WO2025065693A1 - Communication method, network device, communication system, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a communication method, a first core network device, a first proxy access network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. The method is executed by means of the first core network device, and comprises: allocating a first proxy access network device for the access of a terminal, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between a satellite access network device and a first service gateway device; and establishing a mapping relationship between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device, wherein the service satellite access network device is an access network device which enables the terminal to access a service. In this way, a first proxy access network device and a mapping relationship can be used to realize the influence of signaling switching on a core network.

Description

Communication method, network device, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, a first core network device, a first proxy access network device, a communication system and a storage medium.

Background Art

In the field of communication technology, a communication architecture of satellite with RAN On-board function is introduced. If a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite is used as a base station function carrier, the satellite base station function will frequently communicate with different ground stations due to its relative movement to the ground. This may result in a large amount of mobility-related signaling on the interface and frequent switching of connections for transmitting control plane data and user plane data. Such frequent switching and interaction will put pressure on the core network.

Summary of the invention

When the wireless satellite base station function is introduced, how to reduce the frequent signaling interaction with the core network caused by base station switching is an issue that needs to be considered.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first core network device, a first proxy access network device, a communication system and a storage medium.

According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being performed by a first core network device, the method comprising:

Allocating a first proxy access network device for terminal access, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device;

A mapping relationship is established between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services.

According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method being executed by a first proxy access network device, the method comprising:

Receiving first information sent by a first core network device;

Among them, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the first proxy access network device is set between the service satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device for terminal access services.

According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method comprising:

The first core network device sends first information to the first proxy access network device;

Among them, the first proxy access network device is set between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the first proxy access network device is allocated by the first core network device for terminal access; the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the first proxy access network device and the satellite access network device.

According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first core network device is provided, wherein the first core network device includes:

The processing module is configured as follows:

Allocating a first proxy access network device for terminal access, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device;

A mapping relationship is established between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services.

According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first proxy access network device is provided, wherein the first proxy access network device includes:

The transceiver module is configured as follows:

Receiving first information sent by a first core network device;

Among them, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the first proxy access network device is set between the service satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device for terminal access services.

According to the sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes a first core network device and a first proxy access network device, the first core network device is configured to implement the method provided by the first aspect, and the first core network device is configured to implement the method provided by the second aspect.

According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first core network device is provided, wherein the first core network device includes:

one or more processors;

The first core network device is used to execute the method described in the first aspect.

According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first proxy access network device is provided, wherein the first proxy access network device includes:

one or more processors;

The first proxy access network device is used to execute the method described in the second aspect.

According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method provided by the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect.

The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure introduces a first proxy access network device and a mapping relationship, so that the first proxy access network device and the mapping relationship can be used to reduce the impact of frequent interactions with the core network caused by frequent changes in base stations serving terminal access.

It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram showing an architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG1b is a schematic diagram of a system structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 1c is a schematic diagram of a system structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG1d is a schematic diagram of a system structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG2a is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2aa is a schematic diagram of a system structure according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 3a is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 3b is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG4a is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 4b is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 5a is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 5b is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 6a is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 6b is a schematic flow chart showing a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG7a is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8a is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG8b is a schematic diagram of a system architecture according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG9a is a schematic structural diagram of a first core network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG9b is a schematic structural diagram of a first proxy access network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG10a is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 10b is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first core network device, a first proxy access network device, a communication system and a storage medium.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method being performed by a first core network device, the method comprising:

Allocating a first proxy access network device for terminal access, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device;

A mapping relationship is established between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services.

In the above embodiment, since the first proxy access network device set between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device is allocated to the access of the terminal and a mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device is established, the service satellite access network device can communicate with the first proxy access network device based on the mapping relationship without directly communicating with the first service gateway device, which can reduce the frequent switching of user connections between the core network and the core network, thereby reducing the impact on the core network side.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the identifier of the serving satellite access network device and the identifier of the first proxy access network device.

In the above embodiment, since the mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the identifier of the service satellite access network device and the identifier of the first proxy access network device, the corresponding relationship between any service satellite access network device and the proxy access network device can be determined based on the identifier and the mapping relationship.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Sending first information to the first proxy access network device;

The first information indicates the mapping relationship.

In the above embodiment, after allocating the first proxy access network device to the terminal access and establishing the mapping relationship, the first core network device will inform the first proxy access network device of the mapping relationship through the first information, so that the first proxy access network device can perform subsequent operations based on the mapping relationship.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Receiving first request information sent by a first satellite access network device;

The terminal accesses the network through the first satellite access network device; the first satellite access network device is the service satellite access network device; and the first request information indicates a first identifier of the first satellite access network device.

In the above embodiment, since the first core network device receives the first request information indicating the first identifier of the first satellite access network device sent by the first satellite access network device, the first core network device can determine the first satellite access network device.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Determine a second identifier according to the first identifier and the mapping relationship, where the second identifier indicates the first proxy access network device;

Send second information to the second core network device, where the second information includes the second identifier.

In the above embodiment, the first core network device can determine the second identifier indicating the first proxy access network device based on the first identifier and the mapping relationship and inform the second core network device of the second identifier through the second information, so that the second core network device can know the first proxy access network device corresponding to the first satellite access network device.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Determine that a serving satellite access network device of the terminal is switched, and update the mapping relationship;

The updated mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device after switching.

In the above embodiment, after the serving satellite access network device of the terminal is switched, the first core network device will update the mapping relationship, and can timely update the relationship between the switched serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access;

Sending third information to the second core network device;

Among them, the third information indicates the first downlink tunnel; the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device.

In the above embodiment, after the first core network device allocates the first downlink tunnel to the terminal based on the mapping relationship, it will inform the first access and mobility management device of the first downlink tunnel used for the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device through the third information, so that the subsequent transmission of data from the first service gateway device to the first proxy access network device can be realized based on the first downlink tunnel.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Receiving fourth information sent by the second core network device;

Among them, the fourth information indicates the first uplink tunnel; the first uplink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In the above embodiment, the first core network device will receive the first uplink tunnel sent by the second core network device through the fourth information for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, so that the subsequent transmission of data from the first proxy access network device to the first service gateway device can be realized based on the first uplink tunnel.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access;

Sending fifth information to the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the fifth information indicates the second uplink tunnel; the second uplink tunnel is used by the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device.

In the above embodiment, after the first core network device allocates the second uplink tunnel to the terminal based on the mapping relationship, it will send the second uplink tunnel used for the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device to the service satellite access network device through the fifth information, so that the service satellite access network device can implement the subsequent based on the second uplink tunnel. The serving satellite access network device continues to transmit data to the first proxy access network device.

In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

receiving sixth information sent by the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the sixth information indicates a second downlink tunnel; the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the service satellite access network device, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device, and the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In the above embodiment, the first core network device will receive the second downlink tunnel sent by the serving satellite access network device through the sixth information for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the serving satellite access network device, thereby enabling the subsequent transmission of data from the first proxy access network device to the serving satellite access network device based on the second downlink tunnel.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method being executed by a first proxy access network device, the method comprising:

Receiving first information sent by a first core network device;

Among them, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the first proxy access network device is set between the service satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device for terminal access services.

In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the mapping relationship is a relationship indicating an association between an identifier of the serving satellite access network device and an identifier of the first proxy access network device.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access;

Sending seventh information to the first access and mobility management device;

Among them, the seventh information indicates the first downlink tunnel; the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Receiving eighth information sent by the second core network device;

Among them, the eighth information indicates the first uplink tunnel; the first uplink tunnel is used by the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access;

Sending ninth information to the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the ninth information indicates the second uplink tunnel; the second uplink tunnel is used by the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

receiving the tenth information sent by the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the tenth information indicates a second downlink tunnel; the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the service satellite access network device, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device, and the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first core network device, wherein the first core network device includes:

The processing module is configured as follows:

Allocating a first proxy access network device for terminal access, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device;

A mapping relationship between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device is established; the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first proxy access network device, wherein the first proxy access network device includes:

The transceiver module is configured as follows:

Receiving first information sent by a first core network device;

Among them, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the first proxy access network device is set between the service satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device for terminal access services.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, the method comprising:

The first core network device sends first information to the first proxy access network device;

Among them, the first proxy access network device is set between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the first proxy access network device is allocated by the first core network device for terminal access; the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the first proxy access network device and the satellite access network device.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, wherein the communication system includes a first core network device and a first proxy access network device, the first core network device is configured to implement the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, and the first proxy access network device is configured to implement the information indication method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first core network device, the first core network device including:

one or more processors;

Among them, the first core network device is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first proxy access network device, the first proxy access network device comprising:

one or more processors;

Among them, the first proxy access network device is used to execute the method provided by the second aspect.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect and the second aspect.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first and second aspects.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first and second aspects.

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system. The chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first and second aspects above.

It can be understood that the first core network device, the first proxy access network device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to execute the method proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be repeated here.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a first core network device, a first proxy access network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms such as communication method, information indication method, information processing method, and information transmission method can be replaced with each other, and the terms such as communication system and information processing system can be replaced with each other.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but are only illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all of the steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and/or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their internal logical relationships.

The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "aforementioned", "this", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun after the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, "at least one of A and B", "A and/or B", "A in one case, B in another case", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions according to the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); 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 executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc., the above is also similar.

In some embodiments, the description method such as "A or B" may include the following technical solutions according to the situation: In some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc., the above is also similar.

The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The statement of the description object refers to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and should not constitute unnecessary restrictions due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields", and the "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number, and can be one or more. Taking the "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes may be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" may be the same device or different devices, and their types may be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" may be the same information or different information, and their contents may be the same or different.

In some embodiments, “including A”, “comprising A”, “used to indicate A”, and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to ...", "in response to determining ...", "in the case of ...", "at the time of ...", "when ...", "if ...", "if ...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "no more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

In some embodiments, devices and equipment may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.

In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station (radio base station)", "fixed station" and in some embodiments may also be understood as "node", "access point (access point)", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission and/or reception point (transmission/reception point, TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (bandwidth part, BWP)", etc.

In some embodiments, the term "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal (user terminal)", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc.

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

In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns may also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

FIG. 1 a is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1 a , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and 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.

In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with a communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with a wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) At least one of terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminal devices in industrial control, wireless terminal devices in self-driving, wireless terminal devices in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminal devices in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, and wireless terminal devices in smart homes, but not limited to these.

In some embodiments, the access network device may be, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation evolved Node B (ng-eNB), a next generation Node B (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band 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, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure may be applicable to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between access network devices or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may become internal interfaces of Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces may be implemented through software or programs.

In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a centralized unit (central unit, CU) and a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU), wherein the CU may also be called a control unit (control unit). The CU-DU structure may be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with some functions of the protocol layer being centrally controlled by the CU, and the remaining part or all of the functions of the protocol layer being distributed in the DU, and the DU being centrally controlled by the CU, but not limited to this.

In some embodiments, the core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), the 5G Core Network (5GCN), and the Next Generation Core (NGC).

It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1a, or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1a are examples, and the communication system may include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1a, or may include other subjects other than FIG. 1a, and the number and form of the subjects are arbitrary, and the connection relationship between the subjects is an example, and the subjects may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, which may be a direct connection or an indirect connection, and may be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

The embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, the fourth generation mobile communication system (4G), the fifth generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access ... The present invention relates to wireless communication systems such as LTE, Wi-Fi (X), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, 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), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device to Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle to-Everything (V2X), systems using other communication methods, and next-generation systems expanded based on them. In addition, a combination of multiple systems (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G, etc.) may also be applied.

In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, some satellite communication scenarios are described below:

In some embodiments, refer to Figure 1b, which shows a reference architecture for direct access using a satellite-enabled New Radio-Radio Access Network (NR-RAN).

In some embodiments, the satellite payload may be transparent or regenerative, which may take the following forms:

In some embodiments, see FIG. 1c , if the satellite operates in transparent mode, the New Radio (NR) signal is generated by a base station located on the ground. The satellite is equivalent to a radio frequency (RF) remote unit, which The protocols (including the physical layer protocols) are completely transparent.

In some embodiments, see Figure 1d, if the satellite operates in regenerative mode, the satellite payload performs all or part of the functions of the gNB. The satellite radio interface transmits data of the N1, N2 or N3 interface between the ground fifth-generation mobile communication network core network (5GCN, 5G Core Network) and the onboard gNB.

In some embodiments, when the satellite is operating in regeneration mode, if the NGSO satellite works as a satellite-borne gNB, a large amount of signaling will be generated on the N2 interface because the gNB movement will communicate with different ground stations and notify the AMF of changes in the list of service tracking areas (TA). One implementation method is to introduce an AMF agent to reduce the impact of frequent switching of N2 connections. However, in the gNB satellite-borne architecture, due to the frequent changes in the gNB serving UE access, the N3 connection (the user plane connection between the gNB and the UPF) will also change accordingly. Similar to the changes in the N2 connection, the frequent changes in the N3 connection also have a great impact on the CN's perception of changes in the serving gNB.

In this way, due to the relative movement of the onboard gNB, it will frequently communicate with different ground stations, which will result in a large amount of signaling and data switching on the interface, which will put pressure on the core network processing.

FIG2a is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes:

Step S2101: The first core network device allocates a first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the first core network device is used to process control plane signaling.

In some embodiments, the first core network device is used to shield frequent interactions with the core network device due to changes in the RAN node accessed by the UE.

In some embodiments, a core network device (eg, a first core network device) may be referred to as a network element, a network function, or a network entity, etc., which is not limited herein.

In some embodiments, the first core network device may be a proxy device of a mobility management entity (MME), for example, a proxy MME (MME agent), and the proxy MME may be used for data management of the control plane. Of course, the first core network device may also be the MME entity itself, which is not limited here.

In some embodiments, the first core network device may be a proxy device of an access and mobility management function (AMF), for example, a proxy AMF, and the proxy AMF may be used for data management of the control plane. Of course, the first core network device may also be the AMF itself, which is not limited here.

In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device may be a proxy radio access network (RAN, Radio Access Network) node (Proxy RAN node) deployed near each satellite ground gateway. It may also be called a Proxy RAN node.

In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device is used to process traffic (or user plane data) of the S1-U connection and shield frequent changes in the user plane connection with the core network device due to changes in the RAN node accessed by the UE.

In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device is disposed between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device.

In some embodiments, the satellite access network device may be a wireless satellite-based base station function (satellite with RAN On-board, a base station installed on a satellite). It may also be referred to as an integrated base station function.

In some embodiments, the first serving gateway device may be a serving gateway (S-GW) and/or a packet data gateway (P-GW). It should be noted that in some scenarios, the Proxy RAN node is also referred to as the Proxy GW node, which is not limited here.

Exemplarily, referring to FIG. 2aa , the Proxy RAN node is set between the serving eNB (e.g., On-Board RAN node) and the S/P-GW, and the Proxy RAN node is used to forward traffic (or user plane data) between the serving eNB and the S/P-GW.

In some embodiments, the first core network device is a first proxy access network device allocated for access of the terminal.

In some embodiments, the first core network device is a first proxy access network device assigned to the current access of the terminal. For example, the first proxy access device A-1 is assigned to the current access of terminal A.

In some embodiments, different first proxy access network devices may be allocated for access of different terminals.

Step S2102: The first core network device establishes a mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, a mapping relationship is established between the serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services, and the service satellite access network device may be a wireless satellite-borne base station function.

In some embodiments, the serving satellite access network device is an access network device that provides services for the terminal currently accessing.

It should be noted that at different times, the service satellite access network device accessed by the terminal may be different. For example, at the first moment it is the first service satellite access network device (SAT-11), and at the second moment it is the second service satellite access network device (SAT-12).

In some embodiments, the mapping relationship indicates the identity of the serving satellite access network device and the identity of the first proxy access network device. The relationship between the identifiers of the devices.

In some embodiments, the identifier of the serving satellite access network device is used to uniquely indicate a serving satellite access network device; the identifier of the first proxy access network device is used to uniquely indicate a first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the identifier of the serving satellite access network device may be an identity identification number (ID, Identity Document) of the serving satellite access network device, and the DI may uniquely indicate a serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the identifier of the first proxy access network device may be an ID of the first proxy access network device, and the DI may uniquely indicate a first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the first core network device determines that the serving satellite access network device of the terminal is switched (for example, from SAT-11 to SAT-12), and updates the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the updated mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device after switching.

In some embodiments, updating the mapping relationship may be updating the relationship between the identifier of the serving satellite access network device and the identifier of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the mapping relationship may be used to determine uplink and downlink tunnel information, but is not limited thereto.

Step S2103: The first core network device sends first information to the first proxy access network device.

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

In some embodiments, the first information indicates the mapping relationship.

Step S2104: The first core network device receives the first request information sent by the first satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device sends first request information to the first core network device.

In some embodiments, the terminal accesses the network through the first satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the first satellite access network device is the serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the first request information indicates the first satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the first request information indicates a first identifier of the first satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the first core network device determines the second identifier based on the first identifier and the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the second identifier indicates the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, second information is sent to a second core network device, where the second information indicates the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, second information is sent to a second core network device, and the second information includes the second identifier.

In some embodiments, the second core network device may be referred to as a second network element, a second network function, or a second network entity, etc., which is not limited here.

In some embodiments, if the first core network device is a proxy MME, the second core network device may be an MME, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the proxy MME may be used to transmit control plane data of the proxy MME, and when the access network device changes, only the connection between the proxy MME and the terminal may be affected without affecting the connection between the MME and the proxy MME.

In some embodiments, if the first core network device is a proxy AMF, the second core network device may be an AMF, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the proxy AMF may be used to transmit control plane data of the proxy AMF. When the access network device changes, it may only affect the connection between the proxy AMF and the terminal without affecting the connection between the AMF and the proxy AMF.

Step S2105: The first core network device allocates a first downlink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the first core network device allocates a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access based on the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is an address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first serving gateway device.

In some embodiments, the first core network device sends third information to the first access and mobility management device.

In some embodiments, third information indicates said first downlink tunnel.

Step S2106: The first core network device sends third information to the second core network device.

In some embodiments, third information indicates said first downlink tunnel.

Step S2107: The first core network device receives the fourth information sent by the second core network device.

In some embodiments, the fourth information indicates the first uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the first uplink tunnel may be allocated by the second core network device.

In some embodiments, the first uplink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first serving gateway device.

In some embodiments, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is an address of the first serving gateway device.

In some embodiments, the source address of the first uplink tunnel is an address of the first proxy access network device.

Step S2108: The first core network device allocates a second uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the first core network device allocates a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access based on the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the second uplink tunnel is used for the serving satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is an address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the serving satellite access network device.

Step S2109: The first core network device sends fifth information to the service satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the fifth information indicates the second uplink tunnel.

Step S2110: The first core network device receives the sixth information sent by the serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the sixth information indicates a second downlink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the second downlink tunnel may be allocated by the serving satellite access network equipment.

In some embodiments, the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

It should be noted that the above steps S2105 to S2110 are embodiments in which the first core network participates in allocating and/or receiving, and the following steps S2111 to S2116 are embodiments in which the first proxy access network device participates in allocating and/or receiving.

Step S2111: the first proxy access network device allocates a first downlink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device allocates a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access based on the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is an address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first serving gateway device.

Step S2112: The first proxy access network device sends seventh information to the second core network device.

In some embodiments, the seventh information indicates the first downlink tunnel.

Step S2113: the first proxy access network device receives the eighth information sent by the second core network device;

In some embodiments, the eighth information indicates a first uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the first uplink tunnel may be allocated by the second core network device.

In some embodiments, the first uplink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first serving gateway device.

In some embodiments, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first serving gateway device.

In some embodiments, the source address of the first uplink tunnel is an address of the first proxy access network device.

Step S2114: the first proxy access network device allocates a second uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device allocates a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access based on the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the second uplink tunnel is used for the serving satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is an address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the serving satellite access network device.

Step S2115: The first proxy access network device sends ninth information to the service satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the ninth information indicates the second uplink tunnel.

Step S2116: The first proxy access network device receives the tenth information sent by the service satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the tenth information indicates a second downlink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the second downlink tunnel may be allocated by the serving satellite access network equipment.

In some embodiments, the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is an address of the serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the source address of the second downlink tunnel is an address of the first proxy access network device.

In the disclosed embodiment, since a first proxy access network device arranged between a satellite access network device and a first service gateway device is allocated to the access of the terminal and a mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device is established, the service satellite access network device can communicate with the first proxy access network device based on the mapping relationship without directly communicating with the first service gateway device, thereby reducing the frequent switching of user connections with the core network and reducing the impact on the core network side.

In some embodiments, the term "information" can be interchangeably with terms such as "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", and "data".

In some embodiments, the term "send" can be interchangeable with terms such as "transmit", "report", and "transmit".

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when steps S2105 to S2110 are executed, steps S2111 to S2116 may not be executed.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when steps S2111 to S2116 are executed, steps S2105 to S2110 may not be executed.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, steps S2105 to S2110 may be performed in any order.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, steps S2111 to S2116 may be executed in any order.

The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2116. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any one of steps S2106 to S2116 can also be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2101 combined with steps S2105-S2110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 combined with steps S2102 and steps S2105-S2110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 combined with steps S2103 and steps S2105-S2110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 combined with steps S2104 and steps S2105-S2110 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step Step S2101 combined with steps S2111-S2116 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 combined with step S2102 and steps S2111-S2116 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 combined with step S2103 and steps S2111-S2116 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 combined with step S2104 and steps S2111-S2116 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited to this.

FIG3a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first core network device, and the method includes:

Step S3101: Allocate a first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S3102: Establish a mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S3103: Send first information to the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S3104: Obtain first information.

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

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

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

In some embodiments, the first core network device performs processing to obtain the first information.

In some embodiments, step S3104 is omitted, and the first core network device autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the above function is default or default.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S3105: Allocate link tunnel.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2105-S2010 in Figure 2a, and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S3106: Transmit link tunnel information.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3106 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2105-S2010 in FIG. 2a. The other related parts of the embodiment involved in the formula and Figure 2a will not be repeated here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3106. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3101 combined with step S3105 and step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101 combined with step S3102, step S3105, and step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101 combined with step S3103, step S3105, and step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3101 combined with step S3104, step S3105, and step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

FIG3b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3b, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first core network device, and the method includes:

Step S3201: Allocate a first proxy access network device for terminal access, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between a satellite access network device and a first service gateway device.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S3202: Establish a mapping relationship between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

In some embodiments, the mapping relationship indicates a relationship between an identifier of the serving satellite access network device and an identifier of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Sending first information to the first proxy access network device;

The first information indicates the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Receiving first request information sent by a first satellite access network device;

The terminal accesses the network through the first satellite access network device; the first satellite access network device is the service satellite access network device; and the first request information indicates a first identifier of the first satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Determine a second identifier according to the first identifier and the mapping relationship, where the second identifier indicates the first proxy access network device;

Send second information to the second core network device, where the second information includes the second identifier.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Determine that a serving satellite access network device of the terminal is switched, and update the mapping relationship;

The updated mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device after switching.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access;

Sending third information to the first access and mobility management device;

Among them, the third information indicates the first downlink tunnel; the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Receiving fourth information sent by the second core network device;

Among them, the fourth information indicates the first uplink tunnel; the first uplink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access;

Sending fifth information to the service satellite access network device;

The fifth information indicates the second uplink tunnel; the second uplink tunnel is used by the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, and the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the first proxy access network device. The source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

receiving sixth information sent by the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the sixth information indicates a second downlink tunnel; the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the service satellite access network device, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device, and the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

FIG4a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first proxy access network device, and the method includes:

Step S4101: Obtain the first information sent by the first core network device.

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

In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device obtains first request information specified by a protocol.

In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device obtains the first request information from an upper layer(s).

In some embodiments, the first proxy access network device performs processing to obtain the first request information.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S4102: Allocate a link tunnel.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2111-S2116 of Figure 2a, and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S4103: Transmit link tunnel information.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2111-S2116 of Figure 2a, and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S4101 to step S4103, which is not limited here. For example, step S4101 may be performed in combination with step S4103, and step S4102 may be performed in combination with step S4103.

FIG4b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4b, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a first proxy access network device, and the method includes:

Step S4201: receiving first information sent by a first core network device;

Among them, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the first proxy access network device is set between the service satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device for terminal access services.

In some embodiments, the mapping relationship is a relationship indicating an association between an identifier of the serving satellite access network device and an identifier of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access;

Sending seventh information to the second core network device;

Among them, the seventh information indicates the first downlink tunnel; the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Receiving eighth information sent by the second core network device;

Among them, the eighth information indicates the first uplink tunnel; the first uplink tunnel is used by the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access;

Sending ninth information to the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the ninth information indicates the second uplink tunnel; the second uplink tunnel is used by the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

receiving the tenth information sent by the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the tenth information indicates a second downlink tunnel; the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the service satellite access network device, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device, and the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

FIG5a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a second core network device, and the method includes:

Step S5101: Determine a first uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the first uplink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S5102: Send fourth information to the first core network device.

In some embodiments, the fourth information indicates the first uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S5101 to step S5102, which is not limited here.

FIG5b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a second core network device, and the method includes:

Step S5201: Determine the first uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the first uplink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S5201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2113 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S5202: Send the eighth information to the service satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the eighth information indicates a first uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S5202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2113 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S5201 to step S5202, which is not limited here.

FIG6a is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a service satellite access network device, and the method includes:

Step S6101: Determine a second uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the second uplink tunnel is used for the serving satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the serving satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S6102: Send the fifth information to the first core network device.

In some embodiments, the fifth information indicates a second uplink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S6101 to step S6102, which is not limited here.

FIG6b is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is executed by a service satellite access network device, and the method includes:

Step S6201: Determine a second downlink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the serving satellite access network device, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the serving satellite access network device, and the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S6201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2116 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

Step S6202: Send the tenth information to the service satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the tenth information indicates a second downlink tunnel.

In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S6202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2116 in Figure 2a and other related parts of the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

The information indication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of step S6201 to step S6202, which is not limited here.

FIG7a is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7a, the present disclosure embodiment relates to a communication method, which is used in a communication system 100, and the method includes one of the following steps:

Step S7101: The first core network device sends first information to the first proxy access network device;

Among them, the first proxy access network device is set between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the first proxy access network device is allocated by the first core network device for terminal access; the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the first proxy access network device and the satellite access network device.

The optional implementation of step S7101 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2101-S2116 in Figure 2a and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2a, which will not be repeated here.

In some embodiments, the above method may include the methods of the above-mentioned first core network device side, first proxy access network device side and other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical solution of the present disclosure is further described below through some exemplary embodiments:

In order to reduce the perception of frequent serving RAN node changes by the core network (CN) functions (e.g., MME), please refer to Figure 2aa again, the eNB on board architecture is enhanced.

In some embodiments, a proxy RAN node is deployed on the ground near each satellite gateway. The proxy RAN node is used to handle S1-U connection traffic and forward traffic between the serving eNB and the S-GW.

In some embodiments, the proxy RAN node may also be considered as a proxy S-GW.

In some embodiments, the address of each proxy RAN node may be configured to each satellite ground station and S-GW.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

Receiving the S-GW Internet Protocol (IP) address and sending the proxy RAN node IP address to establish an S1-U tunnel with the UPF, including at least one of the following:

Allocate downlink (DL) S1-U tunnel information and send it to S-GW;

Receive uplink (UL, UpLink) S1-U tunnel information;

All of these information exchanges with the S-GW can be performed through the Proxy MME and the MME.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

Receive the serving eNB IP address and establish an S1-U’ tunnel with the serving eNB, including at least one of the following:

Allocate UL S1-U tunnel information and send it to the serving eNB;

Receive DL S1-U tunnel information;

This information can be exchanged directly with the serving eNB through the proxy MME or directly

If the proxy RAN node acts as a proxy S-GW, information can be exchanged with the MME through the MME agent.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

Receives UL data packets from the serving eNB and replaces the source IP address and port number from the serving eNB IP address and port number to the proxy RAN node IP address and port number, and sends the UL data packets to the S-GW.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

Receives DL data packets from the S-GW and replaces the destination IP address and port number with the proxy RAN node IP address and port number The UDP packet is replaced with the serving eNB IP address and port number and the DL data packet is sent to the serving eNB.

In some embodiments, the functions of the MME proxy include:

If the eNB serving the UE changes, the mapping between the serving eNB information and the proxy RAN node information is updated (e.g., the mapping information between the serving eNB id and the proxy RAN node id).

In some embodiments, the mapping information update triggers the sending of the serving eNB information (e.g., serving eNB IP address) to the proxy RAN node. Exemplarily, the information may be sent directly or via the MME.

In some embodiments, tunnel information of S1-U or S1-U’ is exchanged.

In some embodiments, the S1-U tunnel information contains the IP addresses and ports of the two endpoints (ie, the S-GW and the proxy RAN node).

In some embodiments, the S1-U’ tunnel information contains the IP addresses and ports of the two endpoints (i.e., the serving eNB and the proxy RAN node).

FIG8a is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG8a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, and the method includes:

Step S6101: UE accesses the Evolved Packet Core network (EPC) via satellite access. The serving satellite eNB1 transmits an additional request (corresponding to the first request information) to the proxy MME. The satellite eNB1 identifier (ID) is included in the S1 Application Protocol (S1-AP) message.

Step S6102: Upon receiving the attach request, the proxy MME allocates a proxy satellite RAN node (first proxy access network device) for UE access. The proxy satellite RAN node can set mapping information between the serving satellite eNB (satellite eNB1) and the proxy satellite RAN node in parallel with the proxy MME. If the proxy satellite RAN node is separated from the proxy MME, the proxy MME sends the mapping information to the proxy satellite RAN node.

Step S6103: The proxy MME replaces the serving eNB (Satellite eNB1) ID with the proxy satellite eNB ID in the S1-AP message and sends it to the MME.

Step S6104: MME creates a session with S-GW for UE access.

Step S6105: The MME sends an initial context setup message or a downlink (DL) non-access stratum (NAS) message with additional acceptance to the proxy satellite RAN node. In this step, the proxy satellite RAN node and the MME exchange S1-MME tunnel information and S1-U tunnel information, including the proxy satellite RAN node sending DL tunnel information to the MME and the MME sending UL tunnel information to the proxy satellite RAN node. The tunnel includes the S1-MME tunnel and the S1-U tunnel.

Step S6106: After receiving the message, the proxy satellite RAN node replaces its ID with the serving satellite eNB ID according to the stored mapping information. The proxy satellite RAN node sends an initial context setup message or a DL NAS message with additional acceptance to the serving eNB (satellite eNB1). In this step, the proxy satellite RAN node and the serving eNB (satellite eNB1) exchange S1-MME’ tunnel information and S1-U’ tunnel information, including the proxy satellite RAN node sending UL tunnel information to the serving eNB (satellite eNB1), and the serving eNB (satellite eNB1) sending DL tunnel information to the proxy satellite RAN node. Tunnels include S1-MME tunnels and S1-U tunnels.

Step S6107: Establish an RRC connection between the UE and the serving eNB (satellite eNB1).

Step S6108: The serving eNB (satellite eNB1) sends an initial context setup response message to the proxy satellite RAN node.

Step S6109: The proxy satellite RAN node sends an initial context setup response message to the MME. If the connection process is successful, an S1-MME connection is established between the serving eNB (satellite eNB1) and the proxy satellite RAN node, and an S1-MME connection is established between the proxy satellite RAN node and the MME; an S1-U' connection is established between the serving eNB (satellite eNB1) and the proxy satellite RAN node, and an S1-U connection is established between the proxy satellite RAN node and the S-GW; and an S1 connection is established between the UE and the MME.

Step S6110: Due to satellite movement, the serving satellite eNB for the UE changes from satellite eNB1 to satellite eNB2. The UE access via satellite eNB2 is updated through a tracking area update procedure or a handover procedure.

Step S6111: In these processes, the MME proxy updates the mapping information between the satellite eNB2 and the proxy satellite RAN node. The mapping information is also sent to the proxy satellite RAN node for updating. S1-MME' tunnel information and S1-U' tunnel information are exchanged between the satellite eNB2 and the proxy satellite RAN node.

After the serving satellite eNB is switched from satellite eNB1 to satellite Enb2, an S1-MME' connection and an S1-U' connection are established between the serving eNB (satellite Enb2) and the proxy satellite RAN node. The S1-MME connection between the proxy satellite RAN node and the MME and the S1-U connection between the proxy satellite RAN node and the S-GW remain unchanged; the S1 connection between the UE and the MME also remains unchanged.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with optional implementations of other embodiments.

In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 8b , the 5G system may support a similar architecture:

In order to avoid CN functions (e.g., AMF, SMF) being aware of changes in serving RAN nodes, the gNB star architecture can be enhanced.

In some embodiments, a proxy RAN node is deployed on the ground close to each satellite gateway. The proxy RAN node is used to handle N3 connection traffic and forward traffic between the serving gNB and UPF (PSA).

In some embodiments, the proxy RAN node may also be regarded as a proxy UPF.

In some embodiments, the address of each proxy RAN node may be configured to each satellite ground station and UPF.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

Receiving the UPF IP address and sending the proxy RAN node IP address to establish an N3 tunnel with the UPF, including at least one of the following:

Allocate DL N3 tunnel information and send it to UPF;

Receive UL N3 tunnel information;

All this information exchange can be done through the AMF proxy, AMF and SMF with the User Plane Function (UPF).

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

Receive the serving gNB IP address and establish an N3’ tunnel with the serving gNB, including at least one of the following:

Allocate UL N3’ tunnel information and send it to the serving gNB;

Receive DL N3' tunnel information;

This information can be exchanged directly with the serving gNB via the AMF proxy or directly;

If the proxy RAN node acts as a proxy UPF, information exchange can be carried out through AMF agent, AMF and SMF.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

Receives UL data packets from the serving gNB and sends the UL data packets to the UPF by replacing the source IP address and port number from the serving gNB IP address and port number to the proxy RAN node IP address and port number.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

Receive DL data packets from UPF and replace the destination IP address and port number from the proxy RAN node IP address and port number with the serving gNB IP address and port number, and send DL data packets to the serving gNB.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the AMF agent includes:

If the gNB serving the UE access changes, the mapping between the serving gNB information and the proxy RAN node information is updated (e.g., mapping the serving gNB ID to the proxy RAN node ID).

In some embodiments, the mapping information update triggers the sending of the serving gNB information (e.g., serving gNB IP address) to the proxy RAN node. In some embodiments, the information may be sent directly or via the AMF and/or SMF.

In some embodiments, the functionality of the proxy RAN node includes:

N3 or N3' tunnel information exchange.

In some embodiments, the N3 tunnel information contains the IP addresses and ports of the two endpoints (ie, the UPF and the Proxy RAN node).

In some embodiments, the N3' tunnel information contains the IP addresses and ports of the two endpoints (i.e., the serving gNB and the proxy RAN node).

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with optional implementations of other embodiments.

The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose a device for implementing any of the above methods, for example, a device is proposed, the above device includes a unit or module for implementing each step performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is also proposed, including a unit or module for implementing each step performed by a network device (such as 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 various units or modules in the above devices is only a division of logical functions, and in actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity, or they can be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, instructions are stored in the memory, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above devices, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory inside the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the above is realized by designing the logical relationship between the components in the circuit. The functions of some or all units or modules; for example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit can be implemented by a programmable logic device (PLD), taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured through a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented in the form of a processor calling software, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by a processor calling software, and the rest by hardware circuits.

In the disclosed embodiments, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor may be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which may be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP); in another implementation, the processor may implement certain functions through the logical relationship of a hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the above hardware circuit may be fixed or reconfigurable, such as a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document to implement the hardware circuit configuration may be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASIC, such as Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU), etc.

Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first core network device proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9a, the first core network device 9100 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 9101, a processing module 9102, etc. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving performed by the first core network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, the above-mentioned processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps performed by the first core network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

In some embodiments, the processing module 9102 is configured to:

Allocating a first proxy access network device for terminal access, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device;

A mapping relationship between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device is established; the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services.

In some embodiments, the processing module 9102 is further configured to:

The mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the identifier of the serving satellite access network device and the identifier of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 9101 is configured to:

Sending first information to the first proxy access network device;

The first information indicates the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 9101 is configured to:

Receiving first request information sent by a first satellite access network device;

The terminal accesses the network through the first satellite access network device; the first satellite access network device is the service satellite access network device; and the first request information indicates a first identifier of the first satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the processing module 9102 is configured to:

Determine a second identifier according to the first identifier and the mapping relationship, where the second identifier indicates the first proxy access network device;

The transceiver module 9101 is configured to: send second information to the second core network device, where the second information includes the second identifier.

In some embodiments, the processing module 9102 is configured to:

Determine that a serving satellite access network device of the terminal is switched, and update the mapping relationship;

The updated mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device after switching.

In some embodiments, the processing module 9102 is configured to:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access;

The transceiver module is configured to: send third information to the second core network device;

Among them, the third information indicates the first downlink tunnel; the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 9101 is configured to:

Receiving fourth information sent by the second core network device;

Among them, the fourth information indicates the first uplink tunnel; the first uplink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the processing module 9102 is configured to:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access;

The transceiver module 9101 is configured to: send fifth information to the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the fifth information indicates the second uplink tunnel; the second uplink tunnel is used by the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 9101 is configured to:

receiving sixth information sent by the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the sixth information indicates a second downlink tunnel; the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the service satellite access network device, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device, and the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

FIG9b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first proxy access network device proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG9b, the first proxy access network device 9200 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 9201, a processing module 9202, etc. In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to send and receive information. Optionally, the above-mentioned transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving performed by the first proxy access network device in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here. In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a sending module and/or a receiving module, and the sending module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 9201 is configured to:

Receiving first information sent by a first core network device;

Among them, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the first proxy access network device is set between the service satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device for terminal access services.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 9201 is further configured to: the mapping relationship is a relationship indicating an association between an identifier of the serving satellite access network device and an identifier of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the processing module 9202 is further configured to:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access;

The transceiver module is further configured to send seventh information to the second core network device;

Among them, the seventh information indicates the first downlink tunnel; the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 9201 is further configured to:

Receiving eighth information sent by the second core network device;

Among them, the eighth information indicates the first uplink tunnel; the first uplink tunnel is used by the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the processing module 9202 is further configured to:

Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access;

The transceiver module 9201 is further configured to send ninth information to the service satellite access network device;

Among them, the ninth information indicates the second uplink tunnel; the second uplink tunnel is used by the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 9201 is further configured to:

receiving the tenth information sent by the service satellite access network device;

The tenth information indicates a second downlink tunnel; the second downlink tunnel is used by the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the service satellite access network device, and the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the service satellite access network device. The address of the satellite access network device, the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device.

In some embodiments, the processing module can be a module or include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be replaced with the processor.

FIG10a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 may be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), or a terminal (e.g., a user device, etc.), or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and the details may refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10a, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and the communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a program, and process the data of the program. The communication device 8100 is used to execute any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8102 may also be outside the communication device 8100.

In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S3101, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102, step S3102, but not limited thereto).

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

In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected to the memory 8102, and the interface circuit 8104 may be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and may be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 may read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 8a. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

Fig. 10b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in Fig. 10b, but it is not limited thereto.

The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201, and the chip 8200 is used to execute any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected to the memory 8203. The interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and the interface circuit 8202 can be used to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 executes at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving in the above method (for example, step S2101, step S3101, but not limited to this), and the processor 8201 executes at least one of the other steps (for example, step S2102, step S3102, but not limited to this).

In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium, on which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 8100, the communication device 8100 executes any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Preferably, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a transient storage medium.

The present disclosure also proposes a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

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

Claims (23)

A communication method, characterized in that the method is performed by a first core network device, and the method includes: Allocating a first proxy access network device for terminal access, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; A mapping relationship between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device is established; the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services. The method according to claim 1 is characterized in that the mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the identifier of the serving satellite access network device and the identifier of the first proxy access network device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: Sending first information to the first proxy access network device; The first information indicates the mapping relationship. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receiving first request information sent by a first satellite access network device; The terminal accesses the network through the first satellite access network device; the first satellite access network device is the service satellite access network device; and the first request information indicates a first identifier of the first satellite access network device. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the method further comprises: Determine a second identifier according to the first identifier and the mapping relationship, where the second identifier indicates the first proxy access network device; Send second information to the second core network device, where the second information includes the second identifier. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: Determine that a serving satellite access network device of the terminal is switched, and update the mapping relationship; The updated mapping relationship indicates the relationship between the serving satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device after switching. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access; Sending third information to the second core network device; Among them, the third information indicates the first downlink tunnel; the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receiving fourth information sent by the second core network device; Among them, the fourth information indicates the first uplink tunnel; the first uplink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access; Sending fifth information to the service satellite access network device; Among them, the fifth information indicates the second uplink tunnel; the second uplink tunnel is used by the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving sixth information sent by the service satellite access network device; Among them, the sixth information indicates a second downlink tunnel; the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the service satellite access network device, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device, and the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device. A communication method, characterized in that the method is executed by a first proxy access network device, and the method comprises: Receiving first information sent by a first core network device; Among them, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the first proxy access network device is set between the service satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device for terminal access services. The method according to claim 11 is characterized in that the mapping relationship is a relationship indicating the association between the identifier of the serving satellite access network device and the identifier of the first proxy access network device. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method further comprises: Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a first downlink tunnel for the terminal access; Sending seventh information to the second core network device; Among them, the seventh information indicates the first downlink tunnel; the first downlink tunnel is used by the first service gateway device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the first downlink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receiving eighth information sent by the second core network device; Among them, the eighth information indicates the first uplink tunnel; the first uplink tunnel is used by the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the first service gateway device, the destination address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first service gateway device, and the source address of the first uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method further comprises: Based on the mapping relationship, allocating a second uplink tunnel for the terminal access; Sending ninth information to the service satellite access network device; Among them, the ninth information indicates the second uplink tunnel; the second uplink tunnel is used by the service satellite access network device to transmit data to the first proxy access network device, the destination address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device, and the source address of the second uplink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method further comprises: receiving the tenth information sent by the service satellite access network device; Among them, the tenth information indicates a second downlink tunnel; the second downlink tunnel is used for the first proxy access network device to transmit data to the service satellite access network device, the destination address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the service satellite access network device, and the source address of the second downlink tunnel is the address of the first proxy access network device. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: The first core network device sends first information to the first proxy access network device; Among them, the first proxy access network device is set between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the first proxy access network device is allocated by the first core network device for terminal access; the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the first proxy access network device and the satellite access network device. A first core network device, characterized in that the first core network device comprises: The processing module is configured as follows: Allocating a first proxy access network device for terminal access, wherein the first proxy access network device is arranged between the satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; A mapping relationship between a service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device is established; the service satellite access network device is an access network device that provides terminal access services. A first proxy access network device, characterized in that the first proxy access network device comprises: The transceiver module is configured as follows: Receiving first information sent by a first core network device; Among them, the first information indicates the mapping relationship between the service satellite access network device and the first proxy access network device; the first proxy access network device is set between the service satellite access network device and the first service gateway device; the service satellite access network device is an access network device for terminal access services. A communication system, characterized in that the communication system includes a first core network device and a first proxy access network device; the first core network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 10, and the first proxy access network device is configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 11 to 16. A first core network device, characterized in that the first core network device comprises: one or more processors; The first core network device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A first proxy access network device, characterized in that the first proxy access network device comprises: one or more processors; Wherein, the first proxy access network device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 16. A storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and claims 11 to 16.