CN116830480A

CN116830480A - Information transmission method, device and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN116830480A
Application number: CN202380009069.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 毛玉欣; 沈洋
Original assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-04-12
Filing date: 2023-04-12
Publication date: 2023-09-29

Abstract

The embodiment of the disclosure provides an information transmission method, an information transmission device and a storage medium. The method comprises the steps that a first network element receives satellite coverage information request information sent by User Equipment (UE); determining at least one first satellite coverage information as second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server; and sending the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

Description

Information transmission method, device and storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, but is not limited to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to an information transmission method, an information transmission device, and a storage medium.

Background

The fifth generation (5th Generation,5G) mobile communication core network supports User Equipment (UE) through a satellite access network. If satellite access is used to provide network services for UEs, satellite access may be affected by insufficient satellite beam coverage, insufficient number of satellites in the satellite chain, etc., signal coverage provided to the ground may be discontinuous, i.e., when the UE passes through the satellite access network in a certain area, there is a case where there is no satellite signal coverage for a certain period of time. For example, the UE may acquire 20 minutes of satellite access signal coverage again at intervals of 10 hours after acquiring 20 minutes of satellite access signal coverage.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the disclosure provides an information transmission method, an information transmission device and a storage medium.

In a first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an information transmission method is provided, where the method is performed by a first network element, and includes:

receiving satellite coverage information request information sent by User Equipment (UE);

determining at least one first satellite coverage information as second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server;

and sending the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

requesting the first satellite coverage information from the at least one satellite server based on the satellite coverage information request information;

and receiving the first satellite coverage information sent by the at least one satellite server.

In one embodiment, the satellite coverage information request information is used to indicate at least one of:

first location information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

In one embodiment, the sending the second satellite coverage information to the UE includes:

And transmitting user plane data carrying the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

In a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an information transmission method, which is performed by a second network element, including:

determining a first network element for providing second satellite coverage information for User Equipment (UE) based on access information of the UE;

and sending identification information for identifying the first network element to the UE.

In one embodiment, the second satellite coverage information is determined based on at least one first satellite coverage information, wherein the second satellite coverage information has a predetermined format, and wherein the at least one first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server.

In one embodiment, the sending, to the UE, identification information identifying the first network element includes:

and sending authorization information carrying the identification information to the UE, wherein the authorization information is used for indicating that the UE is authorized to use satellite coverage information.

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

In one embodiment, the second satellite coverage information is carried in user plane data by the first network element and sent to the UE.

In one embodiment, the determining, based on access information of a user equipment UE, a first network element providing second satellite coverage information to the UE includes:

and determining that the UE accesses a network by adopting a satellite access technology according to the access information, and determining the first network element for providing the second satellite coverage information for the UE.

In one embodiment, the identification information of the first network element is used to indicate at least one of the following:

an internet protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) address of the first network element;

a full range domain name (Fully Qualified Domain Name, FQDN) of the first network element.

In a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an information transmission method is provided, where the method is performed by a user equipment UE, and includes:

transmitting satellite coverage information request information to a first network element;

and receiving second satellite coverage information returned by the first network element in response to the satellite coverage information request information.

In one embodiment, the satellite server is determined by the first network element based on the satellite coverage information request information.

In one embodiment, the receiving the second satellite coverage information returned by the first network element in response to the satellite coverage information request information includes:

and receiving user plane data carrying the second satellite coverage information, which is sent to the UE by the first network element.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

receiving identification information which is sent to the UE by a second network element and indicates the first network element;

wherein the first network element is determined by the second network element based on the access information of the UE.

In one embodiment, the receiving the identification information sent by the second network element to the UE and indicating the first network element includes:

and receiving authorization information carrying the identification information, which is sent to the UE by the second network element, wherein the authorization information is used for indicating that the UE is authorized to use satellite coverage information.

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

In one embodiment, the sending satellite coverage information request information to the first network element includes:

and sending the satellite coverage information request information to the first network element based on the identification information.

In one embodiment, the identification information is used to indicate at least one of:

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

In a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, an information transmission method is provided, where the method is performed by a core network device, where the core network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and the method includes:

based on the access information of User Equipment (UE), the second network element determines a first network element providing second satellite coverage information for the UE, and sends identification information for identifying the first network element to the UE;

the first network element receives satellite coverage information request information sent by the UE based on the identification information;

The first network element determines at least one first satellite coverage information as a second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server;

the first network element sends the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

A fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides an information transmission apparatus, where the information transmission apparatus is disposed in a first network element, including:

the receiving and transmitting module is configured to receive satellite coverage information request information sent by User Equipment (UE);

a processing module configured to determine at least one first satellite coverage information as second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server;

the transceiver module is further configured to transmit the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to request the first satellite coverage information from the at least one satellite server based on the satellite coverage information request information; and receiving the first satellite coverage information sent by the at least one satellite server.

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

A sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides an information transmission apparatus, where the information transmission apparatus is disposed in a second network element, including:

a processing module configured to determine a first network element providing second satellite coverage information to a user equipment UE based on access information of the UE;

and the receiving and transmitting module is configured to send identification information for identifying the first network element to the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

In one embodiment, the processing module is specifically configured to:

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

A seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides an information transmission apparatus, where the information transmission apparatus is disposed in a user equipment UE, and includes:

the receiving and transmitting module is configured to send satellite coverage information request information to the first network element;

the transceiver module is further configured to receive second satellite coverage information returned by the first network element in response to the satellite coverage information request information.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to:

receiving identification information which is sent to the UE by a second network element and indicates the first network element; wherein the first network element is determined by the second network element based on the access information of the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

An eighth aspect of the disclosed embodiments provides an information transmission apparatus, where the information transmission apparatus is disposed in a core network device, and includes:

the second network element is configured to determine a first network element for providing second satellite coverage information for User Equipment (UE) based on access information of the UE, and send identification information for identifying the first network element to the UE;

the first network element is configured to receive satellite coverage information request information sent to the first network element by the UE based on the identification information;

the first network element is further configured to determine at least one first satellite coverage information as a second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server;

The first network element is further configured to send the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

A ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, including: the first network element, the second network element and the user equipment UE, wherein,

the first network element is configured to perform the information transmission apparatus according to the first aspect;

the second network element is configured to perform the information transmission apparatus according to the second aspect;

the UE is configured to perform the information transmission apparatus according to the third aspect.

A tenth aspect of the disclosed embodiments provides a communication device comprising a processor, a transceiver, a memory and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being executed by the processor, wherein the processor executes the information transmission method as provided in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect when executing the executable program.

In a first illustrative aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a computer storage medium storing an executable program; the executable program, when executed by a processor, is capable of implementing the information transmission method as provided in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect.

The embodiment of the disclosure provides an information transmission method, an information transmission device and a storage medium. The method comprises the steps that a first network element receives satellite coverage information request information sent by UE; determining at least one first satellite coverage information as second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server; and sending the second satellite coverage information to the UE. Therefore, after the UE receives the second satellite coverage information, the second satellite coverage information can be read based on the preset format, and the UE does not need to read the second satellite coverage information respectively according to different satellite coverage information formats, so that the processing load of the UE is reduced, the efficiency of determining the satellite coverage information is improved, and the support of the UE on the nonstandard satellite coverage information can be reduced.

The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, 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.

Drawings

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

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an information transfer according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an information transfer according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture, shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an information transfer according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an information transfer according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an information transfer according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an information transfer according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an information transfer according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an information transfer according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural view of an information transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural view of an information transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 13 is a schematic structural view of an information transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural view of an information transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 15 is a schematic structural view of an information transmission apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a UE according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a communication apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, the same numbers in different drawings refer to the same or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with embodiments of the invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with aspects of embodiments of the invention.

The terminology used in the embodiments of the disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments of the disclosure. As used in this disclosure, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in embodiments of the present disclosure to describe various information, these information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one type of information from another. For example, the first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as first information, without departing from the scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. The word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "at … …" or "at … …" or "responsive to a determination", depending on the context.

Referring to fig. 1, a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown. As shown in fig. 1, the wireless communication system is a communication system based on a cellular mobile communication technology, and may include: a number of UEs 11 and a number of network devices 12.

Wherein the wireless communication system may be a fourth generation mobile communication technology (the 4th generation mobile communication,4G) system, also known as a long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE) system; alternatively, the wireless communication system may be a 5G system, also known as a New Radio (NR) system or a 5G NR system. Alternatively, the wireless communication system may be a next generation system of the 5G system. Among them, the access network in the 5G system may be called NG-RAN (New Generation-Radio Access Network, new Generation radio access network). Or, an MTC system.

Wherein UE 11 may be a device that provides voice and/or data connectivity to a user. The UE 11 may communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN), and the UE 11 may be an internet of things UE such as a sensor device, a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with an internet of things UE, for example, a fixed, portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted device. Such as a Station (STA), subscriber unit (subscriber unit), subscriber Station (subscriber Station), mobile Station (mobile Station), mobile Station (mobile), remote Station (remote Station), access point, remote UE (remote terminal), access UE (access terminal), user terminal, user agent (user agent), user device (user equipment), or user UE (UE). Alternatively, the UE 11 may be an unmanned aerial vehicle device. Alternatively, the UE 11 may be a vehicle-mounted device, for example, a laptop with a wireless communication function, or a wireless communication device externally connected to the laptop. Alternatively, the UE 11 may be a roadside device, for example, a street lamp, a signal lamp, or other roadside devices having a wireless communication function.

Network device 12 may include an access network device. Optionally, the network device 12 may also include a core network device. The access network device may be an evolved access device (eNB) employed in a 4G system. Alternatively, an access device (gNB) employing a centralized and distributed architecture in a 5G system may be used. When the access network device adopts a centralized and distributed architecture, it generally includes a Central Unit (CU) and at least two Distributed Units (DUs). A protocol stack of a packet data convergence protocol (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, PDCP) layer, a radio link layer control protocol (Radio Link Control, RLC) layer, and a medium access control (Media Access Control, MAC) layer is provided in the centralized unit; a Physical (PHY) layer protocol stack is disposed in the distribution unit, and a specific implementation manner of the access network device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited.

A wireless connection may be established between the network device 12 and the UE 11 over a wireless air interface. In various embodiments, the wireless air interface is a fourth generation mobile communication network technology (4G) standard-based wireless air interface; or, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on a fifth generation mobile communication network technology (5G) standard, for example, the wireless air interface is a new air interface; alternatively, the wireless air interface may be a wireless air interface based on a 5G-based technology standard of a next generation mobile communication network.

In some examples, the access device 12 may be an access device of a terrestrial network (Terrestrial Networks, TN) or may be an NTN device having all or part of the functionality of the access network.

The NTN device may be, for example, a satellite, an aerial platform (high altitude platform system, HAPS) or an Air To Ground (ATG) device in the deployment NTN.

Illustratively, the access device 12 may be located in a communication system that is integrated with a satellite communication system and is capable of providing connectivity services for satellites that may be accessed into a core network. For example, the access device 12 may be an access device having a satellite Gateway function in a communication system, such as a Gateway (Gateway) device, a ground station device, a Non-terrestrial network Gateway/satellite Gateway (Non-terrestrial networks Gateway, NTN-Gateway), or the like.

The above wireless communication system may also comprise a core network device 13, for example. Several access devices 12 are connected to the core network device 13, respectively. The core network device 13 may be an access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF), a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF), a policy control function (Policy Control function, PCF), etc. The embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to the implementation form of the core network device 13. In one example, the core network device 13 is a Sensing Function (SF) network element, and the SF is a functional network element that provides Sensing services.

The AMF, UPF, PCF and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by one entity device, or may be implemented by a plurality of entity devices together. It should be understood that AMF, UPF, PCF in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be one logic function module in an entity device, or may be one logic function module formed by a plurality of entity devices, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that the network architecture shown in fig. 1 is only one example applicable to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not limit the application scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

For ease of understanding by those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the present disclosure enumerate a plurality of implementations to clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various embodiments provided in the embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented separately, may be implemented in combination with the methods of other embodiments of the disclosure, and may be implemented separately or in combination with some methods of other related technologies; the embodiments of the present disclosure are not so limited.

If satellite access is used to provide network services to the UE, the UE may decide to enter a power saving mode for power saving purposes during the loss of coverage of the current satellite access, or the UE may select other available satellite access. Therefore, when the UE uses the satellite access with discontinuous coverage, the network needs to acquire satellite coverage information of the area where the UE is located, so as to determine the behavior of the UE during the period of losing the current satellite network signal, for example, to determine the power saving parameter, let the UE enter the power saving mode during the period of losing the current satellite signal, or instruct the UE to use other available satellite access networks when losing the current satellite network signal.

In general, the radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN) can only acquire ephemeris information for 4 satellites adjacent to the current access location, which may not be sufficient for determining UE-related satellite coverage information. For example, if the UE needs to decide on the UE-related satellite coverage information according to the UE's motion trajectory, the UE's future designated location is not covered by the currently broadcasted ephemeris information.

The UE may acquire satellite coverage information from a satellite server managing the satellite network via a user plane (protocol data unit (Protocol Data Unit, PDU) session established by the UE accessing the 5G network). However, in the case of multiple satellite networks available for access to provide services, the satellite server managing each satellite network may provide the UE with different forms of satellite coverage information, and the UE supports the ability to identify multiple formats of satellite coverage information, which certainly presents challenges to the UE's processing capabilities.

Aiming at the problem that the satellite coverage information provided for the UE by a satellite server for managing a satellite network is in a non-standard format, thereby complicating the terminal capability, how to enable the satellite coverage information sent to the UE to follow a unified standard format, and reduce the processing load of the UE is a problem to be solved urgently.

As shown in fig. 2, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission method, which is performed by a user equipment UE, including:

step 201: receiving identification information which is sent to the UE by a second network element and indicates the first network element; wherein the first network element is determined by the second network element based on the access information of the UE.

In one possible implementation, the first network element is configured to determine and send the second satellite coverage new network function. The first network element is used for processing the first satellite coverage information sent by the different satellite servers into second satellite coverage information in a preset format.

In one possible implementation, the first network element implements a network function including, but not limited to, one of:

an independent network function;

network functions implemented based on core network elements, such as network functions integrated in user plane functions (User Plane Function, UPF).

In one possible implementation, the communication between the first network element and the UE, and the communication between the second network element and the UE may be implemented by, but is not limited to, one of the following:

a core network element;

an access network device.

Access network devices may include, but are not limited to:

access network equipment of Non-terrestrial networks (Non-terrestrial Network, NTN), such as satellites, satellite-borne base stations, terrestrial base stations, etc.;

An access network device for a public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN).

In one possible implementation, the network function implemented by the first network element for determining and transmitting the second satellite coverage information may be referred to as a satellite coverage transfer function (Satellite Coverage Transmission Function, SCTF).

In this embodiment, the information transmission method is described using the first network element as an SCTF as an example.

The second satellite coverage information may be requested by the UE from the first network element (e.g., SCTF).

In the network, one or more first network elements may be deployed, i.e. the SCTF may have one or more. For example, multiple SCTFs may be deployed per region in a PLMN.

In one possible implementation, the SCTF may be co-located with the UPF, as the second satellite coverage information is transmitted via the user plane function UPF.

A first network element (e.g., SCTF) providing second satellite coverage information to the UE may be determined by the second network element. After the second network element determines the SCTF that provides the second satellite coverage information to the UE, the identification information of the SCTF may be sent to the UE. The UE may request second satellite coverage information from the SCTF based on the identification information of the SCTF.

The second network element may be a core network element.

In one possible implementation, the second network element may include, but is not limited to: access and mobility management functions (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF), or session management functions (Session Management Function, SMF), or other core network elements.

Here, the identification information may be used to uniquely identify the first network element (e.g. uniquely identify the SCTF).

The access information may indicate information about the UE's access to the network, such as the UE's current service satellite, etc. The second network element may select an appropriate first network element (e.g., SCTF) for the UE based on the access information of the UE.

In one possible implementation, the second network element (SMF) may determine the first network element based on access information of the UE during PDU session establishment, but is not limited to.

In one possible implementation, the second network element (AMF) may determine the first network element based on access information of the UE during registration of the UE with the network, but is not limited to.

In one possible implementation, the access information of the UE may be sent by the UE to the second network element.

Illustratively, the UE may send the access information to the second network element during registration with the network.

In one possible implementation, the access information of the UE may be determined by the second network element based on an access network device establishing a connection with the UE.

For example, the second network element may determine the access information of the UE based on an access network device sending UE registration related signaling to the second network element.

In one possible implementation, the second network element sends identification information to the UE indicating the first network element in response to determining that the UE is communicating over a satellite access technology.

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

In one possible implementation, the access information is used to indicate a second location information where the UE is currently accessing in the network, and/or a satellite access technology currently employed by the UE.

In one possible implementation, the second network element may select an SCTF for the UE based on second location information of the UE, etc.

Illustratively, the second network element may select the SCTF for the UE that is the shortest distance from the UE based on the location of the UE.

In one possible implementation, the second location information of the UE may indicate at least one of:

GNSS location information, i.e. the geographic location of the UE, such as longitude and latitude;

the relative location of the UE in the network, such as: the IP address of the UE, the cell Identity (ID) serving the UE, the Tracking Area (TA) where the UE is located.

The satellite access technology adopted by the UE, that is, the radio access technology (Radio Access Technology, RAT) adopted by the UE is used for indicating the type of satellite access adopted by the UE, and the second network element may select, for the UE, the SCTF associated with the type of satellite access based on the type of satellite access.

In one possible implementation, the second network element may also select an SCTF for the UE based on the load of the SCTF.

For example, the second network element may select the SCTE for the UE that is currently loaded lowest.

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

The second network element may determine the access information of the UE based on registration information sent to the second network element by the UE during registration with the network.

Illustratively, if the UE is using satellite access to initiate a registration request during registration to the network, the AMF may determine a satellite access technology of the UE (e.g., using LEO or MEO access) based on the pre-configuration, and the AMF may determine location information of the UE (e.g., an IP address of the UE, a cell ID serving the UE, a TA where the UE is located, etc.) based on registration association information (e.g., PDU session request, etc.) sent during registration of the UE, and may further select an SCTF for the UE from the access information of the UE by the AMF. The AMF may send the identification information of the determined SCTF to the SCTF through the access network.

For example, during a UE registration procedure, the AMF may send a registration accept message to the UE. The identification information (IP address or FQDN) of the SCTF may be sent to the UE through the access network device, carried in a registration accept message.

For another example, the AMF may send the access information of the UE to the SMF, select an SCTF for the UE according to the access information of the UE, and the SMF may send the identification information of the determined SCTF to the SCTF through the access network.

For example, during PDU establishment, the SMF may send an N1, N2 interface Communication message transfer (namf_communication_n1n2message) message to the AMF carrying the identification information of the determined SCTF. The AMF establishes an N2 PDU session with the RAN, and the NAS message carries the identification information of the determined SCTF and is sent to the RAN. The RAN may initiate AN-specific signaling exchange with the UE related to information received from the SMF. The identification information of the determined SCTF is transmitted to the UE through the interaction.

In one possible implementation, the second network element may determine whether to authorize the UE to request the satellite coverage information based on subscription information of the UE, etc., and if the second network element determines that the UE is authorized to request the satellite coverage information, the second network element may send the authorization information to the UE and carry identification information of the second network element (i.e. SCTF) in the authorization information.

As shown in fig. 3, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission method, which is performed by a user equipment UE, including:

step 301: transmitting satellite coverage information request information to a first network element;

step 302: and receiving second satellite coverage information returned by the first network element in response to the satellite coverage information request information.

The UE may send satellite coverage information request information to the second network element to request second satellite coverage information.

The first network element (for example, SCTF) may receive the first satellite coverage information sent by different satellite servers, where the first satellite coverage information sent by different satellite servers may have the same format or may have different formats. The SCTF may combine the information content of the at least one first satellite coverage information into the second satellite coverage information in a predetermined format.

In one possible implementation, different satellite servers may be associated with different satellite networks.

In one possible implementation, the second satellite coverage information is used to determine signal coverage of one or more satellites associated with the UE.

Illustratively, the second satellite coverage information may include: satellite ephemeris for one or more satellites associated with the UE.

In one possible implementation, the predetermined format may be specified by a communication protocol.

In one possible implementation, the predetermined format may be agreed upon by the UE with the network device. Wherein the network device includes, but is not limited to, one of: an access network device; core network equipment and network functions.

In one possible implementation, the area and/or time corresponding to the satellite coverage condition indicated by the second satellite coverage information may be requested by the UE through the satellite coverage information request information.

Therefore, after the UE receives the second satellite coverage information, the second satellite coverage information can be read based on the preset format, and the UE does not need to read the second satellite coverage information respectively according to different satellite coverage information formats, so that the processing load of the UE is reduced, the efficiency of determining the satellite coverage information is improved, and the support of the UE on the nonstandard satellite coverage information can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the network function SCTF implemented by the first network element may be a separate network function;

in one possible implementation, the network function SCTF implemented by the first network element is a new function in the UPF;

in one possible implementation, the first network element may be a server providing the second satellite coverage information.

As shown in fig. 4, the network function implemented by the first network element may be located in a User Plane Function (UPF), i.e. SCTF is a network function located in the UPF;

the SCTF may transmit the second satellite coverage information to the UE through the user plane.

For example, as shown in fig. 4, the SCTF may receive first satellite coverage information from a plurality of satellite servers, respectively, unify the plurality of first satellite coverage information into second satellite coverage information in a predetermined format, and transmit the second satellite coverage information to the UE through the UPF.

In one embodiment, the UE sends satellite coverage information request information to a first network element, including:

And the UE sends the satellite coverage information request information to the first network element based on the identification information.

For example, if the UE wants to acquire the second satellite coverage information, the UE may send satellite coverage information request information to the first network element (e.g., SCTF) based on the identification information of the first network element acquired from the second network element.

The SCTF may transmit second satellite coverage information to the UE according to the satellite coverage information request information.

In one possible implementation, the satellite coverage information request information may be used by the SCTF to determine at least one of:

a satellite server associated with the satellite coverage information;

position information and time information associated with the second satellite coverage information.

Here, the locations of UEs associated with the first satellite coverage information that can be provided by different satellite servers are different; and/or the types of satellites associated with the first satellite coverage information that can be provided by different satellite servers.

Thus, the first network element may determine the satellite server based on the satellite coverage information request information. The first network element determines the basis of the satellite server including, but not limited to, at least one of: first location information associated with the requested satellite coverage information; time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information; satellite access technology supported by the UE.

In one possible implementation, after the first network element determines the satellite server, the satellite coverage information request information may be sent to the satellite server for requesting the first satellite coverage information.

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

In one possible implementation, the first location information may indicate at least one of:

the current position of the UE;

the UE sends the position of the satellite coverage information request information;

and determining the position on the motion trail of the UE based on the movement state of the UE.

In one possible implementation, the location indicated by the first location information includes at least one of:

geographic location of the UE, such as the coordinate location of GNSS positioning;

location of UE in network, such as: the IP address of the UE, the cell ID serving the UE, the TA where the UE is located.

The SCTF may select a satellite server associated with the first location information for the UE based on the first location information requested by the UE, and request first satellite coverage information associated with the first location information from the satellite server.

The time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information may be used to indicate at least one of:

the time associated with the requested second satellite coverage information, i.e., the second satellite coverage information at the particular time;

time when the UE transmits satellite coverage information request information.

The SCTF may select a satellite server associated with time information for the UE based on the time information requested by the UE and request first satellite coverage information associated with the time information from the satellite server.

The SCTF may select a satellite server associated with a satellite access type for the UE based on the satellite access technology supported by the UE.

For example, when the UE supports the LEO satellite to access and the MEO satellite to access, satellite servers corresponding to the LEO satellite and the MEO satellite are different. The SCTF may select a satellite server corresponding to the LEO satellite and a satellite server corresponding to the MEO satellite to request the first satellite coverage information.

In one possible implementation, the SCTF may select the satellite server based on the time information associated with the first location information and the requested satellite coverage information.

In one possible implementation, the SCTF may send satellite coverage information request information of the UE to a satellite server, which determines the first satellite coverage information based on the satellite coverage information request information.

For example, the SCTF may send the satellite coverage information request information (including first location information associated with the requested satellite coverage information, time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information, and satellite access technologies supported by the UE) to a selected satellite server. The satellite server determines first satellite coverage information based on the satellite coverage information request information and transmits the first satellite coverage information to the SCTF.

In some embodiments, the terms "first network element", "network function NF", "SCTF", "UPF", and the like may be interchanged.

In some embodiments, the terms "second network element", "core network device", "SMF", "AMF", etc. may be replaced with each other.

As shown in fig. 5, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission method, which is executed by a first network element, including:

step 501: receiving satellite coverage information request information sent by UE;

step 502: determining at least one first satellite coverage information as second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server;

step 503: and sending the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

In one possible implementation, the second network element may determine the identification information of the first network element, and the UE sends the satellite coverage information request information to the first network element based on the identification information of the first network element.

an independent network function;

a core network element;

an access network device.

Access network devices may include, but are not limited to:

The second network element may be a core network element.

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

In one possible implementation manner, the UE receives authorization information carrying the identification information sent by the second network element to the UE, where the authorization information is used to instruct to authorize the UE to use satellite coverage information.

In one possible implementation, the UE sends the satellite coverage information request information to the first network element based on the identification information.

a satellite server associated with the satellite coverage information;

As shown in fig. 6, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission method, which is performed by a first network element, including:

step 601: requesting the first satellite coverage information from the at least one satellite server based on the satellite coverage information request information;

step 602: and receiving the first satellite coverage information sent by the at least one satellite server.

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

The current position of the UE;

time when the UE transmits satellite coverage information request information.

As shown in fig. 7, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission method, which is performed by a second network element, including:

step 701: determining a first network element for providing second satellite coverage information for the UE based on the access information of the UE;

step 702: and sending identification information for identifying the first network element to the UE.

an independent network function;

A core network element;

an access network device.

Access network devices may include, but are not limited to:

The second network element may be a core network element.

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

the SCTF may send second satellite coverage information to the UE through the user plane, and the second satellite coverage information may be forwarded to the UE through the second network element, the access network device.

a satellite server associated with the satellite coverage information;

Time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

the current position of the UE;

time when the UE transmits satellite coverage information request information.

As shown in fig. 8, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission method, which is executed by a core network device, and includes:

step 801: the second network element determines a first network element for providing second satellite coverage information for the UE based on the access information of the UE, and sends identification information for identifying the first network element to the UE;

step 802: the first network element receives satellite coverage information request information sent by the UE based on the identification information;

step 803: the first network element determines at least one first satellite coverage information as a second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server;

step 804: the first network element sends the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

Alternative implementations of step 801 may be seen in alternative implementations of step 201, step 701 and step 702 of fig. 2, and are not described in detail herein.

Alternative implementations of step 802 may refer to alternative implementations of step 301 of fig. 3 and step 501 of fig. 5, and are not described here.

An alternative implementation of step 803 may be referred to as an alternative implementation of step 502 in fig. 5, and will not be described here.

Alternative implementations of step 804 may refer to alternative implementations of step 302 of fig. 3 and step 503 of fig. 5, and are not described here.

In some embodiments, the method may include the method described in the foregoing embodiments related to the UE, the first network element, the second network element, and so on, which are not described herein.

The above embodiments may be implemented separately or in any combination, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The order of steps of the above embodiments may be arbitrarily exchanged, and alternatives or alternatives in a certain implementation or embodiment may be arbitrarily combined.

A number of specific examples are provided below in connection with any of the embodiments described above:

it is proposed to define a new functional satellite overlay transmission function (SCTF) (i.e. the first network element described above) responsible for transmitting satellite overlay availability information (sat_cover) (i.e. the second satellite overlay information described above) in a standard format, irrespective of the influence of the different servers (i.e. the satellite servers described above). The SCTF may be an NF located on the user plane, or may be a separate network function, or may integrate a new function into the UPF or the server providing the sat_cover. The reference architecture is shown in fig. 4.

The satellite servers 1,2,3 manage the satellite networks 1,2,3, respectively. I.e. the satellite coverage information (i.e. the first satellite coverage information) may be provided in its own way. The SCTF may process these coverage information and provide them to the UE in a unified format. Multiple SCTFs may be deployed per region in a PLMN, e.g., the SCTF may be co-located with the UPF.

Example one,

The SMF selects SCTF for satellite access of the UE based on UE location information and RAT type (i.e., the above access information). The UE location information may be a UE IP address, a cell ID serving the UE, a TA where the UE is located. The RAT type indicates the satellite access, e.g., LEO, MEO, etc., that the UE is accessing.

The SMF sends the SCTF IP address or FQDN to the UE. The SCTF IP address or FQDN identifies the SCTF and may be used by the UE when it wants to request satellite coverage information from the SCTF.

Example two,

The SCTF receives a satellite coverage information request (i.e., the satellite coverage information request information described above) from the UE. The request message includes at least one of the following information: location, time, RAT type. All this information is used to indicate that the UE requests position/time/RAT related satellite coverage information (sat_cover) (i.e. the second satellite coverage information described above).

The SCTF selects the relevant satellite server based on the location, RAT information.

The SCTF processes the sat_over (i.e., the first satellite coverage information described above) received from the server in a unified manner.

The SCTF provides sat_over (i.e., the second satellite coverage information described above) to the UE.

Example III,

The UE receives and stores SCTF information (IP address or FQDN) (identification information of the SCTF)

The UE sends a satellite coverage information request (i.e., the satellite coverage information request information described above) to the SCTF. The request message includes at least one of the following information: location, time, RAT type.

The UE receives sat_over (i.e., the second satellite coverage information described above) from the SCTF.

Example four,

The specific steps of the method for the UE to acquire satellite coverage information with a predetermined format, as shown in fig. 9, include:

step 901: the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF. The message contains PDU session ID, request type, N1 SM container, etc.

Step 902: the AMF selects one SMF to establish the PDU session.

Step 903: AMF establishes connection with SMF through Nsmf_PDUSion_CreateSMContext request/response. The AMF provides the SMF with UE access information including UE access location (e.g., cell id or TAI or UE IP address), RAT type (e.g., LEO of UE access).

Step 904: if the SMF needs to perform a secondary authentication/authorization during the PDU session establishment by the DN-AAA server, the SMF triggers a PDU session establishment authentication/authorization.

Step 905: the SMF selects one or more UPFs as needed to service the PDU session.

Step 906: the SMF establishes an N4 session with the UPF.

Step 907: if the RAT type indicates that the UE is using satellite access (e.g., the value of the RAT type is LEO, MEO, etc.), the SMF selects SCTF to serve the UE. The SCTF selection may be based on UE location information (e.g., cell id or TAI or UE IP address), RAT type.

Step 908: the SMF initiates a namf_communication_n1n2message transfer service containing the selected SCTF IP address to the AMF. I.e. the identification information of the SCTF scheme SCTF.

Step 909: the AMF establishes an N2 PDU session with the RAN, and the IP address of the selected SCTF (identification information of the SCTF) contained in the NAS message is transmitted to the RAN.

Step 910: the RAN may initiate AN-specific signaling exchange with the UE, which is related to the information received from the SMF (identification information of the SCTF). The SCTF IP address is sent to the UE through the interaction.

Step 911: if the UE wants to acquire satellite coverage information (second satellite coverage new), the UE transmits satellite coverage information request information to the SCTF identified by the received IP address. In this information, the UE provides location, time, RAT type information.

Step 912: the SCTF may select a satellite server based on the UE location and RAT type information.

Step 913: the SCTF requests coverage information (first satellite coverage information) from the satellite server based on the UE location, time, RAT type information.

Step 914: the SCTF will process the satellite coverage information (first satellite coverage information) related to the location, time RAT information received from the satellite server in a unified manner. I.e. the SCTF combines the first satellite coverage information acquired from the satellite server into the second satellite coverage information in a predetermined format.

Step 915: the SCTF returns the requested satellite coverage information (second satellite coverage information) to the UE through a satellite coverage information response message, which may be forwarded to the UE through the second network element, the access network device.

Example five,

The AMF may select an SCTF serving the UE based on the UE access information through a registration procedure.

The specific steps of the method for the UE to acquire satellite coverage information with a predetermined format, as shown in fig. 10, include:

step 1001-step 1005: if the UE is using satellite access to initiate a registration request, the AMF may determine that the RAT type is satellite access (e.g., LEO, MEO) based on the pre-configuration.

Step 1006: if the RAT type indicates that the UE is using satellite access (e.g., the value of the RAT type is LEO, MEO, etc.), the AMF selects SCTF to serve the UE. The SCTF selection may be based on UE access linearity, such as location information (e.g., cell id or TAI or UE IP address), RAT type.

Step 1007: if registration is complete, the AMF sends a registration accept to the UE. The identification information of the SCTF (IP address or FQDN) will be included in this message and returned to the UE.

Step 1008: the UE initiates a PDU session establishment with the network.

Step 1009: the UE requests satellite coverage information using the IP address or FQDN of the SCTF. The details are similar to those of steps 911 to 915 in fig. 9, and will not be described again here.

As shown in fig. 11, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission apparatus 100, where the information transmission apparatus is disposed in a first network element, and includes:

a transceiver module 110 configured to receive satellite coverage information request information sent by a user equipment UE;

a processing module 120 configured to determine at least one first satellite coverage information as second satellite coverage information having a predetermined format, wherein the first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server;

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

As shown in fig. 12, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission apparatus 200, where the information transmission apparatus is disposed in a second network element, and includes:

a processing module 210 configured to determine, based on access information of a user equipment UE, a first network element providing second satellite coverage information to the UE;

and a transceiver module 220 configured to send identification information identifying the first network element to the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

In one embodiment, the processing module is specifically configured to:

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

As shown in fig. 13, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission apparatus 300, which is disposed in a user equipment UE, and includes:

a transceiver module 310 configured to send satellite coverage information request information to a first network element;

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is further configured to:

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

In one embodiment, the access information is used to indicate at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

In one embodiment, the transceiver module is specifically configured to:

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

As shown in fig. 14, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information transmission apparatus 400, which is disposed in a core network device and includes:

a second network element 410 configured to determine, based on access information of a user equipment UE, a first network element providing second satellite coverage information to the UE, and send identification information identifying the first network element to the UE;

A first network element 420 configured to receive satellite coverage information request information sent by the UE to the first network element based on the identification information;

As shown in fig. 15, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system 500, comprising: a first network element 510, a second network element 520, and a UE530, wherein,

the first network element is configured to perform at least one of a first network element side information transmission method;

the second network element is configured to perform at least one of second network element side information transmission methods;

the UE is configured to perform at least one of the second network element side information transmission methods; and will not be described in detail herein.

The disclosed embodiments provide a communication device including a processor;

a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

wherein the processor is configured to: the method is used for realizing the information transmission method of any embodiment of the disclosure when the executable instructions are executed.

In one embodiment, the communication device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of: the network controls the repeater and the network device. The network device may here comprise a core network or an access network device, etc. Here, the access network device may include a base station; the core network may comprise AMF, SMF.

The processor may include, among other things, various types of storage media, which are non-transitory computer storage media capable of continuing to memorize information stored thereon after a power failure of the user device.

The processor may be coupled to the memory via a bus or the like for reading an executable program stored on the memory, for example, at least one of the information transmission methods described above.

The embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a computer storage medium storing a computer executable program, which when executed by a processor, implements the information transmission method of any embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, at least one of the above-described information transmission methods.

The specific manner in which the respective modules perform the operations in relation to the apparatus or storage medium of the above-described embodiments has been described in detail in relation to the embodiments of the method, and will not be described in detail herein.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram of a UE800, according to an example embodiment. For example, the UE800 may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast user equipment, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, an exercise device, a personal digital assistant, and the like.

Referring to fig. 16, ue800 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 802, a memory 804, a power component 806, a multimedia component 808, an audio component 810, an input/output (I/O) interface 812, a sensor component 814, and a communication component 816.

The processing component 802 generally controls overall operation of the UE800, such as operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component 802 may include one or more processors 820 to execute instructions to generate all or part of the steps of the methods described above. Further, the processing component 802 can include one or more modules that facilitate interactions between the processing component 802 and other components. For example, the processing component 802 can include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component 808 and the processing component 802.

The memory 804 is configured to store various types of data to support operations at the UE 800. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on the UE800, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and the like. The memory 804 may be implemented by any type or combination of volatile or nonvolatile memory devices such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk.

The power supply component 806 provides power to the various components of the UE 800. The power components 806 may include a power management system, one or more power sources, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the UE 800.

The multimedia component 808 includes a screen between the UE800 and the user that provides an output interface. In some embodiments, the screen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from a user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensor may sense not only the boundary of a touch or slide action, but also the duration and pressure associated with the touch or slide operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 808 includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. The front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data when the UE800 is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each front camera and rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zoom capabilities.

The audio component 810 is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 810 includes a Microphone (MIC) configured to receive external audio signals when the UE800 is in an operational mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may be further stored in the memory 804 or transmitted via the communication component 816. In some embodiments, audio component 810 further includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

The I/O interface 812 provides an interface between the processing component 802 and peripheral interface modules, which may be a keyboard, click wheel, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but are not limited to: homepage button, volume button, start button, and lock button.

The sensor component 814 includes one or more sensors that provide status assessment of various aspects for the UE 800. For example, the sensor component 814 may detect an on/off state of the UE800, a relative positioning of components such as a display and keypad of the UE800, the sensor component 814 may also detect a change in position of the UE800 or a component of the UE800, the presence or absence of user contact with the UE800, an orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the UE800, and a change in temperature of the UE 800. The sensor assembly 814 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor assembly 814 may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 814 may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component 816 is configured to facilitate communication between the UE800 and other devices, either wired or wireless. The UE800 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi,2G, or 3G, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 receives broadcast signals or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 further includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module to facilitate short range communications. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In an exemplary embodiment, the UE800 may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), digital Signal Processors (DSPs), digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic elements for executing the methods described above.

In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is also provided, such as memory 804 including instructions executable by processor 820 of UE800 to generate the above-described method. For example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be ROM, random Access Memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc.

As shown in fig. 17, an embodiment of the present disclosure shows a structure of an access device. For example, the communication device 900 may be provided as a network device. The communication device may be any of the aforementioned access network elements and/or network functions.

Referring to fig. 17, communication device 900 includes a processing component 922 that further includes one or more processors and memory resources represented by memory 932 for storing instructions, such as application programs, executable by processing component 922. The application programs stored in memory 932 may include one or more modules that each correspond to a set of instructions. Further, processing component 922 is configured to execute instructions to perform at least one of the information transmission methods described above.

The communication device 900 may also include a power supply component 926 configured to perform power management of the communication device 900, a wired or wireless network interface 950 configured to connect the communication device 900 to a network, and an input output (I/O) interface 958. The communication device 900 may operate based on an operating system stored in memory 932, such as Windows Server TM, mac OS XTM, unixTM, linuxTM, freeBSDTM, or the like.

Each step in a certain implementation manner or embodiment may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps may be combined arbitrarily, for example, a scheme of removing part of the steps in a certain implementation manner or embodiment may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the order of the steps in a certain implementation manner or embodiment may be arbitrarily exchanged, and in addition, an optional manner or optional embodiment in a certain implementation manner or embodiment may be arbitrarily combined; furthermore, various embodiments or examples may be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments or examples may be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment or example may be arbitrarily combined with alternative modes or alternative examples of other embodiments or examples.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the disclosure pertains. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, which have been described above, and that various modifications and changes may be effected without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, wherein the method is executed by a first network element, and comprises:

and sending the second satellite coverage information to the UE.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the satellite coverage information request information is used to indicate at least one of:

Time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sending the second satellite coverage information to the UE comprises:

5. An information transmission method, wherein the method is executed by a second network element, comprising:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein,

the second satellite coverage information is determined based on at least one first satellite coverage information, wherein the second satellite coverage information has a predetermined format, and the at least one first satellite coverage information is from at least one satellite server.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the transmitting identification information identifying the first network element to the UE comprises:

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the access information indicates at least one of:

the UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining, based on access information of a user equipment, UE, a first network element providing second satellite coverage information to the UE comprises:

10. The method according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the identification information of the first network element is used to indicate at least one of:

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

11. An information transmission method, wherein the method is executed by a user equipment UE, comprising:

12. The method of claim 11, wherein,

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the satellite server is determined by the first network element based on the satellite coverage information request information.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the receiving the second satellite coverage information returned by the first network element in response to the satellite coverage information request information comprises:

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the receiving the identification information indicating the first network element sent by the second network element to the UE comprises:

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the access information indicates at least one of:

The UE current second position information;

and the satellite access technology adopted by the UE.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the sending satellite coverage information request information to the first network element comprises:

19. The method of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the identification information is used to indicate at least one of:

an internet protocol, IP, address of the first network element;

and the full domain name FQDN of the first network element.

20. The method of any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the satellite coverage information request information indicates at least one of:

time information associated with the requested satellite coverage information;

satellite access technology supported by the UE.

21. An information transmission method, wherein the method is executed by a core network device, the core network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and the method includes:

based on access information of User Equipment (UE), the second network element determines a first network element providing second satellite coverage information for the UE, and sends identification information for identifying the first network element to the UE;

22. An information transmission device, wherein the information transmission device is disposed in a first network element, and includes:

23. An information transmission device, wherein the information transmission device is disposed in a second network element, and includes:

24. An information transmission apparatus, wherein the information transmission apparatus is disposed in a user equipment UE, and comprises:

25. An information transmission apparatus, wherein the information transmission apparatus is disposed in a core network device, and includes:

26. A communication system, comprising: the first network element, the second network element and the user equipment UE, wherein,

-said first network element for performing an information transmission device according to any of claims 1 to 4;

-said second network element for performing the information transmission apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 11;

the UE configured to perform the information transmission apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 21.

27. A communication device comprising a processor, a transceiver, a memory and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein the processor performs the information transmission method provided in any one of claims 1 to 4, 5 to 10, 11 to 20, 20 when running the executable program.

28. A computer storage medium storing an executable program; the executable program, when executed by a processor, is capable of implementing the information transmission method provided in any one of claims 1 to 4, 5 to 10, 11 to 20, 21.