WO2025232198A1 - 通信方法、装置、系统和存储介质 - Google Patents

通信方法、装置、系统和存储介质

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Publication number
WO2025232198A1
WO2025232198A1 PCT/CN2024/139094 CN2024139094W WO2025232198A1 WO 2025232198 A1 WO2025232198 A1 WO 2025232198A1 CN 2024139094 W CN2024139094 W CN 2024139094W WO 2025232198 A1 WO2025232198 A1 WO 2025232198A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
base station
core network
rrc
rrc connection
store
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/CN2024/139094
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
彭硕
刘胜楠
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
China Telecom Corp Ltd Technology Innovation Center
China Telecom Corp Ltd
Original Assignee
China Telecom Corp Ltd Technology Innovation Center
China Telecom Corp Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by China Telecom Corp Ltd Technology Innovation Center, China Telecom Corp Ltd filed Critical China Telecom Corp Ltd Technology Innovation Center
Publication of WO2025232198A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025232198A1/zh
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W68/00—User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
    • H04W68/02—Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W76/00—Connection management
    • H04W76/20—Manipulation of established connections
    • H04W76/27—Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, system and storage medium.
  • NTN Non-Terrestrial Network
  • 3GPP The standard definition of NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) given by 3GPP is "a network or network segment that uses airborne or space-based vehicles to carry transmission equipment, relay nodes or base stations.” Simply put, it includes any network that involves non-terrestrial flying objects.
  • the satellite constellation may only support discontinuous coverage, which will disrupt some services, impact user experience, and hinder the operator's continued smooth operation.
  • One objective of this disclosure is to propose a scheme for implementing store-and-forward mode in NTN communication, thereby improving communication reliability.
  • a communication method comprising: a base station establishing an RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection with a first UE (User Equipment), wherein the RRC establishment completion message carries store-and-forward capability indication information; if it is determined that the feeder link with the core network is not activated, the base station sends a first RRC release message to the first UE; the base station sends registration information of the first UE to the core network; the base station receives a paging message from the core network, and if it moves to a location area covering the first UE, it initiates paging to the first UE according to the paging message in order to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • RRC Radio Resource Control
  • the base station sends the registration information of the first UE to the core network in response to the activation of the feeder link.
  • the method further includes: the base station sending store-and-forward mode operating status information via a broadcast message, wherein the first UE sends an RRC establishment request to the base station according to the store-and-forward mode operating status information, and the base station establishes an RRC connection with the first UE according to the RRC establishment request.
  • the broadcast message may also include a satellite identifier.
  • the first RRC release message includes first release reason information, which indicates that the RRC connection needs to be paused due to a store-and-forward operation.
  • the first RRC release message also includes timer information, which indicates the time for pausing the user equipment's request to establish an RRC connection with a base station in the same PLMN in store-forward mode.
  • the method further includes: the base station establishing an RRC connection with the second UE, wherein the second UE does not have store-and-forward capability; and the base station sending a second RRC release message to the second UE when it determines that the feeder link between the base station and the core network is not activated, wherein the second RRC release message includes second release reason information, which is different from the first release reason information.
  • the method further includes: after the base station sends the registration information of the first UE to the core network, it obtains indication information indicating that the data of the first UE is cached in the base station, wherein the core network initiates the initial context establishment of the UE based on the registration information and sends the indication information.
  • the method further includes: the base station initiating a first UE context suspension procedure to the core network to store the context of the first UE in the base station, wherein the first UE context suspension procedure is used to suspend the logical interface connection associated with the first UE and the user plane transmission bearer with the core network.
  • the method further includes: during the first UE context pause procedure, the base station sends the location information of the first UE to the core network, the location information including at least one of cell identifier or tracking area identifier.
  • the method further includes: after establishing an RRC connection with the first UE according to an RRC establishment request from the first UE, the base station acquires and stores uplink data of the first UE; and after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network, the base station sends the uplink data to the core network.
  • the method further includes: receiving and storing downlink data from the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network; and sending the downlink data to the first UE after restoring the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • the method further includes: after the base station restores the RRC connection with the first UE, receiving uplink data from the first UE; and if the base station determines that the feeder link with the core network is not activated, storing the uplink data so as to send it to the core network after the feeder link is activated.
  • the method further includes: in response to activating the feeder link, the base station initiates context recovery to the core network for the first UE; the base station receives a paging message from the core network, and, if it moves to a location area covering the first UE, initiates paging to the first UE according to the paging message in order to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • the method further includes: after the base station restores the RRC connection with the first UE, performing at least one of the following: receiving and storing uplink data of the first UE until the feeder link becomes available again and forwarding the data to the core network; or sending cached downlink data from the core network to the first UE.
  • a communication method comprising: a user equipment (UE) establishing an RRC connection with a base station operating in store-and-forward mode, and carrying store-and-forward capability indication information in an RRC establishment completion message; releasing the RRC connection with the base station in response to a first RRC release message from the base station, wherein the base station sends the first RRC release message to a first UE when it determines that the feeder link with the core network is not activated; and restoring the RRC connection with the base station in response to receiving a paging message from the base station.
  • UE user equipment
  • the method further includes: receiving a broadcast message from a base station; and sending an RRC establishment request to the base station based on store-and-forward mode operating status indication information carried in the broadcast message.
  • the method further includes: after establishing an RRC connection with the base station according to the store-and-forward mode working status indication information carried in the broadcast message, sending uplink data to the base station, wherein the base station stores the uplink data and sends the uplink data to the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network.
  • the method further includes: receiving downlink data from the base station after restoring the RRC connection with the base station, wherein the base station receives and stores the downlink data from the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network.
  • the method further includes: sending uplink data to the base station after restoring the RRC connection with the base station, wherein the base station stores the uplink data in case it determines that the feeder link with the core network is not activated, so as to send it to the core network after activating the feeder link.
  • the method further includes: after restoring the RRC connection with the base station, performing at least one of the following: sending uplink data to the base station, wherein the base station receives and stores the uplink data of the first UE until the feeder link is available again and forwards the data to the core network; or receiving downlink data from the core network cached by the base station.
  • a communication apparatus comprising: a first RRC connection establishment unit configured to establish an RRC connection with a first UE, wherein the RRC establishment completion message carries store-and-forward capability indication information; a first RRC connection release unit configured to send a first RRC release message to the first UE when it is determined that the feeder link with the core network is not activated; a registration unit configured to send registration information of the first UE to the core network in response to activating the feeder link; and a first RRC connection restoration unit configured to receive a paging message from the core network and, when moving to a location area covering the location of the first UE, initiate paging to the first UE according to the paging message in order to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • the apparatus further includes: a broadcast unit configured to send store-and-forward mode operating status information via a broadcast message, wherein a first UE sends an RRC establishment request to a base station based on the store-and-forward mode operating status information, and the base station establishes an RRC connection with the first UE based on the RRC establishment request.
  • a broadcast unit configured to send store-and-forward mode operating status information via a broadcast message, wherein a first UE sends an RRC establishment request to a base station based on the store-and-forward mode operating status information, and the base station establishes an RRC connection with the first UE based on the RRC establishment request.
  • the apparatus further includes: a first data transmission unit configured to, after establishing an RRC connection with the first UE according to an RRC establishment request from the first UE, acquire and store uplink data of the first UE; and, upon completion of the initial UE context establishment with the core network, send the uplink data to the core network.
  • a first data transmission unit configured to, after establishing an RRC connection with the first UE according to an RRC establishment request from the first UE, acquire and store uplink data of the first UE; and, upon completion of the initial UE context establishment with the core network, send the uplink data to the core network.
  • the apparatus further includes: a context recovery unit configured to initiate context recovery of the first UE to the core network in response to activating the feeder link; the first RRC connection recovery unit is further configured to receive a paging message from the core network, and, if moved to a location area covering the first UE, to initiate paging of the first UE according to the paging message in order to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • a context recovery unit configured to initiate context recovery of the first UE to the core network in response to activating the feeder link
  • the first RRC connection recovery unit is further configured to receive a paging message from the core network, and, if moved to a location area covering the first UE, to initiate paging of the first UE according to the paging message in order to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • a communication apparatus comprising: a second RRC connection unit configured to establish an RRC connection with a base station operating in store-and-forward mode, and carrying store-and-forward capability indication information in an RRC establishment completion message; a second RRC connection release unit configured to release the RRC connection with the base station in response to a first RRC release message from the base station, wherein the base station sends the first RRC release message to a first UE when it determines that the feeder link with the core network is not activated; and a second RRC connection restoration unit configured to restore the RRC connection with the base station in response to receiving a paging message from the base station.
  • the apparatus further includes: a second data transmission unit configured to send uplink data to the base station after establishing an RRC connection with the base station according to the store-and-forward mode operating status indication information carried in the broadcast message, wherein the base station stores the uplink data and sends the uplink data to the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network.
  • a second data transmission unit configured to send uplink data to the base station after establishing an RRC connection with the base station according to the store-and-forward mode operating status indication information carried in the broadcast message, wherein the base station stores the uplink data and sends the uplink data to the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network.
  • a communication device comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute any of the communication methods described above based on instructions stored in the memory.
  • a computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement any of the communication methods described above.
  • a computer program product including a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement any of the communication methods described above.
  • a communication system comprising: a base station configured to perform any of the communication methods performed by the base station as described above; and a core network configured to receive registration information of a first UE from the base station and send a paging message to the base station.
  • the system further includes a user equipment configured to perform any of the communication methods described above that are performed by the user equipment side.
  • a computer program for causing a processor to perform any of the communication methods described above.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the application scenarios of the communication method disclosed herein.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart of some embodiments of the communication method of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of some other embodiments of the communication method of this disclosure.
  • Figure 4 is a signaling flowchart of some embodiments of the communication method of this disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 is a signaling flowchart of some other embodiments of the communication method of this disclosure.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the communication device of this disclosure.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the communication device of this disclosure.
  • Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the communication device of this disclosure.
  • Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the communication device disclosed herein.
  • Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the communication system of this disclosure.
  • S&F Store and Forward
  • the 3GPP Release 19 NTN project adds new scenarios for satellite communications, including IoT applications with discontinuous link store-and-forward.
  • Supporting store-and-forward (S&F) satellite operation with regenerative payloads has the following advantages:
  • S&F operation allows for the provision of latency-tolerant, non-real-time IoT NTN services in satellite-accessible areas, but does not require NTN gateway infrastructure (such as at sea or in remote areas);
  • satellite store-and-forward mode communication methods are mainly aimed at non-3GPP systems.
  • this disclosure proposes a communication method, apparatus, system, and storage medium to achieve mutual cooperation between base stations, user equipment, and the core network in S&F-based NTN communication, thereby improving communication reliability.
  • the application scenario of this disclosure is shown in Figure 1, assuming that the low-Earth orbit satellite is located at an altitude of less than 600 kilometers and has an orbital period of approximately 90 minutes.
  • the size of the satellite coverage area depends on various factors, but for simplicity, it is assumed that the satellite provides service to a given location on Earth each time it passes by, for example, for 5 minutes. Due to the Earth's rotation, the same satellite can only pass through the same geographical area after several orbits, as shown in the figure, where the satellite is located in the geographical areas at times T1-T5, where the satellite passes through the same geographical area at times T1 and T5; if multiple satellites exist, the UE may interact with different satellites. Due to the non-continuous coverage characteristics of sparse constellations, the UE will receive service intermittently, for example, within 5 minutes over several hours.
  • the communication method is performed by a base station.
  • This base station is a base station built on non-terrestrial equipment, such as a satellite base station.
  • the base station establishes an RRC connection with the first UE.
  • the base station and the first UE can establish an RRC connection based on the RRC connection establishment process in related technologies.
  • the first UE is a UE with store-and-forward capability.
  • the first UE carries store-and-forward capability indication information so that the base station can determine that the first UE supports the store-and-forward function and take the operation associated with the store-and-forward mode for the first UE, triggering the execution of step S22.
  • the base station can receive uplink data sent by the first UE.
  • the first UE is an NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things) device
  • the small uplink data packets are encapsulated in NAS (Non-access stratum) PDU (Protocol Data Unit) and transmitted to the base station through control plane signaling messages to improve the timeliness of uplink data transmission.
  • NAS Non-access stratum
  • PDU Protocol Data Unit
  • steps S22-S23 if it is determined that the feeder link between the base station and the core network is not activated, the base station sends a first RRC release message to the first UE, causing the connection to enter an idle state or an inactive state.
  • the base station may immediately initiate the release of the RRC connection, thereby reducing the equipment processing burden and reducing the continuous occupation of base station and UE resources.
  • the base station may proactively release the RRC connection after a predetermined duration of RRC connection establishment, thereby reducing the unnecessary occupation of UE and base station resources while receiving uplink data.
  • the first RRC release message may carry first release reason information.
  • the release reason in related technologies can be extended by adding a reason value indicating that the RRC connection needs to be paused due to a store-and-forward operation, thereby facilitating the user equipment to know the release reason and also making it easier for the user to know the network status.
  • the first RRC release message may also carry a timer to indicate to the first UE when it may retry the recovery process. During the duration of this timer value, the UE should not initiate connection attempts with any NTN cell operating in store-and-forward mode within the same PLMN. In some embodiments, the first UE can distinguish between devices carrying the current base station and other devices based on non-terrestrial device identifiers (such as satellite identifiers) obtained in the preceding process, thereby avoiding communication process confusion or data loss caused by initiating connections to other base stations and improving communication reliability.
  • non-terrestrial device identifiers such as satellite identifiers
  • step S24 as the non-ground equipment carrying the base station moves, the base station establishes a connection with the ground core network, activates the feeder link, and triggers the execution of step S25. In some embodiments, if the feeder link cannot be activated, the base station continues to attempt and determine whether the feeder link can be activated.
  • step S25 the base station sends the registration information of the first UE to the core network.
  • the base station sends the registration information of the first UE to the core network based on the information of the first UE obtained in step S21 above.
  • the core network may initiate an initial UE context establishment process for the first UE based on the registration information of the first UE.
  • the established initial UE context includes PDU session context, security key, mobility restriction list, UE radio capabilities, and UE security capabilities.
  • the base station if it obtains uplink data from the first UE after step S21, it can send the uplink data to the core network after the context is established. In some embodiments, the base station can also receive and cache downlink data from the core network.
  • the base station may also initiate a context suspension procedure for the first UE to suspend the logical interface connection associated with the first UE and the username transmission bearer associated with the first UE and the core network, while keeping the first UE context in the base station.
  • the base station may send UE location information (e.g., mapped cell ID, TA, etc. bound to a geographical area) used for auxiliary information during paging to the core network during the context suspension procedure for the first UE.
  • UE location information e.g., mapped cell ID, TA, etc. bound to a geographical area
  • step S26 the base station receives a paging message for the first UE from the core network.
  • the base station stores the paging message.
  • step S27 is executed.
  • step S27 it is determined whether the device has moved to an area that covers the location of the first UE. If the non-ground device moves to an area that the base station can cover the location of the first UE, the base station executes step S28. If the device has not yet moved to an area that the base station can cover the location of the first UE, the location is determined in real time as the device moves.
  • step S28 a paging message is initiated to the first UE in order to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • the base station if it receives downlink data from the core network in step S25 above, it can send it to the first UE after the RRC connection is restored, thereby realizing downlink data transmission from the terrestrial core network to the first UE. In some embodiments, the base station can also receive and buffer uplink data from the first UE after the RRC connection is restored, so as to send it to the terrestrial core network after the next restoration of the feeder link, thereby realizing uplink data transmission from the first UE to the terrestrial core network.
  • the base station can adopt a store-and-forward working mode and release or suspend the RRC connection with the UE when the base station service link is available but a connection with the core network cannot be established; when the connection between the base station and the core network is available, a UE context is established and user data is exchanged; the UE context pause/resume procedure is used to support intermittent transmission characteristics, thereby providing a complete interaction process for signaling interaction and uplink/downlink data transmission between users and network devices in store-and-forward mode in NTN communication, effectively solving the problem of discontinuous coverage of NTN base stations and improving the reliability of communication.
  • a base station operating in store-and-forward mode establishes an RRC connection with a user equipment (hereinafter referred to as the second UE) that does not support store-and-forward, for example, if the RRC establishment completion message returned by the UE does not carry store-and-forward capability indication information, then the base station, upon determining that the feeder link with the core network is not activated, sends a second RRC release message to the second UE.
  • the second RRC release message includes second release reason information, which differs from the first release reason information mentioned above, thereby helping the user equipment distinguish between RRC connection releases caused by store-and-forward mode and other RRC connection releases.
  • the second release reason information can be congestion or other (other is an open-ended reason identifier, meaning the information carried is specifically the identifier corresponding to "other").
  • step S20 may be included: the base station sends store-and-forward mode operating status information via a broadcast message.
  • the first UE receives the broadcast message, it identifies the store-and-forward mode operating status information therein and then sends an RRC establishment request to the base station that sent the broadcast message. Further, the base station executes step S21 according to the RRC establishment request to establish an RRC connection with the first UE.
  • the base station can be discovered and identified by the UE via a broadcast message carrying the store-and-forward mode operating status, improving the timeliness of establishing an RRC connection with the UE.
  • the broadcast message sent by the base station also includes a non-terrestrial device identifier (such as a satellite identifier).
  • the UE can identify the non-terrestrial device where the base station that has established an RRC connection with it is located through the satellite identifier. In this way, when the RRC connection with the base station is subsequently restored, the UE can identify the non-terrestrial device, avoid establishing RRC connections with base stations mounted on multiple non-terrestrial devices, thereby avoiding data loss and improving the reliability of communication.
  • step S28 if the base station moves out of the area that can cover the location of the first UE, the service link is unavailable.
  • step S29 is executed.
  • step S29 the base station initiates context recovery for the first UE to the core network.
  • the base station can send cached uplink data to the ground core network, or receive and cache downlink data from the ground core network. Additionally, the base station receives paging messages from the core network. This method enables interaction between the first UE and the core network by restoring the previously established context, avoiding excessive signaling burden and reducing the risk of data loss.
  • step S29 when the base station moves again to cover the area where the first UE is located, it initiates a paging message to the first UE to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • the base station may receive and store the uplink data of the first UE until the feeder link becomes available again and forwards the data to the core network.
  • the base station may send cached downlink data from the core network to the first UE.
  • This method enables interaction between the first UE and the core network by restoring previously established connections and contexts, avoiding excessive signaling burden, improving connection efficiency, and reducing the risk of data loss.
  • FIG. 3 Flowcharts of some other embodiments of the communication method disclosed herein are shown in Figure 3.
  • the communication method shown in Figure 3 is executed by a user equipment (the first UE mentioned above), which has store-and-forward functionality.
  • the base station in the process is an NTN base station, mounted on non-terrestrial equipment, to execute the method in any of the embodiments executed by the base station described above.
  • the user equipment in this disclosure can be a user terminal.
  • step S31 the UE establishes an RRC connection with the base station operating in store-and-forward mode and carries store-and-forward capability indication information in the RRC establishment completion message.
  • a UE when a UE receives a broadcast message from a base station not mounted on terrestrial equipment, it identifies whether the broadcast message carries store-and-forward mode operating status indication information. If the broadcast message carries store-and-forward mode operating status indication information, the UE can initiate the establishment of an RRC connection. In some embodiments, the UE triggers the establishment of an RRC connection by sending an RRC establishment request to the base station.
  • the UE initiates the establishment of an RRC connection with a base station operating in store-and-forward mode only when it has not established an RRC connection with other NTN base stations (including cases where the connection is released due to store-and-forward mode), or when it has previously established an RRC connection with other NTN base stations (including cases where the connection is released due to store-and-forward mode) but the time exceeds a predetermined period, thereby avoiding resource waste and data loss caused by repeatedly establishing RRC connections.
  • the UE after establishing an RRC connection with the base station, can send uplink data to the base station so that the base station can store the uplink data and send the uplink data to the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network.
  • step S32 after the UE receives the first RRC release message from the base station, step S33 is triggered.
  • the UE receives the RRC release message it can first extract the release reason information included therein. If the release reason information is release due to store-and-forward mode, step S33 is triggered.
  • step S33 the UE releases the RRC connection with the base station.
  • the UE if the first RRC release message contains timer information, the UE will not request to establish an RRC connection with other base stations in the same PLMN in store-and-forward mode within the time length indicated by the timer information. In some embodiments, the UE can identify the current base station from other base stations based on the non-terrestrial equipment identifier carried in the broadcast message.
  • step S34 in response to receiving a paging message from the base station, step S35 is executed.
  • step S35 the UE restores its RRC connection with the base station.
  • the UE can receive downlink data from the base station, which is obtained by the base station through the feeder link established with the ground core network during the time period between steps S33 and S34.
  • the UE can send uplink data to the base station. If the base station determines that the feeder link with the core network is not activated, it stores the uplink data so that it can be sent to the core network after the feeder link is activated.
  • the RRC connection between the UE and the base station is restored, thereby improving communication continuity and reducing the risk of data loss.
  • the UE can establish an RRC connection with the base station operating in store-and-forward mode, so that the base station can cooperate with the ground core network to complete the context establishment process after restoring the feeder link.
  • the RRC connection can be restored when the base station moves back to the area covering the UE's location, thereby realizing non-real-time, intermittent data transmission.
  • the signaling flowchart of some embodiments of the communication method disclosed herein is shown in Figure 4.
  • the satellite is located in an area where the base station can cover the location of the UE, and the service link between the UE and the base station is available; during time period T3, the base station is located in an area where it can establish a connection with the ground core network.
  • the satellite is within the UE's communication range, and the UE measures the satellite cell.
  • the UE learns from the system information block (SIB) broadcast by the satellite that the satellite cell is operating in S&F mode.
  • SIB system information block
  • the system message also carries a satellite identifier.
  • the UE sends an RRC establishment request message to the satellite base station, requesting to establish a new connection from RRC_IDLE (idle state);
  • the UE and base station complete the RRC establishment process.
  • the RRC establishment completion message carries the NAS message and S&F capability indication information.
  • the UE can send uplink data to the base station.
  • small data packets from the NB-IoT device can be encapsulated into a NAS PDU and transmitted as control plane signaling messages.
  • communication process 405 is a non-essential process generated according to needs and actual conditions.
  • the base station (satellite) cannot obtain UE subscription data. Therefore, the base station will reject the UE's initial connection process.
  • the base station sends an RRC release message to the UE, causing it to enter an idle or inactive state.
  • the RRC release message carries a new release reason value, indicating that the RRC connection needs to be suspended due to S&F operations.
  • the RRC release message may also carry a new timer (optional) to indicate to the UE when it may retry the recovery procedure. During the duration of this timer value, the UE should not initiate connection attempts with any satellite cells operating in S&F mode within the same PLMN.
  • the base station may use another rejection reason (e.g., other, congestion) to allow the UE to retry when the satellite passes by again for UEs that do not support S&F (e.g., UEs prior to Rel-19).
  • another rejection reason e.g., other, congestion
  • step 407 if the base station determines that the feeder link to the core network is available, it sends an INITIAL UE MESSAGE message to the core network.
  • This INITIAL UE MESSAGE includes the first uplink NAS message to be forwarded to the AMF and the UE location information.
  • the core network refers to the terrestrial core network.
  • the core network initiates the UE Initial Context Setup procedure.
  • the UE Initial Context Setup request includes store-and-forward operation indication information.
  • the UE Initial Context Setup procedure is used to establish the necessary initial UE context at the base station, including PDU session context, security key, mobility restriction list, UE radio capabilities, and UE security capabilities. In addition, it also includes indication information that UE data needs to be cached at the base station due to store-and-forward operations.
  • the base station forwards the UE's uplink data to the satellite.
  • the base station receives and caches downlink data from the core network for the UE.
  • the base station initiates a UE context suspension procedure to suspend the logical interface connection associated with the UE and the user plane transmission bearer with the core network, while keeping the UE context in the base station, including sending the UE location information (mapped cell ID, TA, etc. bound to the geographic region) to the core network carrying auxiliary information used during paging.
  • a UE context suspension procedure to suspend the logical interface connection associated with the UE and the user plane transmission bearer with the core network, while keeping the UE context in the base station, including sending the UE location information (mapped cell ID, TA, etc. bound to the geographic region) to the core network carrying auxiliary information used during paging.
  • Each of the communication processes 409-411 described above is generated based on needs and actual circumstances, and is not a necessary process.
  • the base station receives paging messages from the core network. When the base station moves and covers the area where the UE is located, it initiates a paging of the UE.
  • the UE resumes its RRC connection with the base station after receiving a paging message.
  • uplink and downlink data can be transmitted between the UE and the base station while the serving link is still operational.
  • the base station stores the UE's uplink data until the feeder link becomes available again and forwards the data to the core network.
  • the base station can adopt a store-and-forward working mode and release or suspend the RRC connection with the UE when the base station service link is available but a connection with the core network cannot be established; when the connection between the base station and the core network is available, a UE context is established and user data is exchanged; the UE context pause/resume procedure is used to support intermittent transmission characteristics, thereby providing a complete interaction process for signaling interaction and uplink/downlink data transmission between users and network devices in store-and-forward mode in NTN communication, effectively solving the problem of discontinuous coverage of NTN base stations and improving the reliability of communication.
  • FIG5 is a subsequent process to the communication process shown in FIG4.
  • step 501 the base station moves to a location where the feeder link is available again.
  • the base station initiates a UE context recovery procedure to the ground core network to restore the UE context, the suspended logical interface connection associated with the UE, and the user plane transmission bearer between the UE and the core network.
  • the subsequent communication process from 502 to 508 is the same as or similar to that from 409 to 415 in Figure 4 above, and will not be described again here.
  • This method enables interaction between the first UE and the core network by restoring previously established connections and contexts, avoiding excessive signaling burden, improving connection efficiency, and reducing the risk of data loss.
  • FIG. 6 shows schematic diagrams of some embodiments of the communication device 61 disclosed herein.
  • the communication device 61 is a base station-side device, located in a non-ground device that carries a base station.
  • the first RRC connection establishment unit 612 is capable of establishing an RRC connection with the first UE, wherein the RRC establishment completion message carries store-and-forward capability indication information.
  • the first RRC connection release unit 613 can send a first RRC release message to the first UE when it is determined that the feeder link with the core network is not activated.
  • the first RRC connection release unit 613 may initiate the release of the RRC connection immediately after the base station establishes an RRC connection and obtains the RRC establishment completion message of the first UE, thereby reducing the processing burden of the device and reducing the continuous occupation of base station and UE resources.
  • the first RRC connection release unit 613 may actively initiate the release of the RRC connection after a predetermined duration of RRC connection establishment, thereby reducing the useless occupation of UE and base station resources while receiving uplink data.
  • Registration unit 614 can send the registration information of the first UE to the core network in response to activating the feeder link.
  • the core network can initiate an initial UE context establishment procedure for the first UE based on the registration information of the first UE.
  • the established initial UE context includes PDU session context, security key, mobility restriction list, UE radio capabilities, and UE security capabilities.
  • registration unit 614 can also initiate a context suspension procedure for the first UE to suspend the logical interface connection associated with the first UE and the username transmission bearer associated with the first UE and the core network, while keeping the first UE context in the base station.
  • registration unit 614 can send UE location information (e.g., mapped cell ID, TA, etc. bound to a geographical area) used for auxiliary information during paging to the core network.
  • the first RRC connection restoration unit 615 can receive paging messages from the core network, and when it moves to a location area covering the first UE, it can initiate a paging to the first UE according to the paging message in order to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • Such a communication device can adopt a store-and-forward working mode and release or suspend the RRC connection with the UE when the base station service link is available but a connection with the core network cannot be established; when the connection between the base station and the core network is available, it can establish a UE context and exchange user data; and use the UE context pause/resume procedure to support intermittent transmission characteristics, thereby providing a complete interaction process for signaling interaction and uplink and downlink data transmission between users and network devices in store-and-forward mode in NTN communication, effectively solving the problem of discontinuous coverage of NTN base stations and improving communication reliability.
  • the communication device 61 further includes a broadcast unit 611, capable of transmitting store-and-forward mode operating status information via a broadcast message.
  • the first UE sends an RRC establishment request to the base station based on the store-and-forward mode operating status information, and the base station establishes an RRC connection with the first UE based on the RRC establishment request.
  • a broadcast message carrying the store-and-forward mode operating status, improving the timeliness of establishing an RRC connection with the UE.
  • the broadcast message sent by the broadcast unit 611 also includes a non-terrestrial device identifier (such as a satellite identifier).
  • the UE can identify the non-terrestrial device where the base station that has established an RRC connection with it is located through the satellite identifier. In this way, when the RRC connection with the base station is restored in the future, the UE can identify the non-terrestrial device and avoid establishing RRC connections with base stations mounted on multiple non-terrestrial devices, thereby avoiding data loss and improving the reliability of communication.
  • the communication device 61 further includes a first data transmission unit 616, which can acquire and store uplink data of the first UE after establishing an RRC connection with the first UE according to an RRC establishment request from the first UE; and send the uplink data to the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network, thereby improving the efficiency of UE data reaching the core network.
  • a first data transmission unit 616 which can acquire and store uplink data of the first UE after establishing an RRC connection with the first UE according to an RRC establishment request from the first UE; and send the uplink data to the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network, thereby improving the efficiency of UE data reaching the core network.
  • the first data transmission unit 616 can receive downlink data from the core network after the UE initial context is established, and forward the downlink data to the UE after the first RRC connection recovery unit 615 restores the RRC connection with the first UE, thereby realizing downlink data transmission based on store-and-forward mode.
  • the first data transmission unit 616 can receive uplink data from the first UE after the first RRC connection restoration unit 615 restores the RRC connection with the first UE, and forward the uplink data to the core network after the subsequent feeder link is restored, thereby realizing uplink data transmission based on store-and-forward mode.
  • the communication device 61 further includes a context recovery unit 617, which can initiate context recovery for the first UE to the core network when the feeder link is activated at least a second time after the base station establishes an RRC connection with the UE (at which point the first UE has completed registration in the core network). Furthermore, when the communication device moves to a location area covering the first UE at least a third time after the base station establishes an RRC connection with the UE, it can initiate paging to the first UE according to a paging message to restore the RRC connection with the first UE.
  • Such a device can enable interaction between the first UE and the core network by restoring previously established connections and contexts, avoiding excessive signaling burden, improving connection efficiency, and reducing the risk of data loss.
  • FIG7 Schematic diagrams of some embodiments of the communication device 72 disclosed herein are shown in FIG7.
  • the communication device 72 is a user-side device located in the user equipment.
  • the second RRC connection unit 721 can establish an RRC connection with a base station operating in store-and-forward mode, and carry store-and-forward capability indication information in the RRC establishment completion message;
  • the second RRC connection release unit 722 can release the RRC connection with the base station in response to the first RRC release message from the base station.
  • the base station sends the first RRC release message to the first UE when it determines that the feeder link with the core network is not activated.
  • the second RRC connection restoration unit 723 can restore the RRC connection with the base station in response to receiving a paging message from the base station.
  • the UE can establish an RRC connection with the base station operating in store-and-forward mode, so that the base station can cooperate with the ground core network to complete the context establishment process after restoring the feeder link.
  • the RRC connection can be restored when the base station moves back to the area covering the UE's location, thereby realizing non-real-time, intermittent data transmission.
  • the communication device 72 further includes a second data transmission unit 724, which can send uplink data to the base station after establishing an RRC connection with the base station according to the store-and-forward mode working status indication information carried in the broadcast message.
  • the base station stores the uplink data and sends the uplink data to the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network, thereby improving the efficiency of uplink data transmission to the core network.
  • the second data transmission unit 724 can receive downlink data from the base station after the second RRC connection recovery unit 723 restores the RRC connection with the base station.
  • the base station receives and stores downlink data from the core network after completing the initial UE context establishment with the core network, thereby realizing downlink data transmission based on store-and-forward mode.
  • the second data transmission unit 724 can send uplink data to the base station after the second RRC connection restoration unit 723 restores the RRC connection with the base station.
  • the base station stores the uplink data when it is determined that the feeder link with the core network is not activated, so that it can be sent to the core network after the feeder link is activated, thereby realizing uplink data transmission based on store-and-forward mode.
  • the communication device includes a memory 801 and a processor 802.
  • the memory 801 can be a disk, flash memory, or any other non-volatile storage medium.
  • the memory is used to store instructions in the corresponding embodiments of the communication method described above.
  • the processor 802 is coupled to the memory 801 and can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, such as a microprocessor or microcontroller.
  • the processor 802 executes the instructions stored in the memory, providing a complete interaction process for signaling interaction and uplink/downlink data transmission between users and network devices in the store-and-forward mode of NTN communication. This effectively solves the problem of discontinuous coverage of NTN base stations and improves communication reliability.
  • the communication device 900 may include a memory 901 and a processor 902.
  • the processor 902 is coupled to the memory 901 via a BUS bus 903.
  • the communication device 900 may also be connected to an external storage device 905 via a storage interface 904 to access external data, and may also be connected to a network or another computer system (not shown) via a network interface 906. Further details are omitted here.
  • a complete interaction process can be provided for signaling interaction and uplink and downlink data transmission between users and network devices in the store-and-forward mode of NTN communication. This effectively solves the problem of discontinuous coverage of NTN base stations and improves the reliability of communication.
  • a computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method in the corresponding embodiment of the communication method.
  • Figure 10 shows schematic diagrams of some embodiments of the communication system disclosed herein.
  • Base station 1010 can execute any of the communication methods mentioned above.
  • Base station 1010 may include the communication device shown in the embodiment of Figure 6 above.
  • the first UE 1020 can execute any of the communication methods mentioned above.
  • the first UE 1020 may include the communication device shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7.
  • the system may include at least one first UE.
  • Core network 1030 is a terrestrial core network (the entire core network when all core networks are located on the ground, or the portion of the core network located on the ground when some core networks are located on non-terrestrial equipment).
  • the first UE, base station, and core network can adopt the process shown in the embodiments of Figures 4 and 5 to implement NTN communication based on store-and-forward mode.
  • the base station when the base station service link is available but a connection with the core network cannot be established, the base station can adopt a store-and-forward working mode and release or suspend the RRC connection with the UE; when the connection between the base station and the core network is available, the base station can establish a UE context and exchange user data; and use the UE context pause/resume procedure to support intermittent transmission characteristics.
  • This provides a complete interaction process for signaling interaction and uplink/downlink data transmission between users and network devices in store-and-forward mode in NTN communication, effectively solving the problem of discontinuous coverage of NTN base stations and improving communication reliability.
  • These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and/or one or more block diagrams.
  • These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and/or one or more block diagrams.
  • the methods and apparatus of this disclosure may be implemented in many ways. For example, they may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of software, hardware, and firmware.
  • the above-described order of steps for the methods is for illustrative purposes only, and the steps of the methods of this disclosure are not limited to the order specifically described above unless otherwise specifically stated.
  • this disclosure may also be implemented as a program recorded on a recording medium, the program including machine-readable instructions for implementing the methods according to this disclosure.
  • this disclosure also covers recording media storing programs for performing the methods according to this disclosure.

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Abstract

本公开提出一种通信方法、装置、系统和存储介质，涉及通信技术领域。本公开的一种通信方法，包括：基站建立与第一用户设备UE的无线资源控制RRC连接，其中，RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，基站向第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；基站向核心网发送第一UE的注册信息；基站接收来自核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。

Description

通信方法、装置、系统和存储介质
相关申请的交叉引用
本申请是以CN申请号为202410571752.7，申请日为2024年5月9日的申请为基础，并主张其优先权，该CN申请的公开内容在此作为整体引入本申请中。
技术领域
本公开涉及通信技术领域，特别是一种通信方法、装置、系统和存储介质。
背景技术
对于NTN(Non-Terrestrial Network，非地面网络)，3GPP给出的标准定义是“使用机载或太空运载工具搭载传输设备中继节点或基站的网络或网络段”，简单来说包括任何涉及非地面飞行物的网络。
当前3GPP NTN研究中定义了两种典型传输架构，一种是透明转发，信号在卫星上仅进行频率转换和信号放大，基站(gNB/eNB)位于地面；另一种是再生传输(星上接入/处理)，即卫星具有部分或全部基站功能。预计未来10年内将部署的所有NGSO星座将被设计为支持卫星间链路并搭载再生有效载荷。
当物联网星座系统建成进行商业运营之后，如果卫星星间链路不可用，可能出现工作卫星与地面网关没有实时可达通信链路的情况。另外，出于运营成本考虑，可能卫星星座仅支持非连续覆盖，这将对部分业务造成中断，影响用户服务体验，不利于运营商的持续良好运营。
发明内容
本公开的一个目的在于提出一种实现NTN通信中存储转发模式的方案，提高通信的可靠性。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种通信方法，包括：基站建立与第一UE(User Equipment，用户设备)的RRC(Radio Resource Control，无线资源控制)连接，其中，RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，基站向第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；基站向核心网发送第一UE的注册信息；基站接收来自核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，基站向核心网发送第一UE的注册信息为响应于激活馈线链路执行。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：基站通过广播消息发送存储转发模式工作状态信息，其中，第一UE根据存储转发模式工作状态信息向基站发送RRC建立请求，基站根据RRC建立请求，建立与第一UE的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，广播消息中还包括卫星标识。
在一些实施例中，第一RRC释放消息中包括第一释放原因信息，第一释放原因信息指示由于存储转发操作需要暂停RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，第一RRC释放消息中还包括定时器信息，定时器信息指示暂停用户设备向同一PLMN内的存储转发工作模式的基站请求建立RRC连接的时间。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：基站与第二UE建立RRC连接，其中，第二UE不具备存储转发能力；基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，向第二UE发送第二RRC释放消息，第二RRC释放消息中包括第二释放原因信息，第二释放原因信息与第一释放原因信息不同。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：基站在向核心网发送第一UE的注册信息后，获取指示在基站中缓存第一UE的数据的指示信息，其中，核心网根据注册信息发起UE初始上下文建立，并发送指示信息。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：基站向核心网发起第一UE上下文暂停流程，将第一UE的上下文存储在基站中，其中，第一UE上下文暂停流程用于暂停与第一UE相关联的逻辑接口连接和与核心网之间的用户面传输承载。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：基站在第一UE上下文暂停流程中，向核心网发送第一UE的位置信息，位置信息包括小区标识或跟踪区域标识中的至少一项。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：基站在根据来自第一UE的RRC建立请求建立与第一UE的RRC连接后，获取第一UE的上行数据并存储；在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将上行数据发送给核心网。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，接收来自核心网的下行数据并存储；在恢复与第一UE之间的RRC连接后，将下行数据发送给第一UE。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：基站在恢复与第一UE之间的RRC连接后，接收第一UE的上行数据；基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，存储上行数据，以便在激活馈线链路后发送给核心网。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：响应于激活馈线链路，基站向核心网发起第一UE的上下文恢复；基站接收来自核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：基站在恢复与第一UE的RRC连接后，执行以下至少一项：接收并存储第一UE的上行数据，直到馈线链路再次可用并转发数据到核心网；或将缓存的来自核心网的下行数据发送给第一UE。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种通信方法，包括：用户设备UE与工作在存储转发模式的基站建立RRC连接，并在RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；响应于来自基站的第一RRC释放消息，释放与基站之间的RRC连接，其中，基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，基站向第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；响应于收到来自基站的寻呼消息，恢复与基站的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：接收基站的广播消息；根据广播消息中携带的存储转发模式工作状态指示信息，向基站发送RRC建立请求。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：在根据广播消息中携带的存储转发模式工作状态指示信息与基站建立RRC连接后，向基站发送上行数据，其中，基站存储上行数据，并在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将上行数据发送给核心网。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：在恢复与基站之间的RRC连接后，接收来自基站的下行数据，其中，基站在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，接收来自核心网的下行数据并存储。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：在恢复与基站之间的RRC连接后，向基站发送上行数据，其中，基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，存储上行数据，以便在激活馈线链路后发送给核心网。
在一些实施例中，该方法还包括：在恢复与基站的RRC连接后，执行以下至少一项：向基站发送上行数据，其中，基站接收并存储第一UE的上行数据，直到馈线链路再次可用并转发数据到核心网；或接收基站缓存的来自核心网的下行数据。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种通信装置，包括：第一RRC连接建立单元，被配置为建立与第一UE的RRC连接，其中，RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；第一RRC连接释放单元，被配置为在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，向第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；注册单元，被配置为响应于激活馈线链路，向核心网发送第一UE的注册信息；第一RRC连接恢复单元，被配置为接收来自核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，该装置还包括：广播单元，被配置为通过广播消息发送存储转发模式工作状态信息，其中，第一UE根据存储转发模式工作状态信息向基站发送RRC建立请求，基站根据RRC建立请求，建立与第一UE的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，该装置还包括：第一数据传输单元，被配置为在根据来自第一UE的RRC建立请求建立与第一UE的RRC连接后，获取第一UE的上行数据并存储；在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将上行数据发送给核心网。
在一些实施例中，该装置还包括：上下文恢复单元，被配置为响应于激活馈线链路，向核心网发起第一UE的上下文恢复；第一RRC连接恢复单元还被配置为接收来自核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种通信装置，包括：第二RRC连接单元，被配置为与工作在存储转发模式的基站建立RRC连接，并在RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；第二RRC连接释放单元，被配置为响应于来自基站的第一RRC释放消息，释放与基站之间的RRC连接，其中，基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，基站向第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；第二RRC连接恢复单元，被配置为响应于收到来自基站的寻呼消息，恢复与基站的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，该装置还包括：第二数据传输单元，被配置为在根据广播消息中携带的存储转发模式工作状态指示信息与基站建立RRC连接后，向基站发送上行数据，其中，基站存储上行数据，并在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将上行数据发送给核心网。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种通信装置，包括：存储器；以及耦接至存储器的处理器，处理器被配置为基于存储在存储器的指令执行上文中任意一种通信方法。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种计算机可读存储介质，其上存储有计算机程序指令，该指令被处理器执行时实现上文中任意一种通信方法。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种计算机程序产品，包括计算机程序或指令，计算机程序或指令被处理器执行时实现上文中任意一种通信方法。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种通信系统，包括：基站，被配置为执行上文中任意一种由基站执行的通信方法；和核心网，被配置为接收自基站的第一UE的注册信息，并向基站发送寻呼消息。
在一些实施例中，该系统还包括：用户设备，被配置为执行上文中任意一种由用户设备侧执行的通信方法。
根据本公开的一些实施例的一个方面，提出一种计算机程序，用于使处理器执行上文中任意一种通信方法。
附图说明
此处所说明的附图用来提供对本公开的进一步理解，构成本公开的一部分，本公开的示意性实施例及其说明用于解释本公开，并不构成对本公开的不当限定。
图1为本公开的通信方法的应用场景的一些实施例的示意图。
图2为本公开的通信方法的一些实施例的流程图。
图3为本公开的通信方法的另一些实施例的流程图。
图4为本公开的通信方法的一些实施例的信令流程图。
图5为本公开的通信方法的另一些实施例的信令流程图。
图6为本公开的通信装置的一些实施例的示意图。
图7为本公开的通信装置的一些实施例的示意图。
图8为本公开的通信装置的一些实施例的示意图。
图9为本公开的通信装置的一些实施例的示意图。
图10为本公开的通信系统的一些实施例的示意图。
具体实施方式
下面通过附图和实施例，对本公开的技术方案做进一步的详细描述。
S&F(Store and Forward，存储转发技术)是一种解决偏远地区数据传输问题的有效方法，即使卫星没有直接连接到地面网络。具体来说，当卫星经过偏远地区时，它可以接收来自用户设备的数据包。然后，卫星将这些数据包存储在自己的存储器中。当卫星连接到地面网络时，它会将存储的数据包转发到地面网络。
3GPP R19版本的NTN立项增加了卫星通信的新场景，包括不连续链路存储和转发的物联网应用等。支持具有再生有效载荷的存储转发(S&F)卫星运行具有以下优点：
(1)S&F操作允许在卫星访问的地区提供延迟容忍、非实时物联网NTN服务，但不需要NTN网关基础设施(如海上、偏远地区)；
(2)除了支持非连续覆盖外，支持S&F运营是促进物联网NTN服务低成本部署的关键，并通过稀疏的LEO星座和减少的地面段基础设施实现即时运营服务；
(3)基于3GPP NTN的S&F解决方案与其他用于大规模卫星物联网的非3GPP解决方案相比，在成本和发展前景上具有优势。
然而，相关技术中，卫星存储转发模式通信方法主要针对非3GPP体系，用户和网络设备间信令交互和对上下行数据传输的研究缺乏深入研究，实现的可操作性不强。
针对上述问题，本公开提出一种通信方法、装置、系统和存储介质，实现基于S&F的NTN通信中基站、用户设备与核心网之间的相互配合，提高通信的可靠性。
在一些实施例中，本公开的应用场景如图1中所示，假设低轨卫星轨道位于小于600公里的高度，轨道周期90分钟左右。卫星覆盖区域的大小取决于多种因素，但为了简单起见，假设卫星在每次经过地球时为地球上的一个给定地点提供服务，例如5分钟。由于地球自转，同一卫星只有在绕了几圈后才能经过同一地理区域，如图中所示的卫星在T1-T5时刻分别处于的地理区域，其中，卫星在T1、T5时刻经过同一地理区域；如果存在多颗卫星，UE可能和不同卫星进行数据交互。由于稀疏星座的非连续覆盖特点，UE将间歇性地得到服务，例如在几个小时内的5分钟内得到服务。
上述高度和时间等设定为举例，不构成对本公开的不当限制。
本公开的通信方法的一些实施例的流程图如图2所示。图2所示的实施例中，通信方法由基站执行。该基站为建设在非地面设备的基站，例如卫星基站。
在步骤S21中，基站建立与第一UE的RRC连接。在一些实施例中，基站与第一UE可以基于相关技术中的RRC连接建立过程，实现与第一UE建立RRC连接。第一UE为具备存储转发能力的UE。第一UE在向基站反馈的RRC建立完成消息中，携带存储转发能力指示信息，以便基站确定第一UE支持存储转发功能，并针对第一UE采用与存储转发模式相关联的操作，触发执行步骤S22。
在一些实施例中，基站在与第一UE建立RRC连接后，可以接收第一UE发送的上行数据，例如，第一UE为NB-IoT(Narrow Band Internet of Things，窄带物联网)设备，在紧急呼叫等场景下，尺寸较小的上行数据包封装在NAS(Non-access stratum，非接入层)PDU(Protocol Data Unit，协议数据单元)中，通过控制面信令消息来传输给基站，提高上行数据传输的及时性。
在步骤S22-S23中，在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，基站向第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息，使得连接进入空闲态或非激活态。
在一些实施例中，基站可以在建立RRC连接并获取第一UE的RRC建立完成消息后，随即发起释放RRC连接，从而降低设备处理负担，降低对基站和UE资源的持续占用。
在一些实施例中，基站可以在RRC连接建立的预定时长后主动发起释放RRC连接，从而在实现接收上行数据的同时，降低对UE和基站资源的无用占用。
在一些实施例中，第一RRC释放消息中可以携带第一释放原因信息。可以扩展相关技术中的释放原因，增加标识由于存储转发操作需要暂停RRC连接的原因值，从而便于用户设备获知释放原因，也方便用户获知网络状态。
在一些实施例中，第一RRC释放消息中还可以携带定时器，用于向第一UE指示第一UE何时可以重新尝试恢复过程。在该定时器值的持续时间期间，UE不应发起与在同一PLMN内以存储转发模式工作的任何NTN小区的连接尝试。在一些实施例中，第一UE可以根据在前序过程中获得的非地面设备标识(如卫星标识)，区分搭载当前基站的设备与其他设备，从而避免向其他基站发起连接而引发的通信流程混乱或数据丢失等问题，提高通信的可靠度。
在步骤S24中，随着搭载基站的非地面设备移动，基站与地面核心网建立连接，激活馈线链路，触发执行步骤S25。在一些实施例中，若未能激活馈线链路，则基站持续尝试并判断是否可以激活馈线链路。
在步骤S25中，基站向核心网发送第一UE的注册信息。在一些实施例中，基站根据在上述步骤S21中获得的第一UE的信息，向核心网发送第一UE的注册信息。
在一些实施例中，核心网可以根据第一UE的注册信息发起建立第一UE的初始UE上下文过程。在一些实施例中，建立的初始UE上下文包括PDU会话上下文、安全密钥、移动性限制列表、UE无线电能力和UE安全能力。在第一UE的初始上下文建立完成后，执行步骤S26。
在一些实施例中，若上述步骤S21后基站获取了第一UE的上行数据，则可以在上下文建立完成后，将上行数据发送给核心网。在一些实施例中，基站还可以接收来自核心网的下行数据并缓存。
在一些实施例中，基站还可以发起第一UE的上下文暂停流程，以暂停与第一UE相关联的逻辑接口连接，以及暂停与第一UE相关联的与核心网之间的用户名传输承载，同时将第一UE上下文保持在基站中。在一些实施例中，基站可以在第一UE的上下文暂停流程中，将寻呼时用于辅助信息的UE位置信息(例如与地理区域绑定的映射小区ID、TA等)发送到核心网。
在步骤S26中，基站接收来自核心网的针对第一UE的寻呼消息。基站存储该寻呼消息。随着搭载基站的非地面设备移动，执行步骤S27。
在步骤S27中，判断是否移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域。若非地面设备移动至基站能够覆盖第一UE所在位置的区域，则基站执行步骤S28。若尚未移动至基站能够覆盖第一UE所在位置的区域，则随着移动实时进行位置判断。
在步骤S28中，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，若上述步骤S25中，基站接收了核心网的下行数据，则可以在恢复RRC连接后，发送给第一UE，从而实现从地面核心网到第一UE的下行数据传输。在一些实施例中，基站还可以在恢复RRC连接后，接收第一UE的上行数据并缓存，以便在下次恢复馈线链路后发送给地面核心网，从而实现从第一UE到地面核心网的上行数据传输。
基于上文所示实施例中的方法，基站能够在基站服务链路可用且无法与核心网建立连接的情况下，采用存储转发的工作模式并释放或暂定与UE的RRC连接；在基站与核心网连接可用的情况下，建立UE上下文并交互用户数据；使用UE上下文暂停/恢复流程以支持间歇传输特性，从而为NTN通信中存储转发模式下用户和网络设备间信令交互、上下行数据传输提供了完整的交互过程，有效的解决了NTN基站非连续性覆盖的问题，提高了通信的可靠度。
在一些实施例中，若工作在存储转发模式的基站建立了与不支持存储转发的用户设备(本文称为第二UE)的RRC连接，例如在UE反馈的RRC建立完成消息中未携带存储转发能力指示信息，则基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，向第二UE发送第二RRC释放消息。第二RRC释放消息中包括第二释放原因信息，第二释放原因信息与上文中提到的第一释放原因信息不同，从而有利于用户设备区分由于存储转发模式引起的RRC连接释放与其他RRC连接释放。在一些实施例中，第二释放原因信息可以为拥塞或其他(其他为开放式的原因标识，指携带的信息具体为“其他”对应的标识)。
在一些实施例中，在上述步骤S21之前，还可以包括步骤S20：基站通过广播消息发送存储转发模式工作状态信息。当第一UE收到广播消息后，识别其中的存储转发模式工作状态信息，进而向发送广播消息的基站发送RRC建立请求。进一步的，基站根据RRC建立请求，执行步骤S21，建立与第一UE的RRC连接。通过这样的方法，基站能够通过携带存储转发模式工作状态的广播消息被UE发现和识别，提高与UE建立RRC连接的及时性。
在一些实施例中，基站发送的广播消息中还包括非地面设备标识(如卫星标识)，UE能够通过该卫星标识识别与自身建立RRC连接的基站所位于的非地面设备，从而在后续恢复与基站的RRC连接时，能够识别非地面设备，避免与多个非地面设备搭载的基站建立RRC连接，从而避免数据丢失，提高通信的可靠性。
在一些实施例中，在步骤S28之后，若基站移动出能够覆盖第一UE的位置的区域，则服务链路不可用，当基站再次移动至能够与地面核心网建立连接、馈线链路可用的位置时，执行步骤S29。
在步骤S29中，基站向核心网发起第一UE的上下文恢复。当上下文恢复后，基站可以将缓存的上行数据发送给地面核心网，也可以接收地面核心网的下行数据并缓存。另外，基站接收来自核心网的寻呼消息。通过这样的方法，能够通过恢复之前已经建立的上下文的方式，实现第一UE与核心网之间的交互，避免造成过大的信令负担，降低数据丢失的风险。
在一些实施例中，在步骤S29之后，当基站再次移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。在一些实施例中，基站在恢复与第一UE的RRC连接后，可以接收并存储第一UE的上行数据，直到馈线链路再次可用并转发数据到核心网。在一些实施例中，基站可以将缓存的来自核心网的下行数据发送给第一UE。
通过这样的方法，能够通过恢复之前已经建立的连接和上下文的方式，实现第一UE与核心网之间的交互，避免造成过大的信令负担，提高连接效率，且能够降低数据丢失的风险。
本公开的通信方法的另一些实施例的流程图如图3所示。图3所示的通信方法由用户设备(上文中提到的第一UE)执行，该用户设备具备存储转发功能。在一些实施例中，流程中的基站为NTN基站，通过非地面设备搭载，执行上文由基站执行的任意实施例中的方法。本公开中的用户设备可以为用户终端(Terminal)。
在步骤S31中，UE与工作在存储转发模式的基站建立RRC连接，并在RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息。
在一些实施例中，当UE接收到非地面设备搭载的基站的广播消息时，识别广播消息中是否携带了存储转发模式工作状态指示信息。若广播消息中携带了存储转发模式工作状态指示信息，则UE可以发起建立RRC连接。在一些实施例中，UE通过向基站发送RRC建立请求，触发建立RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，UE在未与其他NTN基站建立RRC连接(包括连接由于存储转发模式原因释放的情况)，或曾经与其他NTN基站建立RRC连接(包括连接由于存储转发模式原因释放的情况)但超出预定时长的情况下，才向工作在存储转发模式的基站发起建立RRC连接，从而避免重复建立RRC连接造成资源浪费和数据丢失。
在一些实施例中，UE在与基站建立RRC连接后，可以向基站发送上行数据，以便基站存储上行数据，并在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将上行数据发送给核心网。
在步骤S32中，当UE收到基站的第一RRC释放消息后，触发执行步骤S33。在一些实施例中，当UE收到RRC释放消息后，可以现提取其中包括的释放原因信息。在释放原因信息为因存储转发模式释放的情况下，触发执行步骤S33。
在步骤S33中，UE释放与基站之间的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，若第一RRC释放消息中包含定时器信息，则UE在定时器信息指示的时间长度内，不会向同一PLMN内的存储转发工作模式的其他基站请求建立RRC连接。在一些实施例中，UE可以根据广播消息中携带的非地面设备标识识别当前基站与其他基站。
在步骤S34中，响应于收到来自基站的寻呼消息，执行步骤S35。
在步骤S35中，UE恢复与基站的RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，在恢复与基站之间的RRC连接后，UE可以接收来自基站的下行数据，该下行数据为基站在上述步骤S33与S34之间的时间段内，通过与地面核心网建立的馈线链路获取。
在一些实施例中，在恢复与基站之间的RRC连接后，UE可以向基站发送上行数据，基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，存储上行数据，以便在激活馈线链路后发送给核心网。
随着基站离开又回到覆盖UE所在位置的区域，UE与基站的RRC连接再次恢复，从而提高通信的连续性，降低数据丢失的风险。
基于上文所示实施例中的方法，UE能够与工作在存储转发模式下的基站建立RRC连接，以便基站在恢复馈线链路后配合地面核心网完成上下文建立过程；RRC连接能够在基站移动回覆盖UE所在位置的区域时恢复，从而实现数据非实时、间歇传输，为NTN通信中存储转发模式下用户和网络设备间信令交互、上下行数据传输提供了完整的交互过程，有效的解决了NTN基站非连续性覆盖的问题，提高了通信的可靠度。
以卫星通信为例，本公开的通信方法的一些实施例的信令流程图如图4所示。在T1、T5时间段内，卫星位于基站能够覆盖UE所在位置的区域，UE与基站之间的服务链路可用；在T3时间段内，基站位于能够与地面核心网建立连接的区域。T1、T3、T5之间可以具备时间间隔，如T2、T4。各时间段的时间长度为根据具体情况产生，无需设定上下限。
在401中，卫星位于UE的通信范围内，UE测量到卫星小区。UE从卫星广播的系统消息(SIB(System Information Block，系统信息块))中获知卫星小区正在以S&F模式工作。在一些实施例中，系统消息中还携带有卫星标识。
在402中，UE向卫星基站发送RRC建立请求消息，请求从RRC_IDLE(空闲状态)建立新的连接；
在403-404中，UE和基站完成RRC建立过程。在RRC建立完成消息中携带NAS消息以及S&F的能力指示信息。
在405中，UE可以向基站发送上行数据，例如在紧急呼叫等场景下，NB-IoT设备的小数据包可封装到NAS PDU于控制面信令消息来传输。在一些实施例中，通信过程405为根据需求、实际情况产生的，非必要过程。
在406中，由于卫星通过期间没有激活与核心网的馈线链路，无法完成用户注册，基站(卫星)也无法获取UE订阅数据，因此基站将拒绝UE初始连接过程。基站向UE发送RRC释放消息，使其进入空闲态或非激活态。在一些实施例中，RRC释放消息中携带一个新的释放原因值：表明由于S&F操作需要暂停RRC连接。
在一些实施例中，RRC释放消息中还可以携带新的定时器(可选)，用于向UE指示UE何时可以重新尝试恢复过程。在该定时器值的持续时间期间，UE不应发起与在同一PLMN内以S&F模式工作的任何卫星小区的连接尝试。
在一些实施例中，基站针对不支持S&F的UE(例如Rel-19之前的UE)，可以使用另一个拒绝原因(例如其他、拥塞)来使UE在下一次卫星通过时重试。
在407中，如果基站确定到与核心网之间的馈线链路可用，则向核心网发送INITIAL UE MESSAGE(初始UE信息)消息，该INITIAL UE MESSAGE中包括要转发到AMF的第一上行链路NAS消息以及UE位置信息。本实施例中的核心网指地面核心网。
在408中，核心网发起UE初始上下文设置过程，UE初始上下文设置请求中包括存储和转发操作指示信息。UE初始上下文设置过程用于在基站处建立必要的初始UE上下文，包括PDU会话上下文、安全密钥、移动性限制列表、UE无线电能力和UE安全能力等，此外还包括因存储和转发操作需要在基站中缓存UE数据的指示信息。
在409中，基站向卫星转发UE的上行数据。
在410中，基站从核心网接收并且缓存UE的下行数据。
在411中，如有必要，基站发起UE上下文暂停流程用于暂停与UE相关联的逻辑接口连接和与核心网之间的用户面传输承载，同时将UE上下文保持在基站中，其中包括携带寻呼时用于辅助信息的UE位置信息发送到核心网(与地理区域绑定的映射小区ID、TA等)。
上述通信过程409-411中的每一个过程都是根据需求、实际情况产生的，非必要过程。
在412-412a中，基站从核心网接收UE的寻呼消息。当基站移动并覆盖UE所在的位置区域时，发起对UE的寻呼。
在413中，UE收到寻呼消息后恢复与基站的RRC连接。
在414-415中，当服务链路仍在运行时，可以在UE和基站之间传输上下行数据。基站存储UE的上行数据，直到馈线链路再次可用并转发数据到核心网。
基于上文所示实施例中的方法，基站能够在基站服务链路可用且无法与核心网建立连接的情况下，采用存储转发的工作模式并释放或暂定与UE的RRC连接；在基站与核心网连接可用的情况下，建立UE上下文并交互用户数据；使用UE上下文暂停/恢复流程以支持间歇传输特性，从而为NTN通信中存储转发模式下用户和网络设备间信令交互、上下行数据传输提供了完整的交互过程，有效的解决了NTN基站非连续性覆盖的问题，提高了通信的可靠度。
在一些实施例中，本公开的通信方法的另一些实施例的信令流程图如图5所示，该流程为图4中所示的通信过程的后续过程。
在501中，基站再次移动到馈线链路可用的位置，当馈线链路再次可用时，如果UE的通信过程尚未结束，且UE与基站仍需保持存储转发模式的工作状态，则基站向地面核心网发起UE上下文恢复流程用于恢复UE上下文、暂停的UE相关联的逻辑接口连接以及与核心网之间的用户面传输承载。
后续502-508的通信过程与上文图4中409-415相同或相似，此处不再赘述。
通过这样的方法，能够通过恢复之前已经建立的连接和上下文的方式，实现第一UE与核心网之间的交互，避免造成过大的信令负担，提高连接效率，且能够降低数据丢失的风险。
本公开的通信装置61的一些实施例的示意图如图6所示。通信装置61为基站侧装置，位于承载基站的非地面设备。
第一RRC连接建立单元612能够建立与第一UE的RRC连接，其中，RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息。
第一RRC连接释放单元613能够在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，向第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息。
在一些实施例中，第一RRC连接释放单元613可以在基站建立RRC连接并获取第一UE的RRC建立完成消息后，随即发起释放RRC连接，从而降低设备处理负担，降低对基站和UE资源的持续占用。
在一些实施例中，第一RRC连接释放单元613可以在RRC连接建立的预定时长后主动发起释放RRC连接，从而在实现接收上行数据的同时，降低对UE和基站资源的无用占用。
注册单元614能够响应于激活馈线链路，向核心网发送第一UE的注册信息。在一些实施例中，核心网可以根据第一UE的注册信息发起建立第一UE的初始UE上下文过程。在一些实施例中，建立的初始UE上下文包括PDU会话上下文、安全密钥、移动性限制列表、UE无线电能力和UE安全能力。在一些实施例中，注册单元614还可以发起第一UE的上下文暂停流程，以暂停与第一UE相关联的逻辑接口连接，以及暂停与第一UE相关联的与核心网之间的用户名传输承载，同时将第一UE上下文保持在基站中。在一些实施例中，注册单元614可以在第一UE的上下文暂停流程中，将寻呼时用于辅助信息的UE位置信息(例如与地理区域绑定的映射小区ID、TA等)发送到核心网。
第一RRC连接恢复单元615能够接收来自核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。
这样的通信装置能够在基站服务链路可用且无法与核心网建立连接的情况下，采用存储转发的工作模式并释放或暂定与UE的RRC连接；在基站与核心网连接可用的情况下，建立UE上下文并交互用户数据；使用UE上下文暂停/恢复流程以支持间歇传输特性，从而为NTN通信中存储转发模式下用户和网络设备间信令交互、上下行数据传输提供了完整的交互过程，有效的解决了NTN基站非连续性覆盖的问题，提高了通信的可靠度。
在一些实施例中，通信装置61还包括广播单元611，能够通过广播消息发送存储转发模式工作状态信息，其中，第一UE根据存储转发模式工作状态信息向基站发送RRC建立请求，基站根据RRC建立请求，建立与第一UE的RRC连接。这样的装置能够通过携带存储转发模式工作状态的广播消息被UE发现和识别，提高与UE建立RRC连接的及时性。
在一些实施例中，广播单元611发送的广播消息中还包括非地面设备标识(如卫星标识)，UE能够通过该卫星标识识别与自身建立RRC连接的基站所位于的非地面设备，从而在后续恢复与基站的RRC连接时，能够识别非地面设备，避免与多个非地面设备搭载的基站建立RRC连接，从而避免数据丢失，提高通信的可靠性。
在一些实施例中，通信装置61还包括第一数据传输单元616，能够在根据来自第一UE的RRC建立请求建立与第一UE的RRC连接后，获取第一UE的上行数据并存储；在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将上行数据发送给核心网，从而提高UE数据到达核心网的效率。
在一些实施例中，第一数据传输单元616能够在UE初始上下文建立完成的情况下，接收来自核心网的下行数据，并在第一RRC连接恢复单元615恢复与第一UE之间的RRC连接后，将下行数据转发给UE，实现基于存储转发模式的下行数据传输。
在一些实施例中，第一数据传输单元616能够在第一RRC连接恢复单元615恢复与第一UE之间的RRC连接后，接收第一UE的上行数据，并在后续馈线链路恢复后，将上行数据转发给核心网，实现基于存储转发模式的上行数据传输。
在一些实施例中，通信装置61还包括上下文恢复单元617，能够在基站建立与UE的RRC连接后至少第二次激活馈线链路(此时第一UE在核心网已完成注册)的情况下，向核心网发起第一UE的上下文恢复。进一步的，当通信装置在基站建立与UE的RRC连接后至少第三次移动至覆盖第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据寻呼消息向第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与第一UE的RRC连接。
这样的装置能够通过恢复之前已经建立的连接和上下文的方式，实现第一UE与核心网之间的交互，避免造成过大的信令负担，提高连接效率，且能够降低数据丢失的风险。
本公开的通信装置72的一些实施例的示意图如图7所示。通信装置72为用户侧装置，位于用户设备。
第二RRC连接单元721能够与工作在存储转发模式的基站建立RRC连接，并在RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；
第二RRC连接释放单元722能够响应于来自基站的第一RRC释放消息，释放与基站之间的RRC连接，其中，基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，基站向第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；
第二RRC连接恢复单元723能够响应于收到来自基站的寻呼消息，恢复与基站的RRC连接。
采用这样的装置，UE能够与工作在存储转发模式下的基站建立RRC连接，以便基站在恢复馈线链路后配合地面核心网完成上下文建立过程；RRC连接能够在基站移动回覆盖UE所在位置的区域时恢复，从而实现数据非实时、间歇传输，为NTN通信中存储转发模式下用户和网络设备间信令交互、上下行数据传输提供了完整的交互过程，有效的解决了NTN基站非连续性覆盖的问题，提高了通信的可靠度。
在一些实施例中，通信装置72还包括第二数据传输单元724，能够在根据广播消息中携带的存储转发模式工作状态指示信息与基站建立RRC连接后，向基站发送上行数据，其中，基站存储上行数据，并在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将上行数据发送给核心网，提高上行数据传递到核心网的效率。
在一些实施例中，第二数据传输单元724能够在第二RRC连接恢复单元723恢复与基站之间的RRC连接后，接收来自基站的下行数据，其中，基站在完成与核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，接收来自核心网的下行数据并存储，实现基于存储转发模式的下行数据传输。
在一些实施例中，第二数据传输单元724能够在第二RRC连接恢复单元723恢复与基站之间的RRC连接后，向基站发送上行数据，其中，基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，存储上行数据，以便在激活馈线链路后发送给核心网，实现基于存储转发模式的上行数据传输。
本公开通信装置的一个实施例的结构示意图如图8所示。通信装置包括存储器801和处理器802。其中：存储器801可以是磁盘、闪存或其它任何非易失性存储介质。存储器用于存储上文中通信方法的对应实施例中的指令。处理器802耦接至存储器801，可以作为一个或多个集成电路来实施，例如微处理器或微控制器。该处理器802用于执行存储器中存储的指令，能够为NTN通信中存储转发模式下用户和网络设备间信令交互、上下行数据传输提供完整的交互过程，有效的解决了NTN基站非连续性覆盖的问题，提高了通信的可靠度。
在一个实施例中，还可以如图9所示，通信装置900包括存储器901和处理器902。处理器902通过BUS总线903耦合至存储器901。该通信装置900还可以通过存储接口904连接至外部存储装置905以便调用外部数据，还可以通过网络接口906连接至网络或者另外一台计算机系统(未标出)。此处不再进行详细介绍。
在该实施例中，通过存储器存储数据指令，再通过处理器处理上述指令，能够为NTN通信中存储转发模式下用户和网络设备间信令交互、上下行数据传输提供完整的交互过程，有效的解决了NTN基站非连续性覆盖的问题，提高了通信的可靠度。
在另一个实施例中，一种计算机可读存储介质，其上存储有计算机程序指令，该指令被处理器执行时实现通信方法对应实施例中的方法的步骤。本领域内的技术人员应明白，本公开的实施例可提供为方法、装置、或计算机程序产品。因此，本公开可采用完全硬件实施例、完全软件实施例、或结合软件和硬件方面的实施例的形式。而且，本公开可采用在一个或多个其中包含有计算机可用程序代码的计算机可用非瞬时性存储介质(包括但不限于磁盘存储器、CD-ROM、光学存储器等)上实施的计算机程序产品的形式。
本公开的通信系统的一些实施例的示意图如图10所示。
基站1010可以执行上文中提到的任意一种由基站执行的通信方法。基站1010中可以包括上文如图6所示实施例中的通信装置。
第一UE 1020可以执行上文中提到的任意一种由第一UE执行的通信方法。第一UE 1020中可以包括上文如图7所示实施例中的通信装置。系统中可以包括至少一个第一UE。
核心网1030为地面核心网(核心网全部位于地面的情况下的全部核心网，或核心网部分位于非地面设备的情况下核心网位于地面的部分)。在一些实施例中，第一UE、基站、核心网可以采用如图4、5所示实施例中的过程，实现基于存储转发模式的NTN通信。
这样的通信系统中，基站能够在基站服务链路可用且无法与核心网建立连接的情况下，采用存储转发的工作模式并释放或暂定与UE的RRC连接；在基站与核心网连接可用的情况下，建立UE上下文并交互用户数据；使用UE上下文暂停/恢复流程以支持间歇传输特性，从而为NTN通信中存储转发模式下用户和网络设备间信令交互、上下行数据传输提供了完整的交互过程，有效的解决了NTN基站非连续性覆盖的问题，提高了通信的可靠度。
本公开是参照根据本公开实施例的方法、设备(系统)和计算机程序产品的流程图和/或方框图来描述的。应理解可由计算机程序指令实现流程图和/或方框图中的每一流程和/或方框以及流程图和/或方框图中的流程和/或方框的结合。可提供这些计算机程序指令到通用计算机、专用计算机、嵌入式处理机或其他可编程数据处理设备的处理器以产生一个机器，使得通过计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备的处理器执行的指令产生用于实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能的装置。
这些计算机程序指令也可存储在能引导计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备以特定方式工作的计算机可读存储器中，使得存储在该计算机可读存储器中的指令产生包括指令装置的制造品，该指令装置实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能。
这些计算机程序指令也可装载到计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备上，使得在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行一系列操作步骤以产生计算机实现的处理，从而在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行的指令提供用于实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能的步骤。
至此，已经详细描述了本公开。为了避免遮蔽本公开的构思，没有描述本领域所公知的一些细节。本领域技术人员根据上面的描述，完全可以明白如何实施这里公开的技术方案。
可能以许多方式来实现本公开的方法以及装置。例如，可通过软件、硬件、固件或者软件、硬件、固件的任何组合来实现本公开的方法以及装置。用于所述方法的步骤的上述顺序仅是为了进行说明，本公开的方法的步骤不限于以上具体描述的顺序，除非以其它方式特别说明。此外，在一些实施例中，还可将本公开实施为记录在记录介质中的程序，这些程序包括用于实现根据本公开的方法的机器可读指令。因而，本公开还覆盖存储用于执行根据本公开的方法的程序的记录介质。
需要说明的是，本公开的说明书和权利要求书及附图中的术语“第一”、“第二”等是用于区别类似的对象，而不必用于描述特定的顺序或先后次序。应该理解这样使用的数据在适当情况下可以互换，以便这里描述的本公开的实施例能够以除了在这里图示或描述的那些以外的顺序实施。此外，术语“包括”和“具有”以及他们的任何变形，意图在于覆盖不排他的包含，例如，包含了一系列步骤或单元的过程、方法、系统、产品或设备不必限于清楚地列出的那些步骤或单元，而是可包括没有清楚地列出的或对于这些过程、方法、产品或设备固有的其它步骤或单元。
最后应当说明的是：以上实施例仅用以说明本公开的技术方案而非对其限制；尽管参照较佳实施例对本公开进行了详细的说明，所属领域的普通技术人员应当理解：依然可以对本公开的具体实施方式进行修改或者对部分技术特征进行等同替换；而不脱离本公开技术方案的精神，其均应涵盖在本公开请求保护的技术方案范围当中。

Claims (33)

  1. 一种通信方法，由基站执行，包括：
    建立与第一用户设备UE的无线资源控制RRC连接，其中，RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；
    在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，向所述第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；
    向核心网发送所述第一UE的注册信息；
    接收来自所述核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖所述第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据所述寻呼消息向所述第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与所述第一UE的RRC连接。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的通信方法，其中，所述向核心网发送所述第一UE的注册信息为响应于激活所述馈线链路执行。
  3. 根据权利要求1或2所述的通信方法，还包括：
    通过广播消息发送存储转发模式工作状态信息，其中，所述第一UE根据所述存储转发模式工作状态信息向所述基站发送RRC建立请求，所述基站根据所述RRC建立请求，建立与所述第一UE的RRC连接。
  4. 根据权利要求3所述的通信方法，其中，所述广播消息中还包括卫星标识。
  5. 根据权利要求1-3中任意一项所述的通信方法，其中，所述第一RRC释放消息中包括第一释放原因信息，所述第一释放原因信息指示由于存储转发操作需要暂停RRC连接。
  6. 根据权利要求5所述的通信方法，其中，所述第一RRC释放消息中还包括定时器信息，所述定时器信息指示暂停用户设备向同一PLMN内的存储转发工作模式的基站请求建立RRC连接的时间。
  7. 根据权利要求1-6中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    与第二UE建立RRC连接，其中，所述第二UE不具备存储转发能力；
    在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，向所述第二UE发送第二RRC释放消息，所述第二RRC释放消息中包括第二释放原因信息，所述第二释放原因信息与第一释放原因信息不同。
  8. 根据权利要求1-7中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    在向核心网发送所述第一UE的注册信息后，获取指示在所述基站中缓存所述第一UE的数据的指示信息，其中，所述核心网根据所述注册信息发起UE初始上下文建立，并发送所述指示信息。
  9. 根据权利要求1-8中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    向所述核心网发起第一UE上下文暂停流程，将所述第一UE的上下文存储在基站中，其中，所述第一UE上下文暂停流程用于暂停与第一UE相关联的逻辑接口连接和与核心网之间的用户面传输承载。
  10. 根据权利要求8所述的通信方法，还包括：在所述第一UE上下文暂停流程中，向所述核心网发送所述第一UE的位置信息，所述位置信息包括小区标识或跟踪区域标识中的至少一项。
  11. 根据权利要求1-10中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    在根据来自所述第一UE的RRC建立请求建立与所述第一UE的RRC连接后，获取所述第一UE的上行数据并存储；
    在完成与所述核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将所述上行数据发送给所述核心网。
  12. 根据权利要求1-11中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    在完成与所述核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，接收来自所述核心网的下行数据并存储；
    在恢复与所述第一UE之间的RRC连接后，将所述下行数据发送给所述第一UE。
  13. 根据权利要求1-12中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    所述基站在恢复与所述第一UE之间的RRC连接后，接收所述第一UE的上行数据；
    所述基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，存储所述上行数据，以便在激活所述馈线链路后发送给所述核心网。
  14. 根据权利要求1-13中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    响应于激活所述馈线链路，所述基站向所述核心网发起所述第一UE的上下文恢复；
    所述基站接收来自所述核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖所述第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据所述寻呼消息向所述第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与所述第一UE的RRC连接。
  15. 根据权利要求1-14中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    所述基站在恢复与所述第一UE的RRC连接后，执行以下至少一项：
    接收并存储所述第一UE的上行数据，直到馈线链路再次可用并转发数据到核心网；或
    将缓存的来自所述核心网的下行数据发送给所述第一UE。
  16. 一种通信方法，由用户设备UE执行，包括：
    与工作在存储转发模式的基站建立无线资源控制RRC连接，并在RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；
    响应于来自所述基站的第一RRC释放消息，释放与所述基站之间的RRC连接，其中，所述基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，所述基站向所述第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；
    响应于收到来自所述基站的寻呼消息，恢复与所述基站的RRC连接。
  17. 根据权利要求16所述的通信方法，还包括：
    接收所述基站的广播消息；
    根据所述广播消息中携带的存储转发模式工作状态指示信息，向所述基站发送RRC建立请求。
  18. 根据权利要求17所述的通信方法，还包括：
    在根据所述广播消息中携带的存储转发模式工作状态指示信息与所述基站建立RRC连接后，向所述基站发送上行数据，其中，所述基站存储所述上行数据，并在完成与所述核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将所述上行数据发送给所述核心网。
  19. 根据权利要求16-18中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    在恢复与所述基站之间的RRC连接后，接收来自所述基站的下行数据，其中，所述基站在完成与所述核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，接收来自所述核心网的下行数据并存储。
  20. 根据权利要求16-19中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    在恢复与所述基站之间的RRC连接后，向所述基站发送上行数据，其中，所述基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，存储所述上行数据，以便在激活所述馈线链路后发送给所述核心网。
  21. 根据权利要求16-10中任意一项所述的通信方法，还包括：
    在恢复与所述基站的RRC连接后，执行以下至少一项：
    向所述基站发送上行数据，其中，所述基站接收并存储所述第一UE的上行数据，直到馈线链路再次可用并转发数据到核心网；或
    接收所述基站缓存的来自所述核心网的下行数据。
  22. 一种通信装置，包括：
    第一无线资源控制RRC连接建立单元，被配置为建立与第一用户设备UE的RRC连接，其中，RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；
    第一RRC连接释放单元，被配置为在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，向所述第一UE发送第一RRC释放消息；
    注册单元，被配置为响应于激活所述馈线链路，向核心网发送所述第一UE的注册信息；
    第一RRC连接恢复单元，被配置为接收来自所述核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖所述第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据所述寻呼消息向所述第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与所述第一UE的RRC连接。
  23. 根据权利要求22所述的通信装置，还包括：
    广播单元，被配置为通过广播消息发送存储转发模式工作状态信息，其中，所述第一UE根据所述存储转发模式工作状态信息向所述基站发送RRC建立请求，所述基站根据所述RRC建立请求，建立与所述第一UE的RRC连接。
  24. 根据权利要求22或23所述的通信装置，还包括：
    第一数据传输单元，被配置为在根据来自所述第一UE的RRC建立请求建立与所述第一UE的RRC连接后，获取所述第一UE的上行数据并存储；在完成与所述核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将所述上行数据发送给所述核心网。
  25. 根据权利要求22-24中任意一项所述的通信装置，还包括：
    上下文恢复单元，被配置为响应于激活所述馈线链路，向所述核心网发起所述第一UE的上下文恢复；
    所述第一RRC连接恢复单元还被配置为接收来自所述核心网的寻呼消息，并在移动至覆盖所述第一UE所在的位置区域的情况下，根据所述寻呼消息向所述第一UE发起寻呼以便恢复与所述第一UE的RRC连接。
  26. 一种通信装置，包括：
    第二无线资源控制RRC连接单元，被配置为与工作在存储转发模式的基站建立RRC连接，并在RRC建立完成消息中携带存储转发能力指示信息；
    第二RRC连接释放单元，被配置为响应于来自所述基站的第一RRC释放消息，释放与所述基站之间的RRC连接，其中，所述基站在确定未激活与核心网之间的馈线链路的情况下，所述基站向所述第一用户设备UE发送第一RRC释放消息；
    第二RRC连接恢复单元，被配置为响应于收到来自所述基站的寻呼消息，恢复与所述基站的RRC连接。
  27. 根据权利要求26所述的通信装置，还包括：
    第二数据传输单元，被配置为在根据所述广播消息中携带的存储转发模式工作状态指示信息与所述基站建立RRC连接后，向所述基站发送上行数据，其中，所述基站存储所述上行数据，并在完成与所述核心网间的UE初始上下文建立的情况下，将所述上行数据发送给所述核心网。
  28. 一种通信装置，包括：
    存储器；以及
    耦接至所述存储器的处理器，所述处理器被配置为基于存储在所述存储器的指令执行如权利要求1至21任一项所述的方法。
  29. 一种计算机可读存储介质，其上存储有计算机程序指令，该指令被处理器执行时实现权利要求1至21任意一项所述的方法。
  30. 一种计算机程序产品，包括计算机程序或指令，所述计算机程序或指令被处理器执行时实现权利要求1至21任意一项所述的方法。
  31. 一种通信系统，包括：
    基站，被配置为执行权利要求1～15任意一项所述的方法；和
    核心网，被配置为接收自所述基站的第一用户设备UE的注册信息，并向所述基站发送寻呼消息。
  32. 根据权利要求31所述的通信系统，还包括：
    第一UE，被配置为执行权利要求16～21任意一项所述的方法。
  33. 一种计算机程序，用于使处理器执行权利要求1至21任意一项所述的方法。
PCT/CN2024/139094 2024-05-09 2024-12-13 通信方法、装置、系统和存储介质 Pending WO2025232198A1 (zh)

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US20200396000A1 (en) * 2019-06-14 2020-12-17 Jinsook Ryu Non-Access Stratum Connection Handling
CN114024594A (zh) * 2021-11-09 2022-02-08 北京中科晶上科技股份有限公司 卫星通信系统的通信方法和装置
CN116964958A (zh) * 2021-02-22 2023-10-27 高通股份有限公司 具有非连续覆盖的卫星接入
CN117177382A (zh) * 2022-05-26 2023-12-05 华为技术有限公司 通信方法及相关系统、存储介质

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20200396000A1 (en) * 2019-06-14 2020-12-17 Jinsook Ryu Non-Access Stratum Connection Handling
CN116964958A (zh) * 2021-02-22 2023-10-27 高通股份有限公司 具有非连续覆盖的卫星接入
CN114024594A (zh) * 2021-11-09 2022-02-08 北京中科晶上科技股份有限公司 卫星通信系统的通信方法和装置
CN117177382A (zh) * 2022-05-26 2023-12-05 华为技术有限公司 通信方法及相关系统、存储介质

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