Radio access network control device and method

Abstract

A radio access network control device and method are disclosed. The processor of this device, in response to receiving first identification information of a user equipment registered by a base station via a first communication interface, switches the registration state to a closed state and sends connection information to the base station. In the closed state, the processor, in response to receiving second identification information registered by an additional information provider via a second communication interface, establishes a correspondence between the first and second identification information and stores it in a mapping table, switches the registration state to an open state, and, in response to receiving additional information provided by the additional information provider and its associated second identification information via the second communication interface, queries the mapping table for the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information, and sends a control request to the user equipment to which the first identification information belongs to the base station based on the additional information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a radio access network control device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Open-Radio Access Network (O-RAN) technology provides open interfaces that enable high scalability of the radio access network (RAN), including providing an Enrichment Information (EI) interface to integrate external additional information services, thereby optimizing the RAN.

[0003] In the O-RAN architecture, the Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) can use RAN-related identifiers (IDs) to identify User Equipment (UE). Additional information providers can use information from the UE itself, such as Internet Protocol address (IP address), International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), or telephone number, as identifiers.

[0004] However, for security reasons, the radio access network uses temporary identifiers as RAN User Equipment Identifiers (RAN UE IDs). These identifiers are dynamically updated as connections change, making it impossible for external additional information providers to directly obtain the RAN UE ID for user equipment identification. When the RAN interacts with additional information providers, it cannot directly ascertain the association between the additional information user equipment identifier (EI UE ID) and the RAN UE ID, and therefore cannot adjust the behavior of specific user equipment within the radio access network based on the additional information. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a radio access network control device and method. Through a predetermined identifier mapping mechanism, the correspondence between identifiers can be found, thereby enabling the effective configuration of resources using information provided by additional information providers, thereby improving network system performance and user experience.

[0006] This disclosure provides a radio access network control device, comprising: a first communication interface, a second communication interface, a storage device, and a processor. The first communication interface is used for communicating with a base station. The second communication interface is used for communicating with an additional information provider. The storage device is used to store a mapping table recording the correspondence between identification information. The processor is coupled to the first communication interface, the second communication interface, and the storage device, and is configured to, in response to receiving first identification information of a user equipment registered by a base station through the first communication interface, switch the registration state to a closed state and respond with connection information to the base station; in the closed state, in response to receiving second identification information registered by an additional information provider through the second communication interface, establish a correspondence between the first identification information and the second identification information and store it in the mapping table, and switch the registration state to an open state; and in response to receiving additional information provided by the additional information provider and its associated second identification information through the second communication interface, query the mapping table for the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information, and send a control request for the user equipment to which the first identification information belongs to the additional information to the base station based on the additional information.

[0007] This disclosure provides a radio access network control method applicable to a radio access network control device having a first communication interface, a second communication interface, a storage device, and a processor. The method includes the following steps: the processor receives first identification information of a user equipment registered by a base station using the first communication interface, switches the registration state to a closed state, and responds to connection information to the base station; in the closed state, the processor receives second identification information registered by an additional information provider using the second communication interface to establish a mapping table between the first and second identification information and store it in the storage device, and switches the registration state to an open state; and the processor receives additional information provided by the additional information provider and its associated second identification information using the second communication interface, queries the mapping table for the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information, and sends a control request for the user equipment to which the first identification information belongs to the base station using the first communication interface based on the additional information.

[0008] The radio access network control apparatus and method disclosed herein receive the user equipment's identifier and enter a mapping state when the user equipment accesses a base station. In this state, the identifier received from an additional information provider is treated as identification information for the same user equipment, and a correspondence between the two identifiers is automatically established and recorded. Therefore, when additional information is subsequently received from the additional information provider, the identifier of the corresponding user equipment can be retrieved using the identifier carried within it, allowing the necessary control requests to be sent to that user equipment. This method enables effective configuration of network resources, thereby improving network system performance.

[0009] To make the above features and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the following description is based on the following embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the system architecture of a radio access network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 A timing diagram of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 4 The state machine of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically.

[0014] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 6 A timing diagram of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 7 The state machine of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically.

[0017] Symbol Explanation

[0018] 1: Radio access network;

[0019] 10, 10a: Radio access network control device;

[0020] 12: First communication interface;

[0021] 14: Second communication interface;

[0022] 16: Storage device;

[0023] 18: Processor;

[0024] 20: User equipment;

[0025] 20a: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV);

[0026] 30, 30a, 30b: Base stations;

[0027] 40: Additional information providers;

[0028] 40a: Location information provider;

[0029] 100: Location-assisted switching application;

[0030] S202~S206, S301~S313, S601~S613: Step numbers. Detailed Implementation

[0031] This embodiment utilizes a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RIC) to control the registration scheduling of User Equipment (UE) at the Radio Access Network (RAN) end (using the RAN UE identifier) ​​and the Enrichment Information (EI) service end (using the EI UE identifier), allowing the RIC to correctly determine that the two identifiers are issued by the same UE. Furthermore, by establishing a mapping table between the RAN UE identifier and the EI UE identifier, when the Enrichment Information provider communicates with the RIC using the EI UE identifier, the RIC can determine which RAN UE identifier to use for resource control of the UE by looking up the table.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the system architecture of a radio access network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the radio access network 1 in this embodiment includes a radio access network control device 10, a user equipment 20, a base station 30, and an additional information provider 40.

[0034] The radio access network control device 10 is, for example, a radio access network intelligent controller (RIC), which includes a first communication interface 12, a second communication interface 14, a storage device 16, and a processor 18. The first communication interface 12 is used to communicate with the base station 30, and the second communication interface 14 is used to communicate with an additional information provider 40. In one embodiment, the first communication interface 12 is, for example, an E2 interface, and the second communication interface 14 is, for example, an additional information (EI) interface, but this embodiment is not limited to these.

[0035] Storage device 16 may be, for example, any type of fixed or removable random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, or similar elements or combinations thereof. Storage device 16 may store, for example, a computer program executable by processor 18. In this embodiment, storage device 16 stores a mapping table recording the correspondence of identification information.

[0036] Processor 18 is, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable controllers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other similar devices or combinations thereof. In this embodiment, processor 18 is coupled to a first communication interface 12, a second communication interface 14, and a storage device 16, respectively, and can load and execute computer programs stored in the storage device 16 to perform the radio access network control method of this disclosure embodiment.

[0037] User equipment 20 is, for example, an electronic device used by a user, such as a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, or server. It uses mobile communication technology (e.g., 5G) to perform an attachment / reattach procedure with base station 30. When base station 30 receives an access / reattach request from user equipment 20, it transmits the RAN user equipment identifier assigned to user equipment 20 to radio access network control device 10 through the first communication interface 12 for registration.

[0038] On the other hand, user equipment 20 can initiate a registration process with additional information provider 40 via wired or wireless communication. After receiving the registration from user equipment 20, additional information provider 40 registers with radio access network control device 10 through second communication interface 14, and carries the EI user equipment identifier assigned to user equipment 20 in the registration information.

[0039] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0040] Simultaneously refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the method in this embodiment is applicable to Figure 1 The following describes the detailed steps of the radio access network control method disclosed herein, which are explained in detail by describing the components of the radio access network control device 10.

[0041] In step S202, the processor 18 receives first identification information of the user equipment 20 registered by the base station 30 via the first communication interface 12 and switches the registration state to a closed state. The radio access network control device 10 includes, for example, a register for recording the aforementioned registration state. In one embodiment, a register value of 0 represents a closed state, and a register value of 1 represents an open state, but this is not limited to this. The first identification information includes the NG Application Protocol (NGAP) identifier (ID) of the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) user equipment (UE), where the NG Protocol is the protocol between the radio access network and the 5G core network, the E1 Application Protocol (E1AP) ID of the base station-centralized unit-distributed unit (gNB-CU-CP) UE, or the UE ID of the Radio Access Networks (RAN), but is not limited to these.

[0042] When a user equipment 20 connects to the base station 30, the base station 30 transmits registration information to the radio access network control device 10. This registration information includes the RAN user equipment identifier assigned to the user equipment 20 by the base station 30. Upon receiving this registration information, the radio access network control device 10 records the RAN user equipment identifier in the storage device 16, sets the value of its register to 0 to switch the registration state to a closed state, and responds with connection information to the base station 30.

[0043] In step S204, while in the off state, the processor 18 uses the second communication interface 14 to receive second identification information registered by the additional information provider 40, in order to establish a mapping table between the first and second identification information and store it in the storage device 16, and switch the registration state to the on state. The second identification information includes, but is not limited to, the Internet Protocol address (IP address), International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), or telephone number of the user equipment.

[0044] In the off state, processor 18 will reject the registration request for identification information from base station 30. That is, even if other user equipment connects to base station 30 in the off state and base station 30 registers with radio access network control device 10, processor 18 will not register the identification information transmitted by base station 30. Instead, processor 18 will wait for additional information provider 40 to register the identification information.

[0045] In detail, after user equipment 20 completes access, it may initiate a registration process with additional information provider 40. When additional information provider 40 receives the registration from user equipment 20, it registers with radio access network control device 10 and carries the identification information (e.g., EI user equipment identifier) ​​assigned to user equipment 20 in the registration information. At this time, based on the fact that the registration status of radio access network control device 10 is in the off state, processor 18 can determine that the identification information registered by additional information provider 40 corresponds to the identification information previously registered by base station 30 (i.e., the two pieces of identification information correspond to the same user equipment 20), and establish a correspondence between the two pieces of identification information and store it in the mapping table in storage device 16.

[0046] After establishing the mapping table, the processor 18 switches the registration state to the enabled state, enabling the radio access network control device 10 to receive registration requests for identification information from the base station 30, in order to register the identification information of other user equipment. In some embodiments, after switching the registration state to the disabled state, the processor 18 may, for example, accumulate the waiting time for not receiving the second identification information registered by the additional information provider 40, and switch the registration state to the enabled state when the waiting time exceeds a preset time. This avoids hindering or delaying the registration of other user equipment due to the excessively long registration time of user equipment 20.

[0047] In step S206, the processor 18 receives additional information provided by the additional information provider 40 and its associated second identification information via the second communication interface 14, queries the mapping table for the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information, and sends a control request for the user equipment 20 to which the first identification information belongs to the base station 30 via the first communication interface 12 based on this additional information. The base station 30 then controls the resources allocated to the user equipment 20. The control request may be, for example, a request for the base station 30 to adjust the resource allocation, transmission rate, transmission priority, or handover for the user equipment 20, but this embodiment is not limited to these.

[0048] Using the above method, the radio access network control device 10 of this embodiment can find the correspondence between the RAN user equipment identifier and the EI user equipment identifier of the same user equipment 20. Therefore, the radio access network 10 can effectively configure resources using the information provided by the additional information provider 40, thereby improving network system performance and user experience. The additional information includes location information, signal strength, or environmental information.

[0049] Figure 3 A timing diagram of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0050] Simultaneously refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the method in this embodiment is applicable to Figure 1 The following describes the timing of the radio access network control method disclosed herein, which is a radio access network control device 10.

[0051] In step S301, user equipment 20 requests network services and initiates an access / re-access procedure to base station 30.

[0052] In step S302, after receiving the access / re-access request from the user equipment 20, the base station 30 will transmit the RAN user equipment identifier assigned to the user equipment 20 to the radio access network control device 10 through the E2 interface.

[0053] In step S303, after receiving the registration information transmitted by the base station 30, the radio access network control device 10 determines whether the registration status is enabled (i.e., REG_STATE = ON). If so, the radio access network control device 10 will accept the registration and set the registration status to disabled (i.e., REG_STATE = OFF). Otherwise, the radio access network control device 10 will not enter the identifier mapping process.

[0054] In step S304, the radio access network control device 10 responds with connection information to the base station 30, and in step S305, the access / re-access procedure is completed.

[0055] In step S306, after completing each access / re-access procedure, the user equipment 20 will initiate a registration process with the additional information provider 40.

[0056] In step S307, after receiving the registration from user equipment 20, the additional information provider 40 registers with the radio access network control device 10 through the EI interface and carries the EI user equipment identifier assigned to user equipment 20 in the registration information.

[0057] In step S308, after receiving the registration request from the additional information provider 40, the radio access network control device 10 establishes a correspondence between the RAN user equipment identifier obtained in step S302 and the EI user equipment identifier in the current registration information and stores it in the identifier mapping table in the storage device 16.

[0058] In step S309, the identifier mapping process ends. At this time, the radio access network control device 10 sets the registration status to the on state (i.e., REG_STATE=ON), and can accept the registration of the next user equipment in this state.

[0059] In step S310, the additional information provider 40 sends additional information of the user equipment 20 to the radio access network control device 10.

[0060] In step S311, the radio access network control device 10 uses the EI user equipment identifier carried in the additional information to query the previously stored identifier mapping table to find the corresponding RAN user equipment identifier.

[0061] In step S312, when the radio access network control device 10 wants to perform resource control on the user equipment 20 based on additional information, it will send a control request for the user equipment 20 to the base station 30.

[0062] In step S313, when the base station 30 receives the control request, it will allocate relevant resources to the user equipment 20.

[0063] Figure 4 The state machine of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically.

[0064] like Figure 4 As shown, when the state is ON, it means that the radio access network control device is in a state that accepts user equipment (UE) registration; when the state is OFF, it means that the identifier mapping process is in progress, so the radio access network control device will reject any user equipment registration request; after the identifier mapping is completed, the radio access network control device will switch the state from OFF to ON to accept the next user equipment registration.

[0065] Using the above method, the radio access network control device can effectively configure the resources allocated by the base station to user equipment based on the additional information provided by the additional information provider, so as to improve network system performance and user experience.

[0066] An embodiment of this disclosure also applies the above-described radio access network control method to the rapid switching of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), that is, switching from one network to another between different base stations.

[0067] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0068] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the location information provider 40a is used to locate the drone 20a and provide the location information of the drone 20a to the radio access network control device 10a. The radio access network control device 10a then performs switching control by executing the location-assisted switching application 100. The drone 20a can be, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or other vehicle, and is not limited thereto.

[0069] The location information provider 40a reports its location information at intervals of, for example, 10 milliseconds (ms). Conversely, the drone 20a determines whether to handover by measuring the signal strength of its surrounding base stations 30a and 30b, reporting its signal strength at intervals of, for example, 20, 40, 80, and 60 milliseconds. Since the location information provider 40a reports its location information at shorter intervals than the drone 20a reports its own signal strength, this assists the radio access network control device 10a in controlling the handover of the drone 20a.

[0070] Figure 6 A timing diagram of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0071] Simultaneously refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the method in this embodiment is applicable to Figure 5 The following describes the timing of the radio access network control method disclosed herein, which is a radio access network control device 10a. The components of the radio access network control device 10a are described below.

[0072] In step S601, the drone 20a requests network services and initiates an access / re-access procedure to the base station 30a.

[0073] In step S602, after receiving the access / re-access request from the UAV 20a, the base station 30a will transmit the RAN user equipment identifier (21485977652) assigned to the UAV 20a as registration information to the radio access network control device 10a through the E2 interface for registration.

[0074] In step S603, after receiving the registration information transmitted by the base station 30a, the radio access network control device 10a determines whether the registration status is enabled (i.e., REG_STATE = ON). If so, the radio access network control device 10a will accept the registration and set the registration status to disabled (i.e., REG_STATE = OFF). Otherwise, the radio access network control device 10a will not enter the identifier mapping process.

[0075] In step S604, the radio access network control device 10a responds to the registration information (21485977652) to the base station 30a, and in step S605, the access / re-access procedure is completed.

[0076] In step S606, after completing each access / re-access procedure, the drone 20a will initiate a registration process with the location information provider 40a.

[0077] In step S607, after receiving the registration from the UAV 20a, the location information provider 40a registers with the radio access network control device 10a through the EI interface and carries the EI user equipment identifier assigned to the UAV 20a in the registration information, such as the Internet Protocol address (10.101.129.75) of the UAV 20a.

[0078] In step S608, after receiving the registration request from the location information provider 40a, the radio access network control device 10a will establish a correspondence between the RAN user equipment identifier (21485977652) obtained in step S602 and the EI user equipment identifier (10.101.129.75) in the current registration information and store it in the identifier mapping table.

[0079] In step S609, the identifier mapping process ends. At this time, the radio access network control device 10a sets the registration status to the on state (i.e., REG_STATE=ON), and can accept the registration of the next user equipment in this state.

[0080] In step S610, the location information provider 40a sends the location information of the UAV 20a to the radio access network control device 10a.

[0081] In step S611, the radio access network control device 10a uses the EI user equipment identifier (10.101.129.75) carried in the location information to query the previously stored identifier mapping table to find the corresponding RAN user equipment identifier (21485977652).

[0082] In step S612, when the radio access network control device 10a wants to perform handover control on the drone 20a, it will send a control request for the drone 20a to the base station 30a, which includes the RAN user equipment identifier (21485977652).

[0083] In step S613, when base station 30a receives a control request, it assists in handover control of drone 20a based on the RAN user equipment identifier (21485977652). For example, the network provided by base station 30a is switched to the network provided by base station 30b.

[0084] Figure 7 The state machine of a radio access network control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically.

[0085] like Figure 7 As shown, when the state is ON, it means that the radio access network control device is in a state that accepts drone (UAV) registration; when the state is OFF, it means that the identifier mapping process is in progress, so the radio access network control device will reject any drone registration request; after the identifier mapping is completed, the radio access network control device will switch the state from OFF to ON in order to accept the next drone registration.

[0086] Using the above method, the radio access network control device can switch control of the drone based on the location information provided by the location information provider, thereby improving the user experience.

[0087] In summary, the radio access network control device and method disclosed herein employs a predetermined identifier mapping mechanism. Whenever an identifier of a user equipment (UE) is received from a base station, a mapping state is entered, and a correspondence is established between the identifiers received from the additional information provider and the identifiers received from the base station, recorded in a mapping table. Therefore, when additional information is subsequently received from the additional information provider, the identifier carried within can be used to retrieve the corresponding UE identifier, thereby enabling the sending of necessary control requests to that UE. This method allows for effective configuration of network resources, thereby improving network system performance.

[0088] The specific embodiments described above should be interpreted as merely illustrative and not as limiting the use of the remainder of this disclosure in any way. Any person skilled in the art may make various substitutions and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and such substitutions and modifications should all fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A radio access network control device, comprising: The first communication interface communicates with the base station; The second communication interface is used to communicate with additional information providers. Storage device, storing a mapping table that records the correspondence between identification information; as well as The processor, coupled to the first communication interface, the second communication interface, and the storage device, is configured to: In response to the first identification information of the user equipment registered by the base station received by the first communication interface, the registration state is switched to the off state, and connection information is sent to the base station. In the closed state, in response to the second communication interface receiving the second identification information registered by the additional information provider, a correspondence between the first identification information and the second identification information is established and stored in the mapping table, and the registration state is switched to the open state; as well as In response to the second communication interface receiving additional information provided by the additional information provider and the second identification information to which it belongs, the system queries the mapping table for the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information, and sends a control request for the user equipment to which the first identification information belongs to the base station based on the additional information.

2. The radio access network control device according to claim 1, wherein, After switching the registration state to the off state, the processor also rejects the base station's registration request for the identification information.

3. The radio access network control device according to claim 1, wherein, After switching the registration state to the closed state, the processor also accumulates the waiting time for not receiving the second identification information, and when the waiting time exceeds a preset time, switches the registration state to the open state.

4. The radio access network control device according to claim 1, wherein, The control request includes: requesting the base station to adjust resource allocation, transmission rate, transmission priority, or handover for the user equipment.

5. The radio access network control device according to claim 1, wherein, The first identification information includes: NG application protocol identifier of access and mobility management function user equipment, E1 application protocol identifier of base station-centralized unit-distributed unit user equipment, or user equipment identifier of radio access network.

6. The radio access network control device according to claim 1, wherein, The second identification information includes: the Internet Protocol address, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), or telephone number of the user equipment.

7. The radio access network control device according to claim 1, wherein, The additional information includes: location information, signal strength, or environmental information.

8. A radio access network control method, applicable to a radio access network control device having a first communication interface, a second communication interface, a storage device, and a processor, the method comprising the following steps: The processor uses the first communication interface to receive the first identification information of the user equipment registered by the base station, switches the registration status to the off state, and responds with connection information to the base station; In the off state, the processor uses the second communication interface to receive second identification information registered by an additional information provider, so as to establish a mapping table between the first identification information and the second identification information and store it in the storage device, and switch the registration state to the on state. as well as The processor uses the second communication interface to receive additional information provided by the additional information provider and the second identification information to which it belongs, queries the mapping table for the first identification information corresponding to the second identification information, and sends a control request for the user equipment to which the first identification information belongs to the base station using the first communication interface based on the additional information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, After switching the registration state to the closed state, the method further includes: The base station's registration request for the identification information was rejected.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, After switching the registration state to the closed state, the method further includes: The system accumulates the waiting time when the second identification information is not received, and switches the registration state to the enabled state when the waiting time exceeds a preset time.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The control request includes: requesting the base station to adjust resource allocation, transmission rate, transmission priority, or handover for the user equipment.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The first identification information includes: NG application protocol identifier of access and mobility management function user equipment, E1 application protocol identifier of base station-centralized unit-distributed unit user equipment, or user equipment identifier of radio access network.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The second identification information includes: the Internet Protocol address, International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), or telephone number of the user equipment.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The additional information includes: location information, signal strength, or environmental information.

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