Store-and-forward-based communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications. Provided are a store-and-forward-based communication method and a related apparatus. The store-and-forward-based communication method may be applied to a user equipment. In the method, first time information may be acquired, wherein the first time information is used for indicating the time at which a first non-terrestrial network device most recently received data from a ground station; and when it is determined that the first time information is not later than second time information, that is, the first time information is earlier than the second time information, or the first time information is the same as the second time information, a user equipment may camp on a cell of the first non-terrestrial network device and not execute the operation of monitoring a paging message of the first non-terrestrial network device, or, the user equipment may not execute the operation of camping on the cell of the first non-terrestrial network device and not execute the operation of monitoring the paging message of the first non-terrestrial network device. In this way, the power consumption loss of the user equipment is reduced.

Description

A communication method based on store-and-forward and related apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202411369936.1 filed on September 27, 2024, and entitled "A communication method based on store-and-forward and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method based on store-and-forward and related apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] The communication mode includes a store-and-forward mode, which refers to that in the process of data transmission, the input end can temporarily store the data to be sent to the output end in the intermediate node (such as a satellite base station or other non-ground network equipment), and then the intermediate node can forward the data to the output end after the intermediate node establishes a communication connection with the output end. For example, the input end is a core network, and the output end is a user equipment (UE). The core network needs to send downlink data to the UE. The core network can first send the downlink data of the UE to the satellite base station through the ground station such as the satellite station. The satellite base station first stores the downlink data of the UE, and then forwards the downlink data of the UE to the UE after the satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the UE.

[0004] In the case that the satellite base station covers the UE, the UE can camp on the cell of the satellite base station and listen to the paging message (paging), and then the satellite base station can page the UE to establish a communication connection. However, in the case that the satellite base station does not store the downlink data of the UE, the cell of the satellite base station moves to cover the UE, and the UE also camps on the cell of the satellite base station and listens to the paging, which causes unnecessary power consumption and power loss. SUMMARY

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present application provides a communication method based on store-and-forward and related apparatus, which aims to reduce the power loss of the UE.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a store-and-forward based communication method, which can be applied to a user equipment. The user equipment can obtain first time information, which is used to indicate a time when a first non-ground network device last receives data from a ground station. For example, the data from the ground station received by the first non-ground network device can be sent to the user equipment. The data from the ground station is downlink data sent to the user equipment by the first non-ground network device. When the user equipment determines that the first time information is not later than second time information, i.e., the first time information is earlier than the second time information or the first time information is equal to the second time information, the second time information can be used to indicate a time when a second non-ground network device last receives data from the ground station. The second non-ground network device is a non-ground network device last connected by the user equipment, which indicates that the first non-ground network device is the second non-ground network device last connected by the user equipment, or the first non-ground network device has connected the user equipment before the second non-ground network device. The first non-ground network device has sent the data from the ground station received by the first non-ground network device to the user equipment. In this case, the user equipment can camp on a cell of the first non-ground network device and does not perform an operation of listening to a paging message of the first non-ground network device, or the user equipment can not perform an operation of camping on the cell of the first non-ground network device and does not perform the operation of listening to the paging message of the first non-ground network device, i.e., the user equipment can not perform any of the steps of camping on the cell of the first non-ground network device.

[0007] Thus, after the user equipment determines that the first non-ground network device has sent the data from the ground station received by the first non-ground network device to itself based on the comparison of the first time information and the second time information, the user equipment determines that the first non-ground network device will not send a paging message to itself, and thus the user equipment can only camp on the cell of the first non-ground network device but does not listen to the paging message, or the user equipment can not camp on the cell of the first non-ground network device but does not listen to the paging message, which can reduce unnecessary power consumption of the user equipment and reduce power consumption loss of the user equipment.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the store-and-forward based communication method can further include that, when the user equipment determines that the first time information is later than the second time information, which indicates that the first non-ground network device is not the second non-ground network device last connected by the user equipment, and the first non-ground network device has not connected the user equipment after the first non-ground network device last receives the data from the ground station, and the data from the ground station received by the first non-ground network device has not been sent to the first non-ground network device, in this case, the user equipment can camp on the cell of the first non-ground network device and listen to the paging message of the first non-ground network device.

[0009] Thus, the user equipment performs the operation of camping on the cell of the first non-ground network equipment and the operation of monitoring the paging message of the first non-ground network equipment after determining that the first non-ground network equipment has data from the ground station to send to the user equipment based on the comparison of the first time information and the second time information, which can avoid the loss of power consumption.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the communication method based on the store-and-forward can further include that the user equipment can update the second time information based on the first time information. For example, the user equipment can replace the value of the second time information with the value of the first time after the user equipment connects with the first non-ground network equipment, or the user equipment can replace the value of the second time information with the value of the first time after the first non-ground network equipment sends data to the user equipment, which indicates that the first non-ground network equipment becomes the non-ground network equipment that the user equipment connects with last time. For example, the value of the second field in the second information stored by the user equipment is the second time information, the value of the first field in the first information obtained by the user equipment is the first time information, and the user equipment can update the value of the second field to the value of the first field.

[0011] Thus, the user equipment can connect with the first non-ground network equipment after the user equipment connects with the second non-ground network equipment last time, and update the second time information in time, which can ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the second time information, and further ensure the user equipment to accurately perform the operation of avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first time information can be sent by the first non-ground network equipment. For example, the first non-ground network equipment can broadcast the first time information, and for example, the first non-ground network equipment can broadcast the information of the system information block 19, which includes the first time information, and the user equipment reads the first time information to obtain the first time information. Thus, the real-time performance and efficiency of the user equipment to obtain the first time information can be ensured.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first field in the first information sent by the first non-ground network equipment can indicate the first time information. For example, the value of the first field ntn_CnSyncTime of ntn-Config of the system information block 19 can be the first time information. Thus, the storage and management of the first time information by the first non-ground network equipment can be simplified, which is beneficial to ensure the real-time performance and accuracy of the first time information.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the second time information can be stored by the user equipment. For example, the user equipment can store the second time information in the memory. Thus, the user equipment can manage the second time information, which is beneficial to ensure the real-time performance and accuracy of the second time information.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the second field in the second information stored by the user equipment indicates the second time information. For example, the value of the second field ntn_CnSyncTime in the second information stored by the user equipment can be the second time information. In this way, the storage and management of the second time information by the user equipment can be simplified, and the real-time and accuracy of the second time information can be ensured.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method based on store-and-forward, which can be applied to a first non-terrestrial network device, for example, a satellite base station. The method can include: the first non-terrestrial network device obtaining first time information, which can be used to indicate the time when the first non-terrestrial network device last received data from a ground station. For example, the first non-terrestrial network device can obtain the first time information after receiving data from the ground station. Then, the first non-terrestrial network device transmits the first time information. In this way, after the user equipment obtains the first time information transmitted by the first non-terrestrial network device, the user equipment can determine that the first non-terrestrial network device last received data from the ground station, which facilitates the user equipment to determine the operation to be performed by the user equipment.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first time information can be transmitted by the ground station to the first non-terrestrial network device. For example, the ground station can transmit the first time information to the first non-terrestrial network device after transmitting data to the first non-terrestrial network device. In this way, the real-time and efficiency of the first non-terrestrial network device obtaining the first time information can be ensured.

[0018] In a possible implementation, a first field in the first information transmitted by the first non-terrestrial network device can be used to indicate the first time information. For example, the value of the first field ntn_CnSyncTime in the ntn-Config of the system information block 19 of the first non-terrestrial network device can be the first time information. In this way, the storage and management of the first time information by the first non-terrestrial network can be simplified, and the real-time and accuracy of the first time information can be ensured.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the communication method based on store-and-forward can further include: in response to obtaining the first time information, the first non-terrestrial network device can update the value of the first field to the first time information. In this way, the value of the first field can be updated in time, the accuracy and timeliness of the value of the first field can be ensured, and the storage and management of the first non-terrestrial network device can be facilitated.

[0020] Thirdly, this application provides a store-and-forward-based communication method applicable to ground stations, such as gateway stations. The method includes: the gateway station sending data to a first non-terrestrial network device; subsequently, the gateway station sending first time information to the first non-terrestrial network device, the first time information indicating the time when the first non-terrestrial network device most recently received data from the ground station. Thus, the gateway station's timely sending of the first time information to the first non-terrestrial network device ensures that the first time information accurately indicates the time when the first non-terrestrial network device most recently received data from the ground station, maintaining the accuracy and timeliness of the first time information.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the store-and-forward-based communication method may further include: a ground station receiving data sent by the core network. Exemplarily, the data may be application-related data of the user equipment that the core network needs to send to the user, such as text data, image data, video data, or voice call data; or, the data may be control data for controlling the user equipment, such as control data for managing the user equipment's network connection or control data for configuring the user equipment's parameters. This facilitates the gateway station sending the data to the first non-terrestrial network device, thereby enabling the user equipment to obtain the data through the first non-terrestrial network device.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the store-and-forward-based communication method may further include: a ground station receiving first-time information sent by the core network. For example, after the core network sends data to the ground station, it can send first-time information to it, which can indicate the actual time at that moment. This facilitates maintaining the accuracy and timeliness of the first-time information, ensuring it accurately indicates the time when the data was received.

[0023] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device including a processing unit and a transceiver unit, which is used to perform the store-and-forward based communication methods described in the first to third aspects.

[0024] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor coupled to a memory storing programs or instructions for executing the store-and-forward communication methods as described in the first to third aspects above.

[0025] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the store-and-forward communication method described in the first to third aspects above to be performed.

[0026] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication system including the communication device described in the fourth aspect above.

[0027] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer program which, when executed by a computer, causes the communication method based on store-and-forward of the first aspect to the third aspect to be performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method based on store-and-forward provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of fields included in a SIB19 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of fields included in an ntn-Config provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a signaling interaction diagram of another communication method based on store-and-forward provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0034] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to a non-terrestrial network (NTN) system and a traditional mobile communication system. The non-terrestrial network system can be a satellite communication system, a high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, air-to-ground (A2G) communication, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), etc. For example, an integrated communication and navigation (ICaN) system, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), etc.

[0035] The mobile communication system can be a 4th generation (4G) communication system (e.g., a long term evolution (LTE) system), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) communication system (e.g., a new radio (NR) system), and future mobile communication systems, etc.

[0036] In the embodiments of the present application, an example of a communication system can be as shown in FIG. 1, which includes a user equipment (UE) 101, a non-terrestrial network device 102, a ground station 103 and a core network 104.

[0037] In the embodiments provided in the present application, the UE can be various forms, such as an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, a wearable terminal device, etc. The UE can also be referred to as a terminal, a terminal device, an access terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal, an industrial control terminal, a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a UE terminal device, a wireless communication device, a UE agent, or a UE apparatus, etc. The terminal device can also be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal.

[0038] In the embodiments provided in the present application, the non-ground network device can be a network side non-ground device for providing network communication functions, for example, can be a network side device carried on a satellite, that is, a satellite base station with all or part of the functions of a base station, which can refer to an evolutional Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE; or a base station in a 5G network or a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), a broadband network gateway (BNG), a convergence switch or a non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access device, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0039] The satellite base station can also include various forms, for example: a macro base station, a micro base station (also known as a small station), a relay station, an access point, a next-generation base station (gNodeB, gNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a mobile switching center, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0040] In the embodiments provided in the present application, the ground station is a communication hub between the satellite base station and the ground, which can receive data from the core network and forward the data to the satellite base station. For example, the ground station can receive the downlink data of the UE sent by the core network, and the satellite base station sends the downlink data of the UE to the satellite base station. It should be noted that the satellite base station is only an example, and other ground stations can also be used, which is not limited in the present application.

[0041] It should be noted that the downlink data of the UE refers to the data that the core network needs to send to the UE, in the communication system introduced above, the core network sends data to the non-ground network device through the ground station, and the non-ground network device forwards the data to the UE, which is referred to as the downlink data of the UE in the embodiments of the present application.

[0042] In the embodiments provided in the present application, the core network can be responsible for processing core functions such as transmission, routing, switching and session management of data, for example, the core network is responsible for transmitting the downlink data of the UE, etc.

[0043] The communication mode between the satellite base station and the user equipment can be a store-and-forward mode. It should be noted that the communication method based on store-and-forward provided in the embodiments of the present application is described by taking the communication link of core network-satellite gateway-satellite base station-user equipment as an example, and the communication method based on store-and-forward provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication links, which is not limited in the present application.

[0044] It should be noted that the communication system shown in FIG. 1 is only an example, and in actual application, the communication system can include a larger number or more types of devices. The architecture of the communication system is not limited in the present application.

[0045] In actual application, the core network has established a communication connection with the satellite gateway, and the core network can send the downlink data of the UE to the satellite gateway through the transport network. The satellite base station moves on a predetermined earth orbit, and the cell of the satellite base station also changes with the movement of the satellite base station. In the case that the cell of the satellite base station covers the satellite gateway, the satellite base station can establish a communication connection with the satellite gateway, and the satellite base station can receive and store the downlink data of the UE sent by the satellite gateway through the feeder link. In the case that the cell of the satellite base station covers the UE, the UE can camp on the cell of the satellite base station and continuously listen to the paging of the satellite base station for itself, and the satellite base station stores the downlink data of the UE, so the satellite base station will page the UE and send the paging to the UE. After the UE listens to the paging of the satellite base station for itself, the UE can receive the downlink data forwarded by the satellite base station.

[0046] However, in the case that the satellite base station does not store the downlink data of the UE, the UE also camps on the cell of the satellite base station and continuously listens to the paging in the case that the cell of the satellite base station covers the UE, until the cell of the satellite base station no longer covers the UE. The UE continuously camps and listens to the paging of the satellite base station, but the satellite base station does not store the downlink data to be sent to the UE, which causes unnecessary power consumption of the UE and power loss of the UE.

[0047] Based on the above problems, the application provides a communication method based on store-and-forward, aiming to avoid unnecessary power consumption of the UE and reduce power consumption loss of the UE. In the method, after receiving the downlink data of the UE sent by the star gateway, the first satellite base station can receive the latest time information sent by the star gateway, and the first satellite base station can broadcast the latest time information. After the cell of the first satellite base station covers the UE, the UE can read the latest time information broadcast by the first satellite base station, and the UE stores the time information broadcast by the second satellite base station in the last connection. The UE can compare the latest time information broadcast by the first satellite base station with the time information stored by the UE, and determine that the latest time information is not later than the time information stored by the UE, indicating that the downlink data stored by the first satellite base station has been forwarded to the UE, and the first satellite base station has not received and stored new downlink data. The UE can only camp on the cell of the first satellite base station and not listen to paging, and the UE can neither camp on the cell of the first satellite base station nor listen to paging. The UE determines that the latest time information is later than the time information stored by the UE, and can camp on the cell of the first satellite base station and listen to paging to receive the downlink data sent by the first satellite base station.

[0048] Therefore, in the case that the first satellite base station does not store new downlink data, the UE can camp on the cell of the first satellite base station but not listen to paging, or can not camp on the cell of the first satellite base station and not listen to paging, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption and reducing power consumption loss.

[0049] Next, the communication method based on store-and-forward provided by the embodiments of the application will be described in detail in combination with FIGS. 2-5.

[0050] Embodiment one:

[0051] In combination with FIGS. 2-4, the communication system shown in FIG. 1 is taken as an example, and the core network has new downlink data to be sent to the UE, to introduce the communication method based on store-and-forward.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, the communication method based on store-and-forward can include the following steps:

[0053] S201: The cell of the first satellite base station covers the star gateway.

[0054] The first satellite base station (also referred to as the first non-terrestrial network device) continuously moves on a preset earth orbit. In the case that the cell of the first satellite base station covers the star gateway, it indicates that the first satellite base station can establish a communication connection with the star gateway. After the communication connection between the two is established, the first satellite base station can receive the data sent by the star gateway, and the star gateway can receive the data sent by the first satellite base station.

[0055] Exemplarily, the star station can send a signal, and after the first satellite base station detects the signal of the star station, the first satellite base station can confirm that the cell of the first satellite base station covers the star station.

[0056] Exemplarily, the first satellite base station is continuously moving on a preset orbit, and the cell of the first satellite base station is pre-calculated, so that the first satellite base station can determine the time when the cell of the first satellite base station covers the star station. The first satellite base station can also notify the star station of the calculated time in advance.

[0057] S202: The first satellite base station establishes a communication connection with the star station.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first satellite base station and the star station can establish a connection at the physical layer and the data link layer, to ensure that the two can transmit data.

[0059] S203: The core network sends downlink data of the UE to the first satellite base station through the star station.

[0060] The downlink data of the UE refers to data sent from the network side such as the core network to the UE, which can also be referred to as data received by the first satellite base station from the star station, which is a ground station.

[0061] In some embodiments, the downlink data of the UE can be application-related data of the UE.

[0062] Exemplarily, when a user uses a social media application of the UE, the core network can send text data, picture data, video data, etc. to the star station. Exemplarily, when the user uses a call application of the UE to make a voice call, the core network can send voice call data, etc. to the star station.

[0063] In some embodiments, the downlink data of the UE can also be control data for controlling the UE.

[0064] Exemplarily, the core network can send control data for managing the network connection of the UE to the star station. Exemplarily, the core network can send control data for configuring parameters of the UE to the star station.

[0065] It should be noted that the type and content of the downlink data of the UE are not limited in the present application.

[0066] In some embodiments, the core network can establish a communication connection with the star station through a wired link or a wireless link to realize data transmission between the two. The star station can be responsible for sending the downlink data of the UE sent by the core network to the first satellite base station.

[0067] S204: The core network sends time information to the first satellite base station through the star station.

[0068] The core network sends the time information to the gateway station, and the gateway station sends the time information to the first satellite base station (also referred to as the gateway station and the first satellite base station synchronizing time). The time information obtained by the first satellite base station is also referred to as first time information.

[0069] In some embodiments, the time information can be the actual time at the time. For example, after the core network sends the downlink data of the UE to the first satellite base station through the gateway station, the core network can send the actual time at the current time as the time information to the first satellite base station through the gateway station.

[0070] For example, the core network determines that the actual time at the current time is September 17, 2024, 12:02:53, and the core network can send September 17, 2024, 12:02:53 as the time information to the first satellite base station through the gateway station.

[0071] For example, the core network can start counting from the time after January 1, 1900, 00:00:00 in the Gregorian calendar, with a unit of 10 milliseconds, that is, counting every 10 ms, and after the core network sends the downlink data of the UE to the first satellite base station through the gateway station, the core network can send the latest time counted by itself as the time information to the first satellite base station through the gateway station.

[0072] In addition, in some embodiments, the time information can also be the time information obtained by starting the timer after the core network sends the downlink data of the UE to the first satellite base station through the gateway station for the first time. Different UE downlink data sending times can be distinguished, and the present application does not limit this.

[0073] In addition, in some embodiments, S204 can also be replaced by the following steps: the gateway station sends the time information to the first satellite base station, which can be the time information sent by the gateway station to the first satellite base station after the gateway station determines the actual time at the current time, and the present application does not limit this.

[0074] S205: The first satellite base station updates the value of the first time field based on the time information.

[0075] The first satellite base station can have multiple fields (also referred to as information elements), which can be used to store specific information related to base station operation, configuration, performance, and specific information related to services provided for UEs.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first satellite base station includes a system information block 19 (System Information Block 19, which can be referred to as SIB19), which contains information for configuring the first satellite base station to interact with the UE, so that the UE can correctly access and use the services provided by the first satellite base station.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, SIB19 can include a plurality of fields, SIB19-r17 refers to SIB19 in the 17th edition standard specification, SEQUENCE refers to a data structure including a plurality of fields. ntn-Config-r17 indicates a plurality of fields related to the configuration of the first satellite base station and the UE, t-Service-r17 includes related information of the service provided by the first satellite base station, referenceLocation-r17 is used to represent the reference location, distanceThresh-r17 is used to represent the maximum allowed distance between the UE and the reference location, ntn-NeighCellConfigList-r17 is used to store the configuration list of the neighboring cell, lateNonCriticalExtension is used to carry future extension information, ntn-NeighCellConfigListExt-v1720 is used to store the extension information of the configuration list of the neighboring cell, INTEGER represents an integer value, OCTET STRING represents an arbitrary length byte sequence.

[0078] In some embodiments, a first time field (also referred to as a first field) can be added in ntn-Config (also referred to as one example of the first information) of SIB19, and the first time field is used to store time information of the last time when the satellite base station transmits (also referred to as storing time information of the last time when the first satellite base station synchronizes with the satellite base station).

[0079] Exemplarily, the name of the first time field can be ntn_CnSyncTime, and the type of information stored in the first time field can be an INTEGER integer value, and the application does not limit the field name and the type of information stored in the field.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 4, the ntn-Config can include a plurality of fields, including the newly added ntn_CnSyncTime in the present application. The ntn-Config can also include the following fields, as shown in FIG. 4, epochTime-r17 for indicating a time point of an event, ntn-UlSyncValidityDuration-r17 for indicating an enumerated value of an uplink synchronization validity duration, cellSpecificKoffset-r17 for indicating a cell-specific offset value, kmac-r17 for indicating a check code, ta-Info-r17 for indicating time advance information, ntn-PolarizationDL-r17 for indicating a polarization mode of a downlink, rhcp for indicating right-hand circular polarization, lhcp for indicating left-hand circular polarization, linear for indicating linear polarization, ntn-PolarizationUL-r17 for indicating a polarization mode of an uplink, ephemerisInfo-r17 for indicating orbital parameter information of an earth orbit, ta-Report-r17 for indicating a state of time advance, enabled for indicating enabled, ENUMERATED for indicating an enumerated value, OPTIONAL for indicating an optional field, Need R for indicating provided when needed, and Cond SIB19 for indicating a usage condition.

[0081] It should be noted that the ntn-Config can include more or fewer fields than the above example, which is not limited in the present application.

[0082] Based on the above example, the core network can start counting from the time after January 1, 1900, 00:00:00 in the Gregorian calendar, with a unit of 10 milliseconds, the type of information stored in ntn_CnSyncTime is an integer value, the value stored in ntn_CnSyncTime is 1700707200, indicating that the time of the last synchronization of the first satellite base station with the satellite gateway is 10:00 on September 24, 2024. Assuming that the core network sends time information to the first satellite base station through the satellite gateway at 10:49 on September 24, 2024, the core network can send 1700711340 to the first satellite base station through the satellite gateway, and after the first satellite base station receives 1700711340, the value of ntn_CnSyncTime can be updated from 1700707200 to 1700711340.

[0083] S206: The first satellite base station broadcasts the value of the first time field in its own cell.

[0084] The cell refers to a coverage area provided by the first satellite base station. The first satellite base station can provide wireless signal coverage and communication services in its own cell. The area covered by the cell of the first satellite base station changes with the movement of the first satellite base station in the earth orbit.

[0085] The first satellite base station can broadcast the information contained in the SIB19 in its own cell. The SIB19 contains the value of the first time field, so the first satellite base station can broadcast the value of the first time field in its own cell.

[0086] S207: The cell of the first satellite base station covers the UE.

[0087] The first satellite base station moves continuously on the preset earth orbit. When the cell of the first satellite base station covers the UE, it indicates that the two can communicate and transmit and receive data.

[0088] S208: The UE reads the value of the first time field broadcast by the first satellite base station.

[0089] Based on the introduction in the last step, the cell of the first satellite base station covers the UE, which indicates that the UE can read the information broadcast by the first satellite base station in the cell. The first satellite base station broadcasts the value of the first time field in the cell, and the UE can read the value of the first time field.

[0090] S209: The UE compares the value of the second time field stored by itself with the value of the first time field.

[0091] The UE can also have multiple fields, which can be used to store relevant information of the UE and can support the interaction between the UE and one or more satellite base stations.

[0092] In some embodiments, the UE can add a second time field (also referred to as a second field), for example, the UE can add a second time field in the second information stored by itself. The second information can be stored in the memory of the UE. The second information can be service information, parameter information, etc., which is not limited in the present application. The second time field can be used to store the value of the first time field broadcast by the second satellite base station after the UE receives the downlink data sent by the second satellite base station (also referred to as the second satellite base station) for the last time. The value of the second time field is also referred to as the second time information.

[0093] Exemplarily, the name of the second time field can also be ntn_CnSyncTime, and the type of information stored in the second time field can be an integer value. The present application does not limit the field name and the type of information stored in the field. The name of the first time field and the name of the second time field can be the same or different, which is not limited in the present application.

[0094] It should be understood that the UE can be connected with one or more satellite base stations, and the UE can receive downlink data transmitted by the one or more satellite base stations.

[0095] Suppose the value of the first time field broadcasted by the second satellite base station last time is 1700707200, the UE also updates the value of the second time field to 1700707200, based on the example in S205, the value of the first time field broadcasted by the first satellite base station in the cell currently is 1700711340, the UE can compare the value of the second time field stored by itself 1700707200 with the value of the first time field 1700711340.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first satellite base station can be the same satellite base station as the second satellite base station, indicating that the value of the first time field broadcasted by the first satellite base station last time is 1700707200, and then the first satellite base station continues to move until its cell covers the satellite base station again, the first satellite base station receives downlink data of a new UE and new time information 1700711340, the first satellite base station can update the value of the first time field from 1700707200 to 1700711340, and then the first satellite base station can broadcast the value of the first time field as 1700711340, when the cell of the first satellite base station covers the UE again, the UE can read the value of the first time field as 1700711340.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first satellite base station can be a different satellite base station from the second satellite base station, indicating that after the second satellite base station transmits data to the UE and the UE updates the value of the second time field to the value of the first time field broadcasted by the second satellite base station 1700707200, the cell of the first satellite base station covers the UE, and the UE can read the value of the first time field broadcasted by the first satellite base station as 1700711340.

[0098] S210: The UE determines that the value of the second time field is less than the value of the first time field, and the UE camps on the cell of the first satellite base station and listens to paging transmitted by the first satellite base station to itself.

[0099] That is, the UE determines that the time indicated by the first time field is later than the time indicated by the second time field.

[0100] In some embodiments, the value of the first time field is time information of the last synchronization between the first satellite base station and the satellite gateway, and the first satellite base station can update the value of the first time field after receiving the downlink data of the UE sent by the core network through the satellite gateway and receiving the time information. The value of the second time field is the value of the first time field broadcast by the second satellite base station to which the UE last connected, and the UE can update the value of the second time field after receiving the downlink data sent by the second satellite base station to which the UE last connected.

[0101] The UE determines that the value of the second time field is less than the value of the first time field, indicating that the first satellite base station stores new downlink data that the UE has not received, so the UE can camp on the cell of the first satellite base station and listen to whether the first satellite base station sends paging to itself.

[0102] Illustratively, after the UE determines that the value of the second time field stored by itself is less than the value of the first time field broadcast by the first satellite base station, the UE can send an access request to the first satellite base station to access the first satellite base station. After the UE successfully accesses the first satellite base station, the UE can obtain the paging configuration based on the system message broadcast by the first satellite base station, and then the UE can enter a listening state based on the paging configuration and listen to whether the first satellite base station sends paging to itself through the paging channel.

[0103] S211: The first satellite base station sends paging to the UE.

[0104] The first satellite base station stores downlink data that needs to be sent to the UE, and after the UE successfully accesses the first satellite base station, the first satellite base station can send paging to the UE through the paging channel.

[0105] S212: The UE establishes a communication connection with the first satellite base station in response to the paging sent by the first satellite base station to itself.

[0106] The UE listens to the paging sent by the first satellite base station to itself through the paging channel. For example, the paging includes a device identifier, and the UE listens to the paging and confirms that the device identifier included in the paging is the same as the device identifier of itself. The UE can determine that it listens to the paging sent by the first satellite base station to itself, and further determine that the first satellite base station stores downlink data that needs to be sent to itself.

[0107] After the UE listens to the paging sent by the first satellite base station to itself, the UE can establish a communication connection with the first satellite base station.

[0108] S213: The first satellite base station sends downlink data to the UE.

[0109] After the UE establishes the communication connection with the first satellite base station, the UE can receive the downlink data sent by the first satellite base station.

[0110] S214: The UE updates the value of the second time field based on the value of the first time field.

[0111] After the UE receives the downlink data sent by the first satellite base station, the UE can update the value of the second time field stored by the UE to the value of the first time field read. At this time, the value of the second time field stored by the UE is the same as the value of the first time field broadcast by the first satellite base station, indicating that the UE has received the new downlink data stored by the first satellite base station.

[0112] In some embodiments, based on the example of S209, the value of the first time field broadcast by the first satellite base station in the cell is 1700711340, and the UE can update the value of the second time field stored by the UE from 1700707200 to 1700711340.

[0113] As can be seen from the above, in the embodiments of the present application, the UE can determine whether the first satellite base station stores new downlink data to be forwarded to the UE by comparing the value of the second time field stored by the UE with the value of the first time field broadcast by the first satellite base station. In the case where the first satellite base station stores new downlink data of the UE, the UE camps on the cell of the first satellite base station and listens to paging, which can avoid unnecessary power consumption of the UE.

[0114] Embodiment two:

[0115] In combination with FIG. 5, the communication system shown in FIG. 1 is taken as an example, and a communication method based on storage and forwarding is introduced, taking the case where the core network has no new downlink data to be sent to the UE.

[0116] S501: The first satellite base station broadcasts the value of the first time field in the cell of the first satellite base station.

[0117] S502: The cell of the first satellite base station covers the UE.

[0118] S503: The UE reads the value of the first time field broadcast by the first satellite base station.

[0119] It should be noted that the implementation of S501-S503 can refer to the introduction of S206-S208, which is not limited in the present application.

[0120] S504: The UE compares the value of the second time field stored by the UE with the value of the first time field.

[0121] In some embodiments, assuming the second satellite base station that the UE connected to last time is the first satellite base station in Embodiment 1, and the value of the first time field broadcasted by the first satellite base station is 1700711340, the UE updates the value of the second time field to 1700711340 as well, which can be referred to in Embodiment 1. Then the cell of the first satellite base station covers the UE again, and the value of the first time field broadcasted in the cell is still 1700711340, which can be referred to in S501-S503. The UE can compare the value of the second time field stored by itself, i.e. 1700711340, with the value of the first time field, i.e. 1700711340.

[0122] In addition, in some embodiments, assuming the second satellite base station that the UE connected to last time is the second satellite base station that the UE connected to after S214 in Embodiment 1, and the value of the first time field broadcasted by the second satellite base station is 1706668800, the UE receives the downlink data sent by the second satellite base station and updates the value of the second time field to 1706668800 (indicating 10:58 on September 24, 2024). Then the cell of the first satellite base station in Embodiment 1 covers the UE again, and the value of the first time field broadcasted in the cell is still 1700711340, which can be referred to in S501-S503. The UE can compare the value of the second time field stored by itself, i.e. 1706668800, with the value of the first time field, i.e. 1700711340.

[0123] S505: The UE determines that the value of the second time field is greater than or equal to the value of the first time field, the UE camps on the cell of the first satellite base station, and does not perform the operation of listening to paging.

[0124] The UE determines that the value of the second time field is greater than or equal to the value of the first time field, i.e. the time indicated by the first time field is not later than the time indicated by the second time field, which can be referred to in the two examples of S504. It indicates that the first satellite base station does not receive and store new downlink data that needs to be sent to the UE. It indicates that the first satellite base station will not send a paging message to the UE, so the UE can camp on the cell of the first satellite base station, but does not perform the operation of listening to paging.

[0125] In addition, in some embodiments, the following steps can be used instead of S505. The UE determines that the value of the second time field is greater than or equal to the value of the first time field, the UE can not perform the operation of camping on the cell of the first satellite base station and can not perform the operation of listening to paging. In the case that the first satellite base station does not store new downlink data of the UE, the first satellite base station will not send a paging message to the UE, and the first satellite base station will not interact with the UE, so the UE can not camp on the cell of the first satellite base station on the basis of not listening to paging.

[0126] From the above, in the embodiments of the present application, the UE can compare the value of the second time field stored by itself with the value of the first time field broadcast by the first satellite base station, and in the case that the first satellite base station does not store the new downlink data of the UE, the UE can camp on the cell of the first satellite base station only and stop listening to paging, so as to reduce unnecessary power consumption of the UE. Alternatively, the UE can neither camp on the cell of the first satellite base station nor listen to paging, so as to further avoid unnecessary power consumption of the UE and reduce power consumption loss of the UE.

[0127] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device, which comprises a processing unit and a transceiver unit, and the communication device can be used to execute one or more steps of any one of the above-mentioned communication methods based on store-and-forward.

[0128] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device, which comprises a processor, the processor is coupled with a memory, and the memory stores programs or instructions for executing one or more steps of any one of the above-mentioned communication methods based on store-and-forward.

[0129] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium storing computer programs or instructions, and the computer programs or instructions can be executed to implement one or more steps of any one of the above-mentioned communication methods based on store-and-forward.

[0130] The computer readable storage medium can be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, for example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium can be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, and an optical data storage device, etc.

[0131] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, and the communication system can comprise the above-mentioned communication device.

[0132] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product comprising a computer program, and the computer program product can be executed to implement one or more steps of any one of the above-mentioned communication methods based on store-and-forward.

[0133] The communication device, the computer readable storage medium, the communication system and the computer program product provided by the embodiments of the present application are used to execute the above-mentioned corresponding communication methods based on store-and-forward, thus the beneficial effects achieved by the communication device, the computer readable storage medium, the communication system and the computer program product can refer to the beneficial effects of the above-mentioned corresponding communication methods based on store-and-forward, and here will not be repeated.

[0134] The terms "first", "second" and "third" and the like in the specification and claims of the present application and the description of the drawings are used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to define a particular order.

[0135] In the embodiments of the present application, the word "exemplary" or "for example" is used to mean "an example of" or "an example, only. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the exemplary or for example embodiments are presented so as to provide real examples that can be implemented in practice. It should be noted that the word "exemplary" or "for example" is not used to divide or recommend among different embodiments or designs.

[0136] The above-described embodiments are merely intended to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not to limit the present application; even though the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments can still be modified, or some technical features thereof can be replaced by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A store-and-forward based communication method, characterized by, The application is applied to a user equipment, comprising: obtaining first time information; the first time information is used to indicate the time when the first non-ground network equipment receives data from a ground station for the last time; determining that the first time information is not later than second time information, camping on a cell of the first non-ground network equipment and not performing the operation of listening to a paging message of the first non-ground network equipment, or not performing the operation of camping on the cell of the first non-ground network equipment and not performing the operation of listening to the paging message of the first non-ground network equipment; wherein the second time information is used to indicate the time when a second non-ground network equipment receives data from a ground station for the last time, the second non-ground network equipment being the non-ground network equipment that the user equipment connects for the last time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: determining that the first time information is later than the second time information, camping on the cell of the first non-ground network equipment and listening to the paging message of the first non-ground network equipment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The method further comprises: updating the second time information based on the first time information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first time information is sent by the first non-ground network equipment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, A first field in first information sent by the first non-ground network indicates the first time information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The second time information is stored by the user equipment.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, A second field in second information stored by the user equipment indicates the second time information.

8. A store-and-forward based communication method characterized by, The application is applied to a first non-ground network equipment, comprising: obtaining first time information; the first time information is used to indicate the time when the first non-ground network equipment receives data from a ground station for the last time; sending the first time information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first time information is sent by the ground station to the first non-ground network equipment.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, A first field in first information sent by the first non-ground network equipment is used to indicate the first time information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The method further comprises: in response to obtaining the first time information, updating the value of the first field to the first time information.

12. A store-and-forward based communication method, characterized by, The application is applied to a ground station, comprising: sending data to a first non-ground network equipment; sending first time information to the first non-ground network equipment; the first time information is used to indicate the time when the first non-ground network equipment receives data from the ground station for the last time.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, Further comprising: receiving the data sent by a core network.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, Further comprising: receiving the first time information sent by a core network.

15. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processing unit and a transceiver unit, and is used to perform the storage and forwarding based communication method in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the storage and forwarding based communication method in any one of claims 8 to 11, or the storage and forwarding based communication method in any one of claims 12 to 14.

16. A communications device, characterized by A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 1 to 7, or the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 8 to 11, or the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 12 to 14.

17. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, The computer program or instructions, when executed, cause the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 1 to 7, or the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 8 to 11, or the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 12 to 14 to be performed.

18. A communication system, characterized by A communication device comprising the communication device of claim 15.

19. A computer program product, characterised in that, A computer program which, when run, causes the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 1 to 7, or the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 8 to 11, or the store-and-forward based communication method of any of claims 12 to 14 to be performed.

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