Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus acquiring an estimated delivery delay, then starting a timer that is set on the basis of the estimated delivery delay, and then sending first data with reference to the state of the timer. On this basis, a first communication apparatus can determine a sending opportunity for first data.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411097747.3, filed on August 9, 2024, and titled “A Communication Method and Apparatus”; and this application also claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202511066433.1, filed on July 31, 2025, and titled “A Communication Method and Apparatus”. The entire contents of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] In non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication, uplink data is transmitted from a user equipment (UE) to a server via a satellite, or downlink data is transmitted from a server to a UE via a satellite. The current standard discusses that the transmission time of uplink data or downlink data is the predicted delivery delay, but the related art does not explain how to use the predicted delivery delay to transmit uplink data or downlink data. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, and determines the sending occasion of uplink data or downlink data with reference to the predicted delivery delay.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method applied to a first communication apparatus, wherein the first communication apparatus is a terminal device or a server, for example, a UE, an application server (AS), etc., which are only exemplarily illustrated and not specifically limited herein. The first communication apparatus can be the first communication apparatus itself, or a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the first communication apparatus, or a logic module or software for implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication apparatus. The present application is not specifically limited herein. The following is performed:

[0007] obtaining a predicted delivery delay, the predicted delivery delay being used to indicate an estimated time for data to reach a second communication apparatus from the first communication apparatus via a non-terrestrial communication network device; starting a timer, a duration of the timer being set according to the predicted delivery delay; and sending first data according to a state of the timer, the first data reaching the second communication apparatus from the first communication apparatus via the non-terrestrial communication network device.

[0008] In the present application, after the first communication device acquires the predicted delivery time delay, the first communication device starts a timer set according to the predicted delivery time delay, and then transmits the first data according to the state of the timer. Based on this, the first communication device can determine the transmission timing of the first data.

[0009] In an optional manner, the first communication device further acquires a data amount threshold, the data amount threshold being a maximum value of data from the first communication device allowed to be buffered by the non-ground communication network device; and the first communication device transmits the first data according to the state of the timer and the data amount threshold.

[0010] Considering that the data storage capacity of the non-ground communication network device is limited, when transmitting the first data, the first communication device transmits the first data according to the data amount threshold and the state of the timer, so that the data amount of the transmitted first data does not exceed the storage space threshold reserved by the non-ground communication network device for the first communication device, thereby reducing the risk of data overflow and data packet loss. Further, transmitting the first data according to the data amount threshold and the state of the timer can ensure that the user service experience is not reduced.

[0011] In an optional manner, the first communication device further transmits second data, the second data being data from the first communication device to the second communication device via the non-ground communication network device before the first data is transmitted; if the timer expires, the first communication device determines that the maximum value of the transmitted first data is the data amount threshold; or, if the timer does not expire, the first communication device does not transmit the first data; or, if the timer does not expire, the first communication device determines that the maximum value of the transmitted first data is a remaining allowed data amount after the second data is transmitted, the remaining allowed data amount being a difference between the data amount threshold and the data amount of the second data.

[0012] In the present application, the first communication device transmits second data before transmitting the first data. Then, the first communication device starts the timer, and determines that the maximum value of the transmitted first data is the data amount threshold when the timer expires, or determines that the first communication device does not transmit the first data when the timer does not expire, or determines that the maximum value of the transmitted first data is a remaining allowed data amount after the second data is transmitted when the timer does not expire. Based on this, the transmission timing of the first data can be determined, and in addition, the maximum value of the allowed data amount of the first data can be determined according to the data amount of the second data, so that the data amount of the transmitted first data does not exceed the storage space threshold reserved by the non-ground communication network device for the first communication device.

[0013] In an optional mode, the first communication apparatus further receives a first notification message, the first notification message being used for indicating a set of communication link available time periods of a non-ground communication network device serving the first communication apparatus, or a communication link available time period of a non-ground communication network device currently serving the first communication apparatus, the communication link being a link between the first communication apparatus and the non-ground communication network device; and the first data is transmitted according to the state of the timer and the set of communication link available time periods, or the first data is transmitted according to the state of the timer and the communication link available time period.

[0014] In the present application, the first communication apparatus acquires the set of communication link available time periods or the communication link available time period through the first notification message, based on which, the first communication apparatus can explicitly determine the available time of the communication link, so as to ensure that the first data is transmitted in the time period when the communication link is available.

[0015] In an optional mode, the first notification information is further used for indicating a predicted delivery delay.

[0016] Based on the first notification information indicating the predicted delivery delay, the first communication apparatus can directly acquire the set of all communication link available time periods or the predicted delivery delay corresponding to the current communication link available time period, so as to acquire the predicted delivery delay as early as possible before the corresponding communication link is available or before the data is transmitted.

[0017] In an optional mode, the first communication apparatus further receives a second notification message, the second notification message indicating a predicted delivery delay, the predicted delivery delay corresponding to the second data.

[0018] Based on the second notification information indicating the predicted delivery delay, the first communication apparatus can associate the second data with the predicted delivery delay, based on which, the acquired predicted delivery delay is more accurate.

[0019] In an optional mode, the predicted delivery delay is determined according to a round-trip time (RTT).

[0020] Determining the predicted delivery delay according to the RTT can improve the degree of information multiplexing.

[0021] In an optional mode, the first communication apparatus is a terminal device, the second communication apparatus is a server, and the first data is uplink data; or, the first communication apparatus is a server, the second communication apparatus is a terminal device, and the first data is downlink data.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method applied to a core network device, wherein the core network device can be a core network element deployed in a non-terrestrial communication network device, and the present application does not specifically limit the core network device. The core network device can be the core network device itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the core network device, or a logic module or software for implementing all or part of the functions of the core network device. The present application does not specifically limit this. The following is performed: including:

[0023] sending a first notification message, the first notification message being used to indicate a set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device, or a communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device, the communication link being a link between the first communication device and the non-terrestrial communication network device; and receiving first data, the first data being transmitted from the first communication device to the second communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device.

[0024] In the present application, the core network device can indicate the set of communication link available time periods or the communication link available time period to the first communication device by sending the first notification message, so as to ensure that the first communication device transmits the first data in the communication link available time period.

[0025] In an optional manner, the core network device further acquires the mobility of the terminal device, and determines the content of the first notification message according to the mobility of the terminal device.

[0026] In the present application, the core network device can determine the content of the first notification message according to the mobility of the terminal device, so as to reduce the signaling interaction frequency and the data amount of interaction in the fixed terminal scenario.

[0027] In an optional manner, the core network device receives a first message from the terminal device, the first message being used to indicate the mobility of the terminal device; or acquires the mobility of the terminal device based on the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0028] Based on the first message from the terminal device or the subscription information of the terminal device to acquire the mobility of the terminal device, and based on the mobility of the terminal device to determine the content of the first notification message, the signaling interaction frequency and the data amount of interaction in the fixed terminal scenario can be reduced.

[0029] In an optional manner, if the position of the terminal device is fixed, it is determined that the first notification message is used to indicate the set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device; or if the position of the terminal device is not fixed, it is determined that the first notification message is used to indicate the communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device.

[0030] Based on the mobility of the terminal device, the content of the first notification message can be determined.

[0031] In an optional mode, the first notification message further comprises a predicted delivery delay, the predicted delivery delay being used to indicate an estimated time for the data to reach the second communication device from the first communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device.

[0032] In an optional mode, the core network device further receives second data, the second data being data that reaches the second communication device from the first communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device before the first data is sent; and sends a second notification message, the second notification message indicating a predicted delivery delay corresponding to the second data.

[0033] In an optional mode, the predicted delivery delay is determined according to the RTT.

[0034] In an optional mode, the first communication device is a terminal device, the second communication device is a server, and the first data is uplink data; or, the first communication device is a server, the second communication device is a terminal device, and the first data is downlink data.

[0035] In an optional mode, the core network device further starts a timer, a duration of the timer being set according to the predicted delivery delay; and discards the first data when the timer expires.

[0036] Based on this, the non-terrestrial communication network device does not need to store a large amount of data, and the occurrence of storage overflow and data packet loss can be reduced.

[0037] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be a first communication device or a core network device. The communication device has the functions of the first aspect or the second aspect, for example, the communication device comprises modules or units or means corresponding to the steps of the first aspect or the second aspect, and the functions or units or means can be implemented by software or hardware, or by executing corresponding software by hardware.

[0038] In a possible design, the communication device comprises a processing unit and a transceiver unit, where the transceiver unit can be used to transceive signals to implement communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The transceiver unit can be referred to as an input / output unit, a communication unit, etc., and can be a transceiver; the processing unit can be a processor. When the communication device is a module (for example, a chip) in a communication device, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, an input / output circuit or an input / output pin, etc., and can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface or an interface circuit, etc.; the processing unit can be a processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit, etc.

[0039] In yet another possible implementation, the communication apparatus includes a processor, and can further include a transceiver for transceiving signals. The processor executes program instructions to perform the method in any of the possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect. The communication apparatus can further include one or more memories coupled to the processor. The memories can store the computer program or instructions necessary to perform the functions related to the first aspect or the second aspect. The processor can execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memories, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication apparatus performs the method in any of the possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0040] In yet another possible implementation, the communication apparatus includes a processor, and can further include a transceiver for transceiving signals. The processor executes program instructions to perform the method in any of the possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect. The communication apparatus can further include one or more memories coupled to the processor. The memories can store the computer program or instructions necessary to perform the functions related to the first aspect or the second aspect. The processor can execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memories, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication apparatus performs the method in any of the possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0041] In yet another possible implementation, the communication apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with other apparatuses via the interface circuit, and perform the method in any of the possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0042] It can be understood that, in the third aspect, the processor can be implemented by hardware or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or the like. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software codes stored in the memory to implement the functions. In addition, the processor can be one or more, and the memory can be one or more. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory and the processor can be separately arranged. In a specific implementation, the memory and the processor can be integrated on the same chip, or can be separately arranged on different chips. The type of the memory and the arrangement of the memory and the processor are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0043] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication system. The communication system includes the first communication apparatus, the second communication apparatus, the non-terrestrial communication network device, and the core network device. The first communication apparatus is configured to perform the method in any of the possible implementation of the first aspect. The core network device is configured to perform the method in any of the possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0044] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which comprises a processor and can further comprise a memory. The processor is configured to implement the method of the first aspect or the second aspect. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can comprise a chip and other discrete devices. The memory is configured to store data related to the implementation of any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect, such as the association relationship. The processor is configured to implement the processing procedure related to any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect. Here, no specific limitation is made.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which can be a volatile storage medium or a non-volatile storage medium. The computer readable storage medium stores computer readable instructions. When the computer readable instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any embodiment of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0047] The technical effects achieved by the second aspect to the seventh aspect can refer to the technical effects achieved by the corresponding possible design of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1A shows a schematic diagram of a 4G communication system architecture;

[0049] FIG. 1B shows a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system architecture;

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a non-ground communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a downlink data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an uplink data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The specific operation methods in the method embodiments can also be applied to the device embodiments or system embodiments. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more. Therefore, the implementation of the device and the method can be referred to each other, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0057] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a 4G network architecture. The 4G network architecture shown in FIG. 1A can include terminal devices (such as UEs), E-UTRAN, and an evolved packet core (EPC), etc. Among them, the EPC includes a serving gateway (S-GW), a packet data network gateway (P-GW), a mobility management entity (MME), a home subscriber server (HSS), a policy and charging rules function (PCRF), and a serving general packet radio service support node (SGSN).

[0058] E-UTRAN: composed of multiple evolved nodeBs (eNodeBs), connected with the EPC through an S1 interface, and connected with the terminal device through a Uu interface.

[0059] MME network element: mainly supports non-access stratum (NAS) signaling and its security, management of the track area (TA) list, selection of the P-GW and the S-GW, selection of the MME during inter-MME handover, selection of the SGSN during handover to the 2G / 3G access system, user authentication, roaming control and bearer management, and mobility management between core network nodes of different access networks of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP).

[0060] S-GW: mainly as a local anchor point during inter-base station handover, and assists in completing the base station reordering function; as a mobility anchor point during inter-3GPP access system handover; performs packet routing and forwarding; performs packet marking at the uplink and downlink transport layer; used for inter-operator charging, etc.

[0061] P-GW: Main functions include user-based packet filtering function, UE's internet protocol (IP) address allocation function of network interconnection, data packet transmission level marking in uplink, uplink and downlink service level charging and service level threshold control, control of uplink and downlink rates based on services, etc.

[0062] HSS: Responsible for saving information related to users, such as user identification, numbering and routing information, security information, location information, Profile information, etc.

[0063] SGSN: Mainly used for signaling interaction between 2G / 3G and E-UTRAN 3GPP access networks during mobile switching, including selection of P-GW and S-GW, and selection of MME for users switching to E-UTRAN 3GPP access network.

[0064] PCRF entity terminates at Rx interface and Gx interface, and in a non-roaming scenario, there is only one PCRF related to one IP-connectivity access network (IP-CAN) session of the UE in the HPLMN; in a roaming scenario and when the service flow is locally routed, there can be two PCRFs related to one IP-CAN session of the UE.

[0065] It should be understood that each network element shown in FIG. 1A can be independent or integrated with two or more network elements, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited specifically.

[0066] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-based architecture. The 5G network architecture shown in FIG. 1B can include terminal devices (e.g., UEs), access network devices (e.g., RAN devices), and core network devices 5G core (5GC). The terminal devices access a data network (DN) through the access network devices and the core network devices. The core network devices include various network functions (NFs) or network elements, such as some or all of the following network elements: a unified data management (UDM) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, an application function (AF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a user plane function (UPF) network element, and / or the like.

[0067] An access and mobility management function is mainly used for attachment, mobility management, tracking area update procedures, and the like of terminals in a mobile network. In a 5G communication system, the access and mobility management function can be an access and mobility management function (AMF). In future communication systems, the access and mobility management function can still be an AMF, or can have another name, which is not limited in the present application.

[0068] A session management function is mainly used for session management in a mobile network, such as session creation, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating an Internet Protocol address to a terminal, selecting a user plane function that provides message forwarding functions, and the like. In a 5G communication system, the session management function can be a session management function (SMF). In future communication systems, the session management function can still be an SMF, or can have another name, which is not limited in the present application. In the present application, a multicast / broadcast session management network element is also involved, which can be a multicast / broadcast-session management function (MB-SMF). The multicast / broadcast session management network element is mainly used for session management in a mobile network, such as session creation, modification, and release.

[0069] User plane function, mainly used for processing user messages, such as forwarding and charging, etc. In the 5G communication system, the user plane function can be a user plane function (UPF), and in the future communication system, the user plane function can still be the UPF, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0070] Policy control function, including policy control function, charging policy control function, QoS control, etc. In the 5G communication system, the policy control function can be a policy control function (PCF), and in the future communication system, the policy control function can still be the PCF, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0071] Network slice selection function, mainly used for selecting a suitable network slice for the terminal service. In the 5G communication system, the network slice selection function can be a network slice selection function (NSSF), and in the future communication system, the network slice selection function can still be the NSSF, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0072] Network slice-specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF) is mainly used for authentication and authorization for terminal access to a specific network slice.

[0073] Network repository function, mainly used for providing registration and discovery of network functions or services provided by network functions. In the 5G communication system, the network repository function can be a network repository function (NRF), and in the future communication system, the network repository function can still be the NRF, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0074] Network data analysis function, which can collect data from various network functions, such as policy control function, session management function, user plane function, access management function, application function (through network capability exposure function), and perform analysis and prediction. In the 5G communication system, the network data analysis function can be a network data analysis function (NWDAF), and in the future communication system, the network data analysis function can still be the NWDAF, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0075] Unified data management function, which is mainly used for managing subscription information of terminals. In the 5G communication system, the unified data management function can be a unified data management (UDM) function, and in future communication systems, the unified data management function can still be a UDM function, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0076] Unified data storage function, which is mainly used for storing structured data information, including subscription information, policy information, and network data or service data with standard format definition. In the 5G communication system, the unified data storage function can be a unified data repository (UDR) function, and in future communication systems, the unified data storage function can still be a UDR function, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0077] Authentication service function, which is mainly used for security authentication of terminals. In the 5G communication system, the authentication service function can be an authentication server function (AUSF), and in future communication systems, the authentication service function can still be an AUSF, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0078] Network capability exposure function, which can expose part of the network functions to applications in a controlled manner. In the 5G communication system, the network capability exposure function can be a network exposure function entity (NEF), and in future communication systems, the network capability exposure function can still be an NEF, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0079] Terminal radio capability management function, which is used for storing and managing the radio capabilities of terminals in the network. In the 5G communication system, the terminal radio capability management function can be a user equipment radio capability management function (UCMF), and in future communication systems, the terminal radio capability management function can still be a UCMF, or can also have other names, which are not limited by the present application.

[0080] The binding support function is used to maintain the correspondence between the internet protocol (IP) addresses and service functions of the interconnections between user networks. In the 5G communication system, the binding support function can be a binding support function (BSF), and in the future communication system, the binding support function can still be the BSF, or can also have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0081] The application function can provide service data of various applications to the control plane function of the operator's communication network, or obtain data information and control information of the network from the control plane function of the communication network. In the 5G communication system, the application function can be an application function (AF), and in the future communication system, the application function can still be the AF, or can also have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0082] The data network is mainly used to provide data transmission services for terminals. The data network can be a private network such as a local area network, or a public data network (PDN) such as the Internet, or a proprietary network deployed by an operator, such as a configured IP multimedia core network subsystem (IMS) service.

[0083] It should be noted that the functions in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as network elements, network functions or functional entities, devices, etc., for example, the access and mobility management function can also be referred to as an access and mobility management network element, or an access and mobility management network function, or an access and mobility management functional entity, etc. The names of various functions are not limited in the present application, and those skilled in the art can replace the names of the above functions with other names to perform the same functions, which all belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0084] The E-UTRAN or the access network device is an entity for transmitting or receiving signals in the network side. The access network device can be a device for communicating with the mobile device. The access network device can be an AP in a wireless local area network (WLAN), an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE), or a relay station or an access point or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB), or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and an access network device in a future 5G network or an access network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, or a gNodeB (gNB) in an NR system, and the like. In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the access network device serves a cell, and the terminal device communicates with the access network device through the transmission resource (for example, frequency domain resource, or frequency spectrum resource) used by the cell. The access network device in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Alternatively, the access network device can also be composed of a CU and a DU. The CU and the DU can be physically separated or deployed together, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereon. One CU can connect one DU, or multiple DUs can share one CU, which can save costs and facilitate network expansion. The CU and the DU can be split according to the protocol stack, and one possible way is to deploy the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers in the CU, and deploy the remaining radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical layer in the DU. The embodiments of the present application do not completely limit the above protocol stack splitting manner, and other splitting manners can also be used. The CU and the DU are connected through an F1 interface. The CU is connected to the core network through an Ng interface. The access network device in the embodiments of the present application can also refer to a centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) node or a centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) node, or the access network device can also be a CU-CP and a CU-UP.The CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, mainly including RRC and PDCP-C. The PDCP-C is mainly responsible for encryption and decryption of control plane data, integrity protection, data transmission, etc. The CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions, mainly including SDAP and PDCP-U. The SDAP is mainly responsible for processing data of the core network and mapping the flow to the bearer. The PDCP-U is mainly responsible for encryption and decryption of the data plane, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, data transmission, etc. The CU-CP and the CU-UP are connected through an E1 interface. The CU-CP represents the gNB connected to the core network through an Ng interface. It is connected to the DU through an F1-C (control plane). The CU-UP is connected to the DU through an F1-U (user plane). Of course, there is also a possible implementation that the PDCP-C is also in the CU-UP. The access network device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a device including a CU, or a DU, or a device including a CU and a DU, or a control plane CU node (CU-CP node) and a user plane CU node (CU-UP node) and a DU node. In addition, in other possible cases, the access network device can be other apparatuses providing wireless communication functions for terminal devices. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device. For the convenience of description, the apparatuses providing wireless communication functions for terminal devices are referred to as access network devices in the embodiments of the present application.

[0085] The terminal device can be a device capable of receiving access network device (or non-ground communication network device) scheduling and indication information, and can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet through a radio access network (such as a radio access network, RAN), and can be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or called "cellular" phone, mobile phone), computer and data card, for example, can be portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile devices that exchange voice and / or data with the radio access network. For example, personal communications service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets (Pads), computers with wireless transceiver functions, etc. The terminal device can also be referred to as a system, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, subscriber station (SS), customer premises equipment (CPE), terminal, UE, mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device can also be a wearable device and a next-generation communication system, for example, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN network, a terminal device in a new radio (NR) communication system, etc.

[0086] To improve the communication coverage, NTN communication is introduced. The NTN communication is a technology of fusing NTN devices (i.e., non-terrestrial communication network devices) with terrestrial communication (4G communication system or 5G communication system). In the NTN communication, the NTN device can provide a communication service to a terminal device. The NTN device is a device such as a satellite or an aerial vehicle deployed in the air, for example, the NTN device is any one of a satellite, a high altitude platform system (HAPS), and an air to ground (ATG) device. The following is described by taking the NTN device as a satellite as an example. The satellite usually supports a store and forward function (S&F) as shown in FIG. 2. The link between the satellite and the UE is a service link, and the link between the satellite and the ground communication gateway (for example, a gateway) or the server deployed on the ground is a feeder link. It should be noted that the data sent by the terminal device is uplink data, and the data sent by the server is downlink data. The uplink data reaches the ground communication gateway from the terminal device through the satellite, and the ground communication gateway transmits the uplink data to the server, or the downlink data reaches the satellite from the server through the ground communication gateway, and the satellite transmits to the terminal device. The satellite in FIG. 2 can be one satellite or multiple satellites belonging to a constellation, which is not specifically limited here.

[0087] Figure 2(a) illustrates the architecture of satellite integration with EPC in 4G communication system, E-UTRAN is deployed on satellite, part of MME (part 1) function is deployed in satellite, another part of MME (part 2) function is kept in EPC on ground. Among them, the part of MME deployed on satellite can be called MME-NT, MME-NT acts as mobility anchor point for UE and performs a subset of MME functions, such as assisting store-and-forward operation; maintains S1 connection to RAN device node and maintains associated connection identifier per UE to MME-NT; responsible for encoding NAS messages received from MME-NT into RAN device facing S1AP payload and decoding NAS payload from messages received from RAN device before sending it to ground MME function. The part of MME kept on ground is responsible for maintaining UE context (e.g. security context related to UE identity information), encryption and integrity protection of NAS. Figure 2(b) illustrates the architecture of satellite integration with 5GC in 5G communication system, gNB is deployed on satellite, part of AMF (part 1) function is deployed in satellite, another part of AMF (part 2) function is kept in 5GC on ground. Among them, the part of AMF deployed on satellite acts as mobility anchor point for UE and only performs a subset of AMF functions, such as assisting store-and-forward operation; maintains signaling plane connection to RAN device node and maintains associated connection identifier per UE to AMF function on satellite; responsible for encoding NAS messages received from AMF function on satellite into RAN device facing signaling plane connection payload and decoding NAS payload from messages received from RAN device before and sending it to ground AMF function. The part of AMF kept on ground is responsible for maintaining UE context (e.g. security context related to UE identity information), encryption and integrity protection of NAS. Figure 2(c) illustrates the architecture of satellite integration with 4G / 5G communication system, access device is deployed on satellite, functions of core network are all deployed in satellite, data is transmitted between server and ground communication gateway through AF / AS proxy function. Figure 2(d) illustrates the architecture of satellite integration with 4G / 5G communication system, access device is deployed on satellite, part of user plane network element (e.g. P-GW in 4G communication system, UPF in 5G communication system) function (part 1) is deployed in satellite, another part of user plane network element function (part 2) is deployed in core network (EPC / 5GC). Among them, the part of user plane network element deployed on satellite acts as split point, local anchor point of user plane, the part of user plane network element kept on ground acts as anchor point of session.

[0088] For the convenience of understanding the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, before introducing the solutions of the embodiments of the present application based on the architecture of FIG. 2, first, some terms or concepts possibly involved in the embodiments of the present application are simply described.

[0089] 1) Expected delivery time delay (may be referred to as Estimated delivery time, abbreviated as EDT)

[0090] The expected delivery time delay is a data one-way transmission delay value, which refers to the estimated time for data to reach a second communication device from a first communication device via a non-terrestrial communication network device (for example, the satellite in the above-mentioned architecture of FIG. 2). For uplink transmission, the first communication device is a terminal device, and the second communication device is a ground communication gateway or a server deployed on the ground, wherein the transmission delay between the ground communication gateway and the server can be negligible compared with the transmission delay from the terminal device to the ground communication gateway, and thus it can be considered that the transmission delay from the terminal device to the ground communication gateway is the same as the transmission delay from the terminal device to the server. For downlink transmission, the first communication device is a server or a ground communication gateway, and the second communication device is a terminal device. Wherein the transmission delay between the ground communication gateway and the server can be negligible compared with the transmission delay from the terminal device to the ground communication gateway, and thus it can be considered that the transmission delay from the ground communication gateway to the terminal device is the same as the transmission delay from the server to the terminal device. Taking (b) in FIG. 2 as an example, the expected delivery time delay can be the time for uplink data to be transmitted from a UE, transmitted through a satellite to a ground communication gateway (or a server). This is only illustratively described and is not specifically limited.

[0091] Wherein, the expected delivery time delay can be determined by measuring the one-way delay of data transmission, or can be determined according to RTT. Wherein, the RTT can be understood as the time for downlink data to reach a terminal device from a server via a non-terrestrial communication network device after uplink data reaches the server from the terminal device via the non-terrestrial communication network device. For example, the expected delivery time delay is RTT / 2+ε, wherein ε is an error value (for example, |ε|≤1 / 10RTT); or the expected delivery time delay is RTT*W1, wherein W1 is 0.5+δ, wherein δ is an error value (for example, |δ|≤0.1). This is only illustratively described and the values of ε and δ are not specifically limited.

[0092] It should be noted that in the present application, the arrival of the non-terrestrial communication network device at the server is understood as the arrival of the non-terrestrial communication network device at the server via the ground communication gateway, and since the transmission delay between the ground communication gateway and the server can be negligible compared with the transmission delay from the terminal device to the ground communication gateway, it can be considered that the transmission delay from the terminal device to the ground communication gateway is the same as the transmission delay from the terminal device to the server, and other places involved in the text can be understood with reference to the description herein.

[0093] 2) Data volume threshold

[0094] The data volume threshold is the maximum value of data from the first communication device that the non-terrestrial communication network device is allowed to cache, which can also be referred to as a data volume quota. For uplink transmission, the first communication device is a terminal device, and for downlink transmission, the first communication device is a server. The data from the first communication device can be understood as data transmitted by the first communication device. For example, when the first communication device is a terminal device, the data from the first communication device can be user plane data of a service or application of the terminal device, or signaling plane data of the service or application of the terminal device.

[0095] For one satellite or constellation, the data volume threshold is the total amount of data that a terminal device can send to the non-terrestrial communication network device. It should be noted that the type of data that the terminal device can send is not limited herein, which can be user plane data or control plane data, etc. The unit of the data volume threshold is bits or megabytes, etc.

[0096] Alternatively, for one satellite or constellation, the data volume threshold is the total amount of data that a server of an application can send to the non-terrestrial communication network device. It should be noted that the application herein refers to a software application, such as software application x or APP-x.

[0097] Alternatively, for one satellite or constellation, the data volume threshold is the total amount of data that an application installed on a terminal device can send to the non-terrestrial communication network device. For example, the total amount of data that software application A installed on mobile phone X can send to the non-terrestrial communication network device.

[0098] When the system architecture of FIG. 2 is adopted, the current standard discussion can send the predicted delivery delay to the terminal device to control the transmission of uplink data. Alternatively, the predicted delivery delay is sent to the server for controlling the transmission of downlink data. However, the related art does not specify how to utilize the predicted delivery delay to transmit uplink data or downlink data. Based on this, the present application provides a communication method to specify how to refer to the predicted delivery delay to transmit uplink data or downlink data.

[0099] The technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below with specific method embodiments referring to FIG. 3. It should be noted that FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of the method embodiments of the present application, showing the detailed communication steps or operations of the method, but these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of the various operations in FIG. 3. In addition, the various steps in FIG. 3 can be performed in different order from that presented in FIG. 3, and it is possible that not all operations in FIG. 3 are performed. The method can be performed through the interaction of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the core network device.

[0100] The first communication device (or the second communication device) is a terminal device (e.g., UE or IOT terminal device) or a server (e.g., AS, ground AF agent device, ground AS agent device, or ground MME), which is only exemplarily described without specific limitation. The first communication device (or the second communication device) can be the first communication device (or the second communication device) itself, a component (e.g., processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) in the first communication device (or the second communication device), or a logic module or software realizing all or part of the function of the first communication device. It should be noted that the first communication device and the second communication device are different communication devices, for example, the first communication device is a terminal device and the second communication device is a server, or the first communication device is a server and the second communication device is a terminal device. For uplink transmission, the first communication device is a terminal device and the second communication device is a server. For downlink transmission, the first communication device is a server and the second communication device is a terminal device. It should be noted that the first communication device is a terminal device, the communication link is a service link, the second communication device is a server, and the data sent by the first communication device is uplink data. In the processing flow in FIG. 3, the communication link involved is a service link. The first communication device is a server, the communication link is a feeder link, the second communication device is a terminal device, and the data sent by the first communication device is downlink data. In the processing flow in FIG. 3, the communication link involved is a feeder link. This is only exemplarily described and is not specifically limited.

[0101] The core network device is partially deployed in the non-terrestrial communication network device and partially deployed in a terrestrial core network. For example, the core network device is a part of MME function deployed in the satellite in (a) of FIG. 2 and another part of MME function deployed in the EPC, or a part of AMF function deployed in the satellite in (b) of FIG. 2 and another part of AMF function deployed in the 5GC. The core network device is only exemplarily described herein and is not limited to how the core network device is deployed. In addition, the core network device deployed in the terrestrial core network can also include a capability exposure function network element (service capability exposure function (SCEF) or NEF) for sending information from the core network device (for example, MME (or AMF)) deployed in the non-terrestrial communication network device to a server. The core network device mentioned below is understood with reference to the description herein and will not be described in detail.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 3, the following is performed:

[0103] In step 301, the first communication device acquires a predicted delivery time delay.

[0104] The predicted delivery time delay can be understood with reference to the description in 1) above and will not be described again herein.

[0105] It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the first communication device can transmit uplink data or downlink data, the available time period of the communication link (or the allowed use time period of the communication link, or the time period in which the communication link allows data transmission, which can be replaced equivalently and will not be specifically limited herein) needs to be acquired before the predicted delivery time delay is acquired, so as to ensure that the first communication device sends the first data in the available time period of the communication link. The communication link is a link between the first communication device and the non-terrestrial communication network device.

[0106] The available time period of the communication link can be acquired by way 1 or way 2.

[0107] Way 1, acquisition based on the first notification message

[0108] In an optional implementation, when the communication link is available, the core network device sends a first notification message to the first communication device through the communication link, and the first notification message is used to indicate a set of available time periods of the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device, or an available time period of the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device.

[0109] Exemplarily, before sending the first notification message, the core network device can determine whether the communication link is available by scanning the received signal frequency point or monitoring the state of the signal. Taking the following transmission as an example, the communication link is a service link, and the core network device (specifically, part of the function of the core network device deployed on the satellite) determines that the signal frequency point of the service link meets the requirements of normal operation of the service link by scanning the signal frequency point of the service link, and then determines that the service link is available. Taking the following transmission as an example, the communication link is a feeder link, and the core network device (specifically, part of the function of the core network device deployed on the satellite) determines that the signal frequency point of the feeder link meets the requirements of normal operation of the feeder link by scanning the signal frequency point of the feeder link, and then determines that the feeder link is available. This is only an exemplary illustration, and the core network device is not specifically limited to how to determine that the communication link is available.

[0110] The first notification message can be a new type of message or an extension and enhancement based on an existing message. The first notification message is associated with the communication link available time period, and the communication link available time period can be determined based on the first notification message. Exemplarily, for uplink transmission, when the first communication device is a terminal device, the first notification message can be a system information block (SIB) message, an attachment acceptance message (or a registration acceptance message), or a response (or acceptance (accept), confirmation (ack)) message to a tracking area update request. For downlink transmission, when the first communication device is a server, the first notification message can be a notification message of a UE monitoring event (the server has previously subscribed to UE-related event notifications, and this message is the corresponding notification message), or a UE S&F event notification message (the server has previously subscribed to S&F-related events of the UE, and this message is the corresponding notification message. In addition, the message can also include the S&F mode currently registered by the UE). This is only an exemplary illustration, and the name of the first message is not specifically limited.

[0111] For example, the first notification message can directly indicate the set of communication link available time periods, or the communication link available time period. Specifically, the first communication message includes the set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device, or the communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device. For example, the first notification message includes the set of communication link available time periods [period#1] (corresponding to communication link 1), [period#2] (corresponding to communication link 2), and [period#3] (corresponding to communication link 3), which are of the same communication link type (e.g., both are serving links or both are feeder links). The set of communication link available time periods can correspond to the same or different satellites (or constellations). The set of communication link available time periods can be a set of communication link available time periods in a period, where the period can be a day, a week, a month, etc. For example, [period#1], [period#2], and [period#3] belong to a set of communication link available time periods in each day. For example, [period#1], [period#2], and [period#3] can correspond to different available time periods of the same communication link of the same satellite, in which case the communication links corresponding to the same satellite all refer to the communication link of the same satellite with the first communication device.

[0112] For another example, the first notification message includes the communication link available time period, [period#1] (corresponding to communication link 1) and / or [period#2] (corresponding to communication link 2), which are of the same communication link type (e.g., both are serving links or both are feeder links). It should be noted that generally the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device is one, and thus the corresponding communication link is one. However, it is not excluded that the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device is multiple, and thus the corresponding communication link is multiple, in which case it is understood that the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device is two. This is only illustrative and is not specifically limited.

[0113] Exemplarily, the first notification message can indirectly indicate the set of communication link available time periods, or the communication link available time period. Specifically, the first notification message comprises a parameter 1 or a parameter 2, wherein the parameter 1 has a corresponding relationship with the set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device, and the parameter 2 has a corresponding relationship with the communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device. For example, the parameter 1 is XYZ, X corresponds to a communication link 1 available time period of [period#1], Y corresponds to a communication link 2 available time period of [period#2], and Z corresponds to a communication link 3 available time period of [period#3], and the first communication device can determine the set of communication link available time periods based on XYZ, the communication link 1, the communication link 2 and the communication link 3 belong to the same type of communication link (for example, all are service links, or all are feeder links). The parameter 2 is W, W corresponds to a communication link 1 available time period of [period#5], and the first communication device can determine the communication link 1 available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device based on W. This is only exemplarily described, and the specific information included in the first notification message is not specifically limited. Taking period#1 as an example, period#1 can be [T1, T2], [T1, β] or [T1, T1+β], and the specific representation form of the available time period is not specifically limited. Wherein, T1 is the starting time of the communication link available time, T2 is the end time of the communication link available time, and β is the duration of the communication link available time period. For example, T1 is 8:00, T2 is 10:00, and β is 2h (hours), and the communication link available time period can be represented as [8:00, 10:00], or [8:00, 2h], or [8:00, 8:00+2h]. This is only exemplarily described, and the representation form of the communication link available time period is not specifically limited.

[0114] The specific content of the first notification message can be determined according to the mobility of the terminal device served by the core network device. When the terminal device is fixed (i.e., the terminal device itself does not have a mobile attribute, for example, a fixed IOT device (water meter, electricity meter, machine in a factory), etc., which are only illustrative herein), the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the terminal device is fixed and unchanged. Therefore, when the terminal device belongs to a fixed terminal type, the first notification message is used to indicate the set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device. When the terminal device itself has a mobile attribute (i.e., the terminal position is not fixed, for example, a mobile phone, a car, etc., which are only illustrative herein), the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the terminal device will change due to the mobility of the terminal, and in order to ensure the reliability of the communication, the available time period of the communication link will be frequently updated. Therefore, when the terminal device belongs to a mobile terminal type, the first notification message is used to indicate the communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device.

[0115] It should be noted that in order to determine the specific content of the first notification message, the core network device also obtains the mobility of the terminal device. In one possible implementation, the core network device can receive a first message from the terminal device, which can indicate the mobility of the terminal device. The first message can be a registration message (or an attachment message) of the terminal device, and can also be a tracking area update message (e.g., a TAU request message), which are only illustrative herein and are not specifically limited. In another possible implementation, the core network device obtains the subscription information from the subscription information storage network element, and obtains the mobility of the terminal device based on the subscription information of the terminal device (the subscription information of the terminal device stores the mobility of the terminal device). This is only illustrative herein and is not specifically limited by the present application.

[0116] It should be further noted that the set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device refers to the set of communication link available time periods of all non-terrestrial communication network devices serving the first communication device. Taking the first communication device as a terminal device of a position fixed terminal type and the non-terrestrial communication network device as a satellite as an example, the satellite that can serve the terminal device includes satellite 1, satellite 2, satellite 3 and satellite 5, and the set of communication link available time periods includes the service link 1 available time period between the satellite 1 and the terminal device, the service link 2 available time period between the satellite 2 and the terminal device, the service link 3 available time period between the satellite 3 and the terminal device, and the service link 5 available time period between the satellite 5 and the terminal device. Next, taking the first communication device as a server and the non-terrestrial communication network device as a satellite as an example, the satellite that can serve the server includes satellite 1, satellite 3 and satellite 5, and the set of communication link available time periods includes the feeder link 1 available time period between the satellite 1 and the server, the feeder link 3 available time period between the satellite 3 and the server, and the feeder link 5 available time period between the satellite 5 and the server. This is only illustrative and is not specifically limited. It should be further noted that when the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device is only one, the set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device refers to the set of all available time periods of the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device.

[0117] It should be further noted that the communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device refers to the communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device. Taking the first communication device as a terminal device of a mobile terminal type and the non-terrestrial communication network device as a satellite as an example, the satellite that can currently serve the terminal device is satellite 1 / constellation A, and the communication link available time period includes the service link available time period between the satellite 1 / constellation A and the terminal device. Next, taking the first communication device as a server and the non-terrestrial communication network device as a satellite as an example, the satellite that can currently serve the server includes satellite 3 / constellation B, and the communication link available time period includes the feeder link available time period between the satellite 3 / constellation B and the server. This is only illustrative and is not specifically limited.

[0118] For example, the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device is satellite 1 (corresponding to communication link 1), satellite 2 (corresponding to communication link 2) and satellite 3 (corresponding to communication link 3), wherein the available time period of communication link 1 is [period#1.2], [period#1.3], [period#1.4], the available time period of communication link 2 is [period#2], and the available time period of communication link 3 is [period#3]. This is only an example and is not specifically limited.

[0119] Method 2, based on historical communication link available time period acquisition

[0120] In another optional embodiment, the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device is the same as the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device in the historical time period, and the available time period of the communication link is the same, and the core network device can determine the available time period of the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device based on the available time period of the communication link in the historical time period. For example, the set of communication link available time periods can be a set of communication link available time periods in a period, wherein the period can be a day, a week, a month, etc., for example, [period#1], [period#2], [period#3] belong to a set of communication link available time periods in each day. This is only an example and is not specifically limited.

[0121] Alternatively, the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device in the historical time period has a correlation (for example, the same or similar communication parameters) with the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device, and the available time period of the communication link currently serving the first communication device can be determined by referring to the available time period of the communication link in the historical time period. For example, the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the terminal device in the historical time period is satellite 1, and the available time period of service link 1 between satellite 1 and the terminal device is [period#1]. The non-terrestrial network device currently serving the terminal device is satellite 2, the distance between satellite 1 and satellite 2 is close, and satellite 1 and satellite 2 are of the same type and can satisfy the same communication demand, and the available time period of service link 2 between satellite 2 and the terminal device can be approximately [period#1], or [period#1]+γ, γ is a change threshold. This is only an example and is not specifically limited.

[0122] It should be noted that Fig. 3 takes the acquisition of the communication link available time period based on the first notification message as an example for illustration.

[0123] After the first communication device acquires the set of communication link available time periods or the communication link available time period, the first communication device can acquire the expected delivery time delay according to the following embodiments. In addition, after the first communication device acquires the expected delivery time delay, the first communication device can store the expected delivery time delay for sending data by referring to the expected delivery time delay. The following description of steps 302 and 303 can be referred to for understanding.

[0124] In an alternative embodiment, the first notification message acquired by the first communication device from the core network device further indicates the expected delivery time delay, and the first communication device can acquire the expected delivery time delay directly based on the first notification message. For example, the first notification message can include the set of communication link available time periods and the expected delivery time delay of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device, or the communication link available time period and the expected delivery time delay of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device.

[0125] For example, the first notification message can directly indicate the set of communication link available time periods and the expected delivery time delay, or the communication link available time period and the expected delivery time delay. Specifically, the first notification message includes the set of communication link available time periods and the expected delivery time delay of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device, or the communication link available time period and the expected delivery time delay of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device. For example, the first notification message includes the set of communication link available time periods and the expected delivery time delay, [period#1, EDT1] (wherein period#1 indicates the available time period of communication link 1, and EDT1 indicates the expected delivery time delay of transmitting data by using communication link 1 and its corresponding satellite), [period#2, EDT2] (wherein period#2 indicates the available time period of communication link 2, and EDT2 indicates the expected delivery time delay of transmitting data by using communication link 2 and its corresponding satellite), and [period#3, EDT3] (wherein period#3 indicates the available time period of communication link 3, and EDT3 indicates the expected delivery time delay of transmitting data by using communication link 3 and its corresponding satellite).

[0126] For another example, the first notification message includes the communication link available time period and the expected delivery time delay of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device, [period#5, EDT5] (wherein period#5 indicates the available time period of communication link 5, and EDT5 indicates the expected delivery time delay of transmitting data by using communication link 5 and its corresponding satellite). This is only an example and is not specifically limited.

[0127] It should be noted that the set of available time periods and the form of representation of the expected delivery delay can be [period#1, EDT1], or can be [period#1], [EDT1], which is not specifically limited herein.

[0128] Exemplarily, the first notification message can indirectly indicate the set of available time periods of the communication link and the expected delivery delay, or the available time period of the communication link and the expected delivery delay. The first notification message includes a parameter 3 or a parameter 4, where the parameter 3 is in a corresponding relationship with the set of available time periods of the communication link and the expected delivery delay of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device, and the parameter 4 is in a corresponding relationship with the available time period of the communication link and the expected delivery delay of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device. For example, the parameter 3 is QWE, the corresponding available time period of the communication link is [period#1], the corresponding expected delivery delay is EDT1, the corresponding available time period of the communication link is [period#2], the corresponding expected delivery delay is EDT2, the corresponding available time period of the communication link is [period#3], and the corresponding expected delivery delay is EDT3. The first communication device can determine the set of available time periods of the communication link and the expected delivery delay based on QWE. The parameter 4 is O, the corresponding available time period of the communication link is [period#5], and the corresponding expected delivery delay is EDT5. The first communication device can determine the available time period of the communication link and the expected delivery delay based on O. This is only exemplarily described and the specific information included in the first notification message is not specifically limited.

[0129] In another optional embodiment, the first communication device transmits second data, and the transmission path of the second data is from the first communication device to the second communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device. After the core network device receives the second data, the core network device determines the expected delivery delay corresponding to the second data. Then, the core network device sends a second notification message indicating the expected delivery delay to the first communication device. Exemplarily, the second notification message can directly indicate the expected delivery delay, for example, the second notification message includes the expected delivery delay. The second notification message can also indirectly indicate the expected delivery delay, for example, the second notification message includes a parameter 5, where the parameter 5 is in a corresponding relationship with the expected delivery delay. This is only exemplarily described and the sending time of the second notification message is not limited.

[0130] It should be noted that the core network device can estimate the delay of the second data from the core network device to the second communication device after obtaining the second data, and then determine the expected delivery delay, and then send the second notification message to the first communication device (regardless of whether the second data is transmitted to the second communication device). This is only exemplarily described and the sending time of the second notification message is not limited.

[0131] It should be noted that the expected delivery time delay of the second data is the same as the expected delivery time delay of the data subsequently transmitted by the first communication device when the second data is transmitted by the first communication device using the same communication link as the first communication device.

[0132] In another optional embodiment, the first notification message obtained by the first communication device from the core network device further indicates the expected delivery time delay, and after the first communication device transmits the second data, the core network device transmits a second notification message indicating the expected delivery time delay to the first communication device. If the expected delivery time delay indicated by the first notification message is different from the expected delivery time delay indicated by the second notification message, the expected delivery time delay indicated by the first notification message is updated with reference to the expected delivery time delay indicated by the second notification message. If they are the same, the expected delivery time delay indicated by the first notification message is not updated.

[0133] It should be noted that the information indicating the expected delivery time delay in the first notification message and the second notification message can be RTT, and after the first communication device receives the RTT, the first communication device calculates the expected delivery time delay according to the RTT. The expected delivery time delay can be determined according to the RTT as described in 1) above, and will not be described here.

[0134] In step 302, the first communication device starts (or starts or starts) a timer, and the duration of the timer is set according to the expected delivery time delay.

[0135] The duration of the timer can be the same as the expected delivery time delay, or greater than or less than the expected delivery time delay, which will not be specifically limited here. For example, the expected delivery time delay is 12 seconds, and the duration of the timer can be 12 seconds, or 12.5 seconds, or 11.5 seconds, etc., which is only exemplary.

[0136] In addition, the timer in step 302 is started after the second data is transmitted (for example, the timer is started 1 second after the second data is transmitted), or the timer is started when the second data is transmitted, or the timer is started before the second data is transmitted (for example, the timer is started 1 second before the second data is transmitted), or the timer is started after the second notification message carrying the expected delivery time delay is received after the second data is transmitted, which will not be specifically limited here. For example, the expected delivery time delay is 12 seconds, and the duration of the timer is 11.5 seconds, and the timer can be started 0.5 seconds after the second data is transmitted; or the expected delivery time delay is 12 seconds, and the duration of the timer is 12.5 seconds, and the timer can be started 0.5 seconds before the second data is transmitted; or the expected delivery time delay is 12 seconds, and the duration of the timer is 12 seconds, and the timer can be started when the second data is transmitted, which is only exemplary. The timing of starting the timer will not be specifically limited here. The timer is started after the second data is transmitted in FIG. 3.

[0137] It should be noted that if the expected delivery delay is obtained based on the second notification message, the first communication device does not obtain the expected delivery delay before sending the second data, and the first communication device cannot determine the duration of the timer. After the first communication device obtains the expected delivery delay based on the second notification message, the duration of the timer can be determined. For example, the first communication device starts the timer after (or before, or at the same time) sending the second data, obtains the expected delivery delay indicated based on the second notification message, and determines the duration of the timer. Or, the first communication device obtains the expected delivery delay indicated based on the second notification message after sending the second data, determines the duration of the timer, and starts the timer. This is only illustrative and is not specifically limited.

[0138] At step 303, the first communication device sends the first data according to the state of the timer, and the first data reaches the second communication device from the first communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device. Accordingly, the core network device receives the first data.

[0139] It should be noted that when step 303 is performed, the first communication device also obtains the availability of the communication link. Illustratively, the first communication device can determine whether the communication link is available by scanning the received signal frequency point or monitoring the state of the signal. Taking the service link as an example, the terminal device determines that the signal frequency point meets the normal working requirements of the service link by scanning the signal frequency point from the non-terrestrial communication network device, and determines that the service link is available. Taking the feeder link as an example, the server determines that the signal frequency point meets the normal working requirements of the feeder link by scanning the signal frequency point from the non-terrestrial communication network device, and determines that the feeder link is available. This is only illustrative and does not specifically limit how the first communication device determines that the communication link is available.

[0140] The state of the timer described above is expired or not expired. Illustratively, if the timer is not expired, the first data is not sent, and if the timer is expired, the first data is sent. The first data is data sent after the second data is sent. Based on this, the first communication device can determine the transmission time of the first data. For example, the first communication device starts the timer after sending the second data, and if the timer is not expired, the first data is not sent, and if the timer is expired, the first data is sent. This is only illustrative and is not specifically limited.

[0141] Further, based on the first notification message, the first communication device can obtain a set of communication link available time periods or a communication link available time period. The first communication device can transmit the first data according to the state of the timer and the set of communication link available time periods, or according to the state of the timer and the communication link available time period. In the case that the first communication device knows the available time of the communication link, the first data can be transmitted in the communication link available time period. For example, the communication link available time period is period#1, and the first data is transmitted in period#1.

[0142] It should be noted that the data transmitted by the first communication device is stored in the non-terrestrial communication network equipment first, and then transmitted to the second communication device. Considering that the data storage capacity of the non-terrestrial communication network equipment is limited, the first communication device can further obtain a data amount threshold, which is the maximum value of the data from the first communication device allowed to be buffered in the non-terrestrial communication network equipment. Then, the first communication device can transmit the first data according to the state of the timer and the data amount threshold. Considering that the data storage capacity of the non-terrestrial communication network equipment is limited, when transmitting the first data, referring to the data amount threshold and the state of the timer, the amount of the first data transmitted will not exceed the storage space threshold reserved for the first communication device in the non-terrestrial communication network equipment, which can reduce the situation of storage overflow and data packet loss. Further, referring to the data amount threshold and the state of the timer to transmit the first data can ensure that the user service experience is not reduced.

[0143] It should be noted that the data transmitted by the first communication device is stored in the non-terrestrial communication network equipment first, and then transmitted to the second communication device. Considering that the data storage capacity of the non-terrestrial communication network equipment is limited, the first communication device can further obtain a data amount threshold, which is the maximum value of the data from the first communication device allowed to be buffered in the non-terrestrial communication network equipment. Then, the first communication device can transmit the first data according to the state of the timer and the data amount threshold. Considering that the data storage capacity of the non-terrestrial communication network equipment is limited, when transmitting the first data, referring to the data amount threshold and the state of the timer, the amount of the first data transmitted will not exceed the storage space threshold reserved for the first communication device in the non-terrestrial communication network equipment, which can reduce the situation of storage overflow and data packet loss. Further, referring to the data amount threshold and the state of the timer to transmit the first data can ensure that the user service experience is not reduced.

[0144] It should be noted that the first communication device can receive the data amount threshold from the core network device. The first communication device can also obtain the data amount threshold through data interaction with other communication devices, for example, the first communication device is UE1, and the other communication device is UE2. UE2 transmits data to the non-terrestrial communication network equipment and stores the data amount threshold, and UE1 can request the data amount threshold from UE2. For example, the first communication device is a server, and the server obtains the data amount threshold from the core network device or the satellite service system. Here, only exemplary descriptions are given, and how to obtain the data amount threshold is not specifically limited.

[0145] The following describes how to transmit the first data according to the state of the timer and the data amount threshold.

[0146] Specifically, the first communication device determines the amount of the second data that has been transmitted corresponding to the timer, and then determines the amount of the first data that can be transmitted by referring to one or more of the state of the timer, the amount of the second data that has been transmitted, and the data amount threshold.

[0147] If the timer expires, the maximum value of the first data to be sent is determined as the data volume threshold. For example, the first communication device is a terminal device, the data volume threshold is N bits, and the data volume threshold indicates the total amount of data that one terminal device can send to the non-ground communication network device or the total amount of data that one application installed on a terminal device can send to the non-ground communication network device. After the terminal device determines that the timer has expired, the maximum value of the first data to be sent is N bits. Alternatively, the first communication device is a server, the data volume threshold is Q bits, and the data volume threshold indicates the total amount of data that one application server can send to the non-ground communication network device. After the server of application A determines that the timer has expired, the maximum value of the first data to be sent is Q bits. This is only an example and is not specifically limited.

[0148] If the timer does not expire, the first data is not sent.

[0149] If the timer does not expire, the maximum value of the first data to be sent is determined as the remaining allowed data volume after the second data is sent, and the remaining allowed data volume is the difference between the data volume threshold and the data volume of the second data. For example, the first communication device is a terminal device, the data volume threshold is N bits, and the data volume threshold indicates the total amount of data that one terminal device can send to the non-ground communication network device or the total amount of data that one application installed on a terminal device can send to the non-ground communication network device. After the terminal device determines that the timer does not expire, the maximum value of the first data to be sent is X bits, where X = N-Y, and Y is the data volume of the second data. Alternatively, the first communication device is a server, the data volume threshold is Q bits, and the data volume threshold indicates the total amount of data that one application server can send to the non-ground communication network device. After the server of application A determines that the timer does not expire, the maximum value of the first data to be sent is W bits, where W = Q-U, and U is the data volume of the second data. In addition, if the remaining allowed data volume is 0, the first data is not sent. This is only an example and is not specifically limited.

[0150] In addition, it is also pointed out that when the first communication device sends the data for the first time, the predicted delivery delay has not been obtained, and the maximum data volume that the first communication device can send is the data volume threshold.

[0151] The following is exemplarily illustrated by Table 1. When the communication link is available, T1 is a timer started after the first time of sending data, T2 is a timer started after the second time of sending data, T3 is a timer started after the third time of sending data, T4 is a timer started after the fourth time of sending data, T5 is a timer started after the fifth time of sending data, and the data amount threshold is N bits. Referring to the information corresponding to No. 1 in Table 1 below, the timer T1 is started after the first time of sending data, the data amount of the first time of sending data is X, X<=N, and the remaining data amount allowed to be sent after the first time of sending data is N-X. Referring to No. 2 in Table 1 below, the timer T1 expires, the timer T2 is started after the second time of sending data, the data amount of the second time of sending data is Y, Y<=N, and the remaining data amount allowed to be sent after the second time of sending data is N-Y. Referring to No. 3 in Table 1 below, the timer T2 does not expire, the timer T3 is started after the third time of sending data, the data amount of the third time of sending data is Z, Z<=N-Y, and the remaining data amount allowed to be sent after the third time of sending data is N-Y-Z. Referring to No. 4 in Table 1 below, the timer T2 does not expire, the timer T3 is started after the third time of sending data, the timer T3 expires, the timer T4 is started after the fourth time of sending data, the data amount of the fourth time of sending data is A, A<=N-Y (since the timer T3 expires, the data amount of the fourth time of sending data cannot exceed the remaining data amount allowed to be sent after the second time of sending data N-Y), and the remaining data amount allowed to be sent after the fourth time of sending data is N-Y-A. Referring to No. 5 in Table 1 below, the timer T2 expires, the timer T4 expires, the timer T5 is started after the fifth time of sending data, the data amount of the fifth time of sending data is B, B<=N, and the remaining data amount allowed to be sent after the fifth time of sending data is N-B. The following is only exemplarily illustrated, and how the first communication device sends data is not specifically limited.

[0152] Table 1

[0153] It should be noted that after the core network device receives the first data, the core network device can start a timer, and the duration of the timer is also set according to the predicted delivery delay. The duration of the timer can be the same as, greater than, or less than the predicted delivery delay, which is not specifically limited here and can be understood with reference to the related description in step 302 above.

[0154] In step 304, the core network device sends the first data to the second communication device.

[0155] In the present application, after the first communication device acquires the predicted delivery time delay, the first communication device starts a timer set according to the predicted delivery time delay, and then transmits the first data by referring to the state of the timer. Based on this, the first communication device can determine the transmission timing of the first data.

[0156] In order to more clearly illustrate the scheme of the present application, the following describes how to transmit downlink data and uplink data by using the predicted delivery time delay and the data volume threshold.

[0157] Case 1: transmitting downlink data by using the predicted delivery time delay and the data volume threshold

[0158] It should be noted that, for case 1, the first communication device is a server, the communication link is a feeder link, the second communication device is a terminal device, and the first data is downlink data.

[0159] The following describes the data interaction between the terminal device, the core network device, and the server by referring to FIG. 4. The following is performed:

[0160] In step 400, the core network device acquires the mobility of the terminal device.

[0161] Optionally, the following step 400a, step 400b, or step 400c is performed to acquire the mobility of the terminal device.

[0162] In step 400a, the terminal device sends a registration request message to the core network device, and the registration request message indicates the mobility of the terminal device.

[0163] It should be noted that, when the core network device is a network element in a 4G communication network, the registration request can be understood as an attach request message. When the core network device is a network element in a 5G communication network, the registration request can be understood as a register request message.

[0164] In step 400b, the terminal device sends a TAU request message to the core network device, and the TAU request message indicates the mobility of the terminal device.

[0165] The registration request message in step 400a and the TAU request message in step 400b can be understood as the first message mentioned above, and will not be described here.

[0166] In step 400c, the core network device acquires the mobility of the terminal device based on the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0167] In step 401, when the core network device detects that the feeder link is available, the core network device determines a first notification message by referring to the mobility of the terminal device.

[0168] The description of the first notification message in step 401 is understood in the same way as the description of the mobility of the terminal device and the first notification message in step 301. It is noted that the first notification message mentioned in step 401 indicates the set of feeder link available time periods or the feeder link available time period. Optionally, the first notification message further indicates the expected delivery latency.

[0169] It is noted that for the case of sending the set of feeder link available time periods, the following step 402 can be sent only once, or when the set of feeder link available time periods is detected to be updated, the first notification message is sent. If the set of feeder link available time periods is not changed, the first notification message does not need to be sent.

[0170] In step 402, the core network device sends the first notification message to the server.

[0171] It is noted that the core network device is partially deployed in the non-terrestrial communication network device (for example, the MME in the satellite in (a) of FIG. 2) and partially deployed in the ground core network (for example, the MME in the EPC in (a) of FIG. 2). The core network device deployed in the non-terrestrial communication network device can forward the first notification message to the server through the core network device deployed in the ground core network. The specific implementation is not limited here.

[0172] Optionally, if the first notification message indicates the expected delivery latency and there is no second notification message, the following step 403 can be performed; if the first notification message does not indicate the expected delivery latency and the second notification message indicates the expected delivery latency, the following step 404 can be performed. If the first notification message indicates the expected delivery latency and the second notification message indicates the expected delivery latency, the following step 405 can be performed.

[0173] In step 403, when the server detects that the feeder link is available, the duration of the timer is determined according to the expected delivery latency indicated by the first notification message, the timer is started after the last time the server sends the downlink data (i.e., the second data described above), and the downlink data (i.e., the first data described above) is sent according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold.

[0174] In step 404, when the server detects that the feeder link is available, the second notification message indicating the expected delivery latency of the second data is received from the core network device after the last time the server sends the downlink data (i.e., the second data described above), the duration of the timer is determined according to the second notification message, the timer is started, and the downlink data (i.e., the first data described above) is sent according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold.

[0175] Step 405, when the server detects that the feeder link is available, the duration of the timer is determined according to the expected delivery delay indicated by the first notification message, the timer is started after the last time the server sends the downlink data (i.e. the second data described above), a second notification message indicating the expected delivery delay of the second data is received from the core network device, the duration of the timer is updated according to the second notification message, and then the downlink data (i.e. the first data described above) is sent according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold.

[0176] It should be noted that the timing of starting the timer in steps 403-405 is only illustrative and is not specifically limited. It can be understood with reference to step 302 described above, and will not be described here.

[0177] The second notification message indicates the expected delivery delay. The second notification message can be understood with reference to the description in step 302 described above, and will not be described here.

[0178] In addition, if the timer expires, the maximum value of the downlink data to be sent is determined as the data volume threshold. If the timer does not expire, the downlink data is not sent. If the timer does not expire, the maximum value of the downlink data to be sent is determined as the remaining allowed sending data volume after sending the second data, and the remaining allowed sending data volume is the difference between the data volume threshold and the data volume of the second data. How to send the downlink data according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold can be understood with reference to the description in step 303 described above, and will not be described here.

[0179] Step 406, the core network device sends the downlink data to the terminal device through the service link.

[0180] In this application, after the server obtains the expected delivery delay and the data volume threshold, the timer set according to the expected delivery delay is started, and then the downlink data is sent by referring to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold. Based on this, the server can determine the sending timing of the downlink data.

[0181] Case 2, using the expected delivery delay and the data volume threshold to transmit the uplink data

[0182] It should be noted that for case 2, the first communication device is the terminal device, the communication link is the service link, the second communication device is the server, and the first data is the uplink data. The following will be described by taking the data interaction between the terminal device, the core network device and the server as an example. The following is performed:

[0183] Step 500, the core network device obtains the mobility of the terminal device.

[0184] Optionally, the mobility of the terminal device is obtained by performing the following steps 500a, 500b or 500c.

[0185] Step 500a, the terminal device sends a registration request message to the core network device, the registration request message indicating the mobility of the terminal device.

[0186] It should be noted that when the core network device is a network element in a 4G communication network, the registration request can be understood as an attach request message. When the core network device is a network element in a 5G communication network, the registration request can be understood as a register request message.

[0187] Step 500b, the terminal device sends a TAU request message to the core network device, the TAU request message indicating the mobility of the terminal device.

[0188] The registration request message in step 500a and the TAU request message in step 500b can be understood as the first message mentioned above, and will not be described here.

[0189] Step 500c, the core network device obtains the mobility of the terminal device based on the subscription information of the terminal device.

[0190] Step 501, when the core network device detects that the service link is available, the first notification message is determined with reference to the mobility of the terminal device.

[0191] The description of the mobility of the terminal device and the first notification message in step 301 is referred to and will not be described here. It should be noted that the first notification message mentioned in step 501 indicates a set of service link available time periods or a service link available time period. Optionally, the first notification message also indicates the expected delivery delay.

[0192] It should be noted that for the case of sending a set of service link available time periods, the following step 502 can be sent only once, or when it is detected that the set of service link available time periods is updated, the first notification message is sent. If the set of service link available time periods does not change, the first notification message does not need to be sent.

[0193] Step 502, the core network device sends the first notification message to the server.

[0194] The description of step 402 can be referred to and will not be described here.

[0195] Optionally, if the first notification message indicates the expected delivery delay and there is no second notification message, the following step 503 can be performed; if the first notification message does not indicate the expected delivery delay and the second notification message indicates the expected delivery delay, the following step 504 can be performed. If the first notification message indicates the expected delivery delay and the second notification message indicates the expected delivery delay, the following step 505 can be performed.

[0196] Step 503, when the terminal device detects that the service link is available, determining the duration of the timer according to the expected delivery delay indicated by the first notification message, starting the timer after the last server sends uplink data (i.e. the second data described above), and sending uplink data (i.e. the first data described above) according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold.

[0197] Step 504, when the terminal device detects that the service link is available, receiving a second notification message indicating the expected delivery delay of the second data from the core network device after the last server sends uplink data (i.e. the second data described above), determining the timer according to the second notification message, starting the timer, and sending uplink data (i.e. the first data described above) according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold.

[0198] Step 505, when the terminal device detects that the service link is available, determining the duration of the timer according to the expected delivery delay indicated by the first notification message, starting the timer after the last server sends downlink data (i.e. the second data described above), receiving a second notification message indicating the expected delivery delay of the second data from the core network device, updating the duration of the timer according to the second notification message, and then sending downlink data (i.e. the first data described above) according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold.

[0199] It should be noted that the timing of starting the timer in steps 503-505 is only illustratively described and is not specifically limited, and can be understood with reference to step 302 described above, which will not be described here.

[0200] The second notification message indicates the expected delivery delay, which can be understood with reference to the description in step 302 described above, which will not be described here.

[0201] In addition, if the timer expires, the maximum value of the uplink data to be sent is determined as the data volume threshold. If the timer does not expire, the uplink data is not sent. If the timer does not expire, the maximum value of the uplink data to be sent is determined as the remaining allowed sending data volume after sending the second data, and the remaining allowed sending data volume is the difference between the data volume threshold and the data volume of the second data. How to send downlink data according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold in steps 503-505 described above can be understood with reference to the description in step 303 described above, which will not be described here.

[0202] Step 506, the core network device sends uplink data to the server through the feeder link.

[0203] In this application, after the server obtains the expected delivery delay and the data volume threshold, the timer set according to the expected delivery delay is started, and then the uplink data is sent by referring to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold. Based on this, the server can determine the timing of sending uplink data.

[0204] The above describes the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application mainly from the perspective of device interaction. It can be understood that, in order to implement the above functions, each device can include hardware structure and / or software module for performing each function. It should be easily realized by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0205] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional units of the device according to the above method examples, for example, each functional unit can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional unit.

[0206] In the case of integrated units, FIG. 6 shows a possible exemplary block diagram of a communication apparatus involved in the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication apparatus 600 can include a processing unit 601 and a transceiver unit 602. The processing unit 601 is configured to control and manage the actions of the communication apparatus 600. The transceiver unit 602 is configured to support the communication of the communication apparatus 600 with other devices. Optionally, the transceiver unit 602 can include a receiving unit and / or a transmitting unit, which are configured to perform receiving and transmitting operations, respectively. Optionally, the communication apparatus 600 can further include a storage unit configured to store program codes and / or data of the communication apparatus 600. The transceiver unit can be referred to as an input / output unit, a communication unit, etc., and can be a transceiver; the processing unit can be a processor. When the communication apparatus is a module (such as a chip) in a communication device, the transceiver unit can be an input / output interface, an input / output circuit or an input / output pin, etc., and can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface or an interface circuit, etc.; the processing unit can be a processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit, etc. Specifically, the communication apparatus can be the above-mentioned first communication apparatus (terminal device or server), core network apparatus, etc.

[0207] In an embodiment, when the communication apparatus is the first communication apparatus, the transceiver 602 is configured to obtain a predicted delivery time delay, the predicted delivery time delay being indicative of an estimated time for data from the first communication apparatus to reach the second communication apparatus via the non-terrestrial communication network device; the processor 601 is configured to start a timer, a duration of the timer being set according to the predicted delivery time delay; and the processor 601 is configured to send, via the transceiver 602, the first data from the first communication apparatus to the second communication apparatus via the non-terrestrial communication network device according to a state of the timer.

[0208] In an optional manner, the transceiver 602 is further configured to obtain a data volume threshold, the data volume threshold being a maximum value of data from the first communication apparatus allowed to be buffered by the non-terrestrial communication network device; and the processor 601 is configured to send, via the transceiver 602, the first data according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold.

[0209] In an optional manner, the transceiver 602 is further configured to send second data, the second data being data from the first communication apparatus to the second communication apparatus via the non-terrestrial communication network device before the first data is sent; and the processor 601 is specifically configured to determine, if the timer expires, that a maximum value of the first data sent is the data volume threshold; or, if the timer does not expire, not to send the first data; or, if the timer does not expire, determine that a maximum value of the first data sent is a remaining allowed data volume after the second data is sent, the remaining allowed data volume being a difference between the data volume threshold and a data volume of the second data.

[0210] In an optional manner, the transceiver 602 is further configured to receive a first notification message, the first notification message being indicative of a set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication apparatus, or a communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication apparatus, the communication link being a link between the first communication apparatus and the non-terrestrial communication network device; and the processor 601 is specifically configured to send the first data according to the state of the timer and the set of communication link available time periods, or to send the first data according to the state of the timer and the communication link available time period.

[0211] In an optional manner, the first notification information is further indicative of the predicted delivery time delay.

[0212] In an optional manner, the transceiver 602 is further configured to receive a second notification message, the second notification message being indicative of the predicted delivery time delay, the predicted delivery time delay corresponding to the second data.

[0213] In an optional manner, the predicted delivery time delay is determined according to an RTT.

[0214] In an optional mode, the first communication device is a terminal device, the second communication device is a server, and the first data is uplink data; or, the first communication device is a server, the second communication device is a terminal device, and the first data is downlink data.

[0215] In another embodiment, when the communication device is a core network device, the transceiver 602 is configured to send a first notification message, the first notification message being used to indicate a set of communication link available time periods of a non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device, or a communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device, the communication link being a link between the first communication device and the non-terrestrial communication network device; and the transceiver 602 is further configured to receive first data from the first communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device to the second communication device.

[0216] In an optional mode, the transceiver 602 is further configured to obtain mobility of the terminal device; and the processing unit 601 is configured to determine the content of the first notification message according to the mobility of the terminal device.

[0217] In an optional mode, the transceiver 602 is further configured to receive a first message from the terminal device, the first message being used to indicate the mobility of the terminal device; or, the processing unit 601 is further configured to obtain the mobility of the terminal device based on subscription information of the terminal device.

[0218] In an optional mode, the processing unit 601 is specifically configured to determine that the first notification message is used to indicate the set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device if the location of the terminal device is fixed; or, determine that the first notification message is used to indicate the communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device if the location of the terminal device is not fixed.

[0219] In an optional mode, the first notification message further comprises a predicted delivery delay, the predicted delivery delay being used to indicate an estimated time of data from the first communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device to the second communication device.

[0220] In an optional mode, the transceiver 602 is further configured to receive second data, the second data being data from the first communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device to the second communication device before the first data is sent; and send a second notification message, the second notification message being used to indicate the predicted delivery delay corresponding to the second data.

[0221] In an optional mode, the predicted delivery delay is determined according to RTT.

[0222] In an alternative, the processing unit 601 is further configured to start a timer, the duration of the timer being set according to the predicted delivery delay; and discard the first data when the timer expires.

[0223] FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 700 can be a terminal device or a network device in the above embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus 700 can be a chip (system) in the terminal device, the satellite, the core network apparatus, or the server in FIG. 2. In embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. For specific functions, refer to the descriptions in the method embodiments. In embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices. For specific functions, refer to the descriptions in the method embodiments.

[0224] The communication apparatus 700 includes one or more processors 701 configured to implement or support implementation of the method(s) provided by the present application. For example, the processor 701 can implement or support implementation of the functions of a terminal device, a satellite, a core network apparatus, or a server in the methods described in connection with the above method embodiments. For details, refer to the descriptions in the method embodiments, which are not repeated here. The processor 701 can also be referred to as a processing unit or a processing module, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 701 can be a general processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor 701 can include a baseband processor, a central processing unit, an application processor, a modem processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a digital signal processor, a video codec processor, a controller, a memory, and / or a neural network processor, etc. The baseband processor can be configured to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit can be configured to control the communication apparatus 700 (e.g., a network device or a terminal device), execute software programs, and / or process data. Different processors can be independent devices, or can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated into one or more application-specific integrated circuits.

[0225] In one design, the processor 701 can include a program (which can also be referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on the processor 701 to cause the communication apparatus 700 to perform the methods described in the above embodiments. In another possible design, the communication apparatus 700 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG. 7) configured to implement the functions of a terminal device, a satellite, a core network apparatus, or a server in the above embodiments.

[0226] In one design, the communication apparatus 700 can include one or more memories 702 having a program (which can also be referred to as code or instructions) stored thereon, which can be run on the processor 701 to cause the communication apparatus 700 to perform the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0227] In one design, the processor 701 and / or the memory 702 can include an artificial intelligence (AI) module for implementing AI related functions. The AI module can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the AI module can include a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) module. The AI module can be a near-real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0228] In one design, the processor 701 and / or the memory 702 can also store data. The processor and the memory can be separately arranged or integrated together.

[0229] In one design, the communication apparatus 700 can also include a transceiver 707 and / or an antenna 706. The processor 701 can also be referred to as a processing unit, which controls the communication apparatus 700. The transceiver 707 can also be referred to as a transceiving unit, a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, or a transceiver, which implements the transceiving function of the communication apparatus 700 through the antenna 706.

[0230] In one design, the communication apparatus 700 can also include one or more of the following components: a wireless communication module, an audio module, an external memory interface, an internal memory, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a power management module, an antenna, a speaker, a microphone, an input / output module, a sensor module, a motor, a camera, or a display screen, etc. It can be understood that, in some embodiments, the communication apparatus 700 can include more or less components, or some components can be integrated, or some components can be split. These components can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0231] The communication apparatus in the above embodiments can be a function of a terminal device, a satellite, a core network apparatus, a server, can also be a circuit, can also be a chip or other combination device or component with the function of the terminal device, the satellite, the core network apparatus, the server, and the like. When the communication apparatus is a terminal device or a network device, the transceiver module can be a transceiver, and can include an antenna, a radio frequency circuit, and the like, and the processing module can be a processor, such as a CPU. When the communication apparatus is a chip system, the communication apparatus can be an FPGA, can be a special ASIC, can also be a system on chip (SoC), can also be a CPU, can also be a network processor (NP), can also be a DSP, can also be a micro controller unit (MCU), can also be a programmable logic device (PLD) or other integrated chip. The processing module can be a processor of the chip system. The transceiver module or the communication interface can be an input / output interface or an interface circuit of the chip system. For example, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in a memory, can be directly read from the memory, or can also be read from the memory through other devices) and transmit to the processor; the processor can be used to run the code instructions to perform the method in the above method embodiments. For another example, the interface circuit can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver.

[0232] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device, a satellite, a core network apparatus, and a server.

[0233] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which includes instructions, when the instructions are executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method executed by the terminal device, the satellite, the core network apparatus, and the server in the above communication method.

[0234] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which includes computer program codes, when the computer program codes are executed, cause a computer to perform the method executed by the terminal device, the satellite, the core network apparatus, and the server in the above communication method.

[0235] The embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor, and can further include a memory, and is used to realize the function of the terminal device, the satellite, the core network apparatus, and the server in the above communication method. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0236] To implement the process flow of FIG. 3, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip including a processor for supporting the communication device to implement the functions involved by the first communication device or the core network device in the method embodiments. In a possible design, the chip is connected with a memory or the chip includes a memory, and the memory is used to store the computer programs or instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

[0237] It should be understood that the size of the sequence number of each process described above in various embodiments of the present application does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0238] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. The functions described above can be performed in hardware or software, depending on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A skilled person can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0239] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the system, device and unit described above can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0240] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The "and / or" describes the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of ten or more items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0241] In the embodiments of the present application, "sending" and "receiving" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to XX" can be understood as that the destination of the information is XX, which can include direct sending through the air interface, and also includes indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as that the source of the information is YY, which can include direct receiving from YY through the air interface, and also includes indirect receiving from YY through the air interface by other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as "output" of a chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices, for example, between network devices and terminal devices, or can be carried out within a device, for example, between components, between modules, between chips, between software modules or hardware modules in the device through a bus, a wire or an interface. It can be understood that the information can be processed as necessary between the source and the destination, such as encoding and modulation, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the present application can be similarly understood, and will not be repeated here.

[0242] In the embodiments of the present application, "when", "if" and "whether" all refer to the objective situation that the device will make corresponding processing, and are not limited in time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when it is implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "whether" can be replaced, "when" and "in the case of" can be replaced. "When" and "if" / "whether" can be replaced. "*" in the embodiments of the present application can be used to represent "multiplication".

[0243] The ordinal numbers "first", "second", etc. mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish a plurality of objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority or importance of the plurality of objects. For example, the first sequence and the second sequence refer to two different sequences, and do not mean that the contents, priorities or importance of the two sequences are different. The words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent as an example, illustration or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to present the relevant concept in a specific manner.

[0244] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There can be another division manner for the actual implementation, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections between the units can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0245] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on multiple network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0246] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part of the technical solutions of the present application that essentially contributes or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various program code storage media.

[0247] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: obtaining a predicted delivery delay, the predicted delivery delay being used to indicate an estimated time for data to reach a second communication device from a first communication device via a non-terrestrial communication network device; starting a timer, a duration of the timer being set according to the predicted delivery delay; sending first data according to a state of the timer, the first data reaching the second communication device from the first communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device; wherein, for uplink transmission, the first communication device is a terminal device and the second communication device is a ground communication gateway or a server deployed on the ground; or, for downlink transmission, the first communication device is the server or the ground communication gateway and the second communication device is the terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, when the first communication device is the terminal device or the first communication device is the server, the method further comprises: obtaining a data volume threshold, the data volume threshold being a maximum value of data from the first communication device allowed to be buffered by the non-terrestrial communication network device; the sending first data according to the state of the timer further comprises: sending the first data according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, when the first communication device is the terminal device, the data volume threshold indicates a total amount of data allowed to be sent by one terminal device to the non-terrestrial communication network device or a total amount of data allowed to be sent by one application installed on one terminal device to the non-terrestrial communication network device; or, when the first communication device is the server, the data volume threshold indicates a total amount of data allowed to be sent by one server of one application to the non-terrestrial communication network device. The method further comprises:

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, sending second data, the second data being data reaching the second communication device from the first communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device before the first data is sent; the sending first data according to the state of the timer and the data volume threshold comprises: if the timer expires, determining that the maximum value of the first data to be sent is the data volume threshold; or, if the timer does not expire, not sending the first data; or, if the timer does not expire, determining that the maximum value of the first data to be sent is a remaining allowed data volume after the second data is sent, the remaining allowed data volume being a difference between the data volume threshold and a data volume of the second data. The method further comprises:

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, receiving a first notification message, the first notification message being used to indicate a set of communication link available time periods of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device or a communication link available time period of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device, the communication link being a link between the first communication device and the non-terrestrial communication network device; the sending first data according to the state of the timer further comprises: sending the first data according to the state of the timer and the set of communication link available time periods; or, ​ transmitting the first data according to the state of the timer and the available time period of the communication link.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first notification information is further used to indicate the predicted delivery delay.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a second notification message, the second notification message indicating the predicted delivery delay corresponding to the second data.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The predicted delivery delay is determined according to a round trip time (RTT).

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The first communication device is a terminal device, and the second communication device is a server, and the first data is uplink data; or, the first communication device is the server, and the second communication device is the terminal device, and the first data is downlink data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The state of the timer is expired or unexpired; The transmitting the first data according to the state of the timer comprises: when the state of the timer is expired, transmitting the first data; or, when the state of the timer is unexpired, not transmitting the first data.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein, The transmitting the first data according to the state of the timer and the available time period of the communication link comprises: transmitting the first data in the available time period of the communication link.

12. A communication method, comprising: The method comprises: transmitting a first notification message, the first notification message being used to indicate a set of available time periods of a communication link of a non-terrestrial communication network device serving a first communication device, or an available time period of the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device, the communication link being a link between the first communication device and the non-terrestrial communication network device; receiving first data from the first communication device to a second communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device; wherein, for uplink transmission, the first communication device is a terminal device, and the second communication device is a ground communication gateway or a server deployed on the ground; or, for downlink transmission, the first communication device is the server or the ground communication gateway, and the second communication device is the terminal device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further comprises: obtaining mobility of the terminal device; and determining content of the first notification message according to the mobility of the terminal device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The obtaining the mobility of the terminal device comprises: receiving a first message from the terminal device, the first message indicating the mobility of the terminal device; or, obtaining the mobility of the terminal device based on subscription information of the terminal device.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The determining the content of the first notification message according to the mobility of the terminal device comprises: if the terminal device is position-fixed, determining that the first notification message is used to indicate the set of available time periods of the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device serving the first communication device; or, if the terminal device is not position-fixed, determining that the first notification message is used to indicate the available time period of the communication link of the non-terrestrial communication network device currently serving the first communication device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized by, The first notification message is further used to indicate a predicted delivery delay, the predicted delivery delay being used to indicate an estimated time of data from the first communication device to the second communication device via the non-terrestrial communication network device.

17. The method of any one of claims 12-15, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving second data, the second data being data from the first communication device to the second communication device via the non-ground communication network device before the first data is sent; sending a second notification message, the second notification message indicating the predicted delivery time delay, the predicted delivery time delay corresponding to the second data.

18. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The predicted delivery time delay is determined according to a round trip time (RTT).

19. The method of any one of claims 12-18, wherein, The first communication device is a terminal device, the second communication device is a server, and the first data is uplink data; or, the first communication device is the server, the second communication device is the terminal device, and the first data is downlink data.

20. The method of any one of claims 12-19, wherein, The method further comprises: starting a timer, a duration of the timer being set according to the predicted delivery time delay; when the timer expires, discarding the first data.

21. A communications device, characterized by comprising: at least one processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer programs or data; the at least one processor is configured to run part or all of the computer programs or data, so that the method of any one of claims 1-20 is executed.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores instructions, when the instructions are executed by a computer, the method of any one of claims 1-20 is executed.

23. A computer program product comprising computer programs or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer programs or instructions are run on the computer, the method of any one of claims 1-20 is executed.

24. A communication system, characterized by comprising a first communication device for executing the method of any one of claims 1-11, and a core network device for executing the method of any one of claims 12-20.

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