Network switching method and device, medium and program product

Abstract

The invention discloses a network switching method, network switching equipment, a medium and a program product, which are used for simplifying a switching process, improving the switching speed of a non-ground network and reducing switching time delay. The method comprises the following steps: sending UE context information of a terminal to a target base station; and after a response message sent by the target base station and used for indicating that the context has been established is received, a switching indication message is sent to the terminal, and the switching indication message is used for indicating that the terminal accesses a target cell served by the target base station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a network switching method, device, medium, and program product. Background Technology

[0002] To improve handover performance, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) introduced conditional handover in non-terrestrial networks, allowing terminals to decide to perform handover when the conditions configured by the source base station are met.

[0003] However, propagation delay in non-terrestrial networks cannot be ignored. Satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite propagation delays directly affect service links, power supply links, and inter-satellite links. Under existing handover methods, satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite propagation delays have a significant impact on the overall end-to-end handover delay.

[0004] Therefore, improving the handover speed and reducing the handover latency of non-terrestrial networks has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a network handover method, device, medium, and program product to simplify the handover process, improve the handover speed of non-terrestrial networks, and reduce handover latency.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network handover method, the method comprising:

[0007] Send the terminal's UE context information to the target base station;

[0008] After receiving a response message from the target base station indicating that a context has been established, a handover indication message is sent to the terminal. The handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell served by the target base station.

[0009] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message is a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer control message and / or Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0010] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message includes at least a handover indication, an identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

[0011] As an optional implementation, when the response message includes new UE context information, the handover indication message also includes a context information update identifier and the new UE context information.

[0012] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include random access resources.

[0013] As an optional implementation, the random access resource includes: a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

[0014] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include reserved Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) resources.

[0015] As an optional implementation, the reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time-domain resources, and frequency-domain resources.

[0016] As an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0017] The target base station is notified of the effective time period of the UE context information, and is instructed to release the UE context information if the target base station fails to establish a connection with the terminal within the effective time period.

[0018] As an optional implementation, the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0019] As an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0020] Receive the notification message sent by the target base station indicating that a communication connection has been established with the terminal, and release the UE context information of the terminal.

[0021] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a network handover method, the method comprising:

[0022] Receive UE context information sent by the source base station;

[0023] Return a response message to the source base station indicating that the context has been established;

[0024] The terminal identifier sent by the receiving terminal;

[0025] The UE context information of the terminal is determined in the established context based on the terminal identifier;

[0026] Activate the UE context information of the terminal and establish a communication connection with the terminal.

[0027] As an optional implementation, returning a response message to the source base station includes:

[0028] A UE context is established based on the received UE context information, and a response message indicating successful UE context establishment is returned to the source base station upon successful establishment.

[0029] If the establishment fails, new UE context information is configured and the UE context is re-established with the new UE context information. If the establishment is successful, a response message including the new UE context information is returned to the source base station.

[0030] As an optional implementation, after establishing the communication connection with the terminal, the method further includes:

[0031] The source base station is notified to release the UE context information of the terminal.

[0032] As an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0033] The system receives an indication message from the source base station indicating a valid time period for the UE context information, and releases the UE context information if no connection is established with the terminal within the valid time period.

[0034] As an optional implementation, the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0035] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a network handover method, the method comprising:

[0036] Receive a handover indication message sent by the source base station, the handover indication message being used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell;

[0037] Send the terminal identifier to the target base station to which the target cell belongs.

[0038] As an optional implementation, the switching indication message is MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0039] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message includes at least a handover indication, an identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

[0040] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message may also include a context information update identifier and new UE context information.

[0041] As an optional implementation, the new UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0042] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include random access resources.

[0043] As an optional implementation, the random access resource includes: a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

[0044] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources.

[0045] As an optional implementation, the reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time-domain resources, and frequency-domain resources.

[0046] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a network switching device, comprising:

[0047] The first communication unit is used to send the UE context information of the terminal to the target base station;

[0048] The second communication unit is configured to send a handover indication message to the terminal after receiving a response message from the target base station indicating that a context has been established. The handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell served by the target base station.

[0049] As an optional implementation, the switching indication message is MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0050] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message includes at least a handover indication, an identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

[0051] As an optional implementation, when the response message includes new UE context information, the handover indication message also includes a context information update identifier and the new UE context information.

[0052] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include random access resources.

[0053] As an optional implementation, the random access resource includes: a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

[0054] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources.

[0055] As an optional implementation, the reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time-domain resources, and frequency-domain resources.

[0056] As an optional implementation, the first communication unit is further configured to:

[0057] The target base station is notified of the effective time period of the UE context information, and is instructed to release the UE context information if the target base station fails to establish a connection with the terminal within the effective time period.

[0058] As an optional implementation, the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0059] As an optional implementation, the second communication unit is further configured to:

[0060] Receive the notification message sent by the target base station indicating that a communication connection has been established with the terminal, and release the UE context information of the terminal.

[0061] Fifthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a network switching device, the device comprising:

[0062] The first receiving unit is used to receive UE context information sent by the source base station;

[0063] A sending unit is configured to return a response message to the source base station indicating that a context has been established;

[0064] The second receiving unit is used to receive the terminal identifier sent by the terminal;

[0065] The processing unit is configured to determine the UE context information of the terminal in the established context based on the terminal identifier, activate the UE context information of the terminal, and establish a communication connection with the terminal.

[0066] As an optional implementation, the sending unit is specifically used for:

[0067] A UE context is established based on the received UE context information, and a response message indicating successful UE context establishment is returned to the source base station upon successful establishment.

[0068] If the establishment fails, new UE context information is configured and the UE context is re-established with the new UE context information. If the establishment is successful, a response message including the new UE context information is returned to the source base station.

[0069] As an optional implementation, the processing unit is further configured to: after establishing a communication connection with the terminal, notify the source base station to release the UE context information of the terminal.

[0070] As an optional implementation, the first receiving unit is further configured to:

[0071] The system receives an indication message from the source base station indicating a valid time period for the UE context information, and releases the UE context information if no connection is established with the terminal within the valid time period.

[0072] As an optional implementation, the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0073] Sixthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a network switching device, the device comprising:

[0074] A receiving unit is configured to receive a handover indication message sent by a source base station, wherein the handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell;

[0075] The sending unit is used to send the terminal identifier to the target base station to which the target cell belongs.

[0076] As an optional implementation, the switching indication message is MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0077] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message includes at least a handover indication, an identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

[0078] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message may also include a context information update identifier and new UE context information.

[0079] As an optional implementation, the new UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0080] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include random access resources.

[0081] As an optional implementation, the random access resource includes: a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

[0082] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources.

[0083] As an optional implementation, the reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time-domain resources, and frequency-domain resources.

[0084] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a network switching device, the device including a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a program executable by the processor, the processor being used to read the program in the memory and execute the method of any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect.

[0085] Eighthly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, is used to implement the steps of the methods described in the first, second, or third aspects above.

[0086] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any one of the first, second, or third aspects.

[0087] Beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention:

[0088] This invention provides a network handover method, device, medium, and program product. The network handover process includes: a source base station sending the UE context information of a terminal to a target base station; after receiving a response message from the target base station, the source base station sending a handover instruction message to the terminal; the terminal sending its identifier to the target base station; the target base station activating the established UE context information, establishing a communication connection with the terminal, and completing the network handover. Compared with the conditional handover scheme in the prior art, this invention simplifies the handover process. By reducing the number of message interactions during the handover process, it can improve the handover speed of non-terrestrial networks, effectively reduce handover latency, and improve the continuity of network services.

[0089] These or other aspects of this application will become more apparent in the following description of embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0090] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0091] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of a network switching method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0092] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of MAC layer control information provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0093] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of another network switching method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0094] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the principle of another network switching method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0095] Figure 5 An interactive flowchart of a network handover method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0096] Figure 6 An interactive schematic diagram of another network handover method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0097] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network switching device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0098] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another network switching device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0099] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another network switching device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0100] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a network switching device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0101] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another network switching device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0102] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of another network switching device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0103] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0104] In this embodiment of the invention, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following associated objects have an "or" relationship.

[0105] The application scenarios described in the embodiments of this invention are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that with the emergence of new application scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this invention are also applicable to similar technical problems. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.

[0106] Before introducing the network switching method provided in the embodiments of this application, for ease of understanding, the technical background of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0107] To improve handover performance, 3GPP introduced conditional handover in non-terrestrial networks, allowing terminals to decide to perform handover when the conditions configured by the source base station are met.

[0108] However, propagation delay in non-terrestrial networks cannot be ignored. Satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite propagation delays directly affect service links, feeder links, and inter-satellite links. Under existing handover methods, satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite propagation delays have a significant impact on the overall end-to-end handover delay.

[0109] In view of this, the present invention provides a network handover method, device, medium, and program product, the network handover process of which includes: a source base station sending the UE context information of a terminal to a target base station; after receiving a response message sent by the target base station, the source base station sending a handover instruction message to the terminal; the terminal sending its identifier to the target base station; the target base station activating the established UE context information, establishing a communication connection with the terminal, and completing the network handover. By simplifying the handover process and reducing the number of message interactions during the handover, the handover speed of non-terrestrial networks can be improved, handover latency can be effectively reduced, and the continuity of network services can be improved.

[0110] After introducing the technical background of the embodiments of this application, the overall switching process of the network switching scheme provided by the embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0111] Non-terrestrial networks have the advantage of wide cell coverage, and their number of cells is smaller compared to terrestrial cells. However, with the high-speed movement of satellites, the serving cell can change even if the terminal does not move. Existing measurement-based handover or conditional handover requires carrying the handover command through RRC reconfiguration messages, which directly leads to high signaling overhead in scenarios with frequent handovers.

[0112] Leveraging the predictable nature of non-terrestrial network handovers, the source base station pre-sends the UE context to the target base station, ensuring that the RRC connection remains unchanged between the source and target cells, thus maintaining the RRC connection. Handover based on UE context migration better utilizes the characteristics of non-terrestrial networks, transforming handovers oriented towards rapid terminal movement into handovers oriented towards fixed ground areas, maintaining the terminal's RRC connection, thereby reducing the impact of satellite high dynamics on terminal connection management, and further reducing control plane signaling interactions.

[0113] Unlike existing handover procedures (where the source base station sends a handover request to the target base station, the target base station establishes the UE context and then notifies the source base station, which in turn sends a handover command to the terminal), in the network handover scheme based on UE context migration provided in this embodiment of the invention, the source base station sends UE context information to the target base station in advance. The target base station establishes the context of the target cell (the cell served by the target base station) in advance according to the UE context of the source cell (the cell served by the source base station). The terminal triggers the handover by sending a terminal identifier to the target cell. The target cell activates the corresponding UE context through the terminal identifier reported by the terminal, establishes a communication connection with the terminal, and completes the network handover.

[0114] After introducing the overall handover process of the network handover scheme provided in the embodiments of this application, the implementation process of the network handover method provided in the embodiments of this invention on the source base station side will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0115] On the source base station side, such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the implementation process of the network switching method provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0116] Step 101: Send the UE context information of the terminal to the target base station.

[0117] In practice, the source base station can send the terminal's context information to the target cell before the terminal's network handover, based on ephemeris information and the ground planning corresponding to the terminal's location in the network management system for the next period of time. The source base station determines the timing of sending the UE context information by referring to information such as the terminal's location, service time, and signal quality.

[0118] For example, the timing of sending UE context information may include, but is not limited to: the distance between the terminal and the satellite exceeds a distance threshold, or the duration of the terminal entering the source cell exceeds a preset duration, or the signal quality of the terminal is lower than a preset threshold. The distance threshold, preset duration, and preset threshold can all be set according to the actual situation, and this embodiment of the invention does not limit them.

[0119] In practical applications, while sending UE context information to the target base station, the source base station can also notify the target base station of the effective time period of the UE context information and instruct the target base station to release the UE context information if it fails to establish a connection with the terminal within the effective time period.

[0120] It should be noted that the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, PDU session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration. Specifically, the PDU session-related context includes QoS flow information, the mapping relationship between QoS flow and Data Radio Bearer (DRB), and the Tunnel Endpoint Identification (TEID) of the User plane of GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP-U). The bearer configuration includes the configuration of Signaling Radio Bearers (SRB) and DRB, the corresponding Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) configuration, and the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer configuration. The serving cell configuration includes the configuration of the Physical Layer (PHY) and MAC layer.

[0121] In other embodiments of the present invention, the UE context information must include bearer configuration.

[0122] Step 102: After receiving the response message sent by the target base station indicating that a context has been established, a handover indication message is sent to the terminal. The handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell served by the target base station.

[0123] In practice, after receiving the UE context information sent by the source base station, the target base station establishes a UE context. Depending on the establishment of the UE context, the response message returned by the target base station includes the following two cases:

[0124] Case 1: UE context established successfully.

[0125] In this case, the target base station sends a response message to the source base station indicating that the UE context has been successfully established.

[0126] Case 2: UE context establishment fails based on UE context information sent by the source base station.

[0127] In this case, the target base station configures new UE context information and re-establishes the UE context based on the new UE context information. When the establishment is successful, the target base station sends a response message containing the new UE context information to the source base station.

[0128] In practice, after receiving the response message sent by the target base station, the source base station sends a handover indication message to the terminal. The handover indication message is used to indicate that the target base station has established a context and to instruct the terminal to report the terminal identifier to the target base station in order to access the target cell served by the target base station.

[0129] In practical applications, the handover indication message can be MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0130] In non-terrestrial networks, the target base station for terminal handover is predictable. Therefore, the source base station can send the UE context information to the target base station in advance. The source base station notifies the terminal via MAC layer control information that the terminal's context has been established in the target cell served by the target base station. Notifying the terminal to perform network handover via MAC layer control information improves overall handover efficiency, saves RRC reconfiguration time, and reduces the number of signaling messages compared to the existing method of handover via RRC reconfiguration messages. Moreover, the terminal does not need to re-establish the RRC connection; it only needs to report the terminal identifier to maintain the existing RRC connection.

[0131] In practical implementation, when switching the indication message to MAC layer control information, such as Figure 2 As shown, the MAC layer control information includes at least a handover indication, a target cell identifier, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell. Of course, if the response message returned by the target base station includes a new UE context message (i.e., case 2 above), the MAC layer control information also needs to include a context information update identifier and the new UE context information.

[0132] Of course, it should be noted that when the switching indication message is RRC signaling, it can contain the same content as the MAC layer control information, only the signaling format is different.

[0133] The transmission resources may include random access resources and / or reserved PDSCH resources. Specifically, the MAC layer control information may include a random access resource reservation identifier to indicate whether random access resources are reserved, and a PDSCH resource reservation identifier to indicate whether PDSCH resources are reserved. The resource reservation identifier may use a first value to represent reserved resources and a second value to represent unreserved resources. The first and second values ​​may be arbitrarily set, for example, 0 and 1.

[0134] In specific implementation, when the transmission resources include random access resources, the MAC layer control information may include a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index; when the transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources, the MAC layer control information may include: a PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time-domain resources, and PUSCH frequency-domain resources.

[0135] In practical applications, the handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to report the terminal identifier using the indicated transmission resources. If the MAC layer control information contains both random access resources and reserved PDSCH resources, the terminal will first use the reserved PDSCH resources to report the terminal identifier. If the terminal identifier reporting fails on the PDSCH resources, the random access resources will be used for random access to report the terminal identifier in MSG3 or MSGA.

[0136] It should be noted that, according to the handover instruction message sent by the source base station, the terminal reports its identifier to the target base station. After the target base station activates the corresponding UE context based on the terminal identifier, it establishes a communication connection with the terminal. At this time, the target base station can send a notification message to the source base station to release the UE context. After receiving the notification message sent by the target base station, the source base station releases the terminal's UE context information, and the terminal completes the signaling plane handover.

[0137] The implementation process of the network handover method provided in this embodiment of the invention on the target base station side will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. The procedures that are the same on the target base station side and the source base station side will not be repeated.

[0138] On the target base station side, such as Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the implementation process of the network switching method provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0139] Step 301: Receive UE context information sent by the source base station.

[0140] Step 302: Return a response message to the source base station indicating that the context has been established.

[0141] In practice, the target base station establishes a UE context based on the received UE context information, and returns a response message to the source base station when the establishment is successful. When the establishment fails, new UE context information is configured and the UE context is re-established with the new UE context information. When the establishment is successful, a response message including the new UE context information is returned to the source base station.

[0142] Step 303: Receive the terminal identifier sent by the receiving terminal.

[0143] Step 304: Determine the UE context information of the terminal in the established context based on the terminal identifier.

[0144] Step 305: Activate the UE context information of the terminal and establish a communication connection with the terminal.

[0145] In practical applications, after the target base station returns a response message to the source base station, the source base station sends a handover indication message to the terminal. The terminal reports its identifier to the target base station according to the instructions in the handover indication message. After receiving the terminal identifier reported by the terminal, the target base station determines the corresponding UE context information in the established context based on the terminal identifier, then activates the UE context information of the terminal and establishes a communication connection with the terminal.

[0146] It should be noted that the target base station can also receive an indication message sent by the source base station to indicate the effective time period of the UE context information, and release the UE context information if no connection is established with the terminal within the effective time period.

[0147] The UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0148] The implementation process of the network handover method provided in this embodiment of the invention on the terminal side will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. The procedures that are the same on the terminal side as those on the source base station side and the target base station side will not be repeated.

[0149] On the terminal side, such as Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the implementation process of the network switching method provided in this embodiment is as follows:

[0150] Step 401: Receive a handover indication message sent by the source base station. The handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell.

[0151] In practical applications, the handover indication message can be MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0152] In practice, when the handover indication message is MAC layer control information, the MAC layer control information shall include at least a handover indication, the identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell. Of course, if the response message returned by the target base station includes a new UE context message, the MAC layer control information shall also include a context information update identifier and new UE context information. The new UE context information shall include at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0153] The transmission resources may include random access resources and / or reserved PDSCH resources. Specifically, the MAC layer control information may include a random access resource reservation identifier to indicate whether random access resources are reserved, and a PDSCH resource reservation identifier to indicate whether PDSCH resources are reserved. The resource reservation identifier may use a first value to represent reserved resources and a second value to represent unreserved resources. The first and second values ​​may be arbitrarily set, for example, 0 and 1.

[0154] In specific implementation, when the transmission resources include random access resources, the MAC layer control information may include a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index; when the transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources, the MAC layer control information may include: a PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time-domain resources, and PUSCH frequency-domain resources.

[0155] In practical applications, the handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to report the terminal identifier using the indicated transmission resources. If the MAC layer control information contains both random access resources and reserved PDSCH resources, the terminal will first use the reserved PDSCH resources to report the terminal identifier. If the terminal identifier reporting fails on the PDSCH resources, the random access resources will be used for random access to report the terminal identifier in MSG3 or MSGA.

[0156] Step 402: Send the terminal identifier to the target base station to which the target cell belongs.

[0157] It should be noted that, according to the handover instruction message sent by the source base station, the terminal reports its identifier to the target base station. After the target base station activates the corresponding UE context based on the terminal identifier, it establishes a communication connection with the terminal.

[0158] The following is combined with Figure 5 and Figure 6 The present invention provides a detailed description of the interaction process between the source base station, the target base station, and the terminal in the network handover method provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0159] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in the following two ways depending on the situation of establishing the UE context by the target base station.

[0160] Implementation Method 1: The target base station successfully establishes a UE context based on the UE context information sent by the source base station.

[0161] like Figure 5 As shown, the interaction process between the source base station, the target base station, and the terminal includes the following steps:

[0162] Step 1: The source base station sends the UE context information of the terminal to the target base station.

[0163] Step 2: The target base station establishes a UE context based on the received UE context information.

[0164] Step 3: If the target base station successfully establishes the UE context, it sends a context establishment success response message to the source base station.

[0165] Step 4: The source base station sends a handover indication message to the terminal, notifying the terminal that a context has been established with the target base station. This handover indication message carries the terminal's identifier and the resources required for reporting, such as random access resources and / or reserved uplink resources.

[0166] The switching indication message can be MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0167] Step 5: When the terminal needs to switch networks, the terminal sends its terminal identifier to the target base station through random access or reserved uplink resources.

[0168] Step 6: The target base station determines the corresponding UE context based on the terminal identifier, activates the UE context, and establishes a communication connection with the terminal.

[0169] Step 7: The target base station notifies the source base station to release the UE context.

[0170] In one example, assume that serving cell 1 of source base station A and serving cell 2 of target base station B serve a certain area on the ground. Terminal 1 accesses serving cell 1 at time t. The service time of serving cell 1 can be known from the ephemeris. Serving cell 1 will migrate the context information of terminal 1 to serving cell 2 of target base station B in advance.

[0171] The target base station determines whether the original context information of terminal 1 conflicts with that of other terminals within the current base station B. If there is no conflict, then... Figure 5 For example, target base station B establishes a context for terminal 1 and notifies the source base station that the context establishment was successful. If the target cell has reserved PUSCH resources and random access resources, these resource configurations are also sent to the source base station.

[0172] If the terminal's context remains unchanged, the source base station generates MAC control information, carrying the serving cell 2's cell identifier, PUSCH resources, and random access resources. Terminal 1 receives the MAC control information and uses the reserved resources to send PUSCH information to serving cell 2. PUSCH frequency domain resources can adopt the resource allocation notification method in DCI, and time domain resources can support periodic settings. To further reduce the impact of resource reservation on system performance, serving cell 2 can reserve uplink resources for multiple terminals for the same period, which are then shared among the terminals.

[0173] Terminal 1 prioritizes using PUSCH resources to send the terminal identifier. If terminal 1 fails to send the identifier using PUSCH resources, it triggers a random access procedure to report the terminal identifier via MSGA or MSG3. Target base station B determines the corresponding UE context using the terminal identifier, thereby activating the user context, and the terminal RRC connection is successfully established.

[0174] Implementation Method 2: The target base station fails to establish a UE context based on the UE context information sent by the source base station.

[0175] like Figure 6 As shown, the interaction process between the source base station, the target base station, and the terminal includes the following steps:

[0176] Step 1: The source base station sends the UE context information of the terminal to the target base station.

[0177] Step 2: The target base station establishes a UE context based on the received UE context information. If the UE context establishment fails, the target base station configures new UE context information and uses the new UE context information to re-establish the UE context.

[0178] Step 3: If the target base station successfully establishes the UE context, it sends a response message containing the new UE context information to the source base station.

[0179] Step 4: The source base station sends a handover indication message to the terminal, notifying the terminal that the target base station has established a context. This handover indication message includes the new UE context information. Additionally, it needs to carry the terminal identifier and the resources required for reporting, such as random access resources and / or reserved uplink resources.

[0180] The switching indication message can be MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0181] Step 5: When the terminal needs to switch networks, the terminal sends its terminal identifier to the target base station through random access or reserved uplink resources.

[0182] Step 6: The target base station determines the corresponding UE context based on the terminal identifier, activates the UE context, and establishes a communication connection with the terminal.

[0183] Step 7: The target base station notifies the source base station to release the UE context.

[0184] In one example, assume that serving cell 1 of source base station A and serving cell 2 of target base station B serve a certain area on the ground. Terminal 1 accesses serving cell 1 at time t. The service time of serving cell 1 can be known from the ephemeris. Serving cell 1 will migrate the context information of terminal 1 to serving cell 2 of target base station B in advance.

[0185] The target base station determines whether the original context information of terminal 1 conflicts with that of other terminals within the current base station B. If a conflict occurs, it uses... Figure 6 For example, target base station B establishes a new context for terminal 1 and notifies the source base station that the new UE context has been successfully established. If the target cell has reserved PUSCH resources and random access resources, these resource configurations are also sent to the source base station.

[0186] When the terminal's context changes, the source base station generates MAC control information and / or RRC signaling. Taking MAC layer control information as an example, the MAC control information carries the cell identifier of serving cell 2, PUSCH resources and random access resources, updated UE context configuration, etc., while the RRC signaling carries the configuration update of the UE context.

[0187] Terminal 1 receives MAC control information and uses reserved resources to send PUSCH information to serving cell 2. PUSCH frequency domain resources can be allocated using the resource allocation notification method in DCI, and time domain resources can be set periodically. To further reduce the impact of resource reservation on system performance, serving cell 2 can reserve uplink resources for multiple terminals within the same time period, which are then shared among the terminals. Terminal 1 prioritizes using PUSCH resources to send its terminal identifier. If terminal 1 fails to send the terminal identifier using PUSCH resources, it triggers a random access procedure to report the terminal identifier through the random access MSGA or MSG3. Target base station B determines the corresponding UE context through the terminal identifier, thereby activating the user context, and the terminal RRC connection is successfully established.

[0188] Based on the same inventive concept, such as Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network switching device, including:

[0189] The first communication unit 701 is used to send the UE context information of the terminal to the target base station;

[0190] The second communication unit 702 is used to send a handover indication message to the terminal after receiving a response message sent by the target base station indicating that a context has been established. The handover indication message is used to indicate that the terminal accesses the target cell served by the target base station.

[0191] As an optional implementation, the switching indication message is MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0192] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message includes at least a handover indication, an identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

[0193] As an optional implementation, when the response message includes new UE context information, the handover indication message also includes a context information update identifier and the new UE context information.

[0194] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include random access resources.

[0195] As an optional implementation, the random access resource includes: a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

[0196] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources.

[0197] As an optional implementation, the reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time domain resources, and frequency domain resources.

[0198] As an optional implementation, the first communication unit 701 is further configured to:

[0199] The system notifies the target base station of the valid time period for the UE context information and instructs the target base station to release the UE context information if it fails to establish a connection with the terminal within the valid time period.

[0200] As an optional implementation, the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0201] As an optional implementation, the second communication unit 702 is further configured to:

[0202] Receive the notification message from the target base station indicating that a communication connection has been established with the terminal, and release the UE context information of the terminal.

[0203] Based on the same inventive concept, such as Figure 8 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network switching device, including:

[0204] The first receiving unit 801 is used to receive UE context information sent by the source base station;

[0205] The sending unit 802 is used to return a response message to the source base station indicating that the context has been established;

[0206] The second receiving unit 803 is used to receive the terminal identifier sent by the terminal;

[0207] The processing unit 804 is used to determine the UE context information of the terminal in the established context based on the terminal identifier, activate the UE context information of the terminal, and establish a communication connection with the terminal.

[0208] As an optional implementation, the transmitting unit 802 is specifically used for:

[0209] The UE context is established based on the received UE context information, and a response message indicating successful UE context establishment is returned to the source base station upon successful establishment.

[0210] If the establishment fails, new UE context information is configured and the UE context is re-established with the new UE context information. If the establishment is successful, a response message including the new UE context information is returned to the source base station.

[0211] As an optional implementation, the processing unit 804 is also configured to: after establishing a communication connection with the terminal, notify the source base station to release the UE context information of the terminal.

[0212] As an optional implementation, the first receiving unit 801 is further configured to:

[0213] The system receives an indication message from the source base station indicating the valid time period for UE context information, and releases the UE context information if no connection is established with the terminal within the valid time period.

[0214] As an optional implementation, the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0215] Based on the same inventive concept, such as Figure 9 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network switching device, including:

[0216] The receiving unit 901 is used to receive a handover indication message sent by the source base station, which is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell.

[0217] The sending unit 902 is used to send the terminal identifier to the target base station to which the target cell belongs.

[0218] As an optional implementation, the switching indication message is MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0219] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message includes at least a handover indication, an identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

[0220] As an optional implementation, the handover instruction message also includes a context information update identifier and new UE context information.

[0221] As an optional implementation, the new UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0222] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include random access resources.

[0223] As an optional implementation, the random access resource includes: a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

[0224] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources.

[0225] As an optional implementation, the reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time domain resources, and frequency domain resources.

[0226] Based on the same inventive concept, such as Figure 10 As shown, on the source base station side, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network handover device, which includes a processor 1000 and a memory 1001. The memory 1001 is used to store programs executable by the processor 1000, and the processor 1000 is used to read and execute the programs in the memory 1001.

[0227] Send the terminal's UE context information to the target base station;

[0228] After receiving the response message from the target base station, a handover indication message is sent to the terminal. The handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell served by the target base station.

[0229] As an optional implementation, the switching indication message is MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0230] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message includes at least a handover indication, an identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

[0231] As an optional implementation, when the response message includes new UE context information, the handover indication message also includes a context information update identifier and the new UE context information.

[0232] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include random access resources.

[0233] As an optional implementation, the random access resource includes: a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

[0234] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include reserved Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) resources.

[0235] As an optional implementation, the reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time domain resources, and frequency domain resources.

[0236] As an optional implementation, the processor 1000 is also configured to execute:

[0237] The system notifies the target base station of the valid time period for the UE context information and instructs the target base station to release the UE context information if it fails to establish a connection with the terminal within the valid time period.

[0238] As an optional implementation, the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0239] As an optional implementation, the processor 1000 is also configured to execute:

[0240] Receive the notification message from the target base station indicating that a communication connection has been established with the terminal, and release the UE context information of the terminal.

[0241] Based on the same inventive concept, such as Figure 11 As shown, on the target base station side, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network handover device, which includes a processor 1100 and a memory 1101. The memory 1101 is used to store programs executable by the processor 1100, and the processor 1100 is used to read and execute the programs in the memory 1101.

[0242] Receive UE context information sent by the source base station;

[0243] Establish a UE context and, upon successful establishment, return a response message to the source base station indicating successful UE context establishment.

[0244] As an optional implementation, the processor 1100 is also configured to perform:

[0245] If the establishment fails, new UE context information is configured and the UE context is re-established with the new UE context information. If the establishment is successful, a response message including the new UE context information is returned to the source base station.

[0246] As an optional implementation, the processor 1100 is also configured to perform:

[0247] The terminal identifier sent by the receiving terminal;

[0248] The UE context information of the terminal is determined based on the terminal identifier within the established context.

[0249] Activate the UE context information of the terminal and establish a communication connection with the terminal.

[0250] As an optional implementation, the processor 1100 is also configured to perform:

[0251] After establishing a communication connection with the terminal, the source base station is notified to release the terminal's UE context information.

[0252] As an optional implementation, the processor 1100 is also configured to perform:

[0253] The system receives an indication message from the source base station indicating the valid time period for UE context information, and releases the UE context information if no connection is established with the terminal within the valid time period.

[0254] As an optional implementation, the UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0255] Based on the same inventive concept, such as Figure 12 As shown, on the terminal side, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network switching device, which includes a processor 1200 and a memory 1201. The memory 1201 is used to store programs executable by the processor 1200, and the processor 1200 is used to read and execute the programs in the memory 1201.

[0256] Receive the handover indication message sent by the source base station. The handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell.

[0257] Send the terminal identifier to the target base station to which the target cell belongs.

[0258] As an optional implementation, the switching indication message is MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

[0259] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message includes at least a handover indication, an identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

[0260] As an optional implementation, the handover instruction message also includes a context information update identifier and new UE context information.

[0261] As an optional implementation, the new UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

[0262] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include random access resources.

[0263] As an optional implementation, the random access resource includes: a random access resource reservation identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

[0264] As an optional implementation, the transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources.

[0265] As an optional implementation, the reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time domain resources, and frequency domain resources.

[0266] As an optional implementation, the handover indication message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling message.

[0267] Based on the same inventive concept, this disclosure provides a computer storage medium comprising: computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the network switching methods described above. Since the principle by which the computer storage medium solves the problem is similar to that of the network switching method, the implementation of the computer storage medium can be referred to the implementation of the method, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0268] In specific implementation, computer storage media can include: Universal Serial Bus Flash Drive (USB), portable hard drive, Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk, and other storage media that can store program code.

[0269] Based on the same inventive concept, this disclosure also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the network switching methods discussed above. Since the principle by which the above-described computer program product solves the problem is similar to that of the network switching method, the implementation of the above-described computer program product can be referred to the implementation of the method, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0270] Computer program products may employ any combination of one or more readable media. A readable medium may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. A readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of readable storage media include: electrical connections having one or more wires, portable disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0271] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the present invention can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present invention can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage and optical storage) containing computer-usable program code.

[0272] This invention is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 Devices that specify the functions in one or more boxes.

[0273] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including an instruction device, which is implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0274] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0275] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A network handover method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send the terminal's UE context information to the target base station; After receiving a response message from the target base station indicating that a context has been established, a handover indication message is sent to the terminal. The handover indication message is used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell served by the target base station.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handover indication message is Media Access Control (MAC) layer control information and / or Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The handover instruction message includes at least a handover instruction, the identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the response message includes new UE context information, the handover indication message also includes a context information update identifier and the new UE context information.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The transmission resources include random access resources.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The random access resources include: a random access resource reserved identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

7. The method according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, The transmission resources include reserved Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) resources.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time domain resources, and frequency domain resources.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The target base station is notified of the effective time period of the UE context information, and is instructed to release the UE context information if the target base station fails to establish a connection with the terminal within the effective time period.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the notification message sent by the target base station indicating that a communication connection has been established with the terminal, and release the UE context information of the terminal.

12. A network handover method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive UE context information sent by the source base station; Return a response message to the source base station indicating that the context has been established; The terminal identifier sent by the receiving terminal; The UE context information of the terminal is determined in the established context based on the terminal identifier; Activate the UE context information of the terminal and establish a communication connection with the terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The step of returning a response message to the source base station includes: A UE context is established based on the received UE context information, and a response message indicating successful UE context establishment is returned to the source base station upon successful establishment. If the establishment fails, new UE context information is configured and the UE context is re-established with the new UE context information. If the establishment is successful, a response message including the new UE context information is returned to the source base station.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, After establishing the communication connection with the terminal, the method further includes: The source base station is notified to release the UE context information of the terminal.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives an indication message from the source base station indicating a valid time period for the UE context information, and releases the UE context information if no connection is established with the terminal within the valid time period.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

17. A network handover method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a handover indication message sent by the source base station, the handover indication message being used to instruct the terminal to access the target cell; Send the terminal identifier to the target base station to which the target cell belongs.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The switching indication message is MAC layer control information and / or RRC signaling.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The handover instruction message includes at least a handover instruction, the identifier of the target cell, and at least one transmission resource used to access the target cell.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The handover instruction message also includes a context information update identifier and new UE context information.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The new UE context information includes at least one of the following: terminal security context, access layer context, protocol data unit (PDU) session-related context, serving cell configuration, and bearer configuration.

22. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The transmission resources include random access resources.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The random access resources include: a random access resource reserved identifier, a random access code, and a random access resource index.

24. The method according to claim 19 or 22, characterized in that, The transmission resources include reserved PUSCH resources.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The reserved PUSCH resources include: PUSCH resource reservation identifier, PUSCH time domain resources, and frequency domain resources.

26. A network switching device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory for storing a program executable by the processor, and the processor for reading the program in the memory and performing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-25.

27. A computer storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 25.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 25.

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