Access network switching method and device, communication equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to an access network switching method and device, communication equipment, a storage medium and a computer program product. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a message transmission request sent by a session management function (SMF), wherein the message transmission request is used for indicating a multi-access PDU session to activate a user plane resource through a first access network; the message transmission request comprises switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session comprises a user plane resource of a first access network of a first access mode and a user plane resource of a second access network of a second access mode; and if the user terminal is not available in the first access network, activating the user plane resource through the second access network according to the switching indication information. By adopting the method, the switching duration of the access network can be reduced, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an access network switching method, apparatus, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product. Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technology, multi-access PDU (Protocol Data Unit) connection service has emerged, that is, by establishing a multi-access PDU session, user plane resources are available on two access networks (3GPP and non-3GPP). Among them, the ATSSS (Access Traffic Steering, Switching, Splitting) function is used to implement the multi-access PDU connection service. ATSSS contains 4 steering modes. The steering mode is used to determine the distribution method of SDF (Service Data Flow) traffic between 3GPP and non-3GPP access. Therefore, when the UE is not available in a certain access network, the access network can be switched based on the ATSSS rules.

[0003] During the data packet transmission process in the current access network, when the AMF determines that the UE is unavailable on an access network side, the AMF will send a UE unavailable notification message, and the (H-)SMF will trigger the N4 session modification procedure to indicate to the anchor UPF that the user resources on the access network are unavailable. And when the UE detects the unavailability / availability of an access method of an access network, the UE shall establish a PMF-Access report containing an access type and an indication of the unavailability / availability of the access type and send the PMF-Access report to the UPF through the user plane. The UPF shall confirm the PMF-Access measurement result report received from the UE. Furthermore, for the transmission of data packets, an access method (3GPP or non-3GPP) that meets the corresponding requirements of the mode is preferentially selected, and when the access method is unavailable, it will switch to another access method.

[0004] However, in the current access network switching method, when the UE is unavailable in a certain access network, it is necessary to wait for notifications between the AMF and SMF, between the SMF and UPF, and the PMF measurement results between the UE and UPF, which increases the access network switching time and leads to lower data transmission efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide an access network switching method, apparatus, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product. When the current access network is unavailable, the switching indication information carried in the message transmission request sent by the SMF can be used by the AMF to directly request the user terminal to reactivate the user plane resources through the access method of another access network to transmit user data packets, thereby reducing the access network switching time and improving data transmission efficiency.

[0006] An access network switching method, the method being applied to an access and mobility management function AMF, the method comprising:

[0007] receiving a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, the message transmission request being used to instruct a multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through a first access network; the message transmission request comprising switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session comprising user plane resources of a first access network of a first access mode, and user plane resources of a second access network of a second access mode;

[0008] If the user terminal is not available in the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first access network is a non-3GPP access network, the second access network is a 3GPP access network, and if the user terminal is not available in the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information includes:

[0010] If the user terminal is not available in the non-3GPP access network, activating user plane resources through the 3GPP access network according to the switching indication information.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, activating user plane resources through the 3GPP access network according to the handover indication information includes:

[0012] When the user terminal is in an idle state in the 3GPP access network, sending a paging message to the user terminal; the paging message is used to determine whether the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and the paging message includes an access type, and if the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, notifying the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network;

[0013] When the user terminal is in a connected state in the 3GPP access network, it is determined that the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and a non-access layer NAS message is sent to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first access network is a 3GPP access network, the second access network is a non-3GPP access network, and if the user terminal is not available in the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information includes:

[0015] If the user terminal is not available in the 3GPP access network, a non-access layer NAS notification message is sent to the user terminal according to the switching indication information; the NAS notification message is used to notify the user terminal to initiate reactivation of user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0016] An access network switching method is applied to a user terminal, and a user plane resource has an access mode of a first access network and a second access network, and the method includes:

[0017] If the second access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, a triggered service request process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network.

[0018] In one of the embodiments, the first access network is a non-3GPP access network, and the second access network is a 3GPP access network, and if the second access network is available, after receiving a paging message or a notification message sent by an access and mobility management function AMF, initiating a triggering service request process to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network, includes:

[0019] If the 3GPP access network is available, after receiving the paging message or notification message sent by AMF, a service request triggering process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0020] In one of the embodiments, the first access network is a 3GPP access network, and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network, and if the second access network is available, after receiving a notification message sent by an access and mobility management function AMF, initiating a triggering service request process to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network, includes:

[0021] If the non-3GPP access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by AMF, a service request triggering process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0022] An access network switching system, the system comprising: an access and mobility management function AMF, used to receive a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, the message transmission request is used to instruct a multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through a first access network; the message transmission request contains switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of a first access network of a first access mode, and user plane resources of a second access network of a second access mode; if a user terminal is not available in the first access network, activating the user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information;

[0023] The user terminal is used to initiate a UE Triggered Service Request terminal triggered service request process and activate user plane resources through the second access network.

[0024] An access network switching device, the device is applied to an access and mobility management function AMF, and the device comprises:

[0025] A receiving module, configured to receive a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, wherein the message transmission request is used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to reactivate user plane resources through the first access network; the message transmission request includes switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode, and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode;

[0026] A sending module is used to activate user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information if the user terminal is not available in the first access network.

[0027] An access network switching device is applied to a user terminal, a user plane resource has an access mode of a first access network and a second access network, and the device includes:

[0028] A processing module is used to initiate a triggered service request process if the second access network is available, after receiving a notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network.

[0029] A communication device comprising: a transmitter and a receiver

[0030] The transmitter is used to receive a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, where the message transmission request is used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to reactivate user plane resources through the first access network; the message transmission request includes switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode, and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode;

[0031] The receiver is used to activate user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information if the user terminal is not available in the first access network.

[0032] A computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the following steps:

[0033] receiving a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, the message transmission request being used to instruct a multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through a first access network; the message transmission request comprising switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session comprising user plane resources of a first access network of a first access mode, and user plane resources of a second access network of a second access mode;

[0034] If the user terminal is not available in the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information.

[0035] A computer program product includes a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the access network switching method provided in the embodiment of the present application is implemented, and the method may be:

[0036] The access network switching method, apparatus, communication equipment, storage medium and computer program product described above, when the current access network is unavailable, can use the switching indication information carried in the message transmission request sent by the SMF to directly request the user terminal to reactivate the user plane resources through the access method of another access network to transmit user data packets, thereby reducing the access network switching time and improving data transmission efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 An application environment diagram of an access network switching method in an embodiment;

[0038] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of an access network switching method in an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of steps for switching a 3GPP access network to activate user plane resources in an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a signaling flow of a method for switching a 3GPP access network to activate user plane resources in an embodiment;

[0041] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a signaling flow of a method for switching a non-3GPP access network to activate user plane resources in an embodiment;

[0042] Figure 6 is a structural block diagram of an access network switching device in an embodiment;

[0043] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a communication device in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an application scenario of an access network switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the scenario includes a user terminal 100 and an access and mobility management function AMF (AMF for short) 200. The user terminal 100 and the AMF 200 perform data transmission through the network.

[0046] The user terminal 100 may be a wireless terminal, which may be a device that provides voice and / or other service data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with a wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The wireless terminal may communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (Radio Access Network, referred to as RAN). The wireless terminal may be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges language and / or data with a radio access network. The wireless terminal may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device or user equipment, which is not limited here.

[0047] In traditional technology, when the AMF determines that the UE is unavailable on an access network side, the AMF will send a notification message that the UE is unavailable, and the (H-)SMF will indicate to the anchor UPF that the user resources on the access network are unavailable by triggering the N4 session modification procedure. Specifically, if the SMF requests to reactivate the user plane resources through 3GPP access, and the AMF has determined that the user terminal UE cannot be accessed through 3GPP (for example, the AMF has not received a response from the user terminal to the paging), the AMF should notify the user terminal that the UE is inaccessible. The (H-)SMF should indicate to the anchor UPF that the user plane resources on the 3GPP access are unavailable by triggering the N4 session modification procedure.

[0048] If the SMF requests to reactivate the user plane resources via a non-3GPP access network, and the AMF has determined that the user terminal UE is not accessible via the non-3GPP access network (for example, the user terminal is in CM-DLE (Connected Mode Data Low Energy) mode when accessing the non-3GPP access network), the AMF shall reject the SMF's request. The (H-)SMF shall indicate to the anchor UPF that the user plane resources for non-3GPP access are not available by triggering the N4 session modification procedure.

[0049] And when the UE detects that an access method of an access network is unavailable, the UE shall establish a PMF-Access report including an access type and an indication of the unavailability of the access type and send the PMF-Access report to the UPF via the user plane. The UPF shall confirm the PMF-Access measurement result report received from the UE. Furthermore, for example, in the Active-Standby mode and Smallest Delay mode in the guided mode of ASSSS, the UPF will give priority to an access method (3GPP or non-3GPP) that meets the corresponding requirements of the mode for data transmission, and will switch to another access method when the access method is unavailable.

[0050] In summary, in the current access network switching method, when the UE is unavailable in a certain access network, it needs to wait for notifications between the AMF and SMF, between the SMF and UPF, and the PMF measurement results between the UE and UPF, which increases the access network switching time and leads to low data transmission efficiency.

[0051] Based on the above-mentioned traditional technology, an embodiment of the present application provides an access network switching method. Through the switching indication information carried in the message transmission request sent by the SMF, the AMF can directly request the user terminal to reactivate the user plane resources through the access method of another access network to transmit user data packets, thereby reducing the access network switching time and improving data transmission efficiency.

[0052] It should be noted that the beneficial effects brought about by the embodiments of the present application or the technical problems solved are not limited to this one, but may also include other implicit or related problems. For details, please refer to the description of the following embodiments.

[0053] Before introducing the specific embodiments of the present invention, the professional terms involved in the present invention are explained first:

[0054] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function, performs registration, connection, reachability, and mobility management. It provides a session management message transmission channel for UE and SMF (Session Management function), provides authentication and authorization functions for user access, and is the access point of the terminal and the wireless core network control plane.

[0055] PDU: Protocol Data Unit, protocol data unit, is the information exchanged between peer layers of the protocol layer.

[0056] SMF: SMF is a functional unit of the 5G service-based architecture. SMF is mainly responsible for interacting with the separated data plane, creating, updating and deleting PDU sessions, and managing the session environment with UPF.

[0057] UPF: User Plane Function, is an important part of the 3GPP 5G core network system architecture, and is mainly responsible for the routing and forwarding of user plane data packets in the 5G core network.

[0058] The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0059] In one embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, a method for switching an access network is provided, and the method is applied to Figure 1 The access and mobility management function AMF in the example is used to illustrate, including the following steps:

[0060] Step 202: Receive a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF.

[0061] The message transmission request is used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through the first access network. The message transmission request includes switching indication information. The multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode.

[0062] In implementation, when a PDU session has both 3GPP access and non-3GPP access, there may be multiple different access scenarios for the user terminal (UE). For example, the access network of one of the two access modes may be unavailable. The corresponding specific application scenarios may be: Scenario 1, the user terminal is in an idle state on the non-3GPP side (unavailable on the non-3GPP side), and in an idle state / connected state (available on the 3GPP side) on the 3GPP side. Or, Scenario 2, the user terminal is in an idle state on the 3GPP side (unavailable on the 3GPP side, where the idle state on the 3GPP side does not directly indicate that the 3GPP side is unavailable, and the following embodiments will make a specific judgment), and in a connected state on the non-3GPP side (available on the non-3GPP side).

[0063] In response to different scenarios where the access network is unavailable, this application provides a method for switching the access network when the access network of a certain access mode of the user terminal is unavailable. Specifically, we define the current access mode of the user terminal as the first access mode, and the access network as the first access network. The switchable access mode is the second access mode, and the switchable access network is the second access network. The SMF will send a message transmission request (expressed by Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) to the AMF, and the AMF receives the message transmission request to switch the current access network.

[0064] Optionally, the first access network is not limited to being a 3GPP access network or a non-3GPP access network, and the second access network is not limited to being a 3GPP access network or a non-3GPP access network, and this embodiment of the present application does not make any limitation.

[0065] Optionally, the specific access network switching method for different access scenarios of the user terminal will be described in detail in the following embodiments of the present application and will not be elaborated here.

[0066] Step 204: If the user terminal is unavailable in the first access network, activate user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information.

[0067] In implementation, if the user terminal is not available in the first access network, the AMF activates the user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information. Specifically, for the data flow in Active-Standby mode, the message transmission request sent by the SMF contains indication switching indication information. The indication switching indication information is used to instruct the AMF to directly access the second access network through another access method (i.e., the second access method) and reactivate the user plane resources when the first access network accessed by the first access method is unavailable.

[0068] In the above-mentioned access network switching method, when the current access network is unavailable, the switching indication information carried in the message transmission request sent by SMF can be used by AMF to directly request the user terminal to reactivate user plane resources through the access method of another access network to transmit user data packets, thereby reducing the access network switching time and improving data transmission efficiency.

[0069] In one embodiment, for scenario 1, the access network of the first access mode of the user terminal is a non-3GPP access network, that is, the first access network is a non-3GPP access network, and the second access network that can be switched to a 3GPP access network is taken as an example for specific description. In step 204, if the user terminal is not available in the first access network, then according to the switching indication information, activating the user plane resource through the second access network may include:

[0070] Step 2041: If the user terminal is not available in the non-3GPP access network, user plane resources are activated through the 3GPP access network according to the handover indication information.

[0071] In implementation, if the current access network of the user terminal is a non-3GPP access network and the user terminal is not available in the non-3GPP access network, the AMF instructs the access network to switch according to the indication switching indication information, that is, activates the user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0072] In this embodiment, for the case where the first access network is a non-3GPP access network and the second access network is a 3GPP access network, if the user terminal is not available in the non-3GPP access network, it can be possible to directly request the terminal to reactivate user plane resources through an access network with another access method based on the switching indication information carried in the message transmission request sent by the SMF, without waiting for notifications between the AMF and SMF, and between the SMF and UPF, thereby reducing the access network switching time and improving data transmission efficiency.

[0073] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, in step 2041, according to the handover indication information, activating user plane resources through the 3GPP access network may include:

[0074] Step 302: When the user terminal is in an idle state in the 3GPP access network, a paging message is sent to the user terminal.

[0075] The paging message is used to determine whether the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and the paging message includes the access type. If the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, the user terminal is notified to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0076] In practice, when the 3GPP access network is in an idle state, the 3GPP network may not be available. If you want to switch a non-3GPP access network to a 3GPP access network, you need to first verify whether the 3GPP access network is available. Therefore, when the user terminal is in an idle state in the 3GPP access network, the AMF sends a paging message to the user terminal and sets a paging timer. The paging timer is used to determine whether the user terminal on the access side is available. If the user terminal receives the paging message and responds (for example, sends a confirmation message) within the time set by the paging timer (usually a few seconds to tens of seconds), the AMF will consider the user terminal to be available. If the user terminal does not respond after the paging timer is completed, or an error occurs (for example, the connection is interrupted), the AMF will consider the user terminal to be unavailable.

[0077] Step 304: When the user terminal is in a connected state in the 3GPP access network, it is determined that the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and a non-access layer NAS message is sent to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0078] In implementation, when the user terminal is in a connected state in the 3GPP access network, the AMF can directly determine that the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network. Therefore, the AMF sends a non-access layer NAS (Non-Access-Stratum) message to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0079] In this embodiment, according to different states of the user terminal in the 3GPP network, the availability of the user terminal in the 3GPP access network is first determined, and then, when it is determined that the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, user plane resources are activated through the 3GPP access network.

[0080] In one embodiment, for scenario 2, the user terminal is unavailable on the 3GPP side but available on the non-3GPP side, that is, the first access network is a 3GPP access network and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network. In step 204, if the user terminal is unavailable on the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information may include:

[0081] Step 2041: If the user terminal is not available in the 3GPP access network, a non-access stratum NAS notification message is sent to the user terminal according to the switching indication information.

[0082] The notification message is used to notify the user terminal to initiate reactivation of user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0083] In implementation, in the scenario where the first access network is a 3GPP access network and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network, when the user terminal is in an idle state on the 3GPP access network side, it is still necessary to determine the availability of the 3GPP access network side, that is, the AMF sends a paging request to the user terminal and sets a paging timer to determine whether the user terminal on the access network side is available. Specifically, the process of determining whether the 3GPP access network is available based on the paging request and the paging timer is the same as in the aforementioned embodiment, and the embodiments of the present application are not repeated here. When it is determined that the user terminal in the idle state is unavailable in the 3GPP access network, the AMF sends a non-access layer NAS notification message to the user terminal according to the indication switching indication information.

[0084] In this embodiment, for the case where the first access network is a 3GPP access network and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network, if the user terminal is not available in the 3GPP access network, it can directly request the terminal to reactivate user plane resources through an access network with another access method based on the switching indication information carried in the message transmission request sent by the SMF, without waiting for notifications between the AMF and SMF, and between the SMF and UPF, thereby reducing the access network switching time and improving data transmission efficiency.

[0085] In one embodiment, the user terminal side of the communicating parties of the access network is described. The present application provides an access network switching method. Specifically, the method is applied to the user terminal, and the user plane resources exist in the access mode of the first access network and the second access network. The method includes:

[0086] Step 206: If the second access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, a triggered service request process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network.

[0087] In implementation, after interaction with AMF, if it is determined after verification that the second access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, a triggered service request (ie, UE Triggered Service Request) process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network.

[0088] In this embodiment, when the access network of the first access mode (i.e., the first access network) is unavailable and the access network of another access mode (i.e., the second access network) is confirmed to be available, the user terminal re-initiates the triggered service request procedure (i.e., UE Triggered Service Request procedure) based on the switching indication information received from the AMF, thereby reactivating the user plane resources with the second access network.

[0089] In one embodiment, the first access network is a non-3GPP access network, and the second access network is a 3GPP access network. Step 206 may include:

[0090] Step 2061: If the 3GPP access network is available, after receiving the paging message or notification message sent by the AMF, a trigger service request process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0091] In implementation, if the 3GPP access network is available, the terminal initiates a trigger service request process after receiving the notification message sent by the AMF, and reactivates the user plane resources through the 3GPP access network. Specifically, through the 3GPP access network, the user terminal will rebuild the user plane resources, including re-establishing the data transmission channel and connection, so that data transmission and service use can be performed through the 3GPP access network.

[0092] In this embodiment, for an application scenario in which the first access network is non-3GPP and the second access network is a 3GPP access network, a processing example on the user terminal side is given to reduce the access network switching time and improve data transmission efficiency.

[0093] In one embodiment, the first access network is a 3GPP access network, and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network, and step 206 may include:

[0094] Step 2062: If the non-3GPP access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by AMF, initiate the trigger service request process to reactivate the user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0095] In implementation, if the non-3GPP access network is available, the terminal initiates a trigger service request process after receiving the notification message sent by the AMF, and reactivates the user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network. Specifically, through the non-3GPP access network, the user terminal will rebuild the user plane resources, including re-establishing the data transmission channel and connection, so that data transmission and service use can be performed through the non-3GPP access network.

[0096] In this embodiment, for the application scenario where the first access network is 3GPP and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network, a processing example on the user terminal side is given, that is, after receiving the notification message sent by the AMF, the user terminal side initiates a trigger service request process and reactivates the user plane resources through the 3GPP non-access network. Reduce the access network switching time and improve data transmission efficiency.

[0097] In one embodiment, Figure 4As shown, an example of an access network switching method is provided, in which the state of the user terminal on the non-3GPP side is an idle state (unavailable on the non-3GPP side), and the state on the 3GPP side is an idle state or a connected state (available on the 3GPP side), and the example method includes:

[0098] Step 401, SMF sends a message transfer request (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) to AMF; the message transfer request includes switching indication information (indication);

[0099] Step 402a, AMF sends a Paging signaling notification message to the RAN (Radio Access Network); the RAN forwards the Paging signaling notification message to the user terminal (UE);

[0100] Step 402b, the AMF sends a NAS Notification message to the user terminal, notifying the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network;

[0101] Step 403: The user terminal initiates a triggered service request procedure (UE Triggered Service Request procedure) to reactivate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0102] In one embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, an example of an access network switching method is provided, in which the state of the user terminal on the 3GPP side is an idle state (that is, the 3GPP side is unavailable), and the state on the non-3GPP side is a connected state (non-3GPP side is available), and the example method includes:

[0103] Step 501, SMF sends a message transfer request (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) to AMF; the message transfer request includes switching indication information (indication);

[0104] Step 502a, AMF sends a Paging signaling notification message to the RAN (Radio Access Network); the RAN forwards the Paging signaling notification message to the user terminal (UE);

[0105] Step 502b, AMF sets a paging timer;

[0106] Step 503: AMF sends a NAS Notification message to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0107] Step 504: The user terminal initiates a triggered service request procedure (UE Triggered Service Request procedure) to reactivate user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0108] In one embodiment, an access network switching system is provided, the system comprising:

[0109] The access and mobility management function AMF is used to receive a message transmission request sent by the session management function SMF, where the message transmission request is used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through the first access network; the message transmission request includes switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode; if the user terminal is not available in the first access network, the user plane resources are activated through the second access network according to the switching indication information;

[0110] The user terminal is used to initiate a UE Triggered Service Request terminal triggered service request process and activate user plane resources through a second access network.

[0111] It should be understood that although Figures 2 to 5 The steps in the flowchart are shown in sequence as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified in this document, there is no strict order restriction for the execution of these steps, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, Figures 2 to 5 At least part of the steps may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily performed at the same time, but can be performed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least part of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0112] In one embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, an access network switching device 600 is provided, including: a receiving module 610 and a sending module 620, wherein:

[0113] The receiving module 610 is used to receive a message transmission request sent by the session management function SMF, where the message transmission request is used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to reactivate user plane resources through the first access network; the message transmission request includes switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode, and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode.

[0114] The sending module 620 is configured to activate user plane resources through a second access network according to the switching indication information if the user terminal is unavailable in the first access network.

[0115] In one embodiment, the first access network is a non-3GPP access network, and the second access network is a 3GPP access network. The sending module 620 is specifically used to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network according to the switching indication information if the user terminal is not available in the non-3GPP access network.

[0116] In one embodiment, the sending module 620 is specifically used to send a paging message to the user terminal when the user terminal is in an idle state in the 3GPP access network; the paging message is used to determine whether the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and the paging message includes an access type. If the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, the user terminal is notified to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network;

[0117] When the user terminal is in a connected state in the 3GPP access network, it is determined that the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and a non-access layer NAS message is sent to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0118] In one embodiment, the first access network is a 3GPP access network, and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network. The sending module is specifically used to send a non-access layer NAS notification message to the user terminal according to the switching indication information if the user terminal is not available in the 3GPP access network; the NAS notification message is used to notify the user terminal to initiate reactivation of user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0119] In one embodiment, the first access network is a 3GPP access network, and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network. The sending module 620 is specifically used to send a non-access layer NAS notification message to the user terminal according to the switching indication information if the user terminal is not available in the 3GPP access network; the NAS notification message is used to notify the user terminal to initiate reactivation of user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0120] In one embodiment, another access network switching device 700 is provided, including: a transceiver module 720, wherein:

[0121] The transceiver module 720 is used to initiate a trigger service request process if the second access network is available, after receiving a notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, and reactivate user plane resources through the second access network.

[0122] In one embodiment, the first access network is a non-3GPP access network, and the second access network is a 3GPP access network. The transceiver module 720 is specifically used to initiate a triggering service request process if the 3GPP access network is available, after receiving a paging message or notification message sent by the AMF, and reactivate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0123] In one embodiment, the first access network is a 3GPP access network, and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network. The transceiver module 720 is specifically used to initiate a trigger service request process if the non-3GPP access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by the AMF, to reactivate user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0124] For the specific definition of the access network switching device, please refer to the definition of the access network switching method above, which will not be repeated here. Each module in the above-mentioned access network switching device can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware and a combination thereof. The above-mentioned modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in the form of hardware, or can be stored in the memory of the computer device in the form of software, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to the above modules.

[0125] In one embodiment, a communication device is provided. Figure 7 . Figure 7 The communication device 700 shown includes: at least one processor 701, a memory 702, at least one network interface 704 and a user interface 703. The various components in the terminal device 700 are coupled together via a bus system 705. It can be understood that the bus system 705 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 705 also includes a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the bus system 705 is not shown in FIG. Figure 1 Various buses are labeled as bus system 705. In addition, the embodiment of the present invention also includes a transceiver 706, which can be multiple components, that is, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium.

[0126] The user interface 703 may include a display, a keyboard, or a pointing device (eg, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, or a touch screen).

[0127] It can be understood that the memory 702 in the embodiment of the present invention can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM) and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 702 of the system and method described in the embodiments of the present invention is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0128] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0129] receiving a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, the message transmission request being used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through the first access network; the message transmission request comprising switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session comprising user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode, and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode;

[0130] If the user terminal is not available in the first access network, user plane resources are activated through the second access network according to the switching indication information.

[0131] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0132] If the user terminal is not available in the non-3GPP access network, the user plane resources are activated through the 3GPP access network according to the switching indication information.

[0133] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0134] When the user terminal is in an idle state in the 3GPP access network, a paging message is sent to the user terminal; the paging message is used to determine whether the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and the paging message contains the access type. If the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, the user terminal is notified to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network;

[0135] When the user terminal is in a connected state in the 3GPP access network, it is determined that the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and a non-access layer NAS message is sent to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0136] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0137] If the user terminal is not available in the 3GPP access network, a non-access layer NAS notification message is sent to the user terminal according to the switching indication information; the notification message is used to notify the user terminal to initiate reactivation of user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0138] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0139] If the second access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, the service request process is triggered to reactivate the user plane resources through the second access network.

[0140] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0141] If the 3GPP access network is available, after receiving the paging message or notification message sent by AMF, the service request process is triggered to reactivate the user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0142] The present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0143] receiving a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, the message transmission request being used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through the first access network; the message transmission request comprising switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session comprising user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode, and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode;

[0144] If the user terminal is not available in the first access network, user plane resources are activated through the second access network according to the switching indication information.

[0145] The present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0146] If the user terminal is not available in the non-3GPP access network, the user plane resources are activated through the 3GPP access network according to the switching indication information.

[0147] The present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0148] When the user terminal is in an idle state in the 3GPP access network, a paging message is sent to the user terminal; the paging message is used to determine whether the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and the paging message contains the access type. If the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, the user terminal is notified to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network;

[0149] When the user terminal is in a connected state in the 3GPP access network, it is determined that the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and a non-access layer NAS message is sent to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0150] The present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0151] If the user terminal is not available in the 3GPP access network, a non-access layer NAS notification message is sent to the user terminal according to the switching indication information; the notification message is used to notify the user terminal to initiate reactivation of user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0152] The present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0153] If the second access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, the service request process is triggered to reactivate the user plane resources through the second access network.

[0154] The present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0155] If the 3GPP access network is available, after receiving the paging message or notification message sent by AMF, the service request process is triggered to reactivate the user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

[0156] The present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the following steps:

[0157] If the non-3GPP access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by AMF, the service request process is triggered to reactivate the user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

[0158] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to memory, storage, database or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory or optical memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. As an illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0159] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0160] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A method for switching an access network, characterized in that: The method is applied to an access and mobility management function AMF, and the method comprises: receiving a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, the message transmission request being used to instruct a multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through a first access network; the message transmission request comprising switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session comprising user plane resources of a first access network of a first access mode, and user plane resources of a second access network of a second access mode; If the user terminal is not available in the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first access network is a non-3GPP access network, the second access network is a 3GPP access network, and if the user terminal is unavailable in the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information, includes: If the user terminal is not available in the non-3GPP access network, activating user plane resources through the 3GPP access network according to the switching indication information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The activating user plane resources through the 3GPP access network according to the handover indication information includes: When the user terminal is in an idle state in the 3GPP access network, sending a paging message to the user terminal; the paging message is used to determine whether the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and the paging message includes an access type, and if the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, notifying the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network; When the user terminal is in a connected state in the 3GPP access network, it is determined that the user terminal is available in the 3GPP access network, and a non-access layer NAS message is sent to the user terminal to notify the user terminal to activate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first access network is a 3GPP access network, the second access network is a non-3GPP access network, and if the user terminal is unavailable in the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information includes: If the user terminal is not available in the 3GPP access network, a non-access layer NAS notification message is sent to the user terminal according to the switching indication information; the NAS notification message is used to notify the user terminal to initiate reactivation of user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

5. A method for switching an access network, characterized in that: The method is applied to a user terminal, and a user plane resource has an access mode of a first access network and a second access network, and the method includes: If the second access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, a triggered service request process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first access network is a non-3GPP access network, and the second access network is a 3GPP access network. If the second access network is available, after receiving a paging message or a notification message sent by an access and mobility management function AMF, a triggering service request process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network, including: If the 3GPP access network is available, after receiving the paging message or notification message sent by AMF, a service request triggering process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the 3GPP access network.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first access network is a 3GPP access network, and the second access network is a non-3GPP access network. If the second access network is available, after receiving a notification message sent by an access and mobility management function AMF, initiating a triggering service request process to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network, including: If the non-3GPP access network is available, after receiving the notification message sent by AMF, a service request triggering process is initiated to reactivate user plane resources through the non-3GPP access network.

8. An access network switching system, characterized in that: The system comprises: An access and mobility management function AMF is configured to receive a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, wherein the message transmission request is used to instruct a multi-access PDU session to activate user plane resources through a first access network; the message transmission request includes switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of a first access network of a first access mode, and user plane resources of a second access network of a second access mode; if the user terminal is not available in the first access network, activating user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information; The user terminal is used to initiate a UE Triggered Service Request terminal triggered service request process and activate user plane resources through the second access network.

9. An access network switching device, characterized in that: The device is applied to an access and mobility management function AMF, and the device includes: A receiving module, configured to receive a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, wherein the message transmission request is used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to reactivate user plane resources through the first access network; the message transmission request includes switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode, and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode; A sending module is used to activate user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information if the user terminal is not available in the first access network.

10. An access network switching device, characterized in that: The device is applied to a user terminal, and a user plane resource has an access mode of a first access network and a second access network, and the device includes: A processing module is used to initiate a triggered service request process if the second access network is available, after receiving a notification message sent by the access and mobility management function AMF, to reactivate user plane resources through the second access network.

11. A communication device, characterized in that: include: Transmitter and Receiver The transmitter is used to receive a message transmission request sent by a session management function SMF, where the message transmission request is used to instruct the multi-access PDU session to reactivate user plane resources through the first access network; the message transmission request includes switching indication information; the multi-access PDU session includes user plane resources of the first access network of the first access mode, and user plane resources of the second access network of the second access mode; The receiver is used to activate user plane resources through the second access network according to the switching indication information if the user terminal is not available in the first access network.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 5 to 7 are implemented.

13. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 5 to 7 are implemented.

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