Access cell selection methods, modules, core network systems, and computer-readable media

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an access cell selection method applied to non-independent networking, comprising: sending measurement control information to a terminal to control the terminal to acquire cell measurement information of at least one anchor cell in a neighboring cell; and determining one anchor cell as a target access cell according to the cell measurement information of the at least one anchor cell fed back by the terminal. The present disclosure also provides an access cell selection module applied to non-independent networking, a core network system and a computer readable medium.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to an access cell selection method, module, core network system and computer readable medium applied to non-standalone networking. BACKGROUND

[0002] 5G wireless communication technology currently has three major application scenarios, including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type of communication (mMTC) and ultra-reliable low latency communications (uRLLC). Among them, for the enhanced mobile broadband scenario, the current networking mode mainly adopts non-standalone networking (NSA).

[0003] Because the main base station has multiple coverage frequency bands, when the terminal supporting non-standalone networking function is in a multi-cell overlapping coverage area, it may access a non-anchor cell in the area and cannot establish dual connectivity. In particular, when a 4G base station is used as the main base station, if the above situation occurs, the terminal cannot access the 5G network, the precision of network access is poor, and network resources cannot be reasonably allocated. The current solution improves the probability of the terminal accessing the anchor cell by setting a priority when the terminal measures the signal of the anchor cell, but this solution completely relies on terminal testing, and the error is large in actual application, and it is difficult to achieve the ideal effect. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and proposes an access cell selection method, module, core network system and computer readable medium applied to non-standalone networking.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, in a first aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an access cell selection method applied to non-standalone networking, comprising:

[0006] sending measurement control information to the terminal to control the terminal to obtain cell measurement information of at least one anchor cell in a neighboring cell;

[0007] determining one of the anchor cells as a target access cell according to the cell measurement information of the at least one anchor cell fed back by the terminal.

[0008] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an access cell selection module, comprising:

[0009] one or more processors;

[0010] Storage device for storing one or more programs;

[0011] When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors perform the method as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0012] Thirdly, this disclosure provides a core network system, including: an access cell selection module as described in the above embodiments.

[0013] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of any of the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0014] This disclosure has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] This disclosure provides an access cell selection method, module, core network system, and computer-readable medium for non-standalone (NSA) networking. It enables precise selection of anchor cells that terminals can access in NSA architecture, effectively improving the accuracy of primary base station access cell selection, optimizing the dual-connection establishment process, and fully leveraging the resource advantages of NSA. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1a A flowchart illustrating an access cell selection method for non-standalone (NSA) networks provided in this disclosure embodiment;

[0017] Figure 1b This is the network architecture for non-standalone networking option 3 in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0018] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating another access cell selection method for non-standalone networks provided in this disclosure embodiment;

[0019] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating yet another access cell selection method for non-standalone networking provided in this disclosure embodiment;

[0020] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating another access cell selection method for non-standalone networking provided in this disclosure embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another method for selecting access cells in a non-standalone network, as provided in this disclosure embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this disclosure, the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describes a method, module, core network system, and computer-readable medium for selecting access cells in non-standalone (NSA) networks.

[0023] Exemplary embodiments will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, these exemplary embodiments may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of this disclosure.

[0024] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that when the terms “comprising” and / or “made of” are used in this specification, the presence of the said feature, integral, step, operation, element, and / or component is specified, but the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof is not excluded.

[0025] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will also be understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and will not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning, unless expressly so defined herein.

[0026] The access cell selection method and module provided in this disclosure for non-standalone (NSA) networking can be used to select an anchor cell as the access cell for a terminal when the terminal accesses a non-anchor cell, thereby optimizing the dual-connectivity establishment process in NSA networking.

[0027] In this disclosure, "anchor cell" refers to a cell that supports dual connection procedures for terminals; "non-anchor cell" refers to a cell that does not support dual connection procedures for terminals.

[0028] Figure 1a A flowchart of an access cell selection method for a non-standalone network provided in this disclosure embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the method includes:

[0029] Step S1: Send measurement control information to the terminal.

[0030] In step S1, when the terminal's current access cell is a non-anchor cell and there is an anchor cell among the neighboring cells of the current access cell, measurement control information is sent to the terminal to control the terminal to obtain cell measurement information of at least one anchor cell among the neighboring cells according to the measurement control information. The measurement control information may include: the cell identifier of each anchor cell and the frequency band (BAND) information of each anchor cell.

[0031] The terminal is a 5G communication terminal with non-standalone networking capabilities, including one that supports dual connectivity and whose USIM card also has this capability. The base station corresponding to the current access cell of the terminal is the main base station for non-standalone dual connectivity. This main base station corresponds to multiple anchor cells and non-anchor cells. The terminal can access the auxiliary base station through the anchor cells to establish dual connectivity. This non-standalone networking architecture includes Option 3 series, Option 4 series and Option 7 series.

[0032] Figure 1b The network architecture of non-standalone networking option 3 in this embodiment is as follows: the primary base station for establishing dual connections for the terminal is a 4G base station, and the secondary base station is a 5G base station, which is connected to the 4G core network; the control plane anchor point is at the 4G base station, that is, the data offloading control is performed by the 4G base station, and the user plane data is sent to the terminal through the 4G base station and the 5G base station. The 4G base station and the 5G base station are connected through the X2 interface.

[0033] It should be noted that the technical solution of this embodiment does not limit the execution order of the steps of determining the current access cell state and determining the neighboring cell state in step S1. That is, the determination of the current access cell state can be performed before the determination of the neighboring cell state, or after the determination of the neighboring cell state, or the determination of the current access cell state and the determination of the neighboring cell state can be interspersed. All of these fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0034] In some embodiments, cell measurement information includes signal quality information and / or signal strength information.

[0035] The signal strength information includes the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) of the cell, and the signal quality information includes the reference signal receiving power of the primary common control physical channel (PCCPCH). When anchor cell selection is based on some ideas in the S criterion or R criterion, the cell measurement information may also include the minimum received level of the cell camp and the cell reselection hysteresis.

[0036] Step S2: Based on the cell measurement information of at least one anchor cell fed back by the terminal, determine an anchor cell as the target access cell.

[0037] The cell measurement information of the at least one anchor cell is sent in the form of a cell measurement report. In some embodiments, the cell measurement report fed back by the receiving terminal can be used to determine an anchor cell as a target access cell.

[0038] This disclosure provides an access cell selection method for non-standalone (NSA) networks. This method can be used to select a dual-connection anchor cell for a terminal by judging the status of the current access cell and neighboring cells, thereby avoiding the terminal from camping in cells with poor channel conditions, optimizing the dual-connection process, and rationally allocating network resources.

[0039] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating another access cell selection method applied to non-standalone (NSA) networks, provided as an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, this method is a specific optional implementation based on the method shown in Figure 1. Specifically, the method includes not only steps S1 to S2, but also steps S101 and S102 before step S1. Only steps S101 and S102 will be described in detail below.

[0040] Step S101: Determine whether the currently accessed cell is a non-anchor cell.

[0041] In step S101, if it is determined that the current access cell is a non-anchor cell, then step S102 is executed; if it is determined that the current access cell is not a non-anchor cell, the control terminal establishes a dual connection through the current access cell.

[0042] Step S102: Further determine whether there is an anchor cell among the neighboring cells of the current access cell.

[0043] In step S102, if it is determined that there is an anchor cell among the neighboring cells of the currently accessed cell, then the step of sending measurement control information to the terminal in step S1 is executed; if it is determined that there is no anchor cell among the neighboring cells of the currently accessed cell, then the terminal is waited to move to another cell other than the currently accessed cell, and then corresponding operations can be performed on the cell accessed after the move.

[0044] This disclosure provides an access cell selection method for non-standalone (NSA) networking. This method can be used to quickly select an anchor cell that a terminal can access by triggering a judgment on the status of neighboring cells by judging the status of the current access cell.

[0045] Figure 3A flowchart illustrating yet another access cell selection method applied to non-standalone (NSA) networks, provided as an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, this method is a specific optional implementation based on the method shown in Figure 1. Specifically, the method includes not only steps S1 to S2, but also steps S01 and S02 before step S1. Only steps S01 and S02 will be described in detail below.

[0046] Step S01: Detect whether the terminal is in a connected state.

[0047] Among them, it detects whether the terminal is in the connected state, that is, it detects whether the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer corresponding to the terminal is in the idle state or the connected state. The idle state corresponds to the RRC_IDLE state, and the connected state corresponds to the RRC_CONNECTED state.

[0048] In step S01, if it is detected that the terminal is not in a connected state, that is, if it is detected that the terminal is in an idle state, then step S02 is executed; if it is detected that the terminal is in a connected state, then the step of sending measurement control information to the terminal in step S1 is executed.

[0049] Step S02: Send paging information to the terminal.

[0050] In step S02, a paging message is sent to the terminal so that the terminal can enter the connected state. After that, the step of sending measurement and control information to the terminal in step S1 is executed.

[0051] This disclosure provides a method for selecting access cells in non-standalone (NSA) networks. This method can be used to detect and activate the current terminal's service activity status under certain conditions for subsequent steps.

[0052] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating another method for selecting access cells in a non-standalone network, provided as an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, this method is a specific optional implementation based on the method shown in Figure 1. Specifically, the method includes not only steps S1 to S2, but also steps S03 to S05 before step S1. Only steps S03 to S05 will be described in detail below.

[0053] Step S03: Receive the attach request sent by the terminal.

[0054] The attach request is sent when the terminal is powered on or after it has been completely out of network coverage for a period of time to complete the attach process. The attach request includes a 5G identifier and a network mode identifier; the network mode identifier includes identifiers for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access and New Radio-Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) and New Radio and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access-Dual Connectivity (NE-DC), etc.

[0055] Step S04: Send a dual connectivity capability query request to the terminal based on the attach request.

[0056] Specifically, after receiving and parsing the 5G identifier and network mode identifier in the attach request, a 5G capability query request is sent to the terminal.

[0057] Step S05: Receive dual connectivity capability information from the terminal.

[0058] In some embodiments, the dual connectivity capability information includes: dual connectivity frequency band information supported by the terminal, i.e., the combination of 4G and 5G frequency bands supported by the terminal. Based on this dual connectivity frequency band information, the candidate anchor cells can be initially screened, and the control terminal can perform measurements on anchor cells that meet the terminal's dual connectivity frequency band requirements.

[0059] This disclosure provides an access cell selection method for non-standalone (NSA) networks. This method can be used to receive an attach request sent by a terminal and thereby obtain and know the corresponding 5G capabilities of the terminal.

[0060] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another method for selecting access cells in a non-standalone network, provided as an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, this method is a specific alternative implementation based on the method shown in Figure 1. Specifically, the method includes not only steps S1 to S2, but also step S3 after step S2. Only step S3 will be described in detail below.

[0061] Step S3: Send access control information to the terminal.

[0062] In step S3, access control information is sent to the terminal to control the terminal to access the target access cell and establish dual connectivity through the target access cell.

[0063] The access control information can be a cell redirection command or a cell handover command.

[0064] This disclosure provides a method for selecting an access cell in a non-standalone network, which can be used to control a terminal to access a selected target access cell and establish dual connectivity.

[0065] It should be noted that different steps in the above embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments, and the technical solutions corresponding to these new embodiments should also fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0066] This disclosure also provides an access cell selection module for non-standalone networking, comprising: one or more processors; a storage device for storing one or more programs; and when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement any of the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0067] This disclosure also provides a core network system, including: an access cell selection module for non-standalone networking as described in the above embodiments.

[0068] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of any of the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0069] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all or some of the steps in the methods disclosed above, and the functional modules / units in the apparatus, can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and suitable combinations thereof. In hardware implementations, the division between functional modules / units mentioned in the above description does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, a physical component may have multiple functions, or a function or step may be performed collaboratively by several physical components. Some or all physical components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit, digital signal processor, or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit. Such software may be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which may include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transient media). As is known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data). Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disc storage, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, it is well known to those skilled in the art that communication media typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals such as carrier waves or other transmission mechanisms, and may include any information delivery medium.

[0070] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and while specific terminology has been used, it is for illustrative purposes only and should be construed as such, and is not intended to be limiting. In some instances, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with particular embodiments may be used alone, or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with other embodiments, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure as set forth by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An access cell selection method for non-standalone networking, wherein, Comprising: In a case where a current access cell of a terminal is a non-anchor cell and there is an anchor cell in a neighboring cell of the current access cell, sending measurement control information to the terminal to control the terminal to acquire cell measurement information of at least one anchor cell in the neighboring cell, wherein the measurement control information comprises cell identification and frequency band information of each anchor cell, and the cell measurement information comprises signal quality information and / or signal strength information; Determining one of the anchor cells as a target access cell according to the cell measurement information of the at least one anchor cell fed back by the terminal; Sending access control information to the terminal to control the terminal to access the target access cell and establish dual connectivity through the target access cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the step of sending the measurement control information to the terminal, further comprising: Judging whether the current access cell of the terminal is a non-anchor cell; When judging that the current access cell is a non-anchor cell, further judging whether the anchor cell exists in the neighboring cell of the current access cell; When judging that the anchor cell exists in the neighboring cell of the current access cell, performing the step of sending the measurement control information to the terminal; When judging that the anchor cell does not exist in the neighboring cell of the current access cell, waiting for the terminal to move to other cells.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the step of sending the measurement control information to the terminal, further comprising: Detecting that the terminal is in an idle state or a connected state; When detecting that the terminal is in the idle state, sending paging information to the terminal to enter the connected state, and then performing the step of sending the measurement control information to the terminal; When detecting that the terminal is in the connected state, performing the step of sending the measurement control information to the terminal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the step of sending the measurement control information to the terminal, further comprising: Receiving an attachment request sent by the terminal; Sending a dual connectivity capability query request to the terminal according to the attachment request; Receiving dual connectivity capability information fed back by the terminal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The dual connectivity capability information comprises dual connectivity frequency band information supported by the terminal.

6. An access cell selection module applied to non-standalone networking, comprising: One or more processors; Storage device for storing one or more programs; When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method of any one of claims 1-5.

7. A core network system applied to non-standalone networking, wherein, Comprising: The access cell selection module as claimed in claim 6.

8. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program, wherein, The program is executed by the processor to implement the steps in the method of any one of claims 1-5.

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