Radio access network handover method and apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a radio access network (RAN) handover method and apparatus. The method comprises: an AMF entity determines that a first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and the AMF entity sends first indication information to a user plane function (UPF) entity, the first indication information being used for indicating that the first RAN handover is the intra-logical RAN handover. An SMF entity and the UPF entity become aware that the current RAN handover is the intra-logical RAN handover, and there is no need to update configurations related to the handover, reducing interaction information among the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover delay.

Description

A wireless access network switching method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202410108406.5 filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on January 25, 2024, and priority to the Chinese patent application with the invention name “A wireless access network switching method and device”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and device for switching a wireless access network. Background Art

[0003] Satellite communications offer unique advantages over terrestrial communications, such as wider coverage and satellite base stations being less susceptible to damage from natural disasters or external forces. For future fifth-generation mobile communications (5G), the introduction of satellite communications can provide communication services in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests. 5G communications will enhance reliability, ensuring better communication services for users on airplanes, trains, and other transportation. This will provide 5G with more data transmission resources and increase network speeds. Therefore, supporting both terrestrial and satellite communications is an inevitable trend in future 5G communications, offering significant benefits in terms of wide coverage, reliability, multiple connections, and high throughput. A key characteristic of satellite communications is the significant round-trip latency, requiring terminal devices to frequently switch beams and cells due to satellite movement. Therefore, the integration of satellite and 5G communications requires enhancements to existing 5G protocols to accommodate satellite communications.

[0004] In the satellite communication scenario of regenerative satellites, the switching of the next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) introduces frequent information interaction between the access network and the core network. At the same time, the core network also needs to frequently interact and update the switching-related configuration, resulting in large signaling overhead and high switching delay. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a radio access network handover method and apparatus, which enable core network devices to learn that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, eliminating the need to update handover-related configurations, reducing interaction information between core network devices, lowering signaling overhead, and reducing handover delay.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a radio access network handover method, which is applied to an AMF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in an AMF entity, including:

[0007] Determine that the first radio access network (RAN) handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, where the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to the first access network device; and send first indication information to a user plane function (UPF) entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover. This allows the SMF entity and the UPF entity to be informed that the current RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and no update and handover delay is required.

[0008] In a possible design, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0009] In one possible design, second indication information is received from a first access network device or a second access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is to be an intra-logical RAN handover. By the first access network device or the second access network device indicating that the current RAN handover is to be an intra-logical RAN handover, the core network device learns that the current RAN handover is to be an intra-logical RAN handover. This eliminates the need to update handover-related configurations, reduces exchanged information between core network devices, reduces signaling overhead, and reduces handover latency.

[0010] In one possible design, based on the second indication information, a confirmation message is sent to the first access network device or the second access network device. Since the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity do not need to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover through information exchange. Therefore, the AMF entity does not need to wait for the SMF entity and the UPF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. After receiving the second indication information, the AMF entity directly sends a confirmation message to the first access network device or the second access network device, thereby improving handover efficiency.

[0011] In one possible design, the first RAN handover is determined to be an intra-logical RAN handover based on the first ephemeris information of the first access network device and the second ephemeris information of the second access network device. The AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover and then sends first indication information to the UPF entity, indicating that the current RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover. This allows the SMF entity and the UPF entity to be informed that the current RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, without the need to update handover-related configurations, reducing the exchange of information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing signaling overhead, and reducing handover latency.

[0012] In one possible design, first marking information is received from the second access network device; the first marking information is sent to a UPF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate that data is to be sent to the first access network device. This allows the UPF entity to determine that the second access network device has terminated data forwarding with the first access network device, and therefore the UPF entity subsequently sends data to the first access network device, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data on the first access network device.

[0013] In one possible design, a handover preparation time is sent to the UPF entity or the second access network device. The handover preparation time indicates the waiting time for executing the intra-logical RAN handover. Taking into account handover delays, beam pointing adjustment delays of the ground station, and other factors, by indicating the handover preparation time to the UPF entity or the second access network device, the logical RAN handover is executed within or within the handover preparation time, thereby ensuring a successful handover.

[0014] In a possible design, the first RAN handover method includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier PCI, or random access-free handover.

[0015] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a radio access network switching method, which is applied to a UPF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in a UPF entity, including:

[0016] Receive first indication information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, the first indication information being used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device; based on the first indication information, maintain the configuration related to the first RAN handover. This allows the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, eliminating the need to update handover-related configurations, reducing the exchange of information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing signaling overhead, and reducing handover delay.

[0017] In a possible design, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0018] In one possible design, first marking information is received from an AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate whether data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device has ended. Based on the first marking information, data is sent to the first access network device. A UPF entity determines, based on the first marking information, that the second access network device has ended data forwarding with the first access network device. Subsequently, the UPF entity sends the data to the first access network device, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data on the first access network device.

[0019] In one possible design, second marking information is sent to the second access network device. The second marking information is used to indicate the termination of data transmission between the user plane function (UPF) entity and the second access network device. The second access network device may send the second marking information to the first access network device. Since the data received by the first access network device by the UPF entity or the second access network device is out of order, the first access network device may sort the received data based on the second marking information to ensure data accuracy.

[0020] In one possible design, a handover preparation time is received from an AMF entity, where the handover preparation time indicates a waiting time for executing a handover within the logical RAN. Second marking information is sent to the second access network device based on the handover preparation time. Taking into account handover delays, beam pointing adjustment delays of the ground station, and other factors, the handover preparation time indicated by the AMF entity is received, and the logical RAN handover is executed within or within the handover preparation time to ensure a successful handover.

[0021] In a possible design, the first RAN handover method includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier PCI, or random access-free handover.

[0022] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a wireless access network handover method, which is applied to a first access network device, or a chip or circuit configured in the first access network device, including:

[0023] Determine that the first radio access network RAN ​​handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, and the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device; and send second indication information to the access and mobility management function AMF entity, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover. By indicating to the AMF entity that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity are informed that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, and there is no need to update the handover-related configuration, thereby reducing the exchange of information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing signaling overhead and reducing handover delay.

[0024] In a possible design, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0025] In one possible design, confirmation information is received from the AMF entity. Since the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity do not need to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover through information exchange. Therefore, the AMF entity does not need to wait for the SMF entity and the UPF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. After receiving the second indication information, the AMF entity directly sends a confirmation message to the first access network device, thereby improving handover efficiency.

[0026] In one possible design, data is received from a user plane function (UPF) entity. The UPF entity determines, based on the first marking information, that the second access network device has terminated data forwarding with the first access network device. The UPF entity then sends the data to the first access network device, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data on the first access network device.

[0027] In one possible design, if the data sent by the UPF entity is not received, a notification message is sent to the second access network device, where the notification message is used to instruct the second access network device to send first marking information to the AMF entity. The first marking information is used to indicate the end of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device. If no data is received, a notification message is sent to the second access network device to instruct the second access network device to continue sending the first marking information to the AMF entity, so that the AMF entity notifies the UPF entity to send data to the first access network device, thereby ensuring successful data transmission.

[0028] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a wireless access network handover method, which is applied to a second access network device, or a chip or circuit configured in the second access network device, including:

[0029] Determine that the first radio access network RAN ​​handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, and the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device; and send second indication information to the access and mobility management function AMF entity, the second indication information being used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover. By indicating to the AMF entity that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity are informed that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, and there is no need to update the handover-related configuration, thereby reducing the exchange of information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing signaling overhead and reducing handover delay.

[0030] In a possible design, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0031] In one possible design, a handover preparation time is received from the AMF entity. The handover preparation time indicates the waiting time for executing a handover within the logical RAN. Taking into account handover delays and beam pointing adjustment delays of the ground station, the handover preparation time received from the AMF entity is used to execute the logical RAN handover within or within the handover preparation time, ensuring a successful handover.

[0032] In one possible design, first marking information is sent to the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the termination of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device. The AMF entity sends the first marking information to the UPF entity, and the UPF entity determines that the second access network device has terminated data forwarding with the first access network device. Therefore, the UPF entity subsequently sends data to the first access network device, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data on the first access network device.

[0033] In one possible design, a notification message is received from a first access network device; and based on the notification message, first marking information is sent to an AMF entity. If the first access network device does not receive the data, the second access network device continues to send the first marking information to the AMF entity, causing the AMF entity to instruct the UPF entity to send data to the first access network device, thereby ensuring successful data transmission.

[0034] In one possible design, second marking information is received from a user plane function (UPF) entity, the second marking information being used to indicate the termination of data transmission between the UPF entity and the second access network device. The second marking information is sent to the first access network device, the second marking information being used to assist the first access network device in sorting received data. Because the data received by the first access network device from the UPF entity or the second access network device is out of sequence, the second marking information is sent to the first access network device, enabling the first access network device to sort the received data, thereby ensuring data accuracy.

[0035] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0036] A processing module, configured to determine that the handover of the first radio access network RAN ​​is a handover within a logical RAN, wherein the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0037] The sending module is configured to send first indication information to a user plane function (UPF) entity, where the first indication information is used to instruct the first RAN to switch to the intra-logical RAN handover.

[0038] In one possible design, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0039] In one possible design, the receiving module is configured to receive second indication information sent from the first access network device or the second access network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN is switched to the intra-logical RAN switching.

[0040] In one possible design, the sending module is also used to send confirmation information to the first access network device or the second access network device based on the second indication information.

[0041] In a possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine, based on the first ephemeris information of the first access network device and the second ephemeris information of the second access network device, that the first RAN switching is the intra-logical RAN switching.

[0042] In one possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive first marking information from the second access network device;

[0043] The sending module is also used to send the first marking information to the UPF entity, and the first marking information is used to indicate that data is sent to the first access network device.

[0044] In a possible design, the sending module is further used to send a switching preparation time to the UPF entity or the second access network device, where the switching preparation time is used to indicate the waiting time required to perform the switching within the logical RAN.

[0045] In a possible design, the first RAN switching method includes at least one of the following: conditional switching, switching without changing the physical cell identifier PCI, or random access-free switching.

[0046] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0048] a receiving module, configured to receive first indication information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0049] A processing module is configured to maintain a configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0050] In one possible design, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0051] In one possible design, the receiving module is also used to receive first marking information from the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the end of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device; the sending module is used to send data to the first access network device based on the first marking information.

[0052] In one possible design, the sending module is also used to send second marking information to the second access network device, and the second marking information is used to indicate the end of data transmission between the user plane function UPF entity and the second access network device.

[0053] In one possible design, the receiving module is further used to receive a switching preparation time from the AMF entity, where the switching preparation time is used to indicate the waiting time for performing the switching within the logical RAN; and the sending module is further used to send the second marking information to the second access network device based on the switching preparation time.

[0054] In a possible design, the first RAN switching method includes at least one of the following: conditional switching, switching without changing the physical cell identifier PCI, or random access-free switching.

[0055] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0056] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0057] A processing module, configured to determine that the handover of the first radio access network RAN ​​is a handover within a logical RAN, wherein the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0058] A sending module is configured to send second indication information to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0059] In one possible design, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0060] In one possible design, the receiving module is used to receive confirmation information from the AMF entity.

[0061] In one possible design, the receiving module is also used to receive data from the user plane function UPF entity.

[0062] In one possible design, the sending module is also used to send a notification message to the second access network device if the data sent by the UPF entity is not received. The notification message is used to instruct the second access network device to send first marking information to the AMF entity. The first marking information is used to indicate the end of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0063] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the third aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0064] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising:

[0065] A processing module, configured to determine that the handover of the first radio access network RAN ​​is a handover within a logical RAN, wherein the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0066] A sending module is configured to send second indication information to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0067] In one possible design, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0068] In one possible design, the receiving module is further used to receive a switching preparation time from the AMF, where the switching preparation time is used to indicate a waiting time required to perform the switching within the logical RAN.

[0069] In one possible design, the sending module is also used to send first marking information to the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the end of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0070] In one possible design, the receiving module is also used to receive a notification message from the first access network device; the sending module is also used to send the first marking information to the AMF entity based on the notification message.

[0071] In one possible design, the receiving module is also used to receive second marking information from the user plane function UPF entity, and the second marking information is used to indicate the end of data transmission between the user plane function UPF entity and the second access network device; the sending module is also used to send the second marking information to the first access network device, and the second marking information is used to assist the first access network device to sort the received data.

[0072] The operations and beneficial effects performed by the communication device can refer to the method and beneficial effects described in the fourth aspect above, and the repeated parts will be omitted.

[0073] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0074] In the tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program; the processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0075] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of the third aspects.

[0076] In the twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program; the processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory so that the communication device executes a method as described in any one of the fourth aspects.

[0077] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed, enables the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects to be implemented.

[0078] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program, which, when executed, enables the method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects to be implemented.

[0079] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes an AMF entity, a UPF entity and an access network device, the AMF entity is used to execute the steps in the above-mentioned first aspect, the UPF entity is used to execute the steps in the above-mentioned second aspect, and the access network device is used to execute the steps in the above-mentioned third aspect or fourth aspect.

[0080] In the sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is used to communicate with external devices or internal devices, and the processor is used to implement the methods of the above aspects.

[0081] In one possible design, the chip may further include a memory storing a computer program or instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, or other programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the aforementioned various aspects of the method.

[0082] In one possible design, the chip can be integrated into the AMF entity, UPF entity and access network equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0083] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a RAN handover process;

[0085] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a wireless access network switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of another wireless access network switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of another wireless access network switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG6 is a schematic flow chart of another wireless access network switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0090] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0091] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0092] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of an AMF entity provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0093] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of a UPF entity provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0094] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] As shown in Figure 1, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes terminal equipment, access network equipment, core network equipment, and ground stations. The terminal equipment can access the network through an air interface (the air interface can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface). The access network equipment is deployed on the satellite and connected to the core network equipment on the ground through a wireless link (NG interface). At the same time, there is a wireless link (Xn interface) between the satellites to complete the signaling interaction and user data transmission between the access network equipment and the access network equipment.

[0096] Terminal device: A device that can access a satellite network through the air interface and initiate calls, access the Internet, and provide voice and / or data connectivity to users. It can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), for example, a handheld device or vehicle-mounted device with wireless connectivity. Currently, some examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving cars, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes.

[0097] Access network equipment primarily provides wireless access services, dispatches wireless resources to connected devices, and offers reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols. Access network equipment is also referred to as a base station. Currently, examples of RAN nodes include: gNB, radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home evolved NodeB (HNB), base band unit (BBU), and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP).

[0098] Core network equipment: mainly responsible for user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication and billing services. It is composed of multiple functional units, which may include functional entities of the control plane and the data plane. At present, some examples of core network equipment are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, etc., which are not listed here one by one. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment, etc.; the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting to the external network. It should be noted that the entity in this application can also be called a network element. For example, the AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element. For another example, the SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element, etc.

[0099] Ground station: responsible for forwarding signaling and business data between satellite base stations and the core network.

[0100] Air interface: The wireless link between the terminal device and the access network equipment.

[0101] Xn interface: The interface between access network devices, mainly used for signaling interaction such as switching.

[0102] NG interface: The interface between access network equipment and core network equipment, mainly used to exchange signaling such as the core network's non-access stratum (NAS) and user service data.

[0103] This application is applied to long term evolution (LTE) systems, universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS) systems, code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, wireless local area networks (WLAN), 5G or future communication networks, etc., involving terminal equipment and access network equipment, ground stations and other wireless access network elements, and performing uplink and downlink data communications based on wireless communication protocols.

[0104] As shown in Figure 2, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a RAN handover process. It mainly includes the following steps:

[0105] S201, the AMF entity provides mobility control information.

[0106] S202: The UE interacts with the source base station for measurement control and reporting.

[0107] S203: The source base station decides to switch.

[0108] S204: The source base station sends a handover request to the target base station.

[0109] S205: The target base station performs admission control.

[0110] S206: The target base station sends a handover request acknowledgement to the source base station.

[0111] S207: The source base station and the UE start RAN handover.

[0112] S208: The source base station provides cached data and new data.

[0113] S209, the UE detaches from the source base station and synchronizes to a candidate cell of the target base station.

[0114] S210: The source base station sends an early state transfer message to the target base station.

[0115] S211, the source base station sends a sequence number (SN) state transfer message to the target base station. After that, the UPF entity sends user data to the source base station, and the source base station forwards the user data to the target base station.

[0116] S212: The target base station caches the user data from the source base station.

[0117] S213: The UE, the target base station and the source base station complete the RAN handover.

[0118] S214: The source base station sends a handover success notification to the target base station.

[0119] At step S215, the source base station sends a sequence number (SN) state transition message to the target base station. After this, the UPF entity sends user data to the source base station, which then forwards the user data to the target base station. The UPF entity, the target base station, and the UE then forward the user data to each other.

[0120] After the access network completes the handover between the source base station and the target base station, it performs the following operations as shown in the dashed box:

[0121] S216, the target base station sends a path switch request to the AMF entity.

[0122] S217, AMF entity and UPF entity perform path switching.

[0123] Specifically, after receiving the path switching request, the AMF entity notifies the SMF entity to which the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session affected by the switch belongs. The SMF entity then provides the NG-RAN N3 tunnel information to the UPF entity. The AMF, SMF, and UPF entities interact with each other to complete the configuration of the PDU session, path update, tunnel information update, and so on.

[0124] S218: The UPF entity sends an end marker to the source base station, and the source base station sends an end marker to the target base station. Afterwards, the UPF entity sends user data to the target base station, and the target base station reorders the user data based on the end marker.

[0125] S219, the AMF entity sends a path switch request acknowledgement to the target base station.

[0126] S220, the target base station notifies the source base station of UE context release (UE context release).

[0127] In the satellite communication scenario of the regenerative satellite, as shown in the dotted box in Figure 2, since NG-RAN switching introduces frequent information interaction between NG-RAN and AMF entities, and the AMF entity, SMF entity, and UPF entity also need to frequently interact to update the switching-related configuration, resulting in large signaling overhead and high switching delay.

[0128] In order to solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide the following solutions.

[0129] The embodiment of the present application mainly relates to an improved solution on the access network side after completing the handover between the source base station and the target base station. For the steps before the access network side completes the handover between the source base station and the target base station, reference can be made to S201-S215 shown in Figure 2, which will not be described in detail in the embodiment of the present application. The following mainly introduces the steps after the access network side completes the handover between the source base station and the target base station. As shown in Figure 3, Figure 3 is a flow chart of a wireless access network handover method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method includes: S301, the AMF entity determines that the first wireless access network RAN ​​handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, and the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device. S302, the AMF entity sends a first indication message to the user plane function UPF entity, and the first indication message is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover. Optionally, the AMF entity sends the first indication message to the UPF entity through the SMF entity. The information interaction between the AMF entity and the UPF entity is similar and will not be described in detail below. The AMF entity indicates that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, so that the SMF entity and the UPF entity know that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover. There is no need to update the configuration related to the handover, which reduces the interactive information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity and the UPF entity, reduces the signaling overhead, and reduces the handover delay. The solution of the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below.

[0130] As shown in Figure 4, Figure 4 is a flow chart of a wireless access network handover method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The following description is based on the first access network device as the target base station and the second access network device as the source base station. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0131] S401: The target base station sends second indication information to the AMF entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0132] Specifically, after the access network side completes the first RAN handover between the source base station and the target base station through different methods, the target base station determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and then sends a second indication message to the AMF entity. The first RAN handover is a handover from the source base station to the target base station, and the first RAN handover method includes at least one of the following: conditional handover, handover without changing the physical cell identifier PCI, or random access-free handover.

[0133] Among them, logical intra-RAN handover (also known as NG-RAN intra-handover) is handover from a source base station to a target base station. The source base station and the target base station serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the terminal device stored, and communicate through the Xn port. The configuration of the terminal device may include at least one of the following information: UE context, base station identification (ID), cell ID, terminal device communication configuration or assigned UE ID, etc. For example, in a scenario where terrestrial cells are bound to geographical locations, due to the mobility of satellite base stations, satellite base stations serve terrestrial cells in a continuous manner. During the time period t1-t2, satellite base station 1 provides services to cell 1. At time t2, the handover from satellite base station 1 to satellite base station 2 is provided. During the time period t2-t3, satellite base station 2 provides services to cell 1. The handover from satellite base station 1 to satellite base station 2 can be called a logical intra-RAN handover.

[0134] S402: The AMF entity sends first indication information to the UPF entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0135] Specifically, after the AMF entity receives the second indication information sent by the target base station, it determines that the first RAN is switched to a logical intra-RAN switch, and then the AMF entity can send the first indication information to the UPF entity.

[0136] Optionally, the AMF entity may send confirmation information to the target base station based on the second indication information. Optionally, the AMF entity may send confirmation information to the source base station, and after the source base station receives the confirmation information, it sends a confirmation information to the target base station. The confirmation information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is confirmed as an intra-logical RAN handover, and the confirmation information may also be used to indicate confirmation of the execution of the first RAN handover. Since the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity do not need to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover through information exchange. Therefore, the AMF entity does not need to wait for the SMF entity and the UPF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. After receiving the second indication information, it directly sends a confirmation message to the target base station.

[0137] S403: The UPF entity maintains the configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0138] It can be understood that the UPF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover and does not update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. There is no need for the AMF entity, the UPF entity, and the AMF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover through information exchange. The configuration related to the first RAN handover may include relevant configuration of the PDU session, path information, or tunnel information, etc.

[0139] S404, the UPF entity sends second marking information to the source base station, where the second marking information is used to indicate the end of data transmission between the UPF entity and the source base station.

[0140] Specifically, the UPF entity does not need to wait for the update of the first RAN handover-related configuration, and can directly send the second marking information to the source base station. The source base station receives the second marking information from the UPF entity, and then sends the second marking information to the target base station. The second marking information is used to assist the target base station in sorting the received data (such as user data). Since the data sent by the UPF entity or the source base station received by the target base station is out of order, the target base station can sort the received data based on the second marking information, thereby ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data.

[0141] Optionally, taking into account the handover delay, the beam pointing adjustment delay of the ground station, etc., the AMF entity may send a handover preparation time to the UPF entity, and the handover preparation time is used to indicate the length of time required to wait for executing the handover within the logical RAN. This allows the UPF entity to send the second marking information to the source base station based on the handover preparation time. The handover preparation time may represent a time period in which the second marking information is allowed to be sent. After waiting for a period of time, the UPF entity sends the second marking information to the source base station during the handover preparation time. Alternatively, the handover preparation time may also represent a time period in which the second marking information needs to be waited before sending the second marking information. The UPF entity may send the second marking information to the source base station after waiting for the handover preparation time. Alternatively, the handover preparation time may also represent a time point in which the second marking information is allowed to be sent. The UPF entity may send the second marking information to the source base station after reaching the handover preparation time.

[0142] Among them, the switching preparation time can be predefined. Alternatively, the switching preparation time can also be determined by the AMF entity based on the first ephemeris information of the target base station and the second ephemeris information of the source base station, or it can be determined by the AMF entity based on the first ephemeris information of the target base station, the second ephemeris information of the source base station and the location information of the terminal device. The first ephemeris information or the second ephemeris information may include orbital parameter ephemeris, or it may be position and velocity state vector ephemeris. The orbital parameter ephemeris includes parameters such as the semi-major axis, eccentricity, argument of periapsis, longitude of ascending node, inclination, and mean anomaly of the reference time (epoch time).

[0143] The first indication information and the switching preparation time may be included in the same message or in different messages. The first indication information and the switching preparation time may be sent successively or simultaneously.

[0144] Optionally, the AMF entity may also send a handover preparation time to the source base station, where the handover preparation time indicates the waiting time for executing the logical intra-RAN handover. The source base station is notified to align with the core network side so that the source base station receives the second marking information sent by the UPF entity based on the handover preparation time. For example, the second marking information sent by the UPF entity is received during or after the handover preparation time.

[0145] Optionally, after the UPF entity sends the second marking information to the source base station, it can send data to the target base station or receive data from the target base station.

[0146] In the embodiment of the present application, the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover by receiving the second indication information sent by the target base station, and then sends the first indication information to the UPF entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover. This enables the SMF entity and the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, and there is no need to update the handover-related configuration, thereby reducing the interactive information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing the signaling overhead, and reducing the handover delay.

[0147] As shown in FIG5 , FIG5 is a flow chart of a method for switching a wireless access network provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0148] S501: The AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover based on the first ephemeris information of the target base station and the second ephemeris information of the source base station.

[0149] Specifically, after the access network completes the first RAN handover between the source base station and the target base station using different methods, the AMF entity may determine that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover based on the first ephemeris information of the target base station and the second ephemeris information of the source base station. For an explanation of the first RAN handover method and intra-logical RAN handover, please refer to the description of the embodiment shown in FIG4 and will not be repeated here.

[0150] The first ephemeris information may include the ephemeris of the target base station, and the ephemeris of the target base station may be used to determine the location of the target base station. The second ephemeris information may include the ephemeris of the source base station, and the ephemeris of the source base station may be used to determine the location of the source base station. The AMF entity may determine whether the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover based on the location of the target base station and the location of the source base station. For example, based on the location of the target base station and the location of the source base station, it is determined whether the source base station and the target base station cover the same geographical area. If the target base station and the source base station cover the same geographical area and provide services to the same terminal device, then the first RAN handover is determined to be an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0151] Optionally, the AMF entity may also receive second indication information from the source base station, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN is switched to an intra-logical RAN switch.

[0152] S502: The AMF entity sends first indication information to the UPF entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0153] Specifically, after the AMF entity receives the second indication information sent by the target base station, it determines that the first RAN is switched to a logical intra-RAN switch, and then the AMF entity can send the first indication information to the UPF entity.

[0154] It should be noted that since the first RAN handover determined by the AMF entity itself is a logical intra-RAN handover, the AMF entity does not need to send confirmation information to the source base station or the target base station.

[0155] S503: The UPF entity maintains the configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0156] S504, the UPF entity sends second marking information to the source base station, where the second marking information is used to indicate the end of data transmission between the UPF entity and the source base station.

[0157] The implementation process of S503-S504 is the same as the implementation process of S403-S404. The specific implementation method of S503-S504 can refer to S403-S404 in the previous embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0158] In this embodiment of the present application, the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and then sends first indication information to the UPF entity. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover. This allows the SMF entity and the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, without the need to update the handover-related configuration, reducing the exchange of information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing signaling overhead, and reducing handover delay.

[0159] As shown in FIG6 , FIG6 is a flow chart of a method for switching a wireless access network provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0160] S601: The source base station sends second indication information and first marking information to the AMF entity. The second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and the first marking information is used to indicate the end of data forwarding between the source base station and the target base station.

[0161] Specifically, after the access network completes the first RAN handover between the source base station and the target base station through different methods, the source base station determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover and sends the second indication information and the first marking information to the AMF entity. For an explanation of the first RAN handover method and intra-logical RAN handover, please refer to the description of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 and will not be repeated here.

[0162] The second indication information and the first marking information may be included in the same message or in different messages. The second indication information and the first marking information may be sent successively or simultaneously.

[0163] It should be noted that since there is no need to wait for the UPF entity and the SMF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover, the time for ending data transmission can be achieved by the indication of the RAN side. Therefore, the source base station sends the first marking information to the AMF entity, indicating that the source base station has ended data forwarding with the target base station.

[0164] S602: The AMF entity sends first indication information and first marking information to the UPF entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0165] Specifically, after the AMF entity receives the second indication information sent by the source base station, it determines that the first RAN switch is a logical intra-RAN switch, and then the AMF entity can send the first indication information to the UPF entity.

[0166] Optionally, the AMF entity may send confirmation information to the source base station based on the second indication information. Optionally, the AMF entity may send confirmation information to the target base station based on the second indication information, and the target base station forwards the confirmation information to the source base station after receiving the confirmation information. The confirmation information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is confirmed as an intra-logical RAN handover, and the confirmation information may also be used to indicate confirmation of the execution of the first RAN handover. Since the AMF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity do not need to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover through information exchange. Therefore, the AMF entity does not need to wait for the SMF entity and the UPF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. After receiving the second indication information, it directly sends a confirmation message to the source base station.

[0167] S603: The UPF entity maintains the configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0168] It can be understood that the UPF entity determines that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover and does not update the configuration related to the first RAN handover. There is no need for the AMF entity, the UPF entity, and the AMF entity to update the configuration related to the first RAN handover through information exchange. The configuration related to the first RAN handover may include relevant configuration of the PDU session, path information, or tunnel information, etc.

[0169] S604, the UPF entity sends data to the target base station based on the first marking information.

[0170] Specifically, the UPF entity determines that the source base station has completed data forwarding with the target base station based on the first marking information, so the UPF entity then sends data to the target base station to ensure the integrity of the data of the target base station.

[0171] Optionally, if the target base station does not receive data sent by the UPF entity, or does not receive data sent by the UPF entity within a preset time period, the target base station sends a notification message to the source base station, and the notification message is used to instruct the source base station to continue sending the first marking information and / or the second indication information to the AMF entity. After the AMF entity receives the first marking information and / or the second indication information, it sends the first indication information and / or the first marking information to the UPF entity, so that the UPF entity sends data to the target base station based on the first marking information, and does not update the configuration related to the first switching based on the first indication information.

[0172] Optionally, taking into account the handover delay, the beam pointing adjustment delay of the ground station, etc., the AMF entity may send a handover preparation time to the UPF entity, and the handover preparation time is used to indicate the length of time required to wait for executing the handover within the logical RAN. This allows the UPF entity to send data to the source base station based on the handover preparation time. The handover preparation time may represent a time period in which data can be sent, and the UPF entity may wait for a period of time and then send data to the source base station during the handover preparation time. Alternatively, the handover preparation time may also represent a time period in which data needs to be waited before sending data, and the UPF entity may send data to the source base station after waiting for the handover preparation time. Alternatively, the handover preparation time may also represent a time point in which data can be sent, and the UPF entity may send data to the source base station after reaching the handover preparation time.

[0173] In this embodiment of the present application, the AMF entity receives the second indication information and the first marking information sent by the source base station, and sends the first indication information and the first marking information to the UPF entity, indicating that the first RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover through the first indication information. This allows the SMF entity and the UPF entity to know that the current RAN handover is a logical intra-RAN handover, without the need to update the handover-related configuration, reducing the exchange of information between the AMF entity, the SMF entity, and the UPF entity, reducing signaling overhead and reducing handover delay. In addition, the data is sent to the target base station through the first marking information, thereby ensuring the integrity of the data of the target base station.

[0174] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the AMF entity can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the AMF entity, the methods and operations implemented by the UPF entity can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the UPF entity, and the methods and operations implemented by the access network device can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used for the access network device.

[0175] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device or network device can be divided into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above-mentioned integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. The following is an example of dividing each functional module corresponding to each function.

[0176] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 3 to 6. Below, the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail in conjunction with Figures 7 to 9. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for matters not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiment above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0177] 7 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 701 , a processing module 702 , and a sending module 703 .

[0178] Optionally, the communication device may implement steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the AMF entity in the above method embodiment. For example, it may be an AMF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in the AMF entity. The receiving module 701 and the sending module 703 are used to perform the sending and receiving related operations on the AMF entity side in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 702 is used to perform the processing related operations of the AMF entity in the above method embodiment.

[0179] The processing module 702 is configured to determine that the handover of the first radio access network RAN ​​is an intra-logical RAN handover, where the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0180] The sending module 703 is configured to send first indication information to a user plane function (UPF) entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is the intra-logical RAN handover.

[0181] Optionally, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0182] Optionally, the receiving module 701 is configured to receive second indication information sent from the first access network device or the second access network device, where the second indication information is used to instruct the first RAN to switch to the intra-logical RAN switching.

[0183] Optionally, the sending module 703 is further used to send confirmation information to the first access network device or the second access network device based on the second indication information.

[0184] Optionally, the processing module 702 is further configured to determine, according to the first ephemeris information of the first access network device and the second ephemeris information of the second access network device, that the first RAN handover is the intra-logical RAN handover.

[0185] Optionally, the receiving module 701 is further configured to receive first marking information from a second access network device;

[0186] The sending module 703 is also used to send the first marking information to the UPF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate that data is to be sent to the first access network device.

[0187] Optionally, the sending module 703 is further configured to send a handover preparation time to the UPF entity or the second access network device, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate a waiting time required to perform the intra-logical RAN handover.

[0188] Optionally, the first RAN switching mode includes at least one of the following: conditional switching, switching without changing the physical cell identifier PCI, or random access-free switching.

[0189] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 6, and execute the methods and functions performed by the AMF entity in the above embodiments.

[0190] 8 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 801 , a processing module 802 , and a sending module 803 .

[0191] Optionally, the communication device may implement steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the UPF entity in the above method embodiment. For example, it may be a UPF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in the UPF entity. The receiving module 801 and the sending module 803 are used to perform the sending and receiving related operations on the UPF entity side in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 802 is used to perform the processing related operations of the UPF entity in the above method embodiment.

[0192] The receiving module 801 is configured to receive first indication information from an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover, and the first RAN handover is a handover from a second access network device to a first access network device;

[0193] The processing module 802 is configured to maintain a configuration related to the first RAN handover based on the first indication information.

[0194] Optionally, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0195] Optionally, the receiving module 801 is further used to receive first marking information from the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the end of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device;

[0196] The sending module 803 is used to send data to the first access network device based on the first marking information.

[0197] Optionally, the sending module 803 is further used to send second marking information to the second access network device, where the second marking information is used to indicate the end of data transmission between the user plane function UPF entity and the second access network device.

[0198] Optionally, the receiving module 801 is further configured to receive a handover preparation time from the AMF entity, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate a waiting time for performing the intra-logical RAN handover;

[0199] The sending module 803 is further configured to send the second marking information to the second access network device based on the switching preparation time.

[0200] Optionally, the first RAN switching mode includes at least one of the following: conditional switching, switching without changing the physical cell identifier PCI, or random access-free switching.

[0201] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 6, and execute the methods and functions performed by the UPF entity in the above embodiments.

[0202] 9 , which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a receiving module 901 , a processing module 902 , and a sending module 903 .

[0203] Optionally, the communication device may implement steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device may be an access network device, or a chip or circuit configured in the access network device. The receiving module 901 and the sending module 903 are used to perform the transmission and reception related operations of the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 902 is used to perform the processing related operations of the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0204] In one embodiment:

[0205] The processing module 902 is configured to determine that the handover of the first radio access network RAN ​​is an intra-logical RAN handover, where the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0206] The sending module 903 is configured to send second indication information to the access and mobility management function AMF entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0207] Optionally, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0208] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is used to receive confirmation information from the AMF entity.

[0209] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further used to receive data from a user plane function UPF entity.

[0210] Optionally, the sending module 903 is also used to send a notification message to the second access network device if the data sent by the UPF entity is not received, and the notification message is used to instruct the second access network device to send first marking information to the AMF entity, and the first marking information is used to indicate the end of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0211] In another embodiment:

[0212] The processing module 902 is configured to determine that the handover of the first radio access network RAN ​​is an intra-logical RAN handover, where the first RAN handover is a handover from the second access network device to the first access network device;

[0213] The sending module 903 is configured to send second indication information to the access and mobility management function AMF entity, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the first RAN handover is an intra-logical RAN handover.

[0214] Optionally, the logical intra-RAN switching indicates that the first access network device and the second access network device serve the same cell, have the same configuration of the stored terminal device, and communicate through the Xn port.

[0215] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive a handover preparation time from the AMF, where the handover preparation time is used to indicate a waiting time required to perform the handover within the logical RAN.

[0216] Optionally, the sending module 903 is also used to send first marking information to the AMF entity, where the first marking information is used to indicate the end of data forwarding between the second access network device and the first access network device.

[0217] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is also used to receive a notification message from the first access network device; the sending module 903 is also used to send the first marking information to the AMF entity based on the notification message.

[0218] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is also used to receive second marking information from the user plane function UPF entity, and the second marking information is used to indicate the end of data transmission between the user plane function UPF entity and the second access network device; the sending module 903 is also used to send the second marking information to the first access network device, and the second marking information is used to assist the first access network device to sort the received data.

[0219] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 6, and execute the methods and functions executed by the first access network device or the second access network device in the above embodiments.

[0220] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an AMF entity provided in an embodiment of the present application. The AMF entity can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the AMF entity in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the AMF entity in the above method embodiment.

[0221] As shown in Figure 10, the AMF entity includes a processor 1001 and a transceiver 1002. Optionally, the AMF entity also includes a memory 1003. The processor 1001, the transceiver 1002, and the memory 1003 can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1003 is used to store a computer program, and the processor 1001 is used to call and run the computer program from the memory 1003 to control the transceiver 1002 to send and receive signals. Optionally, the AMF entity may also include an antenna for transmitting the uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1002 through wireless signals.

[0222] The processor 1001 and the memory 1003 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 1001 is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 1003 to implement the aforementioned functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 1003 may also be integrated into the processor 1001 or independent of the processor 1001. The processor 1001 may correspond to the processing module in FIG7 .

[0223] The transceiver 1002 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG7 , and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 1002 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0224] It should be understood that the AMF entity shown in Figure 10 is capable of implementing the various processes involving the AMF entity in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3-6. The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the AMF entity are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the aforementioned method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0225] The processor 1001 may be used to perform the actions implemented internally by the AMF entity described in the previous method embodiment, and the transceiver 1002 may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiment in which the AMF entity sends to or receives from the access network device to the UPF entity. For details, please refer to the description in the previous method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0226] Processor 1001 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor (GPOR), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device (PLD), a transistor logic device (TLD), a hardware component, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. Processor 1001 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and so on. Communication bus 1004 may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industrial Standard Architecture (EISA) bus. These buses may be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, and so on. For ease of illustration, FIG10 shows only one bold line, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or type of bus. Communication bus 1004 is used to enable communication between these components. In the embodiment of this application, transceiver 1002 is used to communicate signaling or data with other node devices. Memory 1003 may include volatile memory, such as nonvolatile dynamic random access memory (NVRAM), phase change RAM (PRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), etc. It may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory devices, such as NOR flash memory or NAND flash memory, semiconductor devices, such as solid state disks (SSDs), etc. Memory 1003 may optionally be at least one storage device located remote from the processor 1001. Memory 1003 may optionally also store a set of computer program code or configuration information. Optionally, processor 1001 may also execute a program stored in memory 1003. The processor may cooperate with the memory and transceiver to execute any of the methods and functions of the AMF entity in the above-mentioned application embodiments.

[0227] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a UPF entity provided in an embodiment of the present application. The UPF entity can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the UPF entity in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the UPF entity in the above method embodiment.

[0228] As shown in Figure 11, the UPF entity includes a processor 1101 and a transceiver 1102. Optionally, the UPF entity also includes a memory 1103. The processor 1101, transceiver 1102, and memory 1103 can communicate with each other via internal connection paths to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1103 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 1101 is used to call and execute the computer programs from the memory 1103 to control the transceiver 1102 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the UPF entity may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1102 via wireless signals.

[0229] The processor 1101 and the memory 1103 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 1101 is configured to execute program code stored in the memory 1103 to implement the aforementioned functions. In a specific implementation, the memory 1103 may also be integrated into the processor 1101 or independent of the processor 1101. The processor 1101 may correspond to the processing module in FIG8 .

[0230] The transceiver 1102 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG8 , and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 1102 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0231] It should be understood that the UPF entity shown in Figure 11 is capable of implementing the various processes involving the UPF entity in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3-6. The operations and / or functions of the various modules within the UPF entity are intended to implement the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the aforementioned method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0232] The above-mentioned processor 1101 can be used to perform the actions implemented by the UPF entity described in the previous method embodiment, and the transceiver 1102 can be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiment in which the UPF entity sends to the access network device or receives from the AMF entity. For details, please refer to the description in the previous method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0233] The processor 1101 can be any of the aforementioned types of processors. The communication bus 1104 can be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, for example. These buses can be classified as address buses, data buses, and control buses. For ease of illustration, Figure 11 shows only one thick line, but this does not imply a single bus or type of bus. The communication bus 1104 is used to enable communication between these components. The transceiver 1102 of the device in the embodiments of the present application is used to communicate signaling or data with other devices. The memory 1103 can be any of the aforementioned types of memory. Memory 1103 can optionally be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 1101. Memory 1103 stores a set of computer program code or configuration information, and the processor 1101 executes the program in memory 1103. The processor can cooperate with the memory and transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the UPF entity in the aforementioned embodiments.

[0234] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The access network device can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the first access network device or the second access network device in the above method embodiment.

[0235] As shown in Figure 12, the access network device includes a processor 1201 and a transceiver 1202. Optionally, the access network device also includes a memory 1203. The processor 1201, transceiver 1202, and memory 1203 can communicate with each other via internal connection paths to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1203 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 1201 is used to retrieve and execute the computer programs from the memory 1203 to control the transceiver 1202 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the access network device may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1202 via wireless signals.

[0236] The processor 1201 and the memory 1203 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 1201 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1203 to implement the above functions. In specific implementation, the memory 1203 may also be integrated into the processor 1201 or independent of the processor 1201.

[0237] The transceiver 1202 may correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in FIG9 , and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 1202 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0238] It should be understood that the access network device shown in Figure 12 is capable of implementing the various processes related to the access network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3-6. The operations and / or functions of the various modules in the access network device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the aforementioned method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0239] The processor 1201 may be used to perform the actions implemented within the access network device described in the previous method embodiment, and the transceiver 1202 may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiment where the access network device sends to or receives from the AMF entity. For details, please refer to the description in the previous method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0240] The processor 1201 can be any of the aforementioned types of processors. The communication bus 1204 can be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, for example. Buses can be classified as address buses, data buses, and control buses. For ease of illustration, Figure 12 shows only one thick line, but this does not imply a single bus or bus type. The communication bus 1204 is used to enable communication between these components. The transceiver 1202 of the device in the embodiments of the present application is used to communicate signaling or data with other devices. The memory 1203 can be any of the aforementioned types of memory. The memory 1203 can optionally be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 1201. The memory 1203 stores a set of computer program code or configuration information, and the processor 1201 executes the program in the memory 1203. The processor can cooperate with the memory and transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the first access network device or the second access network device in the embodiments of the present application.

[0241] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting an AMF entity, a UPF entity, or an access network device to implement the functions involved in any of the above embodiments, such as generating or processing the logical intra-RAN switching involved in the above method.

[0242] In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the AMF entity, UPF entity, or access network device. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices. The input and output of the chip system correspond to the receiving and transmitting operations of the AMF entity, UPF entity, or access network device in the method embodiment, respectively.

[0243] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method of any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 6.

[0244] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the method of any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 6.

[0245] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned AMF entity, UPF entity or access network device.

[0246] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disc (SSD)).

[0247] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a memory and a processor, the memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-8.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a memory and a processor, the memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 9-14.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a memory and a processor, the memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 15-19.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a memory and a processor, the memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor runs the computer program to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 20-25.

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

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

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