RAN and MME / AMF are deployed on the satellite, and the other part of the functions of MME / AMF and other network elements are deployed on the ground.

[0155] Mode 3: RAN and MME / AMF are deployed on the satellite, and there is no MME / AMF on the ground, and other network elements are deployed on the ground.

[0156] The above-mentioned several deployment modes are introductions to the deployment modes of RAN and the network elements of control plane functions. Since the above-mentioned several deployment modes also include user plane function network elements, the above-mentioned several modes can also respectively include the following several branches:

[0157] (1) No user plane function network elements (e.g. UPF in 5G, or SGW or PGW in 4G) are deployed on the satellite.

[0158] (2) User plane function network elements (e.g. UPF in 5G, or SGW or PGW in 4G) are deployed on the satellite.

[0159] As an example, based on the above several network deployment manners, Figure 3 illustrates several network deployment architectures to which embodiments of the present application can be applied:

[0160] Referring to architecture 1 shown in (1) of Figure 3, the possible deployment of 4G and 5G network elements on the satellite and on the ground is as follows:

[0161] Deployed on the satellite: RAN, e.g. eNB or gNB.

[0162] Deployed on the ground: MME, SGW, PGW; AMF, SMF, UPF.

[0163] Referring to architecture 2 shown in (2) of Figure 3, the possible deployment of 4G and 5G network elements on the satellite and on the ground is as follows:

[0164] Deployed on the satellite: part of the functions of the RAN (e.g. eNB) and MME (which can be referred to as MME-NT) of the 4G network, and optionally SMG and PGW, etc. Part of the functions of the access network device (e.g. gNB) and AMF (which can be referred to as AMF-NT) of the 5G network. Optionally, SMF and UFP, etc.

[0165] Deployed on the ground: another part of the functions of the MME (which can be referred to as MME-T) of the 4G network, and optionally SMG and PGW, etc. Another part of the functions of the AMF network element (which can be referred to as AMF-T) of the 5G network, and optionally SMF and UFP, etc.

[0166] It can be understood that architecture 2 in Figure 3 is introduced by way of example with SMG, PGW, SMF and UPF deployed on the ground.

[0167] Referring to architecture 3 shown in (3) of Figure 3, the possible deployment of 4G and 5G network elements on the satellite and on the ground is as follows:

[0168] Deployed on the satellite: part of the functions of the RAN (e.g. eNB) and MME (which can be referred to as MME-NT) of the 4G network, and optionally SMG and PGW, etc. Part of the functions of the access network device (e.g. gNB) and AMF (which can be referred to as AMF-NT) of the 5G network. Optionally, SMF and UFP, etc.

[0169] Ground deployment: MME-T and PGW of 4G network, optional deployment of SMG and PGW, etc. AMF-T of 5G network, optional deployment of SMF and UFP, etc.

[0170] It can be understood that architecture 3 in FIG. 3 is introduced by taking the ground deployment of SMG, PGW, SMF and UPF as an example.

[0171] Referring to architecture 4 shown in (4) in FIG. 3, the possible deployment of 4G and 5G network elements on the satellite and the ground is as follows:

[0172] Satellite deployment: RAN (for example, eNB) of 4G network, MME, SGW, PGW and other network devices. Access network devices (for example, gNB) of 5G network and AMF, SMF and UPF and other network devices.

[0173] Ground deployment: 4G and / or 5G network can deploy application server.

[0174] It can be seen in FIG. 3 that in the architecture shown in (4), all functions of the core network are deployed on the satellite, which can be referred to as a CN onboard architecture. In the architecture (4), the core network elements deployed on the satellite at least include MME, SGW, PGW and HSS, and the core network elements also include other types, as long as the network elements deployed on the satellite can complete the basic flow, for example, complete the attachment flow, it can be referred to as a CN onboard architecture. In the architectures shown in (2) and (3), part of the functions of the MME are deployed on the satellite, and part of the functions are deployed on the ground, which can be referred to as a MME split or AMF split architecture. In addition, in the architectures shown in (2) and (3), if part of the functions of the AMF are deployed on the satellite, and part of the functions are deployed on the ground, the architecture can be referred to as an AMF split architecture.

[0175] It can be understood that in the above deployment modes, a satellite can only deploy 4G network devices or 5G network devices, or can deploy 4G network devices and 5G network devices, which is not specifically limited.

[0176] The several architectures shown in FIG. 3 are only examples and do not limit the network deployment architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application. For example, the network elements included in the actual application architecture can be more or less than the network elements in any of the above architectures.

[0177] The communication system and service scenarios (or application scenarios) described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios (or new application scenarios), the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0178] In the NTN scenario, there is a feeder discontinuous scenario under the regenerative repeater satellite architecture. In this scenario, the service link (or access connection) between the terminal and the base station and / or the feeder link between the base station and the core network is not available at all times. In this application, the feeder discontinuous scenario can also be described as a store and forward (S&F) scenario of the satellite, a feeder discontinuous state, or as a scenario accessed through a feeder discontinuous access network device. These several description methods can be replaced with each other. In this scenario, the network element / device on the satellite is not available at all times (available) during the operation of the satellite, that is, the service link and the feeder connection will be disconnected for a period of time.

[0179] In this scenario, the service link and the feeder connection may not be available at the same time. Therefore, the network element or network device deployed on the satellite needs to receive and store the uplink data of the terminal when the service link is available; when the feeder connection is available, the network element or network device deployed on the satellite forwards the stored uplink data of the terminal to the network element or network device deployed on the ground, and / or receives and stores the downlink data sent to the terminal from the network element or network device deployed on the ground. When the service link is available again, the network element or network device deployed on the satellite forwards the stored downlink data to the terminal. For example, the network element deployed on the ground is, for example, a core network element deployed on the ground; the network device deployed on the ground includes, for example, an application server or a functional module deployed on the ground, etc.

[0180] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, with the change of the position of the satellite, at some times, the service link is available and the feeder link is unavailable, at other times, the service link is unavailable and the feeder link is available, and at other times, the service link and the feeder link are both unavailable. Among them, the satellite in the regenerative repeater satellite architecture supports processing of the received signal, including demodulation, decoding, encoding, modulation and information processing, etc., that is, the satellite has the functions of all access network devices (such as gNB or eNB, etc.) on the satellite, and the satellite can also have the functions of part or all of the core network devices (such as the functions of at least one of AMF, SMF or UDM). In this application, the feeder discontinuous scenario can also be described as a store and forward scenario of the satellite, a feeder discontinuous state, or as a scenario accessed through a feeder discontinuous access network device. These several description methods can be replaced with each other.

[0181] Specifically, when a terminal accesses a regenerative repeater satellite, if the feeder link is unavailable, the satellite needs to store the uplink information from the terminal, and when the feeder link is available, the satellite forwards the stored uplink information to the ground core network device or data network. For downlink, the ground network device sends downlink information to the regenerative repeater satellite, and if the service link is unavailable at this time, the regenerative repeater satellite needs to store the downlink information from the ground core network device or data network (for example, PDN, data network (DN) or server), and when the service link between the terminal and the satellite is available, the satellite forwards the stored downlink information to the terminal. The working mode of the satellite in this scenario can be referred to as the S&F satellite operation mode. The ground network device can be in the core network deployed on the ground.

[0182] Specifically, the S&F satellite operation mode is the operation mode in which the S&F satellite provides communication services (stores and forwards information) to the terminal when the service satellite cannot be connected to the ground network through the feeder link or inter-satellite link (ISL) at the same time in a time period and / or geographical area. For uplink, storage refers to on-board storage of uplink information from the terminal, and forwarding refers to forwarding the stored uplink information to the ground network. For downlink, storage refers to on-board storage of downlink information from the ground network, and forwarding refers to forwarding the stored downlink information to the terminal. The S&F satellite operation mode can be used to transmit delay-tolerant or non-real-time services, such as short message service (SMS) services, cellular internet of things (CIoT) or MTC services, etc.

[0183] In this application, the service satellite is a satellite that provides satellite access for the terminal (for example, provides a service cell). According to different orbits, the service satellite covers a specific geographical area within a limited time.

[0184] In the feeder discontinuous scenario, if the service link between the terminal and the base station changes from unavailable to available, the RRC connection needs to be established between the terminal and the access network device, and the terminal can also register (or attach) and session establishment with the core network (such as MME, AMF or SMF) on the satellite.

[0185] In addition, in this application, part or all of the network elements in the core network can be deployed on the satellite. For example, at least one network element such as AMF, SMF, UPF or UDM can be deployed on the satellite. When part or all of the network elements in the core network can be deployed on the satellite, the architecture can be simply referred to as the core network on satellite architecture, and the part or all of the network elements deployed on the satellite can be referred to as the on-satellite core network.

[0186] In the non-continuous feeding scenario, the store-and-forward monitoring list is a concept proposed for terminal energy saving. The store-and-forward monitoring list can also be referred to as a satellite list or a monitoring list in the present application, which can contain the identification (satellite ID) of one or more satellites. In the S&F scenario, the terminal only needs to attempt to access the satellites in the satellite list, and does not need to attempt to access the satellites whose identification is not contained in the satellite list.

[0187] For example, if the terminal is not registered (or not attached to the core network), and the terminal receives a broadcast message of a satellite, the satellite identification included in the broadcast message belongs to the satellite list, the terminal can initiate registration (or attachment) to or through the satellite. Specifically, the terminal can establish an RRC connection with the base station on the satellite, and send a registration request (or attachment request) to the base station. Alternatively, if the terminal is already registered, and the terminal can receive a broadcast message of a satellite, the satellite identification included in the broadcast message belongs to the satellite list, the terminal can attempt to perform a TAU process, or send uplink data. The uplink data can also be referred to as terminal-initiated data.

[0188] In the present application, the "identification of a satellite" can also be replaced by: "identification of a base station / core network / core network device deployed on a satellite", "identification in a broadcast message sent by a base station deployed on a satellite, such as cell ID, etc.", "other any information capable of identifying a satellite" and other information for identifying a satellite.

[0189] It can be understood that the satellite list can be generated and sent to the terminal by the core network element. For example, the satellite list can be generated by the MME / MME-T (i.e., the MME function or partial function deployed on the ground). The core network element can generate the satellite list according to the location information of the terminal and the ephemeris information (optional, and the preference information such as the energy saving tendency of the terminal). According to the ephemeris information, the position of the satellite at each time, the coverage area, and the like can be determined, and therefore, according to the ephemeris information and the location information of the terminal, the satellites covering the current location of the terminal at different time periods are determined. The satellite list is for the energy saving of the terminal. The current location of the terminal described herein can be the location when the terminal sends a message such as an attachment request, a registration request, or a TAU request to the satellite. For example, according to the ephemeris information and the location information of the terminal, it is determined that, within a certain time period (such as 12 hours), satellite 1, satellite 2, and satellite 3 cover the current location of the terminal, but the terminal does not want to access all the satellites, but wants to save energy, and therefore the core network element can select satellite 1 and satellite 3 from them as the satellites in the satellite list, that is, the satellite list contains the identifier of satellite 1 and the identifier of satellite 3. Subsequently, the satellite list can be sent to the terminal by the core network element, and optionally, the core network element can indirectly send the satellite list to the terminal through other devices, such as through the core network element and the base station deployed on the satellite.

[0190] Currently, in the case where the terminal has configured the satellite list, if the location of the terminal changes due to terminal movement or the like, the terminal still only attempts to access the satellites in the satellite list, and the satellites in the satellite list can never or for a short period of time cover the changed location of the terminal, resulting in that the terminal cannot access the satellites in the satellite list, and cannot attempt to access the satellites other than the satellite list, resulting in that the connection establishment between the terminal and the satellite fails.

[0191] In order to avoid that the satellites in the satellite list cannot cover the location of the terminal, and the terminal cannot access other satellites other than the satellite list, the present application provides a communication method. In the present application, a first message can be sent by the terminal according to first information to trigger the update of the satellite list, so as to support the terminal to access the satellites in the updated satellite list.

[0192] The communication method can be implemented by one or more of a terminal (or terminal device, etc.), a first network device (or first network element), or a second network device (or second network element), or by a device or component in the above one or more network elements or devices.

[0193] In this application, the execution subject is taken as an example of terminal, first network device and second network device. The actions performed by the terminal can also be replaced by modules or chips in the terminal, the actions performed by the first network device can also be replaced by modules or chips in the first network device, the actions performed by the second network device can also be replaced by modules or chips in the second network device, and the actions performed by the first computing node can also be replaced by modules or chips in the first computing node.

[0194] It can be understood that the first network device can be deployed on a satellite. Taking a 4G network as an example, the first network device can be an MME or an MME-NT. For another example, taking a 5G network as an example, the first network device can be an AMF or an AMF-NT.

[0195] The second network device can be deployed on the ground. For example, taking a 4G network as an example, the second network device can be an HSS or an MME-T. For another example, taking a 5G network as an example, the first network device can be a UDM or an AMF-T.

[0196] In this application, the satellite where the first network device is located does not belong to the satellite in the satellite list to be updated by the terminal.

[0197] The technical solutions in this application will be described below in combination with the flow shown in S101-S103 in FIG. 5.

[0198] S101: The terminal acquires first information and a first satellite list.

[0199] The first satellite list can include information of one or more satellites, or in other words, the first satellite list includes one or more satellites. The information of the satellite can include the identification of the satellite or other information that can be used to identify the satellite. The satellite list can be used to indicate the satellites that the terminal is allowed or authorized to access, or the terminal can determine whether to access the satellite based on the satellite list, or the terminal can determine the satellites that are allowed to access based on the satellite list, or the satellite list can be used to assist the terminal to acquire downlink data or terminal terminated data. Alternatively, the terminal can communicate with the core network through the satellites in the satellite list, for example, sending uplink data to the core network, initiating data or signaling by the terminal, and / or receiving downlink data, terminal terminated data or other signaling.

[0200] The terminal only needs to attempt to access the satellites in the first satellite list after receiving the broadcast message sent by the satellites in the first satellite list. For example, the broadcast message can contain the satellite identification, and when the terminal determines that the satellite identification in the broadcast message is included in the first satellite list, it can attempt to access the satellite. The first satellite list is, for example, a store-and-forward monitoring list.

[0201] As an example, the terminal obtains the first satellite list in a manner that the terminal receives the first satellite list from the first satellite. The satellites in the first satellite list can include the first satellite.

[0202] It can be understood that the first satellite list is a satellite list to be updated.

[0203] In this application, the first information can be used to determine whether to update the first satellite list. Determining whether to update the first satellite list can be understood as the terminal determining whether to send the first message in S102. If it is determined to update the satellite list, the terminal sends the first message, otherwise, if it is determined not to update the satellite list, the first message does not need to be sent. The terminal determines whether to update the satellite list in the manner described in S102. The terminal determining whether to update the first satellite list can also be described as determining to update the satellite list, or determining whether to update the satellite list, or determining to trigger the update of the satellite list (or the first satellite list), or determining whether to trigger the update of the satellite list (or the first satellite list).

[0204] In this application, the first information can be used by the terminal to determine whether to update the first satellite list.

[0205] As a possible implementation manner, the terminal can receive the first information from the first satellite. As described above, the first satellite can be a satellite in the first satellite list. For example, the terminal can receive the first information and / or the first satellite list from the first satellite (or a third network device, such as a network device deployed on the first satellite) in the process of accessing the first satellite or after accessing the first satellite. For example, the terminal can receive the first satellite list from the first satellite and receive the first information. As another possible implementation manner, the first information can be preset or preconfigured.

[0206] The first information includes at least one of the information of the first timer, the ephemeris information, the information of the first area, or the third satellite list, i.e., the first information can be determined according to at least one of the information of the first timer, the ephemeris information, the information of the first area, or the third satellite list to determine whether to update the satellite list.

[0207] The information of the first timer, the ephemeris information, the information of the first area, and the third satellite list will be described below.

[0208] (1) The information of the first timer. It can be considered that the first satellite list is available before the first timer expires. The first timer can also be referred to as the available timer of the first satellite list. It can be understood that the terminal will not trigger the update of the first satellite list before the first timer expires. It can also be said that the terminal can trigger the update of the first satellite list after the first timer expires.

[0209] The information of the first timer can indicate a time length of the first timer, for example, the time length of the first timer is in seconds (s), hours, days, etc., which is not limited specifically. If the first information includes the information of the first timer, the terminal can start the time of the first timer after receiving the first satellite list. Starting the time of the first timer can mean that the terminal starts counting from 0, or can mean that the terminal counts down according to the time length, which is not limited specifically.

[0210] It can be understood that the "information of the first timer" can be replaced by "first timer", "available timer of the first satellite list", etc. Alternatively, the "information of the first timer" can be replaced by "first time information", and the terminal can obtain the first time information and generate or determine the first timer according to the first time information.

[0211] In this application, the timeout of the timer can also be referred to as expiration or timing, etc. It can be that the specified timer counts from the maximum value to the minimum value (such as 0) in the case of counting; it can also be that it counts from the minimum value (such as 0) to the maximum value. The maximum value can be a value determined according to the time length and the counting unit of the timer. For example, the time length is 10 seconds, and the counting unit of the timer is second, then the maximum value can be 10.

[0212] Optionally, the information of the first timer can come from a network device, such as from the first satellite or a core network device. The information of the first timer can also be pre-configured or pre-set by the terminal, which is not limited specifically.

[0213] The way in which the terminal determines whether to update the satellite list according to the information of the first timer will be described in detail in S102 in combination with Mode 1, which is not expanded here.

[0214] (2) ephemeris information. The ephemeris information referred to in this application is used to indicate the position and / or coverage of the satellite. For example, the ephemeris information can be the motion law information of the satellite, for example, including the orbital parameters, angular velocity, speed, etc. of the satellite, and the communication device can calculate the position of the satellite on the orbit at each moment based on these information. The ephemeris information can be represented as a simple correspondence, for example, the satellite position information corresponding to each moment / period. The ephemeris information can also be represented as a satellite coverage map, for example, satellite coverage availability information, the satellite coverage map can divide the earth's surface into a plurality of grid points, and show the grid points covered and not covered by the satellite at each moment. For example, the running period of the satellite around the earth is one hour, and the accuracy is one minute. Each minute corresponds to a satellite coverage map of the satellite, and some grid points in the map are bright and some are dark, and the bright grid points represent the grid points covered by the satellite at the corresponding moment in each period.

[0215] It is explained herein that the ephemeris information referred to in this application includes but is not limited to traditional ephemeris information, satellite map information and deployment information of the gateway station. Among them, the traditional ephemeris information includes but is not limited to orbital parameters, or parameters such as the position of the satellite calculated based on the orbital parameters. It can be understood that the traditional ephemeris information can be used to calculate, predict, depict, or track the time, position, speed, etc. of the satellite flight. Exemplarily, the traditional ephemeris information can be 17 bytes of information to represent the position (78 bits) and speed (54 bits), or the traditional ephemeris information can be 18 bytes of information to represent the orbital parameters (such as semi-major axis, range, eccentricity, perigee angular distance, etc. parameters). The satellite map information can be the range covered by the satellite on the map at each moment. The specific form, content and name of the ephemeris information in this application are not limited, and can refer to the definition of the ephemeris information in the protocol. For example, the ephemeris information in this application can also be referred to as satellite coverage information (satellite coverage availability information).

[0216] In a possible embodiment, the terminal can determine whether the satellites in the first satellite list will cover the position of the terminal in the future according to the ephemeris information. If the satellites in the first satellite list will not cover or will not cover the position of the terminal in a period of time, the terminal can determine to update the satellite list.

[0217] Optionally, the ephemeris information can come from a network device, such as from the first satellite, or from another satellite, or from a core network element, or from a device for managing or maintaining or storing or configuring ephemeris, which is not specifically limited. The ephemeris information can also be pre-configured or pre-defined, which is not specifically required in the present application.

[0218] The manner in which the terminal determines whether to update the satellite list according to the ephemeris information will be described in detail below in S102 in combination with Mode 2, which is not expanded here.

[0219] (3) Information of a first area corresponding to the first satellite list, wherein the first satellite list is available in the first area. The first area can also be referred to as an available area of the first satellite list. When the terminal moves out of the first area, the satellites in the first satellite list cannot cover the terminal, or the satellites in the first satellite list cannot cover the terminal within a tolerable time.

[0220] As an example, the information of the first area can be an area identifier, and the terminal can determine the location of the first area according to the area identifier. For example, the first area can be a TA, or a combination of multiple TAs, in which case the area identifier can be a TA identifier or index. The first area can also be the coverage of one or more base stations, and correspondingly, the area identifier can be a base station identifier. The first area can also be the coverage of one or more cells, and correspondingly, the area identifier can be a cell identifier, etc.

[0221] As another example, the first area can be an area identified by geographic coordinates, and correspondingly, the information of the first area can be a range of geographic coordinates. For example, the form of geographic coordinates can be latitude and longitude, and the present application does not specifically require the form of geographic coordinates and coordinate range.

[0222] It can be understood that the range of the first area can be the same as or different from the range of a registration area (RA) of the terminal. The RA can include one or more TAs. The RA information can be configured by a network device, for example, the first satellite or an access network device in the first satellite can send the RA information to the terminal. The RA information includes, for example, the identifier of one or more TAs. When the terminal location leaves or exceeds the range of the RA, the terminal can send a TAU request. In the present application, it is assumed that the range of the first area is different from the range of the RA, and when the terminal leaves or exceeds the range of the first area, a first message can be sent for updating the first satellite list. Optionally, the terminal location leaves or exceeds the first area, or the first area does not include the location of the terminal.

[0223] In the present application, when the location of the terminal exceeds a certain area, it can be understood that the terminal leaves or moves out of the area, or the area does not include the location of the terminal.

[0224] In a possible implementation, the first region can be determined according to at least one of location information of the terminal, ephemeris information, capability information of the satellite, preference information of the terminal, or coverage area information of the satellites in the first satellite list.

[0225] The capability information of the satellite can include total storage space of the satellite and / or remaining storage space of the satellite. The satellite with small total storage space and / or the satellite with small remaining storage space can not be included in the satellite list, that is, these satellites can not be considered when the first region is determined. Alternatively, when a satellite outside the satellite list has almost no storage space at the edge of the region, the region range can be expanded to ensure that the terminal can be covered by a satellite with storage space after leaving the first region.

[0226] The preference information of the terminal can include energy saving requirement (or energy saving demand) of the terminal and / or time delay requirement (or time delay demand) of the terminal. The preference information of the terminal can be stored in the network device as the subscription information of the terminal, such as stored in the HSS or UDM and the like. For example, when there are 4 satellites that can cover the terminal, as an example, if the energy saving demand of the terminal is “general (or low)”, the satellite list can include more satellites, for example, include 3 satellites therein, and the first region can be the coverage area of the 3 satellites; if the energy saving demand of the terminal is “strong”, the satellite list can include fewer satellites, for example, include 1 satellite therein, and the first region can be the coverage area of the 1 satellite, thereby helping to reduce the power consumption of the terminal. As another example, if the terminal has low time delay requirement and strong energy saving demand, the satellite list includes 1 satellite of the 4 satellites, and the first region can be the coverage area of the 1 satellite; if the terminal has higher time delay requirement and general energy saving demand, the satellite list includes 3 satellites of the 4 satellites, and the first region can be the coverage area of the 3 satellites, so as to reduce the service time delay.

[0227] Optionally, the information of the first region can come from the network device, such as from the first satellite. The first satellite list and / or the information of the first region can be determined by the network element or network device deployed on the first satellite, or can be determined by the network element or network device deployed on the ground and connected with the network element or network device of the first satellite, which is not specifically limited in the application.

[0228] (4) The third satellite list.

[0229] In the application, when the satellite in the third satellite list covers the terminal, the first satellite list is unavailable.

[0230] Optionally, the coverage area of the satellite in the third satellite list does not include the first area, or the coverage area of the satellite in the third satellite list includes the unavailable area of the first satellite list. As described above, the first area can be the available area of the first satellite list. And / or, the first satellite list does not include the satellite in the third satellite list, or the third satellite list does not include the satellite in the first satellite list.

[0231] That is, the terminal can determine that the first satellite list is unavailable when receiving the broadcast message of the satellite in the third satellite list, or when the terminal is covered by the satellite in the third satellite list, that is, the first message can be sent, or the first satellite list can be updated. While not receiving the broadcast message of the satellite in the third satellite list, or when the terminal is not covered by the satellite in the third satellite list, the first message can not be sent, or the first satellite list can not be updated.

[0232] It can be understood that the third satellite list can be determined according to at least one of the position information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, the preference information of the terminal, or the coverage area information of the satellite in the first satellite list. For example, one or more satellites whose coverage area does not include the position of the terminal can be determined as the satellite in the third satellite list according to the position information of the terminal and the ephemeris information. In addition, optionally, if the capability information of the satellite indicates that the total storage space of the satellite is small and / or the remaining storage space of the satellite is small, the satellite cannot cover the first area, that is, the satellite can be used as the satellite in the third satellite list. Optionally, if the preference information of the terminal indicates that the energy saving requirement of the terminal is high and / or the latency requirement of the terminal is low, the number of satellites in the third satellite list can be smaller in order to improve the energy saving effect; if the preference information of the terminal indicates that the energy saving requirement of the terminal is low and / or the latency requirement of the terminal is high, the number of satellites in the third satellite list can be more in order to efficiently update the first satellite list.

[0233] It can also be understood that the third satellite list is related to the first area. For example, the coverage area of the satellite in the third satellite list does not include the first area.

[0234] In a possible embodiment, the first satellite list and the third satellite list can be sent to the terminal by the first satellite or the access network device in the first satellite. Wherein, the first satellite list and / or the third satellite list can be determined by the network element or network device deployed on the first satellite, or by the network element or network device deployed on the ground and connected with the network element or network device of the first satellite, which is not specifically limited in the present application. It can be understood that the third satellite list can be determined by the third network device deployed on the first satellite, or by other network devices connected with the third network device.

[0235] S102: The terminal sends a first message according to the first information, and the first message is used to update the first satellite list.

[0236] Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first message. Optionally, in the S&F scenario, the first network device can be an access network device deployed on a second satellite. The second satellite is not in the first satellite list.

[0237] S102 can also be described as the terminal can send the first message for updating the first satellite list after determining to update the first satellite list according to the first information. It can also be said that the first message is for updating the satellite list.

[0238] In this application, the first message can include a registration request, an attachment request or a TAU request, etc.

[0239] The registration request can also be referred to as a registration message, which can be used for the terminal to request registration to the 5G network. The access network device can be deployed on a second satellite, for example, the access network device is the first network device. The attachment request can also be referred to as an attachment message, which can be used for the terminal to request attachment to the 4G network. The access network device can be deployed on a second satellite, for example, the access network device is the first network device. The TAU request can be used for the terminal to request to update the TA. In addition, the first message can also be other messages sent by the terminal to the first network device in the access process or after accessing the first network device.

[0240] It can be understood that, in addition to the original functions, the registration request, the attachment request or the TAU request as the first message can also be used to update the first satellite list in this application. For example, in this application, the attachment request can be used to update the first satellite list in addition to being used for the terminal to request attachment to the 4G network.

[0241] In this application, the first message for updating the first satellite list can mean that the first message is used to directly or indirectly indicate the update of the first satellite list.

[0242] The direct indication can mean that the first message contains information for indicating the update of the first satellite list. The information can be referred to as second information hereinafter. Correspondingly, the first network device can update, trigger to update or determine to update the first satellite list according to the second information in the first message.

[0243] As an example, a field can be added in the first message to carry the second information. For example, the field can contain 1 bit, when the value of the bit is a first value, it can represent that the first message carries the second information, and when the value of the bit is a second value, it can represent that the first message does not carry the second information. The first value and the second value are different, for example, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1, or the first value is 1 and the second value is 0.

[0244] The second information can be a satellite list update indication, or an indication for update of a store-and-forward monitoring list. The second information can also have other names, and the name thereof is not limited in the present application.

[0245] The indirect indication can mean that the first message itself does not contain information for indicating updating the first satellite list, but the first network device decides to update the first satellite list according to the first message after receiving the first message. For example, the first network device can be configured to always update the satellite list of the terminal after receiving the first message of the terminal. For another example, the first network device can be configured to determine whether to update the satellite list of the terminal after receiving the first message of the terminal, wherein the first network device can update, trigger to update, or determine to update the first satellite list after determining that the satellite list of the terminal needs to be updated; and the first network device does not need to update, trigger to update, or determine to update the first satellite list after determining that the satellite list of the terminal does not need to be updated. The updating manner of the satellite list will be described below in the description of S103, and will not be expanded here.

[0246] In a possible embodiment, the terminal can receive a broadcast message from the first network device (or the second satellite) before sending the first message to the first network device. The broadcast message can include the identity of the second satellite, and the terminal can also determine that the second satellite does not belong to the satellites in the first satellite list, i.e., the identity of the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list. Wherein, if the identity of the satellite is included in the first satellite list, it means that the satellite belongs to the first satellite list, and if the identity of the satellite is not included in the first satellite list, it means that the satellite does not belong to the first satellite list.

[0247] It can also be understood that the terminal determines whether to send the first message according to the first information after receiving the broadcast message of the first network device (or the second satellite). In other words, the broadcast message can be used to trigger the terminal to determine whether to send the first message according to the first information.

[0248] For example, the terminal can determine whether to send the first message according to one or more of the following modes 1 to 3 after receiving the broadcast message of the second satellite. If it is determined to send the first message, the terminal can access or attempt to access the second satellite, and send the first message to the first network device on the second satellite during the access process or after accessing the second satellite. For example, the first message can be a registration request, an attach request, or a TAU request sent by the terminal after accessing the base station deployed on the second satellite.

[0249] The first information includes at least one of information of the first timer, ephemeris information, information of the first area, or the third satellite list, as described in S101. The following describes the ways in which the terminal determines to send the first message (or determines to update the first satellite list) according to the information of the first timer, the ephemeris information, the information of the first area, or the third satellite list, respectively, in ways 1 to 4.

[0250] In way 1, the terminal can determine whether to send the first message according to whether the first timer expires. If the first timer expires, the terminal can send the first message, or in other words, if the first timer expires, the terminal determines to update the first satellite list. In addition, if the first timer does not expire, the terminal does not send the first message, or in other words, if the first timer does not expire, the terminal determines not to update the first satellite list. As described in S101 for the information of the first timer, the terminal can start the first timer according to the information of the first timer after obtaining the first satellite list.

[0251] It can be understood that if the terminal receives a broadcast message of a second satellite not belonging to the first satellite list before the first timer expires, the terminal does not send the first message.

[0252] It can also be understood that if the terminal determines that the satellite identification carried in the broadcast message of the received satellite determines that the satellite belongs to the first satellite list, the terminal can reset the first timer. For example, the terminal can reset the first timer to start timing from 0 or start counting down from the maximum value.

[0253] In another possible embodiment, the terminal can reset the first timer after accessing or attempting to access a satellite in the first satellite list.

[0254] It can be understood that in the above embodiments, resetting the first timer can avoid the terminal updating the satellite list in the case where no movement or other still accessible satellites in the first satellite list occur, resulting in unnecessary overhead. That is, only when the terminal moves or the like, causing the terminal to be unable to be covered by any satellite in the first satellite list before the first timer expires, the timing of the first timer expires, thereby triggering the update of the satellite list.

[0255] For example, in a normal scenario where the terminal does not move, the terminal will be covered by a satellite in the first satellite list every certain period of time. At this time, the terminal complies with the first satellite list and only accesses or attempts to access the satellite in the first satellite list, without accessing or attempting to access the satellite outside the first satellite list. Since there is a satellite in the first satellite list that can cover the terminal position, the update of the satellite list does not need to be triggered.

[0256] Based on the manner 1, after the first timer expires, the terminal can no longer comply with the first satellite list, i.e. the terminal is allowed to access or attempt to access a satellite outside the first satellite list. Because after the first timer expires, it can be considered that the satellites in the first satellite list are no longer suitable for the terminal to access. The terminal can update the first satellite list through a satellite outside the first satellite list. It can also be understood that each time the terminal accesses a satellite in the first satellite list, or receives a broadcast message of a satellite in the first satellite list, it means that the terminal is still normally covered, and there is no need to update the first satellite list, so the terminal needs to reset the first timer to prevent unnecessary satellite list update operation caused by the expiration of the first timer.

[0257] In the manner 2, the terminal determines whether the satellites in the first satellite list can cover the position of the terminal according to the position information of the terminal and the ephemeris information, and determines whether to send the first message according to the determination result. The position information can be used to indicate the position of the terminal. As an example, after receiving a broadcast message of a satellite not belonging to the first satellite list, the terminal triggers to determine whether to send the first message through the manner 2, and the position information can indicate the position of the terminal when the terminal receives the broadcast message, i.e. the position of the terminal can be the position of the terminal when the terminal receives the broadcast message. If the satellites in the first satellite list cannot cover the position of the terminal, the terminal can send the first message, or in other words, can update the first satellite list. If the satellites in the first satellite list can cover the position of the terminal, the terminal does not send the first message, or in other words, does not update the first satellite list. Wherein, the satellites cannot cover the position of the terminal includes: the satellites can never cover the position of the terminal, or the satellites cannot cover the position of the terminal in a period of time. The satellites can never cover the position of the terminal can be due to the satellites no longer being used, the satellites changing services, the satellites changing capabilities, etc.

[0258] Optionally, after receiving the broadcast message of the second satellite, the terminal can determine whether the satellites in the first satellite list can cover the current position of the terminal according to the position information of the terminal and the ephemeris information. At this time, the current position of the terminal can be the position of the terminal when the terminal receives the broadcast message of the second satellite. Optionally, the terminal can obtain the ephemeris information and / or the position information of the terminal in the broadcast message of the second satellite, for example, the position information of the terminal can be a tracking area or a cell in the broadcast message of the second satellite.

[0259] In a possible implementation, when determining whether the satellites in the first satellite list can cover the current location of the terminal, the terminal can determine the satellites whose coverage areas include the location of the terminal according to the location information of the terminal and the ephemeris information, obtain a fourth satellite list, and determine whether to send the first message or whether to update the first satellite list according to the fourth satellite list and the first satellite list. The satellites in the fourth satellite list have coverage areas that include the location of the terminal, that is, the satellites in the fourth satellite list can cover the location of the terminal. The fourth satellite list includes the identities of one or more satellites, or in other words, the fourth satellite list includes one or more satellites.

[0260] Specifically, the terminal can determine whether the first satellite list includes the satellites in the fourth satellite list, and determine whether to send the first message or whether to update the first satellite list according to the determination result. If the first satellite list does not include the satellites in the fourth satellite list, or the fourth satellite list does not include the satellites that can cover the location of the terminal, the terminal can determine to send the first message and / or update the first satellite list. Conversely, if the first satellite list includes the satellites in the fourth satellite list, or the fourth satellite list includes the satellites that can cover the location of the terminal, the terminal can determine not to send the first message and / or not to update the first satellite list.

[0261] As a possible implementation of determining the fourth satellite list, the terminal can determine the satellites that can cover the location of the terminal as the satellites in the fourth satellite list according to the location information and the ephemeris information. For example, the terminal can determine one or more satellites that can cover the location of the terminal according to the location information and the ephemeris information, and the one or more satellites can be the satellites in the fourth satellite list. Determining the satellites that can cover the location of the terminal can mean determining the satellites that can cover the location of the terminal at at least one time.

[0262] Based on this implementation, the terminal can determine the satellites that can cover the location of the terminal, obtain the fourth satellite list, and determine whether there are satellites that can cover the location of the terminal in the first satellite list according to the intersection of the fourth satellite list and the first satellite list. If there is no intersection between the fourth satellite list and the first satellite list, the terminal can determine to send the first message and / or update the first satellite list. If there is an intersection, the terminal can determine not to send the first message and / or not to update the first satellite list. It can be understood that, since the satellites in the fourth satellite list can cover the location of the terminal at at least one time, when there is at least one intersection satellite between the first satellite list and the fourth satellite list, the terminal can access at least one satellite at the location, and can avoid the terminal failing to successfully access a satellite. As described above, the location of the terminal in mode 2 can be the location at which the terminal receives the broadcast message of the satellite (such as the second satellite) that does not belong to the first satellite list.

[0263] As another possible implementation manner of determining the fourth satellite list, the terminal can determine, according to the position information and the ephemeris information, a satellite that can cover the position of the terminal in a period of time as a satellite in the fourth satellite list. For example, the terminal can determine, according to the position information and the ephemeris information, a satellite that can cover the position of the terminal, and a time at which the satellite covers the position of the terminal, and determine, according to the time, one or more satellites that can cover the position of the terminal in a period of time, which can be the satellites in the fourth satellite list. In this application, “covering the position of the terminal” can also be described as “covering an area including the position of the terminal”.

[0264] The “period of time” can also be described as “time period”, which can be sent by the network device to the terminal, or can be preset or preconfigured. After the time period expires, the first satellite list is considered to be effective, and therefore the expiration time of the time period can also be the effective expiration time or invalidation time of the first satellite list. The time period can be related to the latency requirement and / or energy saving requirement of the terminal, and the like. For example, if the energy saving requirement of the terminal is “strong”, the time period can be set to a longer time period, which helps to reduce power consumption; if the energy saving requirement of the terminal is “general (or low)”, the time period can be set to a shorter time period, which helps to reduce latency. For another example, if the terminal has a low latency requirement, the time period can be set to a longer time period; if the terminal has a higher latency requirement, the time period can be set to a shorter time period.

[0265] As an example, the terminal can obtain the indication information of the time period. For example, the indication information of the time period is time length information, also known as auxiliary time length, for example, indicating one or more hours, one or more days, and the like. In this example, the terminal can determine the fourth satellite list according to the indication information of the time period, the position information of the terminal, and the ephemeris information. The satellites in the fourth satellite list can cover the position of the terminal in the time period.

[0266] In this example, the determination manner of the fourth satellite list is, for example, the terminal can determine, according to the ephemeris information and the position information of the terminal, one or more satellites that can cover the terminal, and a time at which the one or more satellites cover the terminal. The terminal can further determine, according to the indication information of the time period and the time at which the first satellite list is received, an effective expiration time of the first satellite list, and further can filter, according to the expiration time and the time at which the one or more satellites cover the terminal, one or more satellites that can cover the terminal before the expiration time, as the satellites in the fourth satellite list. The satellite that can cover the terminal can be a satellite that can currently cover the terminal, or a satellite that can cover the terminal in the future.

[0267] Optionally, the indication information of the time period can come from the network device, such as from the first satellite. For example, the terminal can receive the indication information of the time period from the first satellite (or an access network device of the first satellite) in the process of accessing the first satellite or after accessing the first satellite. In addition, the indication information of the time period can also be pre-configured or pre-set, which is not specifically limited.

[0268] It can be understood that since the satellites in the fourth satellite list can cover the location of the terminal within a period of time, when the first satellite list and the fourth satellite list have at least one intersection satellite, the terminal can access or attempt to access at least one satellite within the period of time, and the terminal can avoid being unable to successfully access the satellite for a long time.

[0269] In mode 3, the terminal determines whether to send the first message according to whether the terminal moves out of the first area. Specifically, the terminal can determine whether the location of the terminal is included in the first area according to the location information and the information of the first area. If the location of the terminal is not included in the first area, it means that the terminal moves out of the first area. If the location of the terminal is included in the first area, it means that the terminal does not move out of the first area. As an example, after receiving the broadcast message of the satellite not belonging to the first satellite list, the terminal triggers to determine whether to send the first message by mode 3. The location information can indicate the location of the terminal when receiving the broadcast message, i.e., the location of the terminal can be the location of the terminal when receiving the broadcast message.

[0270] If the terminal moves out of the first area, the terminal can determine to send the first message, or in other words, the terminal can determine to update the first satellite list. If the terminal does not move out of the first area, the terminal can determine not to send the first message, or in other words, the terminal can determine not to update the first satellite list.

[0271] In mode 4, the terminal determines whether to send the first message or determines whether to update the first satellite list according to whether the broadcast message of the satellite in the third satellite list is received or according to whether the satellite in the third satellite list covers the terminal. If the terminal receives the broadcast message of the satellite in the third satellite list, or the satellite in the third satellite list can cover the location of the terminal, the terminal sends the first message or updates the first satellite list. Here, the location of the terminal can be the location of the terminal when sending the first message.

[0272] The third satellite list can be determined and / or sent to the terminal by the first satellite.

[0273] It can be understood that the above mode 1 to mode 4 are examples of the manner in which the terminal determines whether to update the first satellite list according to the information of the first timer, the ephemeris information and the information of the first area, and should not be understood as S102 can only be implemented in the above manner. For example, in some cases, two or more of mode 1 to mode 4 can also be implemented in combination. For example, in combination with mode 1 and mode 4, the first satellite can provide the terminal with information of the first timer and information of the first area, and the terminal can determine to update the first satellite list after the first timer expires and / or the terminal moves out of the first area, or send the first message after the first timer expires and / or the terminal moves out of the first area. In addition, the implementation of the above mode 1 to mode 4 can also be adaptively extended in some cases.

[0274] S103: The first network device sends a second satellite list to the terminal.

[0275] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second satellite list.

[0276] It can be understood that the second satellite list is obtained by the first network device after receiving the first message in S102. As described in S102, the first message can directly or indirectly indicate to update the first satellite list. Optionally, the first message can include second information.

[0277] The second satellite list can be an updated or updated first satellite list, for example, the second satellite list can include difference information with the first satellite list. The difference information includes, for example, the identification of the increased and / or decreased satellites based on the first satellite list. In other words, the second satellite list can be obtained by updating the first satellite list. In addition, the second satellite list can also be a new satellite list. That is, the second satellite list can be irrelevant to the first satellite list, or not based on the first satellite list.

[0278] Optionally, the first satellite list and the second satellite list have no intersection, that is, the first satellite list does not include the satellites in the second satellite list, and / or the second satellite list does not include the satellites in the first satellite list.

[0279] Optionally, the second satellite list includes a second satellite, or in other words, the second satellite list includes an identification of the second satellite.

[0280] In one possible embodiment, the first network device can obtain the second satellite list and send the second satellite list to the terminal in the case that the satellites in the first satellite list of the terminal do not include the satellite accessed or attempted to be accessed by the terminal (i.e. the second satellite) after receiving the first message.

[0281] The first satellite list of the terminal can be acquired by the first network device, and whether the second satellite belongs to the first satellite list is determined according to the identifier of the satellite in the first satellite list and the identifier of the second satellite.

[0282] The following describes a manner in which the first network device acquires the first satellite list of the terminal.

[0283] One of the manners in which the first network device acquires the first satellite list of the terminal is that the first network device can acquire the first satellite list of the terminal locally. For example, the first network device can store or be configured with a correspondence between a satellite list of the terminal and an identifier of the terminal, and thus the first network device can query the corresponding first satellite list according to the identifier of the terminal after receiving the first message. The first network device can obtain the identifier of the terminal according to the first message, for example, the first message can carry the identifier of the terminal, or the first message is transmitted through a connection associated with the identifier of the terminal. Further, the first network device can acquire the second satellite list in a case where the satellite list of the terminal determines that the second satellite does not belong to the first satellite list.

[0284] Another manner in which the first network device acquires the first satellite list of the terminal is that the first network device can obtain the first satellite list from another network device (referred to as a second network device). For example, the second network device can store the first satellite list of the terminal, for example, the second network device can store a correspondence between the first satellite list of the terminal and the identifier of the terminal.

[0285] As an example, the first network device can send the identifier of the terminal to the second network device, and receive the first satellite list sent by the second network device according to the identifier of the terminal. Further, the first network device can acquire the second satellite list in a case where the satellite list of the terminal determines that the second satellite does not belong to the first satellite list.

[0286] It can be understood that the second network device can directly or indirectly communicate with the first network device. For example, for a 4G network, if a CN onboard architecture is adopted, the first network device can be an MME, and the second network device can be an HSS; if an MME separation architecture is adopted, the first network device can be an MME-NT, and the second network device can be an MME-T. Similarly, for a 5G network, if a CN onboard architecture is adopted, the first network device can be an AMF, and the second network device can be a UDM; if an AMF separation architecture is adopted, the first network device can be an AMF-NT, and the second network device can be an AMF-T.

[0287] A third manner in which the first network device acquires the first satellite list of the terminal is that the terminal can carry the first satellite list in the first message.

[0288] In the present application, the second satellite list can be determined according to at least one of the location information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, or the preference information of the terminal. Wherein, the second satellite list can be determined by the first network device or other network device according to at least one of the location information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, or the preference information of the terminal.

[0289] As explained in S101, the capability information of the satellite can include the total storage space of the satellite and / or the remaining storage space of the satellite.

[0290] The preference information of the terminal can include the requirement of the terminal for energy saving and / or the requirement of the terminal for time delay. For example, if the requirement of the terminal for energy saving is “general (or low)”, more satellites can be included in the second satellite list, and if the requirement of the terminal for energy saving is “strong”, less satellites can be included in the satellite list. For another example, if the requirement of the terminal for time delay is “strong”, more satellites can be included in the second satellite list, and if the requirement of the terminal for time delay is “general (or low)”, less satellites can be included in the satellite list.

[0291] The way for the first network device to obtain the second satellite list of the terminal will be introduced below.

[0292] In the present application, the way for the first network device to obtain the second satellite list can be that the first network device generates or determines the second satellite list after receiving the first message. For example, the first network device can determine the second satellite list according to at least one of the location information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, or the preference information of the terminal after receiving the first message.

[0293] The second satellite list can also be determined or generated by a network device other than the first network device. The network device can be the second network device, or other network device. For example, the first network device can send the identifier of the terminal and the location information of the terminal to the network device, and accordingly, the network device can obtain the preference information of the terminal according to the identifier of the terminal after obtaining the identifier of the terminal. In addition, the network device can store the ephemeris information and / or the capability information of the satellite. Therefore, the network device can determine the second satellite list according to at least one of the location information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, or the preference information of the terminal, and after determining the second satellite list, the second network device can send the second satellite list to the first network device.

[0294] The way for the first network device to obtain the second satellite list will be introduced below in combination with the flow shown in FIG. 6.

[0295] As shown in FIG. 6, taking the 4G network as an example, in the CN uplink architecture, the second satellite list can be determined by the MME, where the MME can serve as the first network device. The flow can include the following steps:

[0296] S201: The terminal sends a first message to the MME. Correspondingly, the MME receives the first message. The MME is deployed on the second satellite, and the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list.

[0297] As shown in S201, the first message can be an attach request or a TAU request. Optionally, the first message can carry the second information and / or the first satellite list.

[0298] It can be understood that S201 can serve as an exemplary implementation of S102.

[0299] S202: Optionally, the MME determines that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list.

[0300] As an implementation, before determining the second satellite list, the MME needs to determine that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list, i.e., in the case where the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list, the MME determines the second satellite list. Or, the MME can update the first satellite list in the case where the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list.

[0301] As another implementation, the MME can determine the second satellite list by default after receiving the first message, without judging whether the second satellite is included in the first satellite list, i.e., S202 to S204 do not need to be performed at this time. Therefore, in this implementation, the MME can perform S205 after receiving the first message, i.e., S202 to S204 are skipped.

[0302] In this implementation, before determining the second satellite list (i.e., before performing S202), the MME needs to determine that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list.

[0303] If the first message carries the first satellite list, the MME can determine whether the first satellite list includes the second satellite according to the first satellite list carried in the first message, i.e., S203-S204 do not need to be performed at this time, i.e., the MME can perform S202 according to the first satellite list of the terminal carried in the first message.

[0304] If the first satellite list is not carried in the first message, the MME can search local data according to the identity of the terminal to determine whether the first satellite list of the terminal is stored. If the MME stores the first satellite list, S203-S204 need not be performed, i.e., the MME can perform S202 according to the first satellite list of the terminal stored locally. In addition, if the MME does not store the first satellite list locally, S203-S204 can be performed to obtain the first satellite list.

[0305] In S203-S204, if the first satellite list of the terminal is not carried in the first message, and / or the MME does not store the first satellite list locally, the MME can obtain the first satellite list from the HSS, i.e., S203-S204 can also be performed before S202. It can be understood that the HSS can be replaced by other network devices that store the first satellite list of the terminal.

[0306] S203: The MME sends a query request to the HSS to request the first satellite list of the terminal, wherein the identity of the terminal can be carried. The identity of the terminal is, for example, the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the terminal. The query request can be an update location request, or can have other names, and is not specifically required.

[0307] The HSS can store the first satellite list of the terminal. For example, the first satellite can send the HSS a correspondence between the first satellite list of the terminal and the identity of the terminal. The first satellite list of the terminal can come from the first satellite.

[0308] S204: The HSS provides the first satellite list of the terminal to the MME according to the identity of the terminal.

[0309] The first satellite list can be carried in an update location ACK sent by the HSS to the MME.

[0310] S205: The MME determines the second satellite list.

[0311] In S205, the MME can determine the second satellite list according to at least one of the location information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, or the preference information of the terminal.

[0312] At least one of the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, or the preference information of the terminal can be stored in the HSS, and the MME can obtain at least one of the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, or the preference information of the terminal from the HSS.

[0313] S206: The MME sends the second satellite list to the terminal. The second satellite list can be carried in a response message corresponding to the first message. For example, if the first message is an attach request, the response message corresponding to the first message can be an attach accept message. For another example, if the first message is a TAU request, the response message corresponding to the first message can be a TAU accept message.

[0314] It can be understood that S205 and S206 can be an example of an implementation of S103, in which S202-S204 do not need to be performed, and the MME does not need to determine whether the second satellite is included in the first satellite list before generating the second satellite list. In addition, S202, S205 and S206 can be an example of another implementation of S103, in which the MME needs to determine that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list before generating the second satellite list, and the first satellite list can be carried in the first message or stored locally in the MME. In addition, S202-S206 can be an example of another implementation of S103, in which the MME needs to determine that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list before generating the second satellite list, and the first satellite list can be from the HSS.

[0315] In addition, in the CN-based satellite architecture, S204 can also be performed by the HSS, i.e., the HSS can determine the second satellite list. At this time, S205 can be replaced by S207-S208, i.e., S205 and S207-S208 are executed alternatively.

[0316] S207: The MME sends a satellite list update request to the HSS, for requesting the HSS to determine the second satellite list. Optionally, the terminal's location information can be carried in the request. Optionally, the request can further include the satellite's capability information and / or the terminal's preference information. In addition, at least one of the ephemeris information, the satellite's capability information or the terminal's preference information can be stored in the HSS.

[0317] Therefore, after receiving the request, the HSS can determine the second satellite list according to the terminal's location information, and according to at least one of the ephemeris information, the satellite's capability information or the terminal's preference information.

[0318] S208: The HSS sends the second satellite list to the MME.

[0319] In the MME-split architecture, in S201-S208 shown in FIG. 6, the actions performed by the MME can be replaced by the MME-NT. In addition, in S201-S208, the actions of the HSS can be replaced by the MME-T.

[0320] It can also be understood that the flow shown in FIG. 6 can be adaptively modified as a flow corresponding to a 5G network. For example, for a 5G network, the actions performed by the MME in FIG. 6 can be replaced by the AMF, and the actions performed by the HSS above can be replaced by network elements such as UDM. The IMSI of the terminal in FIG. 6 can also be replaced by an identifier in the 5G network, such as a subscriber confidentiality identifier (SUCI) or a subscription permanent identity (SUPI). The "attach" in FIG. 6 can be replaced by "registration".

[0321] In a possible embodiment, the terminal can further obtain fourth information, which can be used to determine whether to update the second satellite list. The fourth information can include information of a third timer, ephemeris information, or information of a second area, which can be referred to the description of the first information.

[0322] As an example, the terminal can further obtain information of a third timer corresponding to the second satellite list. The third timer can be understood as a usable timer of the second satellite list, which is used to determine whether to update the second satellite list. The function and determination method of the information of the third timer can be referred to the information of the first timer. For example, the terminal can obtain the information of the third timer from a local configuration. As another example, the first network device can send the information of the third timer to the terminal.

[0323] As an example, the terminal can further obtain ephemeris information. The ephemeris information can be used to determine whether to update the second satellite list, which can be referred to the description of the ephemeris information in the first information. For example, the terminal can obtain the ephemeris information from a local configuration. As another example, the first network device can send the ephemeris information to the terminal.

[0324] As an example, the terminal can further obtain information of a second area. The second area can be understood as a usable area of the second satellite list, which is used to determine whether to update the second satellite list. The function and determination method of the information of the second area can be referred to the information of the first area. For example, the terminal can receive the information of the second area from the first network device.

[0325] It can be understood that the type of the first information used to determine whether to update the first satellite list can be the same as or different from the type of the fourth information used to determine whether to update the second satellite list. For example, the terminal determines to update the first satellite list according to the information of the first timer in S102, and subsequently, after obtaining the second satellite list, can determine whether to update the second satellite list according to the information of the third timer, or can determine whether to update the second satellite list according to other fourth information, which is not specifically required by the present application.

[0326] The implementation processes of the modes 1 to 4 will be introduced below with the 4G network as an example and in connection with FIG. 7 to FIG. 10.

[0327] As shown in FIG. 7, when the first information is the information of the first timer, the process in which the terminal obtains the first satellite list and updates the first satellite list can include the following steps:

[0328] S301: The terminal sends an attach request or a TAU request to the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the first satellite.

[0329] S302: The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the first satellite sends an attach confirmation message or a TAU acceptance message to the first terminal, wherein the first satellite list is carried.

[0330] Correspondingly, the terminal acquires the first satellite list and performs the timing of the first timer according to the information of the first timer.

[0331] As an example of the terminal obtaining the information of the first timer, the terminal can acquire the information of the first timer from the local configuration. For example, the terminal determines the information of the first timer based on the preset or pre-configuration. At this time, the attach confirmation message or the TAU acceptance message in S302 can not carry the information of the first timer.

[0332] As another example of the terminal obtaining the first timer, the information of the first timer can be determined by the MME (or MME-T), so the attach confirmation message or the TAU acceptance message in S302 can also carry the information of the first timer. Correspondingly, the terminal can acquire the information of the first timer.

[0333] It can be understood that the way in which the terminal obtains the information of the first timer and the first satellite list in S302 can be taken as an example of S101 when the first information is the information of the first timer.

[0334] S303: After a period of time, the terminal receives a broadcast message from the first satellite (or the eNB of the first satellite), wherein the broadcast message includes the identity of the first satellite.

[0335] For example, in the case where the terminal does not move, or in the case where the terminal moves in a small range, the terminal can receive the broadcast message from the first satellite after a period of time.

[0336] S304: The terminal determines that the first satellite list contains the first satellite, and then resets the first timer, so as to avoid the terminal updating the satellite list in the case where the terminal can still access the satellites in the first satellite list, thereby generating unnecessary overhead.

[0337] The first satellite list can contain the identity of the first satellite.

[0338] The subsequent terminal can send an attach request, a TAU request or uplink data to the first satellite (e.g., to the eNB of the first satellite).

[0339] The first satellite (e.g., the eNB of the first satellite) can also send a detach message or an access network release (AN release) message to the terminal to disconnect the terminal from the first satellite.

[0340] It can be understood that in S303 and S304, the first satellite can also be another satellite in the first satellite list. That is, the terminal can reset the first timer after receiving the broadcast message of the satellite in the first satellite list, or the terminal does not need to update the first satellite list after receiving the broadcast message of the satellite in the first satellite list, without requiring the satellite to be a previously accessed satellite.

[0341] S305: After a period of time, the terminal receives a broadcast message from the second satellite (or the eNB of the second satellite), and the broadcast message includes the identity of the second satellite.

[0342] S306: The terminal determines that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list, and the first timer has not expired, and the terminal does not access or attempt to access the second satellite.

[0343] The first satellite list does not include the identity of the second satellite.

[0344] S307: The terminal determines that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list, and the first timer has expired, and the terminal sends an attach request or a TAU request to the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite.

[0345] Optionally, the attach request or the TAU request can carry the second information and / or the first satellite list. The second information can be used to indicate to update the first satellite list. The first satellite list can be used for the network device such as the MME (or MME-T) to determine that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list.

[0346] It can be understood that S307 can be an example of S102 when the first information includes the information of the first timer, and the first message in S102 can be an attach request or a TAU request. The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite can be an example of the first network device. S307 can be implemented according to the description of mode 1 in S102, which is not repeated here.

[0347] After S307, the second satellite list can be obtained by the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite, which can be referred to the description of the flow and related steps shown in FIG. 6.

[0348] S308: The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite sends the second satellite list to the terminal.

[0349] It can be understood that S308 can be an example of S103.

[0350] As shown in FIG. 8, when the first information is ephemeris information, the terminal obtaining the first satellite list and updating the first satellite list can include the following steps:

[0351] S401: The terminal sends an attach request or a TAU request to the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the first satellite.

[0352] S402: The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the first satellite sends an attach confirmation message or a TAU acceptance message to the terminal, wherein the first satellite list is carried.

[0353] Correspondingly, the terminal obtains the first satellite list. In addition, the terminal can also obtain ephemeris information.

[0354] As an example of the terminal obtaining ephemeris information, the terminal can obtain ephemeris information from local configuration. For example, the terminal determines ephemeris information based on a preset or pre-configuration. At this time, the attach confirmation message or the TAU acceptance message in S302 can not carry information of the first timer.

[0355] As another example of the terminal obtaining the first timer, the MME (or MME-T) can send ephemeris information to the terminal. For example, the attach confirmation message or the TAU acceptance message in S402 can also carry ephemeris information. Correspondingly, the terminal can obtain ephemeris information.

[0356] Optionally, the terminal can also obtain the indication information of the time period from local configuration, or the attach confirmation message or the TAU acceptance message in S302 can carry the indication information of the time period.

[0357] It can be understood that the way in which the terminal obtains ephemeris information and the first satellite list in S402 can be an example of S101 when the first information is ephemeris information.

[0358] S403: After a period of time, the terminal receives a broadcast message from the first satellite, and the broadcast message includes the identity of the first satellite.

[0359] Optionally, the broadcast message can carry ephemeris information.

[0360] For example, in the case where the terminal does not move, or in the case where the terminal moves in a small range, the terminal can receive the broadcast message from the first satellite after a period of time.

[0361] S404: The terminal determines that the first satellite is included in the first satellite list. The terminal can send an attach request, a TAU request, or send uplink data or terminal initiated data to the first satellite (e.g., to the eNB of the first satellite). In addition, the terminal can also not send an attach request, a TAU request, or send uplink data or terminal initiated data.

[0362] The first satellite (e.g., the eNB of the first satellite) can also send a detach message or an access network release message to the terminal to disconnect the terminal from the first satellite.

[0363] It can be understood that in S403 and S404, the first satellite can also be another satellite in the first satellite list. That is, the terminal can access or attempt to access the satellite in the first satellite list after receiving the broadcast message of the satellite, without updating the first satellite list, without requiring the satellite to be a previously accessed satellite.

[0364] S405: After a period of time, the terminal receives a broadcast message from the second satellite, and the broadcast message includes the identity of the second satellite.

[0365] Optionally, the broadcast message can carry ephemeris information.

[0366] S406: The terminal determines that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list, and determines that the satellites in the first satellite list can cover the current position of the terminal according to the ephemeris information and the position information of the terminal, and the terminal does not access or attempt to access the second satellite.

[0367] The satellites in the first satellite list can cover the current position of the terminal can mean that at least one satellite in the first satellite list can cover the position of the terminal at at least one time in any time period in the future; or can mean that at least one satellite in the first satellite list can cover the position of the terminal at at least one time in the time period indicated by the indication information of the time period.

[0368] The current position of the terminal can mean the position of the terminal when the terminal receives the broadcast message from the second satellite.

[0369] S407: The terminal determines that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list, and determines that the satellites in the first satellite list cannot cover the current position of the terminal according to the ephemeris information and the position information of the terminal, and the terminal sends an attach request or a TAU request to the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite.

[0370] The satellite in the first satellite list cannot cover the current location of the terminal can mean that at least one satellite in the first satellite list cannot cover the location of the terminal at any time in the future; or can mean that at least one satellite in the first satellite list cannot cover the location of the terminal in a period of time.

[0371] It can be understood that in S406 and S407, the terminal determines whether the satellite in the first satellite list can cover the current location of the terminal according to the ephemeris information and the location information of the terminal. The manner can refer to the description of manner 2 in S102.

[0372] After S407, the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite can obtain the second satellite list, which can refer to the description of the flow and related steps shown in FIG. 6.

[0373] S408: The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite sends the second satellite list to the terminal.

[0374] It can be understood that S408 can be an example of S103.

[0375] As shown in FIG. 9, when the first information is the information of the first area, the terminal obtains the first satellite list and updates the flow of the first satellite list, which can include the following steps:

[0376] S501: The terminal sends an attachment request or a TAU request to the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the first satellite.

[0377] S502: The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the first satellite sends an attachment confirmation message or a TAU acceptance message to the first terminal, wherein the first satellite list and the first area information are carried. The first area information represents the available area of the first satellite list.

[0378] Correspondingly, the terminal obtains the first satellite list and the information of the first area.

[0379] The first area can be determined according to the location information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite and the preference of the terminal, which can refer to the description of the first area in S101.

[0380] It can be understood that the manner in which the terminal obtains the information of the first area and the first satellite list in S502 can be an example of S101 when the first information is the information of the first area.

[0381] S503: After a period of time, the terminal receives a broadcast message from the first satellite, and the broadcast message includes the identity of the first satellite.

[0382] For example, in the case that the terminal does not move or in the case that the terminal moves in a small range, the terminal can receive the broadcast message from the first satellite after a period of time.

[0383] S504: The terminal determines that the first satellite is included in the first satellite list, and the terminal can send an attach request, a TAU request or send uplink data to the first satellite (e.g., to the eNB of the first satellite) or the terminal initiates data.

[0384] The first satellite (e.g., the eNB of the first satellite) can also send a detach message or an access network release message to the terminal to disconnect the terminal from the first satellite.

[0385] It can be understood that in S503 and S504, the first satellite can also be another satellite in the first satellite list. That is, the terminal can access or attempt to access the satellite in the first satellite list after receiving the broadcast message of the satellite, without updating the first satellite list, and without requiring the satellite to be a previously accessed satellite.

[0386] Optionally, the first satellite can also send the updated first area information to the terminal after receiving the information sent by the terminal. That is, each time the terminal accesses the satellite in the first satellite list, the network device can update the first area information on the terminal.

[0387] The updated area can be determined according to the location information of the terminal, ephemeris information, satellite capability information and terminal preference, wherein the location information of the terminal can be the same as or different from the location information of the terminal used to determine the first area information in S502. If the location information of the terminal is different, i.e., the location of the terminal changes, the updated first area can be different from the first area before the update.

[0388] S505: After a period of time, the terminal receives a broadcast message from the second satellite, and the broadcast message includes the identity of the second satellite.

[0389] S506: The terminal determines that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list, and determines that the terminal has not moved out of the first area according to the first area information and the location information of the terminal, and the terminal does not access or attempt to access the second satellite.

[0390] S507: The terminal determines that the second satellite is not included in the first satellite list, and determines that the terminal has moved out of the first area according to the first area information and the location information of the terminal, and the terminal sends an attach request or a TAU request to the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite.

[0391] It can be understood that the manner in which the terminal determines whether the terminal moves out of the first region according to the information of the first region and the position information of the terminal in S506 and S507 can refer to the description of manner 3 in S102.

[0392] After S507, the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite can acquire the second satellite list, which can refer to the description of the flow and related steps shown in FIG. 6.

[0393] S508: The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite sends the second satellite list to the terminal.

[0394] It can be understood that S508 can be an example of S103.

[0395] As shown in FIG. 10, when the first information is the third satellite list, the terminal obtaining the first satellite list and updating the first satellite list can include the following steps:

[0396] S601: The terminal sends an attachment request or a TAU request to the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the first satellite.

[0397] S602: The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the first satellite sends an attachment confirmation message or a TAU acceptance message to the first terminal, wherein the first satellite list and the third satellite list are carried. When the satellites in the third satellite list cover the terminal, the first satellite list is unavailable.

[0398] Correspondingly, the terminal acquires the first satellite list and the third satellite list.

[0399] The third satellite list can be determined according to the position information of the terminal, the ephemeris information, the capability information of the satellite, and the preference of the terminal, which can refer to the description of the third satellite list in S101. In other words, the third satellite list can be determined according to the first region, and / or the first satellite list does not include the satellites in the third satellite list, and the first region is the available region of the first satellite list.

[0400] It can be understood that the manner in which the terminal obtains the third satellite list and the first satellite list in S602 can be an example of S101 when the first information is the third satellite list.

[0401] S603: After a period of time, the terminal receives a broadcast message from the first satellite, and the broadcast message includes the identity of the first satellite.

[0402] For example, in the case where the terminal does not move, or in the case where the terminal moves in a small range, the terminal can receive the broadcast message from the first satellite after a period of time.

[0403] S604: The terminal determines that the first satellite is included in the first satellite list. The terminal can send an attach request, a TAU request, or send uplink data to the first satellite (e.g., to the eNB of the first satellite), or the terminal initiates data.

[0404] The first satellite (e.g., the eNB of the first satellite) can also send a detach message or an access network release message to the terminal to disconnect the terminal from the first satellite.

[0405] It can be understood that in S603 and S604, the first satellite can also be another satellite in the first satellite list. That is, the terminal can access or attempt to access the satellite in the first satellite list after receiving the broadcast message of the satellite, without updating the first satellite list, and without requiring the satellite to be a previously accessed satellite.

[0406] Optionally, the first satellite can also send an updated third satellite list to the terminal after receiving the information sent by the terminal. That is, each time the terminal accesses a satellite in the first satellite list, the network device can update the third satellite list.

[0407] The third satellite list can be determined according to the location information of the terminal, ephemeris information, capability information of the satellite, and terminal preferences. The location information of the terminal can be the same as or different from the location information of the terminal used to determine the third satellite list in S502. If the location information of the terminal is different, that is, the location of the terminal changes, the updated third satellite list can be different from the third satellite list before the update.

[0408] S605: After a period of time, the terminal receives a broadcast message from the second satellite, and the broadcast message includes the identity of the second satellite.

[0409] S606: Optionally, the terminal determines that the first satellite list does not include the second satellite, and the third satellite list does not include the second satellite, and the terminal does not access or attempt to access the second satellite.

[0410] S607: The terminal determines that the first satellite list does not include the second satellite, and the third satellite list includes the second satellite, and the terminal sends an attach request or a TAU request to the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite.

[0411] It can be understood that in S606 and S607, the terminal determines whether the third satellite list includes the second satellite in the manner described in manner 4 in S102.

[0412] After S607, the second satellite list can be obtained by the MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite, as described in the flow and related steps shown in FIG. 6.

[0413] S608: The MME (or MME-T) deployed on the second satellite sends a second satellite list to the terminal.

[0414] It can be understood that S608 can be an example of S103.

[0415] In FIGS. 7-10, the dashed arrows and dashed boxes represent optional steps, but other steps can also be optional.

[0416] It can also be understood that the flow shown in FIGS. 7-10 can be adaptively modified as a flow corresponding to a 5G network. For example, for a 5G network, the actions performed by the MME in FIGS. 7-10 can be replaced by actions performed by an AMF, and the actions performed by the MME-NT can be replaced by actions performed by an AMF-NT. The "attach" in FIGS. 7-10 can be replaced by "registration".

[0417] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which comprises a module or unit or means corresponding to the method steps in the above method embodiments, and the functions or units or means can be implemented by software or by hardware, or by executing corresponding software by hardware.

[0418] For example, referring to FIG. 11, the device 1100 can include a processing module 1101 and a transceiver module 1102.

[0419] Optionally, the transceiver module 1102 can include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is configured to perform the sending operations in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is configured to perform the receiving operations in the above method embodiments.

[0420] It should be noted that the communication device 1100 can include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 can include a receiving module but not a sending module. Specifically, whether the communication device 1100 includes a sending action and a receiving action can be determined according to the above scheme executed by the communication device 1100.

[0421] The processing module 1101 is configured to perform data processing. The transceiver module 1102 can implement corresponding communication functions.

[0422] Optionally, the communication device 1100 can further include a storage module, which can be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1101 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the communication device 1100 implements the above method embodiments.

[0423] The communication apparatus 1100 can be a first communication apparatus or a component configurable to a first communication apparatus. The first communication apparatus can be, for example, a terminal (e.g., the terminal in FIGS. 5 to 10). The processing module 1101 can be configured to perform the processing-related operations of the terminal in the method embodiments. The transceiver module 1102 can be configured to perform the transmission- and / or reception-related operations of the terminal in the method embodiments.

[0424] For example, when used to implement the actions of the terminal in FIG. 5, the transceiver module 1102 can be configured to acquire the first information and the first satellite list, and transmit the first message according to the first information. In addition, the transceiver module 1102 can receive the second satellite list from the first network device.

[0425] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 can be configured to receive the first information and the first satellite list from the first satellite, and the satellites in the first satellite list include the first satellite.

[0426] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 can be configured to transmit the first message when or after the first timer expires. The processing module 1101 can be configured to start the first timer.

[0427] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 can be further configured to receive a broadcast message from the second satellite, and transmit the first message to the second satellite.

[0428] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 1102 can be further configured to receive a broadcast message from a satellite in the first satellite list, and the processing module 1101 can be further configured to reset the first timer.

[0429] In a possible implementation, the first information includes the ephemeris information, and the processing module 1101 can be configured to determine a fourth satellite list according to the location information of the terminal and the ephemeris information. The transceiver module 1102 can be configured to transmit the first message in a case that a coverage area of a satellite in the fourth satellite list includes the location of the terminal, and the first satellite list does not include the satellite in the fourth satellite list.

[0430] In a possible implementation, the first information further includes indication information of a time period, and the processing module 1101 can be configured to determine the fourth satellite list according to the indication information of the time period, the location information of the terminal and the ephemeris information. The satellites in the fourth satellite list have coverage areas including the location of the terminal within the time period.

[0431] In a possible implementation, the first information includes information of a first area, and the transceiver module 1102 transmits the first message in a case that the first area does not include the location of the terminal.

[0432] In a possible implementation, the first information includes a third satellite list. The transceiver 1102 can receive a broadcast message from a third satellite in the third satellite list, and send the first message.

[0433] Further, the communication apparatus 1100 can be a second communication apparatus or components configurable to a second communication apparatus. The second communication apparatus is, for example, the first network device (e.g., the first network device in FIGS. 5 to 10). The processing module 1101 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the first network device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 1102 is configured to perform sending and / or receiving-related operations of the first network device in the above method embodiments.

[0434] For example, in a process of implementing the actions of the first network device in FIG. 5, the transceiver 1102 can be configured to receive the first message from the terminal; and the transceiver 1102 can be further configured to send the second satellite list to the terminal.

[0435] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 can be further configured to determine that the second satellite is not included in the satellites in the first satellite list.

[0436] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 1102 can be further configured to send the identity of the second satellite to the second network device; and receive third information, where the third information is used to indicate that the second satellite is not included in the satellites in the first satellite list.

[0437] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 can be further configured to determine the second satellite list according to the location information of the terminal.

[0438] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 1102 can be further configured to send the location information of the terminal to the second network device; and receive the second satellite list from the second network device, where the second satellite list is determined according to the location information of the terminal.

[0439] Further, the communication apparatus 1100 can be a third communication apparatus or components configurable to a third communication apparatus. The third communication apparatus is, for example, the second network device (e.g., the HSS / MME-T in FIG. 6, or can be a UDM, an AMF-T, etc.). The processing module 1101 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the second network device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 1102 is configured to perform sending and / or receiving-related operations of the second network device in the above method embodiments.

[0440] In a possible implementation, the transceiver 1102 can be configured to receive the identity of the second satellite from the first network device, and send third information to the first network device.

[0441] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 can determine whether the second satellite is included in the first satellite list according to the first satellite list and the identity of the second satellite.

[0442] In a possible implementation, the transceiving module 1102 can further receive the position information of the terminal from the first network device, and send the second satellite list to the first network device.

[0443] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 can determine the second satellite list according to the position information of the terminal.

[0444] In addition, the communication apparatus 1100 can be a fourth communication apparatus or a component configurable to the fourth communication apparatus. The fourth communication apparatus is, for example, a third network device (such as a network device deployed in the network of the first satellite). The processing module 1101 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the third network device in the above method embodiments. The transceiving module 1102 is configured to perform operations related to sending and / or receiving of the third network device in the above method embodiments.

[0445] In a possible implementation, the transceiving module 1102 can be configured to send the first information and the first satellite list.

[0446] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1101 can determine the first information.

[0447] It should be understood that all related contents of each step in the above method embodiments can be cited to the function description of the corresponding functional module, which will not be repeated here.

[0448] The processing module 1101 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The transceiving module 1102 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit. The transceiving module 1102 can also be referred to as a communication module or a communication interface.

[0449] Another structural schematic of the communication apparatus of the embodiments of the present application is shown below. As shown in FIG. 12, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus 1200, which comprises:

[0450] at least one processor 1201; and a communication interface 1203 connected with the at least one processor 1201; the at least one processor 1201 executes instructions stored in at least one memory 1202, so that the apparatus performs the method steps in the above method embodiments through the communication interface 1203.

[0451] Optionally, the at least one memory 1202 is located outside the apparatus 1200.

[0452] Optionally, the apparatus 1200 includes the at least one memory 1202 connected to the at least one processor 1201, and the memory 1202 stores instructions that are executable by the at least one processor 1201. FIG. 12 shows the memory 1202 is optional for the apparatus 1200 with dashed lines.

[0453] The processor 1201 and the memory 1202 can be coupled by an interface circuit, or integrated together, which is not limited here.

[0454] The specific connection medium between the processor 1201, the memory 1202 and the communication interface 1203 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In FIG. 12, the processor 1201, the memory 1202 and the communication interface 1203 are connected by a bus 1204, and the bus is represented by a thick line in FIG. 12. The connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated, and is not limited. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For convenience, one thick line is used to represent the bus in FIG. 12, but it is not limited to only one bus or one type of bus.

[0455] When the communication apparatus 1200 is a first communication apparatus, the first communication apparatus can include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program codes, and the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0456] The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, for example, controlling the first communication apparatus, executing software programs and processing data of the software programs, etc. The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transmitter is used for sending signals to other communication apparatuses or devices, and the receiver is used for receiving signals from other communication apparatuses or devices.

[0457] When the communication apparatus 1200 is a chip in the first communication apparatus, the chip can include a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be an integrated processing module on the chip, or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit. The transmission operation of the first communication apparatus in the above method embodiments can be understood as the output of the chip, and the reception operation of the first communication apparatus in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0458] Similarly, when the communication apparatus 1200 is a second communication apparatus, the second communication apparatus can include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program codes, and the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0459] The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocol and communication data, controlling the second communication device, executing software program and processing data of the software program, etc. The memory is mainly used for storing software program and data. The transmitter is used for sending signals to other communication devices or equipment, and the receiver is used for receiving signals from other communication devices or equipment.

[0460] When the communication device 1200 is a chip in the second communication device, the chip can include a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be a processing module integrated on the chip or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit. The sending operation of the second communication device in the method embodiments can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the second communication device in the method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0461] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading software code stored in the memory.

[0462] For example, the processor 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.

[0463] It should be appreciated that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. 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) used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0464] 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.

[0465] It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0466] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, comprising a program or instructions, when the program or instructions are run on a computer, the method in the above method embodiments is executed.

[0467] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip or a chip system, which comprises a circuit (such as an analog circuit and / or a logic circuit; or it is understood that the chip system comprises one or more processors, and the one or more processors can comprise a circuit, etc.), or it is understood that the chip comprises a processor. The circuit or the processor is coupled with a memory, and is used to execute a computer program or an instruction stored in the memory, so that the method shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 10 or the method shown in the embodiments of the present application is implemented. The chip or the chip system can further comprise an input / output interface. For example, taking the chip as an example, the chip can receive information from other modules (such as a radio frequency or an antenna, etc.) of the terminal through the input / output interface, and the information can be sent by a network device or other communication apparatus to the terminal. Alternatively, the chip can send information to other modules (such as a radio frequency or an antenna, etc.) in the terminal through the input / output interface, and the information can be sent by the terminal to a network device or other communication apparatus.

[0468] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which comprises instructions, when the instructions are executed on a computer, the method in the above method embodiments is executed.

[0469] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which can comprise a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus. Optionally, the communication system can further comprise a third communication apparatus and / or a fourth communication apparatus.

[0470] For example, the first communication apparatus can be used to implement the method implemented by the terminal in the above method embodiments, the second communication apparatus can be used to implement the method implemented by the first network device in the above method embodiments, the third communication apparatus can be used to implement the method implemented by the second network device in the above method embodiments, and the fourth communication apparatus can be used to implement the method implemented by the third network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication system can be used to execute the actions implemented by the network device in the flowcharts shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 10.

[0471] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which can comprise a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus. For example, the first communication apparatus is a terminal, and the second communication apparatus is a network device.

[0472] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can adopt a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can adopt a computer program product implemented on one or more computer usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer usable program codes.

[0473] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0474] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0475] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0476] In the description of the present application, the words "first", "second", etc. are used only to distinguish descriptions, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor indicating or implying sequence. It should be noted that the order of appearance of first, second, etc. is not limited in the present application, for example, second can appear first and first can appear second, which is not limited in the present application.

[0477] In the description of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and more means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, wherein a, b, and c can be single or multiple. In the description of the present application, " / " represents "or", for example, a / b represents a or b.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: obtaining first information and a first satellite list, the first satellite list comprising information of one or more satellites; sending a first message according to the first information, the first message being used to update the first satellite list; receiving a second satellite list, the second satellite list being the updated first satellite list; wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following information: information of a first timer; ephemeris information; a third satellite list, the third satellite list comprising information of one or more satellites, the third satellite list not comprising satellites in the first satellite list, the first satellite list being unavailable in a case where satellites in the third satellite list cover the terminal; or information of a first region corresponding to the first satellite list, the first satellite list being available in the first region.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The obtaining of the first information and the first satellite list comprises: receiving the first information and the first satellite list from a first satellite, the satellites in the first satellite list comprising the first satellite.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information comprises the information of the first timer, and the sending of the first message according to the first information comprises: sending the first message after the first timer expires.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a broadcast message from a second satellite, the first satellite list not comprising the second satellite; The sending of the first message comprises: sending the first message to the second satellite.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a broadcast message from a satellite in the first satellite list; resetting the first timer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information comprises the ephemeris information, and the sending of the first message according to the first information comprises: determining a fourth satellite list according to the position information of the terminal and the ephemeris information, the coverage area of the satellites in the fourth satellite list comprising the position of the terminal, and the first satellite list not comprising the satellites in the fourth satellite list; sending the first message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first information further comprises indication information of a time period; The determination of the fourth satellite list according to the position information of the terminal and the ephemeris information comprises: determining the fourth satellite list according to the information of the second timer, the position information of the terminal and the ephemeris information, the coverage area of the satellites in the fourth satellite list in the time period comprising the position of the terminal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information comprises the third satellite list, and the method comprises: receiving a broadcast message from a third satellite, the third satellite list comprising the third satellite; sending the first message.

9. The method of claim 1 or 8, wherein, - The first satellite list does not comprise the satellites in the third satellite list.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method is applied to a terminal, and the first information comprises the information of the first region, and the sending of the first message according to the first information comprises: sending the first message if the first region does not comprise the position of the terminal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first region is determined according to at least one of the following information: position information of the terminal; ephemeris information; capability information of a satellite; preference information of the terminal; or coverage area information of the satellites in the first satellite list.

12. The method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein, The first message is an attach request, a registration request, or a tracking area update request.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first message includes second information, the second information being used to indicate updating the first satellite list.

14. The method of any one of claims 1-13, wherein, The method is applied to a terminal, and coverage areas of satellites in the second satellite list include a location of the terminal.

15. A method of communication, comprising: The method includes: receiving a first message from the terminal, the first message being used to update a first satellite list of the terminal, the first message being sent by the terminal according to first information, the first satellite list including information of one or more satellites; sending a second satellite list to the terminal, the second satellite list being the updated first satellite list; wherein the first information includes at least one of the following information: information of a first timer; ephemeris information; a third satellite list, the third satellite list including information of one or more satellites, the third satellite list not including satellites in the first satellite list, the first satellite list being unavailable in a case where satellites in the third satellite list cover the terminal; or information of a first area corresponding to the first satellite list, the first satellite list being available in the first area.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method is applied to a first network device, the first network device being deployed at a second satellite, and a coverage area of the second satellite including a location of a terminal; The method further includes: determining that satellites in the first satellite list do not include the second satellite.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method is applied to a first network device, the first network device being deployed at a second satellite, and a coverage area of the second satellite including a location of a terminal, the method further including: sending an identity of the second satellite to a second network device; receiving third information, the third information being used to indicate that satellites in the first satellite list do not include the second satellite.

18. The method of any one of claims 15-17, wherein, The method further includes: determining the second satellite list according to location information of the terminal.

19. The method of any one of claims 15-17, wherein, The method further includes: sending the location information of the terminal to a second network device; receiving the second satellite list from the second network device, the second satellite list being determined according to the location information of the terminal.

20. The method of any one of claims 1-19, wherein, The first message includes an attach request or a tracking area update request.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The first message includes second information, the second information being used to request updating the first satellite list.

22. The method of any one of claims 15-21, wherein, Coverage areas of satellites in the second satellite list include the location of the terminal.

23. A communications device, characterized by A computer program product including computer executable instructions, wherein when the computer executable instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-14, or the method according to any one of claims 15-22.

24. A communications device, characterized by A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions, wherein when the computer executable instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-14, or the method according to any one of claims 15-22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, ​ 26. A computer program product, characterised in that, When a computer program product is executed by a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method of any one of claims 1-14, or the method of any one of claims 15-22.

27. A chip or chip system, characterized by comprising at least one processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-14, or the method of any one of claims 15-22.

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