Load balancing method, network element and device

Abstract

The invention provides a load balancing method, a network element and a device. The method comprises the following steps: sending a resource state request message to a second network element; the resource state request message is used for requesting to acquire load information of the second network element; under the condition that a resource state failure message sent by a second network element is received, sending a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element; the resource state failure message indicates that the state of at least one cell in the second network element is abnormal; under the condition that a cell activation response message from the target cell is received, sending a resource state request message to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element; and under the condition that the resource state response message from the target cell is received, carrying out load balancing with the target cell. The method provided by the embodiment of the invention can effectively reduce the invalid signaling overhead between the network elements, improve the success rate of the load balancing service and reduce the load of the network elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a load balancing method, network element, and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] As network scale expands, load balancing among different network elements in communication systems becomes a crucial factor in improving system stability and performance. The prerequisite for load balancing among network elements is that high-load network elements can promptly obtain load information from other network elements. When a network element (e.g., network element 1) is under high load or in a load warning state, it will initiate a Resource Status Reporting Initiation (RSI) process by sending a RSI report to other network elements (e.g., network element 2). Through the RSI process, network element 1 can obtain information such as the resource capacity, synchronization signal block (SSB), and slice of other network elements, thereby determining whether to execute the load balancing process.

[0003] In related technologies, when network element 1 initiates a resource status request (RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST) and network element 2 replies with a resource status failure (RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE), network element 1 will repeatedly send a resource status request (RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST) message to network element 2. This signaling interaction goes back and forth, generating a large number of invalid signaling messages. However, since network element 1 does not obtain the load information of network element 2, it cannot effectively achieve load balancing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a load balancing method, network element, and apparatus to reduce invalid signaling overhead between network elements, improve the success rate of load balancing services, and reduce network element load.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a load balancing method applied to a first network element, comprising the following steps.

[0006] Send a resource status request message to the second network element; the resource status request message is used to request the load information of the second network element; Upon receiving a resource status failure message from the second network element, a cell activation request message is sent to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state. Upon receiving a cell activation response message from a target cell, a resource status request message is sent to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. Upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing is performed with the target cell.

[0007] According to a load balancing method provided by the present invention, when a cell activation failure message or resource status failure message is received from a target cell, the target cell is recorded and the target cell is designated as a prohibited cell for load balancing.

[0008] According to a load balancing method provided by the present invention, the step of performing load balancing with the target cell upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell includes: Upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing is performed based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element.

[0009] According to a load balancing method provided by the present invention, the step of performing load balancing based on the coverage relationship between cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element includes: If the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell is the same, load balancing is performed by load-based handover; otherwise, load balancing is performed by coverage-based handover.

[0010] Secondly, the invention also provides a load balancing method applied to a second network element, comprising the following steps.

[0011] Receive a resource status request message sent by a first network element; the resource status request message is used by the first network element to request the load information of the second network element; After sending a resource status failure message to the first network element, and receiving cell activation request messages from the first network element to each cell in the second network element, a cell activation response message from the target cell is sent to the first network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. Receive the resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell; Based on the resource status request message, a resource status response message from the target cell is sent to the first network element; the resource status response message is used for load balancing between the first network element and the target cell.

[0012] Thirdly, the present invention also provides a first network element, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor: A memory for storing computer programs; a transceiver for sending and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer programs from the memory and performing the following operations: Send a resource status request message to the second network element; the resource status request message is used to request the load information of the second network element; Upon receiving a resource status failure message from the second network element, a cell activation request message is sent to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state. Upon receiving a cell activation response message from a target cell, a resource status request message is sent to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. Upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing is performed with the target cell.

[0013] In some embodiments, upon receiving a cell activation failure message or resource status failure message from the target cell, the processor is further configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Record the target cell and designate it as a prohibited cell for load balancing.

[0014] In some embodiments, the step of performing load balancing with the target cell upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell includes: Upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing is performed based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element.

[0015] In some embodiments, the load balancing based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element includes: If the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell is the same, load balancing is performed by load-based handover; otherwise, load balancing is performed by coverage-based handover.

[0016] Fourthly, the present invention also provides a second network element, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor: A memory for storing computer programs; a transceiver for sending and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer programs from the memory and performing the following operations: Receive a resource status request message sent by a first network element; the resource status request message is used by the first network element to request the load information of the second network element; After sending a resource status failure message to the first network element, and receiving cell activation request messages from the first network element to each cell in the second network element, a cell activation response message from the target cell is sent to the first network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. Receive the resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell; Based on the resource status request message, a resource status response message from the target cell is sent to the first network element; the resource status response message is used for load balancing between the first network element and the target cell.

[0017] Fifthly, the present invention also provides a load balancing device, comprising the following modules: The sending module is used to send a resource status request message to the second network element; the resource status request message is used to request the load information of the second network element. Upon receiving a resource status failure message from the second network element, a cell activation request message is sent to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state. Upon receiving a cell activation response message from a target cell, a resource status request message is sent to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. The processing module is used to perform load balancing with the target cell upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell.

[0018] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a receiving module and a recording module. The receiving module is configured to receive a cell activation failure message or a resource status failure message from a target cell. The recording module is configured to record the target cell and designate the target cell as a prohibited cell for load balancing when a cell activation failure message or a resource status failure message is received from the target cell.

[0019] In some embodiments, upon receiving a resource status response message from a target cell, the processing module is configured to perform load balancing based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element.

[0020] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to perform load balancing by performing load-based handover when the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell is the same; otherwise, it performs load balancing by performing coverage-based handover.

[0021] Sixthly, the present invention also provides a load balancing device, comprising the following modules: The receiving module is used to receive a resource status request message sent by a first network element; the resource status request message is used by the first network element to request the load information of a second network element. The sending module is configured to send a cell activation response message from a target cell to the first network element after sending a resource status failure message to the first network element and receiving cell activation request messages sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. The receiving module is also used to receive a resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell; The sending module is further configured to send a resource status response message from the target cell to the first network element according to the resource status request message; the resource status response message is used for load balancing between the first network element and the target cell.

[0022] In a seventh aspect, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the load balancing method as described in the first aspect.

[0023] In an eighth aspect, the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the load balancing method as described in the second aspect.

[0024] Ninthly, the present invention also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the load balancing method described in the first aspect or the load balancing method described in the second aspect as described above.

[0025] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a chip product, wherein the chip product stores a computer program, the computer program being used to cause the chip product to perform the load balancing method described in the first aspect or the load balancing method described in the second aspect as described above.

[0026] The load balancing method, network element, and apparatus provided by this invention, when the first network element receives a resource status failure message sent by the second network element, improves the success rate of resource interaction between network elements by introducing a cell activation procedure. At the same time, it effectively controls the first network element to initiate a resource status reporting initiation process to the second network element, reduces invalid signaling overhead between network elements, improves the success rate of load balancing services, and reduces the network element load. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figures 1a-1b This is a schematic diagram of the resource interaction process provided by the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is one of the flowcharts of the load balancing method provided by the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This is the second flowchart of the load balancing method provided by the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 This is the third flowchart of the load balancing method provided by the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the resource status request provided by the present invention.

[0033] Figures 6a-6b This is a schematic diagram of the load balancing strategy provided by the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element provided by the present invention.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element provided by the present invention.

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the load balancing device provided by the present invention.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the load balancing device provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0039] The following is a reference to Figure 1- Figure 10 The load balancing method, network element, and apparatus of the present invention are described.

[0040] To facilitate a clearer understanding of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of this application, some technical content related to the various embodiments of this application will be introduced first.

[0041] As network scale expands, load balancing among different network elements in a communication system becomes a crucial factor in improving system stability and performance. Load balancing among network elements presupposes that high-load network elements can promptly obtain load information from other network elements. Optionally, the network elements in this application can be network elements in a 4G communication system, a 5G communication system, or network elements in other communication systems; no specific limitations are imposed in this embodiment. Figures 1a-1b As shown, in the current SA network, there are two NG-RAN nodes with an XN link. When NG-RAN node1 is under high load or in a load warning state, it will initiate a Resource Status Reporting Initiation process by sending a resource status report to NG-RAN node2 via the XN link. Through the Resource Status Reporting Initiation process, NG-RAN node1 can obtain information such as the resource capacity, synchronization information blocks, and slices of NG-RAN node2, and then determine whether to perform the load balancing process between NG-RAN nodes.

[0042] Currently, for resource interaction between NG-RAN nodes, NG-RAN node1 obtains the load information of NG-RAN node2 through the Resource Status Reporting Initiation process. When the Resource Status Reporting Initiation fails, NG-RAN node1 cannot obtain the information of NG-RAN node2. Under high load conditions, NG-RAN node1 periodically initiates the Resource Status Reporting Initiation process to NG-RAN node2.

[0043] The current load balancing design follows 3GPP 38.423. If Radio Access Network Node 2 (RAN 2) can provide all requested resource status information, it initiates measurement based on RNA Node 1's request and replies with a resource status response message. When measurement begins, the reporting attribute (IE) in the resource status request only specifies the object type for which RNA Node 2 should perform the measurement. For each cell, RNA Node 2 should include in its resource status update message: if any requested measurement cannot be initiated, RNA Node 2 should send a resource status failure message with an appropriate reason value.

[0044] The current process has the following problems: NG-RAN node1 initiates a Resource Status Request (RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST), and NG-RAN node2 replies with a Resource Status Failure (RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE). Resource Status Reporting Initiations are transmitted between two NG-RAN nodes with an XN relationship. Whenever NG-RAN node1 meets the interaction conditions, it periodically sends a RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST message to NG-RAN node2, and NG-RAN node2 replies with a RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE. This back-and-forth signaling interaction generates a large amount of invalid signaling, increasing the invalid signaling processing for both base stations. However, because NG-RAN node1 does not obtain load information from NG-RAN node2, effective load balancing cannot be achieved.

[0045] Figure 2 This is one of the flowcharts of the load balancing method provided by the present invention, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the method includes the following: Step 201: Send a resource status request message to the second network element; the resource status request message is used to request the load information of the second network element.

[0046] Specifically, under high load conditions, the first network element will send a resource status request message to the second network element to obtain its load information for load balancing. Optionally, after receiving the resource status request message from the first network element, if one or more cells in the second network element have abnormal status, the second network element will send a resource status failure message to the first network element. Optionally, the first network element can be a 5G base station, or it can be an access network element under other network standards.

[0047] Step 202: Upon receiving a resource status failure message from the second network element, send a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state.

[0048] Specifically, after receiving the resource status request message sent by the first network element, if the load measurement of one or more cells in the second network element cannot be started, that is, if the status of one or more cells in the second network element is abnormal, the second network element sends a resource status failure message to the first network element, carrying an appropriate reason value.

[0049] When the first network element receives a resource status failure message from the second network element, in existing technology, the first network element will send a resource status request message to the second network element again, and the second network element will reply with a resource status failure message again. This back-and-forth signaling interaction generates a large amount of invalid signaling, but because the first network element cannot interact with the second network element for resources, load balancing cannot be effectively achieved.

[0050] To address the aforementioned issues, in this embodiment of the application, when the first network element receives a resource status failure message from the second network element, the first network element does not send a resource status request message to the second network element again. Instead, it sends a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element to determine whether the status of each cell in the second network element is normal and whether resource interaction can be performed normally.

[0051] In other words, by introducing a cell activation procedure, the success rate of resource interaction between network elements is improved. Simultaneously, the first network element initiates a resource status reporting initiation process to the second network element, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead between network elements, improving the success rate of load balancing services, and reducing network element load.

[0052] Step 203: Upon receiving a cell activation response message from the target cell, send a resource status request message to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element.

[0053] Specifically, when the first network element receives a cell activation response message from target cell A in the second network element, it can determine that cell A in the second network element is in a normal state, and thus the first network element can normally interact with cell A in the second network element for resources. Therefore, upon receiving the cell activation response message from target cell A in the second network element, the first network element sends a resource status request message to target cell A in the second network element to obtain the load information of cell A in the second network element.

[0054] For example, if cell A and cell B in the second network element send activation response messages to the first network element, but cell C in the second network element does not send an activation response message to the first network element, the first network element can determine that cell A and cell B in the second network element are in normal status, while cell C in the second network element is in abnormal status. In this case, the first network element can send resource status request messages to cell A and cell B in the second network element separately to obtain the load information of cell A and cell B in the second network element, so as to realize resource interaction and load balancing between cell A and cell B in the first network element and cell B in the second network element.

[0055] Step 204: Upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, perform load balancing with the target cell.

[0056] Specifically, if the first network element sends a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element and receives a cell activation response message from the target cell in the second network element, it indicates that the first network element can interact normally with the target cell in the second network element. Therefore, upon receiving the cell activation response message from target cell A in the second network element, the first network element sends a resource status request message to the target cell in the second network element to obtain the load information of the target cell in the second network element, and performs load balancing based on the load information of the target cell in the second network element.

[0057] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, when the first network element receives a resource status failure message from the second network element, the first network element does not send a resource status request message to the second network element again. Instead, it sends a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element to determine whether the status of each cell in the second network element is normal and whether resource interaction can be performed normally. When the first network element receives a cell activation response message from the target cell A in the second network element, the first network element can determine that the status of cell A in the second network element is normal. The first network element can then perform resource interaction with cell A in the second network element normally. Furthermore, the first network element can send a resource status request message to the target cell A in the second network element to obtain the load information of the target cell in the second network element, and perform load balancing based on the load information of the target cell in the second network element. This effectively improves the success rate of resource interaction and load balancing, and solves the problem in the prior art where, when the second network element replies to the first network element with a resource status failure, resource interaction between the first and second network elements is impossible, resulting in back-and-forth signaling interactions, generating a large amount of invalid signaling, and failing to achieve load balancing. Optionally, the network element in this application can be a network element in a 4G communication system, a network element in a 5G communication system, or a network element in a communication system of other standards. No specific restrictions are imposed in the embodiments of this application.

[0058] In the method described in the above embodiments, when the first network element receives a resource status failure message sent by the second network element, it improves the success rate of resource interaction between network elements by introducing a cell activation procedure. At the same time, it effectively controls the first network element to initiate a resource status reporting initiation process to the second network element, reduces invalid signaling overhead between network elements, improves the success rate of load balancing services, and reduces the network element load.

[0059] In one embodiment, upon receiving a cell activation failure message or resource status failure message from the target cell, the target cell is recorded and designated as a prohibited cell for load balancing.

[0060] Specifically, when the first network element receives a cell activation failure message or resource status failure message from the target cell in the second network element, the first network element can determine that the target cell A in the second network element is in an abnormal state and the first network element cannot interact with the target cell A in the second network element for resources. The first network element can then record the state of the target cell in the second network element and designate the target cell in the second network element as a prohibited cell for load balancing, so as to avoid the first network element initiating invalid signaling interactions with the target cell.

[0061] For example, in a 5G network, when the first network element receives a resource status failure message (RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE) sent by the second network element, it executes the cell activation procedure.

[0062] The first network element, NG-RAN node1, initiates a cell activation request (CELL ACTIVATION REQUEST) to each cell (Cell A, Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, Cell F) under the second network element, NG-RAN node2. Each cell (Cell A, Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, Cell F) under the second network element, NG-RAN node2, performs the cell activation process. If Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, or Cell F is successfully activated, it replies with a cell activation response (CELL ACTIVATION RESPONSE) message and proceeds to the next step of the load balancing process.

[0063] If Cell A fails to activate, it replies with "CELL ACTIVATION FAILURE," indicating that the cell status is still abnormal. The first network element records the cell information, including GNBID, CellId, PCI, and SSB frequency. Cell A is then designated as a prohibited cell for this load interaction. Alternatively, if Cell A successfully activates and replies with "CELL ACTIVATION RESPONSE" to the first network element, Cell A will receive a "RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST" from the first network element. If Cell A fails to respond, it replies with "RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE." In this case, the first network element will also designate Cell A as a prohibited cell for this load interaction, thus effectively preventing the first network element from initiating invalid signaling interactions with the target cell, Cell A. Until the first network element receives the XN configuration update from the second network element NG-RAN node2, which carries Cell A information, and removes Cell A from the list, meaning that Cell A returns to normal, the first network element can promptly update the load balancing object through the configuration information sent by the second network element, obtain the load information of Cell A, and perform load balancing with Cell A cell to reduce the load on the first network element.

[0064] In the method described in the above embodiment, when the first network element receives a cell activation failure message from the target cell in the second network element, the first network element can record the status of the target cell and designate the target cell in the second network element as a prohibited cell for load balancing, so as to avoid the first network element initiating invalid signaling interactions with the target cell.

[0065] In one embodiment, upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing with the target cell is performed, including: Upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing is performed based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element.

[0066] Specifically, when the first network element receives the resource status response message of the target cell in the second network element, it can also obtain the load information of the target cell in the second network element. Then, by combining the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element, it can select an appropriate load balancing strategy to balance the load between the target cells in the first network element and the second network element. This solves the problem in the prior art where, when the second network element fails to reply to the first network element with the resource status, the first and second network elements cannot interact with each other, resulting in back-and-forth signaling interactions, generating a large number of invalid signaling messages, and failing to achieve load balancing.

[0067] In one implementation, load balancing is performed based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cells in the second network element, including: If the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell is the same, load balancing is performed by handover based on load; otherwise, load balancing is performed by handover based on coverage.

[0068] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element is co-coverage, load balancing is performed based on load-based handover; otherwise, load balancing is performed based on coverage. This allows for different strategies to be selected in different scenarios to achieve load balancing between the first and second network elements, effectively reducing the load on the first network element. In other words, in this embodiment, during load balancing in the first network element, load balancing is prioritized with cells that have co-coverage, thus achieving load balancing while ensuring optimal coverage and effectively guaranteeing the communication quality of the terminal after load balancing.

[0069] For example, for CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE that reply with RESOURCE STATUS RESPONSE to the first network element, the first network element NG-RAN node1 sequentially determines whether CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE under this base station have a co-coverage neighbor cell with CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE in the second network element.

[0070] If neighboring cells with the same coverage exist, and the terminal accesses the cell under the first network element NG-RAN node1 and measures CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE information in the second network element, the first network element NG-RAN node1 instructs the terminal to execute a load-based handover strategy. In other words, to ensure coverage continuity between the two-layer networks, it is necessary to determine the coverage type of neighboring cells. The existence of neighboring cells with the same coverage indicates that the two-layer networks have the same coverage area, and the user can be migrated. Load-based handover is triggered by capacity-related indicators such as the number of base station users, Physical Resource Block (PRB) occupancy rate, and Control Channel Element (CCE) utilization rate. The networking scenario is a heterogeneous frequency two-layer network.

[0071] If no neighboring cells with the same coverage exist, and the terminal accesses a cell under NG-RAN node1 and measures CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE information in the second network element, the first network element NG-RAN node1 instructs the terminal to execute a coverage-based handover strategy. This coverage-based handover is triggered by signal strength, such as Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and is not limited by network frequency bands; handover can proceed as long as a suitable radio cell with appropriate RSRP is available.

[0072] In the method described above, the first network element selects different strategies based on the coverage relationship of the target cells in the second network element to achieve load balancing between the first network element and the second network element, effectively reducing the load on the first network element.

[0073] like Figure 3 As shown in the embodiments of this application, a load balancing method is also provided, applied to a second network element, including: Step 301: Receive the resource status request message sent by the first network element; the resource status request message is used by the first network element to request the load information of the second network element.

[0074] Specifically, when the first network element is under high load, it sends a resource status request message to the second network element to obtain the load information of the second network element for load balancing. Optionally, the first network element can be a 5G base station, or it can be an access network element under other network standards. Optionally, after the second network element receives the resource status request message sent by the first network element, if one or more cells in the second network element have abnormal status, the second network element sends a resource status failure message to the first network element.

[0075] Step 302: After sending a resource status failure message to the first network element and receiving cell activation request messages sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element, send a cell activation response message from the target cell to the first network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element.

[0076] Specifically, after receiving the resource status request message sent by the first network element, if the load measurement of one or more cells in the second network element cannot be started, that is, if the status of one or more cells in the second network element is abnormal, the second network element sends a resource status failure message to the first network element, carrying an appropriate reason value.

[0077] When the first network element receives a resource status failure message from the second network element, in existing technology, the first network element will send a resource status request message to the second network element again, and the second network element will reply with a resource status failure message again. This back-and-forth signaling interaction generates a large amount of invalid signaling, but because the first network element cannot interact with the second network element for resources, load balancing cannot be effectively achieved.

[0078] To address the aforementioned issues, in this embodiment of the application, when the first network element receives a resource status failure message from the second network element, the first network element does not send a resource status request message to the second network element again. Instead, it sends a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element to determine whether the status of each cell in the second network element is normal and whether resource interaction can be performed normally.

[0079] Step 303: Receive the resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell.

[0080] Specifically, upon receiving a cell activation response message from target cell A in the second network element, the first network element can determine that cell A in the second network element is in a normal state, and thus the first network element can normally interact with cell A in the second network element for resources. Therefore, upon receiving the cell activation response message from target cell A in the second network element, the first network element sends a resource status request message to target cell A in the second network element to obtain the load information of cell A in the second network element. After receiving the resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell, the target cell in the second network element can then interact with the first network element for resources.

[0081] Step 304: Based on the resource status request message, send a resource status response message from the target cell to the first network element; the resource status response message is used for load balancing between the first network element and the target cell.

[0082] Specifically, after receiving the resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell, the second network element can also send a resource status response message from the target cell to the first network element based on the received resource status request message, thereby enabling the first network element to obtain the load information of the target cell in the second network element and perform load balancing based on the load information of the target cell in the second network element.

[0083] In the method of the above embodiments, when the first network element receives a resource status failure message from the second network element, it does not send a resource status request message to the second network element again. Instead, it sends a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element to determine whether the status of each cell in the second network element is normal and whether resource interaction can be performed normally. When the first network element receives a cell activation response message from the target cell A in the second network element, the first network element can determine that the status of cell A in the second network element is normal. The first network element can then perform resource interaction with cell A in the second network element normally. Furthermore, the first network element can send a resource status request message to the target cell A in the second network element to obtain the load information of the target cell in the second network element, and perform load balancing based on the load information of the target cell in the second network element. This effectively improves the success rate of resource interaction and load balancing, and solves the problem in the prior art where, when the second network element replies to the first network element with a resource status failure, resource interaction between the first and second network elements is impossible, resulting in round-trip signaling interaction, generating a large amount of invalid signaling, and failing to achieve load balancing.

[0084] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment also provides a load balancing method, the specific process of which is as follows: 1. The first network element, NG-RAN node1, initiates the Resource Status ReportingInitiation process by sending a Resource Status Request (RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST). This message includes load information for all cells under the second network element, NG-RAN node2. The Cell IDs include Cell A, Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, and Cell F, representing multiple cells under this NG-RAN node. For example... Figure 5 As shown.

[0085] 2. If the second network element NG-RAN node2 responds successfully, it replies with a resource status response RESOURCE STATUSRESPONSE, indicating that all cells under NG-RAN node2 are interacting normally, and proceeds to the next step; if the second network element NG-RAN node2 fails to respond, it replies with a resource status error response RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE, indicating that one or more cells under the second network element NG-RAN node2 are in an abnormal state and cannot interact normally.

[0086] In other words, under SA networking, there are two network elements, NG-RAN node1 and NG-RAN node2, which are XN links. When NG-RAN node2 is inactive due to some cell task abnormalities, resource abnormalities, or entering energy saving, resource interaction will fail.

[0087] 3. When the first network element NG-RAN node1 receives a resource status error RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE, it executes the Cell Activation procedure.

[0088] The first network element, NG-RAN node1, initiates a cell activation request (CELL ACTIVATION REQUEST) to each cell (Cell A, Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, Cell F) under the second network element, NG-RAN node2. Each cell (Cell A, Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, Cell F) under the second network element, NG-RAN node2, will then perform the cell activation process.

[0089] If Cell A activation fails, a "CELL ACTIVATION FAILURE" message will be sent, indicating that the cell status is still abnormal. The cell information, including GNBID, CellId, PCI, and SSB frequency, will be recorded. Cell A will be designated as the prohibited cell for this load interaction.

[0090] Until the next XN configuration update from the second network element NG-RAN node2 is received, carrying Cell A information, Cell A will be unblocked. If Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, and Cell F are successfully activated, a Cell Activation RESPONSE response will be sent, and the next step will be executed.

[0091] 4. When the first network element NG-RAN node1 receives a CELL ACTIVATION RESPONSE, it determines the CellId, PCI, SSB frequency, and other information corresponding to the cell in the second network element NG-RAN node2 based on the message content. At this time, the first cell NG-RAN node1 will initiate a RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST again, and the cells Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, and Cell F that responded to the cell activation response CELL ACTIVATION RESPONSE in the second network element NG-RAN node2 will each initiate a separate RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST. Each message includes the load information of a single cell under the second network element NG-RAN node2, that is, the Cell ID is a single cell.

[0092] 5. If Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, Cell E, and Cell F in the second network element NG-RAN node2 successfully respond to the resource status request RESOURCE STATUS REQUEST, then each cell will individually reply with a resource status response RESOURCESTATUS RESPONSE, indicating that Cell B, Cell C, Cell D, and Cell E under the second network element NG-RAN node2 are interacting normally, and proceed to the next step.

[0093] Optionally, if Cell F in the second network element NG-RAN node2 is successfully activated and replies with a CELLACTIVATION RESPONSE to the first network element, Cell F will receive a RESOURCESTATUS REQUEST from the first network element. If Cell F fails to respond, it will reply with a RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE to the first network element, and the first network element will designate Cell F as a prohibited cell for this load interaction. Cell F will only be removed from the prohibited cell list when the first network element receives an XN configuration update from the second network element NG-RAN node2 that includes Cell F information.

[0094] 6. When the second network element NG-RAN node2 replies with the resource status response RESOURCE STATUS RESPONSE for cells CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE, NG-RAN node1 sequentially determines whether the cell under this base station has a neighboring cell with the same coverage as CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE.

[0095] like Figures 6a-6b As shown, if neighboring cells with the same coverage exist, after the terminal accesses the cell under NG-RAN node1 and measures CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE information in the second network element, the first network element NG-RAN node1 instructs the terminal to execute a load-based handover strategy. In other words, to ensure coverage continuity between the two-layer networks, it is necessary to determine the coverage type of neighboring cells. The existence of neighboring cells with the same coverage indicates that the two-layer networks have the same coverage area, and the user can be migrated. Load-based handover is triggered by capacity-related indicators such as the number of base station users, Physical Resource Block (PRB) occupancy rate, and Control Channel Element (CCE) utilization rate. The networking scenario is a heterogeneous frequency two-layer network.

[0096] If no neighboring cells with the same coverage exist, after the terminal accesses the cell under NG-RAN node1 and measures the CellB, CellC, CellD, and CellE information in the second network element, the first network element NG-RAN node1 instructs the terminal to execute a coverage-based handover strategy. This coverage-based handover is triggered by signal strength, such as Reference Signal Received Power (rsrp), and is not limited by network frequency bands; handover can proceed as long as a suitable radio cell with appropriate rsrp is available.

[0097] In other words, this application proposes a post-processing strategy for scenarios where the Resource Status Reporting Initiation interaction process fails. Upon receiving the resource status time-varying error "RESOURCE STATUS FAILURE", the first network element (NG-RAN node1) executes the Cell Activation procedure, initiating Cell Activation requests (CELL ACTIVATION REQUESTs) to all cells under the second network element (NG-RAN node2). The second network element (NG-RAN node2) then responds with a Cell Activation RESPONSE, re-initiating the Resource Status Reporting Initiation interaction. Simultaneously, it selects the neighboring cell coverage type: if co-covered neighboring cells exist, a load-based handover strategy is implemented; otherwise, a coverage-based handover strategy is implemented. This allows for different strategies to be selected in different scenarios to achieve load balancing between the first and second network elements, effectively reducing the load on the first network element.

[0098] In the method described in the above embodiments, when the first network element receives a resource status failure message from the second network element, it attempts to activate the cell through the cell activation procedure. Subsequently, it triggers a resource status reporting initiation to obtain more effective information, and simultaneously determines the handover execution strategy to ensure a smooth handover for the terminal. This application can improve the success rate of resource interaction between network elements, reduce invalid signaling overhead, ensure network continuity to a certain extent, and reduce the load on the base station.

[0099] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the first network element includes a memory 720, a transceiver 710, and a processor 700; wherein the processor 700 and the memory 720 can also be physically arranged separately.

[0100] The memory 720 is used to store computer programs; the transceiver 710 is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor 700.

[0101] Specifically, the transceiver 710 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 700.

[0102] Among them, Figure 7 In this application, the bus architecture can include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 700 and memory represented by memory 720 together. The bus architecture can also link various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 710 can be multiple elements, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. Processor 700 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and memory 720 can store data used by processor 700 during operation.

[0103] The processor 700 can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor can also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0104] The processor 700 calls the computer program stored in the memory 720 to execute any of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application according to the obtained executable instructions, such as: sending a resource status request message to the second network element; the resource status request message is used to request the acquisition of the load information of the second network element; Upon receiving a resource status failure message from the second network element, a cell activation request message is sent to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state. Upon receiving a cell activation response message from the target cell, a resource status request message is sent to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. Upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing is performed with the target cell.

[0105] Optionally, upon receiving a cell activation failure message or resource status failure message from the target cell, the target cell is recorded and designated as a prohibited cell for load balancing.

[0106] Optionally, upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing is performed with the target cell, including: Upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, load balancing is performed based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element.

[0107] Optionally, load balancing is performed based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cells in the second network element, including: If the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell is the same, load balancing is performed by handover based on load; otherwise, load balancing is performed by handover based on coverage.

[0108] It should be noted that the first network element provided in this application embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented by the method embodiment with the first network element as the execution subject, and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0109] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the network-side device includes a memory 820, a transceiver 810, and a processor 800; wherein the processor 800 and the memory 820 can also be physically arranged separately.

[0110] The memory 820 is used to store computer programs; the transceiver 810 is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor 800.

[0111] Specifically, the transceiver 810 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 800.

[0112] Among them, Figure 8 In this application, the bus architecture can include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 800 and memory represented by memory 820 together. The bus architecture can also link various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 810 can be multiple elements, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. Processor 800 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and memory 820 can store data used by processor 800 during operation.

[0113] The processor 800 can be a CPU, ASIC, FPGA or CPLD, and the processor can also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0114] The processor 800 invokes a computer program stored in the memory 820 to execute any of the methods described in the embodiments of this application according to the obtained executable instructions. For example: receiving a resource status request message sent by a first network element; the resource status request message is used by the first network element to request load information of a second network element; after sending a resource status failure message to the first network element and receiving cell activation request messages sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element, sending a cell activation response message from a target cell to the first network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element; receiving a resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell; according to the resource status request message, sending a resource status response message from the target cell to the first network element; the resource status response message is used for load balancing between the first network element and the target cell.

[0115] It should be noted that the second network element provided in this application embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiment where the execution subject is the second network element, and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here. The technical solution provided in this application embodiment can be applied to various systems, especially 5G systems. For example, applicable systems include Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and 5G New Radio (NR). All of these systems include terminal equipment and network equipment. The system may also include a core network component, such as Evolved Packet System (EPS) and 5G systems (5GS).

[0116] The network element involved in this application embodiment can be a base station, which may include multiple cells providing services to terminals. Depending on the specific application, a base station may also be called an access point, or a device in the access network that communicates with wireless terminal devices through one or more sectors on the air interface, or other names. The network element can be used to exchange received air frames with Internet Protocol (IP) packets, acting as a router between the wireless terminal device and the rest of the access network, where the rest of the access network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communication network. The network element can also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. For example, the network elements involved in the embodiments of this application can be network equipment (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), network equipment (NodeB) in Wide-band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), evolved network equipment (eNB or e-NodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, 5G base station (gNB) in a next generation system, or Home evolved Node B (HeNB), relay node, femto, pico, etc., and are not limited in the embodiments of this application. In some network structures, network equipment may include centralized unit (CU) nodes and distributed unit (DU) nodes, and the centralized unit and distributed unit may also be geographically separated.

[0117] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the load balancing device provided in the embodiment of this application. The device is applied to the first network element, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the device includes: The sending module 910 is used to send a resource status request message to the second network element; the resource status request message is used to request the load information of the second network element. Upon receiving a resource status failure message from the second network element, a cell activation request message is sent to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state. Upon receiving a cell activation response message from the target cell, a resource status request message is sent to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. The processing module 920 is used to perform load balancing with the target cell upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell.

[0118] The processing module 920 is also used to record the target cell and use the target cell as a prohibited cell for load balancing when it receives a cell activation failure message or resource status failure message from the target cell.

[0119] The processing module 920 is also used to perform load balancing based on the coverage relationship between the cells in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element when a resource status response message is received from the target cell.

[0120] The processing module 920 is also used to perform load balancing by performing load-based handover when the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell is the same; otherwise, it performs load balancing by performing coverage-based handover.

[0121] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the load balancing device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device is applied to a second network element, such as... Figure 10 As shown, the device includes: The receiving module 1000 is used to receive a resource status request message sent by the first network element; the resource status request message is used by the first network element to request the load information of the second network element. The sending module 1010 is used to send a cell activation response message from a target cell to the first network element after sending a resource status failure message to the first network element and receiving cell activation request messages sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element. The receiving module is also used to receive resource status request messages sent by the first network element to the target cell; The sending module is also used to send a resource status response message from the target cell to the first network element based on the resource status request message; the resource status response message is used for load balancing between the first network element and the target cell.

[0122] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units.

[0123] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0124] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this application embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0125] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide a processor-readable storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program is used to cause a processor to execute the load balancing method provided in the above embodiments, including: sending a resource status request message to a second network element; the resource status request message is used to request load information of the second network element; upon receiving a resource status failure message sent by the second network element, sending a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; upon receiving a cell activation response message from a target cell, sending a resource status request message to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element; upon receiving a resource status response message from the target cell... In the following situations, load balancing is performed with the target cell; or, a resource status request message is received from the first network element; the resource status request message is used by the first network element to request load information from the second network element; after sending a resource status failure message to the first network element, and receiving cell activation request messages sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element, a cell activation response message from the target cell is sent to the first network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element; a resource status request message is received from the first network element to the target cell; according to the resource status request message, a resource status response message from the target cell is sent to the first network element; the resource status response message is used by the first network element and the target cell to perform load balancing.

[0126] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also provide a processor-readable storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program is used to cause the processor to execute the load balancing method provided in the above embodiments, comprising: receiving a resource status request message sent by a first network element; the resource status request message being used by the first network element to request load information of a second network element; after sending a resource status failure message to the first network element and receiving cell activation request messages sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element, sending a cell activation response message from a target cell to the first network element; the resource status failure message indicating that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell being a cell in the second network element; receiving a resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell; and, according to the resource status request message, sending a resource status response message from the target cell to the first network element; the resource status response message being used for load balancing between the first network element and the target cell.

[0127] The processor-readable storage medium can be any available medium or data storage device that the processor can access, including but not limited to magnetic memory (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk (MO)), optical memory (e.g., CD, DVD, BD, HVD), and semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), solid-state drive (SSD)).

[0128] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage and optical storage) containing computer-usable program code.

[0129] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. 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-executable instructions. These computer-executable 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, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0130] These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a processor-readable memory that can instruct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the processor-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0131] These processor-executable instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0132] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of this application and its equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A load balancing method, characterized by, The method is applied to a first network element, and comprises the following steps: sending a resource state request message to a second network element; the resource state request message is used to request load information of the second network element; in a case where a resource state failure message sent by the second network element is received, sending a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element; the resource state failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; in a case where a cell activation response message from a target cell is received, sending a resource state request message to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element; in a case where a resource state response message from the target cell is received, performing load balancing with the target cell.

2. The load balancing method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises the following steps: in a case where a cell activation failure message or a resource state failure message from the target cell is received, recording the target cell and taking the target cell as a forbidden cell for load balancing.

3. The load balancing method of claim 1, wherein, The step of, in a case where a resource state response message from the target cell is received, performing load balancing with the target cell, comprises the following steps: in a case where a resource state response message from the target cell is received, performing load balancing according to a coverage relationship between a cell in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element.

4. The load balancing method of claim 3, wherein, The step of performing load balancing according to the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element, comprises the following steps: in a case where the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell is the same coverage, performing load balancing based on load-based handover; otherwise, performing load balancing based on coverage-based handover.

5. A load balancing method, characterized by, The method is applied to a second network element, and comprises the following steps: receiving a resource state request message sent by a first network element; the resource state request message is used to request load information of the second network element; after sending a resource state failure message to the first network element, and in a case where a cell activation request message sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element is received, sending a cell activation response message from a target cell to the first network element; the resource state failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element; receiving a resource state request message sent by the first network element to the target cell; according to the resource state request message, sending a resource state response message from the target cell to the first network element; the resource state response message is used for the first network element and the target cell to perform load balancing.

6. A first network element, comprising a memory, a transceiver and a processor: a memory for storing the computer program; the transceiver is used to transceive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read a computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: sending a resource state request message to a second network element; the resource state request message is used to request load information of the second network element; in a case where a resource state failure message sent by the second network element is received, sending a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element; the resource state failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; In case of receiving a cell activation response message from the target cell, sending a resource status request message to the target cell; The target cell is a cell in the second network element; In case of receiving a resource status response message from the target cell, performing load balancing with the target cell.

7. The first network element of claim 6, wherein, In case of receiving a cell activation failure message or a resource status failure message from the target cell, the processor further reads the computer program in the memory and performs the following operations: Recording the target cell and taking the target cell as a forbidden cell for load balancing.

8. The first network element of claim 6, wherein, The load balancing with the target cell in case of receiving the resource status response message from the target cell comprises: In case of receiving the resource status response message from the target cell, performing load balancing according to the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element.

9. The first network element of claim 8, wherein, The load balancing according to the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell in the second network element comprises: In case of the coverage relationship between the cell in the first network element and the target cell being the same coverage, performing load balancing based on load-based handover; otherwise, performing load balancing based on coverage-based handover.

10. A second network element comprising a memory, a transceiver and a processor: a memory for storing the computer program; The transceiver is configured to transceive data under the control of the processor; The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: Receiving a resource status request message sent by a first network element; the resource status request message is used for the first network element to request to obtain load information of the second network element; In case of receiving a cell activation request message sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element after sending a resource status failure message to the first network element, sending a cell activation response message from a target cell to the first network element; The resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; The target cell is a cell in the second network element; Receiving a resource status request message sent by the first network element to the target cell; According to the resource status request message, sending a resource status response message from a target cell to the first network element; The resource status response message is used for the first network element and the target cell to perform load balancing.

11. A load balancing apparatus, characterized by comprising: The device is applied to a first network element and comprises: A sending module is configured to send a resource status request message to a second network element; the resource status request message is used for requesting to obtain load information of the second network element; In case of receiving a resource status failure message sent by the second network element, sending a cell activation request message to each cell in the second network element; the resource status failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; In case of receiving a cell activation response message from a target cell, sending a resource status request message to the target cell; the target cell is a cell in the second network element; A processing module is configured to perform load balancing with the target cell in case of receiving a resource status response message from the target cell.

12. A load balancing apparatus, characterized by comprising: The device applied to a second network element comprises: a receiving module, configured to receive a resource state request message sent by a first network element; the resource state request message is used for the first network element to request to obtain load information of the second network element; a sending module, configured to send a cell activation response message from a target cell to the first network element after sending a resource state failure message to the first network element, and in a case that a cell activation request message sent by the first network element to each cell in the second network element is received; the resource state failure message indicates that at least one cell in the second network element is in an abnormal state; the target cell is a cell in the second network element; the receiving module is further configured to receive a resource state request message sent by the first network element to the target cell; the sending module is further configured to send a resource state response message from the target cell to the first network element according to the resource state request message; the resource state response message is used for the first network element and the target cell to perform load balancing.

13. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the load balancing method in any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the load balancing method in claim 5.

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