CN118044303A

CN118044303A - Satellite communication method, device, apparatus, storage medium, program product, and chip

Info

Publication number: CN118044303A
Application number: CN202180103023.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邢金强
Original assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-14
Filing date: 2021-12-14
Publication date: 2024-05-14
Also published as: WO2023108388A1

Abstract

The application relates to a satellite communication method, a device, equipment, a storage medium, a program product and a chip, which belong to the technical field of satellite communication, in the satellite communication method, user Equipment (UE) receives downlink signals sent by high-orbit satellites, wherein the downlink signals carry system information of low-orbit satellite cells and ephemeris information of low-orbit satellites corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cells; the UE accesses the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information, and the satellite communication method provided by the embodiment of the application can improve the performance of a satellite communication system.

Description

Satellite communication method, device, apparatus, storage medium, program product, and chip

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of satellite communication, in particular to a satellite communication method, a device, equipment, a storage medium, a program product and a chip

Background

The satellite communication system is a typical non-ground mobile communication system, in which a satellite and a ground base station are in communication connection through a ground gateway, and the satellite can forward communication signals of the ground base station, so that an area which cannot be covered by the ground base station is supplemented, and particularly, for areas which cannot be covered by the ground base station in remote areas, deserts, high mountains, oceans and the like, the satellite can effectively cover the area. Generally, satellites in a satellite communication system include low-orbit satellites and high-orbit satellites, wherein a coverage area of a cell corresponding to the high-orbit satellite (which may be referred to as a high-orbit satellite cell) is relatively wide, and a coverage area of a cell corresponding to the low-orbit satellite (which may be referred to as a low-orbit satellite cell) is relatively small, and the coverage area of the low-orbit satellite cell moves along with movement of the low-orbit satellite.

Currently, how to improve the performance of satellite communication systems has become an important research direction.

Disclosure of Invention

Based on the above, the embodiment of the application provides a satellite communication method, a device, equipment, a storage medium, a program product and a chip.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, the method including:

The method comprises the steps that User Equipment (UE) receives downlink signals sent by high-orbit satellites, wherein the downlink signals carry system information of low-orbit satellite cells and ephemeris information of low-orbit satellites corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cells; the UE accesses a low orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method, the method comprising:

The high orbit satellite transmits a downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal carries system information of a low orbit satellite cell and ephemeris information of a low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell; the system information and the ephemeris information are used for the UE to access the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.

In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method, the method comprising:

The UE establishes double connection with a low orbit satellite cell and a high orbit satellite cell; the high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method, the method comprising:

The method comprises the steps that a ground base station receives connection supporting capability of UE reported by the UE through a low-orbit satellite cell after the UE is accessed into the low-orbit satellite cell; the ground base station configures a high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability so that the UE and the high-orbit satellite cell can establish downlink connection, wherein a high-orbit satellite corresponding to the high-orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method, the method comprising:

The low-orbit satellite receives and forwards the connection supporting capability of the UE reported by the UE to a ground base station, so that the ground base station configures a high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability; the high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite is used for receiving and forwarding the uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication device, the device comprising:

the receiving module is used for receiving downlink signals sent by the high-orbit satellites, wherein the downlink signals carry system information of low-orbit satellite cells and ephemeris information of low-orbit satellites corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cells;

And the access module is used for accessing the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication device, the device comprising:

The transmitting module is used for transmitting downlink signals, wherein the downlink signals carry system information of a low-orbit satellite cell and ephemeris information of a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell; the system information and the ephemeris information are used for the UE to access the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.

In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication device, the device comprising:

The connection module is used for establishing double connection with the low-orbit satellite cell and the high-orbit satellite cell; the high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of a ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

In a ninth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication device, the device comprising:

The receiving module is used for receiving the connection supporting capability of the UE, which is reported by the low-orbit satellite cell after the UE is accessed to the low-orbit satellite cell;

The configuration module is configured to configure a high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability, so that the UE and the high-orbit satellite cell can establish downlink connection, wherein a high-orbit satellite corresponding to the high-orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication device, the device comprising:

the communication module is used for receiving and forwarding the connection supporting capability of the UE reported by the UE to a ground base station, so that the ground base station configures a high orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability; the high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding the uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus including: a processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor being for invoking and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of any of the first to fifth aspects above.

In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a computer to execute the method of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the application provides a chip comprising processing circuitry to invoke and run a computer program from a memory, such that a device on which the chip is mounted performs the method of any of the first to fifth aspects above.

In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising computer program instructions for causing a computer to perform the method of any one of the first to fifth aspects described above.

In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program that causes a computer to execute the method of any one of the first to fifth aspects described above.

According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application, the system information of the low-orbit satellite cell and the ephemeris information of the low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell are carried in the downlink signal sent by the high-orbit satellite, so that the UE can be accessed into the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information in the downlink signal sent by the high-orbit satellite, the time for searching the low-orbit satellite cell by the UE can be shortened, and the power consumption of the UE is saved.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a satellite in a satellite communication system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system according to one embodiment;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of cell coverage provided by an embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of cell coverage provided by an embodiment

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of satellite communications provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by one embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a satellite communication device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a satellite communication device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a satellite communication device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a satellite communication device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a satellite communication device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a satellite communication device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a satellite communication device according to one embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a communication device provided by one embodiment;

fig. 28 is a block diagram of a chip provided by an embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present application will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings and examples, in order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the application.

The satellite communication system is a typical non-terrestrial mobile communication system. As shown in fig. 1, the satellite communication system may generally include a satellite 101, a terrestrial gateway 102, a terrestrial base station 103, and a core network 104, where the satellite 101 and the terrestrial base station 103 establish a communication connection through the terrestrial gateway 102, and the terrestrial base station 103 establishes a communication connection with the core network 104. The satellite 101 may forward the communication signals of the ground base station 103 to supplement the area that cannot be covered by the ground base station 103. In these areas, the UE (User Equipment; chinese) can communicate with the satellite, and especially for areas that cannot be covered by the ground base station in remote areas, deserts, mountains, oceans, etc., the satellite can effectively cover the satellite.

As shown in fig. 2, in general, the satellites 101 in the satellite communication system may include low-orbit satellites and high-orbit satellites, and it should be noted that the low-orbit satellites and the high-orbit satellites are the relative concepts herein, in other words, in the embodiment of the present application, satellites having relatively low flying heights are referred to as low-orbit satellites, and satellites having relatively high flying heights are referred to as high-orbit satellites.

In one possible scenario, there is no communication link between the low-orbit satellite and the high-orbit satellite, which means that there is a relatively independent state between the high-orbit satellite and the low-orbit satellite. As shown in fig. 3, the high orbit satellite g1 communicates with the ground base station d1 via the ground gateway w1, the low orbit satellite g2 communicates with the ground base station d2 via the ground gateway w2, and in fig. 3, there is no communication link between the low orbit satellite and the high orbit satellite, which is a relatively independent state.

In another possible scenario, there is a communication link between the low-orbit satellite and the high-orbit satellite, in which case a typical system architecture is shown in fig. 4 and 5.

In fig. 4, there is a ground base station interface between the high orbit satellite g1 and the low orbit satellite g2, that is, the high orbit satellite g1 and the low orbit satellite g2 establish communication connection with the same ground base station through a ground gateway, or the high orbit satellite and the low orbit satellite establish communication connection with different ground base stations having interfaces between base stations through a ground gateway, in this architecture, the ground base station may coordinate and configure the high orbit satellite and the low orbit satellite.

In fig. 5, the high orbit satellite g1 and the low orbit satellite g2 have an inter-satellite interface, and the high orbit satellite g1 and the low orbit satellite g2 can directly communicate with each other through the inter-satellite interface to coordinate with each other, it should be noted that, although the high orbit satellite g1 is shown in fig. 5 as not being communicatively connected to the ground base station, in actual implementation, the high orbit satellite g1 in this architecture can also be communicatively connected to the ground base station through the ground gateway.

In general, a coverage area of a cell corresponding to a high orbit satellite (may be referred to as a high orbit satellite cell) is relatively wide, and a coverage area of a cell corresponding to a low orbit satellite (may be referred to as a low orbit satellite cell) is relatively small, and the coverage area of the low orbit satellite cell moves along with movement of the low orbit satellite.

Because the coverage of the low-orbit satellite cell is relatively small, and the coverage of the low-orbit satellite cell moves along with the movement of the low-orbit satellite, it is difficult for the low-orbit satellite cell to realize continuous coverage, that is, a coverage blind area exists, in contrast, the coverage of the high-orbit satellite cell is relatively large, and the high-orbit satellite generally does not have the coverage blind area.

Referring to fig. 6, in the period from t1 to t2, the UE is in the coverage of the low orbit satellite cell, which can communicate with the ground base station through the low orbit satellite cell, and in the period from t2 to t3, since the low orbit satellite currently covering the UE flies away and the new low orbit satellite does not arrive, the UE does not have the low orbit satellite coverage in the period from t3 to t4, and the new low orbit satellite arrives in the period from t3 to t4, so that the UE reenters the coverage of the low orbit satellite cell. As shown in fig. 6, the communication of the UE is discontinuous due to the existence of the coverage hole.

Referring to fig. 7, in fig. 7, the high-orbit satellite cell always covers the UE in a period from t1 to t4, which can always provide communication services for the UE, so that the coverage capability of the high-orbit satellite cell is stronger than that of the low-orbit satellite cell, and there is generally no coverage hole.

In addition, since the distance between the high-orbit satellite and the ground is long, the UE is generally limited by the transmitting power, and can only receive downlink signals in the high-orbit satellite cell, but cannot perform uplink communication, and the distance between the low-orbit satellite and the ground is short, so that the UE can generally perform uplink and downlink bidirectional communication in the low-orbit satellite cell.

Since satellite communication systems have different architecture and characteristics from general wireless communication systems, separate researches on satellite communication systems are required, and currently, how to improve the performance of satellite communication systems has become an important research direction.

In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, which may be applied to a UE, please refer to fig. 8, and the satellite communication method includes the following steps:

step 801, the UE receives a downlink signal sent by a high orbit satellite.

The downlink signal carries system information of a low-orbit satellite cell and ephemeris information of a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell.

In alternative embodiments of the application, the downstream signal may be system broadcast information that may include the operating frequency and/or bandwidth of the low-orbit satellite cell, and the ephemeris information may include information for tracking, predicting, calculating, and characterizing the low-orbit satellite's operational state, such as the operational speed, orbital position, etc. of the low-orbit satellite.

Step 802, the UE accesses a low orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.

As described above, since the coverage of the low-orbit satellite cell is relatively small and the coverage of the low-orbit satellite cell moves with the movement of the low-orbit satellite, it is difficult for the low-orbit satellite cell to achieve continuous coverage, and there is a coverage dead zone. In the prior art, after losing the coverage of the low-orbit satellite cell, the UE searches the low-orbit satellite cell on all possible bandwidths and working frequencies of the low-orbit satellite cell, but in the coverage blind area of the low-orbit satellite, the searching is futile, and the UE can not access the low-orbit satellite cell through the searching until the UE reenters the coverage area of the low-orbit satellite cell.

The above prior art manner requires the UE to perform network searching for a long time, and the network searching of the UE in a part of the period is futile, which results in lower network searching efficiency and higher power consumption of the UE.

In the embodiment provided by the application, the UE can search the high orbit satellite cell preferentially on all possible bandwidths and working frequencies of the high orbit satellite cell so as to acquire the downlink signal of the high orbit satellite cell, wherein the downlink signal carries the system information of the low orbit satellite cell and the ephemeris information of the low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell, so that the UE can perform targeted network searching based on the system information and the ephemeris information, thereby greatly reducing the network searching time of the UE, improving the network searching efficiency of the UE and reducing the power consumption of the UE.

Referring to fig. 9, a flowchart illustrating a procedure for a UE to access a low-orbit satellite cell based on system information and ephemeris information is shown on the basis of the embodiment shown in fig. 8, and as shown in fig. 9, the procedure includes the steps of:

step 901, the UE determines the arrival time of the low orbit satellite cell based on the ephemeris information.

The arrival time is used for indicating the time when the coverage area of the low orbit satellite cell moves to a target area, wherein the target area is the area where the UE is located.

Step 902, the UE determines a cell access time according to the arrival time, and accesses a low-orbit satellite cell based on system information at the cell access time.

In other words, in the embodiment of the present application, the UE may determine the time when the low-orbit satellite cell starts to cover the UE, that is, the arrival time above, and the UE may determine the cell access time based on the arrival time, where the cell access time may be the arrival time or may be a time different from the arrival time by a small amount, and the UE searches the network at the cell access time and accesses the low-orbit satellite cell, so that the UE may be prevented from searching the network in a coverage blind area of the low-orbit satellite in a futile manner, thereby greatly reducing the time for searching the network by the UE, improving the network searching efficiency of the UE, and reducing the power consumption of the UE.

In addition, the UE can determine the operating frequency and/or bandwidth of the low orbit satellite cell based on the system information, so that the UE does not need to search on all possible bandwidths and operating frequencies of the low orbit satellite cell when searching for the network, but can search for the network on a specific bandwidth and/or operating frequency according to the system information, thereby also playing the roles of reducing the time for searching for the network by the UE, improving the efficiency for searching for the network by the UE and reducing the power consumption of the UE.

Referring to fig. 10, the embodiment of the present application further provides another satellite communication method, which can be applied to a high orbit satellite of a satellite communication system, referring to fig. 10, the satellite communication method includes the following steps:

step 1001, a high orbit satellite transmits a downlink signal.

The downlink signal carries system information of a low-orbit satellite cell and ephemeris information of a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell, and the system information and the ephemeris information are used for the UE to access the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.

As before, in an alternative embodiment of the application, the downstream signal may be a system broadcast message that may include the operating frequency and/or bandwidth of the low orbit satellite cell.

Referring to fig. 11, the embodiment of the present application further provides another satellite communication method, which can be applied to a satellite communication system, referring to fig. 11, the satellite communication method includes the following steps:

step 1101, the high orbit satellite transmits the downlink signal.

In step 1102, the UE receives a downlink signal sent by a high orbit satellite.

In step 1103, the UE determines the arrival time of the low-orbit satellite cell based on the ephemeris information.

Step 1104, the UE determines a cell access time according to the arrival time, and accesses the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information at the cell access time.

It should be noted that the satellite communication methods corresponding to fig. 8 to 11 may be applied to an architecture in which there is no communication link between the low-orbit satellite and the high-orbit satellite, and there is a communication link between the low-orbit satellite and the high-orbit satellite.

Referring to fig. 12, another satellite communication method is provided in the embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to a UE, as shown in fig. 11, and includes the following steps:

step 1201, the UE establishes dual connectivity with a low orbit satellite cell and a high orbit satellite cell.

The high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

In other words, referring to fig. 13, in the embodiment of the present application, the UE may perform uplink and downlink communications with the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell, and may perform downlink communications with the ground base station through the high-orbit satellite cell.

As described above, the coverage area of the low-orbit satellite cell is small, and there is a coverage blind area, while the coverage area of the high-orbit satellite cell is large, and there is generally no coverage blind area, but the UE generally cannot perform uplink communication with the ground base station through the high-orbit satellite cell due to the limitation of the transmission power.

Based on the above, in the satellite communication method provided by the embodiment of the application, the UE can establish dual connection with the low-orbit satellite cell and the high-orbit satellite cell, so that in the coverage blind area of the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite cell can realize signal coverage of the UE, so that in the coverage blind area of the low-orbit satellite, the UE can receive downlink data of the ground base station through the high-orbit satellite cell, and in this way, the high-orbit satellite cell can be used as coverage supplement of the low-orbit satellite cell, thereby realizing continuous signal coverage of the UE and improving the performance of the satellite communication system.

Meanwhile, in the coverage area of the low orbit satellite cell, the high orbit satellite and the low orbit satellite can jointly transmit the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, so that the load distribution of the low orbit satellite can be realized, the expansion of the communication capacity can be realized, and the higher data throughput can be realized.

Referring to fig. 14, a technical process for establishing dual connectivity between a UE and a low-orbit satellite cell and a high-orbit satellite cell is illustrated, the technical process comprising the steps of:

Step 1401, the UE accesses to the low-orbit satellite cell, and reports the connection supporting capability of the UE to the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell, so that the ground base station configures the high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the UE may access the low orbit satellite cell based on any of the corresponding satellite communication methods of fig. 8-11 above.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the connection support capability may include at least one of the following: the UE supports the working frequency of an accessed cell; the UE supports the working frequency band of an accessed cell; UE supported dual connectivity band combining.

Corresponding to the connection support capability described above, the high orbit satellite cell configured by the terrestrial base station for the UE needs to meet at least one of the following: the working frequency of the high orbit satellite cell is matched with the working frequency of the cell which is supported to be accessed by the UE; the working frequency band of the high orbit satellite cell is matched with the working frequency band of the cell which is supported to be accessed by the UE; the working frequency band of the high orbit satellite cell and the working frequency band of the low orbit satellite cell accessed by the UE are matched with the double-connection frequency band combination supported by the UE.

Step 1402, the UE establishes a downlink connection with a high orbit satellite cell based on a configuration of a ground base station.

It should be noted that, as described above, the low-orbit satellite cell has a coverage hole, in the prior art, after entering the coverage hole, the communication link between the UE and the low-orbit satellite cell will be disconnected, and after re-entering the coverage area of the low-orbit satellite cell by the coverage hole, the UE needs to re-access the low-orbit satellite cell, if the UE frequently performs the procedure of accessing the low-orbit satellite cell, and after each access to the low-orbit satellite cell, the procedure of reporting the connection support capability of the UE to the ground base station, and the ground base station performs the procedure of configuring the high-orbit satellite cell for the UE, which may result in a very cumbersome and inefficient overall procedure.

While it is contemplated that while the low orbit satellites communicatively coupled to the UE may change, the ground base station with which it remains coupled is unchanged for the UE. Therefore, in the embodiment of the application, after the UE enters the coverage blind area, the ground base station does not release the connection between the UE and the low-orbit satellite cell and the connection between the UE and the high-orbit satellite cell on the signaling level, but keeps the connection information of the UE, and after the UE reenters the coverage area of the low-orbit satellite cell, the ground base station sends the connection information to a new low-orbit satellite to reactivate the connection between the UE and the low-orbit satellite cell, so that the UE always maintains the connection between the UE and the low-orbit satellite cell and the high-orbit satellite cell on the signaling level, and therefore, the UE does not need to frequently execute the process of accessing the low-orbit satellite cell and the process of reporting the connection supporting capability of the UE to the ground base station for multiple times, and the ground base station does not need to execute the process of configuring the high-orbit cell for the UE for multiple times, thereby simplifying the flow and improving the communication efficiency.

Referring to fig. 15, on the basis of the above description, fig. 15 shows a flowchart of an exemplary satellite communication method, as shown in fig. 15, including the steps of:

In step 1501, the UE receives coverage time issued by a ground base station through a high orbit satellite cell or a low orbit satellite cell.

Wherein the coverage time is used to indicate a period of time that the communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell covers the UE.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the ground base station may send the coverage time to the UE through RRC high layer signaling, or may send the coverage time to the UE through downlink control information, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

Step 1502, the UE communicates with a ground base station through at least one of a high orbit satellite cell and a low orbit satellite cell according to a coverage time.

In the embodiment of the application, although the ground base station does not release the connection between the UE and the low-orbit satellite cell and the high-orbit satellite cell on the signaling level after the UE enters the coverage hole, the UE cannot communicate with the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell in practice. In addition, the capabilities of different UEs differ, and some UEs can only maintain one communication connection at a time, and for this part of UEs, when located within the coverage area of a low-orbit satellite cell, it is necessary to select to maintain a communication connection with one of the low-orbit satellite cell and the high-orbit satellite cell to communicate with a ground base station.

In view of the above, the ground base station may issue to the UE a time period, that is, a coverage time, for which the communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell covers the UE, and the UE may communicate with the ground base station through at least one of the high-orbit satellite cell and the low-orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, during the coverage time, the UE may perform uplink and downlink communications with the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell, and perform downlink communications with the ground base station through the high-orbit satellite cell (the UE has the capability of simultaneously maintaining two communication connections); or the UE suspends downlink communication with the ground base station through the high orbit satellite cell and uplink and downlink communication with the ground base station through the low orbit satellite cell (the UE has the capability of maintaining only one communication connection at the same time).

Outside the coverage time, the UE performs downlink communication with the ground base station through the high-orbit satellite cell, and suspends uplink and downlink communication with the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell.

Referring to fig. 16, a flowchart of another satellite communication method is shown, which is applied to a ground base station of a satellite communication system, and as shown in fig. 16, the satellite communication method includes the following steps:

Step 1601, the ground base station receives the connection support capability of the UE reported by the UE through the low-orbit satellite cell after the UE accesses the low-orbit satellite cell.

In an alternative embodiment of the application, the connection support capability includes at least one of: the UE supports the working frequency of an accessed cell; the UE supports the working frequency band of an accessed cell; UE supported dual connectivity band combining.

In step 1602, the ground base station configures a high orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection support capability, so that the UE establishes a downlink connection with the high orbit satellite cell.

As described above, after the UE establishes a dual connection with the high orbit satellite cell and the low orbit satellite cell, when the UE enters the coverage hole, the ground base station does not release the connection of the UE with the low orbit satellite cell and the high orbit satellite cell on the signaling level, but retains its connection information, and after the UE reenters the coverage area of the low orbit satellite cell, the ground base station transmits the connection information to a new low orbit satellite to reactivate the connection of the UE with the low orbit satellite cell, so that the UE maintains the connection with the low orbit satellite cell and the high orbit satellite cell all the time on the signaling level.

Referring to fig. 17, on the basis of the method shown in fig. 16, the present application further provides another satellite communication method, which includes the following steps:

In step 1701, the ground base station issues coverage time to the UE through the low orbit satellite cell or the high orbit satellite cell.

The coverage time is used for indicating a time period of covering the communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell by the UE so that the UE can communicate with the ground base station through at least one of the high-orbit satellite cell and the low-orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time.

It should be noted that the satellite communication methods corresponding to fig. 12 to 17 can be applied to an architecture in which a communication link exists between a low-orbit satellite and a high-orbit satellite.

As described above, in an architecture in which a communication link exists between a low-orbit satellite and a high-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite and the low-orbit satellite may be communicatively connected based on a ground base station interface, in which case the offloading of downlink data may be achieved by the ground base station, that is, the ground base station may transmit downlink data to at least one of the high-orbit satellite and the low-orbit satellite to forward the downlink data to the UE by the high-orbit satellite and/or the low-orbit satellite.

In addition, in the architecture in which a communication link exists between the low-orbit satellite and the high-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite and the low-orbit satellite may be further connected based on inter-satellite communication, in which case the ground base station may transmit downlink data to the low-orbit satellite, so that the low-orbit satellite forwards the downlink data to the high-orbit satellite based on the inter-satellite interface, and then the high-orbit satellite and the low-orbit satellite together forward the downlink data to the UE.

Referring to fig. 18, another satellite communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is applied to a low-orbit satellite in a satellite communication system, and as shown in fig. 18, the satellite communication method includes the following steps:

step 1801, the low orbit satellite receives and forwards the connection supporting capability of the UE reported by the UE to the ground base station, so that the ground base station configures a high orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability.

The high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

As described above, in the case where the high orbit satellite and the low orbit satellite are connected based on inter-satellite communication, the low orbit satellite may receive downlink data transmitted from the ground base station, forward the downlink data to the high orbit satellite based on the inter-satellite interface, and then forward the downlink data to the UE by the high orbit satellite and the low orbit satellite together.

Referring to fig. 19, another satellite communication method is provided according to the embodiment of the present application based on the satellite communication method shown in fig. 18, and as shown in fig. 19, the satellite communication method includes the following steps:

Step 1901, the low orbit satellite receives and forwards the coverage time sent by the ground base station to the UE.

It should be understood that, although the steps in the flowcharts of fig. 8-19 are shown in order as indicated by the arrows, these steps are not necessarily performed in order as indicated by the arrows. The steps are not strictly limited to the order of execution unless explicitly recited herein, and the steps may be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some of the steps in fig. 8-19 may include multiple sub-steps or stages that are not necessarily performed at the same time, but may be performed at different times, nor do the order in which the sub-steps or stages are performed necessarily occur sequentially, but may be performed alternately or alternately with at least a portion of the sub-steps or stages of other steps or steps.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 20, there is provided a satellite communication device including: a receiving module 2001 and an access module 2002.

The receiving module 2001 is configured to receive a downlink signal sent by a high-orbit satellite, where the downlink signal carries system information of a low-orbit satellite cell and ephemeris information of a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell.

The access module 2002 is configured to access a low orbit satellite cell based on system information and ephemeris information.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the access module 2002 is specifically configured to: determining the arrival time of the low-orbit satellite cell based on ephemeris information, wherein the arrival time is used for indicating the moment when the coverage of the low-orbit satellite cell moves to a target area, and the target area is the area where the UE is located; and determining the cell access time according to the arrival time, and accessing the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information at the cell access time.

In an alternative embodiment of the application, the downstream signal includes system broadcast information.

In an alternative embodiment of the application, the system information includes the operating frequency and/or bandwidth of the low-orbit satellite cell.

The implementation principle and technical effects of the satellite communication device provided in the above embodiment are similar to those of the above method embodiment, and are not described herein again.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 21, there is provided a satellite communication device including: the transmission module 2101.

The transmitting module 2101 is configured to transmit a downlink signal, where the downlink signal carries system information of a low-orbit satellite cell and ephemeris information of a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell, and the system information and the ephemeris information are used for a UE to access the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 22, there is provided a satellite communication device including: a connection module 2201.

The connection module 2201 is configured to establish a dual connection with a low-orbit satellite cell and a high-orbit satellite cell;

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the connection module 2201 is specifically configured to: accessing a low-orbit satellite cell, and reporting the connection supporting capability of the UE to a ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell so that the ground base station configures a high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability; downlink connection is established with the high orbit satellite cell based on the configuration of the ground base station.

In an alternative embodiment of the application, the connection support capability includes at least one of:

the UE supports the working frequency of an accessed cell;

the UE supports the working frequency band of an accessed cell;

UE supported dual connectivity band combining.

As shown in fig. 23, there is provided another satellite communication apparatus, which may optionally include, in addition to the connection module 2201 included in the satellite communication apparatus shown in fig. 22: the receiving module 2202 and the communication module 2203.

The receiving module 2202 is configured to receive, by using the high-orbit satellite cell or the low-orbit satellite cell, a coverage time issued by the ground base station, where the coverage time is used to indicate a period of time when a communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell covers the UE.

The communication module 2203 is configured to communicate with a ground base station via at least one of a high orbit satellite cell and a low orbit satellite cell according to coverage time.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the communication module 2203 is specifically configured to: in the coverage time, the UE performs uplink and downlink communication with the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell and performs downlink communication with the ground base station through the high-orbit satellite cell; or the UE pauses downlink communication with the ground base station through the high-orbit satellite cell and uplink and downlink communication with the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the communication module 2203 is specifically configured to: outside the coverage time, the UE performs downlink communication with the ground base station through the high-orbit satellite cell, and suspends uplink and downlink communication with the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 24, there is provided a satellite communication device including: a receiving module 2401 and a configuring module 2402.

The receiving module 2401 is configured to receive a connection supporting capability of the UE reported by the UE through the low-orbit satellite cell after the UE accesses the low-orbit satellite cell.

The configuration module 2402 is configured to configure a high orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability, so that the UE and the high orbit satellite cell can establish downlink connection, wherein a high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and a low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station, and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.

In an alternative embodiment of the application, the connection support capability comprises at least one of the following:

the UE supports the working frequency of an accessed cell;

the UE supports the working frequency band of an accessed cell;

UE supported dual connectivity band combining.

As shown in fig. 25, another satellite communication device is provided, which includes, in addition to a receiving module 2401 and a configuration module 2402 included in the satellite communication device shown in fig. 24, optionally: a transmission module 2403.

The sending module 2403 is configured to send a coverage time to the UE through the low-orbit satellite cell or the high-orbit satellite cell, where the coverage time is used to indicate a time period for the communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell to cover the UE, so that the UE can communicate with the ground base station through at least one of the high-orbit satellite cell and the low-orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time.

In an alternative embodiment of the application, the high orbit satellite is communicatively coupled to the low orbit satellite based on a ground based base station interface, and the transmitting module 2403 is further configured to transmit downlink data to at least one of the high orbit satellite and the low orbit satellite.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the high orbit satellite is communicatively connected to the low orbit satellite based on an inter-satellite interface, and the sending module 2403 is further configured to send downlink data to the low orbit satellite for forwarding the downlink data to the high orbit satellite by the low orbit satellite based on the inter-satellite interface.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 26, there is provided a satellite communication device including: the communication module 2601.

The communication module 2601 is configured to receive and forward, to a ground base station, a connection support capability of a UE reported by the UE, so that the ground base station configures a high orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection support capability;

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the high orbit satellite is communicatively connected to the low orbit satellite based on an inter-satellite interface, the communication module 2601 being further configured to: and receiving downlink data sent by the ground base station, and forwarding the downlink data to the high-orbit satellite based on the inter-satellite interface.

In an alternative embodiment of the present application, the communication module 2601 is further configured to receive and forward, to the UE, a coverage time sent by the ground base station, where the coverage time is used to indicate a time period for the UE to be covered by the communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell, so that the UE can communicate with the ground base station through at least one of the high-orbit satellite cell and the low-orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time.

The specific limitation concerning the satellite communication device may be referred to as limitation concerning the satellite communication method hereinabove, and will not be described herein. The various modules in the satellite communication device described above may be implemented in whole or in part in software, hardware, and combinations thereof. The above modules may be embedded in hardware or may be independent of a processor in the communication device, or may be stored in software in a memory in the computer device, so that the processor may call and execute operations corresponding to the above modules.

Fig. 27 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a UE or a network device, and in the embodiment of the present application, the network device refers to, for example, a low-orbit satellite, a high-orbit satellite, or a ground base station, and the communication device 2700 shown in fig. 27 includes a processor 2710, where the processor 2710 may call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement a method in the embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 27, communication device 2700 may also include memory 2720. Wherein the processor 2710 may invoke and run computer programs from the memory 2720 to implement the methods in embodiments of the present application.

Wherein the memory 2720 may be a separate device from the processor 2710 or may be integrated in the processor 2710.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 27, the communication device 2700 may further include a transceiver 2730, and the processor 2710 may control the transceiver 2730 to communicate with other devices, in particular, may transmit information or data to other devices, or receive information or data transmitted by other devices.

Wherein transceiver 2730 may include a transmitter and a receiver. Transceiver 2730 may further include antennas, the number of which may be one or more.

Optionally, the communications device 2700 may implement a corresponding procedure implemented by the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the terrestrial base station in each method of the embodiments of the present application, which is not described herein for brevity.

Fig. 28 is a schematic structural view of a chip of an embodiment of the present application. The chip 2800 shown in fig. 28 includes a processor 2810, and the processor 2810 may call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement a method in an embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 28, chip 2800 may also include a memory 2820. Wherein the processor 2810 may call and run a computer program from the memory 2820 to implement the methods in embodiments of the present application.

Wherein the memory 2820 may be a separate device from the processor 2810 or may be integrated in the processor 2810.

Optionally, the chip 2800 may also include an input interface 2830. The processor 2810 may control the input interface 2830 to communicate with other devices or chips, and in particular, may acquire information or data sent by other devices or chips.

Optionally, the chip 2800 may also include an output interface 2840. Wherein the processor 2810 may control the output interface 2840 to communicate with other devices or chips, and in particular, may output information or data to other devices or chips.

Optionally, the chip 2800 may be applied to the communication device 2700 in the embodiment of the present application, and the chip 2800 may implement a corresponding procedure implemented by the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the terrestrial base station in each method in the embodiment of the present application, which is not described herein for brevity.

It should be appreciated that the chip 2800 referred to in embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a system-on-chip, a system-on-chip or a system-on-chip, etc.

The embodiment of the application also provides a communication system which comprises the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite and the ground base station.

The UE may be used to implement the corresponding function implemented by the UE in the above method, the low orbit satellite may be used to implement the corresponding function implemented by the low orbit satellite in the above method, the high orbit satellite may be used to implement the corresponding function implemented by the high orbit satellite in the above method, and the ground base station may be used to implement the corresponding function implemented by the ground base station in the above method, which is not described herein for brevity.

It should be appreciated that the processor of an embodiment of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in software form. The Processor may be a general purpose Processor, a digital signal Processor (DIGITAL SIGNAL Processor, DSP), an Application SPECIFIC INTEGRATED Circuit (ASIC), an off-the-shelf programmable gate array (Field Programmable GATE ARRAY, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components. The disclosed methods, steps, and logic blocks in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be embodied directly in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or in the execution of a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoding processor. The software modules may be located in a random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, programmable read only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. as well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in combination with its hardware, performs the steps of the above method.

It will be appreciated that the memory in embodiments of the application may be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile Memory may be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash Memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) which acts as external cache memory. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (STATIC RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DYNAMIC RAM, DRAM), synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), double data rate Synchronous dynamic random access memory (Double DATA RATE SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced Synchronous dynamic random access memory (ENHANCED SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SYNCHLINK DRAM, SLDRAM), and Direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

It should be appreciated that the above memory is exemplary and not limiting, and for example, the memory in the embodiments of the present application may also be static random access memory (STATIC RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DYNAMIC RAM, DRAM), synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double DATA RATE SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ENHANCED SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous connection dynamic random access memory (SYNCH LINKDRAM, SLDRAM), direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM), and the like. That is, the memory in embodiments of the present application is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer readable storage medium for storing a computer program.

Optionally, the computer readable storage medium may be applied to the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the terrestrial base station in the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program causes the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the terrestrial base station to execute a procedure correspondingly implemented by the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the terrestrial base station in each method in the embodiment of the present application, which is not described herein for brevity.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer program product comprising computer program instructions.

Optionally, the computer program product may be applied to the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the ground base station in the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program instructions cause the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the ground base station to execute the flow implemented by the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the ground base station in each method in the embodiment of the present application, which is not described herein for brevity.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer program.

Optionally, the computer program may be applied to the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the ground base station in the embodiment of the present application, and when the computer program runs on the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the ground base station, the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the ground base station executes a procedure correspondingly implemented by the UE, the low-orbit satellite, the high-orbit satellite, or the ground base station in each method in the embodiment of the present application, which is not described herein for brevity.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of the units is merely a logical function division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, e.g., multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be embodied essentially or in a part contributing to the prior art or in a part of the technical solution, in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, comprising several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art will readily recognize that variations or substitutions are within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

The term "and/or" is herein merely an association relationship describing an associated object, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, may represent: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" herein generally indicates that the front and rear associated objects are an "or" relationship.

Claims

A method of satellite communication, the method comprising:

The method comprises the steps that User Equipment (UE) receives downlink signals sent by high-orbit satellites, wherein the downlink signals carry system information of low-orbit satellite cells and ephemeris information of low-orbit satellites corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cells;

the UE accesses a low orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.
The method of claim 1, wherein the UE accessing a low orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information comprises:

The UE determines the arrival time of a low-orbit satellite cell based on the ephemeris information, wherein the arrival time is used for indicating the moment when the coverage area of the low-orbit satellite cell moves to a target area, and the target area is the area where the UE is located;

And the UE determines the cell access time according to the arrival time and accesses a low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information at the cell access time.
A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the downlink signal comprises system broadcast information.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system information comprises an operating frequency and/or bandwidth of a low-orbit satellite cell.
A method of satellite communication, the method comprising:

the high orbit satellite transmits a downlink signal, wherein the downlink signal carries system information of a low orbit satellite cell and ephemeris information of a low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell;

the system information and the ephemeris information are used for the UE to access the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.
The method of claim 5, wherein the downlink signal comprises system broadcast information.
The method of claim 5, wherein the system information comprises an operating frequency and/or bandwidth of a low-orbit satellite cell.
A method of satellite communication, the method comprising:

the UE establishes double connection with a low orbit satellite cell and a high orbit satellite cell;

The high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.
The method of claim 8, wherein the UE establishes a dual connection with a low-orbit satellite cell and a high-orbit satellite cell, comprising:

The UE is accessed into a low-orbit satellite cell, and the connection supporting capability of the UE is reported to the ground base station through the low-orbit satellite cell, so that the ground base station configures a high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability;

The UE establishes a downlink connection with a high orbit satellite cell based on the configuration of the ground base station.
The method of claim 9, wherein the connection support capability comprises at least one of:

The UE supports the working frequency of an accessed cell;

The UE supports the working frequency band of an accessed cell;

and combining the dual-connection frequency bands supported by the UE.
The method of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:

The UE receives coverage time issued by the ground base station through a high-orbit satellite cell or a low-orbit satellite cell, wherein the coverage time is used for indicating a time period for covering the UE by a communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell;

the UE communicates with the ground base station through at least one of a high orbit satellite cell and a low orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time.
The method of claim 11, wherein the UE communicates with the terrestrial base station through at least one of a high-orbit satellite cell and a low-orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time, comprising:

in the coverage time, the UE performs uplink and downlink communication with the ground base station through a low-orbit satellite cell and performs downlink communication with the ground base station through a high-orbit satellite cell; or the UE pauses downlink communication with the ground base station through a high-orbit satellite cell and performs uplink and downlink communication with the ground base station through a low-orbit satellite cell.
The method of claim 11, wherein the UE communicates with the terrestrial base station through at least one of a high-orbit satellite cell and a low-orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time, comprising:

And outside the coverage time, the UE performs downlink communication with the ground base station through a high-orbit satellite cell and pauses uplink and downlink communication with the ground base station through a low-orbit satellite cell.
A method of satellite communication, the method comprising:

The method comprises the steps that a ground base station receives connection supporting capability of UE reported by the UE through a low-orbit satellite cell after the UE is accessed into the low-orbit satellite cell;

The ground base station configures a high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability so that the UE and the high-orbit satellite cell can establish downlink connection, wherein a high-orbit satellite corresponding to the high-orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.
The method of claim 14, wherein the connection support capability comprises at least one of:

The UE supports the working frequency of an accessed cell;

The UE supports the working frequency band of an accessed cell;

and combining the dual-connection frequency bands supported by the UE.
The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:

The ground base station transmits coverage time to the UE through a low-orbit satellite cell or a high-orbit satellite cell, wherein the coverage time is used for indicating a time period of covering the UE by a communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell so that the UE can communicate with the ground base station through at least one of the high-orbit satellite cell and the low-orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time.
The method of claim 14, wherein the high orbit satellite is communicatively coupled to the low orbit satellite based on a ground based base station interface, the method further comprising:

the ground base station transmits downlink data to at least one of a high orbit satellite and a low orbit satellite.
The method of claim 14, wherein the high orbit satellite is communicatively coupled to the low orbit satellite based on an inter-satellite interface, the method further comprising:

The ground base station transmits downlink data to the low-orbit satellite to forward the downlink data by the low-orbit satellite to the high-orbit satellite based on the inter-satellite interface.
A method of satellite communication, the method comprising:

The low-orbit satellite receives and forwards the connection supporting capability of the UE reported by the UE to a ground base station, so that the ground base station configures a high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability;

The high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite is used for receiving and forwarding the uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.
The method of claim 19, wherein the high orbit satellite is communicatively coupled to the low orbit satellite based on an inter-satellite interface, the method further comprising:

And the low orbit satellite receives the downlink data sent by the ground base station and forwards the downlink data to the high orbit satellite based on an inter-satellite interface.
The method of claim 19, wherein the method further comprises:

And the low-orbit satellite receives and forwards the coverage time sent by the ground base station to the UE, wherein the coverage time is used for indicating the time period of coverage of the communication signal of the low-orbit satellite cell to the UE so that the UE can communicate with the ground base station through at least one of the high-orbit satellite cell and the low-orbit satellite cell according to the coverage time.
A satellite communications device, the device comprising:

the receiving module is used for receiving downlink signals sent by the high-orbit satellites, wherein the downlink signals carry system information of low-orbit satellite cells and ephemeris information of low-orbit satellites corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cells;

And the access module is used for accessing the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.
A satellite communications device, the device comprising:

the transmitting module is used for transmitting downlink signals, wherein the downlink signals carry system information of a low-orbit satellite cell and ephemeris information of a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell;

the system information and the ephemeris information are used for the UE to access the low-orbit satellite cell based on the system information and the ephemeris information.
A satellite communications device, the device comprising:

The connection module is used for establishing double connection with the low-orbit satellite cell and the high-orbit satellite cell;

The high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of a ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite corresponding to the low orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.
A satellite communications device, the device comprising:

the receiving module is used for receiving the connection supporting capability of the UE, which is reported by the low-orbit satellite cell after the UE is accessed to the low-orbit satellite cell;

The configuration module is configured to configure a high-orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability, so that the UE and the high-orbit satellite cell can establish downlink connection, wherein a high-orbit satellite corresponding to the high-orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and a low-orbit satellite corresponding to the low-orbit satellite cell is used for receiving and forwarding uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.
A satellite communications device, the device comprising:

The communication module is used for receiving and forwarding the connection supporting capability of the UE reported by the UE to a ground base station, so that the ground base station configures a high orbit satellite cell for the UE according to the connection supporting capability;

The high orbit satellite corresponding to the high orbit satellite cell is used for forwarding the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE, and the low orbit satellite is used for receiving and forwarding the uplink data sent by the UE to the ground base station and forwarding the downlink data of the ground base station to the UE.
A communication device, the communication device comprising: a processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor being for invoking and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 21.
A computer readable storage medium for storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 21.
A chip comprising processing circuitry for invoking and running a computer program from memory, such that a device on which the chip is mounted performs the method of any of claims 1 to 21.
A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product comprises computer program instructions that cause a computer to perform the method according to any of claims 1 to 21.
A computer program, characterized in that the computer program causes a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 21.