Method and apparatus for providing new services based on enhanced long term evolution base station

Abstract

The application provides a method and device for an enhanced long-term evolution base station to select a core network for a user equipment (UE) to access, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a radio resource control connection with the UE; selecting a core network corresponding to the UE according to a preset condition; receiving a response message sent by the corresponding core network; and sending a radio resource control configuration message to the UE to configure or reconfigure a user plane of the UE. The method can select a suitable core network for a terminal, so that a UE of 5G can use the features of 5G, and the use of user data volume and network frequency is improved.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application No. 201710652586.3 with the title of "Method and apparatus for providing new services based on enhanced long term evolution base station". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular, the present application relates to a method and apparatus for providing new services based on enhanced long term evolution base station. BACKGROUND

[0003] 5G refers to the fifth generation of mobile communication technology. Unlike the previous four generations, 5G is not a single wireless technology, but a fusion of existing wireless communication technologies. Currently, the peak rate of LTE can reach 100 Mbps, and the peak rate of 5G will reach 10 Gbps, which is 100 times higher than 4G. The existing 4G network has limited processing capacity and cannot support some high-definition video, high-quality voice, augmented reality, virtual reality and other services. 5G will introduce more advanced technologies to meet the growing demand for mobile service traffic through higher spectrum efficiency, more spectrum resources and more densely packed cells, solve the problems faced by 4G networks, and build a high-speed transmission rate, high capacity, low latency, high reliability, and excellent user experience network society. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the 5G architecture includes the 5G access network and the 5G core network. The UE (User Equipment) communicates with the data network through the access network and the core network.

[0004] In the evolution of the network, the first stage will continue to use the base station of LTE, while being able to support the terminal of 5G and use the features of 5G. Therefore, it is attractive and desirable for operators to upgrade the LTE base station to support the features of 5G. If the LTE base station is upgraded so that the LTE base station can be connected to the 5G core network, the following problems need to be solved:

[0005] 1) How to select the appropriate core network for the terminal.

[0006] 2) How to collaborate between the enhanced LTE base station and the 5G base station.

[0007] 3) How to establish a horizontal interface between the enhanced LTE base station and the enhanced LTE base station.

[0008] 4) How to inform the UE to use the appropriate protocol. SUMMARY

[0009] The purpose of the present application is to solve at least one of the above problems, and to provide a method and apparatus for providing new services based on an enhanced long term evolution base station.

[0010] To achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present application provides a method for selecting a core network for UE to access based on an enhanced long term evolution base station, comprising the following steps:

[0011] establishing a radio resource control connection with the UE;

[0012] selecting a core network corresponding to the UE according to a preset condition;

[0013] receiving a response message sent by the corresponding core network;

[0014] sending a radio resource control configuration message to the UE to configure or reconfigure a user plane of the UE.

[0015] Optionally, the preset condition comprises a capability of the UE or a combination of the capability of the UE and other information.

[0016] Preferably, the capability of the UE comprises at least one of the following:

[0017] being capable of accessing a long term evolution core network, being capable of accessing a 5G core network, and being capable of simultaneously accessing the long term evolution core network and the 5G core network.

[0018] Preferably, the other information comprises at least one of the following:

[0019] load information of the core network, load information of an access network, and operator pre-configured policy information.

[0020] Another embodiment of the present application provides a method for establishing a UE assisted base station based on an enhanced long term evolution base station, comprising the following steps:

[0021] sending an assisted base station addition request message to an assisted base station of an X2 interface;

[0022] receiving an assisted base station addition response message sent by the assisted base station of the X2 interface and carrying configuration information of the assisted base station for the UE;

[0023] sending a radio resource control message carrying configuration information of the assisted base station of the X2 interface for the UE to the UE;

[0024] receiving a radio resource control message sent by the UE after successfully configuring new configuration information;

[0025] sending a response message to the assisted base station of the X2 interface.

[0026] Further, after sending the response message to the assisted base station of the X2 interface, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0027] sending a message to a core network and configuring a user plane of the core network to the assisted base station;

[0028] Receiving a response message sent by the core network.

[0029] When the secondary base station is an X2 interface secondary base station, the secondary base station addition request message comprises a radio resource control message container from the primary base station to the secondary base station, which contains configuration information of a radio resource control message.

[0030] When the secondary base station is an X2 interface secondary base station, the secondary base station addition response message comprises a radio resource control message container from the secondary base station to the primary base station, which contains a radio resource control message sent to the UE.

[0031] When the primary base station is an enhanced long term evolution base station and the secondary base station is a 5G base station without X2 interface, or the primary base station is a 5G base station and the secondary base station is a long term evolution base station without X2 interface, the primary base station selects a corresponding radio resource control message container according to the type of the primary base station or the type of the secondary base station to send the secondary base station addition response message.

[0032] When the primary base station is an enhanced long term evolution base station and the secondary base station is a 5G base station without X2 interface, or the primary base station is a 5G base station and the secondary base station is a long term evolution base station without X2 interface, the secondary base station selects a corresponding radio resource control message container according to the type of the secondary base station to send the secondary base station addition response message.

[0033] Specifically, the radio resource control message container comprises a container of a radio resource control message format of 5G and a container of a radio resource control message format of long term evolution.

[0034] When a handover request message without X2 interface is sent between the primary base station and the secondary base station, the handover request message contains radio resource control message context information, and the primary base station selects corresponding radio resource control message context information according to the type of the primary base station or the type of the secondary base station to send the handover request message.

[0035] Specifically, the radio resource control message context information comprises radio resource control message context information of 5G format and radio resource control message context information of long term evolution format.

[0036] When a handover response message without X2 interface is sent between the primary base station and the secondary base station, the handover response message contains a radio resource control message transparent container from the secondary base station to the primary base station, and the secondary base station selects a corresponding radio resource control message transparent container format according to the type of the secondary base station.

[0037] Specifically, the format of the Radio Resource Control Message Transparent Container includes the format defined by the 5G Radio Resource Control Message Protocol Layer and the format defined by the Long Term Evolution Radio Resource Control Message Protocol Layer.

[0038] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for establishing an enhanced horizontal interface between a LTE base station and a neighboring base station, comprising the following steps:

[0039] Send an X2 interface or non-X2 interface establishment request message, the X2 interface or non-X2 interface establishment request message containing the identifier of the enhanced LTE base station and the cell information on the enhanced LTE base station;

[0040] Receive a response message from a neighboring base station indicating the establishment of an X2 interface or a non-X2 interface. The response message indicates the establishment of an X2 interface or a non-X2 interface and includes the identifier of the neighboring base station and information about the cell on the neighboring base station.

[0041] Furthermore, the request or response message established by the X2 interface also includes indication information as to whether the cell or base station is connected to the 5G core network or whether it supports other interfaces.

[0042] Specifically, two horizontal interfaces are established between the enhanced LTE base station and the neighboring enhanced LTE base station.

[0043] Optionally, the two horizontal interfaces can be the X2 interface and the Xn interface.

[0044] Ideally, enhanced LTE base stations are pre-configured with the type of neighboring base stations, or can be informed from UE reports whether neighboring base stations are connected to the 5G core network.

[0045] Optionally, the neighboring base station can be any of the following types: ordinary LTE base station, enhanced LTE base station, or 5G base station.

[0046] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a UE configuration protocol notification method based on an enhanced Long Term Evolution (LTE) base station, comprising the following steps:

[0047] Send a notification message to the UE that its access network can provide 5G features;

[0048] Receive radio resource control messages sent by the UE, and obtain the non-access stratum messages carried in the radio resource control messages so that the UE can configure a protocol that matches its access network.

[0049] Furthermore, the UE can send information about whether neighboring base stations can support 5G features to the UE's serving base station through measurement reports.

[0050] Optionally, the method of sending the notification message to the UE includes any one or more of the following:

[0051] Community broadcast, dedicated signaling, and sending radio resource control requests.

[0052] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for selecting a core network for a UE to access based on an enhanced LTE base station, comprising:

[0053] Connection module: Used to establish a radio resource control connection with the UE;

[0054] Selection module: Used to select the core network corresponding to the UE based on preset conditions;

[0055] Receiving module: Used to receive response messages sent by the corresponding core network;

[0056] Transmitting module: Used to send radio resource control configuration messages to the UE in order to configure or reconfigure the user plane of the UE.

[0057] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for establishing a UE-assisted base station based on an enhanced LTE base station, comprising:

[0058] First sending module: used to send auxiliary base station addition request messages to the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface;

[0059] First receiving module: used to receive auxiliary base station add response messages sent by the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface, which carry the configuration information of the auxiliary base station for the UE.

[0060] The second transmitting module is used to send radio resource control messages carrying configuration information of the UE from the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface to the UE.

[0061] Second receiving module: used to receive radio resource control messages sent by the UE after successfully configuring new configuration information;

[0062] The third sending module is used to send response messages to the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface.

[0063] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for establishing an enhanced horizontal interface between a Long Term Evolution (LTE) base station and a neighboring base station, comprising:

[0064] Sending module: Used to send a request message for establishing an X2 interface or a non-X2 interface, wherein the request message for establishing an X2 interface or a non-X2 interface includes the identifier of the enhanced LTE base station and information about the cell on the enhanced LTE base station;

[0065] Receiving module: Used to receive response messages established by the X2 interface or non-X2 interface sent by a neighboring base station. The response messages established by the X2 interface or non-X2 interface include the identifier of the neighboring base station and information about the cell on the neighboring base station.

[0066] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a UE configuration protocol notification device based on an enhanced Long Term Evolution (LTE) base station, comprising:

[0067] Sending module: Used to send notification messages to the UE that its access network can provide new 5G features;

[0068] Receiving module: Used to receive radio resource control messages sent by the UE, and obtain the non-access stratum messages carried in the radio resource control messages so that the UE can configure a protocol that matches its access network.

[0069] Compared with the prior art, the solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0070] 1. The core network selection method described in this invention can select a suitable core network for the terminal;

[0071] 2. The method for establishing an auxiliary base station described in this invention can enhance the cooperation between LTE base stations and 5G base stations;

[0072] 3. The method for establishing a horizontal interface based on the present invention realizes the establishment of a horizontal interface between an enhanced LTE base station and other neighboring base stations;

[0073] 4. Based on the terminal configuration protocol notification method described in this invention, the terminal is able to communicate using a suitable protocol;

[0074] Based on the functions achieved by the above methods, 5G terminals can utilize 5G features, thereby increasing user data volume and network frequency utilization.

[0075] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0076] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0077] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the 5G system architecture.

[0078] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the enhanced LTE base station architecture described in this invention;

[0079] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of selecting a core network for a UE as described in this invention;

[0080] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of establishing an auxiliary base station for a UE based on the X2 interface as described in this invention;

[0081] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of establishing an enhanced X2 horizontal interface between an LTE base station and a neighboring base station as described in this invention.

[0082] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of notifying the UE to configure the corresponding protocol as described in this invention;

[0083] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of establishing an enhanced horizontal interface Xx between an LTE base station and a neighboring base station as described in this invention.

[0084] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of establishing an auxiliary base station for a UE based on the Xx interface as described in this invention;

[0085] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the device structure for selecting the core network for a UE based on an enhanced LTE base station, as described in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the device structure for establishing a UE-assisted base station based on an enhanced LTE base station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0087] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device for establishing a horizontal interface between an enhanced LTE base station and a neighboring base station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0088] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the UE configuration protocol notification device based on an enhanced LTE base station according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0089] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0090] After enhancement, LTE base stations can connect to the 5G core network. We call such LTE base stations capable of connecting to the core network enhanced LTE base stations. Ordinary LTE base stations can only connect to LTE core network nodes, while enhanced LTE base stations can connect to both LTE and 5G core network nodes. We call the LTE core network the Evolved Data Core Network (EPC) and the 5G core network the Next Generation Core Network (NGC). In the following description, LTE base stations refer to ordinary base stations that can only connect to the LTE core network, while enhanced LTE base stations refer to LTE base stations capable of connecting to the core network. The naming of the enhanced LTE base stations is not limited. In this invention, LTE base stations named enhanced LTE base stations specifically refer to LTE base stations capable of connecting to the 5G core network, still belonging to LTE radio access technology, and still using LTE air interface technology.

[0091] Example 1:

[0092] This invention provides a method for an enhanced LTE base station to select the core network for a UE to access, comprising the following steps:

[0093] Establish a radio resource control connection with the UE;

[0094] Select the core network corresponding to the UE based on preset conditions;

[0095] Receive response messages sent by the corresponding core network;

[0096] Send a radio resource control configuration message to the UE to configure or reconfigure the user plane of the UE.

[0097] When the access network is an enhanced LTE base station, terminals with LTE access capabilities can access this base station, and terminals with 5G capabilities can also access this base station. The enhanced LTE base station selects the core network for the terminal. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the enhanced LTE base station connects the EPC and NGC. The selection principle for the core network of the enhanced LTE base station can be one of the following principles:

[0098] 1) Selecting the appropriate core network based on the UE's capabilities. Enhanced LTE base stations learn about the terminal's capabilities, such as LTE or 5G capabilities, from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages sent by the terminal. Based on the terminal's capabilities, the base station selects the appropriate core network. If the terminal has LTE capabilities, the base station selects EPC as the core network; if the terminal has 5G capabilities, the base station selects NGC as the core network.

[0099] 2) The core network is selected based on the UE's capabilities and other information. This other information includes core network load information, access network load information, and operator-pre-configured policies. For terminals with LTE capabilities, the enhanced LTE base station can only select the LTE core network; for terminals with 5G capabilities, the enhanced LTE base station can select either the LTE core network or the 5G core network.

[0100] Specifically, Figure 3 The process of selecting a core network for a UE is described.

[0101] 301: The UE establishes an RRC connection with the enhanced LTE base station. The UE's capabilities are carried in the RRC message sent by the UE to the base station. The UE's capabilities indicate whether the UE can access LTE, 5G, or both.

[0102] 302: The enhanced LTE base station selects the appropriate core network based on the UE's capabilities, following the principles outlined above. This selection may be based on the UE's capabilities alone, or on other information combined with the UE's capabilities. After selection, the enhanced LTE base station sends a message to the core network. This message may carry UE information and non-access stratum information.

[0103] 303: The core network sends a response message to the enhanced LTE base station. The core network authenticates the UE, allocates a user plane to the UE, and then sends a response message to the enhanced LTE base station.

[0104] 304: The enhanced LTE base station sends an RRC configuration message to the UE. The enhanced LTE base station performs user plane configuration or reconfiguration on the UE.

[0105] Example 2:

[0106] Enhanced LTE base stations and neighboring base stations need to establish a horizontal interface. The type of interface differs depending on the type of neighboring base stations. There are three types of neighboring base stations:

[0107] Neighboring base stations are ordinary LTE base stations, while enhanced LTE base stations establish an X2 interface with each other. The X2 interface is currently the horizontal interface between LTE base stations.

[0108] The neighboring base station is an enhanced LTE base station. To simultaneously support LTE and 5G users, one approach is to establish two horizontal interfaces. One is the already defined X2 interface, which can be enhanced based on new features and can transmit LTE user information. The other is a new horizontal interface defined for 5G, called the Xn interface. The Xn interface is a new horizontal interface defined for 5G's new features and is used to transmit 5G user signaling. LTE user signaling cannot be transmitted on this interface because some features of LTE differ significantly from 5G, and the interface defined for 5G features cannot support the information required for LTE user transmission. Another approach is to establish a single horizontal interface that can transmit signaling for both LTE and 5G users simultaneously.

[0109] The neighboring base station is a 5G base station. The horizontal interface between the enhanced LTE base station and the 5G base station only transmits signaling for 5G users. Therefore, this horizontal interface is a new horizontal interface Xn defined for 5G, but it can also be other interfaces, such as the Xx interface described in the following embodiment. Taking the X2 interface as an example, this embodiment of the invention provides a method for establishing a UE-assisted base station based on an enhanced LTE base station, including the following steps:

[0110] Send an auxiliary base station addition request message to the auxiliary base station on the X2 interface;

[0111] Receive the auxiliary base station add response message sent by the auxiliary base station on the X2 interface, which carries the auxiliary base station's configuration information for the UE;

[0112] Send a radio resource control message carrying the configuration information of the UE from the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface to the UE;

[0113] Receive the radio resource control message sent by the UE after successfully configuring new configuration information;

[0114] Send a response message to the auxiliary base station on the X2 interface.

[0115] Furthermore, when the serving base station establishes an auxiliary base station for the UE, the auxiliary cell establishment or modification message sent when sending the message to establish the auxiliary bearer will vary depending on the auxiliary base station. Figure 5 The process of establishing an auxiliary base station for the UE is described.

[0116] Step 401: The primary base station sends an auxiliary base station addition request message to the auxiliary base station.

[0117] The primary base station is an enhanced LTE base station. Based on the UE's measurement reports or measurements of the UE's uplink signal, the primary base station decides to establish a secondary cell for the UE and use the secondary bearer to transmit the UE's data. If the secondary base station is a regular LTE base station, the primary base station sends a secondary base station addition request message.

[0118] If the auxiliary base station is an enhanced LTE base station, two horizontal interfaces, X2 and Xn, are established between the primary and auxiliary base stations. The primary base station selects the appropriate horizontal interface based on the UE's capabilities. For example, if the UE is an LTE terminal, the primary base station selects the X2 interface to send a handover request message. If the UE is a 5G terminal, the primary base station selects Xn to send an auxiliary base station addition request message. Alternatively, the primary base station selects the horizontal interface for sending messages based on the core network selected for the UE. For example, if the primary base station selects EPC for the UE, and the interface between the primary base station and EPC is S1, then the primary base station selects X2 to transmit the UE's messages. If the primary base station selects NGC for the UE, and the interface between the primary base station and NGC is NG, then the primary base station selects Xn to transmit the UE's messages. The primary base station sends an auxiliary base station addition request to the auxiliary base station.

[0119] If the auxiliary base station is an enhanced LTE base station, a horizontal interface is established between the primary and auxiliary base stations. The primary base station sends an auxiliary base station add request message to the auxiliary base station. The auxiliary base station is also connected to two core networks, one is EPC and the other is NGC. Its user plane protocol stack includes both LTE and 5G user plane protocol stacks. The auxiliary base station needs to select a protocol structure to serve the user. The selected protocol structure should be consistent with that selected by the primary base station, or should refer to the core network selected by the primary base station. Since the primary base station has already selected and established the user plane and core network nodes for the UE, it needs to tell the auxiliary base station which protocol to use to establish the auxiliary bearer for the UE. The auxiliary base station add request message contains the type of core network selected by the primary base station for the UE, or the type of backhaul selected by the primary base station for the UE, or indication information indicating which protocol stack the auxiliary base station should use to serve the UE, or the message contains the UE's capability information. The auxiliary base station establishes the auxiliary bearer based on the UE's capability information, that is, selects the corresponding user plane protocol stack.

[0120] Step 402: The auxiliary base station sends an auxiliary base station add response message to the primary base station. The message contains the auxiliary base station's configuration information for the UE.

[0121] Step 403: The primary base station sends an RRC message to the UE. The message carries the configuration information of the secondary base station for the UE.

[0122] Step 404: The UE sends an RRC message to the main base station. The UE successfully configures the new configuration information and sends a response message to the main base station.

[0123] Step 405: The primary base station sends a response message to the secondary base station.

[0124] Step 406: If necessary, the primary base station sends a message to the core network to configure the user plane of the core network to the secondary base station.

[0125] Step 407: The core network sends a response message to the main base station.

[0126] Example 3:

[0127] Furthermore, when the interface is a non-X2 interface, such as the connection between an enhanced LTE base station (or an LTE base station and a 5G base station), it is an Xx interface. The Xx interface differs from the previous X2 interface. The current X2 interface connects two eNBs, both of which are LTE base stations using the same access network standard. The Xx interface connects two base stations, one LTE and one 5G, belonging to different access network standards; therefore, the process on Xx differs from the current X2 process. The Xx interface can be the same as the interface (Xn) between two 5G base stations, an enhanced version of the current X2 interface, or a new interface defined for the connection between an LTE base station and a 5G base station.

[0128] Enhanced LTE base stations (or LTE base stations) and 5G base stations can be configured for dual connectivity, with one base station as the primary base station and the other as the secondary base station. One configuration is that the primary base station is the enhanced LTE base station (or LTE base station), and the secondary base station is the 5G base station; the enhanced LTE base station is connected to the NGC, and the LTE base station is connected to the EPC. Another configuration is that the primary base station is the 5G base station, and the secondary base station is the enhanced LTE base station; the 5G base station is connected to the NGC.

[0129] Step 801: The primary base station sends an auxiliary base station addition request message to the auxiliary base station.

[0130] The current auxiliary base station request message on the X2 interface contains a container from the primary base station to the auxiliary base station, which includes RRC configuration information. Upon receiving this container, the auxiliary base station configures its bearer according to the RRC configuration information sent by the primary base station. On the Xx interface, since the primary base station (or auxiliary base station) can be either an LTE base station or a 5G base station, the auxiliary base station request message needs to define two types of RRC containers from the primary base station to the auxiliary base station: one in 5G RRC format and one in LTE RRC format.

[0131] When the primary base station sends this message, it can use a destination-adaptive-source approach, selecting the appropriate RRC container based on the type of the primary base station. For example, if the primary base station is a 5G base station, then a 5G RRC format container is selected. If the primary base station is an LTE base station, then an LTE RRC format container is selected.

[0132] Alternatively, a source-adaptive approach can be used, where the primary base station selects an appropriate RRC container based on the type of the secondary base station. For example, if the secondary base station is a 5G base station, then a 5G RRC format container is selected. If the secondary base station is an LTE base station, then an LTE RRC format container is selected.

[0133] Step 802: The auxiliary base station sends an auxiliary base station add response message to the auxiliary base station.

[0134] The current X2 auxiliary base station addition response message contains a container from the auxiliary base station to the primary base station, carrying the RRC message to be sent to the UE. On the Xx interface, the auxiliary base station addition response message also needs to define two different types of RRC containers: one in 5G RRC format and one in LTE RRC format. Unlike step 801, the RRC container sent by the auxiliary base station is the RRC configuration information to be sent to the UE, which does not need to be parsed by the primary base station. Therefore, it does not need to adapt to the type of the primary base station, but rather the UE needs to be configured according to the type of the auxiliary base station. For example, if the auxiliary base station is a 5G base station, the response message contains a 5G RRC format container; if the auxiliary base station is an LTE base station, the response message contains an LTE RRC format container.

[0135] Step 803: The primary base station sends an RRC message to the UE. The message carries the configuration information of the secondary base station for the UE.

[0136] Step 804: The UE sends an RRC message to the main base station. The UE successfully configures the new configuration information and sends a response message to the main base station.

[0137] Step 805: The primary base station sends a response message to the secondary base station.

[0138] Step 806: If necessary, the primary base station sends a message to the core network to configure the user plane of the core network to the secondary base station.

[0139] Step 807: The core network sends a response message to the main base station.

[0140] Example 4:

[0141] The above method also applies to the Xx handover process. The Xx handover request message includes RRC context information, which currently includes the handover preparation message defined by the LTE RRC protocol layer. Two formats of RRC context information need to be defined in the Xx handover request: one defined by the LTE RRC protocol layer and the other by the 5G RRC protocol layer. When the source base station sends this message, it can use a destination-adaptive-source approach, selecting the appropriate RRC context information based on the type of the source base station. For example, if the source base station is a 5G base station, then the 5G format RRC context information is selected. If the source base station is an LTE base station, then the LTE format RRC context information is selected.

[0142] Alternatively, a source-adaptive-destination approach can be used. The source base station selects an appropriate RRC transparent container based on the type of the destination base station. For example, if the destination base station is a 5G base station, then 5G format RRC context information is selected. If the destination base station is an LTE base station, then LTE format RRC context information is selected.

[0143] The Xx handover response message contains a destination-to-source RRC transparent container, which carries the handover command message to be sent to the UE. The RRC transparent container defines two formats: one for the handover command defined by the LTE RRC protocol layer, and the other for the handover command defined by the 5G RRC protocol layer. The destination base station selects the appropriate RRC transparent container format based on its type. For example, if the destination base station is an enhanced LTE base station, it contains the RRC transparent container defined by the LTE RRC protocol; if the destination base station is a 5G base station, it contains the RRC transparent container defined by the 5G RRC protocol.

[0144] Example 5:

[0145] If two horizontal interfaces need to be established between two enhanced LTE base stations, then it is necessary to study how to establish these two horizontal interfaces. Currently, there is only one horizontal interface between two nodes. In some cases, such as when both nodes are enhanced LTE base stations, it is necessary to establish two horizontal interfaces between them. If two horizontal interfaces are required, the enhanced LTE base station needs to know in advance that the neighboring base station is also an enhanced LTE base station, so that it can establish two interfaces with that base station.

[0146] Based on this, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for enhancing the establishment of a horizontal interface between an LTE base station and neighboring base stations, comprising the following steps:

[0147] Send a request message to establish an X2 interface or a non-X2 interface, wherein the request message to establish an X2 interface or a non-X2 interface includes the identifier of the enhanced LTE base station and information about the cell on the enhanced LTE base station;

[0148] Receive a response message from a neighboring base station indicating the establishment of an X2 interface or a non-X2 interface. The response message indicates the establishment of an X2 interface or a non-X2 interface and includes the identifier of the neighboring base station and information about the cell on the neighboring base station.

[0149] Specifically, such as Figure 6 As shown, assuming the two horizontal interfaces are X2 and Xn, the method for establishing the horizontal interfaces can be one of the following methods.

[0150] Method 1: Enhanced LTE base stations are pre-configured with neighboring base station types. Operation and maintenance pre-configure the types of neighboring base stations, which can be LTE base stations, enhanced LTE base stations, or 5G base stations. The base station type can also be determined through frequency allocation or physical layer identifiers. Based on the base station type, a corresponding horizontal interface is established between the enhanced LTE base station and neighboring base stations. Alternatively, it can be done through... Figure Six The method involves the base station broadcasting over the air interface whether it supports 5G features, i.e., whether it can access the 5G core network. For example, if an enhanced LTE base station uses LTE access technology over the air interface, it cannot determine from the air interface whether it can connect to the 5G core network and use 5G service features. Therefore, the enhanced LTE base station broadcasts an indication message indicating whether it supports 5G features, i.e., whether it can connect to the 5G core network. During the automatic neighbor cell establishment process, the UE listens to the broadcast information of neighboring base stations and then sends the indication message that the LTE base station supports 5G features to the UE's serving base station through a measurement report. That is, in this embodiment, base station 1, based on this report, learns that the neighboring base station is an enhanced LTE base station. If base station 1 is also an enhanced LTE base station, base station 1 needs to establish X2 and Xn.

[0151] Step 501: Base station 1 sends an X2 establishment request. The X2 establishment request message contains the identifier of the base station and the information of the cell on the base station.

[0152] Step 502: Base station 2 sends an X2 establishment response. The X2 establishment response message contains the base station's identifier and information about the cells on the base station.

[0153] Step 503: Base station 1 sends an Xn establishment request. Based on the configuration information, base station 1 initiates the Xn establishment process. This process can be combined with the process in step 501 into a single procedure. The Xn establishment request message contains the base station's identifier and the cell information on the base station. The cell information of the base station includes the cell's frequency.

[0154] Step 504: Base station 2 sends an Xn establishment response. Step 504 can be combined with step 502 into one process. The Xn establishment response message contains the base station identifier and cell information on the base station. The cell information of the base station includes the cell frequency.

[0155] Method 2: Enhanced LTE base station, i.e., base station 1, when sending an X2 interface establishment request, base station 1 normally establishes the X2 interface, carrying an indication in the X2 interface establishment request message indicating whether the base station has the capability to establish the Xn interface. When base station 2 sends an X2 interface establishment response, it can also carry indication information indicating whether the base station has the capability to establish the Xn interface. If both base station 1 and base station 2 have the capability to establish the Xn interface, base station 1 or base station 2 sends an Xn establishment request message to the other base station.

[0156] Step 501: Base station 1 sends an X2 establishment request. The X2 establishment request message contains the base station's identifier and information about the cells on the base station. The X2 request message also contains indication information as to whether the cell / base station supports 5G features or the Xn interface.

[0157] Step 502: Base station 2 sends an X2 establishment response. The X2 establishment response message contains the base station identifier and cell information on the base station. The X2 response message also contains indication information as to whether the cell / base station supports 5G features or the Xn interface.

[0158] Step 503: Base station 1 sends an Xn establishment request. Based on the messages from steps 501 and 502, if both base station 1 and base station 2 support 5G features or both support Xn interface establishment, base station 1 initiates the Xn establishment process. The Xn establishment request message contains the base station identifier and cell information on the base station. The cell information of the base station includes the cell frequency.

[0159] Step 504: Base station 2 sends an Xn establishment response. The Xn establishment response message contains the base station's identifier and the cell information on the base station. The cell information of the base station includes the cell's frequency.

[0160] Method 3: The enhanced LTE base station, i.e., base station 1, sends an Xn establishment request message. If the peer base station, i.e., base station 2, is capable of establishing an Xn interface (e.g., base station 2 is an enhanced LTE base station or a 5G base station), base station 2 sends an Xn establishment response message. If base station 2 is not capable of establishing an Xn interface (e.g., base station 2 is a regular LTE base station), it does not send a response message or sends a failure message. If base station 1 receives a response message, it considers the Xn establishment successful. If base station 1 does not receive a response message or receives a failure message, it can be assumed that an Xn interface cannot be established with base station 2.

[0161] Establishing an X2 interface can be done using a similar method: Base Station 1 sends an X2 establishment request message. If the peer base station, Base Station 2, is capable of establishing an X2 interface (e.g., Base Station 2 is a regular LTE base station or an enhanced LTE base station), Base Station 2 sends an X2 establishment response message. If Base Station 2 is not capable of establishing an X2 interface (e.g., Base Station 2 is a regular 5G base station), it does not send a response message or sends a failure message. If Base Station 1 does not receive a response message or receives a failure message, it can be assumed that an X2 interface cannot be established between it and Base Station 2.

[0162] Step 501: Base station 1 sends an X2 establishment request. The X2 establishment request message contains the identifier of the base station and the information of the cell on the base station.

[0163] Step 502: Base station 2 sends an X2 establishment response. The X2 establishment response message contains the base station's identifier and information about the cells on the base station.

[0164] Step 503: Base station 1 sends an Xn establishment request. The Xn establishment request message contains the base station's identifier and the cell information on the base station. The cell information of the base station includes the cell's frequency.

[0165] Step 504: If base station 2 can recognize the message from step 503, it can establish the Xn interface and send an Xn establishment response. The Xn establishment response message contains the base station's identifier and cell information on the base station. The cell information includes the cell's frequency. Otherwise, base station 2 does not send a response message or sends an error message to base station 1. The Xn interface between base station 1 and base station 2 has not been successfully established.

[0166] Example 6:

[0167] Of course, Xn can also be other interfaces, such as the Xx interface shown in this embodiment. During the Xx establishment process, base station 1 sends an Xx establishment request. The message contains information about the serving cell on base station 1. If base station 1 belongs to LTE, the serving cell information is that of an LTE serving cell. If base station 1 belongs to 5G, the base station establishment request message contains information about a 5G serving cell. If the 5G serving cell information is similar to that of the LTE message, the same information element (IE) can be used to transmit the cell information. If the 5G serving cell information is different from that of the LTE serving cell, different IEs are needed to transmit the cell information. That is, the Xx establishment request message contains both the IE of the LTE serving cell and the IE of the 5G service message. The base station sets the corresponding IE according to the base station that sends the message. Similarly, in the Xx establishment response message, different IEs are used to transmit the cell information. That is, the Xx establishment response message contains both the IE of the LTE serving cell and the IE of the 5G service message. The base station sets the corresponding IE according to the base station that sends the response message.

[0168] Example 7:

[0169] To smoothly evolve to 5G networks on existing LTE networks, 5G terminals must be able to access both 5G and enhanced LTE access networks. This means 5G terminals must support both LTE protocols (including access layer and non-access layer protocols) and 5G protocols (the 5G protocol stack includes both access layer and non-access layer protocols). Access layer protocols are signaling protocols that the UE transparently transmits to the core network through the access network. When the access network is a 5G access network, the 5G terminal can use new 5G features and thus 5G protocols. If the access network is an LTE access network, there may be two types: enhanced LTE access networks, which can connect to the 5G core network and therefore use new 5G features; and LTE access networks, which cannot connect to the 5G core network but can only connect to the EPC (Engineering Processing Unit), and LTE terminals cannot use new 5G features. Therefore, terminals will operate differently depending on the type of LTE access network.

[0170] Based on this, embodiments of the present invention provide a UE configuration protocol notification method based on an enhanced LTE base station, comprising the following steps:

[0171] Send a notification message to the UE that its access network can provide 5G features;

[0172] Receive radio resource control messages sent by the UE, and obtain the non-access stratum messages carried in the radio resource control messages so that the UE can configure a protocol that matches its access network.

[0173] Specifically, Figure 7 The process of notifying the UE which protocol to use to access the network is described in detail.

[0174] 601. The network notifies the terminal that the access network can provide new 5G features. When the access network is an LTE access network, the network notifies the terminal whether the access network is an enhanced LTE access network or a regular LTE access network. The notification method can be cell broadcast or dedicated signaling. The broadcast method can involve carrying indication information in the broadcast message, indicating whether the access network has the capability to provide new 5G features. If so, the terminal can configure 5G non-access stratum messages and send them to the 5G core network via an RRC message. If the terminal does not have the capability to provide new 5G features, the terminal configures 4G access stratum messages and sends them to the 4G core network via an RRC message.

[0175] The dedicated signaling method involves sending dedicated signaling to the terminal, carrying indication information to indicate whether the access network has the capability to provide new 5G features. For example, the UE sends an RRC establishment request message to the access network, carrying the UE's capability information. After receiving the RRC establishment request message, the access network selects a suitable core network for the terminal based on the UE's capabilities. Then, the access network sends a radio establishment message, carrying indication information to indicate whether the access network has selected EPC or NGC for the terminal, i.e., whether the terminal can use 5G non-access stratum signaling to send 5G non-access stratum messages to the core network.

[0176] Alternatively, the UE sends an RRC establishment request message to the access network, carrying the reason for RRC establishment and the UE's identifier. After receiving the RRC establishment request message, the access network sends a radio establishment message to the UE, carrying indication information to indicate whether the access network is connected to the NGC, that is, whether the terminal can use 5G non-access stratum signaling to send 5G non-access stratum messages to the core network.

[0177] 602. The UE sends an RRC message to the access network, which carries non-access stratum (NFS) messages. Based on the indication information in step 601, the UE configures the corresponding NFS messages. If the indication information indicates that the access network has the capability to provide new 5G features (i.e., the access network is an enhanced LTE access network, the access network has selected a core network for the terminal, or the access network is connected to the core network), the terminal configures 5G NFS signaling and sends it to the core network through the access network. If the indication information indicates that the access network does not have the capability to provide new 5G features, but only 4G features, or the access network has selected a 4G core network for the terminal, the terminal configures 4G NFS signaling and sends it to the 4G core network through the access network.

[0178] Example 8:

[0179] See Figure 9 As shown, based on the core network access method for enhanced LTE base stations provided in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 8 of the present invention provides an apparatus for an enhanced LTE base station to select the core network for a UE to access. This apparatus includes a connection module 91, a selection module 92, a receiving module 93, and a transmitting module 94, wherein...

[0180] Connection module: used to establish a radio resource control connection with the UE; Selection module: used to select the core network corresponding to the UE according to preset principles; Receiving module: used to receive the response message sent by the corresponding core network; Sending module: used to send radio resource control configuration messages to the UE to configure or reconfigure the user screen of the UE.

[0181] In the solution of the present invention, the specific functional implementation of each module in the core network access device based on the enhanced LTE base station provided in Embodiment 8 can refer to the specific steps of the core network access method based on the enhanced LTE base station provided in Embodiment 1, and will not be described in detail here.

[0182] Example 9:

[0183] See Figure 10 As shown, based on the method for establishing a UE auxiliary base station based on an enhanced LTE base station provided in Embodiments 2, 3, and 4, Embodiment 9 of the present invention provides an apparatus for establishing a UE auxiliary base station based on an enhanced LTE base station. This apparatus includes a first transmitting module 101, a first receiving module 102, a second transmitting module 103, a second receiving module 104, and a third transmitting module 105.

[0184] First sending module: used to send an auxiliary base station addition request message to the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface; First receiving module: used to receive an auxiliary base station addition response message sent by the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface, carrying the configuration information of the auxiliary base station for the UE; Second sending module: used to send a radio resource control message carrying the configuration information of the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface for the UE to the UE; Second receiving module: used to receive a radio resource control message sent by the UE after successfully configuring the new configuration information; Third sending module: used to send a response message to the auxiliary base station of the X2 interface.

[0185] In the invention, the specific functional implementation of each module in the apparatus for establishing a UE auxiliary base station based on an enhanced LTE base station provided in Embodiment 9 can be referred to the specific steps of the method for establishing a UE auxiliary base station based on an enhanced LTE base station provided in Embodiments 2, 3 and 4, which will not be described in detail here.

[0186] Example 10:

[0187] See Figure 11 As shown, based on the methods for establishing an enhanced horizontal interface between an LTE base station and a neighboring base station provided in Embodiments 5 and 6, Embodiment 10 of the present invention provides an apparatus for establishing an enhanced horizontal interface between an LTE base station and a neighboring base station. This apparatus includes a transmitting module 111 and a receiving module 112, wherein...

[0188] In the present invention, the specific functional implementation of each module in the apparatus for establishing a horizontal interface between an enhanced LTE base station and a neighboring base station provided in Embodiment 10 can be referred to the specific steps of the method for establishing a horizontal interface between an enhanced LTE base station and a neighboring base station provided in Embodiments 5 and 6, and will not be described in detail here.

[0189] Example 11:

[0190] See Figure 12 As shown, based on the UE configuration protocol notification method based on enhanced LTE base stations provided in Embodiment 7, Embodiment 11 of the present invention provides a UE configuration protocol notification device based on enhanced LTE base stations. This device includes a sending module 121 and a receiving module 122, wherein...

[0191] In the solution of the present invention, the specific functional implementation of each module in the UE configuration protocol notification device based on the enhanced LTE base station provided in Embodiment 11 can refer to the specific steps of the UE configuration protocol notification method based on the enhanced LTE base station provided in Embodiment 7, and will not be described in detail here.

[0192] The above description is only a partial embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for execution by a user equipment (UE), characterized in that, include: The UE obtains the fifth-generation core network (5GC) connection information of the adjacent cell from the second base station where the adjacent cell is located, wherein the UE has the ability to access Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and the 5GC; Generate a measurement report that includes measurement results from neighboring cells, the measurement results of which include information on the 5GC connectivity of the neighboring cells; The measurement report is sent to the first base station, and the measurement report includes the measurement results of the neighboring cells.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connection information of the 5GC of the adjacent cell is broadcast by the second base station.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive information indicating the type of core network connected to the first base station; When the first base station is simultaneously connected to both the first type of core network and the second type of core network, the core network type is selected for the UE based on the information. Based on the core network type selected for the UE, non-access stratum messages are sent to the first type of core network or the second type of core network via the first base station; The first base station operates according to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system. The first type of core network corresponds to the Evolved Packet Core Network (EPC), and the second type of core network corresponds to the fifth-generation core network (5GC).

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The information is included in the broadcast information from the first base station.

5. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The sending of the non-access stratum message includes: When the first type of core network is selected as the UE's core network type, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message carrying non-access stratum information corresponding to the first type of core network is sent to the first base station, and... When the second type of core network is selected as the core network type of the UE, an RRC message carrying the non-access stratum message corresponding to the second type of core network is sent to the first base station.

6. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In response to the information on the 5GC connection of the neighboring cells included in the measurement report, the Xn interface is established between the first base station and the second base station.

7. A method executed by a first base station, characterized in that, include: Receive a measurement report sent by a user equipment (UE), the measurement report including measurement results of neighboring cells; The measurement results of the neighboring cells include information on the connection of the fifth generation core network 5GC of the neighboring cells. The connection information of the 5GC of the neighboring cells is obtained from the second base station where the neighboring cells are located. The UE has the ability to access Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and the 5GC.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Information about the connection of the 5GC of the adjacent cell is included in the broadcast information of the second base station.

9. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: Send an Xn interface establishment request message to the second base station, the Xn interface establishment request message containing the identifier of the enhanced LTE base station and the cell information of the enhanced LTE base station; The system receives a response message from the second base station regarding the establishment of the Xn interface. The response message includes the identifier of the second base station and information about the cell on the second base station.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The request or response message established by the Xn interface also includes indication information as to whether the cell or enhanced LTE base station is connected to the 5G core network, or whether it supports other interfaces.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7-10, characterized in that, The second base station can be any of the following types: Regular LTE base stations, enhanced LTE base stations, and 5G base stations.

12. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: Send information to the UE indicating the type of core network connected to the first base station; The UE receives a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, the RRC message carrying a non-access stratum message generated based on the information and corresponding to the core network type of the UE; When the non-access stratum message is intended for a first type of core network, the non-access stratum message is sent to the first type of core network. When the non-access stratum message is intended for a second type of core network, the non-access stratum message is sent to the second type of core network. The first base station operates according to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system. The first type of core network corresponds to the Evolved Packet Core Network (EPC), and the second type of core network corresponds to the fifth-generation core network (5GC).

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The information is included in the broadcast information of the first base station.

14. A user equipment (UE) in a communication system, characterized in that, include: transceiver; and The controller is configured to: The UE obtains the fifth-generation core network (5GC) connection information of the adjacent cell from the second base station where the adjacent cell is located, wherein the UE has the ability to access Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and the 5GC; Generate a measurement report that includes measurement results from neighboring cells, the measurement results of which include information on the 5GC connectivity of the neighboring cells; The measurement report is sent to the first base station, and the measurement report includes the measurement results of the neighboring cells.

15. The UE as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The connection information of the 5GC of the adjacent cell is broadcast by the second base station.

16. The UE as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to: Receive information indicating the type of core network connected to the first base station; When the first base station is simultaneously connected to both the first type of core network and the second type of core network, the core network type is selected for the UE based on the information. Based on the core network type selected for the UE, non-access stratum messages are sent to the first type of core network or the second type of core network via the first base station; The first base station operates according to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system. The first type of core network corresponds to the Evolved Packet Core Network (EPC), and the second type of core network corresponds to the fifth-generation core network (5GC).

17. The UE as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The information is included in the broadcast information from the first base station.

18. The UE as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The sending of the non-access stratum message includes: When the first type of core network is selected as the UE's core network type, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message carrying non-access stratum information corresponding to the first type of core network is sent to the first base station, and... When the second type of core network is selected as the core network type of the UE, an RRC message carrying the non-access stratum message corresponding to the second type of core network is sent to the first base station.

19. The UE as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that, In response to the information on the 5GC connection of the neighboring cells included in the measurement report, the Xn interface is established between the first base station and the second base station.

20. A first base station in a communication system, characterized in that, include: transceiver; and The controller is configured to: Receive a measurement report sent by a user equipment (UE), the measurement report including measurement results of neighboring cells; The measurement results of the neighboring cells include information on the connection of the fifth generation core network 5GC of the neighboring cells. The connection information of the 5GC of the neighboring cells is obtained from the second base station where the neighboring cells are located. The UE has the ability to access Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and the 5GC.

21. The first base station according to claim 20, characterized in that, Information about the connection of the 5GC of the adjacent cell is included in the broadcast information of the second base station.

22. The first base station according to claim 20, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to: Send an Xn interface establishment request message to the second base station, the Xn interface establishment request message containing the identifier of the enhanced LTE base station and the cell information of the enhanced LTE base station; The system receives a response message from the second base station regarding the establishment of the Xn interface. The response message includes the identifier of the second base station and information about the cell on the second base station.

23. The first base station according to claim 22, characterized in that, The request or response message established by the Xn interface also includes indication information as to whether the cell or enhanced LTE base station is connected to the 5G core network, or whether it supports other interfaces.

24. The first base station according to any one of claims 20-23, characterized in that, The second base station can be any of the following types: Regular LTE base stations, enhanced LTE base stations, and 5G base stations.

25. The first base station according to claim 20, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to: Send information to the UE indicating the type of core network connected to the first base station; The UE receives a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, the RRC message carrying a non-access stratum message generated based on the information and corresponding to the core network type of the UE; When the non-access stratum message is intended for a first type of core network, the non-access stratum message is sent to the first type of core network. When the non-access stratum message is intended for a second type of core network, the non-access stratum message is sent to the second type of core network. The first base station operates according to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system. The first type of core network corresponds to the Evolved Packet Core Network (EPC), and the second type of core network corresponds to the fifth-generation core network (5GC).

26. The first base station according to claim 25, characterized in that, The information is included in the broadcast information of the first base station.

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