Network switching method and device and network equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a network switching method, a network switching device and network equipment. The method comprises the steps that under the condition that a first network function determines to execute network switching, switching information is sent to a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function, and the switching information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to execute switching operation corresponding to the switching information; wherein the first network function is used for a mobility management function of a wireless access network; the sixth network function is used for a mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for a session management function of the core network. In the application, a first network function can send switching information to a sixth network function used for a mobility management function of a core network and / or a seventh network function used for a session management function of the core network when network switching needs to be executed; therefore, switching signaling interaction and information transmission between a wireless access network and a core network function are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a network switching method, apparatus, and network device. Background Art

[0002] After the service function virtualization of the radio access network control plane, two network functions are obtained. One is the radio connection management function, and the other is the radio user plane transmission management function. Major changes will occur in the architecture of the radio access network, the design of the interface with the core network, and the signaling interaction with the core network network functions. The existing handover process can no longer adapt to the architecture after the service function virtualization of the radio access network control plane. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a network switching method, apparatus, and network device for solving the network switching problem after the service function virtualization of the radio access network control plane.

[0004] An embodiment of this application provides a network switching method, which is applied to a first network function and includes:

[0005] When the first network function determines to perform network switching, it sends switching information to a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function, and the switching information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform the switching operation corresponding to the switching information;

[0006] Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0007] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0008] When determining to perform network switching, send information of a second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function;

[0009] Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0010] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the switching information.

[0011] Optionally, the sending switching information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function includes:

[0012] Send a first request message to the sixth network function, and the first request message includes: first switching information related to the sixth network function and second switching information related to the seventh network function;

[0013] Or,

[0014] Send a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, send a third request message to the seventh network function, where the third request message includes second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0015] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0016] Receive a response message sent by the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function.

[0017] Optionally, in the case where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the sixth network function is configured to: perform a handover operation according to the first handover information, and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0018] Optionally, in the case of sending a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes first handover information related to the sixth network function, the second network function is configured to send the second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0020] Send handover status information to the second network function.

[0021] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0022] Send a fourth request message to the third network function, where the fourth request message is used to establish a context of the terminal and / or establish a data bearer context of the terminal in the third network function.

[0023] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0024] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0025] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0026] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0027] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0028] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0029] Query and determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function through the Network Repository Function (NRF);

[0030] Or,

[0031] Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function according to local configuration.

[0032] Optionally, the first network function transmits information to and / or from the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function through a first interface;

[0033] The first interface is a service-based interface or a point-to-point interface.

[0034] An embodiment of the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to a target network function and includes:

[0035] The target network function receives switching information sent by the first network function when it determines to perform network switching;

[0036] The target network function performs a switching operation based on the switching information;

[0037] Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0038] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0039] Receiving information of the second network function sent by the first network function;

[0040] Performing network switching with the second network function according to the information of the second network function;

[0041] Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0042] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the switching information.

[0043] Optionally, the receiving the switching information sent by the first network function when it determines to perform network switching includes:

[0044] Receive a first request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the sixth network function, and the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function;

[0045] Or,

[0046] Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the sixth network function, and the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, receive a third request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the seventh network function, and the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0047] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0048] Send a response message to the first network function.

[0049] Optionally, in the case where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, performing a handover operation based on the handover information includes:

[0050] Perform a handover operation according to the first handover information, and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0051] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0052] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0053] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0054] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0055] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0056] Optionally, the target network function performs information transmission with the first network function based on a first interface; the first interface is a service-based interface, or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

[0057] An embodiment of the present application provides a network device, where the network device is a first network function, including: a memory, a transceiver, and a processor:

[0058] The memory is used to store a computer program; the transceiver is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0059] When it is determined to perform network handover, send handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, where the handover information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform the handover operation corresponding to the handover information;

[0060] Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0061] Optionally, the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0062] When it is determined to perform network handover, send information of the second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function;

[0063] Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0064] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the handover information.

[0065] Optionally, the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0066] Send a first request message to the sixth network function, where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function;

[0067] Or,

[0068] Send a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, send a third request message to the seventh network function, where the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0069] Optionally, the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0070] Receive a response message sent by the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function.

[0071] Optionally, when the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the sixth network function is configured to: perform a handover operation according to the first handover information and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0072] Optionally, when sending a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes first handover information related to the sixth network function, the second network function is configured to send second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0073] Optionally, the processor is configured to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0074] Send handover status information to a second network function.

[0075] Optionally, the processor is configured to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0076] Send a fourth request message to a third network function, where the fourth request message is used to establish a context of a terminal and / or establish a data bearer context of the terminal in the third network function.

[0077] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0078] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0079] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0080] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0081] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0082] Optionally, the processor is configured to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0083] Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function through querying by the NRF;

[0084] Or,

[0085] Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function according to local configuration.

[0086] Optionally, the first network function performs information transmission with the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function through a first interface;

[0087] The first interface is a service-based interface or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

[0088] An embodiment of the present application provides a network device, where the network device is a target network function, including: a memory, a transceiver, and a processor:

[0089] A memory for storing computer programs; a transceiver for receiving and sending data under the control of the processor; a processor for reading the computer programs in the memory and performing the following operations:

[0090] Receiving handover information sent by a first network function when determining to perform a network handover;

[0091] Performing a handover operation based on the handover information;

[0092] Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0093] Optionally, the processor is used for reading the computer programs in the memory and performing the following operations:

[0094] Receiving information of a second network function sent by the first network function;

[0095] Performing a network handover with the second network function according to the information of the second network function;

[0096] Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0097] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the handover information.

[0098] Optionally, the processor is used for reading the computer programs in the memory and performing the following operations:

[0099] Receiving a first request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the sixth network function, and the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function;

[0100] Or,

[0101] Receiving a second request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the sixth network function, and the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, receiving a third request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the seventh network function, and the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0102] Optionally, the processor is used for reading the computer programs in the memory and performing the following operations:

[0103] Send a response message to the first network function.

[0104] Optionally, when the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the processor is configured to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0105] Perform a handover operation according to the first handover information, and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0106] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0107] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0108] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0109] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0110] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0111] Optionally, the target network function performs information transmission with the first network function based on a first interface; the first interface is a service-based interface, or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

[0112] An embodiment of the present application provides a network handover device, which is applied to a first network function and includes:

[0113] A first sending unit, configured to send handover information to a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function when it is determined that a network handover is to be performed, where the handover information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform a handover operation corresponding to the handover information;

[0114] Wherein, the first network function is used for a mobility management function of a radio access network; the sixth network function is used for a mobility management function of a core network, and the seventh network function is used for a session management function of a core network.

[0115] An embodiment of the present application provides a network handover device, which is applied to a target network function and includes:

[0116] A first receiving unit, configured to receive handover information sent by a first network function when it is determined that a network handover is to be performed;

[0117] A first processing unit, configured to perform a handover operation based on the handover information;

[0118] Among them, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0119] An embodiment of the present application provides a processor-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the above network switching method are implemented.

[0120] The beneficial effects of the above technical solution of the present application are:

[0121] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network function can send switching information to the sixth network function for the mobility management function of the core network and / or the seventh network function for the session management function of the core network when network switching needs to be performed, so as to realize the switching signaling interaction and information transmission between the radio access network and the core network functions. Description of the Drawings

[0122] Figure 1 It represents a schematic diagram of a distributed network architecture;

[0123] Figure 2 It represents one of the schematic flowcharts of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0124] Figure 3 It represents a schematic diagram of the transmission architecture between network functions according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] Figure 4 It represents a schematic diagram of the transmission architecture for the transmission between network functions based on a point-to-point interface according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0126] Figure 5 It represents a schematic diagram of the transmission architecture for the transmission between network functions based on a service-based interface according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0127] Figure 6 It represents another schematic flowchart of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0128] Figure 7 It represents a third schematic flowchart of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0129] Figure 8 It represents a fourth schematic flowchart of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0130] Figure 9 It represents a fifth schematic flowchart of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0131] Figure 10Schematic diagram six of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0132] Figure 11 Schematic diagram seven of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0133] Figure 12 Schematic diagram eight of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0134] Figure 13 Schematic diagram nine of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0135] Figure 14 Schematic diagram ten of the network switching method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0136] Figure 15 Schematic diagram one of the network switching device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0137] Figure 16 Schematic diagram two of the network switching device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0138] Figure 17 Schematic diagram one of the network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0139] Figure 18 Schematic diagram two of the network device according to an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0140] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages to be solved by the present application clearer, the following will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. In the following description, specific details such as specific configurations and components are provided only to help a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, those skilled in the art should clearly understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. In addition, descriptions of known functions and configurations are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0141] It should be understood that the "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic related to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner.

[0142] In various embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that the magnitudes of the serial numbers of the following processes do not imply the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0143] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0144] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "plurality" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar.

[0145] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0146] When explaining the embodiments of the present application, the 6G distributed architecture will be explained first.

[0147] An important trend in the development of 6G networks is the centralized and distributed network architecture. The native designs of 5G and previous generations of network architectures are centrally controlled. With the development of the network, driven by both business development and technological development, the design of 6G networks needs to consider a distributed architecture, and its control gradually evolves towards distribution.

[0148] As Figure 1 shown, 6G networks will face diverse scenarios and network performance requirements in the air, space, ground, and sea, in order to achieve various access forms such as deep space access, underground access, satellite access, terrestrial access, and underwater access. A centralized network architecture cannot uniformly meet all scenarios. To address this challenge, the 6G network architecture needs to go beyond centralized control and gradually evolve towards a distributed architecture, and will build distributed network nodes with different functions. Multiple distributed network nodes form autonomous distributed micro-networks across domains according to business needs, and provide network services targeted at specific business scenarios, user scales, geographical environments, etc.

[0149] The embodiments of the present application provide a network switching method, device, and network device for solving the network switching problem after the service-oriented transformation of the control plane of the radio access network.

[0150] Among them, the method and the device are based on the same application concept. Since the principles of the method and the device for solving problems are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can be referred to each other, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0151] As Figure 2 shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to a first network function and specifically includes the following steps:

[0152] Step 201, when the first network function determines to perform network switching, it sends switching information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, and the switching information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform the switching operation corresponding to the switching information;

[0153] Among them, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0154] In this embodiment, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network, and the first network function can carry / support / include but not limited to at least one of the following functions:

[0155] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of signaling for access control between the user equipment (User Equipment, UE) and the radio access network;

[0156] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC) signaling between the UE and the radio access network;

[0157] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of paging signaling between the UE and the radio access network;

[0158] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of mobility signaling between the UE and the radio access network;

[0159] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of signaling for access control between the radio access network and the core network;

[0160] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of RRC signaling between the radio access network and the core network;

[0161] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of paging signaling between the radio access network and the core network;

[0162] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of mobility signaling between the radio access network and the core network.

[0163] In this embodiment, the first network function can also be used for the Radio Connected Management Function (RCCF). The first network function can be a logical entity and communicate with other network functions through an interface. It should be noted that in this application, the name of the first network function is not limited and can be, for example, called the radio connection management function, radio connection control function, radio access management function, radio access control function, radio access and mobility management function, radio access and mobility control function, etc.

[0164] Optionally, the first network function can be a network function after the serviceification of the control plane of the radio access network. The network function after the serviceification of the control plane of the radio access network further includes a second network function for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0165] The sixth network function and the seventh network function are core network functions. Among them, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network and can carry / support / include but not limited to at least one of the following functions: function connection management, registration management, reachability management, mobility management, Non-access stratum (NAS) message transmission. It should be noted that in this application, the name of the sixth network function is not limited and can be, for example, called the mobility management function, access and mobility management function, access and mobility control function, access management function, access control function, connection management function, connection control function, etc.

[0166] The seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network and can carry / support / include but not limited to at least one of the following functions: session control, session management, user plane transmission management, user plane transmission control, etc. It should be noted that in this application, the name of the seventh network function is not limited and can be, for example, called the session management function, session control function, user plane transmission management function, user plane transmission control function, etc.

[0167] The network handover is, for example, the handover of functions within the radio access network (such as the handover between the first network functions, the handover of the Distributed Unit (DU) corresponding to the first network function, etc.), the handover between different base stations, etc.

[0168] When the first network function determines that a network handover needs to be performed, it can send handover information to the network functions of the core network so that the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function of the core network perform corresponding handover operations.

[0169] In an embodiment of the present application, when a network handover needs to be performed, a first network function may send handover information to a sixth network function for a mobility management function of a core network and / or a seventh network function for a session management function of a core network, so as to implement handover signaling interaction and information transmission between a radio access network and core network functions.

[0170] As an optional embodiment, the method further includes:

[0171] When it is determined that a network handover is to be performed, sending information of a second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function; wherein the second network function is used for a session management function of a radio access network.

[0172] In this embodiment, the second network function may be used for a session management function of a radio access network. The second network function may be a network function after the serviceification of a radio access network control plane, and the network function after the serviceification of the radio access network control plane further includes the first network function. The second network function may carry / support / include but is not limited to at least one of the following functions: UE radio user plane transmission management function, such as a radio session management function (RSMF). Information may be directly exchanged between the first network function and the second network function.

[0173] It should be noted that in the present application, the name of the second network function is not limited, and the second network function may be called, for example: radio user plane transmission management function, radio user plane transmission control function, radio bearer management function, radio bearer control function, radio session management function, radio session control function, radio session resource management function or radio session resource control function.

[0174] The first network function may send the information of the second network function to other network functions, such as the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function. The sixth network function and / or the seventh network function may perform information interaction with the second network function based on the information of the second network function. Among them, the information of the second network function, for example: the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the second network function or the identification information of the second network function.

[0175] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the handover information. In this embodiment, the first network function may send the information of the second network function to other network functions separately, or carry the information of the second network function through the handover information.

[0176] As an optional embodiment, the method further includes:

[0177] Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function through NRF query;

[0178] Or,

[0179] Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function according to local configuration.

[0180] In this embodiment, the first network function may determine the second network function and / or the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function through NRF query or local configuration. After selecting the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, the first network function may send the IP address or identification information of the second network function to the sixth network function, and the sixth network function then sends the information of the second network function to the seventh network function; or, the first network function sends the IP address or identification information of the second network function to the seventh network function.

[0181] As an alternative embodiment, the sending of the handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function includes:

[0182] Send a first request message to the sixth network function, where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function;

[0183] Or,

[0184] Send a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, send a third request message to the seventh network function, where the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0185] In this embodiment, when the first network function sends the handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, it may send both the information related to the sixth network function and the information related to the seventh network function to the sixth network function, and the sixth network function sends the information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function. Or, the first network function may also send the information related to the sixth network function to the sixth network function and send the information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0186] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving a response message sent by the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function.

[0187] In this embodiment, after receiving the request message sent by the first network function, the sixth network function performs corresponding operations and feeds back a response message to the first network function. After receiving the request message sent by the first network function, the seventh network function performs corresponding operations and feeds back a response message to the first network function.

[0188] It should be noted that the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function in this application may also send a request message to the first network function, and the first network function sends a corresponding message to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function after performing corresponding operations. For example: The sixth network function sends the first information to the first network function, and the first information is used to request the establishment / modification / release / deletion of UE handover signaling transmission resources. The first network function establishes / modifies / releases / deletes UE handover signaling transmission resources according to the first information. The first network function sends the second information to the sixth network function, and the second information is used to indicate the response to the request for establishing / modifying / releases / deleting UE handover signaling transmission resources.

[0189] Optionally, when the first request message includes: the first handover information related to the sixth network function and the second handover information related to the seventh network function, the sixth network function is used to: perform a handover operation according to the first handover information and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0190] In this embodiment, when the first network function sends handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, it may send both the first handover information related to the sixth network function and the second handover information related to the seventh network function to the sixth network function, and the sixth network function sends the second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0191] Optionally, when sending a second request message to the sixth network function, and the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function, the second network function is used to send the second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0192] In this embodiment, when the first network function sends handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, the first network function may send the first handover information related to the sixth network function to the sixth network function, and the second network function sends the second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0193] Optionally, the method further includes: sending handover status information to the second network function.

[0194] In this embodiment, during the process that the first network function sends handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, and the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function perform handover operations and send response messages to the first network function, the first network function may send handover status information to the second network function to indicate the current handover status, such as: handover success, handover failure, etc.

[0195] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0196] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0197] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0198] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0199] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0200] For example: The first network function sends a request message such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of handover signaling to the sixth network function. After receiving the request message, the sixth network function performs operations such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of handover signaling, and the sixth network function sends a response message such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of handover signaling to the first network function. The sixth network function sends information such as the session to be handed over to the seventh network function to complete the modification of the user plane path. During this process, the first network function may notify the second network function of the current handover status for establishing / modifying / releasing / deleting the Radio Bearer (RB) between the first network function and the second network function and other network functions.

[0201] Or,

[0202] The first network function sends request messages such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of handover signaling related to the sixth network function to the sixth network function. After receiving the request message, the sixth network function performs operations such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of the handover signaling, and the sixth network function sends response messages such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of the handover signaling to the first network function. The second network function sends request messages such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of session handover signaling to the seventh network function. After receiving the request message, the seventh network function performs operations such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of the session handover signaling, and the seventh network function sends response messages such as establishment / modification / release / deletion of the session handover signaling to the second network function. In this process, the first network function can notify the second network function of the current handover status for establishing / modifying / releasing / deleting the RB bearer between the first network function, the second network function, and other network functions. In this embodiment, the interaction architecture among the first network function, the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function is as Figure 3 shown.

[0203] Optionally, the method further includes: sending a fourth request message to the third network function, where the fourth request message is used to establish the context of the terminal and / or establish the data bearer context of the terminal in the third network function.

[0204] In this embodiment, the third network function may be a network function for carrying / supporting / including the radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical layer functions of the base station. The third network function is, for example, the distributed unit of the base station. The first network function may also send the fourth request message to the third network function during network handover, for the third network function to establish the context of the terminal and / or establish the data bearer context of the terminal, so as to complete the information interaction among the first network function, the second network function, and the third network function.

[0205] Optionally, the first network function performs information transmission with the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function through a first interface; the first interface is a service-based interface or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

[0206] In this embodiment, if the first interface is a service-based interface, the first interface can be a service-based interface of the first network function, or a service-based interface of the sixth network function and / or a service-based interface of the seventh network function. For example, the information transmission between the first network function and the sixth network function can be executed through the service-based interface of the first network function or through the service-based interface of the sixth network function. If the first interface is a point-to-point interface, the information transmission between the first network function and the sixth network function is executed through the point-to-point interface between them, and the information transmission between the first network function and the seventh network function is executed through the point-to-point interface between them.

[0207] It should be noted that the information can be transmitted between the first network function and the second network function, and between the second network function and the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, either through a service-based interface or through a point-to-point interface.

[0208] For example, for information transmission between the first network function, the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function based on a point-to-point interface, the transmission architecture can be as Figure 4 shown. Among them, the interface between the first network function and the second network function is Nbc, the interface between the second network function and the seventh network function is Ncd, the interface between the first network function and the sixth network function is Nab, and the interface between the sixth network function and the seventh network function is Nad.

[0209] For example, for information transmission between the first network function, the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function based on a service-based interface, the transmission architecture can be as Figure 5 shown.

[0210] Among them, the service-based interface of the first network function is Nh, the service-based interface of the second network function is Ng, the service-based interface of the sixth network function is Nc, and the service-based interface of the seventh network function is Nd.

[0211] It should be noted that the interface names in this embodiment are only examples, and other formats or names can also be used for definition, which are not limited here.

[0212] The network functions in the embodiments of the present application can also be logical nodes. The logical nodes or network functions can be implemented as network elements on dedicated hardware, or as software instances running on dedicated hardware, or as virtualized functions instantiated on a platform, such as being implemented on cloud infrastructure.

[0213] The following is an example to illustrate the information transmission process between the first network function, the second network function, the sixth network function, the seventh network function, and other network functions in different handover scenarios.

[0214] Example 1: Handover between the first network functions.

[0215] Suppose the first network function is named RCCF, the second network function is named RSMF, the third network function is named DU, the sixth network function is named Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and the seventh network function is named Session Management Function (SMF). The fifth network function can be the User Plane Function (UPF), and the fourth network function can be the Policy Control Function entity (PCF) or the Unified Data Management entity (UDM). As Figure 6 shown, the handover process between RCCFs includes:

[0216] Step 60: The UE sends a measurement report to the S-DU (source DU), causing the S-DU to send this measurement report to the S-RCCF (source RCCF). This measurement report can be used to determine the conditions for triggering the handover.

[0217] Step 61: The S-DU performs the service-based operation "Nrccf_UL RRC Transfer" with the S-RCCF, which carries the UE's measurement report.

[0218] Step 62: After receiving the measurement report, the S-RCCF decides to trigger the handover based on the measurement report.

[0219] Step 63: The S-RCCF sends a handover request (Nrccf_Handover Reques) to the T-RCCF (target RCCF) to request the handover of the RCCF.

[0220] Step 63a: The T-RCCF sends a UE signaling context establishment request (Ndu_UEContext SetupRequest) to the T-DU to request the establishment of the UE's context between the T-RCCF and the T-DU.

[0221] Step 63b: The T-DU sends a UE context establishment response (Ndu_UEContext SetupResponse) to the T-RCCF to indicate the successful establishment of the context.

[0222] Step 64: T-RCCF sends a radio bearer context change request (Nrsmf_RB_ModifyContextRequest) to RSMF, carrying the IP information of the T-DU and the identifier of the T-DU.

[0223] Step 65: RSMF selects the target T-DU according to the received T-DU identifier.

[0224] Step 66a: RSMF sends a request (Ndu_UEContext SetupRequest) to the T-DU to establish the UE data bearer context, for the purpose of requesting to establish the UE's data bearer context between the RSMF and the T-DU.

[0225] Step 66b: The T-DU sends a UE data bearer context establishment response (Ndu_UEContext SetupResponse) to the RSMF, for indicating that the context establishment is successful.

[0226] Step 67: RSMF sends a radio bearer context change response (Nrccf_RB_ModifyContextResponse) to T-RCCF, for indicating that the context change is successful.

[0227] Step 68: T-RCCF sends a handover response (Nrccf_Handover Response) to S-RCCF, indicating that the handover is completed.

[0228] Steps 68a - 68b: The S-RCCF and the S-DU complete the modification between the UE contexts.

[0229] Step 69: The S-DU reconfigures the RRC information of the T-DU to the UE (Uu_RRC Reconfiguration), for the UE to access the T-DU.

[0230] Step 610: After the UE receives the information of the T-DU, it completes the random access with the T-DU (Uu_AccessProcedure).

[0231] Step 611: The T-DU sends an uplink RRC transmission message (Nrccf_UL RRC Transfer) to the T-RCCF, for indicating that the UE access is successful.

[0232] Step 611a: The T-RCCF sends a mobility update procedure (Namf_MobilityStatus Update) to the AMF, informing the AMF that its RCCF has changed.

[0233] Step 612: The T-DU sends a message indicating successful UE access (Nrsmf_Access Success) to the RSMF.

[0234] Step 613: The RSMF sends a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session update context request (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request) to the SMF, carrying information such as the PDU session list and tunnel identifier (ID).

[0235] Step 614a: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request (N4 Session Modification Request) to the UPF, sending the access network (AN) tunnel information to the UPF. At the same time, the UPF is required to allocate core network (CN) tunnel information.

[0236] Step 614b: The UPF sends an N4 session modification response (N4 Session ModificationResponse) to the SMF, sending the successfully switched PDU session and CN tunnel information to the SMF.

[0237] Step 615: The SMF sends a PDU session update context response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Reponse) to the RSMF, carrying the list of successfully switched PDU sessions, CN tunnel information, etc.

[0238] Step 616: The RSMF sends a message confirming successful handover (Nrccf_Handover ACK) to the S-RCCF, indicating successful handover.

[0239] Step 617a: The S-RCCF sends a UE signaling context release request (Ndu_UEContext ReleaseRequest) to the S-DU to release the signaling context between the S-RCCF and the S-DU.

[0240] Step 617b: The S-DU sends a UE signaling context release response (Ndu_UEContext ReleaseResponse) to the S-RCCF, indicating that the UE signaling context release is complete.

[0241] Step 618a: The RSMF sends a UE data context release request to the S-DU to release the data context between the RSMF and the S-DU.

[0242] Step 618b: The S-DU sends a UE data context release response to the RSMF, indicating the completion of the UE data context release.

[0243] This embodiment is the implementation process of the first network function handover, and the information transmitted between each network function can be called handover information.

[0244] Example 2: Handover of the third network function.

[0245] Assume that the first network function is named RCCF, the second network function is named RSMF, the third network function is named DU, the sixth network function is named AMF, and the seventh network function is named SMF. The fifth network function can be UPF, and the fourth network function can be PCF or UDM. As Figure 7 shown, the handover process of the DU includes:

[0246] Step 71: The S-DU sends a service operation Nrccf_UL RRC Transfer with the RCCF, which carries a measurement report.

[0247] Step 72: After receiving the measurement report, the RCCF decides to trigger a handover.

[0248] Step 73a: The T-RCCF sends a UE signaling context establishment request to the T-DU.

[0249] Step 73b: The T-DU sends a UE context establishment response to the T-RCCF.

[0250] Step 74: The RCCF sends a radio bearer context mobility request to the RSMF, and carries the identifier of the T-DU.

[0251] Step 75: The RSMF selects the T-DU according to the received T-DU identifier.

[0252] Step 76a: The RSMF sends a request to establish a UE data bearer context to the T-DU.

[0253] Step 76b: The T-DU sends a UE data bearer context establishment response to the RSMF.

[0254] Step 77: The RSMF sends a radio bearer context mobility response to the RCCF.

[0255] Steps 78a - 78b: The RCCF and the S-DU complete the modification between the UE contexts.

[0256] Step 79: The S-DU reconfigures the information of the T-DU to the UE.

[0257] Step 710: After the UE receives the information of the T-DU, it completes the random access with the T-DU.

[0258] Step 711: The T-DU sends an uplink RRC transmission message to the RCCF to indicate the successful access of the UE.

[0259] Step 711a: The RCCF sends a handover status update message to the AMF.

[0260] Step 712: The T-DU sends a message indicating the successful access of the UE to the RSMF.

[0261] Step 713: The RSMF sends a PDU session update session context request to the SMF, carrying information such as the PDU session list and tunnel ID.

[0262] Step 714a: The SMF sends an N4 session change request to the UPF, sending the AN tunnel information to the UPF. At the same time, it requests the UPF to allocate CN tunnel information.

[0263] Step 714b: The UPF sends an N4 session change response to the SMF, sending the successfully handovered PDU session and CN tunnel information to the SMF.

[0264] Step 715: The SMF sends a PDU session update context response to the RSMF, carrying the list of successfully handovered PDU sessions, CN tunnel information, etc.

[0265] Step 716: The RSMF sends a message confirming the successful handover to the RCCF.

[0266] Step 717a: The RCCF sends a UE signaling context release request to the S-DU.

[0267] Step 717b: The S-DU sends a UE signaling context release response to the RCCF.

[0268] Step 718a: The RSMF sends a UE data context release request to the S-DU.

[0269] Step 718b: The S-DU sends a UE data context release response to the RSMF.

[0270] This embodiment is the implementation process of the third network function handover, and the information transmitted between each network function can be called handover information.

[0271] Example 3. Handover of the base station (XN handover).

[0272] Assume that the first network function is named RCCF, the second network function is named RSMF, the third network function is named DU, the sixth network function is named AMF, and the seventh network function is named SMF. The fifth network function can be UPF, and the fourth network function can be PCF or UDM. As Figure 8 shown, the handover process of the base station includes:

[0273] Step 81: The RCCF of the S-gNB (source base station) sends a handover request to the RCCF of the T-gNB (target base station).

[0274] Step 82: After receiving the handover request, the RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover notification to the RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0275] Step 83: The RSMF of the T-gNB establishes a bearer context (BEARER CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE REQUEST / RESPONSE) with the T-gNB - Central Unit (CU) - UP.

[0276] Step 84a: The RSMF of the T-gNB establishes an F1-U connection with the T-gNB-DU (performs the F1-U UE context setup process) to establish the user plane channel between the T-gNB-DU and the T-gNB-CU-UP.

[0277] Step 84: The RCCF of the T-gNB and the T-gNB-DU establish an F1-C connection (performs the F1-C UE context setup process).

[0278] Step 85: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover request acknowledgment message (HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE) to the RCCF of the S-gNB.

[0279] Step 86a: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover notification acknowledgment message to the RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0280] Step 86: After receiving the handover request acknowledgment message, the S-gNB sends an F1-C context modification process to the S-gNB-DU.

[0281] Step 87a: The RSMF of the T-gNB sends a handover notification message to the RSMF of the S-gNB.

[0282] Step 87: The RSMF of the S-gNB initiates a bearer context modification process with the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0283] Step 88a: The RSMF of the S-gNB modifies the F1-U connection with the S-gNB-DU (F1-U UE context modification process) to modify the user plane channel between the S-gNB-DU and the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0284] Step 88: The RCCF of the S-gNB sends a SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the RCCF of the T-gNB, and the RCCF of the T-gNB sends a SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0285] Step 89: The RCCF of the T-gNB and the T-gNB-CU-UP initiate a bearer context modification process.

[0286] Step 89a: The RSMF of the T-gNB modifies the F1-U connection with the T-gNB-DU (F1-U UE context modification process) to modify the user plane channel between the T-gNB-DU and the T-gNB-CU-UP.

[0287] Step 89b: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover success message to the RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0288] Step 89c: The RSMF of the T-gNB sends a handover success message to the RSMF of the S-gNB.

[0289] Step 810a: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover success message to the RCCF of the S-gNB.

[0290] Step 810b: After receiving the handover request success message, the S-gNB sends an F1-C context modification process to the S-gNB-DU.

[0291] Step 810c: The RSMF of the S-gNB and the S-gNB-CU-UP initiate a bearer context modification process.

[0292] Step 810c1: The RSMF of the S-gNB modifies the F1-U connection with the S-gNB-DU (F1-U UE context modification process) to modify the user plane channel between the S-gNB-DU and the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0293] Step 810d: The RCCF of the S-gNB sends a SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the RCCF of the T-gNB, and the RCCF of the T-gNB sends a SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0294] Step 810e: The RSMF of the T-gNB and the T-gNB-CU-UP establish a bearer context.

[0295] Step 810f: The RSMF of the T-gNB modifies the F1-U connection with the T-gNB-DU (F1-U UE context modification process) to modify the user plane channel between the T-gNB-DU and the T-gNB-CU-UP.

[0296] Step 811: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a Path Switch Request to the AMF, carrying session information for the handover, etc.

[0297] Step 812: The AMF sends a request (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request) to the SMF to update the PDU session context.

[0298] Step 813: The SMF selects a UPF based on the session information and updates the tunnel information of the T-RAN to it, completing the N4 session update request / response (N4 Session Modification Request / Response).

[0299] Step 814: The SFM sends a session context update response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) to the AMF, carrying the tunnel information allocated by the UPF.

[0300] Step 815: The AMF sends a path switch confirmation message to the RCCF of the T-gNB.

[0301] Step 816: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a UE context release message to the RCCF of the S-gNB.

[0302] Step 817: The RSMF of the S-gNB sends a bearer context release command to the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0303] Step 818: The RSMF of the S-gNB initiates an F1-C UE context release process to the S-gNB-DU.

[0304] Step 818a: The RSMF of the S-gNB initiates an FI-U context release process to the S-gNB-DU to release the user plane channel between the S-gNB-DU and the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0305] Step 819: The S-gNB-CU-UP of the S-gNB sends a bearer context release completion message to the RSMF.

[0306] This embodiment is the implementation process of base station handover, and the information transmitted between various network functions can all be referred to as handover information.

[0307] Example 4. Handover of the base station (XN handover).

[0308] Suppose the first network function is named RCCF, the second network function is named RSMF, the third network function is named DU, the sixth network function is named AMF, and the seventh network function is named SMF. The fifth network function can be UPF, and the fourth network function can be PCF or UDM. As Figure 9 shown, the handover process of the base station may further include:

[0309] Step 91: RCCF of the S-gNB sends a handover request to RCCF of the T-gNB.

[0310] Step 92: After receiving the handover request, RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover notification to RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0311] Step 93: RSMF of the T-gNB establishes a bearer context with the T-gNB-CU-UP.

[0312] Step 94a: RSMF of the T-gNB establishes an F1-U connection with the T-gNB-DU for establishing the user plane channel between the T-gNB-DU and the T-gNB-CU-UP.

[0313] Step 94b: RCCF of the T-gNB and the T-gNB-DU establish an F1-C connection.

[0314] Step 95: RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover request confirmation message to RCCF of the S-gNB.

[0315] Step 96a: RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover notification confirmation message to RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0316] Step 96: After receiving the handover request confirmation message, the S-gNB sends an F1-C context modification process to the S-gNB-DU.

[0317] Step 97a: RSMF of the T-gNB sends a handover notification message to RSMF of the S-gNB.

[0318] Step 97: RSMF of the S-gNB and the S-gNB-CU-UP initiate a bearer context modification process.

[0319] Step 98a: RSMF of the S-gNB and the S-gNB-DU modify the F1-U connection for modifying the user plane channel between the S-gNB-DU and the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0320] Step 98: The RCCF of the S-gNB sends a SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the RCCF of the T-gNB, and the RCCF of the T-gNB sends a SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0321] Step 99: The RCCF of the T-gNB and the T-gNB-CU-UP initiate a bearer context modification process.

[0322] Step 99a: The RSMF of the T-gNB modifies the F1-U connection with the T-gNB-DU to modify the user plane channel between the T-gNB-DU and the T-gNB-CU-UP.

[0323] Step 99b: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover success message to the RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0324] Step 99c: The RSMF of the T-gNB sends a handover success message to the RSMF of the S-gNB.

[0325] Step 910a: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a handover success message to the RCCF of the S-gNB.

[0326] Step 910b: After receiving the handover request success message, the S-gNB sends an F1-C context modification process to the S-gNB-DU.

[0327] Step 910c: The RSMF of the S-gNB and the S-gNB-CU-UP initiate a bearer context modification process.

[0328] Step 910c1: The RSMF of the S-gNB modifies the F1-U connection with the S-gNB-DU to modify the user plane channel between the S-gNB-DU and the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0329] Step 910d: The RCCF of the S-gNB sends a SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the RCCF of the T-gNB, and the RCCF of the T-gNB sends a SN STATUS TRANSFER message to the RSMF of the T-gNB.

[0330] Step 910e: The RSMF of the T-gNB and the T-gNB-CU-UP establish a bearer context.

[0331] Step 910f: The RSMF of the T-gNB modifies the F1-U connection with the T-gNB-DU to modify the user plane channel between the T-gNB-DU and the T-gNB-CU-UP.

[0332] Step 911: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a path switch request to the AMF for handover status notification.

[0333] Step 912: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a request to update the session context to the SMF, carrying the PDU session information to be switched, etc.

[0334] Step 913: The SMF selects a UPF according to the session information and updates the tunnel information of the T-RAN to it, etc.

[0335] Step 914: The SFM sends a session context update response to the RCCF of the T-gNB, carrying the tunnel information allocated by the UPF.

[0336] Step 915: The AMF sends a path switch confirmation message to the RCCF of the T-gNB.

[0337] Step 916: The RCCF of the T-gNB sends a UE context release message to the RCCF of the S-gNB.

[0338] Step 917: The RSMF of the S-gNB sends a bearer context release command to the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0339] Step 918: The RSMF of the S-gNB initiates an F1 UE context release process to the gNB-DU.

[0340] Step 918a: The RSMF of the S-gNB initiates an FI-U context release process to the S-gNB-DU for releasing the user plane channel between the S-gNB-DU and the S-gNB-CU-UP.

[0341] Step 919: The S-gNB-CU-UP of the S-gNB sends a bearer context release completion message to the RSMF.

[0342] This embodiment is the implementation process of base station handover, and the information transmitted between various network functions can all be called handover information.

[0343] Example 5. Handover of base stations and core network elements (N2 handover), including a preparation stage and an execution stage.

[0344] Assume that the first network function is named RCCF, the second network function is named RSMF, the third network function is named DU, the sixth network function is named AMF, and the seventh network function is named SMF. The fifth network function can be a UPF.

[0345] The preparation stage of this handover process is as Figure 10 shown and may include:

[0346] Step 101: S-RCCF sends a Namf_Handover Required service operation to send a handover request, carrying the main information such as the target ID, source-to-target transparent container, intra-system handover indication, etc.

[0347] Step 102: S-AMF selects a T-AMF that can serve the UE after movement. The specific selection method can be queried through the NRF or according to the original local configuration.

[0348] Step 103: S-AMF sends a UE context establishment (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext) request to the T-AMF, carrying the main information such as the target ID, source-to-target transparent container, UE context information, tracking requirements, PDU session ID list, and the corresponding SMF information and the corresponding S-NSSAI (PCF ID and DNN).

[0349] Step 104: T-AMF sends a PDU session establishment (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext) request to the SMF, carrying the main information such as the PDU session ID, target ID, T-AMF ID, and RAN SM information.

[0350] Step 105: Based on the target ID, the SMF checks whether it can accept the N2 handover of the indicated PDU session. The SMF can also check the UPF selection criteria. If the UE has moved out of the service area of the UPF connected to the NG-RAN, the SMF selects a new intermediate UPF. If redundant transmission is performed for one or more QoS flows of the PDU session, the SMF selects two new intermediate UPFs based on the two N3 and N9 tunnels between the T-RAN and the UPF (PSA) to support redundant transmission.

[0351] In the case where the SMF fails to find a suitable I-UPF, the SMF decides (based on local policy):

[0352] 1) Trigger the re-establishment of the PDU session. After the handover process, the SMF sends an N1 message to the UE via the AMF by sending a "Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer" containing the reason indicating the re-establishment of the PDU session, which contains the reason indicating that the UE needs to re-establish the PDU session;

[0353] Or,

[0354] 2) Retain the PDU session, but reject the activation request for the user plane connection of the PDU session and notify the AMF;

[0355] Or,

[0356] 3) Release the PDU session after the handover process.

[0357] Step 106a: SMF to UPF (PSA): N4 session modification request.

[0358] If the SMF selects a new UPF as the intermediate UPF for the PDU session and different CN tunnel information is required, the SMF sends an N4 session modification request message to the UPF (PSA). If the CN tunnel information is allocated by the SMF, the SMF provides the CN tunnel information (on N9) and associates the CN tunnel information to be installed on the UPF (PSA) with the UL packet detection rules.

[0359] If redundant transmission is performed for one or more QoS flows of the PDU session and different CN tunnel information is required, if the CN tunnel information is allocated by the SMF, the SMF provides two CN tunnel information (on N9) to the UPF (PSA) and indicates to the UPF that one of the CN tunnel information is used as the redundant tunnel for the PDU session.

[0360] Step 106b: UPF (PSA) to SMF: N4 session modification response.

[0361] The UPF (PSA) sends an N4 session modification response message to the SMF. If the UPF (PSA) allocates the CN tunnel information of the UPF (PSA) (on N9), it provides the CN tunnel information to the SMF. If redundant transmission is performed for one or more QoS flows of the PDU session, the UPF (PSA) provides two CN tunnel information of the UPF (SA) (on N9) to the SMF and indicates to the SMF that one CN tunnel message is used as the redundant tunnel for the PDU session. The UPF (PSA) associates the CN tunnel information (on N9) with the UL packet detection rules provided by the SMF.

[0362] Step 106c: SMF to T-UPF (intermediate): N4 session establishment request.

[0363] If the SMF selects a new intermediate UPF for the PDU session, i.e., the target UPF (T-UPF), and if the CN tunnel information is allocated by the T-UPF, an N4 session establishment request message is sent to the T-UPF, providing the packet detection, enforcement, and reporting rules to be installed on the T-UPF. The CN tunnel information of the UPF (PSA) (on N9) for this PDU session used to establish the N9 tunnel is also provided to the T-UPF.

[0364] Step 106d: T-UPF (intermediate) to SMF: N4 session establishment response.

[0365] The T-UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message (i.e., N3 tunnel information) with DL CN tunnel information and UL CN tunnel information to the SMF. The SMF starts a timer.

[0366] Step 107: The SMF sends a PDU session establishment response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContextResponse) to the T-AMF, carrying information such as the PDU session ID, RAN SM information, and reasons for non-acceptance. If the handover of the PDU session is accepted, the SMF includes RAN SM information in the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response, which contains the N3 UP address of the UPF and the UL CN tunnel ID, as well as QoS parameters indicating that the RAN SM information is for the target NG-RAN.

[0367] Step 108: The AMF monitors the context (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext) response message from the involved SMF. The minimum value of the maximum delay indication value of the PDU session as a handover candidate gives the maximum time for the AMF to wait for the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response message before proceeding with the N2 handover process. When the maximum waiting time expires or all Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response messages are received, the AMF proceeds with the N2 handover process.

[0368] Steps 109 - 1010: The T-AMF sends a handover request message to the T-RCCF, and the T-RCCF feeds back a handover response message. Among them, the T-RCCF and the T-AMF of the T-RAN use service-based operations for signaling transmission.

[0369] Step 1011a: The T-AMF sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request service-based operation to the SMF, carrying mainly the PDU session ID, RAN SM information, etc.

[0370] Step 1011b: The SMF sends to the T-UPF: an N4 session modification request (Session ModificationRequest).

[0371] If the SMF selects the T-UPF, the SMF updates the T-UPF by sending an N4 session modification request to the T-UPF and providing a list of T-RAN SM N3 forwarding information.

[0372] If indirect forwarding is performed according to the indication of the access network and the UPF is reallocated, and if the SMF decides to establish an indirect forwarding tunnel on the same T-UPF, the SMF also requests the T-UPF to allocate a DL forwarding tunnel for indirect forwarding in the N4 session modification request message.

[0373] Indirect forwarding can be performed through a UPF different from the T-UPF. In this case, the SMF selects the T-UPF for indirect forwarding.

[0374] Step 1011c: The T-UPF sends to the SMF: N4 session modification response (including the T-UPF SM N3 forwarding information list).

[0375] Among them, the T-UPF allocates tunnel information and returns an N4 session modification response message to the SMF.

[0376] Step 1011d: The SMF sends to the S-UPF: N4 session modification request (Session ModificationRequest).

[0377] If the UPF is reallocated, this message contains the T-UPF SM N3 forwarding information list. If the UPF is not reallocated, this message contains the T-RAN SM N3 forwarding information list.

[0378] If indirect forwarding is requested according to the NG-RAN indication and the UPF allocates a tunnel identifier, the SMF indicates in the N4 session modification request message that the S-UPF allocates a DL forwarding tunnel for indirect forwarding.

[0379] Step 1011e: The S-UPF sends to the SMF: N4 session modification response.

[0380] Step 1011f: The SMF sends to the T-AMF: PDU session update context response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response), which mainly carries information such as RAN SM Information, N3 UPF address, and tunnel ID, etc.

[0381] Step 1012: The T-AMF sends to the S-AMF: UE context establishment response (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Response), which mainly carries information such as the target container to the source transparent container, the PDU session setting list, RAN SM information, etc.

[0382] The execution phase of this handover process is as Figure 11 shown, including:

[0383] Step 111: The S-AMF sends a handover request command to the S-RCCF.

[0384] Step 112: The S-RCCF sends a handover command to the UE.

[0385] Step 112a: The S-RCCF sends its own status transfer message (Namf_Uplink RAN StatusTransfer) to the S-AMF.

[0386] Steps 112b - 112c: If there is an AMF relocation, the S-AMF sends the uplink RAN status handover information to the T-AMF through the service operation of the N1 N2 message (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer), and the T-AMF confirms. If the AMF is relocated, the T-AMF sends the downlink RAN status transfer message to the T-RCCF.

[0387] Steps 113a to 113b: Data is directly forwarded or indirectly forwarded.

[0388] Among them, the uplink packet is sent by the T-RCCF to the T-UPF and the UPF (PSA). The downlink packet is sent from the UPF (PSA) to the S-RCCF through the S-UPF. It can be direct forwarding or indirect forwarding.

[0389] Step 114: The UE sends a handover confirmation message to the T-RCCF.

[0390] When the UE successfully synchronizes with the target message, it sends a "handover confirmation" message to the T-RCCF. Through this message, the UE considers the handover successful.

[0391] Step 115: The RCCF of the T-RAN sends a handover confirmation (Namf_Handover Notify) service operation to the T-AMF, considering the handover successful in the target access network.

[0392] Step 116a: The T-AMF sends a notification message (Namf_Communication_N2InfoNotify) to the S-AMF. After receiving the notification message, the S-AMF starts a timer to monitor when to release the resources in the source access network.

[0393] Step 116b: The S-AMF sends an acknowledgement message (Namf_Communication_N2InfoNotifyACK) to the T-AMF to confirm.

[0394] Step 116c: The S-AMF sends a service operation of PDU session release request (Nsmf_PDUSession_ReleaseSMContext Request) to the SMF. If the T-AMF does not accept the PDU session (for example, the S-NSSAI associated with the PDU session is not available in the T-AMF), the S-AMF triggers the PDU session release procedure.

[0395] Step 117: The T-AMF sends a service operation of PDU session update (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext) to the SMF, carrying information mainly including the handover completion indication of the PDU session ID, UE information in the LADN service area, RANSM information (assist RAT to use data), etc. Each PDU session sends the handover completion indication to the corresponding SMF to indicate the success of the path handover.

[0396] Step 118a: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the T-UPF (intermediate).

[0397] If a new T-UPF is inserted or the existing intermediate S-UPF is reallocated, the SMF shall send an N4 session modification request to the T-UPF, indicating the DL AN tunnel information of the target access network.

[0398] Step 118b: The T-UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF. The T-UPF confirms by sending an N4 session modification response message to the SMF.

[0399] Step 119a: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the S-UPF (intermediate).

[0400] If the UPF is not reallocated, the SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the S-UPF, indicating the DL AN tunnel information of the T-RAN.

[0401] Step 119b: The S-UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF. The S-UPF confirms by sending an N4 session modification response message to the SMF.

[0402] Step 1110a: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF (PSA).

[0403] Step 1110b: The UPF (PSA) sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

[0404] Step 1111: The SMF sends a PDU session update response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) service operation to the T-AMF, which can carry information such as the PDU Session ID to confirm the receipt of the handover completion message.

[0405] Step 1112: Execute the registration process.

[0406] Step 1113a: The SMF sends an N4 session release request to the S-UPF.

[0407] Step 1113b: The S-UPF sends an N4 session release response to the SMF.

[0408] Steps 1114a - 1114b: The S-AMF sends a UE context release command to the S-RCCF; the S-RCCF sends a UE context release completion message to the S-AMF.

[0409] Among them, the signaling transmission in this step uses service operations instead of the N2 interface, and the S-AMF sends a UE context release command to the S-RCCF.

[0410] Steps 1115a - 1115b: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the T-UPF; the T-UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

[0411] This embodiment is the implementation process of the handover between the base station and the core network, and the information transmitted between each network function can be called handover information.

[0412] Example 6. Handover of the base station and core network elements (N2 handover), including a preparation stage and an execution stage.

[0413] Assume that the first network function is named RCCF, the second network function is named RSMF, the third network function is named DU, the sixth network function is named AMF, and the seventh network function is named SMF. The fifth network function can be UPF.

[0414] The preparation stage of this handover process is as Figure 12 shown and can include:

[0415] Step 121: The S-RCCF invokes a handover request (Namf_Handover Required) service operation to send a handover request, and the main information carried includes the target ID, source transparent container to target transparent container, in-system handover indication, etc.

[0416] Step 122: The S-RCCF selects a T-AMF that can serve the UE after mobility. The specific selection method can be queried through the NRF or according to the original local configuration.

[0417] Step 123: The S-RCCF sends a UE context establishment (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext) request to the T-AMF. The information carried includes the target ID, source transparent container to target transparent container, UE context information, tracking requirements, PDU session ID list, and corresponding SMF information and corresponding S-NSSAI (PCF ID and DNN).

[0418] Step 124: The S-RCCF sends a PDU session context update (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext) request to the SMF. The information carried includes the PDU session ID, target ID, T-AMF ID, RAN SM information, etc.

[0419] Step 125: The SMF selects a UPF.

[0420] If the UE has moved out of the service area of the UPF connected to the NG-RAN, the SMF will select a new intermediate UPF. If redundant transmission is performed for one or more QoS flows of the PDU session, the SMF selects two new intermediate UPFs between the T-RAN and the UPF (PSA) for the two N3 and N9 tunnels to support redundant transmission.

[0421] Step 126a: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF (PSA).

[0422] Step 126b: The UPF (PSA) sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

[0423] Step 126c: The SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to the T-UPF.

[0424] If the SMF selects a new intermediate UPF for the PDU session, i.e., the target UPF (T-UPF), if the T-UPF allocates CN tunnel information, it sends an N4 session establishment request message to the T-UPF, providing the packet detection, enforcement, and reporting rules to be installed on the T-UPF.

[0425] Step 126d: The T-UPF sends an N4 session establishment response to the SMF.

[0426] The T-UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the SMF, which may include DL CN tunnel information and UL CN tunnel information (i.e., N3 tunnel information).

[0427] Step 127: The SMF sends a PDU session context update response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) to the T-AMF and the S-RCCF, carrying information such as the PDU session ID, RAN SM information, and reasons for non-acceptance. If the handover of the PDU session is accepted, the SMF carries RAN SM information in the Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response, which includes the N3 UP address of the UPF, the UL CN tunnel ID, and QoS parameters indicating that the RAN SM information is for the target NG-RAN.

[0428] Step 128: The T-AMF monitors the PDU session handover response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) message from the relevant SMF.

[0429] Step 129: The T-AMF sends a handover request message (Nrccf_Handover Reques) to the T-RCCF.

[0430] Step 1210: The T-RCCF sends a handover request acknowledgement message (Nrccf_Handover RequestAcknowledge) to the T-AMF. Here, the T-RCCF and the T-AMF use service-based operations for signaling transmission.

[0431] Step 1211a: The T-RCCF sends a PDU session update request (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request) service-based operation to the T-SMF, carrying information such as the PDU session ID, RAN SM information, etc.

[0432] Step 1211b: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the T-UPF.

[0433] Step 1211c: The T-UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

[0434] Step 1211d: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the S-UPF.

[0435] Step 1211e: The S-UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

[0436] Step 1211f: The SMF sends a PDU session update response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) to the T-RCCF, carrying information such as RAN SM information, N3 UPF address, and tunnel ID, etc.

[0437] Step 1212: The T-AMF sends a UE context establishment response (Namf_Communication_CreateUEContext Response) to the S-RCCF, carrying information such as the target transparent container to the source transparent container, PDU session setting list, RAN SM information (N3 DL forwarding information, PCF ID), etc.

[0438] The execution phase of this handover process is as Figure 13 shown, including:

[0439] Step 131: The S-AMF sends a handover request command to the S-RCCF.

[0440] Step 132: The S-RCCF sends a handover command to the UE.

[0441] Step 132a: The S-RCCF sends a status transfer message to itself for the S-AMF.

[0442] Step 132b: The S-AMF sends uplink RAN status handover information to the T-AMF through a service operation of the N1 N2 message (Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer) and the T-AMF feeds back an acknowledgment.

[0443] Step 132c: The T-AMF sends a downlink RAN status transfer message to the T-RCCF.

[0444] Steps 133a to 133b: Data direct forwarding or data indirect forwarding.

[0445] Among them, the uplink packets are sent by the T-RCCF to the T-UPF and the UPF (PSA). The downlink packets are sent from the UPF (PSA) to the S-RCCF through the S-UPF. It can be direct forwarding or indirect forwarding.

[0446] Step 134: The UE sends a handover confirmation message to the T-RCCF.

[0447] When the UE synchronizes successfully with the target message, it sends a "handover confirmation" message to the T-RCCF. Through this message, the UE considers the handover to be successful.

[0448] Step 135: T-RCCF sends a service operation of handover confirmation (Namf_Handover Notify) to T-AMF, considering the handover successful in T-RCCF.

[0449] Step 136a: T-RCCF sends Namf_Communication_N2InfoNotify to S-AMF. After receiving it, S-AMF starts a timer to monitor when to release the resources in the source access network.

[0450] Step 136b: S-AMF sends a Namf_Communication_N2InfoNotifyACK operation to T-RCCF to confirm.

[0451] Step 136c: T-RCCF sends a service operation of PDU session release request (Nsmf_PDUSession_ReleaseSMContext Request) to SMF. If T-AMF does not accept the PDU session (for example, the S-NSSAI associated with the PDU session is not available in T-AMF), then S-AMF triggers the PDU session release process.

[0452] Step 137: T-RCCF sends a service operation of PDU session update (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext) to SMF, carrying information mainly including the handover completion indication of the PDU session ID, UE information in the LADN service area, RANSM information (assist RAT to use data), etc. Each PDU session sends the handover completion indication to the corresponding SMF to indicate the success of the path handover.

[0453] Step 138a: SMF sends an N4 session modification request to T-UPF (intermediate).

[0454] Step 138b: T-UPF sends an N4 session modification response to SMF. T-UPF confirms by sending an N4 session modification response message to SMF.

[0455] Step 139a: SMF sends an N4 session modification request to S-UPF (intermediate).

[0456] Step 139b: S-UPF sends an N4 session modification response to SMF. S-UPF confirms by sending an N4 session modification response message to SMF.

[0457] Step 1310a: SMF sends an N4 session modification request to UPF (PSA).

[0458] Step 1310b: The UPF (PSA) sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

[0459] Step 1311: The SMF sends a PDU session update response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) service operation to the T-RCCF, which can carry information such as the PDU Session ID to confirm receipt of the handover completion.

[0460] Step 1312: Execute the registration process.

[0461] Step 1313a: The SMF sends an N4 session release request to the S-UPF.

[0462] Step 1313b: The S-UPF sends an N4 session release response to the SMF.

[0463] Steps 1314a - 1314b: The S-AMF sends a UE context release command to the S-RCCF; the S-RCCF sends a UE context release completion message to the S-AMF. In this step, the signaling transmission uses service operations instead of the N2 interface.

[0464] Steps 1315a - 1315b: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the T-UPF; the T-UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

[0465] This embodiment is the implementation process of the handover between the base station and the core network, and the information transmitted between each network function can be called handover information.

[0466] In this embodiment, after introducing the radio connection network function in the service-based architecture of the radio access network control plane, the radio connection network function can perform handover signaling interaction with the core network function, and the radio connection management function can perform handover signaling interaction with the radio session management function and the DU, finally realizing the handover process under the radio connection network function, and designing a new process based on the new architecture form for the handover part.

[0467] In the embodiment of the present application, the first network function can send handover information to the sixth network function for the mobility management function of the core network and / or the seventh network function for the session management function of the core network when a network handover needs to be performed, so as to realize the handover signaling interaction and information transmission between the radio access network and the core network function.

[0468] As Figure 14 shown, the embodiment of the present application also provides a network handover method applied to the target network function, including:

[0469] Step 1401: The target network function receives the handover information sent by the first network function when it determines to perform network handover.

[0470] Step 1402: The target network function performs a handover operation based on the handover information.

[0471] Among them, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function. The sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0472] In this embodiment, the target network function may be a core network function. The first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0473] The first network function may carry / support / include but not limited to at least one of the following functions:

[0474] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of signaling for access control between the UE and the radio access network;

[0475] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of RRC signaling between the UE and the radio access network;

[0476] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of paging signaling between the UE and the radio access network;

[0477] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of mobility signaling between the UE and the radio access network;

[0478] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of signaling for access control between the radio access network and the core network;

[0479] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of RRC signaling between the radio access network and the core network;

[0480] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of paging signaling between the radio access network and the core network;

[0481] Establishment / modification / release / deletion, etc. of mobility signaling between the radio access network and the core network.

[0482] In this embodiment, the first network function can also be used for the Radio Connected Management Function (RCCF). The first network function can be a logical entity and communicate with other network functions through interfaces. It should be noted that in this application, the name of the first network function is not limited and can be, for example, called Radio Connected Management Function, Radio Connection Control Function, Radio Access Management Function, Radio Access Control Function, Radio Access and Mobility Management Function, Radio Access and Mobility Control Function, etc.

[0483] Optionally, the first network function can be a network function after the service-oriented transformation of the control plane of the radio access network. The network function after the service-oriented transformation of the control plane of the radio access network further includes a second network function for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0484] The sixth network function and the seventh network function are core network functions. Among them, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network and can carry / support / include but not limited to at least one of the following functions: function connection management, registration management, reachability management, mobility management, Non-access stratum (NAS) message transmission. It should be noted that in this application, the name of the sixth network function is not limited and can be, for example, called mobility management function, access and mobility management function, access and mobility control function, access management function, access control function, connection management function, connection control function, etc.

[0485] The seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network and can carry / support / include but not limited to at least one of the following functions: session control, session management, user plane transmission management, user plane transmission control, etc. It should be noted that in this application, the name of the seventh network function is not limited and can be, for example, called session management function, session control function, user plane transmission management function, user plane transmission control function, etc.

[0486] The handover operation of the network handover is, for example, the handover of functions within the radio access network (such as the handover between the first network functions, the handover of the DU corresponding to the first network function, etc.), the handover between different base stations, etc.

[0487] When determining that a network handover needs to be performed, the first network function can send handover information to the network functions of the core network so that the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function of the core network perform corresponding handover operations.

[0488] In an embodiment of the present application, a sixth network function for the mobility management function of the core network and / or a seventh network function for the session management function of the core network receive handover information sent by a first network function, and perform corresponding handover operations based on the handover information, thereby implementing handover signaling interaction and information transmission between the radio access network and the core network functions.

[0489] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0490] Receiving information of a second network function sent by the first network function;

[0491] Performing network handover with the second network function according to the information of the second network function;

[0492] Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0493] In this embodiment, the second network function may be used for the session management function of the radio access network. The second network function may be a network function after the service-oriented transformation of the radio access network control plane, and the network function after the service-oriented transformation of the radio access network control plane further includes the first network function. The second network function may carry / support / include but is not limited to at least one of the following functions: UE radio user plane transmission management function, such as Radio Session Mangement Function (RSMF). Information may be directly exchanged between the first network function and the second network function.

[0494] It should be noted that in the present application, the name of the second network function is not limited, and the second network function may be referred to as, for example: radio user plane transmission management function, radio user plane transmission control function, radio bearer management function, radio bearer control function, radio session management function, radio session control function, radio session resource management function or radio session resource control function.

[0495] The first network function may send the information of the second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function. The sixth network function and / or the seventh network function may perform information interaction with the second network function based on the information of the second network function. Among them, the information of the second network function, for example: the IP address of the second network function or the identification information of the second network function.

[0496] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the handover information. In this embodiment, the first network function may separately send the information of the second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, or may carry the information of the second network function through the handover information.

[0497] As an optional embodiment, receiving the handover information sent by the first network function when determining to perform network handover includes:

[0498] Receiving a first request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the sixth network function, and the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function;

[0499] Or,

[0500] Receiving a second request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the sixth network function, and the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, receiving a third request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the seventh network function, and the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0501] Optionally, when the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, performing the handover operation based on the handover information includes: performing the handover operation according to the first handover information, and sending the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0502] Optionally, the method further includes: sending a response message to the first network function.

[0503] In this embodiment, when the first network function sends handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, it may send the information related to the sixth network function and the information related to the seventh network function to the sixth network function, and the sixth network function sends the information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function. Or, the first network function may also send the information related to the sixth network function to the sixth network function and the information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0504] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0505] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0506] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0507] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0508] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0509] For example: The first network function sends a request message such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of a handover signaling to the sixth network function. After receiving the request message, the sixth network function performs operations such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the handover signaling, and the sixth network function sends a response message such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the handover signaling to the first network function. The sixth network function sends information such as the session to be handed over to the seventh network function to complete the modification of the user plane path. During this process, the first network function can notify the second network function of the current handover status for use in completing the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the RB bearer between the first network function, the second network function, and other network functions.

[0510] Or,

[0511] The first network function sends a request message such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of a handover signaling related to the sixth network function to the sixth network function. After receiving the request message, the sixth network function performs operations such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the handover signaling, and the sixth network function sends a response message such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the handover signaling to the first network function. The second network function sends a request message such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of a session handover signaling to the seventh network function. After receiving the request message, the seventh network function performs operations such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the session handover signaling, and the seventh network function sends a response message such as the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the session handover signaling to the second network function. During this process, the first network function can notify the second network function of the current handover status for use in completing the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the RB bearer between the first network function, the second network function, and other network functions.

[0512] It should be noted that the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function in this application can also send a request message to the first network function. After the first network function performs the corresponding operation, it sends a corresponding message to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function. For example: The sixth network function sends the first information to the first network function, and the first information is used to request the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the UE handover signaling transmission resource. The first network function establishes / modifies / releases / deletes the UE handover signaling transmission resource according to the first information. The first network function sends the second information to the sixth network function, and the second information is used to indicate the response to the request for the establishment / modification / release / deletion of the UE handover signaling transmission resource.

[0513] Optionally, the target network function performs information transmission with the first network function based on a first interface; the first interface is an interface based on services, or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

[0514] In this embodiment, if the first interface is a service-based interface, the first interface can be the service-based interface of the first network function, or the service-based interface of the sixth network function and / or the service-based interface of the seventh network function. For example, the information transmission between the first network function and the sixth network function can be executed through the service-based interface of the first network function or through the service-based interface of the sixth network function. If the first interface is a point-to-point interface, the information transmission between the first network function and the sixth network function is executed through the point-to-point interface between them, and the information transmission between the first network function and the seventh network function is executed through the point-to-point interface between them.

[0515] It should be noted that the information can be transmitted between the first network function and the second network function, and between the second network function and the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, either through the service-based interface or through the point-to-point interface.

[0516] For example, the information transmission between the first network function, the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function is based on the point-to-point interface, and the transmission architecture can be as Figure 4 shown. The interface between the first network function and the second network function is Nbc, the interface between the second network function and the seventh network function is Ncd, the interface between the first network function and the sixth network function is Nab, and the interface between the sixth network function and the seventh network function is Nad.

[0517] For example, the information transmission between the first network function, the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function is based on the service-based interface, and the transmission architecture can be as Figure 5 shown.

[0518] Among them, the service-based interface of the first network function is Nh, the service-based interface of the second network function is Ng, the service-based interface of the sixth network function is Nc, and the service-based interface of the seventh network function is Nd.

[0519] It should be noted that the interface names in this embodiment are only examples, and other formats or names can also be used for definition, which are not limited here.

[0520] The network function of the embodiment of the present application can also be a logical node. The logical node or the network function can be implemented as a network element on dedicated hardware, or as a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on a platform, such as implemented on cloud infrastructure.

[0521] In an embodiment of the present application, a sixth network function for the mobility management function of the core network and / or a seventh network function for the session management function of the core network receive handover information sent by a first network function, and perform corresponding handover operations based on the handover information, thereby implementing handover signaling interaction and information transmission between the radio access network and the core network functions.

[0522] The above embodiments introduce the network handover method of the present application. Next, this embodiment will further describe the corresponding device with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0523] Specifically, as Figure 15 shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a network handover device 1500, which is applied to a first network function and includes:

[0524] A first sending unit 1510, configured to send handover information to a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function when it is determined to perform a network handover, where the handover information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform a handover operation corresponding to the handover information;

[0525] Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0526] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0527] A second sending unit, configured to send information of a second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function when it is determined to perform a network handover;

[0528] Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0529] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the handover information.

[0530] Optionally, the first sending unit is specifically configured to:

[0531] Send a first request message to the sixth network function, where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function;

[0532] Or,

[0533] Send a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or send a third request message to the seventh network function, where the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0534] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0535] A second receiving unit, configured to receive a response message sent by the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function.

[0536] Optionally, in the case where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the sixth network function is configured to: perform a handover operation according to the first handover information, and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0537] Optionally, in the case of sending a second request message to the sixth network function, the second request message includes first handover information related to the sixth network function, the second network function is configured to send second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0538] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0539] A third sending unit, configured to send handover status information to a second network function.

[0540] Optionally, the device further comprises:

[0541] A fourth sending unit, configured to send a fourth request message to a third network function, where the fourth request message is used to establish a context of a terminal and / or establish a data bearer context of the terminal in the third network function.

[0542] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0543] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0544] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0545] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0546] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0547] Optionally, the device further comprises: a determination unit; specifically, the determination unit is configured to:

[0548] Query and determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function through the NRF;

[0549] Or,

[0550] Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function according to local configuration.

[0551] Optionally, the first network function transmits information to and / or from the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function through a first interface;

[0552] The first interface is a service-based interface or a point-to-point interface.

[0553] It should be noted here that the above device provided in the embodiments of the present application can implement all the method steps implemented by the above method embodiments applied to the first network function, and can achieve the same technical effects. Therefore, the same parts and beneficial effects as those in the method embodiments will not be specifically described in this embodiment.

[0554] Specifically, as Figure 16 shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a network switching device 1600, which is applied to a target network function and includes:

[0555] A first receiving unit 1610, configured to receive switching information sent by the first network function when it determines to perform network switching;

[0556] A first processing unit 1620, configured to perform a switching operation based on the switching information;

[0557] Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0558] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0559] A third receiving unit, configured to receive information about the second network function sent by the first network function;

[0560] A second processing unit, configured to perform network switching with the second network function according to the information about the second network function;

[0561] Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0562] Optionally, the information about the second network function is carried in the switching information.

[0563] Optionally, the first receiving unit is specifically configured to:

[0564] Receive a first request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the sixth network function, and the first request message includes: first switching information related to the sixth network function and second switching information related to the seventh network function;

[0565] Or,

[0566] Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the sixth network function, and the second request message includes first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, receive a third request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the seventh network function, and the third request message includes second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0567] Optionally, the apparatus further includes:

[0568] A fifth sending unit, configured to send a response message to the first network function.

[0569] Optionally, when the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the first processing unit is specifically configured to:

[0570] Perform a handover operation according to the first handover information, and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0571] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0572] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0573] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0574] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0575] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0576] Optionally, the target network function performs information transmission with the first network function based on a first interface; the first interface is an interface based on services, or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

[0577] It should be noted here that the above apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application can implement all the method steps implemented by the method embodiments applied to the target network function, and can achieve the same technical effects. The same parts and beneficial effects as those in the method embodiments are not specifically described in this embodiment.

[0578] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, merely a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. Additionally, in each embodiment of the present application, the functional units may be integrated into a first processing unit, or each unit may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0579] If the above integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it may be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, may be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0580] As Figure 17 shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network device. The network device is a first network function and includes: a memory 1720, a transceiver 1700, and a processor 1710; wherein, the memory 1720 is used to store a computer program; the transceiver 1700 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1710; the processor 1710 is used to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0581] When it is determined to perform network switching, send switching information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, and the switching information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform the switching operation corresponding to the switching information;

[0582] Among them, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0583] Optionally, the processor is used to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0584] When it is determined to perform network switching, send information of the second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function;

[0585] Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0586] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the handover information.

[0587] Optionally, the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0588] Send a first request message to the sixth network function, where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function;

[0589] Or,

[0590] Send a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, send a third request message to the seventh network function, where the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0591] Optionally, the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0592] Receive a response message sent by the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function.

[0593] Optionally, when the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the sixth network function is configured to: perform a handover operation according to the first handover information and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0594] Optionally, when sending a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function, the second network function is configured to send the second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

[0595] Optionally, the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0596] Send handover status information to the second network function.

[0597] Optionally, the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0598] Send a fourth request message to a third network function, where the fourth request message is used to establish a context of a terminal and / or establish a data bearer context of the terminal at the third network function.

[0599] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0600] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0601] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0602] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0603] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0604] Optionally, the processor is configured to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0605] Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function through querying by the NRF;

[0606] Or,

[0607] Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function according to local configuration.

[0608] Optionally, the first network function performs information transmission with the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function through a first interface;

[0609] The first interface is a service-based interface, or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

[0610] Wherein, in Figure 17 The bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically various circuits represented by one or more processors represented by the processor 1710 and the memory represented by the memory 1720 are linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and thus will not be further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1700 may be a plurality of elements, that is, including a transmitter and a transceiver, and provides a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium. The processor 1710 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1720 may store data used by the processor 1710 when performing operations.

[0611] The processor 1710 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0612] It should be noted here that the above network device provided by the embodiments of the present application can implement all the method steps implemented by the above method embodiments applied to the first network function, and can achieve the same technical effects. The same parts and beneficial effects as those in the method embodiments will not be specifically described in this embodiment.

[0613] As Figure 18 shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network device. The network device is a target network function, including: a memory 1820, a transceiver 1800, and a processor 1810. Among them, the memory 1820 is used to store computer programs; the transceiver 1800 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1810; the processor 1810 is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0614] Receive the handover information sent by the first network function when it determines to perform network handover;

[0615] Perform a handover operation based on the handover information;

[0616] Among them, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function. The sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

[0617] Optionally, the processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0618] Receive the information of the second network function sent by the first network function;

[0619] Perform a network handover with the second network function according to the information of the second network function;

[0620] Among them, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

[0621] Optionally, the information of the second network function is carried in the handover information.

[0622] Optionally, the processor is configured to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0623] Receive a first request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the sixth network function, and the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function;

[0624] Or,

[0625] Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the sixth network function, and the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, receive a third request message sent by the first network function, where the target network function is the seventh network function, and the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

[0626] Optionally, the processor is configured to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0627] Send a response message to the first network function.

[0628] Optionally, in the case where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the processor is configured to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0629] Perform a handover operation according to the first handover information, and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

[0630] Optionally, the handover information includes at least one of the following:

[0631] A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling;

[0632] A modification request message related to handover signaling;

[0633] A release request message related to handover signaling;

[0634] A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

[0635] Optionally, the target network function performs information transmission with the first network function based on a first interface; the first interface is a service-based interface or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

[0636] Wherein, in Figure 18Among them, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically, various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 1810 and memory represented by memory 1820 are linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, etc., which are well known in the art, so they will not be further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1800 may be multiple components, that is, including a transmitter and a transceiver, and provides a unit for communicating with various other devices on the transmission medium. The processor 1810 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1820 may store data used by the processor 1810 when performing operations.

[0637] The processor 1810 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0638] It should be noted here that the above network device provided by the embodiments of the present application can implement all the method steps implemented by the above method embodiments applied to the target network function, and can achieve the same technical effects. The same parts and beneficial effects as those in the method embodiments will not be specifically described in this embodiment.

[0639] In addition, the specific embodiments of the present application also provide a processor-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the above network switching method and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here. Among them, the readable storage medium may be any available medium or data storage device accessible by the processor, including but not limited to magnetic memories (such as floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, magneto-optical disks (MO), etc.), optical memories (such as CDs, DVDs, BDs, HVDs, etc.), and semiconductor memories (such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), solid state drives (SSD)), etc.

[0640] It should be noted that the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a variety of systems, especially 5G systems. For example, the applicable systems can be Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) systems, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, 5G New Radio (NR) systems, etc. Both terminal devices and network devices are included in these various systems. The system may also include a core network part, such as an Evolved Packet System (EPS), a 5G System (5GS), etc.

[0641] The terminal device involved in the embodiments of this application can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users, such as a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, etc. In different systems, the name of the terminal device may also be different. For example, in a 5G system, the terminal device can be called a user equipment (UE). The wireless terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks (CNs) via a radio access network (RAN). The wireless terminal device can be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or a "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal device. For example, it can be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-integrated, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with the radio access network. For example, devices such as personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiated protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The wireless terminal device can also be referred to as a system, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, remote station, access point, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, user device, which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0642] The network device involved in the embodiments of the present application may be a base station, which may include multiple cells that provide services to terminals. Depending on the specific application scenarios, the base station may also be referred to as an access point, or may be a device in the access network that communicates with wireless terminal devices through one or more sectors on the air interface, or other names. The network device can be used to mutually replace the received air frames and Internet Protocol (IP) packets, and act as a router between the wireless terminal device and the rest of the access network, where the rest of the access network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communication network. The network device can also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. For example, the network device involved in the embodiments of the present application may be a network device (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), may also be a network device (NodeB) in Wide-band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), may also be an evolved network device (evolutional Node B, eNB or e-NodeB) in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a 5G base station (gNB) in the 5G network architecture (next generation system), may also be a Home evolved Node B (HeNB), a relay node, a femto, a pico, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In some network architectures, the network device may include a centralized unit (centralized unit, CU) node and a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU) node, and the centralized unit and the distributed unit may also be arranged separately geographically.

[0643] A network device and a terminal device can each use one or more antennas for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission. The MIMO transmission can be single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) or multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). According to the form and number of antenna combinations, the MIMO transmission can be 2D-MIMO, 3D-MIMO, FD-MIMO, or massive-MIMO, or it can be diversity transmission, precoding transmission, beamforming transmission, etc.

[0644] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage and optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0645] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, and the combination of processes and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram can be implemented by computer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing devices to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing devices generate a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0646] These processor-executable instructions can also be stored in a processor-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the processor-readable memory generate a manufactured product including an instruction device, and the instruction device implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0647] These processor-executable instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, so that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to generate a computer-implemented process, and thus the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0648] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalent technologies, this application is also intended to cover these changes and modifications.

Claims

1. A network switching method, applied to a first network function, characterized in that, Including: When determining to perform network handover, the first network function sends handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, where the handover information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform handover operations corresponding to the handover information; Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: When determining to perform network handover, sending information of the second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function; Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The information of the second network function is carried in the handover information.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The sending the handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function includes: Sending a first request message to the sixth network function, where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function; Or, Sending a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, sending a third request message to the seventh network function, where the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a response message sent by the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the sixth network function is used for: performing a handover operation according to the first handover information and sending the second handover information to the seventh network function.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, When sending a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function, the second network function is used for sending the second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein The method further includes: Sending handover status information to the second network function.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Sending a fourth request message to the third network function, where the fourth request message is used for the third network function to establish a context of the terminal and / or establish a data bearer context of the terminal.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that The handover information includes at least one of the following: A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling; A modification request message related to handover signaling; A release request message related to handover signaling; A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein The method further includes: Querying and determining at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function through a network repository function NRF; Or, Determining at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function according to local configuration.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first network function performs information transmission with the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function through a first interface; The first interface is a service-based interface, or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

13. A network switching method, applied to a target network function, characterized in that, Including: The target network function receives handover information sent by the first network function when it determines to perform network handover; The target network function performs a handover operation based on the handover information; Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving information of a second network function sent by the first network function; Performing network handover with the second network function according to the information of the second network function; Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The information of the second network function is carried in the handover information.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein The receiving the handover information sent by the first network function when it determines to perform network handover includes: Receiving a first request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the sixth network function, and the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function; Or, Receiving a second request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the sixth network function, and the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, receiving a third request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the seventh network function, and the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The method further includes: Sending a response message to the first network function.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein, When the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the performing the handover operation based on the handover information includes: Performing a handover operation according to the first handover information and sending the second handover information to the seventh network function.

19. The method according to claim 13 or 16, characterized in that, The handover information includes at least one of the following: A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling; A modification request message related to handover signaling; A release request message related to handover signaling; A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

20. The method according to claim 13, wherein The target network function performs information transmission with the first network function based on a first interface; the first interface is a service-based interface, or the first interface is a point-to-point interface.

21. A network device, the network device being a first network function, characterized in that, Including: A memory, a transceiver, a processor: The memory is used for storing a computer program; The transceiver is used for receiving and sending data under the control of the processor; The processor is used for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations: When it determines to perform network handover, sending handover information to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, and the handover information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform the handover operation corresponding to the handover information; Among them, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

22. The network device according to claim 21, wherein The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: When it is determined to perform network handover, send the information of the second network function to the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function; Among them, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

23. The network device according to claim 22, wherein The information of the second network function is carried in the handover information.

24. The network device according to claim 21, wherein The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Send a first request message to the sixth network function, where the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function; Or, Send a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, send a third request message to the seventh network function, where the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

25. The network device according to claim 24, wherein The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Receive a response message sent by the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function.

26. The network device according to claim 24, characterized in that, When the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the sixth network function is configured to: perform a handover operation according to the first handover information and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

27. The network device according to claim 24, wherein When sending a second request message to the sixth network function, where the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function, the second network function is configured to send the second handover information related to the seventh network function to the seventh network function.

28. The network device according to claim 24, characterized in that, The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Send handover status information to the second network function.

29. The network device according to claim 21, characterized in that, The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Send a fourth request message to the third network function, where the fourth request message is used to establish the context of the terminal and / or establish the data bearer context of the terminal in the third network function.

30. The network device according to claim 21 or 24, characterized in that, The handover information includes at least one of the following: A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling; A modification request message related to handover signaling; A release request message related to handover signaling; A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

31. The network device according to claim 22, wherein The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function through NRF query; Or, Determine at least one of the second network function, the sixth network function, and the seventh network function according to local configuration.

32. The network device according to claim 21, wherein The first network function transmits information to and / or from the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function through a first interface; The first interface is a service-based interface or a point-to-point interface.

33. A network device, the network device being a target network function, characterized in that, Comprising: A memory, a transceiver, and a processor: The memory is used to store computer programs; The transceiver is used to receive and transmit data under the control of the processor; The processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations: Receive handover information sent by the first network function when it determines to perform network handover; Perform a handover operation based on the handover information; Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

34. The network device according to claim 33, characterized in that, The processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations: Receive information about the second network function sent by the first network function; Perform network handover with the second network function according to the information about the second network function; Wherein, the second network function is used for the session management function of the radio access network.

35. The network device according to claim 34, characterized in that, The information about the second network function is carried in the handover information.

36. The network device according to claim 33, wherein The processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations: Receive a first request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the sixth network function, and the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function; Or, Receive a second request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the sixth network function, and the second request message includes the first handover information related to the sixth network function; and / or, receive a third request message sent by the first network function, the target network function is the seventh network function, and the third request message includes the second handover information related to the seventh network function.

37. The network device according to claim 36, wherein The processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations: Send a response message to the first network function.

38. The network device according to claim 36, wherein When the first request message includes: first handover information related to the sixth network function and second handover information related to the seventh network function, the processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations: Perform a handover operation according to the first handover information and send the second handover information to the seventh network function.

39. The network device according to claim 33 or 36, characterized in that, The handover information includes at least one of the following: A connection establishment request message related to handover signaling; A modification request message related to handover signaling; A release request message related to handover signaling; A deletion request message related to handover signaling.

40. The network device according to claim 33, wherein The target network function transmits information to and / or from the first network function based on a first interface; the first interface is a service-based interface or a point-to-point interface.

41. A network switching device is applied to a first network function, characterized in that, Comprising: A first sending unit, configured to send handover information to a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function when it is determined to perform network handover, where the handover information is used for the sixth network function and / or the seventh network function to perform a handover operation corresponding to the handover information; Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

42. A network switching device is applied to a target network function, characterized in that, Comprising: A first receiving unit, configured to receive handover information sent by the first network function when it is determined to perform network handover; A first processing unit, configured to perform a handover operation based on the handover information; Wherein, the first network function is used for the mobility management function of the radio access network; the target network function includes a sixth network function and / or a seventh network function, the sixth network function is used for the mobility management function of the core network, and the seventh network function is used for the session management function of the core network.

43. A processor-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the network handover method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, or implements the steps of the network handover method according to any one of claims 13 to 20.

Images