Non-terrestrial network communication method and apparatus
This application provides a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication method and an apparatus. When performing a delay-sensitive communication service, UE may select a cell covered by a satellite since the UE cannot distinguish between a cell covered by a terrestrial base station and the cell covered by the satellite. A first network device determines cell type information of a cell covered by a second network device, where the cell type information indicates that the cell is a terrestrial network communication cell or a non-terrestrial network communication cell; and the first network device sends the cell type information to a third network device.
1. A non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication method, comprising:
determining, by a first network device, cell type information of a cell covered by a second network device; and
sending, by the first network device, a message carrying the cell type information of the cell to a third network device,
wherein the cell type information indicates whether the cell is a terrestrial network communication cell or a non-terrestrial network communication cell; and, when the cell type information indicates that the cell is a non-terrestrial network communication cell, the cell type information further indicates an orbit type of the second network device; and
wherein the cell type information further indicates whether the cell is a moving cell or a fixed cell.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second network device is configured to forward a signal of the first network device.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the orbit type comprises a low-earth orbit, a medium-earth orbit, or a geostationary earth orbit.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the cell type information further indicates that a neighboring cell is a terrestrial network communication cell or a non-terrestrial network communication cell.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first network device is a base station, and the third network device is a core network device;
the first network device is a distributed unit (DU) of a base station, and the third network device is a central unit (CU) of the base station;
the first network device is a first base station, and the third network device is a second base station; or
the first network device is a central unit control plane (CU-CP), and the third network device is a central unit user plane (CU-UP).
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the message is an interface setup request message sent by the first network device to the third network device.
7. A non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication apparatus, wherein the apparatus is a first network device or the apparatus is used in a first network device, and the apparatus comprises:
at least one processor; and
one or more memories including computer instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising:
determining cell type information of a cell covered by a second network device; and
sending a message carrying the cell type information of the cell to a third network device,
wherein the cell type information indicates whether the cell is a terrestrial network communication cell or a non-terrestrial network communication cell; and, when the cell type information indicates that the cell is a non-terrestrial network communication cell, the cell type information further indicates an orbit type of the second network device, and wherein the cell type information further indicates whether the cell is a moving cell or a fixed cell.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the second network device is configured to forward a signal of the first network device.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the orbit type comprises a low-earth orbit, a medium-earth orbit, or a geostationary earth orbit.
10. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the cell type information further indicates that a neighboring cell is a terrestrial network communication cell or a non-terrestrial network communication cell.
11. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the first network device is a base station, and the third network device is a core network device;
the first network device is a distributed unit (DU) of a base station, and the third network device is a central unit (CU) of the base station;
the first network device is a first base station, and the third network device is a second base station; or
the first network device is a central unit control plane (CU-CP), and the third network device is a central unit user plane (CU-UP).
12. A non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication apparatus,
wherein the apparatus is a third network device or the apparatus is used in a third network device, and the apparatus comprises:
at least one processor; and
one or more memories including computer instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising:
receiving a message carrying cell type information sent by a first network device, wherein the cell type information indicates whether a cell covered by a second network device is a terrestrial network communication cell or a non-terrestrial network communication cell; and
storing the cell type information,
wherein, when the cell type information indicates that the cell is a non-terrestrial network communication cell, the cell type information further indicates an orbit type of the second network device; and
wherein the cell type information further indicates that-whether the cell is a moving cell or a fixed cell.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the second network device is configured to forward a signal of the first network device.
14. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the orbit type comprises a low-earth orbit, a medium-earth orbit, or a geostationary earth orbit.
15. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the cell type information further indicates that a neighboring cell is a terrestrial network communication cell or a non-terrestrial network communication cell.
16. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the first network device is a base station, and the third network device is a core network device;
the first network device is a distributed unit (DU) of a base station, and the third network device is a central unit (CU) of the base station;
the first network device is a first base station, and the third network device is a second base station; or
the first network device is a central unit control plane (CU-CP), and the third network device is a central unit user plane (CU-UP).
17. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the second network device is a non-terrestrial communication device when the cell covered by the second network device is a non-terrestrial network communication cell.
18. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the cell type information further indicates a type of the second network device.
19. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein a type of the second network device is a satellite, aircraft, an air workstation, or a hot air balloon.