Network fallback method, apparatus, base station, medium, and product

Abstract

This application discloses a network fallback method, apparatus, base station, medium, and product. The network fallback method applied to a base station in a first network includes: receiving a voice call request from a terminal; and, in response to the voice call request, prohibiting the transmission of a first message to the terminal if the base station determines, based on its own capabilities, that it is not necessary to send a first message to the terminal, thereby causing the terminal to fall back to a second network and perform voice services under the second network. The first message is used to instruct the terminal to perform voice services under the first network. According to embodiments of this application, network resource consumption can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, and in particular relates to a network fallback method, apparatus, base station, medium and product. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, there are two main ways to implement voice services based on stand-alone (SA) 5G networks (hereinafter referred to as 5G SA networks). One way is VoNR, which means that the voice service is carried entirely by the 5G SA network (i.e., VoNR). The other way is EPS Fallback, which means that during a voice call, the terminal falls back to the 4G network and uses the 4G network VoLTE to carry the voice service. After the call ends, the terminal returns to the 5G SA network.

[0003] However, during the process of the terminal falling back to the 4G network, the terminal needs to send a network fallback instruction to the 5G base station, and the 5G base station needs to initiate a handover or redirection. This process consumes a lot of network resources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a network fallback method, apparatus, base station, medium, and product that can reduce network resource consumption.

[0005] On one hand, embodiments of this application provide a network fallback method applied to a base station of a first network. The network fallback method includes:

[0006] Receive a voice call request sent by the terminal;

[0007] In response to a voice call request, if the system determines that it does not need to send a first message to the terminal based on its own capabilities, it prohibits sending a first message to the terminal, so that the terminal falls back to the second network and performs voice services under the second network. The first message is used to instruct the terminal to perform voice services under the first network.

[0008] On the other hand, embodiments of this application provide a network fallback device applied to a base station of a first network. The network fallback device includes:

[0009] The receiving module is used to receive voice call requests sent by the terminal;

[0010] The blocking module is used to respond to a voice call request and, if it determines that it is not necessary to send the first message to the terminal based on its own capabilities, block the sending of the first message to the terminal, so that the terminal falls back to the second network and performs voice services under the second network. The first message is used to instruct the terminal to perform voice services under the first network.

[0011] In another aspect, embodiments of this application provide a base station, including: a processor and a memory storing computer program instructions; the processor executes the computer program instructions to implement the network fallback method provided in embodiments of this application.

[0012] In another aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer storage medium on which computer program instructions are stored. When the computer program instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps of the network fallback method provided in embodiments of this application.

[0013] In another aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product in which instructions, when executed by the processor of a base station, cause the base station to perform the steps of the network fallback method provided in embodiments of this application.

[0014] In this embodiment, after receiving a voice call request from a terminal, the base station applied to the first network, if determining based on its own capabilities that it does not need to send a first message instructing the terminal to perform voice services under the first network, prohibits sending the first message to the terminal, thereby causing the terminal to fall back to the second network and perform voice services under the second network. This eliminates the need for the terminal to send a network fallback instruction to the base station, and the base station does not need to initiate a handover or redirection. The terminal automatically falls back to the second network without receiving the aforementioned first message, thus reducing network resource consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the network fallback method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall network fallback process provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the network fallback device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of the base station provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of this application will be described in detail below. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only intended to explain this application and not to limit it. For those skilled in the art, this application can be implemented without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely to provide a better understanding of this application by illustrating examples.

[0021] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0022] The network fallback method, apparatus, base station, medium, and product provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the network fallback method provided in an embodiment of this application. This application Figure 1 The network fallback method of the illustrated embodiment is preferably applied to the base station of the first network. For example... Figure 1 As shown, network fallback methods can include:

[0024] S101: Receive a voice call request sent by the terminal;

[0025] S102: In response to a voice call request, if it is determined based on its own capabilities that it is not necessary to send the first message to the terminal, the sending of the first message to the terminal is prohibited, so that the terminal falls back to the second network and performs voice services under the second network. The first message is used to instruct the terminal to perform voice services under the first network.

[0026] In this embodiment, after receiving a voice call request from a terminal, the base station applied to the first network, if determining based on its own capabilities that it does not need to send a first message instructing the terminal to perform voice services under the first network, prohibits sending the first message to the terminal, thereby causing the terminal to fall back to the second network and perform voice services under the second network. This eliminates the need for the terminal to send a network fallback instruction to the base station, and the base station does not need to initiate a handover or redirection. The terminal automatically falls back to the second network without receiving the aforementioned first message, thus reducing network resource consumption.

[0027] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the first network can be a 5G SA network and the second network can be a 4G network.

[0028] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the first message may be: a session management (SM) message (information) between the terminal and the access and mobility management functions (AMF), i.e., N1 SM information.

[0029] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, in S102, determining that it is not necessary to send the first message to the terminal based on its own capabilities may include: determining that it does not support voice services based on its own capabilities, indicating that it is not necessary to send the first message to the terminal.

[0030] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, when the base station does not have the capability to support voice services (e.g., the VoNR switch is turned off), the base station determines that it does not support voice services.

[0031] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the network fallback method provided in the embodiments of this application may further include: upon receiving a radio resource request message sent by the AMF for establishing radio resources to carry voice services, sending a response message to the AMF for refusing to establish radio resources to carry voice services, so as to prevent the AMF from sending the first message to the base station.

[0032] When the base station sends a response message to the AMF to refuse to establish radio resources to carry voice services, no radio resources to carry voice services will be established. Since no radio resources to carry voice services are established, the AMF cannot send the first message to the base station. The base station will not receive the first message sent by the AMF, and therefore the base station will not send the first message to the terminal.

[0033] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the radio resource request message used to establish a voice service can be: a protocol data unit session resource modification request message, i.e., a PDU session resource modification request message.

[0034] The response message used to refuse to establish radio resources carrying the voice service can be a Protocol Data Unit Session Resource Modification Response message, i.e., a PDU Session Resource Modification Response message. The reason for refusing to establish radio resources carrying the voice service is that the IP Multimedia Subsystem Voice Global Two-Way Network Paging System fallback or Radio Access Type fallback (IMS voice EPS fallback or RAT fallback triggered) has been triggered.

[0035] The following examples illustrate the network fallback process. Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall network fallback process provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0036] First, terminal A sends a voice call request to the base station of the 5G SA network. The Policy Control Function (PCF) notifies the Session Management Function (SMF) through the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message to establish a QoS flow of 5QI=1 for terminal A.

[0037] SMF responds to the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify message sent by PCF via the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify response message.

[0038] SMF requests AMF to assign a Bearer Identity (EBI) to terminal A via the Namf_Communication_EBIAssignment_Request message.

[0039] AMF responds to the Namf_Communication_EBIAssignment_Request message sent by SMF via the Namf_Communication_EBIAssignment_Response message.

[0040] SMF invokes AMF's Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer service via the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer Request message, which includes N1SM information.

[0041] AMF responds to the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer Request message via the Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer Response message.

[0042] AMF sends a PDU Session Resource Modification Request message to the base station of the 5G SA network to request the establishment of radio resources to carry the voice service of terminal A.

[0043] The base station of the 5G SA network determines that it does not need to send N1 SM information to terminal A based on its own capabilities, and responds to the PDU Session Resource Modification Request message through the PDU Session Resource Modification Response message. The PDU Session Resource Modification Response message includes the rejection reason value IMS voice EPS fallback or RAT fallback triggered.

[0044] The AMF invokes the SMF's Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext service via the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message, which includes a PDU Session Resource Modification Response message. Based on the rejection reason value, the SMF decides not to report the radio resource reservation failure to the PCF, but instead waits for the terminal fallback to complete.

[0045] The SMF responds to the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message via the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response message, and decides not to report the radio resource reservation failure to the PCF based on the rejection reason value, waiting for the terminal to complete the fallback.

[0046] If the terminal does not receive N1 SM information from the 5G SA network base station, it will fall back to the 4G network to perform voice services.

[0047] In some possible implementations of this application, when the base station of the 5G SA network determines that it needs to send N1 SM information to terminal A based on its own capabilities, it responds to the PDU Session Resource Modification Request message through the PDU Session Resource Modification Response message. The PDU Session Resource Modification Response message does not include IMS voice EPS fallback or RAT fallbacktriggered. The AMF establishes radio resources to carry the voice service of terminal A, and then sends N1 SM information to the base station of the 5G SA network through the radio resources. The base station of the 5G SA network sends the N1 SM information to terminal A. After receiving the N1 SM information, terminal A performs voice service through the 5G network.

[0048] Corresponding to the above method embodiments, this application also provides a network fallback device. The network fallback device of this application embodiment is preferably applied to a base station of a first network. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the network fallback device 300 may include:

[0049] The receiving module 301 is used to receive voice call requests sent by the terminal;

[0050] The blocking module 302 is used to respond to a voice call request and, if it determines that it is not necessary to send the first message to the terminal based on its own capabilities, block the sending of the first message to the terminal, so that the terminal falls back to the second network and performs voice services under the second network. The first message is used to instruct the terminal to perform voice services under the first network.

[0051] In this embodiment, after receiving a voice call request from a terminal, the base station applied to the first network, if determining based on its own capabilities that it does not need to send a first message instructing the terminal to perform voice services under the first network, prohibits sending the first message to the terminal, thereby causing the terminal to fall back to the second network and perform voice services under the second network. This eliminates the need for the terminal to send a network fallback instruction to the base station, and the base station does not need to initiate a handover or redirection. The terminal automatically falls back to the second network without receiving the aforementioned first message, thus reducing network resource consumption.

[0052] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the prohibition module 302 is specifically used for:

[0053] If a user determines that it does not support voice services based on its own capabilities, it is prohibited from sending the first message to the terminal.

[0054] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the network fallback device 300 of the embodiments of this application further includes:

[0055] The sending module is configured to send a response message to the AMF to refuse to establish radio resources for carrying voice services upon receiving a radio resource request message sent by the AMF for establishing radio resources for carrying voice services, thereby preventing the AMF from sending the first message to the base station.

[0056] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the radio resource request message used to establish a voice service can be: a PDU Session Resource Modification Request message;

[0057] The response message used to refuse to establish radio resources to carry voice services can be: PDU SessionResource Modification Response message. The reason for refusing to establish radio resources to carry voice services is IMS voice EPSfallback or RAT fallback triggered.

[0058] In some possible implementations of the embodiments of this application, the first message may be: N1 SM information.

[0059] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a base station provided in an embodiment of this application. The base station may include a processor 401 and a memory 402 storing computer program instructions.

[0060] Specifically, the processor 401 may include a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits that can be configured to implement the embodiments of this application.

[0061] Memory 402 may include mass storage for data or instructions. For example, and not limitingly, memory 402 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), floppy disk drive, flash memory, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, or a combination of two or more of these. Where appropriate, memory 402 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media. Where appropriate, memory 402 may be internal or external to base station equipment. In a particular embodiment, memory 402 is non-volatile solid-state memory.

[0062] Memory may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk storage media devices, optical storage media devices, flash memory devices, and electrical, optical, or other physical / tangible memory storage devices. Therefore, typically, memory includes one or more tangible (non-transitory) computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory devices) encoded with software including computer-executable instructions, and when the software is executed (e.g., by one or more processors), it is operable to perform the operations described with reference to the network fallback method provided according to embodiments of this application.

[0063] The processor 401 implements the network fallback method described in the above embodiments by reading and executing computer program instructions stored in the memory 402.

[0064] In one example, the base station may also include a communication interface 403 and a bus 410. For example, Figure 4 As shown, the processor 401, memory 402, and communication interface 403 are connected through bus 410 and complete communication with each other.

[0065] The communication interface 403 is mainly used to realize communication between various modules, devices, units and / or equipment in the embodiments of this application.

[0066] Bus 410 includes hardware, software, or both, that couples components of a base station device together. For example, and not limitingly, the bus may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Enhanced Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), HyperTransport (HT) interconnect, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an Infinite Bandwidth Interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Microchannel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCI-X) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a Video Electronics Standards Association Local (VLB) bus, or other suitable buses, or combinations of two or more of these. Where appropriate, bus 410 may include one or more buses. Although specific buses are described and illustrated in embodiments of this application, any suitable bus or interconnect is contemplated herein.

[0067] The base station can execute the network fallback method provided in the embodiments of this application based on its own capabilities, thereby achieving a combination of Figures 1 to 3 The network fallback method and apparatus are described.

[0068] In addition, in conjunction with the network fallback method in the above embodiments, this application embodiment can provide a computer storage medium for implementation. The computer storage medium stores computer program instructions; when these computer program instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the network fallback method provided in this application embodiment.

[0069] This application also provides a computer program product. When the instructions in the computer program product are executed by the processor of the base station, the base station executes the various processes of the network fallback method embodiment provided in this application and achieves the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0070] It should be clarified that this application is not limited to the specific configurations and processes described above and shown in the figures. For the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of known methods are omitted here. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method process of this application is not limited to the specific steps described and shown. Those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications, and additions, or change the order of steps, after understanding the spirit of this application.

[0071] The functional blocks shown in the above-described structural diagram can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, they can be, for example, electronic circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), appropriate firmware, plug-ins, function cards, etc. When implemented in software, the elements of this application are programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. Programs or code segments can be stored on a machine-readable medium or transmitted over a transmission medium or communication link via data signals carried on a carrier wave. "Machine-readable medium" can include any medium capable of storing or transmitting information. Examples of machine-readable media include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, radio frequency (RF) links, etc. Code segments can be downloaded via computer networks such as the Internet, intranets, etc.

[0072] It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this application describe methods or systems based on a series of steps or apparatus. However, this application is not limited to the order of the above steps; that is, the steps can be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, or in a different order, or several steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0073] The aspects of this application have been described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It should be understood that each block in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine such that these instructions, executable via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, enable the implementation of the functions / actions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Such a processor can be, but is not limited to, a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a special application processor, or a field-programmable logic circuit. It is also understood that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can also be implemented by dedicated hardware performing the specified functions or actions, or can be implemented by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0074] The above description is merely a specific implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, modules, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A network fallback method, characterized in that, The method, applied to a base station in a first network, includes: Receive a voice call request sent by the terminal; In response to the voice call request, if it is determined based on its own capabilities that it is not necessary to send the first message to the terminal, the sending of the first message to the terminal is prohibited, so that the terminal falls back to the second network and performs voice services under the second network. The first message is used to instruct the terminal to perform voice services under the first network. Upon receiving a request message from the Access and Mobility Management (AMI) function to establish radio resources for carrying voice services, the terminal sends a response message to the AMI function to refuse to establish radio resources for carrying the voice services. This prevents the AMI function from sending the first message to the base station, so that the terminal does not need to send a network fallback instruction to the base station, and the base station does not need to initiate a handover or redirection. If the terminal does not receive the first message, it automatically falls back to the second network.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining, based on its own capabilities, that it is not necessary to send the first message to the terminal includes: If a user determines that it does not support voice services based on its own capabilities, it means that it does not need to send the first message to the terminal.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radio resource request message used to establish a voice service carrier includes: Protocol Data Unit Session Resource Modification Request Message; The response message for refusing to establish the radio resources carrying the voice service includes: The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session Resource Modification Response Message includes a reason for refusing to establish the radio resource carrying the voice service, which is to trigger a fallback of the IP Multimedia Subsystem Voice Global Two-Way Network Paging System or a fallback of the Radio Access Type.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message includes: Terminal and access and mobility management functions interface session management messages.

5. A network fallback device, characterized in that, A base station applied to a first network, the device comprising: The receiving module is used to receive voice call requests sent by the terminal; The blocking module is used to respond to the voice call request and, if it determines based on its own capabilities that it is not necessary to send the first message to the terminal, block the sending of the first message to the terminal, so that the terminal falls back to the second network and performs voice services under the second network. The first message is used to instruct the terminal to perform voice services under the first network. The sending module is configured to, upon receiving a request message from the access and mobility management function for establishing radio resources to carry the voice service, send a response message to the access and mobility management function to refuse to establish radio resources to carry the voice service, thereby preventing the access and mobility management function from sending the first message to the base station. This ensures that the terminal does not need to send a network fallback instruction to the base station, and the base station does not need to initiate a handover or redirection. If the terminal does not receive the first message, it will automatically fall back to the second network.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The blocking module is specifically used for: If a user determines that it does not support voice services based on its own capabilities, it shall prohibit sending the first message to the terminal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The radio resource request message used to establish a voice service carrier includes: Protocol Data Unit Session Resource Modification Request Message; The response message for refusing to establish the radio resources carrying the voice service includes: The Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session Resource Modification Response Message includes a reason for refusing to establish the radio resource carrying the voice service, which is to trigger a fallback of the IP Multimedia Subsystem Voice Global Two-Way Network Paging System or a fallback of the Radio Access Type.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first message includes: Terminal and access and mobility management functions interface session management messages.

9. A base station, characterized in that, The base station includes: a processor and a memory storing computer program instructions; When the processor executes the computer program instructions, it implements the network fallback method as described in any one of claims 1-4.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the network fallback method as described in any one of claims 1-4.

11. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the instructions in the computer program product are executed by the processor of the base station, the base station performs the network fallback method as described in any one of claims 1-4.

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