Wireless communication method and apparatus, device, chip, and storage medium

Abstract

A wireless communication method and apparatus, a device, a chip, and a storage medium, relating to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: when an operating mode of a serving satellite of a terminal device is switched, the terminal device receives a first message, the first message carrying first indication information, and the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched and / or being used to indicate that the terminal device is to re-initiate registration or connection with a mobility management network element of the serving satellite (710). The method enables a terminal device in a connected state to, when an operating mode of a serving satellite is switched, re-register with or access a network after the mode switching on the basis of an existing mechanism, thereby re-obtaining communication services.

Description

Wireless communication methods, devices, equipment, chips and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a wireless communication method, apparatus, device, chip, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) technology typically uses satellite communication to provide communication services to terrestrial users.

[0003] In NTN systems, satellite operating modes may switch, such as from normal mode to store-and-forward mode, or vice versa. Therefore, ensuring communication services for terminal devices during these mode switching scenarios is a problem that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a wireless communication method, apparatus, device, chip, and storage medium. The technical solutions provided by this application are as follows.

[0005] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a wireless communication method is provided, the method being executed by a terminal device, the method comprising:

[0006] When the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, a first message is received, the first message carrying first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or, to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite;

[0007] The operating modes of the service satellite include a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0008] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a wireless communication method is provided, the method being executed by a first mobility management network element, the method comprising:

[0009] When the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, a first message is sent to the terminal device. The first message carries first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the first mobility management network element.

[0010] The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the serving satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device; the operating mode of the serving satellite includes a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0011] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a wireless communication method is provided, the method being executed by a first access network device, the method comprising:

[0012] When the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, a first message is sent to the terminal device. The first message carries first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite.

[0013] The first access network device is deployed on the service satellite and has a connection with the terminal device. The service satellite's operating mode includes a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0014] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a wireless communication device is provided, the device comprising:

[0015] The receiving module is configured to receive a first message when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first message carrying first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite;

[0016] The operating modes of the service satellite include a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0017] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a wireless communication device is provided, the device comprising:

[0018] The sending module is configured to send a first message to the terminal device when the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the first mobility management network element.

[0019] The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the serving satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device; the operating mode of the serving satellite includes a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0020] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a wireless communication device is provided, the device comprising:

[0021] The sending module is configured to send a first message to the terminal device when the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite.

[0022] The first access network device is an access network device deployed on the service satellite and connected to the terminal device. The service satellite's operating mode includes a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0023] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a terminal device is provided, the terminal device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the wireless communication method on the terminal device side described above.

[0024] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a core network element is provided, the core network element including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side described above.

[0025] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, an access network device is provided, the access network device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program to implement the wireless communication method on the first access network device side described above.

[0026] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program being executed by a processor to implement the wireless communication method on the terminal device side, or to implement the wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side, or to implement the wireless communication method on the first access network device side.

[0027] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a chip is provided, the chip including programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions, which, when the chip is running, are used to implement the wireless communication method on the terminal device side, or to implement the wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side, or to implement the wireless communication method on the first access network device side.

[0028] According to one aspect of the embodiments of this application, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product including computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium, a processor reading from the computer-readable storage medium and executing the computer instructions to implement the wireless communication method on the terminal device side, or to implement the wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side, or to implement the wireless communication method on the first access network device side.

[0029] The technical solutions provided in this application embodiment may have the following beneficial effects:

[0030] When the operating mode of the serving satellite of a terminal device changes, a first message is sent to the terminal device through the network side. The first indication information carried in the first message indicates to the terminal device that the operating mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or instructs the terminal device to re-register with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. This enables the connected terminal device to re-register or access the network after the mode change based on the existing mechanism and regain communication services when the operating mode of the serving satellite changes. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a satellite network architecture provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a satellite network architecture provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the link between a satellite and a terminal device and a ground station provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 9 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 11 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 13 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 14 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 15 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a core network element provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0049] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0051] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) system, New Radio (NR) system, evolution of NR system, LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) system, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), and Wireless Fidelity (WF). Fidelity (WiFi), 5th-Generation (5G) communication systems, 6th-Generation (6G) communication systems, or other communication systems.

[0052] Traditional communication systems typically support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support traditional communication but also, for example, device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to these communication systems.

[0053] The communication system in this application embodiment can be applied to carrier aggregation (CA) scenarios, dual connectivity (DC) scenarios, and standalone (SA) network deployment scenarios.

[0054] The communication system in this application embodiment can be applied to unlicensed spectrum, wherein unlicensed spectrum can also be considered as shared spectrum; or, the communication system in this application embodiment can also be applied to licensed spectrum, wherein licensed spectrum can also be considered as non-shared spectrum.

[0055] The embodiments of this application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems. NTNs typically provide communication services to terrestrial users via satellite. Current NTN systems include NR-NTN and IoT-NTN systems, and other NTN systems may be included in the future.

[0056] For example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include a network device 110, which may be a device that communicates with a terminal device 120. The network device 110 can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with terminal devices located within that coverage area.

[0057] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a network device 110 and two terminal devices 120. In some embodiments of this application, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices and each network device may include other numbers of terminal devices within its coverage area. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0058] For example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 2, the communication system may include a terminal device 201 and a satellite 202, and wireless communication is possible between the terminal device 201 and the satellite 202. The network formed between the terminal device 201 and the satellite 202 may also be called an NTN. In the architecture of the communication system shown in Figure 2, the satellite 202 may have the function of a base station, and the terminal device 201 and the satellite 202 can communicate directly. In this system architecture, the satellite 202 can be referred to as a network device. In some embodiments of this application, the communication system may include multiple satellites 202, and the coverage area of ​​each network satellite 202 may include other numbers of terminal devices; this application does not limit this aspect.

[0059] For example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 3, the communication system includes a terminal device 301, a satellite 302, and a base station 303. Wireless communication is possible between the terminal device 301 and the satellite 302, and communication is possible between the satellite 302 and the base station 303. The network formed between the terminal device 301, the satellite 302, and the base station 303 can also be called an NTN. In the architecture of the communication system shown in Figure 3, the satellite 302 may not have the function of a base station, and communication between the terminal device 301 and the base station 303 requires relaying through the satellite 302. In this system architecture, the base station 303 can be referred to as a network device. In some embodiments of this application, the communication system may include multiple base stations 303, each base station 303 can communicate with one or more satellites 302, and the coverage area of ​​each satellite 302 may include other numbers of terminal devices; this application does not limit this aspect.

[0060] In future communication systems such as B5G (Beyond 5G) or 6G, there may also be distributed multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO, also known as distributed antenna system) scenarios and / or massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO, also known as massive antenna matrix system) scenarios. In some cases, distributed MIMO and / or massive MIMO can also support cell-free or UE-centric network deployment scenarios. It should be understood that the above scenarios also apply to TN and / or NTN.

[0061] The terminal device mentioned in the embodiments of this application may refer to UE (User Equipment), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. Optionally, the terminal device may also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) phone, WLL (Wireless Local Loop) station, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, terminal device in 5GS (5th Generation System), or terminal device in the future evolved PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), etc., and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For ease of description, the devices mentioned above are collectively referred to as terminal devices. In the embodiments of this application, "terminal device" may also be simply referred to as "terminal" or "UE," and those skilled in the art will understand that they can express the same meaning.

[0062] The network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be access network devices, which can be located on the ground or on a satellite. An access network device is a device deployed in an access network to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Access network devices can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, access points, etc. In systems employing different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with access network device functions may differ; for example, in a 5G NR system, they are called gNodeB or gNB. As communication technologies evolve, the name "access network device" may change. For ease of description, in the embodiments of this application, the aforementioned devices providing wireless communication functions for terminal devices are collectively referred to as access network devices. Optionally, a communication relationship can be established between the terminal device and core network elements through the access network device.

[0063] The "5G NR system" in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a 5G system or an NR system, but those skilled in the art will understand its meaning. The technical solutions described in this application embodiment can be applied to LTE systems, 5G NR systems, and subsequent evolution systems of 5G NR systems (such as 6G systems), as well as other communication systems such as NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things) systems. This application does not limit these applications.

[0064] In this embodiment, the network device can provide services to a cell. The terminal device communicates with the network device through the transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) on the carrier used by the cell. The cell can be the cell corresponding to the network device (e.g., a base station). The cell can belong to a macro base station or to a base station corresponding to a small cell. The small cell can include: metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, femto cell, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage area and low transmission power, and are suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0065] Before introducing the technical solution of this application, some related technical knowledge involved in this application will be introduced and explained. The following related technologies are optional solutions and can be arbitrarily combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, all of which fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application include at least some of the following contents.

[0066] 1.NTN

[0067] NTN technology typically uses satellite communication to provide communication services to terrestrial users. Compared to terrestrial cellular communication networks, satellite communication has many unique advantages. First, satellite communication is not limited by the user's geographical location. For example, conventional terrestrial communication cannot cover areas such as oceans, mountains, and deserts where communication equipment cannot be installed, or areas with sparse populations where communication coverage is not available. However, with satellite communication, a single satellite can cover a large area, and since satellites orbit the Earth, theoretically every corner of the Earth can be covered by satellite communication. Second, satellite communication has significant social value. Satellite communication can provide coverage in remote mountainous areas and impoverished countries or regions at a relatively low cost, enabling people in these areas to enjoy advanced voice communication and mobile internet technologies, helping to narrow the digital divide with developed regions and promoting development in these areas. Third, satellite communication has a long range, and the cost of communication does not increase significantly with increasing distance. Finally, satellite communication is highly stable and is not affected by natural disasters.

[0068] Communication satellites are classified according to their orbital altitude into LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) satellites, MEO (Medium-Earth Orbit) satellites, GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) satellites, HEO (High Elliptical Orbit) satellites, and so on. Currently, research primarily focuses on LEO and GEO.

[0069] (1) LEO: Low Earth Orbit satellites range in altitude from 500km to 1500km, with corresponding orbital periods of approximately 1.5 hours to 2 hours. The signal propagation delay for single-hop communication between users is generally less than 20ms. The maximum satellite visibility time is 20 minutes. The signal propagation distance is short, the link loss is low, and the requirements for the transmission power of user terminal equipment are not high.

[0070] (2) GEO: Geosynchronous orbit satellite, with an orbital altitude of 35,786 km and an orbital period of 24 hours around the Earth. The signal propagation delay for single-hop communication between users is generally 250 ms.

[0071] To ensure satellite coverage and improve the overall capacity of the satellite communication system, satellites use multi-beam coverage to cover the ground. A single satellite can generate dozens or even hundreds of beams to cover the ground; a single satellite beam can cover a ground area with a diameter of tens to hundreds of kilometers.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 4, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a satellite network architecture. In this architecture, the communication satellites are transparent payload relay satellites. As shown in Figure 4, this satellite network architecture includes: terminal equipment 10, satellite 20, NTN gateway 30, access network equipment 40, and core network elements 50.

[0073] Terminal device 10 and access network device 40 can communicate via an air interface (such as a Uu interface). In the architecture shown in Figure 4, access network device 40 can be deployed on the ground. Uplink and downlink communication between terminal device 10 and access network device 40 can be relayed through satellite 20 and NTN gateway 30 (usually located on the ground). Taking uplink transmission as an example, terminal device 10 sends uplink signals to satellite 20, satellite 20 forwards the uplink signals to NTN gateway 30, and then NTN gateway 30 forwards the uplink signals to access network device 40. Subsequently, access network device 40 sends the uplink signals to core network element 50. Taking downlink transmission as an example, downlink signals from core network element 50 are sent to access network device 40, access network device 40 sends downlink signals to NTN gateway 30, NTN gateway 30 forwards the downlink signals to satellite 20, and then satellite 20 forwards the downlink signals to terminal device 10.

[0074] Please refer to Figure 5, which illustrates another satellite network architecture. In this architecture, the communication satellites are regenerative payload satellites. As shown in Figure 5, this satellite network architecture includes: terminal equipment 10, satellite 20, NTN gateway 30, and core network elements 50.

[0075] In the architecture shown in Figure 5, the functions of the access network device 40 are integrated into the satellite 20, meaning that the satellite 20 possesses the functions of the access network device 40. The terminal device 10 and the satellite 20 can communicate via an air interface (such as a Uu interface). The satellite 20 and the NTN gateway 30 (usually located on the ground) can communicate via SRI (Satellite Radio Interface).

[0076] In the architecture shown in Figure 5, taking uplink transmission as an example, terminal device 10 sends uplink signals to satellite 20, satellite 20 forwards the uplink signals to NTN gateway 30, and then NTN gateway 30 sends the uplink signals to core network element 50. Taking downlink transmission as an example, downlink signals from core network element 50 are sent to NTN gateway 30, NTN gateway 30 forwards the downlink signals to satellite 20, and then satellite 20 forwards the downlink signals to terminal device 10.

[0077] In the network architecture shown in Figures 4 and 5 above, the access network device 40 is a device used to provide wireless communication services to the terminal device 10. A connection can be established between the access network device 40 and the terminal device 10, thereby enabling communication, including signaling and data exchange. There can be multiple access network devices 40, and two adjacent access network devices 40 can communicate via wired or wireless means. The terminal device 10 can switch between different access network devices 40, that is, establish connections with different access network devices 40.

[0078] In addition, the NTN network may include multiple satellites 20. One satellite 20 can cover a certain area of ​​the ground, providing wireless communication services to terminal devices 10 in that area. Furthermore, satellites 20 can orbit the Earth, and by deploying multiple satellites 20, communication coverage of different areas on the Earth's surface can be achieved.

[0079] 2. Satellite storage / transfer scenarios

[0080] Store-and-forward (S&F) satellite operations for delay-tolerant communication services: Store-and-forward (S&F) operation is an operating mode for 5G systems with satellite access, where the 5G system can provide some level of service (store and forward data). When satellite connectivity is intermittent / temporarily unavailable, for example, as shown in Figure 6, the service link between terminal device 10 within the coverage area of ​​satellite 20 and satellite 20 is available, allowing satellite 20 to provide communication services to terminal device 10 via this service link, but the active feeder link between satellite 20 and ground stations (such as NTN gateway 30) is unavailable. This is particularly important for delay-tolerant IoT services via the NGSO (Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit) space segment.

[0081] S&F (Storage and Forwarding) is an operational mode that provides communication services (store and forward information) to terminal devices during time periods and / or geographical areas when the service satellite is not simultaneously connected to a terrestrial network via a feeder link or ISL (Inter-satellite link). For UL (Uplink), "store" means that UL information from the terminal device is stored on the satellite, and "forward" means that the stored UL information is forwarded to the terrestrial network. For DL ​​(Downlink), "store" means that DL information from the terrestrial network is stored on the satellite, and "forward" means that the stored DL information is forwarded to the terminal device.

[0082] Currently, under the store-and-forward model, the deployment of communication networks on satellites mainly follows two architectures:

[0083] (1) Access network equipment and one mobility management network element are deployed on a satellite, while another mobility management network element and other core network elements are deployed on the ground.

[0084] (2) The access network equipment and the entire core network, including mobility management network elements, are deployed on satellites.

[0085] Because mobility management network elements are deployed on satellites, satellites in store-and-forward mode may be unable to interact in a timely manner with other satellite communication networks or normal TN networks in normal mode due to the unavailability of the feeder link.

[0086] 3. Switching between store-and-forward mode and normal mode

[0087] The switching between store-and-forward mode and normal mode by terminal devices can be divided into the following four scenarios:

[0088] Scenario a: A terminal device registered in a network in store-and-forward mode may switch to a network in normal mode, such as 1) an NTN network with feeder link available, or 2) a normal TN network;

[0089] Scenario b: A terminal device registered in normal mode switches to a network in store-and-forward mode;

[0090] Scenario c: An NTN network in store-and-forward mode is converted to an NTN network in normal mode because the feeder link becomes available;

[0091] Scenario d: An NTN network in normal mode is converted to an NTN network in store-and-forward mode due to the unavailability of the feeder link.

[0092] Scenario a and Scenario b primarily involve mode switching caused when a terminal device switches between different access network devices. In this case, if the terminal device switches to a new PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), it needs to initiate an initial registration (if the new network is 5GS (5G System)) or initial attach (if the new network is EPS (Evolved Packet System)) process on the new network. If the terminal device only switches to a different tracking area, and the new tracking area is not within the terminal device's registration area, it will initiate a mobility registration update (5GS) or a tracking area update (TAU) process (EPS).

[0093] Scenario c and d involve mode switching due to changes in the operating mode of the same satellite. For example, the feeder link may become unavailable due to the satellite moving away from or near the ground gateway, or it may become available again as the satellite approaches the ground gateway. In these situations, it is uncertain whether the access network equipment on the satellite has switched its broadcast PLMN and TAI (Tracking Area Identity), or whether the mobility management network element still maintains the terminal device's context information. For terminal devices in the IDLE state, if a mode change occurs on the same satellite, their behavior is the same as in scenarios a and b; the terminal device can treat the access network equipment on the satellite before and after the mode switch as two different access network equipment. However, for terminal devices in the connected state, the behavior of the terminal device after the satellite mode switch is not addressed in existing technologies.

[0094] 4. Triggering conditions for initial registration and mobility registration update (or TAU)

[0095] Initial registration is primarily used by terminal devices to establish an initial connection with the core network and obtain initial access to network services. In 5G systems, this process is called the initial registration procedure. In LTE systems, this process is called the initial attach procedure.

[0096] During the initial registration process, a PDN (Packet Data Network) connection is established, and the terminal device obtains an IPv4 / IPv6 address from the PGW (PDN Gateway) to support subsequent data transmission. The network authenticates the terminal device (based on IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) / IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)) and establishes NAS (Non-Access Stratum) and AS (Access Stratum) security contexts for encryption and integrity protection of signaling and data. The terminal device registers its location information with the mobility management element (MME (Mobility Management Entity) in 4G systems and AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) in 5G systems) to ensure the network can track the terminal device's mobility status. The mobility management element creates initial context information (also known as UE context) for the terminal device.

[0097] The initial registration is triggered primarily in the following scenarios:

[0098] (1) When the terminal device is powered on or restarted for the first time, it needs to access the network through the initial registration process to obtain services.

[0099] (2) When the terminal device switches back to the LTE (or NR) coverage area from 2G / 3G (e.g. GSM / UMTS) or other networks, the initial registration process needs to be re-executed.

[0100] (3) Terminal devices need to re-establish a connection with the network due to signal loss (e.g., recovery after entering a tunnel).

[0101] (4) When inserting a new SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card (or activating a SIM card for the first time), the terminal device needs to perform an initial registration process to complete network registration and authentication.

[0102] Mobility registration updates or TAUs are primarily used in the following scenarios:

[0103] (1) When the terminal device detects that it has entered a new TA (Tracking Area), which is not in the registration area (TAI list) assigned to the terminal device by the network during the registration process;

[0104] (2) The periodic TA update timer (or the periodic registration timer in 5GS) expires;

[0105] (3) The capabilities of terminal devices and networks have changed;

[0106] (4) RRC connection release due to load re-balancing or RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection failure;

[0107] (5) Terminal equipment using a RAN (Radio Access Network) that provides discontinuous coverage (e.g., satellite access with discontinuous coverage) is about to leave the satellite network coverage.

[0108] Compared to the initial attach procedure, TAU does not require creating new context information for the terminal device. Instead, it can obtain the UE context based on the old MME indicated by the GUTI (Globally Unique Temporary Identifier) ​​provided by the terminal device, making the process simpler than attach. According to existing technology, when the terminal device is in the scenario described in section "3. Conversion between Store-and-Forward Mode and Normal Mode," if the PLMN selected by the terminal device has not changed, the terminal device will execute the TAU procedure.

[0109] However, when a terminal device switches from a network in S&F mode to a network in normal mode, because the S&F network lacks a feeder link, the mobility management elements (e.g., MME, AMF) in normal mode cannot obtain the terminal device's context information from the old mobility management elements. This causes the network to reject the TAU procedure initiated by the terminal device. Subsequently, the terminal device enters a deregistration state and may re-initiate an initial registration request (e.g., initial attach). This results in wasted signaling.

[0110] For terminal devices in a connected state, there are currently no corresponding specifications regarding their behavior in scenarios c and d mentioned above. In existing technologies, terminal devices in a connected state can only execute the TAU procedure. However, if the satellite deletes the previous UE context after the mode transition process, it will also cause the TAU procedure registration to fail, which will also bring unnecessary signaling overhead.

[0111] Please refer to Figure 7, which shows a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in one embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method may include the following step 710.

[0112] Step 710: When the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, the terminal device receives a first message, which carries first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite.

[0113] In some embodiments, the serving satellite of the terminal device refers to the satellite that currently provides communication services to the terminal device, and a service link is established between the terminal device and the serving satellite. Optionally, the service link is in an available state.

[0114] In some embodiments, the operating modes of the serving satellite include a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode and the second mode are two different operating modes. The first mode is an operating mode where the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available. The second mode is an operating mode where the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable. The ground station is used to enable communication between the serving satellite and ground equipment (such as servers deployed on the ground, core network elements, access network equipment, terminal equipment, etc.). The ground station can be a ground gateway, such as the NTN gateway described above.

[0115] Optionally, the first mode is the normal mode described above, and the second mode is the store-and-forward (S&F) mode described above. In normal mode, the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the serving satellite can communicate normally with the ground station through this feeder link. In store-and-forward mode, the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable, and the serving satellite cannot communicate normally with the ground station through this feeder link. Furthermore, as the serving satellite moves or its other status changes, the serving satellite's operating mode can switch between the first and second modes described above; for example, the serving satellite can switch from the first mode to the second mode, or from the second mode to the first mode.

[0116] In this embodiment, when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, a first message is sent to the terminal device to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or to instruct the terminal device to re-initiate registration or attachment with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. The first message can be sent by the mobility management network element or by the access network device.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first message is sent by a mobility management network element (AMF), which is primarily responsible for functions such as terminal device access, location tracking, and mobility management. Optionally, in a 5G system, the AMF is the mobility management network element; in an LTE system, the MME is the mobility management network element. Optionally, the first message is sent by a first mobility management network element, which is deployed on a serving satellite and stores the context information of the terminal device. The context information of the terminal device may include at least one of the following: terminal device capability information, TAI, access network device identifier, authentication information, etc. The context information of the terminal device is also referred to as UE context information.

[0118] In some embodiments, the first message is sent by an access network device. Optionally, in a 5G system, the access network device is a gNB; in an LTE system, the access network device is an eNB. Optionally, the first message is sent by a first access network device, which is deployed on a serving satellite and has established a connection with the terminal device. Optionally, the connection established between the terminal device and the first access network device is an RRC connection.

[0119] The technical solution of this application will be described below in conjunction with situations 1 to 3.

[0120] Scenario 1: The first mobility management network element initiates the connection release and triggers the terminal device to re-register with the network.

[0121] In scenario 1, the first message is a first request message sent by the first mobility management network element. This first request message is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device, and / or to release the context information of the terminal device. Releasing the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device can be understood as disconnecting the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device. Releasing the context information of the terminal device can be understood as deleting / ignoring the context information of the terminal device.

[0122] In some embodiments, the first request message is a deregistration request message or a detach request message. In a 5G system, the first request message is a deregistration request message; in an LTE system, the first request message is a detach request message. The detach request message may also be called a deattach request message or other names, and this application does not limit the specific name used.

[0123] In some embodiments, the deregistration request message carries first type indication information, which indicates that the deregistration type is re-registration. Based on this first type indication information, the terminal device can be triggered to re-register with the network.

[0124] In some embodiments, the detach request message carries a second type indication information, which indicates that the detach type is a re-attach. Based on this second type indication information, the terminal device can be triggered to re-register with the network.

[0125] In scenario 1, after receiving the first request message, the terminal device may send a second message. The second message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the first access network device or the second access network device, and / or to request re-registration with the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element. The second access network device is different from the first access network device; that is, the second access network device is a different access network device from the first access network device. Similarly, the second mobility management network element is different from the first mobility management network element; that is, the second mobility management network element is a different mobility management network element from the first mobility management network element.

[0126] Optionally, the second message is any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element: registration request message, attachment request message, mobility registration update request message, TAU request message, and service request message.

[0127] In scenario 1, after receiving the first request message, the terminal device can perform any one of the following actions (1) to (4).

[0128] (1) Re-initiate registration or attach and establish a connection with the original network.

[0129] The terminal device can send a second message, which is a registration request message or an attach request message sent to the first mobility management network element. In a 5G system, the first request message is a detach request message, and the second message is a registration request message; in an LTE system, the first request message is a detach request message, and the second message is an attach request message. The attach request message can also be called an attach request message or other names, and this application does not limit the terminology.

[0130] The terminal device can re-initiate registration and establish a connection with the original network by sending a registration request message or attach request message to the first mobility management network element.

[0131] (2) Initiate a mobility registration update or TAU to establish a connection with the original network.

[0132] The terminal device can send a second message, which is a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message sent to the first mobility management network element. In a 5G system, the first request message is a deregistration request message, and the second message is a mobility registration update request message; in an LTE system, the first request message is a detach request message, and the second message is a TAU request message.

[0133] Terminal devices can also re-establish a connection with the original network by sending a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element. The process is simpler than re-initiating registration and helps to save signaling interactions.

[0134] (3) Establish a connection with the original network through the service request process.

[0135] The terminal device can send a second message, which is a service request message sent to the first mobility management network element. The service request message is used to request the first mobility management network element to continue to provide services to the terminal device.

[0136] Optionally, if the operating mode of the serving satellite changes but the PLMN and TAI of the terminal device remain unchanged, the terminal device can send a service request message to the first mobility management network element to establish a connection with the original network. This process is simpler than mobility registration update or TAI.

[0137] (4) Register or attach to other networks in normal mode.

[0138] The terminal device can send a second message, which is a registration request message or an attach request message sent to a second mobility management network element. By sending the registration request message or attach request message to the second mobility management network element, the terminal device can register with other networks in normal mode. These other networks in normal mode can be TN networks or NTN networks; this application does not limit the specific type of network.

[0139] Optionally, if the serving satellite's operating mode switches from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device does not support the second mode, the second message is a registration request message or an attach request message sent to the second mobility management network element. For example, if the serving satellite's operating mode switches from normal mode to store-and-forward mode, and the terminal device does not support store-and-forward mode, the terminal device sends a registration request message or an attach request message to the second mobility management network element, requesting to register with another network in normal mode.

[0140] Optionally, when the operating mode of the serving satellite switches from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries the terminal device's capability information, which indicates that the terminal device supports the second mode. For example, when the operating mode of the serving satellite switches from the normal mode to the store-and-forward mode, and the terminal device supports the store-and-forward mode, the terminal device sends a second message to the first mobility management network element. This second message is any one of a registration request message, an attach request message, a mobility registration update request message, a TAU request message, or a service request message. The second message may carry the terminal device's capability information to indicate that the terminal device supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0141] Scenario 2: The first access network device initiates the connection release and triggers the terminal device to re-register with the network.

[0142] In scenario 2, the first message is a second request message sent by the first access network device. This second request message is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device. Releasing the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device can be understood as disconnecting the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device.

[0143] In some embodiments, the second request message is an RRC connection release request message.

[0144] In scenario 2, after receiving the first request message, the terminal device can also send a second message. This second message is used to request the establishment of a connection with either the first or second access network device, and / or to request re-registration with either the first or second mobility management network element. The second access network device is different from the first access network device; that is, the second access network device is a different access network device from the first access network device. Similarly, the second mobility management network element is different from the first mobility management network element; that is, the second mobility management network element is a different mobility management network element from the first mobility management network element.

[0145] Optionally, the second message is any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element: registration request message, attachment request message, mobility registration update request message, TAU request message, and service request message.

[0146] Optionally, the second message is an RRC connection setup request message sent to the first access network device or the second access network device.

[0147] In scenario 2, after receiving the first request message, the terminal device can perform any one of the following actions (1) to (5).

[0148] (1) Re-initiate connection establishment and establish a connection with the original network.

[0149] The terminal device can send a second message, which is an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the first access network device. The RRC connection establishment request message is used to request the establishment of an RRC connection with the first access network device.

[0150] The terminal device can re-initiate connection establishment and establish a connection with the original network by sending an RRC connection establishment request message to the first access network device.

[0151] (2) Re-initiate registration or attach and establish a connection with the original network.

[0152] The terminal device may send a second message, which is either a registration request message or an attach request message sent to the first mobility management network element. After receiving the RRC connection release request message sent by the first access network device, the second message sent by the terminal device may be a registration request message for a 5G system, and an attach request message for an LTE system.

[0153] The terminal device can re-initiate registration and establish a connection with the original network by sending a registration request message or attach request message to the first mobility management network element.

[0154] (3) Initiate a mobility registration update or TAU to establish a connection with the original network.

[0155] The terminal device may send a second message, which is a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message sent to the first mobility management network element. After receiving the RRC connection release request message sent by the first access network device, the second message sent by the terminal device may be a mobility registration update request message for 5G systems and a TAU request message for LTE systems.

[0156] Terminal devices can also re-establish a connection with the original network by sending a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element. The process is simpler than re-initiating registration and helps to save signaling interactions.

[0157] (4) Establish a connection with the original network through the service request process.

[0158] The terminal device can send a second message, which is a service request message sent to the first mobility management network element. The service request message is used to request the first mobility management network element to continue to provide services to the terminal device.

[0159] Optionally, if the working mode of the serving satellite changes but the PLMN and TAI of the terminal device remain unchanged, the terminal device can send a service request message to the first mobility management network element after receiving the RRC connection release request message from the first access network device to establish a connection with the original network. This process is simpler than mobility registration update or TAI.

[0160] (5) Connect to, register with, or attach to other networks in normal mode.

[0161] The terminal device can send a second message, which is an RRC connection establishment request message sent to a second access network device to request the establishment of an RRC connection with the second access network device; or, the second message is a registration request message or attach request message sent to a second mobility management network element. Through the above methods, the terminal device can connect to or register with other networks in normal mode. These other networks in normal mode can be TN networks or NTN networks; this application does not limit the specific network type.

[0162] Optionally, when the serving satellite's operating mode switches from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device does not support the second mode, the second message is either an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the second access network device, or a registration request message or attach request message sent to the second mobility management network element. For example, when the serving satellite's operating mode switches from normal mode to store-and-forward mode, and the terminal device does not support store-and-forward mode, the terminal device sends an RRC connection establishment request message to the second access network device, or a registration request message or attach request message to the second mobility management network element, requesting to connect to or register with another network in normal mode.

[0163] Optionally, when the operating mode of the serving satellite switches from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries the terminal device's capability information, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode. For example, when the operating mode of the serving satellite switches from the normal mode to the store-and-forward mode, and the terminal device supports the store-and-forward mode, the terminal device sends a second message to the first access network device or the first mobility management network element. This second message is any one of a registration request message, an attach request message, a mobility registration update request message, a TAU request message, a service request message, or an RRC connection establishment request message. The second message may carry the terminal device's capability information to indicate that the terminal device supports the store-and-forward mode.

[0164] Scenario 3: When the operating mode of the serving satellite changes, the first mobility management network element triggers the terminal device to perform mobility registration update or TAU.

[0165] In scenario 3, the first message is a notification message sent by the first mobility management network element, used to notify the terminal device that the operating mode of the serving satellite has switched. Optionally, the notification message also carries second instruction information, used to instruct the terminal device to initiate a mobility registration update process or a TAU process.

[0166] In scenario 3, after receiving the first request message, the terminal device can perform any one of the following actions (1) to (2).

[0167] (1) Initiate a mobility registration update or TAU to establish a connection with the original network.

[0168] After receiving a notification message from the first mobility management network element, the terminal device can send a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element. For 5G systems, the terminal device sends a mobility registration update request message to the first mobility management network element; for LTE systems, the terminal device sends a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element.

[0169] Terminal devices can re-establish connections with the original network by sending a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element. The process is simpler than re-initiating registration and helps save signaling interactions.

[0170] (2) Register or attach to other networks in normal mode.

[0171] After receiving a notification message from the first mobility management network element, the terminal device can send a registration request message or an attach request message to the second mobility management network element. Through this method, the terminal device can register with other networks in normal mode. These other networks in normal mode can be TN networks or NTN networks; this application does not limit the specific type of network.

[0172] Optionally, if the serving satellite's operating mode switches from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device does not support the second mode, the terminal device, after receiving a notification message from the first mobility management network element, can send a registration request message or an attach request message to the second mobility management network element. For example, if the serving satellite's operating mode switches from normal mode to store-and-forward mode, and the terminal device does not support store-and-forward mode, the terminal device can send a registration request message or an attach request message to the second mobility management network element, requesting to register with another network in normal mode.

[0173] Optionally, before or after sending a registration request message or attach request message to the second mobility management network element, or while sending a registration request message or attach request message to the second mobility management network element, the terminal device may also send a deregistration request message or detach request message to the first mobility management network element; or, the terminal device may execute a local deregistration process or detach process.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first indication information may further indicate the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the handover. For example, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a first mode to a second mode; or, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a second mode to a first mode. For instance, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a normal mode to a store-and-forward mode; or, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a store-and-forward mode to a normal mode. In this way, the terminal device can determine the operating mode to which the serving satellite has switched based on the first indication information, so that the terminal device can determine the action to be performed based on the operating mode to which the serving satellite has switched.

[0175] In some embodiments, the terminal device determines that the operating mode of the serving satellite has switched based on a system broadcast message. Optionally, the system broadcast message includes an SIB (System Information Block) message.

[0176] In some embodiments, the system broadcast message may further indicate the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the handover. For example, the system broadcast message may indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a first mode to a second mode; or, the system broadcast message may indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a second mode to a first mode. For instance, the system broadcast message may indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a normal mode to a store-and-forward mode; or, the system broadcast message may indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a store-and-forward mode to a normal mode. In this way, the terminal device can determine the operating mode to which the serving satellite has switched based on the system broadcast message, so that the terminal device can determine the action to be performed based on the operating mode to which the serving satellite has switched.

[0177] For example, the system broadcast message carries third indication information, which is used to indicate a switch in the operating mode of the service satellite. Alternatively, the third indication information is used to indicate a switch in the operating mode of the service satellite from a first mode to a second mode, or a switch in the operating mode of the service satellite from a second mode to a first mode.

[0178] For example, the switching of the service satellite's operating mode can be implicitly indicated by whether or not the system broadcast message carries specific indication information. For instance, when the satellite's operating mode is mode two (e.g., store-and-forward mode), the system broadcast message carries specific indication information (e.g., S&F indication); when the satellite's operating mode is mode one (e.g., normal mode), the system broadcast message does not carry specific indication information (e.g., S&F indication). Thus, after receiving the system broadcast message, if the terminal device finds that the system broadcast message carries specific indication information, it determines that the satellite's operating mode is mode two; if it finds that the system broadcast message does not carry specific indication information, it determines that the satellite's operating mode is mode one.

[0179] Whether explicitly indicating a change in the serving satellite's operating mode in the initial message, or explicitly or implicitly indicating a change through system broadcast messages, both methods effectively assist the terminal device in executing appropriate behavioral procedures. For example, when the network side still retains the terminal device's context information, it can update the terminal device's context information through the TAU procedure or the mobility registration update procedure, avoiding the additional signaling interaction, computing power consumption, and energy consumption caused by the network re-establishing the context for the terminal device. When the network side does not retain the terminal device's context information, the terminal device can request the network to establish a context for the terminal device through the attach or initial registration procedure, avoiding connection establishment latency and signaling loss caused by the failure of the TAU procedure or the mobility registration update procedure.

[0180] The technical solution provided in this application embodiment, when the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, sends a first message to the terminal device through the network side, and uses the first indication information carried in the first message to indicate to the terminal device that the working mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or instructs the terminal device to re-register with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite, so that the connected terminal device can re-register or access the network after the mode change based on the existing mechanism when the working mode of the serving satellite changes, and regain communication services.

[0181] Please refer to Figure 8, which shows a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method may include the following step 810.

[0182] Step 810: When the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first mobility management network element sends a first message to the terminal device. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the first mobility management network element.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on a serving satellite and storing context information of the terminal device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the operating modes of the serving satellite include a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first indication information may further indicate the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the switch. For example, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a first mode to a second mode; or, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a second mode to a first mode.

[0186] For an introduction to the service satellites and their operating modes, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0187] When the first mobility management network element sends a first message to the terminal device, in conjunction with the description of the above embodiments, the following situations 1 and 3 are included.

[0188] Scenario 1: The first mobility management network element initiates the connection release and triggers the terminal device to re-register with the network.

[0189] In scenario 1, the first message is a first request message, which is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device, and / or to release the context information of the terminal device. The first access network device is an access network device deployed on a serving satellite and connected to the terminal device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first request message is a deregistration request message or a detach request message. In a 5G system, the first request message is a deregistration request message; in an LTE system, the first request message is a detach request message. The detach request message may also be called a deattach request message or other names, and this application does not limit the specific name used.

[0191] In some embodiments, the deregistration request message carries first type indication information, which indicates that the deregistration type is re-registration. Based on this first type indication information, the terminal device can be triggered to re-register with the network.

[0192] In some embodiments, the detach request message carries a second type indication information, which indicates that the detach type is a re-attach. Based on this second type indication information, the terminal device can be triggered to re-register with the network.

[0193] As described in the above embodiments, in Case 1, after receiving the first request message, the terminal device can send a second message. The second message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the first access network device or the second access network device, and / or to request re-registration with the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element. In the scheme of Case 1, if the terminal device performs any of the above actions (1) to (3) after receiving the first request message, the first mobility management network element will receive the second message sent by the terminal device. The second message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the first access network device, and / or to request re-registration with the first mobility management network element.

[0194] Optionally, the second message can be any of the following: registration request message, attach request message, mobility registration update request message, TAU request message, or service request message.

[0195] Optionally, when the working mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries the capability information of the terminal device, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode.

[0196] Scenario 3: When the operating mode of the serving satellite changes, the first mobility management network element triggers the terminal device to perform mobility registration update or TAU.

[0197] In scenario 3, the first message is a notification message, used to notify the terminal device that the operating mode of the serving satellite has switched. Optionally, the notification message also carries second instruction information, used to instruct the terminal device to initiate a mobility registration update process or a TAU process.

[0198] As described in the above embodiments, in case 3, after receiving the first request message, the terminal device can perform any one of the above actions (1) to (2).

[0199] If the terminal device performs action (1), and sends a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element, the first mobility management network element will receive the mobility registration update request message or TAU request message sent by the terminal device.

[0200] If the terminal device performs action (2), and sends a registration request message or an attach request message to the second mobility management network element, the first mobility management network element may receive a deregistration request message or a detach request message sent by the terminal device; or, the terminal device may choose not to send a deregistration request message or a detach request message to the first mobility management network element.

[0201] The technical solution provided in this application embodiment, when the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, sends a first message to the terminal device through a first mobility management network element. Using the first indication information carried in the first message, the terminal device is instructed to change the working mode of the serving satellite, and / or instructed to re-register with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. This enables the connected terminal device to re-register or access the network after the mode change based on the existing mechanism when the working mode of the serving satellite changes, and to regain communication services.

[0202] Please refer to Figure 9, which shows a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1. The method may include the following step 910.

[0203] Step 910: When the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first access network device sends a first message to the terminal device. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first access network device is an access network device deployed on a serving satellite and having a connection established with the terminal device.

[0205] In some embodiments, the operating modes of the serving satellite include a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first indication information may further indicate the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the switch. For example, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a first mode to a second mode; or, the first indication information may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a second mode to a first mode.

[0207] For an introduction to the service satellites and their operating modes, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0208] When the first access network device sends a first message to the terminal device, in conjunction with the description of the above embodiments, the following situation 2 is included.

[0209] Scenario 2: The first access network device initiates the connection release and triggers the terminal device to re-register with the network.

[0210] In scenario 2, the first message is a second request message, which is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device. Optionally, the second request message is an RRC connection release request message.

[0211] In some embodiments, when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, the first access network device, in addition to sending a first message to the terminal device, also sends a third request message to the first mobility management network element. The third request message requests the release of the connection established between the first access network device and the first mobility management network element for the terminal device. The first mobility management network element is deployed on the serving satellite and stores the context information of the terminal device. Optionally, the third request message carries the aforementioned first indication information.

[0212] Optionally, the third request message is a UE context release request message. In a 5G system, the third request message is an N2 UE Context Release Request message; in an LTE system, the third request message is an S1 UE Context Release Request. The UE context release request message is used to request the release of the connection established between the first access network device and the first mobility management network element for the terminal device, such as an N2 connection or an S1 connection.

[0213] Optionally, after receiving the UE context release request message, the first mobility management network element sends a UE context release command to the first access network device. The UE context release command is used to release the connection established between the first access network device and the first mobility management network element for the terminal device. In a 5G system, the UE context release command is N2 UE Context Release Command; in an LTE system, the UE context release command is S1 UE Context Release Command.

[0214] Optionally, after receiving the UE context release command, the first access network device sends a UE context release complete message to the first mobility management network element. The UE context release complete message is used to confirm that the connection release is complete. In a 5G system, the UE context release complete message is the N2 UE Context Release Complete message; in an LTE system, the UE context release complete message is the S1 UE Context Release Complete message.

[0215] As described in the above embodiments, in case 2, after receiving the second request message, the terminal device can send a second message. The second message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the first access network device or the second access network device, and / or to request re-registration to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element. Optionally, the second message can be any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element: a registration request message, an attach request message, a mobility registration update request message, a TAU request message, or a service request message; or, the second message can be an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the first access network device.

[0216] In scenario 2, if the terminal device performs the above action (1) after receiving the first request message, the first access network device will receive a second message sent by the terminal device. The second message is used to request the establishment of a connection with the first access network device, and / or to request re-registration to the first mobility management network element. The second message is an RRC connection establishment request message.

[0217] Optionally, when the working mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries the capability information of the terminal device, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first access network device sends a system broadcast message to indicate a switch in the operating mode of the serving satellite. That is, the first access network device indicates to the terminal device that the operating mode of the serving satellite has switched by sending a system broadcast message. Optionally, the system broadcast message includes an SIB message.

[0219] In some embodiments, the system broadcast message may further indicate the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the handover. For example, the system broadcast message may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a first mode to a second mode; or, the system broadcast message may be used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a second mode to a first mode.

[0220] The technical solution provided in this application embodiment, when the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, sends a first message to the terminal device through a first access network device. Using the first indication information carried in the first message, the terminal device is instructed to change the working mode of the serving satellite, and / or instructed to re-register with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. This enables the connected terminal device to re-register or access the network after the mode change based on the existing mechanism when the working mode of the serving satellite changes, and to regain communication services.

[0221] Below, we will describe and illustrate different embodiments for each of the above situations 1 to 3.

[0222] Please refer to Figure 10, which shows a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1. In the method flow shown in Figure 10, the above-described case 1 is introduced, where a first mobility management network element initiates connection release and triggers the terminal device to re-register with the network. This method may include at least one of the following steps 1010 to 1020.

[0223] Step 1010: When the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first mobility management network element sends a first request message to the terminal device. The first request message is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device, and / or to release the context information of the terminal device.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first request message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or attach to the mobility management network element of the serving satellite.

[0225] Optionally, the first indication information may further indicate the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the switch. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a first mode to a second mode; or, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a second mode to a first mode.

[0226] Alternatively, the terminal device can also determine, based on system broadcast messages, that the operating mode of the serving satellite has switched, and / or determine the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the switch.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first request message is a deregistration request message or a detach request message.

[0228] In some embodiments, the deregistration request message carries first type indication information, which indicates that the deregistration type is re-registration.

[0229] In some embodiments, the detach request message carries a second type indication information, which indicates that the detach type is a re-attach.

[0230] In some embodiments, after the first mobility management network element sends a first request message to the terminal device, the terminal device changes from a registered state to a deregistered state, or from an attached state to a detached state.

[0231] Step 1020: After receiving the first request message, the terminal device sends a second message. The second message is used to request to establish a connection with the first access network device or the second access network device, and / or to request to re-register with the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element.

[0232] Optionally, the second message is any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element: registration request message, attachment request message, mobility registration update request message, TAU request message, and service request message.

[0233] In scenario 1, any one of the actions (1) to (4) performed by the terminal device after receiving the first request message can be found in the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0234] Please refer to Figure 11, which shows a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1. In the method flowchart shown in Figure 11, the above-described case 2 is introduced, where a first access network device initiates connection release and triggers the terminal device to re-register with the network. This method may include at least one of the following steps 1110 to 1150.

[0235] Step 1110: When the working mode of the service satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first access network device sends a second request message to the terminal device. The second request message is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device.

[0236] In some embodiments, the second request message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or attach to the mobility management network element of the serving satellite.

[0237] Optionally, the first indication information may further indicate the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the switch. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a first mode to a second mode; or, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a second mode to a first mode.

[0238] Alternatively, the terminal device can also determine, based on system broadcast messages, that the operating mode of the serving satellite has switched, and / or determine the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the switch.

[0239] Optionally, the second request message is an RRC connection release request message.

[0240] Step 1120: The first access network device sends a third request message to the first mobility management network element. The third request message is used to request the release of the connection established between the first access network device and the first mobility management network element for the terminal device.

[0241] Optionally, the third request message may carry the aforementioned first instruction information.

[0242] Optionally, the third request message is a UE context release request message, such as an N2 UE Context Release Request message or an S1 UE Context Release Request message.

[0243] When the working mode of the service satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first access network device executes the above steps 1110 and 1120. This application does not limit the order of execution of steps 1110 and 1120, which can be executed simultaneously or sequentially.

[0244] Step 1130: The first mobility management network element sends a UE context release command to the first access network device. The UE context release command is used to release the connection established between the first access network device and the first mobility management network element for the terminal device.

[0245] Optionally, the UE context release command is either N2 UE Context Release Command or S1 UE Context Release Command.

[0246] Step 1140: The first access network device sends a UE context release complete message to the first mobility management network element. The UE context release complete message is used to confirm that the connection release is complete.

[0247] Optionally, the UE context release complete message is either the N2 UE Context Release Complete message or the S1 UE Context Release Complete message.

[0248] Step 1150: The terminal device sends a second message, which is used to request to establish a connection with the first access network device or the second access network device, and / or to request to re-register with the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element.

[0249] Optionally, the second message is any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element: registration request message, attachment request message, mobility registration update request message, TAU request message, and service request message.

[0250] Optionally, the second message is an RRC connection setup request message sent to the first access network device or the second access network device.

[0251] In scenario 2, any one of the actions (1) to (5) performed by the terminal device after receiving the second request message can be found in the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0252] Please refer to Figure 12, which shows a flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1. In the method flowchart shown in Figure 12, the above-described situation 3 is introduced, where, in the event of a switch in the operating mode of the serving satellite, the first mobility management network element triggers the terminal device to perform a mobility registration update or TAU. This method may include at least one of the following steps 1210 to 1220.

[0253] Step 1210: When the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first mobility management network element sends a notification message to the terminal device. The notification message is used to notify the terminal device that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched.

[0254] Optionally, the notification message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the service satellite has been switched.

[0255] Optionally, the first indication information may further indicate the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the switch. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a first mode to a second mode; or, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from a second mode to a first mode.

[0256] Alternatively, the terminal device can also determine, based on system broadcast messages, that the operating mode of the serving satellite has switched, and / or determine the operating mode of the serving satellite before and after the switch.

[0257] Optionally, the notification message also carries a second instruction, which instructs the terminal device to initiate a mobility registration update process or a TAU process.

[0258] Optionally, if the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, and the first mobility management network element does not delete the context information of the terminal device, the first mobility management network element may instruct the terminal device to initiate a mobility registration update process or a TAU process, triggering the first mobility management network element and the terminal device to renegotiate parameters such as TAI list, GUTI, or S&F parameters, such as an S&F monitoring list containing the satellite ID, an S&F wait timer, etc.

[0259] Step 1220: After receiving the notification message, the terminal device sends a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element; or, sends a registration request message or an attach request message to the second mobility management network element.

[0260] In scenario 3, any one of the actions (1) to (2) performed by the terminal device after receiving the notification message can be found in the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0261] It should be noted that, in the above method embodiments, the steps executed by the terminal device can be implemented independently as a wireless communication method on the terminal device side; the steps executed by the first mobility management network element can be implemented independently as a wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side; and the steps executed by the first access network device can be implemented independently as a wireless communication method on the first access network device side. Furthermore, the various embodiments of this application can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments, all of which are within the protection scope of this application.

[0262] The following are embodiments of the apparatus described in this application, which can be used to execute the embodiments of the method described in this application. For details not disclosed in the apparatus embodiments of this application, please refer to the embodiments of the method described in this application.

[0263] Please refer to Figure 13, which shows a block diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of this application. This device has the function of implementing the wireless communication method described above on the terminal device side. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. This device can be the terminal device described above, or it can be disposed within a terminal device. As shown in Figure 13, the device 1300 may include a receiving module 1310.

[0264] The receiving module 1310 is configured to receive a first message when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or to instruct the terminal device to re-initiate registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. The operating mode of the serving satellite includes a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first message is a first request message sent by a first mobility management network element, which is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device, and / or to release the context information of the terminal device. The first mobility management network element is deployed on the serving satellite and stores the context information of the terminal device; the first access network device is deployed on the serving satellite and has established a connection with the terminal device.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first request message is a deregistration request message or a detach request message.

[0267] In some embodiments, the deregistration request message carries first type indication information, which indicates that the deregistration type is re-registration; and / or, the detach request message carries second type indication information, which indicates that the detach type is re-attach.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first message is a second request message sent by a first access network device, the second request message being used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device. The first access network device is an access network device deployed on the serving satellite and having established a connection with the terminal device.

[0269] In some embodiments, the second request message is an RRC connection release request message.

[0270] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG13, the apparatus 1300 further includes a sending module 1320, configured to send a second message, the second message being configured to request the establishment of a connection with the first access network device or the second access network device, and / or to request re-registration to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element. Wherein, the second access network device is different from the first access network device; the first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the serving satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device; the second mobility management network element is different from the first mobility management network element.

[0271] In some embodiments, the second message is any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element: registration request message, attach request message, mobility registration update request message, TAU request message, service request message; or, the second message is an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the first access network device or the second access network device.

[0272] In some embodiments, when the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries capability information of the terminal device, the capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode.

[0273] In some embodiments, when the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device does not support the second mode, the second message is a registration request message or attach request message sent to the second mobility management network element, or the second message is an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the second access network device.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first message is a notification message sent by a first mobility management network element (MLE), which is used to notify the terminal device that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched. The first MLE is a MLE deployed on the serving satellite and stores the context information of the terminal device.

[0275] In some embodiments, the notification message also carries second instruction information, which is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate a mobility registration update process or a TAU process.

[0276] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG13, the device 1300 further includes a sending module 1320, configured to send a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element.

[0277] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG13, the device 1300 further includes a sending module 1320, configured to send a registration request message or an attach request message to a second mobility management network element, wherein the second mobility management network element is different from the first mobility management network element.

[0278] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG13, the device 1300 further includes a sending module 1320, configured to send a deregistration request message or a detach request message to the first mobility management network element.

[0279] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG13, the device 1300 further includes a processing module 1330 for executing a local deregistration process or a detach process of the terminal device.

[0280] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

[0281] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG13, the device 1300 further includes a processing module 1330 for determining, based on a system broadcast message, that the operating mode of the serving satellite has switched.

[0282] In some embodiments, the system broadcast message is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or, the system broadcast message is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

[0283] In some embodiments, the system broadcast message includes: SIB message.

[0284] Please refer to Figure 14, which shows a block diagram of a wireless communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. This device has the function of implementing the wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side described above. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The device can be the first mobility management network element described above, or it can be disposed within the first mobility management network element. As shown in Figure 14, the device 1400 may include: a transmitting module 1410.

[0285] The sending module 1410 is configured to send a first message to the terminal device when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or to instruct the terminal device to re-initiate registration or connection with the first mobility management network element. The first mobility management network element is deployed on the serving satellite and stores the context information of the terminal device. The operating mode of the serving satellite includes a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0286] In some embodiments, the first message is a first request message, which is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device, and / or to release the context information of the terminal device. The first access network device is an access network device deployed on the serving satellite and connected to the terminal device.

[0287] In some embodiments, the first request message is a deregistration request message or a detach request message.

[0288] In some embodiments, the deregistration request message carries first type indication information, which indicates that the deregistration type is re-registration; and / or, the detach request message carries second type indication information, which indicates that the detach type is re-attach.

[0289] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG14, the device 1400 further includes a receiving module 1420 for receiving a second message sent by the terminal device, the second message being for requesting to establish a connection with the first access network device, and / or for requesting to re-register with the first mobility management network element.

[0290] In some embodiments, the second message is any one of the following messages: registration request message, attach request message, mobility registration update request message, TAU request message, and service request message.

[0291] In some embodiments, when the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries capability information of the terminal device, the capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode.

[0292] In some embodiments, the first message is a notification message, which is used to notify the terminal device that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched.

[0293] In some embodiments, the notification message also carries second instruction information, which is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate a mobility registration update process or a TAU process.

[0294] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG14, the device 1400 further includes a receiving module 1420 for receiving a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message sent by the terminal device.

[0295] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG14, the device 1400 further includes a receiving module 1420, configured to receive a deregistration request message or a detach request message sent by the terminal device.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

[0297] Please refer to Figure 15, which shows a block diagram of a wireless communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. This device has the function of implementing the wireless communication method described above on the first access network device side. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. This device can be the first access network device described above, or it can be disposed within the first access network device. As shown in Figure 15, the device 1500 may include: a transmitting module 1510.

[0298] The sending module 1510 is configured to send a first message to the terminal device when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or to instruct the terminal device to re-initiate registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. The first access network device is an access network device deployed on the serving satellite and connected to the terminal device. The operating mode of the serving satellite includes a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first message is a second request message, which is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device.

[0300] In some embodiments, the second request message is an RRC connection release request message.

[0301] In some embodiments, the sending module 1510 is further configured to send a third request message to the first mobility management network element, the third request message being used to request the release of the connection established between the first access network device and the first mobility management network element for the terminal device. The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the serving satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device.

[0302] In some embodiments, the third request message carries the first indication information.

[0303] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG15, the apparatus 1500 further includes a receiving module 1520, configured to receive a second message sent by the terminal device, the second message being used to request the establishment of a connection with the first access network device, and / or to request re-registration to the first mobility management network element. The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the serving satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device.

[0304] In some embodiments, the second message is any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element: registration request message, attach request message, mobility registration update request message, TAU request message, service request message; or, the second message is an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the first access network device.

[0305] In some embodiments, when the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries capability information of the terminal device, the capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode.

[0306] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or, the first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

[0307] In some embodiments, the sending module 1510 is further configured to send a system broadcast message, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched.

[0308] In some embodiments, the system broadcast message is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or, the system broadcast message is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

[0309] In some embodiments, the system broadcast message includes: SIB message.

[0310] It should be noted that the above embodiments only illustrate the division of the above functional modules when implementing the device. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules according to actual needs, that is, the content structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0311] Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manner in which each module performs its operation has been described in detail in the embodiments related to the method, and will not be elaborated upon here. For details not described in detail in the apparatus embodiments, please refer to the above method embodiments.

[0312] Please refer to Figure 16, which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in one embodiment of this application. The terminal device 1600 may include a processor 1601, a transceiver 1602, and a memory 1603. The processor 1601 is used to implement various processing functions of the terminal device 1600, such as generating information to be sent, processing received information, controlling transmission and / or reception, etc., such as implementing the functions of the processing module 1330 described above. The transceiver 1602 is used to implement transmission and / or reception functions, such as implementing the functions of the receiving module 1310 and / or the transmitting module 1320 described above.

[0313] The processor 1601 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1601 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0314] The transceiver 1602 may include a receiver and a transmitter, for example, the receiver and transmitter may be implemented as the same wireless communication component, which may include a wireless communication chip and a radio frequency antenna.

[0315] The memory 1603 can be connected to the processor 1601 and the transceiver 1602.

[0316] The memory 1603 can be used to store a computer program executed by the processor, and the processor 1601 is used to execute the computer program to implement the various steps executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0317] In some embodiments, transceiver 1602 is configured to receive a first message when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first message carrying first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite.

[0318] For details not described in this embodiment, please refer to the embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0319] Furthermore, the memory can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: magnetic disks or optical disks, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, statically accessible memory, read-only memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, and programmable read-only memory.

[0320] Please refer to Figure 17, which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device according to an embodiment of this application. The access network device 1700 may include a processor 1701, a transceiver 1702, and a memory 1703. The processor 1701 can be used to implement various processing functions of the access network device 1700, such as generating information to be transmitted, processing received information, and controlling transmission and / or reception. The transceiver 1702 is used to implement transmission and / or reception functions, such as implementing the functions of the aforementioned transmission module 1510 and / or reception module 1520.

[0321] The processor 1701 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1701 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0322] Transceiver 1702 may include a receiver and a transmitter. For example, transceiver 1702 may include a wired communication component, which may include a wired communication chip and a wired interface (such as a fiber optic interface). Optionally, transceiver 1702 may also include a wireless communication component, which may include a wireless communication chip and a radio frequency antenna.

[0323] The memory 1703 can be connected to the processor 1701 and the transceiver 1702.

[0324] The memory 1703 can be used to store a computer program executed by the processor, and the processor 1701 is used to execute the computer program to implement the various steps performed by the access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0325] In some embodiments, the access network device is the first access network device described above, and the transceiver 1702 is a transmission module used to send a first message to the terminal device when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite.

[0326] For details not described in this embodiment, please refer to the embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0327] Furthermore, the memory 1703 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: magnetic disks or optical disks, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, static on-demand memory, read-only memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, and programmable read-only memory.

[0328] Please refer to Figure 18, which shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a core network element provided in an embodiment of this application. The core network element 1800 may include a processor 1801, a transceiver 1802, and a memory 1803. The processor 1801 can be used to implement various processing functions of the core network element 1800, such as generating information to be transmitted, processing received information, and controlling transmission and / or reception. The transceiver 1802 is used to implement transmission and / or reception functions, such as implementing the functions of the aforementioned transmission module 1410 and / or reception module 1420.

[0329] The processor 1801 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1801 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

[0330] Transceiver 1802 may include a receiver and a transmitter. For example, transceiver 1802 may include a wired communication component, which may include a wired communication chip and a wired interface (such as a fiber optic interface). Optionally, transceiver 1802 may also include a wireless communication component, which may include a wireless communication chip and a radio frequency antenna.

[0331] The memory 1803 can be connected to the processor 1801 and the transceiver 1802.

[0332] The memory 1803 can be used to store a computer program executed by the processor, and the processor 1801 is used to execute the computer program to implement the various steps performed by the core network element in the above method embodiment.

[0333] In some embodiments, the core network element is the first mobility management network element described above. The transceiver 1802 is used to send a first message to the terminal device when the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the first mobility management network element.

[0334] For details not described in this embodiment, please refer to the embodiments above, which will not be repeated here.

[0335] Furthermore, the memory 1803 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, including but not limited to: magnetic disks or optical disks, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, static on-demand memory, read-only memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, and programmable read-only memory.

[0336] This application embodiment also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the aforementioned wireless communication method on the terminal device side, or the aforementioned wireless communication method on the first access network device side, or the aforementioned wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may include: ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), SSD (Solid State Drives), or optical disc, etc. The random access memory may include ReRAM (Resistance Random Access Memory) and DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0337] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions. When the chip is running, it is used to implement the wireless communication method on the terminal device side described above.

[0338] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuitry and / or program instructions. When the chip is running in a terminal device, it is used to: receive a first message when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, the first message carrying first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or, to instruct the terminal device to re-initiate registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. When the chip is running in the terminal device, it is also used to implement other steps performed by the terminal device as described in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0339] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions. When the chip is running, it is used to implement the wireless communication method on the first access network device side described above.

[0340] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuitry and / or program instructions. When the chip operates in an access network device (such as a first access network device), it is used to: send a first message to the terminal device when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, the first message carrying first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or, to instruct the terminal device to re-initiate registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. When the chip operates in the access network device, it is also used to implement other steps performed by the first access network device as described in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0341] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions. When the chip is running, it is used to implement the wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side described above.

[0342] This application also provides a chip, which includes programmable logic circuits and / or program instructions. When the chip operates in a core network element (such as a first mobility management network element), it is used to: send a first message to the terminal device when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device changes, the first message carrying first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has changed, and / or, to instruct the terminal device to re-initiate registration or connection with the first mobility management network element. When the chip operates in a core network element, it is also used to implement other steps performed by the first mobility management network element as described in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0343] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium. A processor reads and executes the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium to implement the wireless communication method on the terminal device side, or the wireless communication method on the first access network device side, or the wireless communication method on the first mobility management network element side.

[0344] It should be understood that the term "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0345] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" may indicate that there is a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or that there is an association between two things, or that there is a relationship of instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0346] In some embodiments of this application, "predefined" can be achieved by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0347] In some embodiments of this application, the term "protocol" may refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as BLE protocol, Wi-Fi protocol, and related protocols applied in future communication systems. This application does not limit the scope of these protocols.

[0348] In this article, "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0349] In this article, "greater than or equal to" can mean greater than or equal to, and "less than or equal to" can mean less than or equal to.

[0350] Furthermore, the step numbers described herein are merely illustrative of one possible execution order between steps. In some other embodiments, the steps may not be executed in the order of their numbers, such as two steps with different numbers being executed simultaneously, or two steps with different numbers being executed in the reverse order of the illustration. This application does not limit this.

[0351] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the functions described in the embodiments of this application in one or more of the above examples can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0352] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a terminal device, and the method includes: When the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, a first message is received, the first message carrying first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or, to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite; The operating modes of the service satellite include a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message is a first request message sent by the first mobility management network element. The first request message is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device, and / or to release the context information of the terminal device. The first mobility management network element is deployed on the serving satellite and stores the context information of the terminal device; the first access network device is deployed on the serving satellite and has established a connection with the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first request message is either a deregistration request message or a detach request message.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The deregistration request message carries first type indication information, which indicates that the deregistration type is re-registration; and / or, The detach request message carries a second type of indication information, which indicates that the detach type is re-attach.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message is a second request message sent by the first access network device, which is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device; The first access network device is deployed on the service satellite and has a connection with the terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second request message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Release Request message.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, the second message being used to request to establish a connection with the first access network device or the second access network device, and / or to request to re-register with the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element; The second access network device is different from the first access network device; the first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the serving satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device; the second mobility management network element is different from the first mobility management network element.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second message is any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element or the second mobility management network element: registration request message, connection attach request message, mobility registration update request message, tracking area update (TAU) request message, service request message; or, The second message is an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the first access network device or the second access network device.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, When the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries the capability information of the terminal device, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, When the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device does not support the second mode, the second message is a registration request message or attach request message sent to the second mobility management network element, or the second message is an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the second access network device.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message is a notification message sent by the first mobility management network element, which is used to notify the terminal device that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched. The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the service satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The notification message also carries a second instruction, which is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate a mobility registration update process or a TAU process.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message to the first mobility management network element.

14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a registration request message or an attach request message to a second mobility management network element, which is different from the first mobility management network element.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a registration request message or a detach request message to the first mobility management network element; or, Execute the local deregistration or detach process on the terminal device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or, The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the system broadcast message, it is determined that the operating mode of the service satellite has switched.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The system broadcast message is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or... The system broadcast message is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The system broadcast messages include: System Information Block (SIB) messages.

20. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a first mobility management network element, and the method includes: When the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, a first message is sent to the terminal device. The first message carries first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the first mobility management network element. The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the serving satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device; the operating mode of the serving satellite includes a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first message is a first request message, which is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device, and / or to release the context information of the terminal device; The first access network device is deployed on the service satellite and has a connection with the terminal device.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first request message is either a deregistration request message or a detach request message.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The deregistration request message carries first type indication information, which indicates that the deregistration type is re-registration; and / or, The detach request message carries a second type of indication information, which indicates that the detach type is re-attach.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives a second message, which is used to request to establish a connection with the first access network device and / or to request to re-register with the first mobility management network element.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The second message is any one of the following: registration request message, connection attach request message, mobility registration update request message, tracking area update TAU request message, or service request message.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, When the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries the capability information of the terminal device, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode.

27. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first message is a notification message, which is used to notify the terminal device that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The notification message also carries a second instruction, which is used to instruct the terminal device to initiate a mobility registration update process or a TAU process.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a mobility registration update request message or a TAU request message sent by the terminal device.

30. The method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a deregistration request message or a detach request message sent by the terminal device.

31. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 30, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or, The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

32. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, The method is performed by a first access network device, and the method includes: When the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, a first message is sent to the terminal device. The first message carries first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. The first access network device is deployed on the service satellite and has a connection with the terminal device. The service satellite's operating mode includes a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The first message is a second request message, which is used to release the connection between the terminal device and the first access network device.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that, The second request message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Release Request message.

35. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third request message is sent to the first mobility management network element, the third request message being used to request the release of the connection established between the first access network device and the first mobility management network element for the terminal device; The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the service satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that, The third request message carries the first indication information.

37. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 36, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives a second message, which is used to request to establish a connection with the first access network device and / or to request to re-register with the first mobility management network element. The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the service satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that, The second message is any one of the following messages sent to the first mobility management network element: registration request message, connection attach request message, mobility registration update request message, tracking area update (TAU) request message, service request message; or, The second message is an RRC connection establishment request message sent to the first access network device.

39. The method according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that, When the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode, and the terminal device supports the second mode, the second message carries the capability information of the terminal device, which is used to indicate that the terminal device supports the second mode.

40. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 39, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or, The first indication information is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

41. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 40, characterized in that, The method further includes: A system broadcast message is sent, which is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite has been switched.

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that, The system broadcast message is used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite is switched from the first mode to the second mode; or... The system broadcast message is used to indicate that the operating mode of the service satellite is switched from the second mode to the first mode.

43. The method according to claim 41 or 42, characterized in that, The system broadcast messages include: System Information Block (SIB) messages.

44. A wireless communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: The receiving module is configured to receive a first message when the operating mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched, the first message carrying first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the operating mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite; The operating modes of the service satellite include a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

45. A wireless communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: The sending module is configured to send a first message to the terminal device when the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the first mobility management network element. The first mobility management network element is a mobility management network element deployed on the serving satellite and storing the context information of the terminal device; the operating mode of the serving satellite includes a first mode and / or a second mode, wherein the first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the serving satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

46. ​​A wireless communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: The sending module is configured to send a first message to the terminal device when the working mode of the serving satellite of the terminal device is switched. The first message carries first indication information, which is used to indicate that the working mode of the serving satellite has been switched, and / or to indicate that the terminal device re-initiates registration or connection with the mobility management network element of the serving satellite. The first access network device is an access network device deployed on the service satellite and connected to the terminal device. The service satellite's operating mode includes a first mode and / or a second mode. The first mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is available, and the second mode is an operating mode in which the feeder link between the service satellite and the ground station is unavailable.

47. A terminal device, characterized in that, The terminal device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 19.

48. A core network element, characterized in that, The core network element includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 31.

49. An access network device, characterized in that, The access network device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the method as described in any one of claims 32 to 43.

50. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program that is executed by a processor to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 31, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 43.

51. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes programmable logic circuitry and / or program instructions, which, when the chip is running, are used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 19, or the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 31, or the method as described in any one of claims 32 to 43.

52. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which a processor reads from and executes to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 31, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 43.

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