CN117099327A

CN117099327A - Information processing method, network element, terminal, communication system and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN117099327A
Application number: CN202380010026.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 毛玉欣; 沈洋
Original assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-07
Filing date: 2023-07-07
Publication date: 2023-11-21
Also published as: WO2025010574A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the disclosure provides an information processing method, a network element, a terminal, a communication system and a storage medium; the information processing method comprises the following steps: the first network element determines a first time length based on the first information; wherein the first time period is a maximum duration of data storage; providing a first duration to a second network element; therefore, the second network element can store the data based on the maximum duration when the connection of the feeder link is interrupted and the data cannot be sent to other devices, and the stored data is transmitted when the connection is restored, so that the communication requirement of delay tolerant service can be met under the condition of discontinuous connection of the feeder link.

Description

Information processing method, network element, terminal, communication system and storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to an information processing method, a network element, a terminal, a communication system, and a storage medium.

Background

In the field of communication technology, satellite communication technology is introduced, i.e. UEs may communicate via a satellite access network. With respect to satellite access networks, it is desirable to consider communications in the presence of discontinuous connections for feeder links between satellites and ground stations.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure need to address the problem of communication requirements under discontinuous connectivity of feeder links between satellites and ground stations in a satellite access network.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides an information processing method, a network element, a terminal, a communication system and a storage medium.

According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information processing method is provided, including:

the first network element determines a first time length based on the first information; the first duration is the maximum duration of downlink data storage at a feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station;

the first duration is provided to the second network element.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method, including:

the terminal sends first information to a first network element, wherein the first information is used for the first network element to determine a first time length; the first duration is the maximum duration of the downlink data storage at the feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method, including:

the second network element responds to the fact that downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal, and sends a second request to the first network element, wherein the second request is used for requesting downlink data caching;

Receiving a second response sent by the first network element, wherein the second response comprises a first duration; the first duration is the maximum duration of the downlink data storage at the feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method, including:

the first network element acquires first information;

the second network element responds that the downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal, and sends a second request to the first network element, wherein the second request is used for requesting downlink data storage;

the first network element provides the first duration to the second network element.

According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing method including:

the core network equipment receives first information sent by a third network element;

and determining a first duration based on the first information in response to the inability to send the downlink data to the terminal, wherein the first duration is the maximum duration of downlink data storage of the feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:

a first processing module configured to determine a first time length based on the first information; the first duration is the maximum duration of downlink data storage at a feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station;

the first transceiver module is further configured to provide the first duration to the second network element.

According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:

a second transceiver module configured to send first information to the first network element, wherein the first information is used for the first network element to determine a first time length; the first duration is the maximum duration of the downlink data storage at the feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:

the third transceiver module is configured to send a second request to the first network element in response to the fact that downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal, wherein the second request is used for requesting downlink data buffering;

and the third transceiver module is further configured to receive a second response sent by the first network element, wherein the second response comprises a first duration, and the first duration is the maximum duration of downlink data storage between the satellite and the ground station in the feeder link terminal.

According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing apparatus including:

a fourth transceiver module configured to receive the first information sent by the third network element;

and the processing module is configured to determine a first duration based on the first information in response to the failure to send the downlink data to the terminal, wherein the first duration is the maximum duration of downlink data storage of the feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

According to a tenth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a first network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the first network element is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

According to an eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a terminal, including: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is adapted to perform the optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

According to a twelfth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a second network element, including: one or more processors; wherein the second network element is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a core network device, including: one or more processors; wherein the core network device is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the fourth aspect.

According to a fourteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system including: the system comprises a first network element, a terminal and a second network element; wherein the first network element is configured to perform the method as described in the alternative implementation of the first aspect, the terminal is configured to perform the method as described in the alternative implementation of the second aspect, and the second network element is configured to perform the method as described in the alternative implementation of the third aspect.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform a method as described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, or alternative implementations of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect.

The disclosed embodiments can meet the communication needs in the case of a discontinuous connection of a feeder link between a satellite and a ground station in a satellite access network.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following description of the embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not limit the protection scope of the present disclosure in any way.

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a structure of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram of a satellite communications architecture, shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating one mode of satellite operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1D is a schematic diagram illustrating another satellite mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3A is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3B is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3C is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4A is a flow chart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4B is a flow chart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5A is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5B is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6A is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6B is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8A is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 8B is a schematic structural view of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8C is a schematic structural diagram of a second network element according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 8D is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 9A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the disclosure provides an information processing method, a network element, a terminal, communication equipment and a storage medium.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information processing method, including:

The first duration is provided to the second network element.

In the above embodiment, the maximum duration of data storage in the satellite access network may be determined, and the maximum duration may be provided to the second network element, so that the second network element may store data based on the maximum duration when the feeder link connection is interrupted and the data cannot be sent to other devices, and transmit the stored downlink data when the connection is restored, which is beneficial to meeting the communication requirement of the delay tolerant service in the case of discontinuous connection of the feeder link.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first time period is greater than or equal to the second time period; the second duration describes the duration of the feeder link outage.

In the above embodiment, the first duration is not shorter than the duration of the interruption of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station, so that the duration of the data storage of the second network element is not shorter than the duration of the terminal of the feeder link under the condition that the feeder link is disconnected, thereby reducing the data loss condition caused by the disconnection of the feeder link and being beneficial to realizing the communication requirement of the delay tolerant service under the discontinuous connection of the feeder link.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of: a first time, wherein the first time describes a start time of a feeder link outage; and a second time period.

In the above embodiment, the appropriate first duration may be determined based on the second duration in the first information, and/or the end time of the first duration may be based on the first time.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method comprises at least one of:

pre-configuring first information;

receiving first information sent by access network equipment;

receiving first information sent by a terminal;

and receiving the first information sent by the third network element.

In the above embodiment, the first information may be acquired in various manners, so that more scenes may be accommodated.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before determining the first time length based on the first information, further includes:

receiving a first request sent by a terminal;

determining whether the terminal is authorized to use the data storage and forwarding function;

transmitting a first response to the terminal in response to authorizing the terminal to use the data store and forward function; wherein the first response is for indicating that the authorized terminal uses the data store and forward function.

In the above embodiment, whether the terminal is a terminal authorized to use the data storage and forwarding function may be accurately determined through a request of the terminal; the terminal can be informed of the storage and forwarding function when the terminal authorizes the use of the data storage and forwarding function, so that the communication requirement can be met under the condition of discontinuous connection of the feeder link.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining the first time length based on the first information includes: a first duration is determined based on the first information in response to the authorizing terminal utilizing the data store and forward function.

In the above-described embodiment, the first time length is determined only in the case where the data store-and-forward function is used by the authorized terminal; thus, there is no need to determine the first time period also when the data store and forward function is not applied to the terminal, unnecessary network processing is reduced, etc.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before providing the first time length to the second network element, the method further includes: receiving a second request sent by a second network element, wherein the second request is used for requesting downlink data caching; the second request further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second network element supports the data caching function.

In the above embodiment, the first network element may be enabled to know that the second network element supports the data caching function when the first network element is requested to perform downlink data caching, so that the first network element is beneficial to indicating the second network element to store data.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining the first time length based on the first information includes: in response to determining that the feeder link disruption results in the terminal being unreachable, a first duration is determined based on the first information.

In the above embodiment, when the feeder link between the satellite and the ground is interrupted (or unavailable), the maximum duration of the downlink data stored by the second network element may be determined, so that, on one hand, the data storage under the condition of the interruption of the feeder link is realized, and on the other hand, the forwarding of the data after the recovery of the feeder link is also facilitated, so that the communication requirement of the delay tolerant service can be satisfied.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is an access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF); and/or the second network element is a session management function (Session Management Function, SMF) or a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF); and/or the third network element is an application function (Application Function, AF) or an Operation Administration Maintenance (OAM) function.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information processing method, including:

With reference to some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first time period is greater than or equal to the second time period; the second duration describes the duration of the feeder link outage.

With reference to some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of: a first time, wherein the first time describes a start time of a feeder link outage; and a second time period.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

sending a first request to a first network element;

and receiving a first response sent by the first network element, wherein the first response is used for indicating the authorized terminal to use the data storage and forwarding function in response to the first network element authorizing the terminal to use the data storage and forwarding function.

With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information processing method, including:

With reference to some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, before sending the second request to the first network element, the method further includes: determining whether the second network element supports a data caching function;

sending a second request to the first network element, comprising: based on the second network element supporting the data caching function, a second request is sent to the first network element; the second request further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second network element supports the data caching function.

With reference to some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF; and/or the second network element is an SMF or a UPF.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information processing method, including:

The first network element acquires first information;

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information processing method, including:

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information processing apparatus including:

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information processing apparatus including:

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information processing apparatus including:

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information processing apparatus including:

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, including: one or more processors; wherein the first network element is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a terminal, including: one or more processors; wherein the terminal is adapted to perform the optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second network element, including: one or more processors; wherein the second network element is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a core network device, including: one or more processors; wherein the core network device is configured to perform the optional implementation manner of the fourth aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system including: the system comprises a first network element, a terminal and a second network element; wherein the first network element is configured to perform the method as described in the alternative implementation of the first aspect, the terminal is configured to perform the method as described in the alternative implementation of the second aspect, and the second network element is configured to perform the method as described in the alternative implementation of the third aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform a method as described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, or alternative implementations of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, and the fifth aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure propose a program product which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform a method as described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, or alternative implementations of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect.

In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure propose a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to carry out the information processing method as described in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect, or alternative implementations of the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system; the chip or chip system comprises processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in accordance with the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or optional implementations of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth aspects described above.

It is understood that the first network element, the network device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip, or the chip system described above are all configured to perform the methods provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the advantages achieved by the method can be referred to as the advantages of the corresponding method, and will not be described herein. It is understood that the communication device comprises the first network element and/or the network device.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides an information processing method, a network element, a terminal, a communication system and a storage medium. In some embodiments, terms such as information processing method and communication method may be replaced, terms such as information processing apparatus and communication apparatus may be replaced, terms such as information processing system and communication system may be replaced.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are exemplary of some embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Each step in an embodiment may be implemented as an independent embodiment and the steps may be combined arbitrarily, for example, a scheme in an embodiment with part of the steps removed may also be implemented as an independent embodiment, the order of the steps may be interchanged arbitrarily in an embodiment, and further, alternative implementations in an embodiment may be combined arbitrarily; furthermore, various embodiments may be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments may be arbitrarily combined, and an embodiment may be arbitrarily combined with alternative implementations of other embodiments.

In the various embodiments of the disclosure, terms and/or descriptions of the various embodiments are consistent throughout the various embodiments and can be utilized to advantage, as technical features from the various embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships, if not expressly stated or otherwise logically conflicting.

The terminology used in the embodiments of the disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.

In the presently disclosed embodiments, elements that are referred to in the singular, such as "a," "an," "the," "said," etc., may mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc., unless otherwise indicated. For example, where an article (article) is used in translation, such as "a," "an," "the," etc., in english, a noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or as a plural expression.

In the presently disclosed embodiments, "plurality" refers to two or more.

In some embodiments, terms such as "at least one of", "one or more of", "multiple of" and the like may be substituted for each other.

In some embodiments, "A, B at least one of", "a and/or B", "in one case a, in another case B", "in response to one case a", "in response to another case B", and the like, may include the following technical solutions according to circumstances: in some embodiments a (a is performed independently of B); b (B is performed independently of a) in some embodiments; in some embodiments, execution is selected from a and B (a and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments a and B (both a and B are performed). Similar to that described above when there are more branches such as A, B, C.

In some embodiments, the description modes such as "a or B" may include the following technical schemes according to circumstances: in some embodiments a (a is performed independently of B); b (B is performed independently of a) in some embodiments; in some embodiments execution is selected from a and B (a and B are selectively executed). Similar to that described above when there are more branches such as A, B, C.

The prefix words "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for distinguishing different description objects, and do not limit the location, order, priority, number, content, etc. of the description objects, and the statement of the description object refers to the claims or the description of the embodiment context, and should not constitute unnecessary limitations due to the use of the prefix words. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal words before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" do not limit the position or the order between the "fields", and the "first" and the "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified by the "first" and the "second" are in the same message or not. For another example, describing an object as "level", ordinal words preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit priority between "levels". As another example, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal words, and may be one or more, taking "first device" as an example, where the number of "devices" may be one or more. Furthermore, objects modified by different prefix words may be the same or different, e.g., the description object is "a device", then "a first device" and "a second device" may be the same device or different devices, and the types may be the same or different; for another example, the description object is "information", and the "first information" and the "second information" may be the same information or different information, and the contents thereof may be the same or different.

In some embodiments, "comprising a", "containing a", "for indicating a", "carrying a", may be interpreted as carrying a directly, or as indicating a indirectly.

In some embodiments, terms "responsive to … …", "responsive to determination … …", "in the case of … …", "at … …", "when … …", "if … …", "if … …", and the like may be interchanged.

In some embodiments, terms "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "above" and the like may be interchanged, and terms "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "below", "lower than or equal to", "no higher than", "below" and the like may be interchanged.

In some embodiments, an apparatus or the like may be interpreted as an entity, or may be interpreted as a virtual, and the names thereof are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, "apparatus," "device," "circuit," "network element," "node," "function," "unit," "section," "system," "network," "chip system," "entity," "body," and the like may be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, a "network" may be interpreted as an apparatus (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.) contained in a network.

In some embodiments, "access network device (access network device, AN device)", "radio access network device (radio access network device, RAN device)", "Base Station (BS)", "radio base station (radio base station)", "fixed station (fixed station)", "node (node)", "access point (access point)", "transmit point (transmission point, TP)", "Receive Point (RP)", "transmit receive point (transmit/receive point), the terms TRP), panel, antenna array, cell, macrocell, microcell, femtocell, sector, cell group, carrier, component carrier, bandwidth part, BWP, etc. may be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, "terminal," terminal device, "" user equipment, "" user terminal, "" mobile station, "" mobile terminal, MT) ", subscriber station (subscriber station), mobile unit (mobile unit), subscriber unit (subscriber unit), wireless unit (wireless unit), remote unit (remote unit), mobile device (mobile device), wireless device (wireless device), wireless communication device (wireless communication device), remote device (remote device), mobile subscriber station (mobile subscriber station), access terminal (access terminal), mobile terminal (mobile terminal), wireless terminal (wireless terminal), remote terminal (remote terminal), handheld device (handset), user agent (user agent), mobile client (mobile client), client (client), and the like may be substituted for each other.

In some embodiments, the access network device, core network device, or network device may be replaced with a terminal. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between an access network device, a core network device, or a network device and a terminal is replaced with communication between a plurality of terminals (for example, may also be referred to as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-device (V2X), or the like). In this case, the terminal may have all or part of the functions of the access network device. Further, the language such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be replaced with a language (for example, "side") corresponding to the communication between terminals. For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. may be replaced with side-uplink channels, uplink, downlink, etc. may be replaced with side-downlink channels.

In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced with an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have all or part of the functions of the terminal.

In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc. may comply with laws and regulations of the country of locale.

In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained after user consent is obtained.

Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the tables of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and any combination of elements, any rows, or any columns may also be implemented as a separate embodiment.

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram showing a structure of an information processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1A, the information processing system 100 may include: a terminal (terminal) 101, a network device 102.

In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device (core network device).

In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes at least one of a mobile phone (mobile phone), a wearable device, an internet of things (IOT) device or terminal, a communication enabled car, a smart car, a tablet (Pad), a wireless transceiver enabled computer, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal device in unmanned (self-driving), a wireless terminal device in teleoperation (remote medical surgery), a wireless terminal device in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal device in transportation security (transportation safety), a wireless terminal device in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal device in smart home (smart home), for example, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, and the access network device may include at least one of an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation evolved NodeB (next generation eNB, ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (next generation NodeB, gNB), a NodeB (node B, NB), a Home NodeB (HNB), a home NodeB (home evolved nodeB, heNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a base station controller (base station controller, BSC), a base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), a baseband unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an Open base station (Open RAN), a Cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, wiFi) system, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure may be applied to an Open RAN architecture, where an access network device or an interface in an access network device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may become an internal interface of the Open RAN, and flow and information interaction between these internal interfaces may be implemented by using software or a program.

In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a Central Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU), where the CU may also be referred to as a control unit (control unit), and the structure of the CU-DU may be used to split the protocol layers of the access network device, where functions of part of the protocol layers are centrally controlled by the CU, and functions of the rest of all the protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the DU is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the core network device may be a device including the first network element 1031, the second network element 1032, the third network element 1033, or the like, or may be a plurality of devices or device groups, including all or part of the first network element and the second network element respectively. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network comprises, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (Evolved Packet Core, EPC), a 5G core network (5G Core Network,5GCN), a next generation core (Next Generation Core, NGC).

In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 is, for example, an access and mobility management function (Access Management Function, AMF).

In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may be used for access and mobility management of users, the name of which is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 is, for example, a session management function (Session Management Function, SMF).

In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may be used for session management, data caching, etc., the name of which is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 is, for example, a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF).

In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may be used for packet routing forwarding, data buffering, etc., the name of which is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 is, for example, an application function (Application Function, AF), the name of which is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 is, for example, an Operations, administration and maintenance (Administration and Maintenance, OAM) function, the name of which is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may be independent from the core network device.

In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may be part of a core network device.

It will be understood that, the information processing system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly describing the technical solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not limited to the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of the system architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is applicable to similar technical problems.

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below may be applied to the information processing system 100 shown in fig. 1A, or a part of the main body, but are not limited thereto. The respective bodies shown in fig. 1A are examples, and the information processing system may include all or part of the bodies in fig. 1A, or may include other bodies than fig. 1A, and the number and form of the respective bodies are arbitrary, and the connection relationship between the respective bodies is examples, and the respective bodies may be not connected or may be connected, and the connection may be arbitrary, direct connection or indirect connection, or wired connection or wireless connection.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-a), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, fourth generation mobile communication system (4th generation mobile communication system,4G), fifth generation mobile communication system (5th generation mobile communication system,5G), 5G New air interface (NR), future wireless access (Future Radio Access, FRA), new wireless access technology (New-Radio Access Technology, RAT), new wireless (New Radio, NR), new wireless access (New Radio access, NX), future generation wireless access (Future generation Radio access, FX), global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, ultra mobile broadband (Ultra Mobile Broadband, UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, ultra-WideBand (UWB), bluetooth (registered trademark)), land public mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) network, device-to-Device (D2D) system, machine-to-machine (Machine to Machine, M2M) system, internet of things (Internet of Things, ioT) system, vehicle-to-eventing (V2X), system utilizing other communication methods, next generation system extended based on them, and the like. In addition, a plurality of system combinations (e.g., LTE or a combination of LTE-a and 5G, etc.) may be applied.

In some embodiments, fig. 1B is a schematic diagram of a satellite communications architecture, shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1B, a satellite in the satellite access network supports the gNB function; the satellite establishes a communication connection with the terminal via a service link and the satellite establishes a communication connection with the ground station via a feeder link.

In some embodiments, the satellite access network may not provide continuous coverage services due to problems such as insufficient number of satellite deployments, limited coverage, etc. Such discontinuous coverage includes: there are situations where there is a break in the service link between the satellite and the terminal or in the feeder link between the satellite and the ground receiving station.

In some embodiments, mobility enhancement, power saving techniques, etc. in the case of discontinuous coverage are presented for the case of discontinuous coverage of a service link.

In some embodiments, for the case of discontinuous coverage of the feeder link, although the need to support delay tolerant traffic communication needs in the case where the feeder link cannot provide a continuous connection has been proposed, there is currently no technology that clearly supports the above-described traffic.

In some embodiments, for the case of a feeder link outage (when the satellite is not connected to the ground network via a feeder link or ISL), it is proposed that the satellite access network supports store and forward functions to enable traffic communication in the case of a feeder link outage.

For example, FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of a satellite mode of operation; as shown in fig. 1C, in the "normal satellite operation" mode, signaling and data interaction between the UE and the satellite access network, the terrestrial core network, requires simultaneous activation of the service link and the feeder link so that the UE can interact with the satellite through the service link. There is a continuous end-to-end connection path between the UE, satellite and terrestrial networks. Alternatively, the UE may be the terminal in the previous embodiment.

For example, FIG. 1D is a schematic illustration of another satellite mode of operation; as shown in fig. 1D, the end-to-end interaction of signaling/data is split into two processes (step a and step B), which may not run simultaneously: in step a, the UE performs signaling/data interaction with the satellite, where no connection is required between the satellite and the terrestrial network (i.e., the satellite runs the service link, but there is no active feeder link); in step B, the connection of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground network is established for signaling/data interaction, and satellite movement changes from establishing the service link in step a to establishing the feeder link connection in step B.

In some embodiments, satellite operations supporting store and forward functionality are particularly well suited for delay tolerant or non-real time internet of things satellite services deployed over non-stationary orbit (NGSO) satellite access networks.

In some embodiments, a network system (e.g., 5G system, etc.) with satellite access supporting store and forward functionality should be able to inform UEs that are authorized to use the store and forward functionality of the duration for which data is expected to be stored before being forwarded.

The high latency communication (High latency communication, HLCOM) is a function that supports downlink data buffering by UPF or SMF when the UE uses a power saving function in a connection management IDLE state (Connection Management IDLE, CM-IDLE) state or a radio resource control INACTIVE (Radio resource control INACTIVE, rrc_inactive) state, or when the UE uses a non-continuously covered satellite access network and the UE is not reachable. For a UPF-anchored PDU session, the SMF configures the user data forwarding rules and the user data buffering rules to the UPF during radio access connection release or when the 5G radio access network (NG-RAN) indicates to the UE via the AMF that it is in an extended discontinuous reception (Discontinuous Reception, DRX) state of rrc_inactive. These rules include instructions to use UPF caching or whether to forward data to the SMF for caching by the SMF. If the SMF indicates that data caching is supported, the AMF provides the estimated maximum latency to the SMF. The SMF determines a data buffering time based on the received estimated maximum latency or local configuration.

In some embodiments, when the feeder link connection is not available, the downlink data cannot be forwarded to the UE, and must be buffered in the core network device during the link outage; and when the feeder link is available, forwarding the cached data to the UE. At present, how to realize the storage and forwarding of downlink data by a 5G system during the unavailable period of a feeder link connection is the problem to be solved by the invention.

Fig. 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of an information processing method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in fig. 2, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method for an information processing system 100, the method including:

in step S2101A, the access network device sends first information to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the first network element receives first information sent by the access network device.

Optionally, the access network device sends an N2 signaling to the first network element, where the N2 signaling carries the first information.

Optionally, the access network device sends a next generation application protocol (next generation application protocol, NGAP) message to the first network element, and sends first information to the first network element, where the NGAP message carries the first information.

In some embodiments, the first information may be store and forward information (store and forward information).

Alternatively, the storage and forwarding information may be any data generated during satellite operation or any data to be transmitted in the satellite access network, etc.

In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine the first time length.

In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited, and is, for example, a store and forward parameter, store and forward data, or store and forward indication information.

In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of:

a first time, wherein the first time describes a start time of a feeder link outage between the satellite and the ground station;

a second time period, wherein the second time period describes a duration of a feeder link outage between the satellite and the ground station.

Alternatively, the interruption of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station may also mean that the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is not available, or that the feeder link between the satellite and the ground network is not available, etc.

In some embodiments, the first time may be a start time of the data store (start time of storage).

Alternatively, the start time of the data storage may be: when a feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is unavailable, a start time when the core network device starts storing downlink data, and/or a start time when the access network device stores data of the terminal.

Alternatively, the start time of the data storage may be the start time when the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is not available; or the start time of the data storage is earlier or later than the start time when the feeder link is not available.

In some embodiments, the name of the first time is not limited, and is, for example, a start time of the data cache, or a time of feeder link interruption, etc.

In some embodiments, the second duration may be a duration of data storage (duration of storage).

Alternatively, the duration of the data storage may be: and when the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is unavailable, the core network equipment stores the downlink data for a long time and/or the access network equipment stores the data of the terminal for a long time.

Alternatively, the duration of the data storage may be the length of time between when the feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is unavailable (e.g., broken) and when the feeder link between the satellite and the ground is available (e.g., connection restored); alternatively, the duration of the data storage may be greater than the length of time.

In some embodiments, the name of the second time period is not limited, and is, for example, a data storage time period, a data cache time period, or the like.

In some alternative embodiments, in step S2101B, the first network element pre-configures the first information.

In some embodiments, the first network element pre-configures the first information based on a protocol convention; or the first network element pre-configures the first information based on negotiation with the access network device; etc.

Alternatively, the first information may be preconfigured in the core network device after deployment of the satellite network. For example, it may be preconfigured in the first network element, the second network element and/or the third network element.

In some alternative embodiments, in step S2101C, the terminal sends the first information to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the first network element receives first information sent by the terminal.

Optionally, the terminal sends a non-access stratum (NAS) message to the first network element, where the NAS message includes the first information.

In some alternative embodiments, in step S2101D, the third network element sends the first information to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the first network element receives the first information sent by the third network element.

Optionally, the third network element sends the first information and the identification of the satellite network corresponding to the first information to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned step S2101A, step S2101B, step S2101C, and step S2101D may be step S2101.

In step S2102, the terminal sends a first request to a first network element.

Optionally, the terminal sends a first request to the access network device, and the access network device sends the first request to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the first network element receives a first request sent by the terminal. Optionally, the first network element receives a first request of the terminal forwarded by the access network device.

In some embodiments, the first request may be used to initiate a registration procedure or the like.

In some embodiments, the first request is for the terminal to determine whether the terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function.

In some embodiments, the data store and forward function is used to transmit data of a terminal in a store and forward manner in a Non-terrestrial network (Non-Terrestrial Network, NTN) access. The terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function, and may be capable of performing service communication using the stored and forwarded data under the characteristic of being stored and forwarded by the terminal.

In some embodiments, the names of the data store and forward functions may not be limited, such as a first function, etc. Optionally, the first function is used to instruct the terminal to enable service communication of store and forward data, etc.

In some embodiments, the name of the first request is not limited, and is, for example, a registration request (registration request), or an authorization request, etc.

In some embodiments, the first request includes at least one of: the first access type information and the second access type information; the first access type information is used for indicating a 3GPP access type or a non-3 GPP access type; second access type information indicating a radio access (Radio Access Technologies, RAT) type.

Optionally, the RAT type includes at least one of: a New air interface (NR) access type, an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial Radio access (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access, EUTRA) type, a wireless local area network (Untrusted Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11), WLAN) access type, a low orbit New air interface (low earth orbit satellite-New Radio, LEO-NR) access type, and the like. Of course, the RAT type may be other types, and the RAT type is not specifically limited herein.

In step S2103, the first network element determines whether the terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function.

In some embodiments, the first network element determines whether to authorize the terminal to use the data store and forward function based on the subscription information.

Alternatively, step S2103 may also be that the first network element determines whether it has the right or supports the terminal to use the data store and forward function.

Optionally, the subscription information is used to indicate whether the at least one terminal supports or subscribes to or has a weighted data store and forward function.

In some embodiments, subscription information is preconfigured in the first network element; after receiving the first request, the first network element determines whether the terminal authorizes the use of the data storage and forwarding function based on the subscription information; if the first network element determines that the subscription information is used for indicating the terminal to subscribe to the data storage and forwarding function, determining that the terminal is authorized to use the data storage and forwarding function. Optionally, the first network element obtains subscription information from a unified data management (unified data management, UDM) function.

In some embodiments, the first network element sends a first request to the UDM; the UDM determines whether the terminal authorizes the data storage and forwarding function according to the subscription information; the UDM sends indication information to the first network element whether the terminal authorizes the data storage and forwarding function.

In step S2104, the first network element sends a first response to the terminal.

Optionally, the first network element sends a first response to the access network device, and the access network device sends the first response to the terminal.

In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first response sent by the first network element. Optionally, the terminal receives a first response of the first network element forwarded by the access network device.

In some embodiments, the first response is used to instruct the authorized terminal to use the data store and forward function. Optionally, the first response includes second indication information for indicating that the terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function.

In some embodiments, the first response may also be used to indicate that the terminal is not authorized to use the data store and forward function. Optionally, the first response includes third indication information for indicating that the terminal is not authorized to use the data store and forward function.

In some embodiments, the name of the first request is not limited, and is, for example, a registration response, an authorization response, or the like.

In step S2105, the second network element determines whether the data buffering function is supported.

In some embodiments, the second network element determines whether to support the data caching function based on the local policy and capability information of the second network element.

Optionally, the local policy may be used to indicate whether the second network element supports a data caching function. Alternatively, the local policy may comprise an operator policy.

Optionally, the capability information may be used to indicate whether the second network element supports a data caching function. Optionally, the capability information may be used to indicate, but is not limited to, at least one of: storage space, power consumption, and operation rate of the second network element.

In step S2106, the second network element sends a second request to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the first network element receives a second request sent by the second network element. Optionally, the second request is sent after the second network element determines that the downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal.

In some embodiments, the second network element sends a second request to the first network element based on the second network element supporting the data caching function. Optionally, if the second network element does not support the data caching function, the second request is not sent to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the second request is for requesting downstream data buffering. Optionally, the second request is for requesting whether the data is reachable to the terminal.

In some embodiments, the second request further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second network element supports the data caching function. Optionally, the second request is also for requesting a duration of the data cache.

In some embodiments, the name of the second request is not limited, and may be, for example, a data cache request, or a data cache time request, etc.

In step S2107, the first network element determines a first time length based on the first information.

In some embodiments, the first time period is a maximum duration of downlink data storage at a feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station. Optionally, the first time period is a maximum latency of data storage (Maximum Wait Time), or the like. Alternatively, the storage may be a cache.

In some embodiments, the first time period is greater than or equal to the second time period.

In some embodiments, the first network element determines that a feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is broken, and determines the first time period based on the first information. Illustratively, when the feeder line between the satellite and the ground station is broken, the terminal is rendered unreachable (i.e., data cannot reach the terminal); the first network element determines a first duration based on the first information.

In some embodiments, the first network element determines the first duration based on the first information in response to authorizing the terminal to use the data store and forward function.

In some embodiments, the name of the first time period is not limited, and may be, for example, a maximum duration, a maximum waiting time, or a stored maximum time period, etc.

In step S2108, the first network element sends a second response to the second network element.

In some embodiments, the second network element receives a second response sent by the first network element.

In some embodiments, the second response includes a first duration.

In some embodiments, the second response is to indicate rejection of the downstream data cache. The second response is for the second network element to determine the data unreachable terminal. Optionally, the second response is for the second network element to determine a maximum duration of the data storage. The data may be downlink data.

In some embodiments, the name of the second response is not limited, and may be, for example, a data cache response, or a data cache time response, etc.

In other embodiments, the second response may also be used to accept the downstream data cache. For example, the second response may include fourth indication information or fifth indication information; the fourth indication information is used for indicating refusing downlink data caching; the fifth indication information is used for indicating that the downlink data cache is accepted.

In some embodiments, the first network element sends the paging message to the terminal after the first time period. Optionally, the terminal receives the paging message after the first time period.

In some embodiments, the second network element sends data to the terminal through the access network device after determining that the feeder link is restored. Alternatively, the data may be the downlink data in the previous embodiment. Alternatively, the data may be data that cannot be sent to the terminal but stored in the second network element after the feeder link is broken.

Optionally, after the UPF determines that the feeder link is restored, sending data to the access network device; the access network device sends the data to the terminal.

Optionally, after the SMF determines that the feeder link is restored, sending data to the UPF; the UPF sends the data to the access network equipment; the access network device sends the data to the terminal.

In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", "symbol", "codebook", "code word", "code point", "bit", "data", "program", "chip", and the like may be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, terms such as "time of day," "point of time," "time location," and the like may be interchanged, and terms such as "duration," "period," "time window," "time," and the like may be interchanged.

In some embodiments, "acquire," "obtain," "receive," "transmit," "bi-directional transmit," "send and/or receive" may be used interchangeably and may be interpreted as receiving from other principals, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, processing itself, autonomous implementation, etc.

In some embodiments, terms such as "send," "transmit," "report," "send," "transmit," "bi-directional," "send and/or receive," and the like may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, terms such as "specific (certain)", "preset", "set", "indicated", "certain", "arbitrary", "first", and the like may be replaced with each other, and "specific a", "predetermined a", "preset a", "set a", "indicated a", "certain a", "arbitrary a", "first a" may be interpreted as a predetermined in a protocol or the like, may be interpreted as a obtained by setting, configuring, or indicating, or the like, may be interpreted as specific a, certain a, arbitrary a, or first a, or the like, but are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the determination or judgment may be performed by a value (0 or 1) expressed in 1 bit, may be performed by a true-false value (boolean) expressed in true (true) or false (false), or may be performed by a comparison of values (e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

In the information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the step S2101 may include at least one of the step S2101A, the step S2101B, the step S2101C, and the step S2101D.

The information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S2101 to step S2108. For example, step S2107 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S2101 and step S2107 may be implemented as a separate embodiment; the combination of step S2107 and step S2108 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S2101 and step S2107 and step S2108 may be implemented as a separate embodiment; the combination of step S2102 and step S2103 and step S2107 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S2101 and step S2102 and step S2103 and step S2104 and step S2107 may be implemented as a separate embodiment; the combination of step S2105 and step S2107 and step S2108 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S2105 and step S2106 and step S2107 and step S2108 may be implemented as a separate embodiment; the combination of step S2101 and step S2102 and step S2103 and step S2107 and step S2108 may be implemented as a separate embodiment; the combination of step S2101 to step S2108 may be regarded as a separate embodiment.

In some embodiments, step S2104 and step S2105 may be performed in exchange for each other or simultaneously; step S2105 and step S2106 may be performed in exchange for each other or simultaneously.

In some embodiments, step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, and step S2108 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, reference may be made to alternative implementations described before or after the description corresponding to fig. 2.

Fig. 3A is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 3A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is performed by a first network element, and the method includes:

in step S3101, first information is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S3101 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2101 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the first network element receives the first information sent by the network device, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

In some embodiments, the first network element obtains first information specified by the protocol.

In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the first information from an upper layer(s).

In some embodiments, the first network element processes to obtain the first information.

Optionally, the first network element configures the first information in advance.

Optionally, the first network element receives the first information sent by the terminal.

Optionally, the first network element receives first information sent by the access network device.

Optionally, the first network element receives the first information sent by the third network element. Optionally, the third network element is a core network device or the third network element is a device independent of the core network.

In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the first network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the above-mentioned function is default or default.

In step S3102, the first request is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S3102 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2102 in fig. 2, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the first network element receives the first request sent by the terminal, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the first request sent by other agents.

In some embodiments, the first network element obtains a first request specified by a protocol.

In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the first request from an upper layer(s).

In some embodiments, the first network element processes to obtain the first request.

Optionally, the first network element pre-configures the first request.

In some embodiments, step S3102 is omitted, and the first network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the first request, or the above-mentioned function is default or default.

Step S3103, it is determined whether the terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function.

Alternative implementations of step S3103 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2103 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

Step S3104, a first response is sent.

Alternative implementations of step S3104 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2104 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the first network element sends the first response to the terminal, but is not limited thereto, and may also send the first response to other subjects.

In step S3105, the second request is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S3105 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2106 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the first network element receives the second request sent by the second network element, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the second request sent by other principals.

In some embodiments, the first network element obtains a second request specified by the protocol.

In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the second request from an upper layer(s).

In some embodiments, the first network element processes to obtain the second request.

Optionally, the first network element pre-configures the second request.

In some embodiments, step S3105 is omitted, and the first network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the second request, or the above-mentioned function is default or default.

In step S3106, a first time length is determined based on the first information.

Alternative implementations of step S3106 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2107 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

Step S3107, a second response is sent.

Alternative implementations of step S3107 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2108 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts of the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the first network element sends the second response to the second network element, but is not limited thereto, and the first response may also be sent to other bodies.

The information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S3101 to step S3107. For example, step S3106 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3101 and step S3106 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3106 and step S3107 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3101 and step S3106 and step S3107 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3102 and step S3103 and step S3106 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3101 and step S3102 and step S3103 and step S3104 and step S3106 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3105 and step S3106 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3105 and step S3106 and step S3107 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3101 and step S3102 and step S3103 and step S3106 and step S3107 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S3101 to step S3107 may be regarded as a separate embodiment.

In some embodiments, step S3104 and step S3105 may be performed in exchange order or simultaneously; step S3105 and step S3106 may be performed in exchange for each other or simultaneously.

In some embodiments, step S3102, step S3103, step S3104, step S3105, and step S3107 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, step S3102, step S3103, step S3104, and step S3105 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

Fig. 3B is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 3B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is performed by a first network element, and the method includes:

in step S3201, a first time length is determined based on the first information.

Alternative implementations of step S3201 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2107 in fig. 2 or step S3106 in fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

Step S3202, a second response is sent.

Optionally, the second response includes: a first duration.

Alternatively, step S3202 may be: the first duration is provided to the second network element.

Alternative implementations of step S3202 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2108 in fig. 2 or step S3107 in fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the first time period is greater than or equal to the second time period; the second duration describes a duration of a feeder link outage between the satellite and the ground station.

In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of: a first time, wherein the first time describes a start time of a feeder link outage; and a second time period.

In some embodiments, the method comprises at least one of:

pre-configuring first information;

receiving first information sent by access network equipment;

receiving first information sent by a terminal;

and receiving the first information sent by the third network element.

In some embodiments, before determining the first time length based on the first information, further comprising:

receiving a first request sent by a terminal;

In some embodiments, determining the first time length based on the first information includes: a first duration is determined based on the first information in response to the authorizing terminal utilizing the data store and forward function.

In some embodiments, before providing the first time length to the second network element, further comprising: receiving a second request sent by a second network element, wherein the second request is used for requesting downlink data caching; the second request further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second network element supports the data caching function.

In some embodiments, determining the first time length based on the first information includes: in response to determining that the feeder link disruption results in the user being unreachable, a first duration is determined based on the first information.

In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF; and/or the second network element is SMF or UPF; and/or the third network element is an AF or OAM function.

The above embodiments may be implemented alone or in combination with each other, and an alternative implementation may be referred to as an alternative implementation of the steps of fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

Fig. 3C is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 3C, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is performed by a first network element, and the method includes:

Step S3301, acquiring a first request;

alternative implementations of step S3301 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2102 in fig. 2 or step S3102 in fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

Step S3302, determining whether the terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function.

Alternative implementations of step S3302 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2103 in fig. 2 or step S3103 in fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

In step S3303, a first time length is determined based on the first information.

Optionally, step S3303 includes: a first duration is determined based on the first information in response to the authorizing terminal utilizing the data store and forward function.

Alternative implementations of step S3303 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2107 in fig. 2 or step S3106 in fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

Fig. 4A is a flow chart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 4A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is performed by a terminal, and includes:

step S4101, first information is transmitted.

Alternative implementations of step S4101 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2101C of fig. 2, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, and are not described herein.

Optionally, the first information is used by the first network element to determine the first time length.

In some embodiments, the terminal transmits the first information to the first network element, but is not limited thereto, and the first information may also be transmitted to other bodies.

Step S4102, a first request is sent.

Alternative implementations of step S4102 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2102 in fig. 2, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described here again.

Optionally, the first request is for the first network element to determine whether the terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function.

In some embodiments, the terminal sends the first request to the first network element, but is not limited thereto, and may also send the first request to other bodies.

In step S4103, a first response is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S4103 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2104 of fig. 2, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, and will not be described here again.

In some embodiments, the terminal receives the second response sent by the first network element, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the second response sent by other bodies.

In some embodiments, the terminal obtains a second response specified by the protocol.

In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the second response from a higher layer(s).

In some embodiments, the terminal processes to obtain the second response.

Optionally, the terminal pre-configures the second response.

In some embodiments, step S4103 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the second response, or the above-described function is default or default.

The information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S4101 to step S4103. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S4101 and step S4102 and step S4103 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment.

In some embodiments, step S4101 and step S4102 may be performed in exchange order or simultaneously.

In some embodiments, steps S4102, S4103 can be optional, and one or more of these steps can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

Fig. 4B is a flow chart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 4B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is performed by a terminal, and includes:

step S4201, the first information is transmitted.

Alternative implementations of step S4201 may refer to alternative implementations of step S2101C in fig. 2 or step S4101 in fig. 4A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 4A, which are not described herein.

Alternatively, step S4201 may be: the terminal sends first information to a first network element, wherein the first information is used for the first network element to determine a first time length; the first duration is the maximum duration of the downlink data storage at the feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

In some embodiments, the first information comprises at least one of: a first time, wherein the first time describes a start time of a feeder link outage; and a second time period.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

sending a first request to a first network element;

In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF.

The above embodiments may be implemented alone or in combination with each other, and an alternative implementation may be referred to as an alternative implementation of the steps of fig. 2 and fig. 4A, which are not described herein.

Fig. 5A is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 5A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is performed by a second network element, and the method includes:

step S5101, it is determined whether the data caching function is supported.

Alternative implementations of step S5101 may be referred to as alternative implementations of step S2105 in fig. 2, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the second network element is an SMF or a UPF.

In some embodiments, the SMF determines whether one of the SMF and the UPF supports the data caching function based on the local policy, the capability information of the SMF, and the capability information of the UPF.

Optionally, the SMF supports a data caching function, data being stored in the SMF.

Optionally, the UPF supports a data caching function, with data stored in the UPF.

Alternatively, both the SMF and UPF support data caching functionality, with data stored in either the SMF or UPF.

Alternatively, both the SMF and UPF support data caching functionality, with data stored in the UPF.

In some embodiments, the second network element determines that downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal, and determines whether a data buffering function is supported.

Step S5102, a second request is sent.

Alternative implementations of step S5102 may be referred to as alternative implementations of step S2106 in fig. 2, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described here again.

In some embodiments, the second network element sends the second request to the first network element, but is not limited thereto, and the second request may also be sent to other principals.

In some embodiments, the second network element determines that it is not possible to send downlink data to the terminal and sends a second request to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the second network element is a UPF; the UPF determines that the downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal, and sends a first notification to the SMF, wherein the first notification is used for indicating that the downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal; the SMF sends a second request to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the second network element is an SMF; the SMF determines that the downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal and sends a second request to the first network element.

In step S5103, a second response is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S5103 may be referred to as alternative implementations of step S2108 in fig. 2, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the second network element receives the second response sent by the first network element, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive the second response sent by other principals.

In some embodiments, the second network element obtains a second response specified by the protocol.

In some embodiments, the second network element obtains the second response from an upper layer(s).

In some embodiments, the second network element processes to obtain a second response.

Optionally, the second network element pre-configures the second response.

In some embodiments, step S3105 is omitted, and the second network element autonomously implements the function indicated by the second response, or the above-mentioned function is default or default.

In some embodiments, the second network element is an SMF; the SMF receives a second response sent by the first network element. Optionally, the SMF sends a second response to the UPF.

In some embodiments, the second network element is a UPF; the UPF receives a second response sent by the SMF; the second response is obtained by the SMF from the first network element.

The information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S5101 to step S5103. For example, step S5103 may be implemented as a separate embodiment; the combination of step S5101 and step S5102 and step S5103 may be implemented as a separate embodiment.

In some embodiments, steps S5101, S5102 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

Fig. 5B is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 5B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, which is performed by a second network element, and the method includes:

in step S5201, a second response is acquired.

Alternative implementations of step S5201 can be referred to as step S2108 in fig. 2 or alternative implementations of step S5103 in fig. 5A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 5A are not described herein.

In some embodiments, prior to step S5201, comprising: responding to the fact that downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal, and sending a second request to the first network element, wherein the second request is used for requesting downlink data caching;

step S5201 includes: receiving a second response sent by the first network element, wherein the second response comprises a first duration; the first duration is the maximum duration of the downlink data storage at the feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

In some embodiments, before sending the second request to the first network element, further comprising: determining whether the second network element supports a data caching function;

In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF; and/or the second network element is an SMF or a UPF.

The above embodiments may be implemented alone or in combination with each other, and an alternative implementation may be referred to as an alternative implementation of the steps of fig. 2 and 5A, which are not described herein.

Fig. 6A is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 6A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method for a communication system, the method including:

in step S6101, a first network element obtains first information.

Alternative implementations of step S6102 may refer to step S2101 of fig. 2, step S3101 of fig. 3A, alternative implementations of step S4101 of fig. 4A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2, 3A, and 4A, which are not described herein.

In step S6102, the second network element sends a second request to the first network element in response to the failure to send downlink data to the terminal.

Optionally, the second request is for requesting downstream data storage.

Optionally, the second request further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second network element supports the data caching function.

Alternative implementations of step S6102 may refer to step S2106 of fig. 2, step S3105 of fig. 3A, alternative implementations of step S5102 of fig. 5A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2, 3A, and 5A, which are not described herein.

In step S6103, the first network element determines a first time length based on the first information.

Optionally, the first duration is a maximum duration of downlink data storage at a feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station;

alternative implementations of step S6103 may refer to step S2107 of fig. 2, alternative implementations of step S3106 of fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

In step S6104, the first network element provides the first duration to the second network element.

Optionally, step S6104 may include: the first network element sends a second response to the second network element, wherein the second response includes the first duration.

Alternative implementations of step S6104 may refer to step S2108 of fig. 2, alternative implementations of step S5103 of fig. 5A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 5A, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the method may include the method described in the embodiments of the information processing system 100 side, the first network element side, the terminal side, the second network element side, and so on, which are not described herein.

Fig. 6B is a flow diagram illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 6B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, for a core network device, where the method includes:

In step S6201, the core network device receives the first information sent by the third network element.

Alternative implementations of step S6102 may refer to step S2101D of fig. 2, alternative implementations, and other relevant parts in the embodiment related to fig. 2, which are not described herein.

In step S6202, a first time length is determined based on the first information in response to the inability to transmit downlink data to the terminal.

Optionally, the first duration is a maximum duration of downlink data storage at a feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

Alternative implementations of step S6202 may refer to step S2107 of fig. 2, alternative implementations of step S3106 of fig. 3A, and other relevant parts in the embodiments related to fig. 2 and 3A, which are not described herein.

In some embodiments, the method may include the method described in the embodiments of the information processing system 100 side, the first network element side, the terminal side, the second network element, and so on, which are not described herein.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an information processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 7, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an information processing method, including:

in step S7101, the AMF acquires the store and forward information. Optionally, the step S7101 includes at least one of step S7101A, step S7101B, step S7101C, and step S7101D.

In step S7101A, the AMF configures the store and forward information in advance.

In step S7101B, the satellite NR transmits the store and forward information to the AMF.

In step S7101C, the UE transmits the store and forward information to the AMF.

In step S7101D, the OAM or AF sends store and forward information to the AMF.

In some embodiments, the store and forward information includes information indicating the start of the data store, the duration of the store (start time of the data store, duration of the store). If the feeder link becomes unavailable, the gNB will initiate data storage for the UE data exchange using satellite access. The storage duration reflects how long the data should be stored due to the feeder link being unavailable.

Alternatively, given that the deployment of the satellite network does not change frequently, the time of the feeder link discontinuity is relatively fixed, and thus the store and forward information may also be relatively fixed. Thus, after deployment of the satellite network, such store and forward information may be preconfigured in 5GC (e.g., step S7101A), or obtained from the RAN using non-UE related N2 signaling to exchange configuration data or NGAP messages (e.g., step S7101B), or obtained from the UE using NAS messages (e.g., step S7101C), or obtained from the OAM or AF (e.g., step S7101D) according to the satellite network identity (e.g., satellite ID).

Alternatively, the store and forward information may be the first information in the previous embodiment; the start time of the data storage may be the first time of the previous embodiment; the storage duration may be the first duration of the previous embodiment.

In step S7102, the UE transmits a registration request to the AMF.

In some embodiments, if the UE wishes to access the 5GC using satellite access, the UE initiates a registration request to the AMF; the registration request includes an access type and a RAT type. The RAT type indicates the access network, e.g., LEO-NR, that the UE is using.

In step S7103, the AMF authorizes the use of the store and forward function.

In some embodiments, after receiving the registration request, the AMF may obtain the UE subscription data from the UDM using a first operation (e.g., nudm_sdm_ Get service operation); the UE subscription data comprises information of whether the UE has subscription information supporting a store and forward function; the AMF may authorize the UE to enable store and forward functionality when the UE uses satellite access based on UE subscription information and/or operator policies.

Alternatively, the store and forward function may be the data store and forward function of the previous embodiment.

In step S7104, the AMF transmits a registration acceptance to the UE.

In some AMFs, registration acceptance is sent to the UE and the UE is authorized to use store and forward functions.

Alternatively, the registration acceptance may be the registration response or the first response in the previous embodiment.

In step S7105, the data network sends downlink data to the UPF.

In some embodiments, if the UE registration is successful, traffic data exchange may begin between the UE and the application server. The UPF receives downlink data (e.g., downlink data) from the data network. If the UPF receives the downlink data, it cannot be sent to the UE because the N3 connection is disabled. The UPF may buffer downlink data.

In step S7106, the UPF transmits a data notification message to the SMF.

In some embodiments, upon arrival of any downlink data packet, the UPF will send a data notification message to the SMF if the SMF has not previously notified that the UPF is not to send a data notification to the SMF.

In step S7107, the SMF transmits an extended buffer instruction to the AMF.

In some embodiments, the SMF determines whether extended buffering is applicable based on local policy, the SMF capabilities (for SMF-based buffering), or the UPF capabilities (for UPF-based buffering). If the extension buffer is applicable, the SMF includes an extension buffer indication indicating support for the extension buffer in the Namf_communication_n1N2 lower message transmission.

Alternatively, the extended buffer indication may be the first indication information in the previous embodiment.

In step S7108, the AMF determines an estimated maximum latency based on the store and forward data.

In some embodiments, the AMF, upon receiving the extended buffer indication, and if the UE is authorized to use the store and forward function based on step S7103, determines an estimated maximum latency based on the store and forward information. The estimated maximum latency should not be shorter in length than the storage duration indicated by the store and forward information.

Optionally, the estimated maximum waiting time is the first duration in the previous embodiment.

In step S7109, the AMF transmits the estimated maximum wait time to the SMF.

In some embodiments, if the AMF has determined that the UE is not reachable for the SMF (e.g., because the feeder link is not available), the AMF denies the request from the SMF. The AMF indicates the estimated maximum waiting time in a reject message. HLCOM is applied in the UPF or SMF to enable downlink data to be stored to the UE during periods when the feeder link is not available.

In step S7110, the AMF transmits a paging message to the UE.

In some embodiments, if the indicated storage duration expires, the feeder link is restored and the AMF sends a paging message to the UE.

In step S7111, the UE initiates a service request procedure.

In some embodiments, the UE initiates a service request procedure to the network to resume the network connection when the UE receives a page from the AMF.

In step S7112, the UPF transmits downlink data to the UE.

In some embodiments, the UPF sends the buffered downlink data to the UE via the N3 connection.

The information processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S7101 to step S7112. For example, step S7108 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; step S7101 and step S7108 may be implemented as separate embodiments; the combination of step S7101 and step S7103 and step S7108 may be implemented as a stand-alone embodiment; the combination of step S7107 and step S7108 may be regarded as a separate embodiment; the combination of step S7107 and step S7108 and step S7109 may be regarded as a separate embodiment; the combination of step S7101 and step S7103 and step S7108 and the combination of step S7109 may be provided as separate embodiments.

In some embodiments, step S7101 and step S7103 may be performed in exchange order or in synchronization; step S7104 and step S7108 may be performed in exchange order or simultaneously; step S7106 and step S7108 may be performed in exchange order or simultaneously; etc.

In some embodiments, steps S7102 through S7107, S7109 through S7112 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, steps S7102 through S7107, steps S7110 through S7112 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, steps S7104-S7107, S7110-S7112 may be optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and alternative implementations thereof may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps of other embodiments, and may also be arbitrarily combined with alternative implementations of other embodiments.

The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, for example, an apparatus is provided, where the apparatus includes a unit or a module for implementing each step performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is also proposed, which includes a unit or module configured to implement steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

It should be understood that the division of the units in the above apparatus is only a division of a logic function, and may be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity or may be physically separated when actually implemented. Furthermore, the units in the apparatus may be implemented in the form of processor-invoked software: the device comprises, for example, a processor, the processor being connected to a memory, the memory having stored therein computer instructions, the processor invoking the computer instructions stored in the memory to perform any of the methods or to perform the functions of the units of the device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU) or microprocessor, and the memory is either internal to the device or external to the device. Alternatively, the units in the apparatus may be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units may be implemented by designing hardware circuits, which may be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of some or all of the units are implemented by designing the logic relationship of elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit may be implemented by a programmable logic device (programmable logic device, PLD), for example, a field programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA), which may include a large number of logic gates, and the connection relationship between the logic gates is configured by a configuration file, so as to implement the functions of some or all of the above units. All units of the above device may be realized in the form of processor calling software, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part in the form of processor calling software, and in the rest in the form of hardware circuits.

In the disclosed embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability, and in one implementation, the processor may be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), microprocessor, graphics processor (graphics processing unit, GPU) (which may be understood as a microprocessor), or digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), etc.; in another implementation, the processor may implement a function through a logical relationship of hardware circuits that are fixed or reconfigurable, e.g., a hardware circuit implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (programmable logic device, PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads the configuration document, and the process of implementing the configuration of the hardware circuit may be understood as a process of loading instructions by the processor to implement the functions of some or all of the above units. Furthermore, a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence may be used, which may be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (Neural Network Processing Unit, NPU), tensor processing unit (Tensor Processing Unit, TPU), deep learning processing unit (Deep learning Processing Unit, DPU), etc.

Fig. 8A is a schematic structural diagram of a first network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 8A, the first network element 8100 includes: at least one of the first processing module 8101 and the first transceiver module 8102. In some embodiments, the first processing module 8101 is configured to determine a first time length based on the first information; and a first transceiver module 8102, configured to provide the first duration to the second network element. Optionally, the first transceiver module 8101 is configured to perform at least one of the steps (e.g., the steps of step S2103, etc., but not limited thereto) of the processing performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, which is not described herein. Optionally, the first transceiver module 8102 is configured to perform at least one of the steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2102, S2104, S2106, and/or S2108, etc., but not limited thereto) of receiving and/or transmitting performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, which is not described herein.

Fig. 8B is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 8B, the terminal 8200 includes: a second transceiver module 8201. In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 8201 is configured to send the first information to the first network element. Optionally, the second transceiver module 8201 is configured to perform at least one of the steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2102, and/or S2104, but not limited thereto) of sending and/or receiving performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which is not described herein.

Fig. 8C is a schematic structural diagram of a second network element according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in fig. 8C, the second network element 8300 includes: and a third transceiver module 8301. In some embodiments, the third transceiver module 8301 is configured to receive a second response sent by the first network element, where the second response includes the first duration. Optionally, the second transceiver module 8301 is configured to perform at least one of the steps (e.g., steps S2106 and/or step S2108, etc., but not limited thereto) of sending and/or receiving performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, which is not described herein. Optionally, the second network element further includes a second processing module, configured to perform at least one of the steps (e.g., step S2105, but not limited thereto) of the processing performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, which is not described herein.

Fig. 8D is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 8D, the core network device 8400 includes: at least one of the fourth transceiver module 8401 and the third processing module 8402, etc. In some embodiments, the fourth transceiver module 8401 is configured to receive the first information sent by the third network element; and a third processing module 8402 for determining a first time length based on the first information. Optionally, the fourth transceiver module 8401 is configured to perform at least one of the steps (e.g., the steps of step S2101, but not limited to the steps) of sending and/or receiving performed by the first network element core network device in any of the above methods, which is not described herein. Optionally, the third processing module 8402 is configured to perform at least one of the steps (such as, but not limited to, steps S2103 and/or steps S2107) of the processing performed by the core network device in any of the above methods, which is not described herein.

Fig. 9A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 9100 provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 9100 may be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a first network element, a second network element, or a terminal), or may be a third network element, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the network device to implement any of the above methods, or may be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 9100 may be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and specific reference may be made to the description in the above method embodiments.

As shown in fig. 9A, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, and may be, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process data for the programs. The processor 9101 is configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, communication device 9100 also includes one or more memories 9102 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memory 9102 may be external to the communication device 9100.

In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further comprises one or more transceivers 9103. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9103, the transceivers 9103 perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., at least one of step S2101, step S2102, step S2104, step S2106, and step S2108, but not limited thereto) of the above-described method, and the processor 9101 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., at least one of step S2103, step S2107, and step S2105, but not limited thereto).

In some embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Alternatively, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, etc. may be replaced with each other, terms such as transmitter, transmitter circuit, etc. may be replaced with each other, and terms such as receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. may be replaced with each other.

Optionally, the communication device 9100 further comprises one or more interface circuits 9104, where the interface circuits 9104 are connected to the memory 9102, and the interface circuits 9104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 9102 or other apparatus, and can be used to send signals to the memory 9102 or other apparatus. For example, the interface circuit 9104 may read instructions stored in the memory 9102 and send the instructions to the processor 9101.

The communication device 9100 in the above embodiment description may be a first network element, a terminal, or a second network element, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by fig. 9A. The communication device may be a stand-alone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) A stand-alone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or a system-on-a-chip or subsystem; (2) A set of one or more ICs, optionally including storage means for storing data, a computer program; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem (Modem); (4) modules that may be embedded within other devices; (5) A receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligent device, and the like; (6) others, and so on.

Fig. 9B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip 9200 provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 9100 may be a chip or a chip system, reference may be made to a schematic structural diagram of the chip 9200 shown in fig. 9B, but is not limited thereto.

The chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201, the chip 9200 being configured to perform any of the methods described above.

In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202, the interface circuits 9202 are connected to the memory 9203, the interface circuits 9202 may be used to receive signals from the memory 9203 or other devices, and the interface circuits 9202 may be used to transmit signals to the memory 9203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 9202 may read an instruction stored in the memory 9203 and send the instruction to the processor 9201.

In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., at least one of steps S2101-S2105, but not limited thereto) of the above-described methods, and the processor 9201 performs at least one of the other steps (e.g., at least one of steps S2101-S2105, but not limited thereto).

In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. may be interchanged.

In some embodiments, the chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memory 9203 may be external to the chip 9200.

The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed on the communication device 9100, cause the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium described above is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it may be a storage medium readable by other devices. Alternatively, the above-described storage medium may be a non-transitory (non-transitory) storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and it may also be a transitory storage medium.

The present disclosure also proposes a program product that, when executed by the communication device 9100, causes the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the above-described program product is a computer program product.

The present disclosure also proposes a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. An information processing method, characterized by comprising:

the first network element determines a first time length based on the first information; the first duration is the maximum duration of downlink data storage when a feeder line link between the satellite and the ground station is interrupted;

Providing the first duration to a second network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to a second time period; the second duration describes a duration of the feeder link outage.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first information comprises at least one of:

a first time, wherein the first time describes a start time of the feeder link disruption;

a second time period.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method comprises at least one of the following:

pre-configuring the first information;

receiving the first information sent by access network equipment;

receiving the first information sent by a terminal;

and receiving the first information sent by the third network element.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising, prior to said determining a first time length based on the first information:

receiving a first request sent by a terminal;

determining whether the terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function;

transmitting a first response to the terminal in response to authorizing the terminal to use the data store and forward function; wherein the first response is for indicating that the terminal is authorized to use the data store and forward function.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the first time period based on the first information comprises:

the first duration is determined based on the first information in response to authorizing the terminal to use the data store and forward function.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising, prior to providing the first time period to the second network element:

receiving a second request sent by a second network element, wherein the second request is used for requesting downlink data caching; the second request further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second network element supports a data caching function.

8. The method of any of claims 7, wherein determining the first time length based on the first information comprises:

and determining the first duration based on the first information in response to determining that the feeder link is broken to render the terminal unreachable.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

the first network element is an access and mobility management function AMF;

and/or the number of the groups of groups,

the second network element is a session management function SMF or a user plane function UPF;

And/or the number of the groups of groups,

the third network element maintains an OAM function for the application function AF or operation administration.

10. An information processing method, characterized by comprising:

the terminal sends first information to a first network element, wherein the first information is used for the first network element to determine a first time length; the first duration is a maximum duration of time for which downlink data is stored when a feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is interrupted.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to a second time period; the second duration describes a duration of the feeder link outage.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein the first information comprises at least one of:

a second time period.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising:

sending a first request to the first network element;

and receiving a first response sent by the first network element, wherein the first response is used for indicating that the terminal is authorized to use the data storage and forwarding function in response to the first network element.

14. The method according to any of the claims 10 to 13, wherein the first network element is an access and mobility management function, AMF.

15. An information processing method, characterized by comprising:

receiving a second response sent by the first network element, wherein the second response comprises a first duration; wherein the first duration is a maximum duration of downlink data storage when a feeder link between the satellite and the ground station is interrupted.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

before said sending the second request to the first network element, further comprising: determining whether the second network element supports a data caching function;

the sending the second request to the first network element includes: transmitting the second request to the first network element based on the second network element supporting the data caching function; the second request further includes first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the second network element supports a data caching function.

17. The method according to any one of claim 15 or 16, wherein,

the first network element is an access and mobility management function AMF;

and/or the number of the groups of groups,

the second network element is a session management function SMF or a user plane function UPF.

18. An information processing method, characterized in that the method comprises:

the first network element acquires first information;

the second network element responds that downlink data cannot be sent to the terminal, and a second request is sent to the first network element, wherein the second request is used for requesting downlink data storage;

19. An information processing method, characterized in that the method comprises:

and determining a first duration based on the first information in response to the failure to send downlink data to the terminal, wherein the first duration is the maximum duration of the downlink data storage when a feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

20. A first network element, comprising:

a first processing module configured to determine a first time length based on the first information; the first duration is the maximum duration of downlink data storage at a feeder link terminal between a satellite and a ground station;

21. A terminal, comprising:

a second transceiver module configured to send first information to a first network element, wherein the first information is used for the first network element to determine a first time length; the first duration is the maximum duration of the downlink data storage at the feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

22. A second network element, comprising:

the third transceiver module is further configured to receive a second response sent by the first network element, where the second response includes a first duration, and the first duration is a maximum duration of downlink data storage at a feeder link terminal between a satellite and a ground station.

23. A core network device, comprising:

and the third processing module is configured to determine a first duration based on the first information in response to the failure to send the downlink data to the terminal, wherein the first duration is the maximum duration of downlink data storage of a feeder link terminal between the satellite and the ground station.

24. A first network element, comprising:

one or more processors;

wherein the first network element is configured to perform the information processing method of any one of claims 1 to 12.

25. A terminal, comprising:

one or more processors;

wherein the terminal is configured to perform the information processing method of any one of claims 13 to 21.

26. A second network element, comprising:

one or more processors;

wherein the second network element is configured to perform the information processing method of any one of claims 22 to 26.

27. A core network device, comprising:

one or more processors;

wherein the core network device is configured to perform the information processing method of claim 32.

28. A communication system, comprising: the system comprises a first network element, a terminal and a second network element; wherein the first network element is configured to implement the information processing method of any one of claims 1 to 9, the terminal is configured to implement the information processing method of any one of claims 10 to 14, and the second network element is configured to implement the information processing method of any one of claims 15 to 17.

29. A storage medium storing instructions which, when executed on a communications device, cause the communications device to perform the information processing method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or claims 10 to 14, or claims 15 to 17, or claim 18, or claim 19.