Cooperative management method of access network and base station

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a collaborative management method of an access network and a base station, and relates to the technical field of satellite communication, the collaborative management method is applied to a first base station in the access network, the first base station comprises a first DMC unit, a first CU and a first DU, the first DMC unit is connected with the first CU and the first DU, and the first DMC unit is connected with the first CU and the first DU. The method comprises: a first DMC unit obtaining a first signaling according to a working state of the first DMC unit in an access network, the first signaling being used for deciding resource configuration information of a first base station; and the first DMC unit sends the first signaling to the first CU and / or the first DU, so that the first CU and / or the first DU modify the resource configuration information according to the first signaling. By applying the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the collaborative management requirements of the access network with the characteristics of high dynamic change of network topology, high transmission delay and the like can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of satellite communication technology, and in particular to a collaborative management method and base station of an access network. Background Art

[0002] In the 5G New Radio (NR) technology, the access network architecture is mainly aimed at the application scenarios and business needs of the terrestrial network. Although it can realize functions such as mobility management and dual connection through the interface between base stations, it cannot meet the collaborative management requirements of other heterogeneous access networks such as satellite access networks, and cannot quickly adapt to access networks with characteristics such as highly dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission latency. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a collaborative management method and base station of an access network to meet the collaborative management requirements of an access network with characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a collaborative management method of an access network, which is applied to a first base station in the access network, wherein the first base station includes a first decision management center DMC unit, a first centralized unit CU, and a first distribution unit DU, and the first DMC unit is connected to the first CU and the first DU respectively, and the method includes:

[0005] The first DMC unit acquires first signaling according to a working state of the first DMC unit in the access network, where the first signaling is used to determine resource configuration information of the first base station;

[0006] The first DMC unit sends the first signaling to the first CU and / or the first DU, so that the first CU and / or the first DU modifies the resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

[0007] In some embodiments, the step of obtaining the first signaling by the first DMC unit according to the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network includes:

[0008] If the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is a master DMC unit, the first DMC unit obtains coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, where the coverage information includes terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station;

[0009] The first DMC unit generates a first signaling according to the coverage information.

[0010] In some embodiments, if the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is a master DMC unit, the method further includes:

[0011] The first DMC unit sends a second signaling to a second DMC unit of a second base station in the access network, where the second signaling is used to request to add the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit;

[0012] The first DMC unit receives a first response or a second response sent by the second DMC unit, wherein the first response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to be added as a secondary DMC unit, and the second response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit does not agree to be added as a secondary DMC unit.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0014] The first DMC unit sends a third signaling to the second DMC unit, where the third signaling is used to instruct to delete the second DMC unit as the auxiliary DMC unit;

[0015] The first DMC unit receives a third response or a fourth response sent by the second DMC unit, wherein the third response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit, and the fourth response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit disagrees to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit.

[0016] In some embodiments, the step of obtaining the first signaling by the first DMC unit according to the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network includes:

[0017] If the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is a secondary DMC unit, the first DMC unit obtains coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, where the coverage information includes terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station;

[0018] The first DMC unit sends the coverage information to a third DMC unit of a third base station in the access network, so that the third DMC unit generates the first signaling according to the coverage information and sends it to the first DMC unit, and the working state of the third DMC unit in the access network is a main DMC unit;

[0019] The first DMC unit receives the first signaling sent by the third DMC unit.

[0020] In some embodiments, the step of obtaining the first signaling by the first DMC unit according to the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network includes:

[0021] If the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is a secondary DMC unit, the first DMC unit obtains coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, where the coverage information includes terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station;

[0022] The first DMC unit generates a first signaling according to the coverage information.

[0023] In some embodiments, the terminal information includes: the number of terminals currently connected to the first base station, the terminal locations, and the terminal status information;

[0024] The network information includes: the number of base stations surrounding the first base station, the locations of the surrounding base stations, and network status information of the surrounding base stations.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first base station is a source base station to which the first terminal is connected, and the second base station is a target base station to which the first terminal is to be connected, and the method further includes:

[0026] The first CU sends a fourth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, the fourth signaling carrying the first context information of the first terminal, and the fourth signaling is used to indicate that the first terminal is switched from the first base station to the second base station, so that after receiving the fourth signaling, the second base station switches the first terminal to the second base station according to the first context information.

[0027] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0028] Before the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the first CU sends a fifth signaling to the second CU, where the fifth signaling is used to instruct the second base station to cancel switching the first terminal to the second base station, so that the second base station cancels switching the first terminal to the second base station after receiving the fifth signaling.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0030] After the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the first CU receives a sixth signaling sent by the second CU, where the sixth signaling is used to instruct to release the first context information;

[0031] The first CU releases the first context information.

[0032] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0033] The first CU sends a seventh signaling to a second CU of a second base station, where the seventh signaling is used to instruct the second CU to obtain second context information of a second terminal, so that the second CU sends the second context information to the first CU.

[0034] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0035] The first CU sends an eighth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the eighth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to add the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0036] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0037] The first CU sends a ninth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the ninth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to modify resources used when the second base station serves as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0038] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0039] The first CU sends a tenth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the tenth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to release the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first DMC unit is connected to the first CU and the first DU via an E2 interface.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first DMC unit is connected to DMC units of other base stations via an Xn interface.

[0042] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a collaborative management device for an access network, which is applied to a first base station in the access network, wherein the first base station includes a first decision management center DMC unit, a first centralized unit CU and a first distributed unit DU, and the first DMC unit is respectively connected to the first CU and the first DU.

[0043] The first DMC unit is configured to obtain a first signaling according to a working state of the first DMC unit in the access network, where the first signaling is used to decide resource configuration information of the first base station; and send the first signaling to the first CU and / or the first DU;

[0044] The first CU and / or the first DU are configured to modify the resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

[0045] In some embodiments, if the working status of the first DMC unit in the access network is a main DMC unit, the first DMC unit obtains the coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, and the coverage information includes terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; and generates a first signaling based on the coverage information.

[0046] In some embodiments, if the working status of the first DMC unit in the access network is a primary DMC unit, the first DMC unit is further used to send a second signaling to a second DMC unit of a second base station in the access network, wherein the second signaling is used to request to add the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit; and receive a first response or a second response sent by the second DMC unit, wherein the first response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to be added as a secondary DMC unit, and the second response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit does not agree to be added as a secondary DMC unit.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first DMC unit is further used to send a third signaling to the second DMC unit, wherein the third signaling is used to indicate deletion of the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit; and receive a third response or a fourth response sent by the second DMC unit, wherein the third response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit, and the fourth response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit does not agree to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit.

[0048] In some embodiments, if the working status of the first DMC unit in the access network is a secondary DMC unit, the first DMC unit is also used to obtain coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, the coverage information including terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; send the coverage information to the third DMC unit of the third base station in the access network, so that the third DMC unit generates the first signaling according to the coverage information and sends it to the first DMC unit, and the working status of the third DMC unit in the access network is a primary DMC unit; receive the first signaling sent by the third DMC unit.

[0049] In some embodiments, if the working status of the first DMC unit in the access network is an auxiliary DMC unit, the first DMC unit is also used to obtain coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, the coverage information including terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; and generate a first signaling based on the coverage information.

[0050] In some embodiments, the terminal information includes: the number of terminals currently connected to the first base station, the terminal locations, and the terminal status information;

[0051] The network information includes: the number of base stations surrounding the first base station, the locations of the surrounding base stations, and network status information of the surrounding base stations.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first base station is a source base station to which the first terminal is connected, and the second base station is a target base station to which the first terminal is to be connected. The first CU is used to send a fourth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, and the fourth signaling carries first context information of the first terminal. The fourth signaling is used to indicate that the first terminal is switched from the first base station to the second base station, so that the second base station switches the first terminal to the second base station according to the first context information after receiving the fourth signaling.

[0053] In some embodiments, before the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the first CU is also used to send a fifth signaling to the second CU, and the fifth signaling is used to instruct the second base station to cancel switching the first terminal to the second base station, so that the second base station cancels switching the first terminal to the second base station after receiving the fifth signaling.

[0054] In some embodiments, after the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the first CU is further used to receive a sixth signaling sent by the second CU, where the sixth signaling is used to indicate the release of the first context information; and release the first context information.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first CU is further used to send a seventh signaling to a second CU of a second base station, where the seventh signaling is used to instruct the second CU to obtain second context information of the second terminal so that the second CU sends the second context information to the first CU.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first CU is further used to send an eighth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the eighth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to add the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0057] In some embodiments, the first CU is further used to send a ninth signaling to a second CU of a second base station, where the ninth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to modify resources used by the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first CU is further used to send a tenth signaling to a second CU of a second base station, where the tenth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to release the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first DMC unit is connected to the first CU and the first DU via an E2 interface.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first DMC unit is connected to DMC units of other base stations via an Xn interface.

[0061] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a base station, the base station comprising a DMC unit, a CU and a DU, the DMC unit being connected to the CU and the DU respectively;

[0062] The DMC unit is configured to obtain a first signaling according to a working state of the DMC unit in the access network, where the first signaling is used to determine resource configuration information of the first base station; and send the first signaling to the CU and / or the DU;

[0063] The CU and / or DU is used to modify resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

[0064] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments further provide a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method steps of any of the above-mentioned collaborative management methods for access networks are implemented.

[0065] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method steps of any of the above-mentioned collaborative management methods for access networks.

[0066] Beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application:

[0067] In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, a DMC unit is added to the access network architecture. The DMC unit makes decisions based on its own working status in the access network, and guides the CU and DU of the base station where the DMC unit is located to modify the resource configuration information of the base station. It can be seen that the DMC unit has a decision-making function, and the CU also has a decision-making function. Therefore, the DMC unit and the CU work together to realize a hierarchical and hierarchical collaborative access network architecture for networks such as satellite networks that have characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay, thereby realizing collaborative management of access networks with characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay.

[0068] Of course, implementing any product or method of the present application does not necessarily require achieving all of the advantages described above at the same time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other embodiments can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0070] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a 5G NR access network architecture in the prior art;

[0071] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the access network architecture provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 3 Another structural diagram of the access network architecture provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a process flow of a collaborative management method for an access network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a process for adding an auxiliary DMC unit provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a flow chart for deleting an auxiliary DMC unit provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of information interaction between a DMC unit and a CU provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of information interaction between a DMC unit and a DU provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of information interaction between a primary DMC unit and a secondary DMC unit provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of base station switching provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a process for canceling base station switching provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a process for releasing context information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Fig.13A schematic diagram of a process for extracting context information provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of a process for adding an auxiliary node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of a process for modifying an auxiliary node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of a process for releasing an auxiliary node provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Fig.17 A schematic diagram of the structure of a collaborative management device for an access network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Fig.18 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the present application belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0089] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G NR access network architecture in the prior art, which is mainly used for mobility management and dual-connection operations. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the existing access network architecture mainly includes the 5G Core Network (5G Core Network, 5GC) and the 5G base station (the next Generation Node B, gNB). The gNB is located in the next generation radio access network (Next generation radio access network, NG-RAN), that is, the 5G wireless access network. A gNB can include a centralized unit (Centralized Unit, CU) and one or more distributed units (Distributed Unit, DU). The CU and DU in the gNB can be connected through the F1 interface. Different gNBs in the 5G wireless access network can communicate through the Xn interface between the CUs in the gNB, such as the Xn-U interface and the Xn-C interface, where the Xn-U interface is used to transmit control plane data and the Xn-C interface is used to transmit user plane data. Figure 1 The example in which there are two gNBs in NG-RAN and two DUs in each gNB is used for illustration only and is not limiting.

[0090] In 5G NR technology, the existing access network architecture is mainly designed for the application scenarios and business needs of terrestrial networks. Although it can realize functions such as mobility management and dual connection through the interface between base stations, it cannot meet the needs of deep integration and development of other heterogeneous networks such as satellite access networks. It cannot effectively respond to challenges such as highly dynamic changes in network topology and large transmission delays, and cannot support the efficient collaborative management of resources such as multi-link, multi-band, and multi-beam.

[0091] In recent years, satellite networks, represented by satellite Internet, have developed rapidly and have become an important area for countries to seek space resource advantages and develop new technologies and new industries. They have a unique position in global information services. With the rapid development of satellite networks, the frequency bands they use are constantly expanding, and the communication systems they use are facing diversified situations and integration needs. The coexistence or integration between satellite and ground networks has also put forward new and complex requirements for the coordination capabilities of the access network architecture. Especially for medium and low orbit satellites, medium and low orbit satellites are highly dynamic. If the access network architecture lacks an effective coordination mechanism, it will not be able to quickly adapt to the rapid changes in the network and user links.

[0092] To solve the above problems, the present application provides an access network architecture, such as Figure 2 As shown, in the access network architecture, a base station includes a DMC unit, a CU and at least one DU. Figure 2 In the description, a base station is taken as a satellite base station (Satellite-gNB, S-gNB) as an example. The base station can also be a ground base station, which is not limited to this.

[0093] Relative to Figure 1 In the access network architecture shown in the figure, each S-gNB adds a logical unit, namely the DMC unit. As the decision-making management center of multiple base stations, the DMC unit can obtain and analyze network information and terminal information in a periodic or event-triggered manner, reasonably divide resources, realize resource scheduling and management, and thus realize efficient collaborative management and control of network elements.

[0094] The terminal information may include, but is not limited to: the number of terminals currently connected to the base station, the terminal location, and the terminal status information. The terminal status information may include RRC idle state (RRC_IDLE), RRC connected state (RRC_CONNECTED), and RRC inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE).

[0095] The network information may include, but is not limited to: the number of surrounding base stations, the locations of surrounding base stations, and the network status information of surrounding base stations. The network status information may be the interference of surrounding base stations to the base station. The interference situation of the base station can be obtained in the following manner: multiple DUs of a base station detect the interference situation, and these multiple DUs send interference management reference information to the CU of the base station so that the CU generates interference information; the DMC unit receives interference information from multiple CUs of multiple base stations. The interference information may include the identification (ID) information of the attacker and the victim.

[0096] The DMC unit of a base station can be connected to the CU and DU of the base station through the E2 interface, or through other types of interfaces. The DMC unit of a base station can be connected to the DMC units of other base stations through the Xn interface, or through other types of interfaces, and there is no limitation on this.

[0097] In the present application embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the DMC unit has two working states (or working modes), namely, a master DMC unit (DMC_MASTER) and a slave DMC unit (DMC_SLAVE), and the working modes can be configured and switched according to actual needs. The features of the master DMC unit and the slave DMC unit can be found in the following description.

[0098] Features of the Master DMC Unit:

[0099] a. The primary DMC unit can centrally manage one or more secondary DMC units.

[0100] b. The main DMC unit can send decision signaling to the auxiliary DMC unit;

[0101] c. The main DMC unit may collect coverage information of the base station where the auxiliary DMC unit is located reported by one or more auxiliary DMC units, such as the above terminal information and network information;

[0102] d. The master DMC unit may send decision signaling to the CU and DU in the base station where the master DMC unit is located.

[0103] Features of auxiliary DMC unit:

[0104] a. Auxiliary DMC units are managed by a primary DMC unit;

[0105] b. The auxiliary DMC unit makes decisions on its own, generates decision signals, and implements distributed management.

[0106] c. The auxiliary DMC unit can report coverage information to the main DMC unit;

[0107] d. The secondary DMC unit may send decision signaling to the CU and DU in the base station where the secondary DMC unit is located.

[0108] The DMC unit can manage the DU unit in a direct way, such as directly sending the decision signaling to the DU; or in an indirect way, such as first sending the decision signaling to the CU, and then the CU sends the decision instruction to the DU.

[0109] The DMC unit is a non-real-time wireless high-level unit deployed on the upper layer of the CU. It can not only support the collaborative management function of multiple CUs, but also support the management function of network elements in the access network. The management function refers to the DMC unit managing the base station by collecting terminal information within the coverage area of ​​the base station and / or network information around the base station. Specifically, the DMC unit collects terminal information and / or network information periodically or in an event-triggered manner, reasonably divides resources, and realizes the orchestration and management of resources. The collaborative management function refers to the management of multiple CUs through a hierarchical collaborative relationship between DMC units in different working states.

[0110] Through the collaborative decision-making of DMC units in different working states between different base stations, the management of base stations where multiple CUs are located is realized. Specifically, the main DMC unit collects the terminal information and network information reported by the DMC in the DMC_SLAVE state to realize the decision-making management of multiple satellite networks within the regional jurisdiction; the auxiliary DMC unit assists the main DMC unit by performing preliminary data processing on the terminal information and network information of its own base station and then sending it to the main DMC unit, and the distributed auxiliary main DMC unit completes the decision-making management within the regional jurisdiction; the auxiliary DMC unit can also be separated from the control of the main DMC unit and complete the decision-making management function by itself. Through the hierarchical and graded collaboration of DMCs in different working states, the reconstruction of network architecture and resources is realized, and end-to-end network deployment and decision-making management are completed.

[0111] In the present application embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, each base station may also include at least one radio unit (Radio Unit, RU) and other units, which are not limited.

[0112] From the physical level, such as Figure 2 As shown, the access network architecture provided in the embodiment of the present application can be divided into a DMC unit, a CU, a DU and a RU, and the DMC unit includes the above-mentioned two working states of the main DMC unit and the auxiliary DMC unit.

[0113] From the logical level, such as Figure 2As shown, the access network architecture provided by the embodiment of the present application can be divided into a management layer, a control layer, and a data forwarding layer. Among them, the DMC unit is located in the management layer, the CU is located in the control layer, and the DU and RU are located in the data forwarding layer. S is used as a prefix to indicate that CU, DU, and RU are CU, DU, and RU in S-gNB. The management layer is responsible for completing the deployment of the network and the basic management of the access network equipment. The control layer is responsible for completing the processing of all signaling exchanges between the access network and the terminal. The data forwarding layer is responsible for completing the transmission, encryption, and integrity protection of signaling and data, as well as the perception of the environment.

[0114] Through this access network architecture, the access network can more effectively achieve intra-base station coordination and inter-base station coordination.

[0115] The coordination method within the base station is: the DMC unit within the base station can independently make decisions and control, coordinate resource allocation, and manage CU and DU, etc. The coordination method between base stations is: use the DMC unit to manage and control multiple base stations, and coordinate resource allocation, decision-making and control of multiple base stations through signaling interaction between base stations.

[0116] For example, Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 Another structural diagram of the access network architecture provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 3 The access network architecture shown includes a core network, two S-gNBs, and a terminal. The S-gNB includes a DMC unit, a CU, a DU, and an RU. The CU also includes a control plane (CU-CP) of the CU and a user plane (CU-UP) of the CU. In the two S-gNBs, the working state of the DMC unit in S-gNB1 is a primary DMC unit, and the working state of the DMC unit in S-gNB2 is a secondary DMC unit. Among them, the core network and the base station are connected through the NG interface; the CU-CP and the CU-UP are connected through the E1 interface; the CU and the DMC unit, as well as the DU and the DMC unit are connected through the E2 interface; the CU and the DU are connected through the F1 interface; the CUs in different base stations are connected through the Xn interface; the base station and the terminal are connected through the wireless air interface.

[0117] Among them, the E2 interface is a newly added interface in the embodiment of the present application, which can realize conventional interface functions, such as E2 setting, E2 reset, and general error condition reporting.

[0118] The main DMC unit is responsible for independent decision-making and control, coordinating and allocating resources of S-gNB1, and managing the CU and DU of S-gNB1; the auxiliary DMC unit is responsible for independent decision-making and control, coordinating and allocating resources of S-gNB2, and managing the CU and DU of S-gNB2. In addition, the main DMC unit and the auxiliary DMC unit are used to manage and control S-gNB1 and S-gNB2, and coordinate the resource allocation, decision-making and control of S-gNB1 and S-gNB2 through signaling interaction between base stations.

[0119] Based on the above access network architecture, the embodiment of the present application provides a collaborative management method for an access network, in which a DMC unit is added to the access network architecture, and the DMC unit makes decisions based on its own working status in the access network, and guides the CU and DU of the base station where the DMC unit is located to modify the resource configuration information of the base station. It can be seen that the DMC unit has a decision-making function, and the CU also has a decision-making function. Therefore, the DMC unit and the CU work together to realize a hierarchical and hierarchical collaborative access network architecture for networks such as satellite networks that have characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay, thereby realizing collaborative management of access networks with characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay.

[0120] The collaborative management method of the access network provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below through specific examples.

[0121] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 A flow chart of a collaborative management method of an access network provided in an embodiment of the present application is applied to any base station in the access network, such as a first base station, the first base station includes a DMC unit (such as a first DMC unit), a CU (such as a first CU) and at least one DU (such as a first DU), and the first DMC unit is connected to the first CU and the first DU respectively. The method includes the following steps:

[0122] Step S41: the first DMC unit obtains a first signaling according to the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network, where the first signaling is used to decide resource configuration information of the first base station.

[0123] In the embodiment of the present application, the first signaling may also be referred to as decision signaling, which is used to change resource configuration. The first signaling may be generated by the first DMC unit itself, or obtained from other DMC units, and the specific acquisition method may be determined by the working state of the first DMC. The resource configuration information may be configuration information of resources such as the frequency and beam supporting the communication link.

[0124] The working state of the first DMC unit can be a primary DMC state (primary DMC unit) or a secondary DMC state (secondary DMC unit). Based on the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network, the manner in which the first DMC unit obtains the first signaling can be divided into the following three situations:

[0125] Case 1: The working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is the main DMC unit, and the first DMC unit generates the first signaling by itself. For example, the first DMC unit obtains the coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, and generates the first signaling according to the coverage information. The coverage information includes terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station.

[0126] The DMC unit collects relevant information of terminals connected to the base station and information of base stations around the base station, that is, coverage information. The first signaling generated by the DMC unit based on the coverage information can take into account the status of base stations around the base station, and adjust the resource configuration information of the base station itself based on the first signaling, thereby realizing the coordinated management of multiple base stations within the jurisdiction of the base station area.

[0127] Case 2: The working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is the auxiliary DMC unit, and the first DMC unit obtains the first signaling using the main DMC unit. For example, the working state of the third DMC unit in the access network is the main DMC unit, and the base station where the third DMC unit is located is the third base station; the first DMC unit obtains the coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, and sends the coverage information to the third DMC unit, so that the third DMC unit generates the first signaling according to the coverage information and sends it to the first DMC unit; the first DMC unit receives the first signaling sent by the third DMC unit.

[0128] In the embodiment of the present application, a method for the auxiliary DMC unit to obtain the first signaling is clarified, that is, the auxiliary DMC unit can send the coverage information of the base station where it is located to the main DMC unit, and the main DMC unit can generate the first signaling based on the coverage information, and send the first signaling to the auxiliary DMC unit, thereby realizing the coordinated control of the auxiliary DMC unit by the main DMC unit, and realizing the distributed assistance to complete the coordinated management of multiple base stations within the jurisdiction of the base station area. Through the diversity coordination of DMC units in different working states, the reconstruction of network architecture and resources can be realized, and end-to-end network deployment and decision management can be completed.

[0129] Case 3: The working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is an auxiliary DMC unit, and the first DMC unit obtains coverage information of the first base station from the first CU; and generates a first signaling according to the coverage information.

[0130] In the embodiment of the present application, the first DMC unit as the auxiliary DMC unit generates the first signaling based on the coverage information of the first base station, that is, the first signaling can be obtained without using the method in the embodiment shown in the above situation 2. For example, when the first DMC unit loses contact with the main DMC unit that controls the first DMC unit, the first DMC unit can generate the first signaling based on the obtained coverage information of the first base station and decide the resource configuration information of the first base station.

[0131] In an embodiment of the present application, another method for the auxiliary DMC unit to obtain the first signaling is clarified. The auxiliary DMC unit can generate the first signaling by itself based on the coverage information of the base station where it is located, without relying on the main DMC unit, and can complete the coordinated management of multiple base stations within the jurisdiction of the base station area.

[0132] Step S42: The first DMC unit sends a first signaling to the first CU and / or the first DU, so that the first CU and / or the first DU modifies resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

[0133] In an embodiment of the present application, part of the resource configuration information of the first base station is managed by the first CU, and part is managed by the first DU. When the resource configuration information that needs to be modified is managed by the first CU, the first DMC unit sends a first signaling to the first CU; when the resource configuration information that needs to be modified is managed by the first DU, the first DMC unit sends the first signaling to the first DU, and may also send the first signaling to the first CU, and the first CU forwards the first signaling to the first DU; when the resource configuration information that needs to be modified includes resource configuration information managed by the first DU and the first CU, the first DMC unit sends the first signaling to the first CU and the first DU respectively. After receiving the first signaling, the first CU and the first DU may modify the resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

[0134] For example, the first DMC unit determines, based on the received coverage information of the first base station, that the frequency resources and / or beam of a communication link of the first base station are interfered with, or interfere with other base stations, and interference avoidance is required, or the current communication link quality is limited, or the communication link data rate is limited, then the first DMC unit can send a first signaling to the first DU. The first DU can change the frequency resources of the communication link according to the content indicated by the first signaling, or the first DU can provide another beam to provide services for the communication link.

[0135] For another example, the first DMC unit determines that the current communication link quality is limited or the communication link data rate is limited based on the received coverage information of the first base station, and the first DMC unit can send a first signaling to the first DU. The first DU can use multiple spectrum resources and / or beam resources to serve this communication link based on the content indicated by the first signaling, and improve the data transmission quality or data flow of the link through digital control merging.

[0136] In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, a DMC unit is added to the access network architecture. The DMC unit makes decisions based on its own working status in the access network, and guides the CU and DU of the base station where the DMC unit is located to modify the resource configuration information of the base station. It can be seen that the DMC unit has a decision-making function, and the CU also has a decision-making function. Therefore, the DMC unit and the CU work together to realize a hierarchical and hierarchical collaborative access network architecture for networks such as satellite networks that have characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay, thereby realizing collaborative management of access networks with characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay.

[0137] In some embodiments, the main DMC unit can communicate with the CU and DU through the E2 interface, add or delete auxiliary DMC units, so as to flexibly manage and control multiple base stations, coordinate resource allocation and decision control of multiple base stations, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the E2 interface is an interface from the DMC unit to the CU and DU, and has E2 interface management functions, such as E2 settings, E2 resets, general error situation reports and other conventional interface functions. The E2 interface also has the functions of the main DMC unit adding or deleting auxiliary DMC units, interacting with CU / DU information, and interacting with management layer information.

[0138] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a process for adding an auxiliary DMC unit provided in an embodiment of the present application. In which, the first DMC unit is the main DMC unit, the second DMC unit is the DMC unit of the second base station in the access network, and the second DMC unit needs to be added as an auxiliary DMC unit. Based on this, the process of adding an auxiliary DMC unit may include the following steps:

[0139] Step S51: The first DMC unit sends a second signaling to the second DMC unit. The second signaling is used to request to add the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit. In the embodiment of the present application, the second signaling can be called a secondary node adding request.

[0140] When the second DMC unit agrees to the adding request of the second signaling, that is, the second DMC unit agrees to add itself as an auxiliary DMC unit of the first DMC unit, step S52 is executed; when the second DMC unit disagrees to the adding request of the second signaling, that is, the second DMC unit disagrees to add itself as an auxiliary DMC unit of the first DMC unit, step S53 is executed.

[0141] Step S52: the second DMC unit sends a first response to the first DMC unit, wherein the first response may be referred to as an acknowledgement (ACK) response to the secondary node addition request, and the first response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to be added as a secondary DMC unit.

[0142] Step S53: The second DMC unit sends a second response to the first DMC unit, wherein the second response may be called a negative acknowledgement (NACK) of the secondary node addition request, and the second response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit does not agree to be added as a secondary DMC unit.

[0143] In the embodiment of the present application, an Xn interface can be set between the DMC units, and communication between the DMC units can be achieved through the Xn interface between the DMC units, that is, the first DMC unit can send the second signaling to the second DMC unit through the Xn interface between the first DMC unit and the second DMC unit.

[0144] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to reduce the changes to the existing network, the DMC units can reuse the Xn interface between the existing network CUs for communication, that is, the first DMC unit sends the second signaling to the first CU through the E2 interface, the first CU sends the second signaling to the second CU through the Xn interface between the first CU and the second CU, and the second CU sends the second signaling to the second DMC unit through the E2 interface, so as to realize the first DMC unit sending the second signaling to the second DMC unit. The above-mentioned second CU is the CU in the second base station.

[0145] After receiving the second signaling, the second DMC unit may determine a response to be sent to the first DMC unit in the following manner.

[0146] In method 1, the second base station may pre-configure an addition whitelist, which includes the identifiers of one or more base stations. After receiving the second signaling, if the second DMC unit finds the identifier of the first base station in the addition whitelist, it sends a first response to the first DMC unit; if the identifier of the first base station is not found in the addition whitelist, it sends a second response to the first DMC unit.

[0147] Mode 2: After receiving the second signaling, the second DMC unit sends a prompt message to the management platform. The management platform inputs the first response or the second response to the second DMC unit based on the prompt message. Then the second DMC unit sends the first response or the second response input by the management platform to the first DMC unit.

[0148] In the embodiment of the present application, the second DMC unit can send the first response or the second response to the first DMC unit through the Xn interface between the first DMC unit and the second DMC unit, or can reuse the Xn interface between the current CUs to send the first response or the second response to the first DMC unit, without limitation.

[0149] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a process for deleting an auxiliary DMC unit provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first DMC unit is a main DMC unit, the second DMC unit is a DMC unit of a second base station in the access network, and the second DMC unit is an auxiliary DMC unit that needs to be deleted. Based on this, the process of deleting an auxiliary DMC unit may include the following steps:

[0150] Step S61: The first DMC unit sends a third signaling to the second DMC unit. The third signaling may be referred to as a secondary node deletion request, and the third signaling is used to instruct the second DMC unit to delete the secondary DMC unit. When the second DMC unit agrees to the deletion request of the third signaling, that is, agrees to no longer serve as a secondary DMC unit of the first DMC unit, step S62 is executed; when the second DMC unit disagrees to the deletion request of the third signaling, that is, disagrees to no longer serve as a secondary DMC unit of the first DMC unit, step S63 is executed.

[0151] Step S62: The second DMC unit sends a third response to the first DMC unit, wherein the third response may be referred to as an acknowledgement (ACK) of the secondary node deletion request, and the third response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit.

[0152] Step S63: The second DMC unit sends a fourth response to the first DMC unit, wherein the fourth response may be called a negative acknowledgement (NACK) of the secondary node deletion request, and the fourth response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit does not agree to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit.

[0153] In the embodiment of the present application, the manner in which the first DMC unit sends the third signaling to the second DMC unit, and the manner in which the second DMC unit sends the third response or the fourth response to the first DMC unit may refer to the manner in which the second signaling and the first response or the second response are sent, and details thereof will not be repeated here.

[0154] In the embodiment of the present application, the first DMC unit as the main DMC unit can adopt the above Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this way, auxiliary DMC units can be added or deleted to flexibly manage and control multiple base stations, coordinate resource allocation and decision control of multiple base stations, etc.

[0155] In some embodiments, the DMC unit may communicate with the CU or DU of the base station where it is located to make decisions on the resource configuration of the base station and modify the resource configuration information of the base station.

[0156] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a process flow of information interaction between a DMC unit and a CU provided in an embodiment of the present application. A DMC unit (such as the first DMC unit described above) can be a primary DMC unit or a secondary DMC unit. The process of information interaction between a DMC unit and a CU may include the following steps:

[0157] Step S71: The CU sends terminal information and / or network information to the DMC unit.

[0158] CU sends terminal information and / or network information to DMC unit through E2 interface. For obtaining terminal information and network information, please refer to the above Figure 2 The relevant description of some parts will not be repeated here.

[0159] Step S72: The DMC unit sends a configuration change signaling to the CU.

[0160] In the embodiment of the present application, the configuration change signaling is a decision signaling, such as the first signaling mentioned above. The DMC unit sends the relevant configuration change signaling to the CU after making a decision based on the terminal information and / or network information. After the CU successfully completes the modification of the resource configuration information according to the configuration change signaling, step S73 is executed; if the CU does not complete the modification of the resource configuration information according to the configuration change signaling, step S74 is executed.

[0161] Step S73: The CU sends a configuration changed acknowledgement (ACK) to the DMC unit.

[0162] Step S74: The CU sends a configuration changed negative acknowledgement (NACK) to the DMC unit.

[0163] See also Figure 8 , Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a process flow of information interaction between a DMC unit and a DU provided in an embodiment of the present application. A DMC unit (such as the first DMC unit described above) can be a primary DMC unit or a secondary DMC unit. The process of information interaction between a DMC unit and a DU can include the following steps:

[0164] Step S81: The CU sends the terminal information and / or network information to the DMC unit. For details, please refer to the relevant description of the above step S71.

[0165] Step S82: The DMC unit sends a configuration change signaling to the DU.

[0166] In the embodiment of the present application, the configuration change signaling is a decision signaling, such as the first signaling mentioned above. The DMC unit sends the relevant configuration change signaling to the DU after making a decision based on the terminal information and / or network information. After the DU successfully completes the modification of the resource configuration information according to the configuration change signaling, step S83 is executed; if the DU does not complete the modification of the resource configuration information according to the configuration change signaling, step S84 is executed.

[0167] Step S83: The DU sends a configuration changed acknowledgement (ACK) to the DMC unit.

[0168] Step S84: The DU sends a configuration changed negative (NACK) response to the DMC unit.

[0169] In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the DMC unit can adopt the above Figure 7 or Figure 8 In the manner shown in the figure, it communicates with its own CU or DU, and modifies the resource configuration information of the base station by sending the first signaling generated based on the terminal information and / or network information to the CU or DU; that is, the DMC unit in the base station can make decisions and controls independently, realize the coordinated allocation of resources, and perform related management of the CU and DU.

[0170] In some embodiments, the auxiliary DMC unit may also communicate with the main DMC unit, and the main DMC unit makes a decision on resource configuration of the base station where the auxiliary DMC unit is located, and modifies resource configuration information of the base station where the auxiliary DMC unit is located.

[0171] See also Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of information interaction between a primary DMC unit and a secondary DMC unit provided in an embodiment of the present application may include the following steps:

[0172] Step S91: The auxiliary DMC unit sends terminal information and / or network information to the main DMC unit. The manner in which the auxiliary DMC unit obtains terminal information and / or network information can refer to the relevant description of the above step S71, that is, the auxiliary DMC unit can obtain terminal information and / or network information from the CU of the base station where the auxiliary DMC unit is located.

[0173] In an embodiment of the present application, after obtaining the terminal information and / or network information, the auxiliary DMC unit can process the terminal information and / or network information to obtain a processed information report, which may include a terminal information report and a network information report, and send the processed information report to the main DMC unit to facilitate the main DMC unit to make a decision on the auxiliary DMC unit.

[0174] Step S92: the primary DMC unit sends a decision signaling to the secondary DMC unit.

[0175] In an embodiment of the present application, the main DMC unit sends relevant decision signaling, such as the above-mentioned first signaling, to the auxiliary DMC unit after making a decision based on the terminal information and / or network information sent by the auxiliary DMC unit. After receiving the first signaling, the auxiliary DMC unit communicates with the CU or DU of the base station where it is located to obtain a response from the CU or DU, such as the above-mentioned configuration changed ACK response and configuration changed NACK response. The auxiliary DMC unit sends a decision signaling response to the main DMC unit based on the response of the CU or DU. For example, if the auxiliary DMC unit receives a configuration changed ACK response sent by the CU or DU, step S93 is executed; if the auxiliary DMC unit receives a configuration changed NACK response sent by the CU or DU, step S94 is executed.

[0176] Step S93: the auxiliary DMC unit sends a decision signaling ACK to the primary DMC unit.

[0177] Step S94: the auxiliary DMC unit sends a decision signaling negative (NACK) response to the primary DMC unit.

[0178] In an embodiment of the present application, the main DMC unit generates a decision signaling based on the terminal information and / or network information sent by the auxiliary DMC unit, and sends the decision signaling to the main DMC unit. Thus, the main DMC unit can decide the resource configuration information of the base station where the auxiliary DMC unit is located, and perform management layer information interaction during the hierarchical collaborative transmission of the management layer to achieve control of the resource configuration of the base station where the auxiliary DMC unit is located.

[0179] In a satellite network, due to the high dynamics of satellites, terminals (User Equipment, UE) need to frequently switch S-gNBs. In order for UEs to successfully switch S-gNBs, in the embodiment of the present application, in addition to conventional interface management functions, the Xn interface between CUs is also configured with functions such as supporting UE mobility management, supporting UE multi-connection operations, and assisting the management layer to perform related signaling transmission (such as the relevant description below the above step S53), so that the base station can use the Xn interface between CUs to realize the target S-gNB and the source S-gNB to exchange control information, and the target S-gNB to extract the UE's context information from the source S-gNB. The following is combined with Figure 10-12The process of terminal switching S-gNB is explained.

[0180] See also Fig.10 , Fig.10 A flow chart of base station switching provided for an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the first terminal can be any terminal, the first base station is the source base station connected to the first terminal, and the second base station is the target base station to be connected to the first terminal, that is, the base station to which the first terminal needs to switch. The sending and receiving of signaling or responses between the first base station and the second base station are performed by the CU in the base station, taking the CU of the first base station as the first CU, the CU of the second base station as the second CU, and the context information of the first terminal as the first context information as an example. The steps for switching the base station connected by the first terminal from the first base station to the second base station are as follows:

[0181] Step S101: A first base station sends a fourth signaling to a second base station, wherein the fourth signaling carries first context information, which is used to indicate that a first terminal needs to be handed over from the first base station to the second base station.

[0182] In the embodiment of the present application, the fourth signaling may be referred to as a handover request. In step S101, the first base station sends a handover request to the second base station. After receiving the handover request, the second base station may establish a connection with the first terminal according to the first context information to handover the first terminal to the second base station. If the first terminal successfully hands over to the second base station, step S102 is executed; if the first terminal does not successfully hand over to the second base station, step S103 is executed.

[0183] Step S102: the second base station sends a handover request acknowledgement (ACK) to the first base station.

[0184] Step S103: the second base station sends a negative acknowledgement (NACK) of the handover request to the first base station.

[0185] In some embodiments, before successfully switching to the second base station, the first terminal may also cancel switching the first terminal to the second base station.

[0186] See also Fig.11 , Fig.11 A flowchart of canceling base station switching provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first base station is the source base station to which the first terminal is connected, and the second base station is the target base station to which the first terminal is to be connected. The sending and receiving of signaling or responses between the first base station and the second base station are performed by the CU in the base station. The steps of canceling the switching of the base station to which the first terminal is connected from the first base station to the second base station are as follows:

[0187] Step S111: the first base station sends a fifth signaling to the second base station, wherein the fifth signaling is used to instruct the second base station to cancel handover of the first terminal to the second base station.

[0188] In the embodiment of the present application, the fifth signaling may be referred to as a handover cancellation request. After executing step S101 and before receiving the handover request ACK / NACK response, the first base station may send a handover cancellation request to the second base station. After receiving the handover cancellation request, the second base station may cancel handover of the first terminal to the second base station.

[0189] In an embodiment of the present application, if the second base station agrees to the switching cancellation request, that is, the second base station cancels switching of the first terminal to the second base station, step S112 is executed; if the second base station does not agree to the switching cancellation request, that is, the second base station does not cancel switching of the first terminal to the second base station, step S113 is executed.

[0190] Step S112: the second base station sends a handover cancel request acknowledgement (ACK) to the first base station.

[0191] Step S113: the second base station sends a negative acknowledgement (NACK) of the handover cancel request to the first base station.

[0192] In some embodiments, after the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the second base station may instruct the first base station to release the first context information of the first terminal.

[0193] See also Fig.12 , Fig.12 A flow chart of releasing context information provided in an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the first base station is the source base station to which the first terminal is connected, and the second base station is the target base station to which the first terminal is to be connected. The sending and receiving of signaling or responses between the first base station and the second base station are performed by the CU in the base station. After the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the second base station can instruct the first base station to release the context information of the first terminal through the following steps:

[0194] Step S121: the second base station sends a sixth signaling to the first base station, where the sixth signaling can be used to instruct the first base station to release the first context information.

[0195] In the embodiment of the present application, the sixth signaling may be a context release request. After successfully switching the first terminal to the second base station, the second base station sends a switching request ACK response to the first base station and sends a context release request to the first base station. After receiving the context release request, the first base station releases the first context information.

[0196] In some embodiments, base stations may also communicate with each other through the CU to obtain context information of all or part of the terminals connected to the other end.

[0197] See also Fig.13 , Fig.13A flow chart of extracting context information provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first base station is a new base station that needs to extract and store context information, the second base station is an old base station that originally stores context information, and the sending and receiving of signaling or responses between the first base station and the second base station are performed by the CU in the base station. The steps for the first base station to extract the second context information of the second terminal from the second base station are as follows:

[0198] Step S131: the first base station sends a seventh signaling to the second base station, wherein the seventh signaling can be used to instruct the second base station to obtain second context information of the second terminal and send the second context information to the first base station.

[0199] In an embodiment of the present application, the seventh signaling can be called a UE context extraction request. After the second base station receives the UE context extraction request, if it agrees to obtain the second context information, it executes step S132 to send the second context information to the first base station; if it does not agree to obtain the second context information, it executes step S133.

[0200] Step S132: The second base station sends a UE context retrieval request ACK to the first base station, wherein the UE context retrieval request ACK may include the second context information.

[0201] Step S133: The second base station sends a negative acknowledgement (NACK) of the UE context extraction request to the first base station.

[0202] After acquiring the second context information, the second base station may make a decision to determine whether to switch the base station to which the second terminal is connected, or adjust the working frequency band of the second terminal, etc. This is not limited.

[0203] In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, through the above Figure 10-13 , realizing the mobility management of UE.

[0204] In some embodiments, when the bandwidth resources and / or coverage capabilities of a single base station are insufficient, the wireless resources and / or coverage capabilities of multiple base stations may be concentrated to provide services for the UE to meet the capacity and coverage requirements of the UE. That is, in a satellite network, there may be a situation where a UE is connected to multiple base stations, and data communication is required between these multiple base stations, so that additional resources are allocated to these multiple base stations.

[0205] For example, the main DMC unit initiates a multi-connection decision instruction (such as the first signaling) to the CU, and the CU performs the multi-connection operation, adds other base station CUs, and completes the terminal's multi-connection operation for multiple base stations. Further, the DMC unit sends a dynamic resource allocation instruction (such as the first signaling) to the DUs under the jurisdiction of each base station, and the DUs perform multi-band resource allocation.

[0206] See also Fig.14 , Fig.14 A schematic diagram of a process of adding a secondary node provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the first base station is the primary node connected to the first terminal, and the second base station is a base station to be added that provides services for the first terminal together with the first base station (i.e., the secondary node). The sending and receiving of signaling or responses between the first base station and the second base station are performed by the CU in the base station, and the steps of adding the second base station (i.e., the secondary node) are as follows:

[0207] Step S141: the first base station sends an eighth signaling to the second base station, wherein the eighth signaling is used to instruct to add the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0208] In the embodiment of the present application, the eighth signaling may be referred to as a secondary node adding request. After receiving the secondary node adding request, if the second base station agrees with the secondary node adding request, that is, agrees to serve as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal, then step S142 is executed; if the second base station disagrees with the secondary node adding request, that is, disagrees to serve as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal, then step S143 is executed.

[0209] Step S142: the second base station sends a secondary node adding request acknowledgement (ACK) to the first base station.

[0210] Step S143: the second base station sends a negative acknowledgement (NACK) of the secondary node adding request to the first base station.

[0211] join Fig.15 , Fig.15 A flow chart of modifying a secondary node provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the first base station is a primary node connected to the first terminal, and the second base station is a base station to be connected by the first terminal and provides services to the first terminal together with the first base station (i.e., a secondary node). The sending and receiving of signaling or responses between the first base station and the second base station are performed by the CU in the base station, and the steps of modifying the second base station as a secondary node are as follows:

[0212] Step S151: the first base station sends a ninth signaling to the second base station, wherein the ninth signaling is used to instruct to modify resources used by the second base station when serving as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0213] In the embodiment of the present application, the ninth signaling may be referred to as a secondary node modification request. After the first base station receives the handover request ACK response, it may send a secondary node modification request to the second base station to modify the resource configuration information of the second base station. After the second base station receives the secondary node modification request, if it agrees with the secondary node modification request, that is, agrees to modify the resource configuration information of the second base station, and the resource configuration information is successfully modified, then step S152 is executed; if the secondary node modification request is not agreed, then step S153 is executed.

[0214] Step S152: the second base station sends a secondary node modification request acknowledgement (ACK) to the first base station.

[0215] Step S153: the second base station sends a secondary node modification request negative acknowledgement (NACK) to the first base station.

[0216] In some embodiments, when the terminal does not need the secondary node to provide services together with the primary node, the secondary node can be released.

[0217] See also Fig.16 , Fig.16 A schematic diagram of a flow chart for releasing a secondary node provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the first base station is a primary node communicating with the first terminal, and the second base station is a secondary node communicating with the first terminal. When the first terminal no longer needs the second base station as a secondary node, the second base station (ie, the secondary node) can be released by the following steps:

[0218] Step S161: the first base station sends a tenth signaling to the second base station, wherein the tenth signaling is used to instruct to release the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal, that is, to release the second base station and no longer use the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first base station.

[0219] In the embodiment of the present application, the tenth signaling may be referred to as a secondary node release request. After the first base station receives the handover request ACK response, it may send a secondary node release request to the second base station to release the second base station. After the second base station receives the secondary node release request, if it agrees with the secondary node release request, that is, it no longer serves as a secondary node for communication with the first terminal, then step S162 is executed; if it disagrees with the secondary node release request, then step S163 is executed.

[0220] Step S162: the second base station sends a secondary node release request acknowledgement (ACK) to the first base station.

[0221] Step S163: the second base station sends a negative acknowledgement (NACK) of the secondary node release request to the first base station.

[0222] In the embodiment of the present application, when a terminal needs to connect to multiple base stations, the above Fig.14 and Fig.15 When the terminal no longer needs an auxiliary node, the above Fig.16 The auxiliary node is released in the manner shown. Figure 14-16 , using CU to implement multi-connection operations for UE.

[0223] Based on the above Figure 4-Figure 16The method provided by the illustrated embodiment and the access network architecture can collaboratively manage the resources, functions, and deployment configurations of heterogeneous networks, meeting the characteristics of satellite networks such as full coverage, random access, and dynamic changes.

[0224] Corresponding to the collaborative management method of the access network described above, the embodiment of the present application further provides a collaborative management device of the access network, which is applied to a first base station in the access network, the first base station includes a first decision management center DMC unit, a first centralized unit CU and a first distributed unit DU, and the first DMC unit is connected to the first CU and the first DU respectively. Fig.17 , Fig.17 A schematic diagram of the structure of a collaborative management device for an access network provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0225] The first DMC unit 171 is configured to obtain a first signaling according to a working state of the first DMC unit 171 in the access network, where the first signaling is used to decide resource configuration information of the first base station; and send the first signaling to the first CU 172 and / or the first DU 173;

[0226] The first CU 172 and / or the first DU 173 is configured to modify resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

[0227] In the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, a DMC unit is added to the access network architecture. The DMC unit makes decisions based on its own working status in the access network, and guides the CU and DU of the base station where the DMC unit is located to modify the resource configuration information of the base station. It can be seen that the DMC unit has a decision-making function, and the CU also has a decision-making function. Therefore, the DMC unit and the CU work together to realize a hierarchical and hierarchical collaborative access network architecture for satellite networks and other networks with characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay, thereby realizing collaborative management of access networks with characteristics such as high dynamic changes in network topology and high transmission delay.

[0228] In some embodiments, if the working status of the first DMC unit 171 in the access network is a main DMC unit, the first DMC unit 171 is also used to obtain coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, the coverage information including terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; and generate a first signaling based on the coverage information.

[0229] In some embodiments, if the working status of the first DMC unit 171 in the access network is a master DMC unit, the first DMC unit 171 is also used to send a second signaling to a second DMC unit of a second base station in the access network, the second signaling is used to request to add the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit; receive a first response or a second response sent by the second DMC unit, the first response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to be added as a secondary DMC unit, and the second response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit does not agree to be added as a secondary DMC unit.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first DMC unit 171 is further used to send a third signaling to the second DMC unit, where the third signaling is used to indicate deletion of the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit; and receive a third response or a fourth response sent by the second DMC unit, where the third response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit, and the fourth response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit does not agree to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit.

[0231] In some embodiments, if the working status of the first DMC unit 171 in the access network is a secondary DMC unit, the first DMC unit 171 is also used to obtain coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, the coverage information including terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; send the coverage information to the third DMC unit of the third base station in the access network, so that the third DMC unit generates a first signaling according to the coverage information and sends it to the first DMC unit 171, and the working status of the third DMC unit in the access network is a primary DMC unit; receive the first signaling sent by the third DMC unit.

[0232] In some embodiments, if the working status of the first DMC unit 171 in the access network is an auxiliary DMC unit, the first DMC unit 171 is also used to obtain coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, the coverage information including terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; and generate a first signaling based on the coverage information.

[0233] In some embodiments, the terminal information includes: the number of terminals currently connected to the first base station, the terminal locations, and the terminal status information;

[0234] The network information includes: the number of base stations surrounding the first base station, the locations of the surrounding base stations, and network status information of the surrounding base stations.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first base station is the source base station to which the first terminal is connected, and the second base station is the target base station to which the first terminal is to be connected. The first CU172 is used to send a fourth signaling to the second CU of the second base station. The fourth signaling carries first context information of the first terminal. The fourth signaling is used to indicate that the first terminal switches from the first base station to the second base station, so that the second base station switches the first terminal to the second base station according to the first context information after receiving the fourth signaling.

[0236] In some embodiments, before the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the first CU172 is also used to send a fifth signaling to the second CU, and the fifth signaling is used to instruct the second base station to cancel switching the first terminal to the second base station, so that the second base station cancels switching the first terminal to the second base station after receiving the fifth signaling.

[0237] In some embodiments, after the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the first CU 172 is further used to receive a sixth signaling sent by the second CU, where the sixth signaling is used to instruct to release the first context information; and release the first context information.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first CU 172 is further used to send a seventh signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the seventh signaling is used to instruct the second CU to obtain second context information of the second terminal, so that the second CU sends the second context information to the first CU 172 .

[0239] In some embodiments, the first CU 172 is further used to send an eighth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the eighth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to add the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first CU 172 is further used to send a ninth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the ninth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to modify resources used when the second base station serves as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first CU 172 is further used to send a tenth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the tenth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to release the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first DMC unit 171 is connected to the first CU 172 and the first DU 173 via an E2 interface.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first DMC unit 171 is connected to the DMC units of other base stations via an Xn interface.

[0244] The embodiment of the present application further provides a base station, the base station comprising a DMC unit, a CU and a DU, the DMC unit being connected to the CU and the DU respectively;

[0245] The DMC unit is configured to obtain a first signaling according to a working state of the DMC unit in the access network, where the first signaling is used to determine resource configuration information of the first base station; and send the first signaling to the CU and / or the DU;

[0246] The CU and / or DU is configured to modify resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

[0247] The present application also provides an electronic device, such as the above-mentioned base station, Fig.18 As shown, it includes a processor 181, a communication interface 182, a memory 183 and a communication bus 184, wherein the processor 181, the communication interface 182, and the memory 183 communicate with each other through the communication bus 184.

[0248] Memory 183, used for storing computer programs;

[0249] The processor 181 is configured to implement the steps of any of the above-mentioned collaborative management methods for access networks when executing the program stored in the memory 183.

[0250] The communication bus mentioned in the above electronic device can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The communication bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0251] The communication interface is used for communication between the above electronic device and other devices.

[0252] The memory may include a random access memory (RAM) or a non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk memory. Optionally, the memory may also be at least one storage device located away from the aforementioned processor.

[0253] The above-mentioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc.; it can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components.

[0254] In another embodiment provided in the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the collaborative management method of any of the access networks described above are implemented.

[0255] In another embodiment provided by the present application, a computer program product including instructions is also provided, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the collaborative management method of any access network in the above embodiments.

[0256] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state drive Solid State Disk (SSD)), etc.

[0257] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0258] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a related manner, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. In particular, for the device, base station, electronic device, storage medium and computer program product embodiments, since they are basically similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the partial description of the method embodiments.

[0259] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application are included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A collaborative management method for an access network, characterized in that: Applied to a first base station in the access network, the first base station includes a first decision management center DMC unit, a first centralized unit CU and a first distributed unit DU, the first DMC unit is connected to the first CU and the first DU respectively, and the method includes: The first DMC unit acquires first signaling according to a working state of the first DMC unit in the access network, where the first signaling is used to determine resource configuration information of the first base station; The first DMC unit sends the first signaling to the first CU and / or the first DU, so that the first CU and / or the first DU modifies the resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of acquiring, by the first DMC unit, first signaling according to the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network includes: If the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is a master DMC unit, the first DMC unit obtains coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, where the coverage information includes terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; The first DMC unit generates a first signaling according to the coverage information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that If the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is a master DMC unit, the method further includes: The first DMC unit sends a second signaling to a second DMC unit of a second base station in the access network, where the second signaling is used to request to add the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit; The first DMC unit receives a first response or a second response sent by the second DMC unit, wherein the first response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to be added as a secondary DMC unit, and the second response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit does not agree to be added as a secondary DMC unit.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first DMC unit sends a third signaling to the second DMC unit, where the third signaling is used to instruct to delete the second DMC unit as the auxiliary DMC unit; The first DMC unit receives a third response or a fourth response sent by the second DMC unit, wherein the third response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit agrees to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit, and the fourth response is used to indicate that the second DMC unit disagrees to delete the second DMC unit as a secondary DMC unit.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step of acquiring, by the first DMC unit, first signaling according to the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network includes: If the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is a secondary DMC unit, the first DMC unit obtains coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, where the coverage information includes terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; The first DMC unit sends the coverage information to a third DMC unit of a third base station in the access network, so that the third DMC unit generates the first signaling according to the coverage information and sends it to the first DMC unit, and the working state of the third DMC unit in the access network is a main DMC unit; The first DMC unit receives the first signaling sent by the third DMC unit.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The step of acquiring, by the first DMC unit, first signaling according to the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network includes: If the working state of the first DMC unit in the access network is a secondary DMC unit, the first DMC unit obtains coverage information of the first base station from the first CU, where the coverage information includes terminal information and / or network information within the coverage range of the first base station; The first DMC unit generates a first signaling according to the coverage information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The terminal information includes: the number of terminals currently connected to the first base station, the terminal locations, and the terminal status information; The network information includes: the number of base stations surrounding the first base station, the locations of the surrounding base stations, and network status information of the surrounding base stations.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first base station is a source base station to which the first terminal is connected, and the second base station is a target base station to which the first terminal is to be connected. The method further includes: The first CU sends a fourth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, the fourth signaling carrying the first context information of the first terminal, and the fourth signaling is used to indicate that the first terminal is switched from the first base station to the second base station, so that after receiving the fourth signaling, the second base station switches the first terminal to the second base station according to the first context information.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Before the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the first CU sends a fifth signaling to the second CU, where the fifth signaling is used to instruct the second base station to cancel switching the first terminal to the second base station, so that the second base station cancels switching the first terminal to the second base station after receiving the fifth signaling.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: After the first terminal successfully switches to the second base station, the first CU receives a sixth signaling sent by the second CU, where the sixth signaling is used to instruct to release the first context information; The first CU releases the first context information.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first CU sends a seventh signaling to a second CU of a second base station, where the seventh signaling is used to instruct the second CU to obtain second context information of a second terminal, so that the second CU sends the second context information to the first CU.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first CU sends an eighth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the eighth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to add the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first CU sends a ninth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the ninth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to modify resources used when the second base station serves as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first CU sends a tenth signaling to the second CU of the second base station, where the tenth signaling is used to instruct the second CU to release the second base station as a secondary node for communicating with the first terminal.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 14, characterized in that The first DMC unit is connected to the first CU and the first DU via an E2 interface.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 14, characterized in that The first DMC unit is connected to the DMC units of other base stations via an Xn interface.

17. A base station, characterized in that: The base station includes a DMC unit, a CU and a DU, and the DMC unit is connected to the CU and the DU respectively; The DMC unit is configured to obtain a first signaling according to a working state of the DMC unit in the access network, where the first signaling is used to determine resource configuration information of the first base station; and send the first signaling to the CU and / or the DU; The CU and / or DU is used to modify resource configuration information according to the first signaling.

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