Wireless access network switching method and device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a radio access network switching method and device, and the method comprises the steps that an AMF entity determines that a first radio access network RAN is switched to be in logical RAN switching, the AMF entity sends first indication information to a user plane function UPF entity, and the first indication information is used for indicating that the first RAN is switched to be in logical RAN switching. According to the invention, the SMF entity and the UPF entity are enabled to know that the current RAN is switched into the logic RAN, configuration related to switching does not need to be updated, interaction information among the AMF entity, the SMF entity and the UPF entity is reduced, signaling overhead is reduced, and switching delay is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for wireless access network handover. Background Art

[0002] Satellite communication has its unique advantages compared with terrestrial communication. For example, it can provide a wider coverage area, and satellite base stations are not easily damaged by natural disasters or external forces. For future fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) communication, if satellite communication is introduced, it can provide communication services for some areas that cannot be covered by terrestrial communication networks, such as the ocean and forests. It can enhance the reliability of 5G communication, for example, ensuring that airplanes, trains, and users on these means of transportation can obtain better quality communication services. It can provide more resources for data transmission in 5G communication and improve the network rate. Therefore, supporting communication with both the ground and satellites simultaneously is an inevitable trend for future 5G communication, which has great benefits in terms of wide coverage, reliability, multi-connection, high throughput, etc. The biggest feature of satellite communication is the large round-trip transmission delay, and terminal devices need to perform frequent beam and cell handovers due to the movement of satellites. Therefore, the integration of satellite and 5G communication requires enhancing the existing 5G protocol to adapt to satellite communication.

[0003] In the satellite communication scenario of regenerative satellites, due to the frequent information interaction between the access network and the core network introduced by the handover of the next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN), and at the same time, the core network also needs to frequently interact and update the configurations related to the handover, resulting in large signaling overhead and high handover delay. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a method and apparatus for wireless access network handover, enabling core network devices to know that the current RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, without the need to update the configurations related to the handover, reducing the interaction information between core network devices, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover delay.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for wireless access network handover. This method is applied to an AMF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in the AMF entity, and includes:

[0006] Determine that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within the logical RAN, where the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device; send a first indication message to a user plane function (UPF) entity, where the first indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, enabling the session management function (SMF) entity and the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, without the need to update the handover delay.

[0007] In a possible design, a handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the terminal device saved are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface.

[0008] In a possible design, the second indication information sent from the first access network device or the second access network device is received. The second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN. By indicating, by the first access network device or the second access network device, that the current RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN, the core network device learns that the current RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN, without the need to update the configurations related to the handover, reducing the interaction information between core network devices, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover latency.

[0009] In a possible design, based on the second indication information, an acknowledgement message is sent to the first access network device or the second access network device. Since the AMF entity determines that the first RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity do not need to update the configurations related to the first RAN handover through information interaction. Therefore, the AMF entity does not need to wait for the SMF entity and the UPF entity to update the configurations related to the first RAN handover, and directly sends an acknowledgement message to the first access network device or the second access network device after receiving the second indication information, thereby improving the handover efficiency.

[0010] In a possible design, based on the first ephemeris information of the first access network device and the second ephemeris information of the second access network device, it is determined that the first RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN. By the AMF entity itself determining that the first RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN, and then sending the first indication information to the UPF entity to indicate that the current RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN. The SMF entity and the UPF entity learn that the current RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN, without the need to update the configurations related to the handover, reducing the interaction information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover latency.

[0011] In a possible design, the first marking information from the second access network device is received; the first marking information is sent to the UPF entity, and the first marking information is used to indicate sending data to the first access network device. The UPF entity determines that the second access network device has ended data forwarding to the first access network device. Therefore, next, the UPF entity sends data to the first access network device, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data of the first access network device.

[0012] In a possible design, a handover preparation time is sent to a UPF entity or a second access network device. The handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration that needs to be waited for performing a handover within the logical RAN. Considering the handover latency, the beam pointing adjustment latency of the ground station, etc., by indicating the handover preparation time to the UPF entity or the second access network device, the logical RAN handover is performed within the period of the handover preparation time or during the handover preparation time, ensuring the success of the handover.

[0013] In a possible design, the manner of the first RAN handover includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier (PCI), or handover without random access.

[0014] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a radio access network handover method, which is applied to a UPF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in the UPF entity, and includes:

[0015] Receiving first indication information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, and the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device; based on the first indication information, maintaining the configuration related to the first RAN handover. This enables the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, and there is no need to update the configuration related to the handover, reducing the interaction information among the AMF entity, the session management function (SMF) entity, and the UPF entity, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover latency.

[0016] In a possible design, a handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the saved terminal devices are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface.

[0017] In a possible design, receiving first marking information from the AMF entity. The first marking information is used to indicate the data forwarding end situation between the second access network device and the first access network device; based on the first marking information, sending data to the first access network device. The UPF entity determines based on the first marking information that the data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device has ended, and then the UPF entity sends data to the first access network device, thus ensuring the integrity of the data of the first access network device.

[0018] In a possible design, second marking information is sent to a second access network device, and the second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data transmission between a user plane function (UPF) entity and the second access network device. The second access network device may send the second marking information to a first access network device. Since the data received by the first access network device from the UPF entity or the second access network device is out-of-order, the first access network device may sort the received data based on the second marking information, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the data.

[0019] In a possible design, a handover preparation time from an AMF entity is received, and the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing a handover within a logical RAN; based on the handover preparation time, second marking information is sent to a second access network device. Considering the handover delay, the beam pointing adjustment delay of a ground station, etc., by receiving the handover preparation time indicated by the AMF entity and performing the logical RAN handover within the period of the handover preparation time or during the handover preparation time, the success of the handover is ensured.

[0020] In a possible design, the first RAN handover method includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier (PCI), or handover without random access.

[0021] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a wireless access network handover method, which is applied to a first access network device, or a chip or circuit configured in the first access network device, and includes:

[0022] It is determined that a first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within a logical RAN, and the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to the first access network device; second indication information is sent to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within a logical RAN. By indicating to the AMF entity that the current RAN handover is a handover within a logical RAN, the AMF entity, the session management function (SMF) entity, and the UPF entity can learn that the current RAN handover is a handover within a logical RAN, without updating the configuration related to the handover, reducing the interaction information among the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover delay.

[0023] In a possible design, a handover within a logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, save the same configuration of a terminal device, and communicate through an Xn interface.

[0024] In a possible design, confirmation information is received from the AMF entity. Since the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an in-logical-RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity do not need to update the configurations related to the first RAN handover through information interaction. Therefore, the AMF entity does not need to wait for the SMF entity and the UPF entity to update the configurations related to the first RAN handover, and directly sends the confirmation information to the first access network device after receiving the second indication information, thereby improving the handover efficiency.

[0025] In a possible design, data is received from the user plane function UPF entity. The UPF entity determines that the second access network device has ended data forwarding with the first access network device based on the first marking information, and then the UPF entity sends the data to the first access network device, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data of the first access network device.

[0026] In a possible design, if the data sent by the UPF entity is not received, a notification message is sent to the second access network device. The notification message is used to instruct the second access network device to send the first marking information to the AMF entity, and the first marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device. In the case of not receiving the data, by sending a notification message to the second access network device to instruct the second access network device to continue sending the first marking information to the AMF entity, the AMF entity can notify the UPF entity to send the data to the first access network device, ensuring the successful data transmission.

[0027] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a radio access network handover method, which is applied to a second access network device, or a chip or circuit configured in the second access network device, and includes:

[0028] Determine that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is an in-logical-RAN handover, where the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device; send a second indication information to the access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an in-logical-RAN handover. By indicating to the AMF entity that the current RAN handover is an in-logical-RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity can learn that the current RAN handover is an in-logical-RAN handover, do not need to update the configurations related to the handover, reduce the interaction information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reduce the signaling overhead, and reduce the handover latency.

[0029] In a possible design, the in-logical-RAN handover means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, save the same configurations of the terminal device, and communicate through the Xn interface.

[0030] In a possible design, the handover preparation time from the AMF is received. The handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the handover within the logical RAN. Considering the handover latency, the beam pointing adjustment latency of the ground station, etc., by receiving the handover preparation time sent by the AMF entity, the logical RAN handover is performed within the period of the handover preparation time or during the handover preparation time, ensuring the success of the handover.

[0031] In a possible design, the first marking information is sent to the AMF entity. The first marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device. The AMF entity is made to send the first marking information to the UPF entity. Then, the UPF entity determines that the second access network device has ended data forwarding with the first access network device. Therefore, next, the UPF entity sends data to the first access network device, thus ensuring the integrity of the data of the first access network device.

[0032] In a possible design, the notification message from the first access network device is received; based on the notification message, the first marking information is sent to the AMF entity. When the first access network device does not receive data, the second access network device continues to send the first marking information to the AMF entity, causing the AMF entity to instruct the UPF entity to send data to the first access network device, ensuring the success of data transmission.

[0033] In a possible design, the second marking information from the user plane function UPF entity is received. The second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data transmission between the user plane function UPF entity and the second access network device; the second marking information is sent to the first access network device. The second marking information is used to assist the first access network device in sorting the received data. Since the data sent by the UPF entity or the second access network device received by the first access network device is out of order, sending the second marking information to the first access network device enables the first access network device to sort the received data, thus ensuring the accuracy of the data.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, and the communication device includes:

[0035] A processing module, configured to determine that the first radio access network RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN, where the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device;

[0036] A sending module, configured to send a first indication information to a user plane function UPF entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN is switched to the handover within the logical RAN.

[0037] In a possible design, the handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the terminal devices saved are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface.

[0038] In a possible design, a receiving module, configured to receive second indication information sent from the first access network device or the second access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN is switched to the handover within the logical RAN.

[0039] In a possible design, a sending module is further configured to send confirmation information to the first access network device or the second access network device based on the second indication information.

[0040] In a possible design, a processing module is further configured to determine that the first RAN is switched to the handover within the logical RAN according to the first ephemeris information of the first access network device and the second ephemeris information of the second access network device.

[0041] In a possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive first marking information from the second access network device;

[0042] The sending module is further configured to send the first marking information to the UPF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate sending data to the first access network device.

[0043] In a possible design, the sending module is further configured to send a handover preparation time to the UPF entity or the second access network device, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the handover within the logical RAN.

[0044] In a possible design, the manner of the first RAN handover includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier (PCI), or handover without random access.

[0045] The operations performed by the communication device and the beneficial effects can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated here.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, where the communication device includes:

[0047] A receiving module, configured to receive first indication information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN is switched to the handover within the logical RAN, and the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0048] A processing module, configured to maintain the configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0049] In a possible design, the handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the terminal devices saved are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface.

[0050] In a possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive first marking information from the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device; the sending module is configured to send data to the first access network device based on the first marking information.

[0051] In a possible design, the sending module is further configured to send second marking information to the second access network device, where the second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data transmission between the user plane function UPF entity and the second access network device.

[0052] In a possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive the handover preparation time from the AMF entity, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the handover within the logical RAN; the sending module is further configured to send the second marking information to the second access network device based on the handover preparation time.

[0053] In a possible design, the manner of the first RAN handover includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier PCI, or handover without random access.

[0054] The operations performed by this communication device and the beneficial effects can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and the repeated parts will not be elaborated.

[0055] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes:

[0056] A processing module, configured to determine that the first radio access network RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN, where the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0057] A sending module, configured to send second indication information to the access and mobility management function AMF entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN.

[0058] In a possible design, the handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the terminal devices saved are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface.

[0059] In a possible design, a receiving module is configured to receive confirmation information from the AMF entity.

[0060] In a possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive data from a user plane function UPF entity.

[0061] In a possible design, if the data sent by the UPF entity is not received, the sending module is further configured to send a notification message to a second access network device, where the notification message is used to instruct the second access network device to send first marking information to the AMF entity, and the first marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0062] For the operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device, reference may be made to the method and beneficial effects described in the third aspect above, and repeated descriptions will not be elaborated.

[0063] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes:

[0064] A processing module is configured to determine that a first radio access network RAN is switched to an intra-logical RAN handover, where the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device;

[0065] A sending module is configured to send second indication information to an access and mobility management function AMF entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is switched to an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0066] In a possible design, the intra-logical RAN handover means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the saved terminal devices are the same, and communication is performed through the Xn interface.

[0067] In a possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive a handover preparation time from the AMF, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the intra-logical RAN handover.

[0068] In a possible design, the sending module is further configured to send first marking information to the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0069] In a possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive a notification message from the first access network device; the sending module is further configured to send the first marking information to the AMF entity based on the notification message.

[0070] In a possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive second marking information from a user plane function (UPF) entity, where the second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data transmission between the UPF entity and a second access network device; the sending module is further configured to send the second marking information to a first access network device, where the second marking information is used to assist the first access network device in sorting the received data.

[0071] For the operations and beneficial effects performed by this communication device, reference can be made to the method and beneficial effects described in the fourth aspect above, and repeated descriptions will not be elaborated here.

[0072] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, where the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the first aspect.

[0073] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, where the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the second aspect.

[0074] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, where the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the third aspect.

[0075] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, where the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method described in any one of the fourth aspect.

[0076] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect is implemented.

[0077] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method described in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect is implemented.

[0078] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes an AMF entity, a UPF entity, and an access network device. The AMF entity is used to execute the steps in the first aspect above, the UPF entity is used to execute the steps in the second aspect above, and the access network device is used to execute the steps in the third or fourth aspect above.

[0079] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to communicate with external or internal devices, and the processor is used to implement the methods in the above aspects.

[0080] In a possible design, the chip may further include a memory, in which computer programs or instructions are stored. The processor is used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, or other programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to implement the methods in the above aspects.

[0081] In a possible design, the chip may be integrated on the AMF entity, the UPF entity, and the access network device. Description of the Drawings

[0082] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the process of RAN handover;

[0084] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the process of a wireless access network handover method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the process of another wireless access network handover method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the process of another wireless access network handover method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the process of another wireless access network handover method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of an AMF entity provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] Figure 11 It is a schematic structural diagram of a UPF entity provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] Figure 12 It is a schematic structural diagram of an access network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0094] As Figure 1 shown, Figure 1 It is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes a terminal device, an access network device, a core network device, and a ground station. The terminal device can access the network through an air interface (the air interface can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface), the access network device is deployed on a satellite and is connected to the core network device on the ground through a wireless link (NG interface). At the same time, there is a wireless link (Xn interface) between satellites to complete signaling interaction and user data transmission between access network devices.

[0095] Terminal device: It can access the satellite network through an air interface and initiate services such as calls and Internet access, and is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. It can also be called a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), etc. For example, a handheld device with a wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. Currently, some examples of terminals are: mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, palm computer, mobile internet device (MID), wearable device, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, etc.

[0096] Access network device: It mainly provides wireless access services, schedules wireless resources for the accessed terminal devices, and provides reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc. The access network device can also be called a base station. Currently, some examples of RAN nodes are: Next Generation Node B (gNB), Radio Network Controller (RNC), Node B (NB), Base Station Controller (BSC), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Home Base Station (e.g., Home evolved Node B, or Home Node B, HNB), Base Band Unit (BBU), or Wireless Fidelity (Wifi) Access Point (AP), etc.

[0097] Core network device: It is mainly responsible for services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and charging. It consists of multiple functional units and can include functional entities of the control plane and the data plane. Currently, some examples of core network devices are: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity, Session Management Function (SMF) entity, User Plane Function (UPF) entity, etc., which are not listed one by one here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for the access management and mobility management of the terminal; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as the establishment of user sessions, etc.; the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting to the external network. It should be noted that in this application, an entity can also be called a network element. For example, the AMF entity can also be called the AMF network element, and for another example, the SMF entity can also be called the SMF network element, etc.

[0098] Ground station: It is responsible for forwarding the signaling and service data between the satellite base station and the core network.

[0099] Air interface: The wireless link between the terminal device and the access network device.

[0100] Xn interface: The interface between access network devices, mainly used for signaling interaction such as handover.

[0101] NG interface: The interface between the access network device and the core network device, mainly for interacting with signaling such as the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) of the core network, as well as the user's service data.

[0102] This application is applicable to long term evolution (LTE) systems, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) systems, code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, wireless local area network (WLAN), 5G or next-generation wireless communication systems, etc. It involves terminal devices, access network devices, and radio access network elements such as ground stations, and performs uplink and downlink data communication based on wireless communication protocols.

[0103] As Figure 2 shown, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the RAN handover process. It mainly includes the following steps:

[0104] S201, the AMF entity provides mobility control information.

[0105] S202, the UE interacts with the source base station for measurement control and reporting.

[0106] S203, the source base station decides on the handover.

[0107] S204, the source base station sends a handover request to the target base station.

[0108] S205, the target base station performs admission control.

[0109] S206, the target base station sends a handover request acknowledgment to the source base station.

[0110] S207, the source base station and the UE start the RAN handover.

[0111] S208, the source base station provides cached data and new data.

[0112] S209, the UE detaches from the source base station and synchronizes to the candidate cell of the target base station.

[0113] S210, the source base station sends an early state transfer message to the target base station.

[0114] S211, the source base station sends a sequence number (SN) state transfer message to the target base station. After that, the UPF entity sends user data to the source base station, and the source base station forwards the user data to the target base station.

[0115] S212, the target base station caches the user data from the source base station.

[0116] S213, the UE, the target base station, and the source base station complete the RAN handover.

[0117] S214, the source base station sends a handover success notification to the target base station.

[0118] S215, the source base station sends a sequence number (SN) status transfer message to the target base station. After that, the UPF entity sends the user data to the source base station, and the source base station forwards the user data to the target base station. Then, the user data is forwarded among the UPF entity, the target base station, and the UE.

[0119] After the access network completes the handover between the source base station and the target base station, it performs the following operations as shown in the dashed box:

[0120] S216, the target base station sends a path switch request to the AMF entity.

[0121] S217, the AMF entity and the UPF entity perform path switching.

[0122] Specifically, after receiving the path switch request, the AMF entity notifies the SMF entity to which the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session affected by the handover belongs. The SMF entity provides the NG-RAN N3 tunnel information to the UPF entity. The relevant configurations, path updates, tunnel information updates, etc. of the PDU session are completed through mutual interactions among the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity.

[0123] S218, the UPF entity sends an end marker to the source base station, and the source base station sends an end marker to the target base station. After that, the UPF entity sends the user data to the target base station, and the target base station rearranges the user data based on the end marker.

[0124] S219, the AMF entity sends a path switch request acknowledgement to the target base station.

[0125] S220, the target base station notifies the source base station of the UE context release.

[0126] In the satellite communication scenario of the regenerative satellite, such as Figure 2As shown by the dashed box in [figure], since the NG-RAN handover introduces frequent information interaction between the NG-RAN and the AMF entity, and at the same time, the AMF entity, SMF entity, and UPF entity also need to frequently interact to update the configuration related to handover, it results in high signaling overhead and high handover latency.

[0127] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions.

[0128] The embodiments of the present application mainly relate to an improved solution after the access network side completes the handover between the source base station and the target base station. For the steps before the access network side completes the handover between the source base station and the target base station, reference can be made to Figure 2 S201-S215 shown in [figure], which will not be elaborated in the embodiments of the present application. The following mainly introduces the steps after the access network side completes the handover between the source base station and the target base station. As Figure 3 shown, Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless access network handover method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The method includes: S301, the AMF entity determines that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within the logical RAN, and the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device. S302, the AMF entity sends a first indication message to the user plane function (UPF) entity, and the first indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN. Optionally, the AMF entity sends the first indication message to the UPF entity through the SMF entity. For the information interaction between the AMF entity and the UPF entity that is similar in this way, it will not be elaborated one by one below. By indicating that the current RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, the AMF entity enables the SMF entity and the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, without the need to update the configuration related to the handover, reducing the interaction information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover latency. The solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be specifically introduced below.

[0129] As Figure 4 shown, Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless access network handover method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The following will be described with the first access network device as the target base station and the second access network device as the source base station. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0130] S401, the target base station sends a second indication message to the AMF entity, and the second indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN.

[0131] Specifically, after the access network side completes the first RAN handover between the source base station and the target base station in different ways, the target base station determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and then sends second indication information to the AMF entity. Among them, the first RAN handover is a handover from the source base station to the target base station, and the ways of the first RAN handover include at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier (PCI), or random access-free handover.

[0132] Among them, an intra-logical RAN handover (also known as an intra-NG-RAN handover) is a handover from the source base station to the target base station, where the source base station and the target base station serve the same cell, the configurations of the terminal devices saved are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface. The configuration of the terminal device may include at least one of the following information: UE context, identification (ID) of the base station, ID of the cell, communication configuration of the terminal device, or ID assigned to the UE, etc. For example, in the scenario where the ground cell is bound to the geographical location, due to the mobility of the satellite base stations, the satellite base stations serve the ground cell in a continuous manner. From t1 to t2, satellite base station 1 provides services to cell 1. At time t2, the handover is made from satellite base station 1 to satellite base station 2. From t2 to t3, satellite base station 2 provides services to cell 1. The handover from satellite base station 1 to satellite base station 2 can be referred to as an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0133] S402. The AMF entity sends first indication information to the UPF entity, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0134] Specifically, after the AMF entity receives the second indication information sent by the target base station, it determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and then the AMF entity can send the first indication information to the UPF entity.

[0135] Optionally, the AMF entity may send a confirmation message to the target base station based on the second indication information. Optionally, the AMF entity may send a confirmation message to the source base station. After the source base station receives the confirmation message, it sends a confirmation message to the target base station. This confirmation message is used to indicate the confirmation that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and this confirmation message can also be used to indicate the confirmation of the execution of the first RAN handover. Since the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity do not need to update the configurations related to the first RAN handover through information interaction. Therefore, the AMF entity does not need to wait for the SMF entity and the UPF entity to update the configurations related to the first RAN handover, and directly sends a confirmation message to the target base station after receiving the second indication information.

[0136] S403. The UPF entity maintains the configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0137] It can be understood that when the UPF entity determines that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN and does not update the configuration related to the first RAN handover, there is no need for information interaction between the AMF entity, the UPF entity, and the AMF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. Among them, the configuration related to the first RAN handover may include the relevant configuration of the PDU session, path information, tunnel information, and so on.

[0138] S404. The UPF entity sends second marking information to the source base station, and the second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of the data transmission between the UPF entity and the source base station.

[0139] Specifically, the UPF entity does not need to wait for the update of the configuration related to the first RAN handover and can directly send the second marking information to the source base station. The source base station receives the second marking information from the UPF entity and then sends the second marking information to the target base station. The second marking information is used to assist the target base station in sorting the received data (such as user data). Since the data received by the target base station from the UPF entity or the source base station is out of order, the target base station can sort the received data based on the second marking information, thereby ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data.

[0140] Optionally, considering the handover delay, the beam pointing adjustment delay of the ground station, etc., the AMF entity can send a handover preparation time to the UPF entity, and the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration that needs to be waited for performing the handover within the logical RAN. So that the UPF entity can send the second marking information to the source base station based on the handover preparation time. Among them, the handover preparation time can represent a time period during which the second marking information is allowed to be sent. The UPF entity can wait for a period of time and then send the second marking information within the handover preparation time period. Or, the handover preparation time can also represent a time period that needs to be waited before sending the second marking information. The UPF entity can send the second marking information after waiting for the handover preparation time. Or, the handover preparation time can also represent a time point at which the second marking information is allowed to be sent. The UPF entity can send the second marking information after reaching the handover preparation time.

[0141] Among them, the handover preparation time can be predefined. Alternatively, the handover preparation time can also be determined by the AMF entity based on the first ephemeris information of the target base station and the second ephemeris information of the source base station, or can be determined by the AMF entity based on the first ephemeris information of the target base station, the second ephemeris information of the source base station, and the location information of the terminal device. The first ephemeris information or the second ephemeris information can include orbital parameter ephemeris, or can be position and velocity state vector ephemeris. The orbital parameter ephemeris includes parameters such as the semi-major axis, eccentricity, argument of periapsis, longitude of ascending node, inclination, and mean anomaly at the reference epoch time of the satellite.

[0142] Among them, the first indication information and the handover preparation time can be included in the same message, or can be included in different messages, and the first indication information and the handover preparation time can be sent successively, or the first indication information and the handover preparation time can be sent simultaneously.

[0143] Optionally, the AMF entity can also send the handover preparation time to the source base station, and the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing a handover within the logical RAN. Notify the source base station to align with the core network side, so that the source base station receives the second marking information sent by the UPF entity based on the handover preparation time. For example, during or after the handover preparation time, receive the second marking information sent by the UPF entity.

[0144] Optionally, after the UPF entity sends the second marking information to the source base station, it can send data to the target base station or receive data from the target base station.

[0145] In the embodiment of the present application, the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN by receiving the second indication information sent by the target base station, and then sends the first indication information to the UPF entity. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN. So that the SMF entity and the UPF entity know that the current RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, do not need to update the configuration related to the handover, reduce the interaction information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity and the UPF entity, reduce the signaling overhead, and reduce the handover delay.

[0146] As Figure 5 shown, Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a radio access network handover method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0147] In S501, the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover based on the first ephemeris information of the target base station and the second ephemeris information of the source base station.

[0148] Specifically, after the access network side completes the first RAN handover between the source base station and the target base station in different ways, the AMF entity can determine that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover based on the first ephemeris information of the target base station and the second ephemeris information of the source base station. For the explanation of the method of the first RAN handover and the intra-logical RAN handover, reference can be made to Figure 4 the introduction in the embodiments shown, which will not be elaborated here.

[0149] Among them, the first ephemeris information may include the ephemeris of the target base station, and the ephemeris of the target base station can be used to determine the location of the target base station. The second ephemeris information may include the ephemeris of the source base station, and the ephemeris of the source base station can be used to determine the location of the source base station. The AMF entity can determine whether the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover based on the location of the target base station and the location of the source base station. For example, according to the location of the target base station and the location of the source base station, it is determined whether the source base station and the target base station cover the same geographical area. If the target base station and the source base station cover the same geographical area and provide services to the same terminal device, it is determined that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0150] Optionally, the AMF entity may also receive second indication information from the source base station, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0151] In S502, the AMF entity sends first indication information to the UPF entity, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0152] Specifically, after the AMF entity receives the second indication information sent by the target base station and determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, the AMF entity can then send the first indication information to the UPF entity.

[0153] It should be noted that since the AMF entity itself determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, the AMF entity does not need to send a confirmation message to the source base station or the target base station.

[0154] In S503, the UPF entity maintains the configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0155] In S504, the UPF entity sends second marking information to the source base station, and the second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of the data transmission between the UPF entity and the source base station.

[0156] The implementation process of S503 - S504 is the same as that of S403 - S404. For the specific implementation manner of S503 - S504, reference can be made to S403 - S404 in the previous embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0157] In the embodiment of the present application, the AMF entity itself determines that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, and then sends a first indication message to the UPF entity. The first indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN. This enables the SMF entity and the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, without the need to update the configuration related to the handover, reducing the interaction information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover delay.

[0158] As Figure 6 shown, Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a radio access network handover method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0159] S601, the source base station sends a second indication message and a first marking message to the AMF entity. The second indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, and the first marking message is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the source base station and the target base station.

[0160] Specifically, after the access network side completes the first RAN handover between the source base station and the target base station in different ways, the source base station determines that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, and sends a second indication message and a first marking message to the AMF entity. Among them, for the explanation of the method of the first RAN handover and the handover within the logical RAN, reference can be made to Figure 4 the introduction in the shown embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0161] Among them, the second indication message and the first marking message can be included in the same message, or can be included in different messages. The second indication message and the first marking message can be sent successively, or can be sent simultaneously.

[0162] It should be noted that since there is no need to wait for the UPF entity and the SMF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover, for the time to end data transmission, it can be implemented by the indication of the RAN side. Therefore, the source base station sends a first marking message to the AMF entity to indicate that the source base station has ended data forwarding with the target base station.

[0163] S602, the AMF entity sends a first indication message and a first marking message to the UPF entity. The first indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN.

[0164] Specifically, after the AMF entity receives the second indication information sent by the source base station, it determines that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN. Then, the AMF entity may send the first indication information to the UPF entity.

[0165] Optionally, the AMF entity may send a confirmation message to the source base station based on the second indication information. Optionally, the AMF entity may send a confirmation message to the target base station based on the second indication information. After receiving the confirmation message, the target base station forwards the confirmation message to the source base station. This confirmation message is used to indicate the confirmation that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, and this confirmation message may also be used to indicate the confirmation of the execution of the first RAN handover. Since the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity do not need to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover through information interaction. Therefore, the AMF entity does not need to wait for the SMF entity and the UPF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover, and directly sends a confirmation message to the source base station after receiving the second indication information.

[0166] S603. The UPF entity maintains the configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0167] It can be understood that the UPF entity determines that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN and does not update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. There is no need for information interaction among the AMF entity, the UPF entity, and the AMF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. Among them, the configuration related to the first RAN handover may include the configuration related to the PDU session, path information, tunnel information, and so on.

[0168] S604. The UPF entity sends data to the target base station based on the first marking information.

[0169] Specifically, the UPF entity determines based on the first marking information that the source base station has ended data forwarding to the target base station. Therefore, next, the UPF entity sends data to the target base station, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data of the target base station.

[0170] Optionally, if the target base station does not receive the data sent by the UPF entity, or does not receive the data sent by the UPF entity within a preset time period, the target base station sends a notification message to the source base station. This notification message is used to indicate that the source base station continues to send the first marking information and / or the second indication information to the AMF entity. After receiving the first marking information and / or the second indication information, the AMF entity sends the first indication information and / or the first marking information to the UPF entity, so that the UPF entity sends data to the target base station based on the first marking information and does not update the configuration related to the first handover based on the first indication information.

[0171] Optionally, considering the delay of handover, the beam pointing adjustment delay of the ground station, etc., the AMF entity may send a handover preparation time to the UPF entity, and the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the handover within the logical RAN. This enables the UPF entity to send data to the source base station based on the handover preparation time. Among them, the handover preparation time may represent a time period during which data transmission is allowed. The UPF entity can wait for a period of time and then send data to the source base station during the handover preparation time. Alternatively, the handover preparation time may also represent a time period to wait before sending data. The UPF entity can send data to the source base station after waiting for the handover preparation time. Alternatively, the handover preparation time may also represent a time point at which data transmission is allowed. The UPF entity can send data to the source base station after reaching the handover preparation time.

[0172] In the embodiments of the present application, the AMF entity receives the second indication information and the first marking information sent by the source base station, and sends the first indication information and the first marking information to the UPF entity. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is changed to a handover within the logical RAN. This enables the SMF entity and the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is changed to a handover within the logical RAN, without the need to update the configuration related to the handover, reducing the interaction information among the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover delay. Moreover, data is sent to the target base station through the first marking information, ensuring the integrity of the data at the target base station.

[0173] It can be understood that in the above method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the AMF entity can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) available for the AMF entity, the methods and operations implemented by the UPF entity can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) available for the UPF entity, and the methods and operations implemented by the access network device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) available for the access network device.

[0174] The embodiments of the present application can perform functional module division on the terminal device or the network device according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following will take the example of dividing each functional module corresponding to each function for illustration.

[0175] Above, in combination with Figures 3 - 6 The method provided by the embodiments of the present application has been described in detail. Below, in combination with Figures 7 - 9Describe in detail the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for the content not described in detail, reference can be made to the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0176] Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 which is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 701, a processing module 702, and a transmitting module 703.

[0177] Optionally, the communication device can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the AMF entity in the above method embodiments. For example, it can be an AMF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in the AMF entity. The receiving module 701 and the transmitting module 703 are used to perform the transceiver-related operations on the AMF entity side in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 702 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the AMF entity in the above method embodiments.

[0178] The processing module 702 is used to determine that the first radio access network RAN switches to an intra-logical RAN handover, where the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device;

[0179] The transmitting module 703 is used to send a first indication message to the user plane function UPF entity, and the first indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN switches to the intra-logical RAN handover.

[0180] Optionally, the intra-logical RAN handover means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, save the same configuration of the terminal device, and communicate through the Xn interface.

[0181] Optionally, the receiving module 701 is used to receive a second indication message sent by the first access network device or the second access network device, and the second indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN switches to the intra-logical RAN handover.

[0182] Optionally, the transmitting module 703 is further used to send an acknowledgment message to the first access network device or the second access network device based on the second indication message.

[0183] Optionally, the processing module 702 is further used to determine that the first RAN switches to the intra-logical RAN handover according to the first ephemeris information of the first access network device and the second ephemeris information of the second access network device.

[0184] Optionally, the receiving module 701 is further used to receive a first marking message from the second access network device;

[0185] The sending module 703 is further configured to send the first marking information to the UPF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate sending data to the first access network device.

[0186] Optionally, the sending module 703 is further configured to send a handover preparation time to the UPF entity or the second access network device, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration that needs to be waited for performing the handover within the logical RAN.

[0187] Optionally, the manner of the first RAN handover includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier (PCI), or handover without random access.

[0188] It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description in the Figures 3 - 6 method embodiment shown, and perform the methods and functions executed by the AMF entity in the above embodiment.

[0189] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 which is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 801, a processing module 802, and a sending module 803.

[0190] Optionally, the communication device may implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the UPF entity in the above method embodiment. For example, it may be a UPF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in the UPF entity. The receiving module 801 and the sending module 803 are used to perform the transceiver-related operations on the UPF entity side in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 802 is used to perform the processing-related operations on the UPF entity in the above method embodiment.

[0191] The receiving module 801 is configured to receive first indication information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN is switched to a handover within the logical RAN, and the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device;

[0192] The processing module 802 is configured to maintain the configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0193] Optionally, the handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the saved terminal devices are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface.

[0194] Optionally, the receiving module 801 is further configured to receive first marking information from the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the data forwarding end situation between the second access network device and the first access network device;

[0195] The sending module 803 is configured to send data to the first access network device based on the first marking information.

[0196] Optionally, the sending module 803 is further configured to send second marking information to a second access network device, where the second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data transmission between a user plane function (UPF) entity and the second access network device.

[0197] Optionally, the receiving module 801 is further configured to receive a handover preparation time from the AMF entity, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration that needs to be waited for performing the handover within the logical RAN.

[0198] The sending module 803 is further configured to send the second marking information to the second access network device based on the handover preparation time.

[0199] Optionally, the manner of the first RAN handover includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier (PCI), or handover without random access.

[0200] It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description in the method embodiment shown in Figures 3 - 6 and perform the methods and functions executed by the UPF entity in the above embodiments.

[0201] Please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 which is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 901, a processing module 902, and a sending module 903.

[0202] Optionally, the communication device may implement the steps or processes corresponding to the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiments. For example, it may be an access network device, or a chip or circuit configured in the access network device. The receiving module 901 and the sending module 903 are used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 902 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0203] In one embodiment:

[0204] The processing module 902 is configured to determine that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within the logical RAN, where the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device.

[0205] A sending module 903, configured to send second indication information to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a first radio access network (RAN) is switched to an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0206] Optionally, the intra-logical RAN handover means that a first access network device and a second access network device serve the same cell, save the same configuration of a terminal device, and communicate through an Xn interface.

[0207] Optionally, a receiving module 901, configured to receive confirmation information from the AMF entity.

[0208] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive data from a user plane function (UPF) entity.

[0209] Optionally, if the sending module 903 does not receive the data sent by the UPF entity, the sending module 903 is further configured to send a notification message to the second access network device, where the notification message is used to instruct the second access network device to send first marking information to the AMF entity, and the first marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0210] In another embodiment:

[0211] A processing module 902, configured to determine that a first radio access network (RAN) is switched to an intra-logical RAN handover, where the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device;

[0212] A sending module 903, configured to send second indication information to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that a first radio access network (RAN) is switched to an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0213] Optionally, the intra-logical RAN handover means that a first access network device and a second access network device serve the same cell, save the same configuration of a terminal device, and communicate through an Xn interface.

[0214] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive a handover preparation time from the AMF, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the intra-logical RAN handover.

[0215] Optionally, the sending module 903 is further configured to send first marking information to the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0216] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive a notification message from the first access network device; the sending module 903 is further configured to send the first marking information to the AMF entity based on the notification message.

[0217] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive second marking information from a user plane function (UPF) entity, where the second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data transmission between the UPF entity and a second access network device; the sending module 903 is further configured to send the second marking information to the first access network device, and the second marking information is used to assist the first access network device in sorting the received data.

[0218] It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the Figures 3 - 6 method embodiment shown, and execute the methods and functions performed by the first access network device or the second access network device in the foregoing embodiment.

[0219] Figure 10 This is a schematic structural diagram of an AMF entity provided by an embodiment of the present application. This AMF entity can be applied to a system as shown in Figure 1 and execute the functions of the AMF entity in the foregoing method embodiment, or implement the steps or processes performed by the AMF entity in the foregoing method embodiment.

[0220] As shown in Figure 10 this AMF entity includes a processor 1001 and a transceiver 1002. Optionally, this AMF entity further includes a memory 1003. Among them, the processor 1001, the transceiver 1002, and the memory 1003 can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1003 is used to store a computer program, and the processor 1001 is used to call and run the computer program from the memory 1003 to control the transceiver 1002 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the AMF entity may further include an antenna for sending the uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1002 through a wireless signal.

[0221] The foregoing processor 1001 and the memory 1003 may be integrated into a processing device. The processor 1001 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1003 to implement the foregoing functions. Specifically, in implementation, the memory 1003 may also be integrated in the processor 1001 or be independent of the processor 1001. The processor 1001 may correspond to the Figure 7 processing module in.

[0222] The foregoing transceiver 1002 may be associated with Figure 7The receiving module in it corresponds to the sending module, and can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 1002 may include a receiver (or called a receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or called a transmitter, transmitting circuit). Among them, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0223] It should be understood that Figure 10 the AMF entity shown can implement Figures 3 - 6 each process involving the AMF entity in the method embodiment shown. The operations and / or functions of each module in the AMF entity are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. Specifically, reference can be made to the description in the above method embodiment. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0224] The above-mentioned processor 1001 can be used to execute the actions implemented inside the AMF entity described in the previous method embodiment, and the transceiver 1002 can be used to execute the actions of the AMF entity sending to the UPF entity or receiving from the access network device described in the previous method embodiment. Specifically, please refer to the description in the previous method embodiment, and details are not repeated here.

[0225] Among them, the processor 1001 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules and circuits described in combination with the disclosure of the present application. The processor 1001 can also be a combination that realizes computing functions, such as a combination including one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, etc. The communication bus 1004 can be a peripheral component interconnect standard PCI bus or an extended industry standard architecture EISA bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the convenience of representation, Figure 10It is represented by only one thick line, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The communication bus 1004 is used to implement the connection and communication between these components. Among them, in the embodiments of the present application, the transceiver 1002 is used to communicate signaling or data with other node devices. The memory 1003 may include volatile memory, such as nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), phase change RAM (PRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), etc., and may also include nonvolatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory devices, such as NOR flash memory or NAND flash memory, semiconductor devices, such as solid state disk (SSD), etc. Optionally, the memory 1003 may also be at least one storage device located far from the aforementioned processor 1001. Optionally, a set of computer program codes or configuration information may also be stored in the memory 1003. Optionally, the processor 1001 may also execute the programs stored in the memory 1003. The processor may cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to execute any method and function of the AMF entity in the above embodiments of the present application.

[0226] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a UPF entity provided by an embodiment of the present application. The UPF entity can be applied to, for example, Figure 1 the system shown, and execute the functions of the UPF entity in the above method embodiments, or implement the steps or processes executed by the UPF entity in the above method embodiments.

[0227] As Figure 11 shown, the UPF entity includes a processor 1101 and a transceiver 1102. Optionally, the UPF entity further includes a memory 1103. Among them, the processor 1101, the transceiver 1102, and the memory 1103 can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1103 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 1101 is used to call and run the computer programs from the memory 1103 to control the transceiver 1102 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the UPF entity may further include an antenna for transmitting the uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1102 through a wireless signal.

[0228] The above-mentioned processor 1101 and the memory 1103 can be integrated into a processing device. The processor 1101 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1103 to implement the above functions. Specifically, in implementation, the memory 1103 can also be integrated into the processor 1101 or be independent of the processor 1101. The processor 1101 can be corresponded to the Figure 8 processing module therein.

[0229] The above-mentioned transceiver 1102 can be corresponded to the Figure 8 receiving module and the transmitting module therein, and can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 1102 can include a receiver (or called a receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or called a transmitter, transmitting circuit). Among them, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0230] It should be understood that Figure 11 the UPF entity shown can implement Figures 3 - 6 each process related to the UPF entity in the method embodiments shown. The operations and / or functions of each module in the UPF entity are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, reference can be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0231] The above-mentioned processor 1101 can be used to execute the actions implemented inside the UPF entity described in the previous method embodiments, while the transceiver 1102 can be used to execute the actions of the UPF entity sending to the access network device or receiving from the AMF entity described in the previous method embodiments. For details, reference can be made to the descriptions in the previous method embodiments, and no further elaboration is provided here.

[0232] Among them, the processor 1101 can be various types of processors mentioned above. The communication bus 1104 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus such as a Peripheral Component Interconnect standard PCI bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of convenience of representation, Figure 11 only a thick line is shown in

[0233] but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The communication bus 1104 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. Among them, the transceiver 1102 of the device in the embodiments of the present application is used to communicate with other devices for signaling or data. The memory 1103 can be various types of memories mentioned above. Optionally, the memory 1103 can also be at least one storage device located far from the aforementioned processor 1101. A set of computer program codes or configuration information is stored in the memory 1103, and the processor 1101 executes the program in the memory 1103. The processor can cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to execute any method and function of the UPF entity in the above embodiments of the present application.Figure 12 This is a schematic structural diagram of an access network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The access network device can be applied to a system as shown in Figure 1 and perform the functions of the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment, or implement the steps or processes executed by the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0234] As shown in Figure 12 , the access network device includes a processor 1201 and a transceiver 1202. Optionally, the access network device further includes a memory 1203. Among them, the processor 1201, the transceiver 1202, and the memory 1203 can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1203 is used to store a computer program, and the processor 1201 is used to call and run the computer program from the memory 1203 to control the transceiver 1202 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the access network device may further include an antenna for transmitting the uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1202 through a wireless signal.

[0235] The above processor 1201 and the memory 1203 can be integrated into a processing device. The processor 1201 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1203 to implement the above functions. Specifically, in implementation, the memory 1203 can also be integrated in the processor 1201 or independent of the processor 1201.

[0236] The above transceiver 1202 can correspond to the receiving module and the transmitting module in Figure 9 , and can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 1202 can include a receiver (or a receiver, a receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or a transmitter, a transmitting circuit). Among them, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0237] It should be understood that Figure 12 the access network device shown in Figures 3 - 6 can implement each process related to the access network device in the method embodiment shown in

[0238] The operations and / or functions of each module in the access network device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. For details, reference can be made to the description in the above method embodiment. To avoid repetition, the detailed description is appropriately omitted here.

[0239] Among them, the processor 1201 can be various types of processors mentioned above. The communication bus 1204 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of simplicity, Figure 12 only a thick line is used to represent it in Figure 12 , but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The communication bus 1204 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. Among them, the transceiver 1202 of the device in the embodiment of the present application is used to communicate with other devices for signaling or data. The memory 1203 can be various types of memories mentioned above. Optionally, the memory 1203 can also be at least one storage device located far from the aforementioned processor 1201. A set of computer program codes or configuration information is stored in the memory 1203, and the processor 1201 executes the programs in the memory 1203. The processor can cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to execute any method and function of the first access network device or the second access network device in the above-mentioned embodiment of the application.

[0240] The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting an AMF entity, a UPF entity, or an access network device to implement the functions involved in any of the above embodiments, such as generating or processing the logical RAN handover involved in the above method.

[0241] In a possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing the necessary computer programs and data for the AMF entity, the UPF entity, or the access network device. The chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. Among them, the input and output of the chip system respectively correspond to the receiving and sending operations of the AMF entity, the UPF entity, or the access network device in the method embodiment.

[0242] According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, causing the computer to execute Figures 3 - 6 the method of any one of the embodiments shown.

[0243] According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium, which stores a computer program, and when the computer program runs on a computer, causing the computer to execute Figures 3 - 6 the method of any one of the embodiments shown.

[0244] According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned AMF entity, UPF entity, or access network device.

[0245] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wirelessly (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more integrated available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (such as a floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (such as a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (such as a solid state disc (SSD)), etc.

[0246] As described above, the foregoing are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present application, and all such changes or substitutions should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless access network handover method, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within the logical RAN, where the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device; Send first indication information to a user plane function (UPF) entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, save the same configuration of the terminal device, and communicate through the Xn interface.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The determination that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within the logical RAN includes: Receive second indication information sent from the first access network device or the second access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The method further includes: Based on the second indication information, send confirmation information to the first access network device or the second access network device.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The determination that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within the logical RAN includes: Determine that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN according to the first ephemeris information of the first access network device and the second ephemeris information of the second access network device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first marking information from the second access network device; Send the first marking information to the UPF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate sending data to the first access network device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a handover preparation time to the UPF entity or the second access network device, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the handover within the logical RAN.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The manner of the first RAN handover includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier (PCI), or handover without random access.

9. A method for handover in a radio access network, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first indication information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN, and the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device; Based on the first indication information, maintain the configuration related to the first RAN handover.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, save the same configuration of the terminal device, and communicate through the Xn interface.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first marking information from the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device; Based on the first marking information, send data to the first access network device.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send second marking information to the second access network device, where the second marking information is used to indicate the end situation of data transmission between the user plane function (UPF) entity and the second access network device.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein The method further includes: Receive the handover preparation time from the AMF entity, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the handover within the logical RAN; Based on the handover preparation time, send the second marking information to the second access network device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that, The manner of the first RAN handover includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier (PCI), or handover without random access.

15. A method for handover in a radio access network, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within the logical RAN, where the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device; Send a second indication information to the access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the saved terminal devices are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the confirmation information from the AMF entity.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive the data from the user plane function (UPF) entity.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The method further includes: If the data sent by the UPF entity is not received, send a notification message to the second access network device, where the notification message is used to indicate that the second access network device sends the first marking information to the AMF entity, and the first marking information is used to indicate the data forwarding end situation between the second access network device and the first access network device.

20. A method for handover in a radio access network, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is a handover within the logical RAN, where the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device; Send a second indication information to the access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a handover within the logical RAN.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The handover within the logical RAN means that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, the configurations of the saved terminal devices are the same, and they communicate through the Xn interface.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein The method further includes: Receive the handover preparation time from the AMF, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate the duration to wait for performing the handover within the logical RAN.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20-22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the first marking information to the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the data forwarding end situation between the second access network device and the first access network device.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the notification message from the first access network device; Based on the notification message, send the first marking information to the AMF entity.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20-22, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive the second marking information from the user plane function (UPF) entity, where the second marking information is used to indicate the data transmission end situation between the user plane function (UPF) entity and the second access network device; Send the second marking information to the first access network device, where the second marking information is used to assist the first access network device in sorting the received data.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor. The memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to execute the method described in any one of claims 1-8.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor. The memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to execute the method described in any one of claims 9-14.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor. The memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to execute the method described in any one of claims 15-19.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor. The memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to enable the communication device to execute the method described in any one of claims 20-25.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program. When the computer program is run by a processor, the method described in any one of claims 1-8, any one of claims 9-14, any one of claims 15-19, or any one of claims 20-25 is implemented.

31. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used for communicating with external devices or internal devices, and the processor is used for implementing the method described in any one of claims 1-8, any one of claims 9-14, any one of claims 15-19, or any one of claims 20-25.

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