A voice service switching method and device, a base station, and a storage medium

Abstract

This invention provides a method, apparatus, base station, and computer-readable storage medium for handover of voice services, belonging to the field of communication technology. The method includes: receiving a handover request from a terminal, the terminal currently performing a voice service based on Voice over New Radio (VoNR); determining whether the terminal supports VoNR based on the handover request; rejecting the handover request in response to not supporting VoNR, and sending the handover request to a 4G neighboring cell, so that the terminal establishes a voice service based on Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) in the 4G neighboring cell. This invention at least solves the problem in related technologies where handover between a 5G NR station supporting VoNR and a 5G NR station not supporting VoNR leads to the interruption of VoNR voice services, and is suitable for 5G cell handover and voice handover scenarios.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, base station, and computer-readable storage medium for switching voice services. Background Technology

[0002] VoNR (Voice over New Radio) is the target voice solution for 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology) networks.

[0003] However, in the early stages of VoNR voice service deployment, there are 5G NR stations that support VoNR and 5G NR (New Radio) stations that do not support VoNR. Switching between these two types of NR stations will cause VoNR voice service interruptions, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to address the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art by providing a method, apparatus, base station and computer-readable storage medium for switching voice services, so as to at least solve the problem in the related art that switching between a 5G NR station that supports VoNR and a 5G NR station that does not support VoNR will cause the interruption of VoNR voice services.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for switching voice services, applied to a base station, comprising: receiving a switching request sent by a terminal, the terminal being engaged in a VoNR-based voice service; determining whether the terminal supports VoNR based on the switching request; and, in response to not supporting VoNR, sending the switching request to a 4G neighboring cell so that the terminal can establish a VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)-based voice service in the 4G neighboring cell.

[0006] Preferably, after responding to the fact that it does not support VoNR, and before sending the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell, the voice service handover method further includes: rejecting the handover request. Preferably, the handover request includes a same-frequency handover requirement.

[0007] Preferably, after determining whether it supports VoNR based on the handover request, the method further includes: in response to supporting VoNR, receiving the handover request and completing the cell handover.

[0008] Preferably, rejecting the handover request specifically includes: sending a rejection message to the terminal so that the terminal does not resend the handover request, wherein the rejection message includes a rejection notification and a suggestion that the handover request does not need to be resent.

[0009] Preferably, sending the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell specifically includes: sending the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell within a preset time period after the terminal sends the current voice data packet and before the next voice data packet arrives.

[0010] Secondly, the present invention also provides a voice service handover device, comprising: a receiving module for receiving a handover request sent by a terminal, the terminal being used for VoNR-based voice service; a decision module connected to the receiving module for determining whether the terminal supports VoNR based on the handover request; and a processing module connected to the decision module for sending the handover request to a 4G neighboring cell in response to the terminal not supporting VoNR, so that the terminal can establish a VoLTE-based voice service in the 4G neighboring cell.

[0011] Preferably, the switching request includes a same-frequency switching requirement.

[0012] Preferably, the processing module is further configured to receive the handover request and complete the cell handover in response to its own VoNR support.

[0013] Preferably, the processing module includes a rejection unit. The rejection unit is used to send rejection information to the terminal so that the terminal does not resend the handover request. The rejection information includes a rejection notification and a suggestion that the handover request does not need to be resent.

[0014] Preferably, the processing module includes a forwarding unit. The forwarding unit is used to send the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell within a preset time period after the terminal sends the current voice data packet and before the next voice data packet arrives.

[0015] Thirdly, the present invention also provides a base station, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program and the processor is configured to run the computer program to implement the voice service switching method as described in the first aspect.

[0016] Fourthly, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the voice service switching method as described in the first aspect.

[0017] The voice service handover method, apparatus, base station, and computer-readable storage medium provided by this invention determine whether to receive the terminal's handover request or forward it to a 4G neighboring cell before the handover. When the base station does not support VoNR, it promptly forwards the terminal's handover request to a 4G neighboring cell, enabling the terminal to establish a VoLTE-based voice service on the 4G neighboring cell. This allows the terminal's VoNR call to quickly switch to a VoLTE call, ensuring successful continuation of the terminal's voice service and preventing VoNR voice service interruption. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a voice service switching method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a voice service switching device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base station according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] It is understood that the specific embodiments and accompanying drawings described herein are merely for explaining the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0023] It is understood that, without conflict, the various embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0024] It is understood that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, while the parts unrelated to the present invention are not shown in the drawings.

[0025] It is understood that each unit or module involved in the embodiments of the present invention may correspond to only one entity structure, or may be composed of multiple entity structures, or multiple units or modules may be integrated into one entity structure.

[0026] It is understood that, without conflict, the functions and steps marked in the flowcharts and block diagrams of this invention may occur in a different order than that marked in the accompanying drawings.

[0027] It is understood that the flowcharts and block diagrams of this invention illustrate the possible architecture, functions, and operations of systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods according to various embodiments of this invention. Each block in the flowchart or block diagram may represent a unit, module, program segment, or code, containing executable instructions for implementing the specified function. Furthermore, each block or combination of blocks in the block diagram and flowchart can be implemented using a hardware-based system to achieve the specified function, or using a combination of hardware and computer instructions.

[0028] It is understood that the units and modules involved in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by software or by hardware. For example, the units and modules can be located in a processor.

[0029] Example 1:

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a method for switching voice services, applied to a base station, the method including:

[0031] Step 101: Receive a handover request sent by a terminal that is currently performing a VoNR-based voice service.

[0032] In this embodiment, the base station refers to a 5G base station or other base stations that may or may not support VoNR. The handover request includes a terminal identifier. The terminal is conducting a VoNR-based voice service. For example, the terminal initiates a voice service in an NR cell that supports VoNR and moves to an NR cell that does not support VoNR. At this time, because the 5G signal is always in good condition, the terminal cannot initiate measurements of the 4G network, thus preventing the call from switching from VoNR to VoLTE. In this embodiment, the NR cell that supports VoNR is referred to as the first cell, and the NR cell that does not support VoNR is referred to as the second cell. That is, when the terminal moves from the first cell to the second cell, the terminal sends a handover request to the second cell. The base station learns that the terminal is conducting a VoNR-based voice service in the following ways: the handover request includes information indicating that the terminal is conducting a VoNR-based voice service, or the base station obtains information from the base station to which the first cell belongs that the terminal is conducting a VoNR-based voice service (such as a 5QI1 service), or the base station obtains information from the core network that the terminal is conducting a VoNR-based voice service.

[0033] Optionally, the switching request may include a same-frequency switching requirement.

[0034] Step 102: Determine whether the device supports VoNR based on the switching request.

[0035] In this embodiment, since the terminal is conducting VoNR-based voice services, the base station needs to determine whether it supports VoNR to avoid the problem of interruption of the terminal's voice service when the terminal switches over and the base station cannot support VoNR.

[0036] Step 103: In response to the fact that it does not support VoNR, the terminal sends the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell so that the terminal can establish a VoLTE-based voice service on the 4G neighboring cell.

[0037] In this embodiment, when the second cell knows that it does not support VoNR, it promptly sends the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell upon detecting a handover request from the terminal. Since the base station equipment that does not support VoNR and the base station equipment in the 4G neighboring cell are from the same radio equipment vendor (i.e., the same manufacturer), the data formats between the base stations are the same, thus providing a basis for communication. Therefore, the base station (or the second cell) that does not support VoNR acts as a relay node, sending the terminal's handover request to the 4G neighboring cell, enabling the terminal to establish a VoLTE-based voice service in the 4G neighboring cell and ensuring seamless call continuity.

[0038] Optionally, in response to its own lack of support for VoNR and before sending the handover request to a 4G neighboring cell, the voice service handover method further includes: rejecting the handover request.

[0039] Specifically, rejecting the handover request includes sending a rejection message to the terminal so that the terminal does not resend the handover request. The rejection message includes a rejection notification and a suggestion that the handover request does not need to be resent.

[0040] Typically, after receiving a handover rejection message, the terminal will initiate a second handover request. To avoid wasting signaling resources, the rejection message in this embodiment includes a suggestion that the handover request does not need to be retransmitted, so that the terminal does not retransmit the handover request and waits for subsequent scheduling by the base station. Optionally, rejecting the handover request specifically includes ignoring the handover request, that is, the base station does not feed back relevant information to the terminal, and subsequently, as a relay node, only sends the handover request to the 4G neighboring cells.

[0041] Optionally, after determining whether it supports VoNR based on the handover request, the voice service handover method further includes: in response to supporting VoNR, receiving the handover request and completing the cell handover.

[0042] In this embodiment, when the base station (or the second cell) supports VoNR, it receives the handover request and completes the cell handover so that the terminal can continue the VoNR-based voice service on the second cell.

[0043] Optionally, sending the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell specifically includes: sending the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell within a preset time period after the terminal sends the current voice data packet and before the next voice data packet arrives.

[0044] In this embodiment, the preset duration can be set to 20 milliseconds. Cell handover is completed within the time interval between two voice data packets on the terminal, thereby ensuring seamless continuity during voice service handover and improving user experience.

[0045] The voice service handover method in this embodiment determines whether to receive the terminal's handover request or forward it to a 4G neighboring cell before the handover begins. When the base station does not support VoNR, it promptly forwards the terminal's handover request to a 4G neighboring cell, enabling the terminal to establish a VoLTE-based voice service on the 4G neighboring cell. This allows the terminal's VoNR call to quickly switch to a VoLTE call, ensuring successful voice service continuity and preventing VoNR voice service interruption. Furthermore, to avoid wasting signaling resources, the rejection information in this embodiment includes a suggestion not to retransmit the handover request, preventing the terminal from retransmitting the request and allowing it to wait for subsequent scheduling by the base station. Further, within the interval between two voice data packets from the terminal, the base station currently not supporting VoNR acts as a relay node, forwarding the terminal's handover request to a 4G neighboring cell to complete the cell handover, ensuring seamless voice service handover and improving user experience.

[0046] Example 2:

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a voice service switching device, including:

[0048] The receiving module 21 is used to receive a handover request sent by a terminal that is performing a VoNR-based voice service.

[0049] The decision module 22, connected to the receiving module 21, is used to determine whether it supports VoNR based on the handover request. The handover request includes information indicating that the terminal is performing a VoNR-based voice service, or information obtained from the base station of the first cell indicating that the terminal is performing a VoNR-based voice service (such as 5QI1 service), or information obtained from the core network indicating that the terminal is performing a VoNR-based voice service.

[0050] The processing module 23, connected to the decision module 22, is used to send the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell in response to its own lack of support for VoNR, so that the terminal can establish a VoLTE-based voice service in the 4G neighboring cell.

[0051] Optionally, the processing module includes a rejection unit, which is used to reject the terminal's handover request in response to the fact that it does not support VoNR.

[0052] Optionally, the switching request may include a same-frequency switching requirement.

[0053] Optionally, the processing module is also configured to receive the handover request and complete the cell handover in response to its own support for VoNR.

[0054] Specifically, the rejection unit is used to send rejection information to the terminal so that the terminal does not resend the handover request. The rejection information includes a rejection notification and a suggestion that the handover request does not need to be resent.

[0055] Optionally, the processing module includes a forwarding unit. The forwarding unit is used to send the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell within a preset time period after the terminal sends the current voice data packet and before the next voice data packet arrives.

[0056] Example 3:

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a base station, including a memory 31 and a processor 32. The memory 31 stores a computer program, and the processor 32 is configured to run the computer program to implement the voice service switching method as described in Embodiment 1.

[0058] Example 4:

[0059] This embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon. When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the voice service switching method as described in Embodiment 1.

[0060] The voice service handover device of Embodiment 2, the base station of Embodiment 3, and the computer-readable storage medium of Embodiment 4 are used for the base station to make a decision in advance before handover to determine whether to receive the terminal's handover request or forward the terminal's handover request to a 4G neighboring cell. When it does not support VoNR, it promptly forwards the terminal's handover request to a 4G neighboring cell, enabling the terminal to establish a VoLTE-based voice service on the 4G neighboring cell. This allows the terminal's VoNR call to quickly switch to a VoLTE call, ensuring successful continuation of the terminal's voice service and avoiding interruption of the terminal's VoNR voice service. Furthermore, to avoid wasting signaling resources, the rejection information in this embodiment includes a suggestion not to retransmit the handover request, so that the terminal does not retransmit the handover request and waits for subsequent scheduling by the base station. Further, within the time interval between two voice data packets of the terminal, the base station currently not supporting VoNR acts as a relay node to forward the terminal's handover request to a 4G neighboring cell, thereby completing the cell handover, ensuring seamless continuation during voice service handover, and improving the user experience.

[0061] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary implementations used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for switching voice services, characterized in that, Applied to a base station, the method includes: The receiving terminal sends a handover request, and the terminal is currently performing voice services based on Voice over New Radio (VoNR). Determine whether it supports VoNR based on the switching request; Since it does not support VoNR, it acts as a relay node to forward the handover request to a 4G neighboring cell, so that the terminal can establish a voice service based on VoLTE on the LTE-enabled Voice Bearer in the 4G neighboring cell.

2. The voice service switching method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After responding to the fact that it does not support VoNR, and before forwarding the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell as a relay node, the method also includes: The switching request was rejected.

3. The voice service switching method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handover request includes a requirement for same-frequency handover. After determining whether it supports VoNR based on the handover request, the method further includes: in response to supporting VoNR, receiving the handover request and completing the cell handover.

4. The voice service switching method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Rejecting the handover request specifically includes: A rejection message is sent to the terminal so that the terminal does not resend the handover request. The rejection message includes a rejection notification and a suggestion that the handover request does not need to be resent.

5. The method for switching voice services according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Forwarding the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell specifically includes: After the terminal sends the current voice data packet, and within a preset time before the next voice data packet arrives, the handover request is forwarded to the 4G neighboring cell.

6. A voice service switching device, characterized in that, include: The receiving module is used to receive a handover request sent by a terminal that is currently performing a VoNR-based voice service. The decision module, connected to the receiving module, is used to determine whether it supports VoNR based on the handover request. The processing module, connected to the decision module, is used to forward the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell as a relay node in response to its own lack of VoNR support, so that the terminal can establish a VoLTE-based voice service on the 4G neighboring cell.

7. The voice service switching device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The handover request includes a requirement for same-frequency handover. The processing module is also used to receive the handover request and complete the cell handover in response to its own support for VoNR.

8. The voice service switching device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The processing module includes a rejection unit. The rejection unit is used to send rejection information to the terminal so that the terminal does not resend the handover request. The rejection information includes a rejection notification and a suggestion that the handover request does not need to be resent.

9. The voice service switching device according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The processing module includes a forwarding unit. The forwarding unit is used to forward the handover request to the 4G neighboring cell within a preset time period after the terminal sends the current voice data packet and before the next voice data packet arrives.

10. A base station, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program and the processor is configured to run the computer program to implement the voice service switching method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

11. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the voice service switching method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

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