NE-DC architecture adaptation method, traffic control device, base station equipment, and storage medium

Abstract

This application discloses an adaptation method for NE-DC architecture, an operation control device, a base station device, and a storage medium. The adaptation method is used in a 4G base station, and the 4G base station is equipped with an adaptation module. The adaptation method used in the 4G base station includes the steps of receiving a message including first information, which is 5G concept information, from a 5G base station (S100), transmitting the message to the adaptation module (S200), and converting the first information in the message into second information that can be identified and operated by an LTE system by the adaptation module (S300).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application is filed based on and claims priority to a Chinese patent application having application number 202111517647.8 and filing date December 13, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to an adaptation method for NE-DC (NR-E-UTRA Dual Connectivity) architecture, a traffic control device, a base station device, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0003] Currently, as 4G evolves into 5G, various network deployment options are emerging. Option 4 is one of the 5G architectures. In Option 4, the 5G core network is the core network, the 5G base station is the master station, and the 4G base station is the secondary station. Communication is performed between the 5G base station and the 4G base station via the NE-DC function. However, to support Option 4, the 4G base station's LTE (Long Term Evolution) network needs to be upgraded to an eLTE (Enhanced LTE) network in accordance with the requirements of 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project). This results in increased resource consumption for carriers to upgrade on the original LTE, and increased complexity for equipment providers. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The purpose of the present application is to provide an adaptation method for NE-DC architecture, a traffic control device, a base station device, and a storage medium that solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an adaptation method for an NE-DC architecture used in a 4G base station, the method including: receiving a message from a 5G base station, the message including first information being 5G concept information; sending the message to the adaptation module; and converting, by the adaptation module, the first information in the message into second information that can be identified and operated by an LTE network.

[0006] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a traffic control device, the traffic control device including at least one control processor and a memory for communicating with the at least one control processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the at least one control processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one control processor to cause the at least one control processor to perform the NE-DC architecture adaptation method described in the embodiment of the first aspect of the present application.

[0007] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a base station device, which includes the traffic control device according to the embodiment of the second aspect of the present application.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, the computer-executable instructions being used to cause a computer to perform the NE-DC architecture adaptation method described in the embodiment of the first aspect of the present application.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present application will be set forth in the following description, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the embodiments of the present application. The objectives and other advantages of the present application will be realized and obtained by the structure particularly pointed out in the description, claims and drawings.

[0010] The drawings are used to provide understanding of the technical solution of the present application, constitute a part of the specification, and are used to interpret the technical solution of the present application together with the examples of the present application, but are not intended to limit the technical solution of the present application. The present application will now be described in conjunction with the drawings and examples. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an NE-DC architecture according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] 1 is a step flowchart of an adaptation method for NE-DC architecture according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating some steps of an adaptation method for an NE-DC architecture according to another embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is an adaptation flowchart according to another embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 1 is an adaptation flowchart according to another embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 1 is a step flowchart of an adaptation method for NE-DC architecture according to another embodiment of the present application; [Figure 7] 10 is a sub-step flowchart of an adaptation method for an NE-DC architecture according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] 10 is a sub-step flowchart of an adaptation method for an NE-DC architecture according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 1 is an adaptation flowchart according to another embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10]10 is a sub-step flowchart of an adaptation method for an NE-DC architecture according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] 1 is an adaptation flowchart according to another embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a travel control device according to another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] This section describes in detail specific embodiments of the present application, and the embodiments of the present application are illustrated in the drawings. The function of the drawings is to complement the written description of the specification with graphics, thereby enabling the reader to intuitively and visually understand each technical feature and the overall technical solution of the present application, but this should not be construed as a limitation on the protection scope of the present application.

[0013] In the description of this application, the descriptions of first, second, and third are merely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, or implying the number of the indicated technical features, or implying the context of the indicated technical features.

[0014] In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly limited, terms such as installation, mounting, connection, etc. should be understood in a broad sense, and a person skilled in the art may reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this application in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0015] 5G standardization is currently underway, and the evolutionary path of 5G is relatively complex, with eight proposed 5G network architectures. Deploying 5G networks is difficult and requires a gradual process. Currently, 4G LTE network deployment is very widespread. To avoid high investments in the short term and reduce deployment risks, many operators are adopting a 5G network architecture that reserves LTE networks. Option 4 is one of the 5G network architectures, the NE-DC architecture. Option 4 involves simultaneously deploying the 5G core network and 5G base stations, but the 5G base stations do not directly replace the 4G base stations. In option 4, the 5G core network is the core network, the 5G base station is the master station, and the 4G base station is the secondary station. Communication between the 5G base station and the 4G base station is carried out via the NE-DC function. There is no NG-U channel between the 4G base station and the 5G core network, so media data from the 5G core network cannot be transmitted to the 4G base station; data from the 5G core network can only be transmitted to the 5G base station, and then the 5G base station offloads the data and transmits it to the 4G base station via the XN-U channel.According to 3GPP specifications, in the NE-DC scenario, the 4G LTE network must be upgraded to an eLTE network, which means that the LTE network must add a 5G protocol layer and be capable of signaling and data interoperability with the 5G core network, introducing the SDAP (Service Discovery Application Profile) protocol layer, 5G QoS (Quality of Service) architecture, Session and QoS Flow, RRC Inactive state, etc., and the eLTE network must be capable of processing control signaling and media data for the NG (interface between the radio access network and the 5G core network) and the XN (network interface between the NG and RAN nodes) to process control signaling and media data. However, in Option 4, there is no NG interface between the 4G LTE network and the 5G core network, and control signaling and media data are not transmitted. Therefore, this architecture only needs to support the XN media data processing capabilities of the eLTE network, and does not need to support the NG control signaling and XN control signaling and media data processing capabilities. Therefore, upgrading the LTE network to an eLTE network not only increases the resource consumption of the carrier's upgrade on the original LTE, but also increases the complexity realized by equipment providers.

[0016] Based on this, the embodiments of the present application provide an NE-DC architecture adaptation method, operation control device, base station equipment, and storage medium that can realize NE-DC functions without upgrading LTE and easily realize the NE-DC architecture.

[0017] In the following, examples of the present application will be described in conjunction with the drawings.

[0018] Referring to Figure 1, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an NE-DC architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. In this architecture, a 5G core network is used as the core network, a 5G base station is connected to a user terminal as a master station, and a 4G base station is connected to the user terminal as a secondary station. There is no GN-U channel between the 4G base station and the 5G core network, and the 4G base station is connected to the 5G base station via an XN interface. The 4G base station incorporates an adaptation module that can adapt to 5G concept information in control signaling sent by the 5G base station to the 4G base station in the NE-DC architecture of Option 4, and converts the 5G information into information that can be identified and operated by the 4G LTE system, allowing the NE-DC function to operate normally.

[0019] The switch of this adaptation module needs to be configured by network management, and this adaptation module does not require additional hardware to be added to the 4G base station, but only requires the addition of a single software module. The NE-DC architecture according to the embodiment of the present application is easy to implement, and this architecture does not require the LTE network of the 4G base station to be upgraded to an eLTE network, thereby reducing the occupation of physical memory resources of the LTE system of the 4G base station and minimizing the degradation of RRC specifications in the LTE system.

[0020] Referring to Figure 2, Figure 2 is an adaptation method of NE-DC architecture according to an embodiment of the present application, which is used in a 4G base station, and the 4G base station has an adaptation module built in, and the adaptation method includes, but is not limited to, step S100, step S200 and step S300.

[0021] Step S100: Receive a message from a 5G base station, the message including first information being 5G concept information.

[0022] It should be noted that the message may be an SN Addition Request message or an SN Modification Request message, and the first information is different in different scenarios.

[0023] Step S200: Deliver the message to the adaptation module.

[0024] Step S300: Converting the first information in the message into second information that can be identified and operated by the LTE system by an adaptation module.

[0025] In one embodiment, the 5G base station sends a message including first information to the 4G base station, where the first information is 5G concept information, and the 4G base station receives the message and sends it to an adaptation module, which converts the first information in the message into second information that can be identified and operated by the 4G LTE system, that is, the 4G base station can use the adaptation module to operate and identify the 5G concept information from the 5G base station, thereby operating the NE-DC function.

[0026] It should be noted that in the 5G architecture, the 4G base station needs to identify 5G concept information from the 5G NR (New Radio), and according to 3GPP, the LTE network needs to be upgraded to an eLTE network. However, in this embodiment, in the NE-DC architecture of Option 4, an adaptive module is incorporated into the 4G base station to realize the NE-DC function, and there is no need to upgrade the LTE network to an eLTE network. This makes it easier to realize Option 4 in the 5G architecture, that is, makes it easier to realize the NE-DC architecture, and reduces the occupation of physical memory resources of the LTE system in the 4G base station, and minimizes degradation of the RRC specifications in the LTE system.

[0027] In one embodiment, when the first information is a QoS parameter 5QI corresponding to a QoS Flow ID, as shown in FIG. 3, an embodiment of the present application provides an adaptation method for an NE-DC architecture, where step S310 in FIG. 3 is a subdivision step of step S300 in FIG. 2, and the adaptation method further includes step S320.

[0028] Step S310: The value of 5QI is matched with the value of QCI (QoS Class Identifier) of the LTE system in order.

[0029] Step S320: Convert the DRB (Data Radio Bearer) of the NR system mapped by the QoS Flow corresponding to the 5QI into a DRB of the LTE system.

[0030] 5QI is 5G conceptual information for indicating one 5G QoS characteristic, and the value of 5QI is 0 to 255, while QCI is information that can be identified and operated by the LTE network, and the value of QCI is 0 to 255. The adaptive module converts 5QI into QCI of the same value in sequence.

[0031] In the 5G NR system, DRBs are mapped to 5QIs, and DRBs are also mapped to QCIs in 4G LTE. In order to enable the NE-DC function to operate normally, it is necessary to convert 5QIs to QCIs and match the DRBs corresponding to the QCIs.

[0032] In one embodiment, the 4G base station receives a message from the 5G base station, and the message includes a QoS parameter 5QI corresponding to a QoS Flow ID. The 4G base station delivers this message to the adaptation module, so that the adaptation module matches the 5QI to a QCI value in order and converts the DRB of the NR system mapped by the QoS Flow corresponding to the 5QI into a DRB of the LTE system corresponding to the QCI, thereby realizing the NE-DC function. The 4G base station can also identify the control signaling of the 5G base station through the adaptation module without upgrading the LTE network to an eLTE network.

[0033] The message from the 5G base station may be an SN Addition Request message or an SN Modification Request message.

[0034] In one embodiment, if a message from a 5G base station includes a mapping relationship between a QoS Flow and a DRB of an NR system, the adaptation module directly converts the DRB of the NR system in this mapping relationship to a DRB of an LTE system, and the converted DRB is mapped to a QCI.

[0035] In one embodiment, if the message from the 5G base station does not include a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB of the NR system, the adaptation module reallocates a DRB to the LTE system from within the range of spare DRBs in the network management.

[0036] As should be understood by those skilled in the art, if it is necessary to reallocate a DRB in an LTE system, the range of the spare DRB must not overlap with the range of the DRB in the NR system when configured in network management.

[0037] Referring to Figure 4, Figure 4 is an adaptation flowchart for a secondary station addition scenario in Option 4. In one embodiment of the present application, the network management configures the NE-DC mode as Option 4, opens the adaptation module, the 5G base station receives the measurement report of the user equipment, and performs dual connectivity addition of the 4G base station. The 5G base station sends an SN Addition Request message to the 4G base station, which has an adaptation module built in. The 4G base station sends the SN Addition Request message to the adaptation module, which in turn matches the 5QI of the QoS parameter corresponding to the QoS Flow ID included in this message with the QCI of the LTE system. If this message contains a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB of the NR system, the adaptation module directly converts the DRB of the NR system in this mapping relationship to the DRB of the LTE system. If this message does not contain a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB of the NR system, the network management reallocates a DRB to the LTE system from within the range of spare DRBs, and forms a mapping between the converted DRB and the converted QCI. The adaptation module returns the converted QCI and the DRB with the QCI mapped to the LTE system, so that the LTE system of the 4G base station can identify and operate the SN Addition Request message from the 5G base station, and the NE-DC function can operate normally.

[0038] Referring to Figure 5, Figure 5 is an adaptation flowchart of a secondary station modification scenario in Option 4. In another embodiment of the present application, the NE-DC mode is configured as Option 4 by network management, the adaptation module is opened, and the 5G base station sends an SN Modification Request message to a 4G base station, which has an adaptation module built in. The 4G base station delivers the SN Modification Request message to the adaptation module, which in turn matches the 5QI of the QoS parameter corresponding to the QoS Flow ID included in this message with the QCI of the LTE system. If this message includes a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB of the NR system, the adaptation module directly converts the DRB of the NR system in this mapping relationship to the DRB of the LTE system. If this message does not contain a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB of the NR system, the DRB is reallocated to the LTE system from within the range of spare DRBs in the network management, and a mapping between the converted DRB and the converted QCI is formed. The adaptation module returns the converted QCI and the DRB with the QCI mapped to the LTE system, so that the LTE system of the 4G base station can identify and operate the SN Modification Request message from the 5G base station, and the NE-DC function can operate normally.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the present application provides an adaptation method for an NE-DC architecture, which further includes step S400.

[0040] Step S400: According to the message of the 5G base station and the second information, send a corresponding reply message to the 5G base station by the adaptive module.

[0041] In one embodiment, the 5G base station sends a message to the 4G base station, and the 4G base station needs to return a corresponding reply message to the 5G base station. The 4G base station uses an adaptation module to convert the 5G concept information in the message from the 5G base station into second information that can be identified and operated by the LTE system, and then uses the adaptation module to generate a reply message based on the content of the message from the 5G base station and the converted second information, and sends the reply message to the 5G base station. The 4G base station does not need to upgrade its LTE network to an eLTE network, and can use the adaptation module to realize the NE-DC function and identify and operate the message from the 5G base station. The adaptation module can also send a reply message containing the 5G concept information to the 5G base station, thereby allowing the NE-DC function to operate normally and facilitating the realization of the NE-DC architecture.

[0042] The reply message includes 5G concept information, and the adaptive module generates this reply message and returns it to the LTE system of the 4G base station, and the LTE system transmits this reply message to the 5G base station.

[0043] In one embodiment, when the message of the 5G base station is an SN Addition Request message and the first information is a value of Desired Activity Notification Level, as shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a sub-step flowchart of step S300 in FIG. 6, and step S300 includes, but is not limited to, steps D310 and D320.

[0044] Step D310: According to the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level, the mapping relationship between the corresponding QoS Flow and the DRB in this SN Addition Request message is saved.

[0045] Step D320: The granularity of the DRB in this mapping relationship is detected to obtain the detected granularity of the DRB.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a sub-step flowchart of step S400 in FIG. 6, where step S400 includes, but is not limited to, steps S410 and S420.

[0047] Step S410: Based on the detection granularity of the DRB, it is determined whether the DRB is in an inactive state. Step S420: If it is determined that the DRB is in an inactive state, the adaptive module sends a corresponding Activity Notification message to the 5G base station based on the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level.

[0048] The following detailed description will be given in conjunction with the drawings, and as shown in Figure 9, Figure 9 is an adaptation flowchart in a user inactivity scenario of option 4. In one embodiment, the NE-DC mode is configured as option 4 by network management and the adaptation module is opened. In the user inactivity scenario of option 4, the 5G base station sends an SN Addition Request message to the 4G base station, where the first information in this message is a value of Desired Activity Notification Level. The 4G base station receives the SN Addition Request message and sends this message to the adaptation module. The adaptation module can convert the QoS Flow, PDU Session, or UE activity state in this SN Addition Request message into the DRB activity state accordingly based on the value of Desired Activity Notification Level, that is, save the mapping relationship between the corresponding QoS Flow and DRB in this SN Addition Request message based on the value of Desired Activity Notification Level, detect the granularity of the DRB in this mapping relationship, obtain the detection granularity of the DRB, and return the detection granularity of the DRB to the LTE system of the 4G base station. The 4G base station can confirm that the DRB is in an inactive state based on the detection granularity of the DRB, and when it confirms that the DRB is in an inactive state, it sends a corresponding Activity Notification message to the 5G base station via an adaptation module based on the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level.

[0049] In addition, when the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is different, the mapping relationship stored by the adaptive module is also different, and accordingly, the detection range of the DRB is also different, and the content of the Activity Notification message sent by the 4G base station to the 5G base station is also different.

[0050] It should be noted that the Activity Notification message includes 5G concept information, and the 4G base station causes the adaptation module to generate the Activity Notification message, and the adaptation module returns the Activity Notification message to the LTE system of the 4G base station, and the 4G base station further transmits the Activity Notification message to the 5G base station. Those skilled in the art should understand that this process is not shown in Figure 9, but this is not intended to limit the present embodiment.

[0051] In one embodiment, if the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is a QoS Flow, the adaptation module saves the mapping relationship between this QoS Flow and the DRB in this SN Addition Request message, detects the granularity of the DRB in this mapping relationship, obtains the detected granularity of the DRB, and returns the detected granularity of the DRB to the LTE system of the 4G base station. The 4G base station determines, based on the detected granularity of the DRB, that the DRB mapped by this QoS Flow is in an inactive state, and sets the active state of this DRB as the active state of this QoS Flow, thereby causing the adaptation module to generate a first Activity Notification message, which includes this QoS Flow. The adaptation module returns the first Activity Notification message to the LTE system of the 4G base station, and the LTE system sends the first Activity Notification message to the 5G base station.

[0052] In another embodiment, if the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) Session, the adaptation module saves the mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB in this PDU Session in the SN Addition Request message, detects the granularity of the DRB in this mapping relationship, obtains the detected granularity of the DRB, and returns the detected granularity of the DRB to the LTE system of the 4G base station. The 4G base station determines, based on the detected granularity of the DRB, that the DRB mapped by the QoS Flow in this PDU Session is in an inactive state, and sets the active state of this DRB as the active state of this PDU Session, thereby causing the adaptation module to generate a second Activity Notification message, which includes this PDU Session and indicates that this PDU Session is in an inactive state. The adaptation module returns the second Activity Notification message to the LTE system of the 4G base station, and the LTE system sends the second Activity Notification message to the 5G base station.

[0053] In another embodiment, if the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is UE (User Equipment), the adaptation module stores the mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB in all PDU Sessions of this UE in this SN Addition Request message, detects the granularity of the DRB in this mapping relationship, obtains the detected granularity of the DRB, and returns the detected granularity of the DRB to the LTE system of the 4G base station. The 4G base station determines, based on the detected granularity of the DRB, that the DRBs mapped by the QoS Flows in all PDU Sessions of this UE are in an inactive state, and sets the active state of the DRB as the active state of this UE, thereby causing the adaptation module to generate a third Activity Notification message. This third Activity Notification message indicates that the UE is in an inactive state. The adaptation module returns the third Activity Notification message to the LTE system of the 4G base station, and the LTE system sends the third Activity Notification message to the 5G base station.

[0054] Referring to Figure 10, when the message from the 5G base station is an SN Modification Request message and the first information is a Lower Layer presence status change field, another embodiment of the present application provides an adaptation method for an NE-DC architecture, where Figure 10 is a sub-step flowchart of step S300 in Figure 2, where step S300 includes, but is not limited to, step T310 and step T320.

[0055] Step T310: The adaptation module checks whether the SN Modification Request message contains a Lower Layer presence status change field.

[0056] Step T320: if the value of the Lower Layer presence status change field is release lower layers, have the adaptation module output a first command, which is used to release RLC (Radio Link Control) and MAC (Media Access Control) instances; if the value of the Lower Layer presence status change field is release lower layers, have the adaptation module output a second command to suspend RLC and MAC instances.

[0057] The following detailed description will be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As shown in Figure 11, Figure 11 is an adaptation flowchart for an RRC inactive state scenario of Option 4. In one embodiment of the present application, when a 5G base station puts a user terminal into the RRC inactive state according to a policy, it notifies the 4G base station via a Lower Layer presence status change in an SN Modification Request. That is, the 5G base station sends an SN Modification Request message to the 4G base station, and the SN Modification Request message includes a Lower Layer presence status change field. The 4G base station receives the SN Modification Request message and sends it to an adaptation module. The adaptation module determines that the SN Modification Request message includes a Lower Layer presence status change field. If the value of the Lower Layer presence status change is to release lower layers, the adaptation module outputs a first command and returns the first command to the LTE system of the 4G base station. The 4G base station can release the RLC and MAC instances based on the first command. If the value of the Lower Layer presence status change is suspend lower layers, the adaptation module outputs a second command and returns the second command to the LTE system of the 4G base station, and the 4G base station can suspend the RLC and MAC instances based on the second command.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 12, an embodiment of the present application further provides a traffic control device 1200, which includes at least one control processor 1210 and a memory 1220 for communicating with the at least one control processor 1210, and the memory 1220 stores instructions that can be executed by the at least one control processor 1210, and the instructions are executed by the at least one control processor 1210 to cause the at least one control processor 1210 to perform the NE-DC architecture adaptation method described in the above embodiment. This operation control device 1200 can realize the NE-DC architecture adaptation method according to the embodiment of the present application, and the 4G base station is equipped with an adaptation module. In option 4, the 4G base station receives a message from a 5G base station, which includes 5G concept information. The 4G base station sends this message to the adaptation module, which converts the 5G concept information in this message into information that the 4G LTE network can identify and operate. This establishes the 5G base station and NE-DC architecture without upgrading the LTE network to an eLTE network, and realizes the NE-DC function. Without upgrading LTE to eLTE, only one adaptation module is added, which reduces the occupation of physical memory resources in the LTE system and minimizes the degradation of RRC specifications in the LTE system, making it easier to realize the NE-DC architecture.

[0059] An embodiment of the present application further provides a base station device, which includes the operation control device described in the above embodiment. This base station device can implement the NE-DC architecture adaptation method according to the embodiment of the present application, and the 4G base station is equipped with an adaptation module. In option 4, the 4G base station receives a message from a 5G base station, the message includes 5G concept information, and the 4G base station sends the message to the adaptation module, which converts the 5G concept information in the message into information that the 4G LTE network can identify and operate, thereby establishing the 5G base station and the NE-DC architecture without upgrading the LTE network to an eLTE network and realizing the NE-DC function. Without upgrading LTE to eLTE, only one adaptation module is added, which reduces the occupation of physical memory resources in the LTE system and minimizes the degradation of RRC specifications in the LTE system, making it easier to implement the NE-DC architecture.

[0060] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-executable instructions are stored, and the computer-executable instructions are used to cause a computer to perform the NE-DC architecture adaptation method described in the above embodiment.

[0061] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, all or part of the steps in the methods and systems disclosed above may be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, or any suitable combination thereof. Some or all of the physical assemblies may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processor, digital signal processor, or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as a dedicated integrated circuit. Such software may be distributed on computer-readable media, which may include computer storage media or non-transitory media, as well as communication media or transitory media. As known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and fixed media implemented in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cartridge, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by a computer. As known to those skilled in the art, communication media typically includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media.

[0062] Although the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present application.

Claims

1. 1. A method for adapting an NE-DC architecture for use in a 4G base station including an adaptation module and connecting to a 4G LTE network, comprising: Receiving a message from a 5G base station, the message including first information being 5G concept information; delivering the message to the adaptation module; and converting, by the adaptation module, the first information in the message into second information that can be identified and operated by an LTE system and the 4G LTE network. Adaptation methods for NE-DC architecture.

2. When the first information is a QoS parameter 5QI corresponding to a QoS Flow ID, converting the first information into second information that can be identified and operated by an LTE system by the adaptation module, and matching the 5QI value in turn to a QCI value of an LTE system; The adaptation method comprises: Further comprising converting a DRB of an NR system mapped by a QoS Flow corresponding to the 5QI into a DRB of an LTE system; The method for adapting the NE-DC architecture according to claim 1.

3. The conversion of the DRB of the NR system mapped by the QoS Flow of the message into the DRB of the LTE system includes: If the message includes a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB of the NR system, converting the DRB of the NR system in the mapping relationship to a DRB of the LTE system; If the message does not include a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB of the NR system, reallocating a DRB to the LTE system from a range of spare DRBs that does not overlap with the range of DRBs of the NR system in network management. The method for adapting the NE-DC architecture according to claim 2.

4. and further comprising: sending, by the adaptation module, a corresponding reply message to a 5G base station based on the message and the second information. The method for adapting the NE-DC architecture according to claim 1.

5. When the message is an SN Addition Request message and the first information is a value of Desired Activity Notification Level, converting the first information into second information that can be identified and operated by an LTE system by the adaptation module includes: Storing a mapping relationship between the corresponding QoS Flow and the DRB in the SN Addition Request message according to the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level; Detecting the granularity of the DRB in the mapping relationship to obtain a detected granularity of the DRB; and transmitting, by the adaptation module, a corresponding reply message to the 5G base station based on the message and the second information. determining whether the DRB is in an inactive state based on the detection granularity of the DRB; When it is determined that the DRB is in an inactive state, the adaptation module transmits a corresponding Activity Notification message to the 5G base station based on the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level. The method for adapting the NE-DC architecture according to claim 4.

6. The storing of a mapping relationship between the corresponding QoS Flow and the DRB in the SN Addition Request message based on the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level includes: If the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is QoS Flow, storing a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and DRB in the message; If the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is PDU Session, storing a mapping relationship between the QoS Flow and the DRB in the PDU Session in the message; If the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is UE, storing a mapping relationship between QoS Flow and DRB for all PDU Sessions of the UE in the message. The method for adapting the NE-DC architecture according to claim 5.

7. When it is determined that the DRB is in an inactive state, the adaptive module transmits a corresponding Activity Notification message to the 5G base station based on the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level. When the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is QoS Flow and it is determined that the DRB mapped by the QoS Flow is in an inactive state, the adaptation module generates a first Activity Notification message, the first Activity Notification message includes the QoS Flow, and sends the first Activity Notification message to the 5G base station; If the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is PDU Session and it is determined that all DRBs mapped by QoS Flows in the PDU Session are in an inactive state, generating a second Activity Notification message by the adaptation module, the second Activity Notification message including the PDU Session, indicating that the PDU Session is in an inactive state, and sending the second Activity Notification message to the 5G base station; If it is determined that the value of the Desired Activity Notification Level is UE and that all DRBs mapped by QoS Flows in all PDU Sessions of the UE are in an inactive state, generating a third Activity Notification message by the adaptation module, the third Activity Notification message indicating that the UE is in an inactive state, and sending the third Activity Notification message to the 5G base station. The method for adapting the NE-DC architecture according to claim 5.

8. When the message is an SN Modification Request message and the first information is a Lower Layer presence status change field, converting the first information in the message into second information that can be identified and operated by an LTE system by the adaptation module includes: Verifying by the adaptation module that the SN Modification Request message includes the Lower Layer presence status change field; If the value of the Lower Layer presence status change field is release lower layers, causing an adaptation module to output a first command to release RLC and MAC instances; and if the value of the Lower Layer presence status change field is suspend lower layers, causing the adaptation module to output a second command to suspend RLC and MAC instances. The method for adapting the NE-DC architecture according to claim 1.

9. A traffic control device comprising: at least one control processor; and a memory for communicating with the at least one control processor, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one control processor, and the instructions, when executed by the at least one control processor, cause the at least one control processor to perform the NE-DC architecture adaptation method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Operation control device.

10. The operation control device according to claim 9, Base station equipment.

11. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the NE-DC architecture adaptation method of any one of claims 1 to 8; A computer-readable storage medium.

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