Communication method, communication apparatus, and communication system

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system. The method comprises: a first node receives first information from a network management node, the first information being used for configuring a first association relationship, and the first association relationship indicating that a first access and mobility management function (AMF) node is associated with a first tracking area (TA) information set. The first node establishes a communication interface between the first node and the first AMF node. The first node sends second information to the first AMF node, the second information being used for indicating the first TA information set. The communication reliability can be improved.

Description

Communication method, communication apparatus, and communication system

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411089175.4, filed on August 8, 2024, and entitled "Communication method, communication apparatus, and communication system", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system. BACKGROUND

[0003] In a conventional mobile communication system, a base station providing access network services for a terminal is generally deployed at a fixed location.

[0004] With the development of communication technology, a terminal can access a network through a relay node or an access network node in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), and these nodes providing access network services for the terminal can have mobility. In addition, a wireless access and backhaul (WAB) architecture is currently being researched, and the main scenario is to use a mobile WAB node to provide coverage. The WAB node has mobility and can be deployed on a mobile vehicle, train, or aircraft to provide wireless coverage for terminals inside the vehicle.

[0005] In order to support nodes providing access network services for terminals having a large enough range of movement, an adapted network communication mechanism also needs to be designed. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system, which can improve communication reliability.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a first node. The first node can be a communication device or a module (such as a chip or a chip system) configured to (or for) the communication device.

[0008] The method includes: receiving, by the first node, first information from a network management node, the first information being used to configure a first association relationship, the first association relationship indicating that a first access and mobility management function (AMF) node is associated with a first tracking area (TA) information set. The first node establishes a communication interface with the first AMF node. The first node sends second information to the first AMF node, the second information being used to indicate the first TA information set.

[0009] According to the scheme, the first node can obtain the AMF node adapted to the location of the first node and the tracking area information corresponding to the location of the first node from the network management node, so that the first node can establish a communication interface with the adapted AMF node after moving, and can provide the AMF node with the TA information corresponding to the location thereof, thereby reducing the probability of the AMF node updating the TA information incorrectly due to the first node reporting the TA information incorrectly, the AMF node can still update the TA information maintained thereby based on the TA information reported by the first node, the node providing the access network service can be supported to have mobility in a small improvement range of the existing mechanism, and the reliability of communication is improved.

[0010] Exemplarily, the first node has the functions of wireless access and backhaul.

[0011] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first node receives the first information, including: the first node sends second information to the network management node, the second information being used to indicate the first location where the first node is located. The first node receives the first information from the network management node.

[0012] According to the scheme, the first node can obtain the first association relationship corresponding to the current location from the network management node by reporting the current location to the network management node. Thus, the communication interface with the AMF node capable of providing services is established, and the reliability of communication is improved.

[0013] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information is used to configure a plurality of association relationships, the plurality of association relationships corresponding to a plurality of location information, the first location where the first node is located belonging to a location area indicated by the first location information, and the first association relationship being the association relationship corresponding to the first location information in the plurality of association relationships.

[0014] According to the scheme, the first node can obtain a plurality of association relationships corresponding to a plurality of location information from the network management node, and in the case that the first node moves, the first association relationship corresponding to the current location can be determined based on the current location, so that the communication interface with the AMF node capable of providing services is established, and the reliability of communication is improved.

[0015] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information further includes one or more of the following information associated with the first location where the first node is located:

[0016] An identifier of the AMF set, a notification area code (RANAC) of the radio access network, or a cell identifier.

[0017] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending, by the first node, third information in the first cell, the third information being used to indicate at least one TA information, the at least one TA information belonging to the first TA information set, and the third information being system information.

[0018] According to the above scheme, after the first node establishes the communication interface with the first AMF node, the first node can send third information in the first cell managed by the first node, and the at least one TA information indicated by the third information is the TA information corresponding to the location of the first cell in the first TA information set, so that the terminal served by the first node can realize AMF node change according to the third information, thereby ensuring the reliability of terminal communication.

[0019] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first cell is a serving cell of a first terminal set, and the first terminal set includes terminals in a connected state served by the first node.

[0020] According to the above scheme, the first node can send the third information by updating the system information in the cell of the terminal. In order for the terminal to obtain the updated system information of the serving cell, since the at least one TA information indicated by the third information is not in the registration area of the terminal, the terminal can be triggered to perform the MRU process, thereby realizing the AMF node change of the terminal and ensuring the reliability of terminal communication.

[0021] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending, by the first node, fifth information to the second AMF node, the fifth information including a registration request of the terminal and at least one of the following:

[0022] location information of the terminal;

[0023] location information of the first node.

[0024] According to the above scheme, the first node can provide the location information of the terminal and / or the location information of the first node to the second AMF node (i.e., the initial AMF node), so that the second AMF node can determine the target AMF node (i.e., the first AMF node) for the terminal to change the AMF node according to the location information included in the fifth information, thereby realizing the AMF node change of the terminal and ensuring the reliability of terminal communication.

[0025] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining, by the first node, that a terminal in a first terminal set completes the AMF node change, the first terminal set including terminals in a connected state served by the first node. The first node sends sixth information to the second AMF node, the sixth information being used to request to release the communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

[0026] According to the above scheme, the first node can trigger the release of the communication interface with the initial AMF node after the terminal completes the AMF node change, so as to reduce unnecessary interface maintenance overhead.

[0027] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first node sends sixth information to the second AMF node, including: the first node sends the sixth information to the second AMF node after the expiration of a first timer, the first timer being started after the terminal in the first terminal set completes the AMF node change.

[0028] According to the scheme, a buffer time can be provided after all connected state terminals change the AMF node, so that the first node is prepared to release the communication interface, reduces the probability of unnecessary errors, and improves communication reliability.

[0029] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first node sends seventh information to the terminal, the seventh information being used to instruct switching to the first cell.

[0030] According to the above scheme, the first node can make the terminal realize the AMF node change of the terminal by instructing the terminal to switch the cell, and ensure the reliability of terminal communication.

[0031] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the service cell of the terminal is a second cell, the first node has a logical function configuration of a first access network node, and the first cell and the second cell are cells managed by the first access network node.

[0032] According to the above scheme, the first node can establish a new cell for the moved position, and specifically make the terminal realize the AMF node change of the terminal by switching the cell in the base station, so as to ensure the reliability of terminal communication.

[0033] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first node has a logical function configuration of a first access network node and a logical function configuration of a second access network node, the first cell is a cell managed by the first access network node, and the second cell is a cell managed by the second access network node.

[0034] According to the above scheme, the first node can establish a new base station for the moved position, and specifically make the terminal realize the AMF node change of the terminal by switching between base stations, so as to ensure the reliability of terminal communication.

[0035] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining, by the first node, that all terminals in the first terminal set have switched to the first cell, the first terminal set including terminals in a connected state served by the first node; and sending, by the first node and to the second AMF node, sixth information used to request release of the communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

[0036] According to the above scheme, the first node can trigger release of the communication interface with the initial AMF node after all terminals in the connected state have completed switching, so as to reduce unnecessary interface maintenance overhead.

[0037] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first node sends the sixth information to the second AMF node, including: sending, by the first node and to the second AMF node, the sixth information after expiration of a second timer, the second timer being started after all terminals in the first terminal set have switched to the first cell.

[0038] According to the scheme, a buffer time can be provided after all connected state terminals have completed switching, so that the first node is ready to release the communication interface, reduces the probability of unnecessary errors, and improves communication reliability.

[0039] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the first node and from the second AMF node, eighth information used to indicate release of the communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

[0040] According to the above scheme, the first AMF node can trigger release of the communication interface between the first node and the first AMF node by the eighth information, so as to reduce unnecessary interface maintenance overhead.

[0041] The second aspect provides a communication method, which can be performed by a second AMF node for a communication device or a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a logic circuit) configured to (or used for) the communication device.

[0042] The method includes: receiving, by the second AMF node and from a first node, fifth information including a registration request of a terminal, the fifth information further including location information of the terminal and / or location information of the first node; and determining, by the second AMF node, a first AMF node according to the fifth information, the first AMF node being a target AMF node for performing AMF node change for the terminal.

[0043] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the second AMF node, sixth information from the first node, the sixth information being used to request to release the communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

[0044] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second AMF node determines that a terminal in the first terminal set completes AMF node change or completes handover, the first terminal set including terminals in a connected state served by the first node. The second AMF node sends eighth information to the first node, the eighth information being used to indicate to release the communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

[0045] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second AMF node sends the eighth information to the first node includes: the second AMF node sends the eighth information to the first node after a timer expires, the timer being started after a terminal in the first terminal set completes AMF node change.

[0046] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: determining, by the second AMF node, that an access network node that establishes the communication interface with the second AMF node does not support a second TA information set, the second TA information set being a TA information set supported by the first node. The second AMF node deletes the second TA information set in a third TA information set, the third TA information set being a set of TA information maintained by the second AMF node.

[0047] That is, before the second AMF node releases the communication interface with the first node, the first node is the only access network node that supports the second TA information set among the access network nodes that establish the communication interface with the second AMF node. After the second AMF node releases the communication interface with the first node, the second AMF node deletes the second TA information set in the third TA information set.

[0048] Alternatively, before the second AMF node releases the communication interface with the first node, none of the access network nodes that establish the communication interface with the second AMF node, except the first node, supports the second TA information set. After the second AMF node releases the communication interface with the first node, the second AMF node deletes the second TA information set in the third TA information set.

[0049] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be performed by a first AMF node. The first AMF node can be a communication device or a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a logic circuit) configured to (or for) the communication device.

[0050] The method comprises: a first AMF node establishing a communication interface with a first node. The first AMF node receives second information from the first node, the second information being used to indicate a first TA information set.

[0051] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. In one design, the apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect. The module can be implemented in hardware circuitry, software, or a combination of hardware circuitry and software. In one design, the apparatus includes a transceiver configured to receive first information from a network management node, the first information being used to configure a first association relationship, the first association relationship indicating that a first access and mobility management function (AMF) node is associated with a first tracking area (TA) information set. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to control the transceiver to receive / send information to establish a communication interface with the first AMF node. The transceiver is further configured to send second information to the first AMF node, the second information being used to indicate the first TA information set.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. In one design, the apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect. The module can be implemented in hardware circuitry, software, or a combination of hardware circuitry and software. In one design, the apparatus includes a transceiver configured to receive fifth information from a first node, the fifth information including a registration request for a terminal, the fifth information also including location information of the terminal and / or location information of the first node. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to determine a first AMF node based on the fifth information, the first AMF node being a target AMF node for the terminal to perform AMF node change.

[0053] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. In one design, the apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect or any of the implementations of the third aspect. The module can be implemented in hardware circuitry, software, or a combination of hardware circuitry and software. In one design, the apparatus includes a processing unit configured to control a transceiver to receive / send information to establish a communication interface with a first node. The transceiver is configured to receive second information from the first node, the second information being used to indicate a first TA information set.

[0054] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor. The processor can implement the method in the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to implement the method in the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface. In embodiments of the present application, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a pin, a circuit, a bus, a module or any other type of communication interface, which is not limited herein.

[0055] In an implementation form, the communication apparatus is a communication device (e.g., a terminal, a relay device, an access network device or a core network device). When the communication apparatus is a communication device, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0056] In another implementation form, the communication apparatus is a chip configured in the communication device. When the communication apparatus is a chip configured in the communication device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0057] Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0058] In an eighth aspect, a processor is provided, which includes an input circuit, an output circuit and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor implements the method in the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0059] In a specific implementation process, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a flip-flop and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the output signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0060] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when executed, causes a computer to implement the method in the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect to the third aspect.

[0062] In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes at least two of the first node, the first AMF node and the second AMF node described above. Optionally, the communication system further includes at least one terminal described above.

[0063] It should be understood that the beneficial effects of the features corresponding to the first aspect in the second aspect to the eleventh aspect can be referred to the related description of the first aspect, which will not be described here again. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0064] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of the structure of ORAN according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of the protocol stack of CU and DU according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 1C is another schematic diagram of the protocol stack of CU and DU according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of NTN network according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG. 3 is another schematic diagram of an architecture of NTN network according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG. 4 is another schematic diagram of a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 are different schematic flowcharts of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another example of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present application, " / " can represent that the objects before and after the " / " are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" can be used to describe the existence of three relationships of associated objects, for example, A and / or B, which can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In order to facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, "first", "second", etc. can be used for distinction. The "first", "second", etc. do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the "first", "second", etc. also do not limit to be definitely different. In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. The words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to present related concepts in a specific way, and facilitate understanding. In the embodiments of the present application, at least one (kind) can also be described as one (kind) or more (kind), and the more (kind) can be two (kind), three (kind), four (kind) or more (kind), which is not limited by the present application.

[0076] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: long term evolution (LTE) system, 5th generation (5G) communication system, wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, and the communication method provided by the present application can also be applied to future communication systems or other communication systems, etc. The present application does not make any limitation.

[0077] Figure 1 shows a possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as 110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as 120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 can also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1), etc. The terminal 120 is connected to the RAN node 110 in a wireless manner. The access network node (or RAN node) 110 is connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device in the core network 200 and the access network node 110 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrated with the core network logical function and the wireless access network logical function.

[0078] The RAN 100 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) -related cellular system, e.g., 4G, 5G, future mobile communication system. The RAN 100 can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system that combines two or more of the above systems.

[0079] The access network node 110, which can also be referred to as an access network device, a RAN entity, or an access node, etc., forms part of the communication system and is configured to facilitate wireless access by terminals. The plurality of access network nodes 110 in the communication system 100 can be of the same type or of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are relative, e.g., the network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured to be a mobile base station, for those terminals 120j that access the RAN 100 via the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal. The access network nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are sometimes referred to as communication apparatuses, e.g., the network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functionality, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functionality.

[0080] In a possible scenario, the access network node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a 5G generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network node can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in FIG. 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (e.g., 110b in FIG. 1), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the access network node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network node in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The access network node in this application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network node.

[0081] In another possible scenario, multiple access network nodes cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different access network nodes respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the access network node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a radio frequency remote unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0082] The CU can implement part of the protocol layer functions of the access network device, and the DU can implement part of the protocol layer functions of the access network device. As shown in FIG. 1B, the CU can be responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, for example, the CU can implement the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU can be responsible for processing the physical (PHY) layer protocol and real-time services. For example, the DU can implement the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the PHY layer. One DU can be connected to only one CU or connected to multiple CUs, and one CU can be connected to multiple DUs. The CU and the DU can communicate through the F1 interface. The CU can further include a CU-CP and a CU-UP, as shown in FIG. 1C. The CU-CP can be responsible for the control plane function, for example, implementing the RRC layer and the PDCP layer control plane (PDCP-control, PDCP-C) function. The CU-UP can be responsible for the user plane function, for example, implementing the SDAP layer and the PDCP layer user plane (PDCP-user, PDCP-U) function. The CU-CP and the CU-UP communicate through the E1 interface. The CU-CP can communicate with the core network through the NG interface on behalf of the access network device, and communicate with the DU through the F1-C interface. The CU-UP can communicate with the DU through the F1-U interface, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0083] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open-CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely applied to various scenarios for communication. The scenarios include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), D2D, V2X, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, sensing terminal, communication-sensing integrated terminal, or smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone (such as 120a, 120j and 120e in FIG. 1), a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function (such as 120g in FIG. 1), a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a wearable device, a vehicle (such as 120b in FIG. 1), a drone, a helicopter, an airplane (such as 120i in FIG. 1), a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a sensor, a sensor, or a smart home device (such as 120h in FIG. 1), etc.

[0084] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of an NTN network suitable for embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, a satellite has all protocol layer processing functions of an access network device, which can be referred to as a satellite base station. The satellite base station is connected to a 5G core network via a gateway station (NTN gateway) on the ground through a microwave backhaul. The link between the satellite base station and the gateway station on the ground can be referred to as a satellite radio interface (SRI) link or a feeder link.

[0085] Figure 3 is another schematic diagram of an architecture of an NTN network suitable for embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, there is an inter-satellite link (ISL) between satellites. When a satellite is not visible to a gateway station on the ground, data of the satellite can be backhauled to the ground through other satellites.

[0086] Figure 4 is another schematic diagram of an architecture of a network suitable for embodiments of the present application.

[0087] A node with wireless access and backhaul functions can be referred to as a WAB node, or a mobile wireless access and backhaul (MWAB) node or a vehicle mounted relay (VMR) node. As shown in Figure 4, a WAB node includes an access network node function (such as a base station (gNB) function) and a mobile termination (MT) function. The gNB function of the WAB node can be referred to as a WAB-gNB, and the mobile termination function of the WAB node can be referred to as a WAB-MT. The WAB-MT has part or all of the functions of a normal UE, and can also be referred to as a WAB-UE.

[0088] The WAB-MT can access a base station (BH-RAN-node) providing backhaul service over a new radio (NR) air interface (denoted as NR Uu interface), and then connect to a core network (5G core network, 5GC) serving the WAB-MT, referred to as backhaul core network (BH-5GC). One or more PDU sessions can be established between the WAB-MT and the BH-5GC. Various types of traffic of the WAB-gNB can be transmitted over the PDU sessions of the WAB-MT, including traffic between the WAB-gNB and an operations administration and maintenance (OAM) node, N2 interface or N3 interface traffic between the WAB-gNB and a core network of a UE (UE 5GC), Xn interface traffic between the WAB-gNB and a neighbor base station, and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the WAB-MT accesses the BH-5GC through the BH-RAN-node. When the WAB-gNB needs to send an N2 message or an N3 interface data packet to the UE 5GC, the WAB-gNB can send the N2 message / N3 data packet to the WAB-MT through an internal interface between the WAB-gNB and the WAB-MT, and the WAB-MT can transmit the N2 message / N3 data packet as a data packet payload through a PDU session established between the WAB-MT and the BH-5GC to an anchor user plane function (UPF) node of the session, and then the anchor UPF node forwards the payload part of the data packet to a corresponding network element (the N2 message is forwarded to an access and mobility management function (AMF) node of the UE 5GC, and the N3 message is forwarded to a UPF node of the UE 5GC) in the UE 5GC, thereby completing the uplink signaling / data transmission. Similarly, when the WAB-gNB needs to send an Xn interface control plane message or user plane data to a neighbor base station (Neighbor NG-RAN node), the WAB-gNB also transmits the Xn interface control plane message or user plane data as a data packet payload through a PDU session of the WAB-MT to an anchor UPF node of the session, and then the anchor UPF node forwards the payload part of the data packet to the corresponding Neighbor NG-RAN node.

[0089] For the UE connected to the WAB-gNB, the user plane traffic data of the UE will be encapsulated in the N3 interface packet of the WAB-gNB, transmitted to the anchor UPF of the session via the PDU session of the WAB-MT, and then sent to the UPF of the UE; the access stratum control plane signaling of the UE is transmitted directly through the signaling radio bearer (SRB) of the Uu interface between the UE and the WAB-gNB, and the non access stratum (NAS) message of the UE is also transmitted after being transmitted to the WAB-gNB through the SRB, that is, the WAB-gNB encapsulates the WAB-gNB N2 message and transmits it, and the transmission mode can be referred to the description in the previous paragraph.

[0090] The public land mobile network (PLMN) registered by the WAB-MT and the PLMN registered by the UE accessing the WAB-gNB can be the same PLMN or different PLMNs.

[0091] In the network architecture shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the node providing access network services (such as a satellite, a WAB node) has mobility, and when the range of movement of the node providing access network services is large enough, the node can move out of the service area originally planned by the AMF node, and then the connected AMF node needs to be replaced. In the conventional mobile communication system, the deployment position of the access network node is fixed, and the positional relationship between the access network node and the AMF node is also relatively fixed. When an access network node establishes a communication interface (such as an N2 interface) with an AMF node, the access network node will report the tracking area (TA) information configured by the access network node to the AMF node, and the AMF node will update the TA information list supported by the AMF node according to the tracking area information. However, when the node providing access network services has mobility, after the node moves from one area to another area, the TA information configured by the node is the TA information corresponding to the previous area. If the TA information is reported to the AMF node providing services for the moved area, the AMF node will update the TA information not belonging to its service area to the TA information maintained by the AMF node, causing the problem of mobility management error of the terminal.

[0092] In this application, the first node is a node that can provide access network services for the terminal, such as a satellite base station or a WAB node, but the application is not limited thereto, and the first node can also be a ground base station.

[0093] The first node can obtain, from the network, an association relationship between an AMF node and a TA information set corresponding to a location of the first node, the first node can establish a communication interface with the AMF node according to the association relationship, and the first node can report the associated TA information set to the AMF node. The probability of causing the AMF node to update the TA information maintained by the AMF node due to the first node reporting the TA information incorrectly can be reduced. The AMF node can still update the TA information maintained by the AMF node based on the TA information reported by the first node. The node providing the access network service can have mobility with a small improvement in the existing mechanism, and the reliability of communication can be improved.

[0094] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application. The method includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0095] S501, the network management node sends first information to the first node, the first information is used to configure a first association relationship, the first association relationship indicates that a target AMF node is associated with a first TA information set.

[0096] Correspondingly, the first node receives the first information from the network management node, and determines the first association relationship, i.e., the target AMF node and the associated first TA information set, according to the first information.

[0097] Exemplarily, the first TA information set can include at least one TA information, and the TA information can be a TA code (TAC) or a TA identity (TAI). The TAI can be composed of a TAC and a PLMN ID, and the TACs of different TAs in one PLMN are different.

[0098] Exemplarily, the network management node can be an OAM node or an OAM server, but the present application is not limited thereto. The network management node can also be other nodes with network management functions, such as a service management and orchestration (SMO) node under the ORAN architecture. In the ORAN architecture, the SMO node is mainly responsible for RAN management.

[0099] The first node obtaining the first association relationship can specifically include but is not limited to the following two implementation modes:

[0100] In one implementation mode, the first node sends second information to the network management node, the second information is used to indicate a first location where the first node is located. The first node receives the first information from the network management node.

[0101] That is, the first node can report the first node's location (i.e., the first location) to the network management node through the second information, the network management node learns the first node's location through the second information, and then the network management node can determine the first association relationship corresponding to the first location, i.e., the target AMF node providing services for the terminal or the first node in the first location, and the first TA information set corresponding to the first location, and informs the first node through the first information. The first node determines the first association relationship, i.e., the target AMF node corresponding to the first location and the first TA information set, according to the received first information.

[0102] The first node can be located in the first location after moving, e.g., the first node moves from one location area to another location area. The location area can be pre-configured, e.g., pre-configured by the network management node, the AMF node or other network nodes. After the first node moves and the location area changes, the first node sends the second information to the network management node.

[0103] For example, the second information can include the location coordinate information of the first location, which can be longitude and latitude, or the coordinate of a positioning system. Alternatively, the second information can include the address information of the first location, e.g., street information.

[0104] Alternatively, the first node can be a WAB node, and the second information can indicate the first location through the location information of the WAB-MT in the WAB node. For example, the location information of the WAB-MT can be the identification information of the serving cell of the WAB-MT, and the network management node can determine the location of the first node according to the location of the serving cell of the WAB-MT. Alternatively, the location information of the WAB-MT can be the TA information (e.g., TAC or TAI) or RAN notification area code (RANAC) to which the serving cell of the WAB-MT belongs. The RANAC is used to identify a RAN area in a TAC identified area.

[0105] Optionally, the first information can further include one or more of the following information associated with the first location:

[0106] The identification of the AMF set, the RAN notification area code (RANAC) or the cell identification.

[0107] Exemplarily, the cell identity in the present application can be an NR cell global identity (NR CGI), or an NR cell identity (NCI), or part of the information in the NCI, such as a cell local ID (Cell Local ID) in the NCI. Wherein, if the first information contains the cell identity, the cell identity can also correspond to the first TA information set, or the cell identity can correspond to one TAC or TAI in the first TA information set.

[0108] In another implementation, the first information is used to configure a plurality of association relationships, the plurality of association relationships correspond to a plurality of location information, a first location where the first node is located belongs to a location area indicated by a first location information, and the first association relationship is an association relationship in the plurality of association relationships corresponding to the first location information.

[0109] That is, the network management node can pre-configure a plurality of association relationships corresponding to a plurality of location information for the first node, one location information indicates one location area, and the association relationship corresponding to the location information includes an AMF node serving the location area and a TA information set corresponding to the location area. When the first node moves to the first location, the first node can determine that the first location belongs to a first location area indicated by a first location information, and then the first node can determine a first association relationship corresponding to the first location information, and determine that an AMF node serving the first location area is a target AMF node and a TA information set corresponding to the first location area is a first TA information set.

[0110] Optionally, the first information further includes one or more of the following information associated with each location information:

[0111] An identity of the AMF set, a radio access network notification area code (RANAC), or a cell identity.

[0112] S502, the first node and the target AMF node establish a communication interface.

[0113] The first node and the target AMF node perform an interface establishment process to establish a communication interface between the first node and the AMF node. Exemplarily, the communication interface can be referred to as a next generation (NG) interface or an N2 interface.

[0114] At this time, the first node still maintains a connection of the communication interface with an initial AMF node. The initial AMF node refers to an AMF node serving the first node before the first node moves to the first location. The initial AMF node can also be referred to as an original AMF node, a source AMF node, or an old AMF node, which is not limited in the present application.

[0115] That is, the first node can simultaneously establish a communication interface with two AMF nodes, and keep the connection through different communication interfaces.

[0116] Exemplarily, as the first node is a WAB node, specifically, the following two implementation manners can be included but not limited to.

[0117] Manner 1, the first node has a logical function configuration of a first access network node, and the logical function configuration of the first access network node has the capability of simultaneously keeping the communication interface connection with two AMF nodes, then the first node can establish a communication interface with a target AMF node through the logical function configuration of the first access network node in the case that a communication interface has been established with an initial AMF node. Manner 2, the first node has logical function configurations of two access network nodes, such as a logical function configuration of a first access network node and a logical function configuration of a second access network node, the first node keeps the communication interface established with the initial AMF node through the logical function configuration of the second access network node before moving, and the first node can establish a communication interface with the target AMF node through the logical function configuration of the first access network node after moving to the first location and determining the target AMF node. For example, the first node establishes the logical function configuration of the first access network node after determining that the AMF node needs to be changed, and establishes a communication interface with the target AMF node through the logical function configuration of the first access network node, but the present application is not limited thereto, the first node can always maintain the logical function configurations of the two access network nodes, keep the communication interface connection with the serving AMF node through the logical function configuration of one access network node, and establish a communication interface with the target AMF node through the logical function configuration of the other access network node when changing is needed.

[0118] It should be noted that in the present application, the first node can have one or more logical access network nodes, such as one or more logical gNBs (logical gNBs), and the logical function configuration of the access network node (such as the first access network node and / or the second access network node) possessed by the first node can be understood as the related configuration in the first node for implementing the logical access network node, and the logical function configuration can include but is not limited to the hardware configuration (such as antenna array, transceiver, etc.), software configuration (such as protocol layer configuration, processing module, etc.) and the like for implementing the logical access network node. Different logical access network nodes can share or not share the software / hardware configuration of the first node. The present application does not limit the specific implementation manner. For the terminal, the different logical access network nodes possessed by the first node can be considered as different access network nodes, such as the first node has two logical gNBs WAB-gNB1 and WAB-gNB2, which are considered as two different base stations by the terminal.

[0119] S503, the first node sends second information to the target AMF node, the second information being used to indicate the first TA information set.

[0120] After the first node establishes the communication interface with the target AMF node in S503, the first node sends second information to the target AMF node, the second information being used to indicate the first TA information set. That is, after the first node determines the first association relationship corresponding to the first location, the first node establishes the communication interface with the target AMF node, and notifies the first AMF node of the first TA information set in the first association relationship through the communication interface.

[0121] Correspondingly, the target AMF node receives the second information from the first node, and determines the first TA information set according to the second information. The target AMF node can update the TA information set maintained by the target AMF node according to the first TA information set.

[0122] According to the above scheme, the first node can obtain the AMF node adapted to the location where the first node is located and the tracking area information corresponding to the location where the first node is located from the network management node, so that the first node can establish a communication interface with the adapted AMF node after moving, and can provide the AMF node with the TA information corresponding to the location where the first node is located, which can reduce the probability of causing the AMF node to update the TA information incorrectly due to the first node reporting the TA information incorrectly. The AMF node can still update the TA information maintained by the AMF node based on the TA information reported by the first node, can support the node providing the access network service to have mobility in a small improvement range of the existing mechanism, and can improve the reliability of communication.

[0123] In an optional implementation, if the target AMF node in the first association relationship determined by the first node in S501 is an initial AMF node serving the first node, that is, the first location is also served by the initial AMF node, but the first TA information set in the first association relationship is different from the TA information set configured in the first node, the first node does not need to perform S502, and can perform S503 to send the second information to the initial AMF node to notify the initial AMF node of the updated first TA information set.

[0124] After the first node establishes the communication interface with the target AMF node, the first node can assist the terminal in a connection state served by the first node to complete AMF node change. The terminal in the connection state can be a terminal in a radio resource control (RRC) connection state or a terminal in a connection management (CM) connection state. The terminal in the CM connection state can be a terminal in the RRC connection state or a terminal in an RRC inactive state. The present application does not limit this.

[0125] Exemplarily, the first node is a WAB node, and in combination with the above-mentioned manner 1 and manner 2 in which the first node establishes a communication interface with the target AMF node, the first node assisting the terminal in the connected state served by the first node to complete AMF node change can include but is not limited to the following implementation manners:

[0126] For the above-mentioned manner 1, the first node establishes a communication connection with the target AMF node while maintaining a communication interface with the initial AMF node through the logical function configuration of the first access network node, and can specifically include but is not limited to the following manner 1.1 and manner 1.2.

[0127] Manner 1.1, the first cell is a serving cell of the first terminal set, and the first terminal set includes the terminal in the connected state served by the first node. As shown in FIG. 6, the manner 1.1 can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0128] S601, the first node sends third information in the first cell, and the third information is used to indicate at least one TA information, and the at least one TA information belongs to the first TA information set.

[0129] The first node can include the logical function configuration of the first access network node (such as WAB-gNB1 in FIG. 6) and WAB-MT.

[0130] The first node can broadcast the third information on the air interface of the first cell, and provide the terminal with updated system information through the third information. The updated system information includes at least one TA information in the first TA information set. For example, the first node can determine one or more TA information corresponding to the current location of the first cell in the first TA information set. The updated system information includes the one or more TA information corresponding to the current location of the first cell. Exemplarily, the first cell is an NTN cell, and the updated system information can include a plurality of corresponding TA information.

[0131] In the manner 1.1, the first node assists the terminal in the connected state served by the first node to change the AMF node in the serving cell. The first node notifies the terminal of the updated TA information by updating the system information in the serving cell (i.e., the first cell). The first node can send indication information to the terminals in the first terminal set, and the indication information is used to notify the terminal that the system information has been updated. Exemplarily, the indication information can be a short message. After receiving the indication information, the terminal in the first terminal set can receive the third information to obtain the updated system information, which includes the updated TA information determined according to the third information.

[0132] After the terminal in the first terminal set acquires the at least one TA information indicated by the third information, it is determined that the at least one TA information is not in the TA information set within the registration area (RA) of the terminal, and the terminal in the first terminal set triggers a mobility registration update (MRU) procedure.

[0133] In S602, the terminal performs the MRU procedure, and the AMF node is changed to a target AMF node.

[0134] The terminal in the first terminal set can perform a non-access stratum (NAS) MRU procedure, and the AMF node change can also be referred to as AMF node relocation.

[0135] Optionally, the MRU procedure triggered by the terminal can include that the first node sends fifth information to the initial AMF node, and the fifth information can include a registration request of the terminal, and the fifth information can also include location information of the terminal and / or location information of the first node.

[0136] Correspondingly, after the initial AMF node receives the fifth information, according to the location information contained in the fifth information, it can select a suitable AMF node (i.e., a target AMF node) for the terminal to provide services for the terminal, and perform a subsequent MRU procedure. The subsequent MRU procedure can include but is not limited to that the initial AMF sends the registration request of the terminal and the context information of the terminal to the target AMF node, and the target AMF node processes the subsequent terminal registration procedure. The MRU performed by the terminal can be an AMF node relocation registration procedure. However, the present application is not limited thereto.

[0137] Optionally, the terminal can receive a registration acceptance message from the target AMF node, and the registration acceptance message includes a terminal identifier allocated for the terminal, and a part of the terminal identifier is the identifier of the target AMF node, so as to realize that the terminal acquires the identifier of the updated AMF node (i.e., the target AMF node).

[0138] Exemplarily, the fifth information can be carried in an N2 message, such as an uplink NAS transport message.

[0139] Exemplarily, the position information of the terminal in the fifth information can be TA information, such as TAC or TAI, of the serving cell (i.e., the first cell) of the updated terminal, or NR cell global identity (NCGI) of the updated first cell, or geographic position coordinate information of the terminal. The position information of the first node in the fifth information can be TAC, TAI or NCGI of the serving cell of the WAB-MT of the first node, or geographic position coordinate information (e.g., position coordinate information of the first position) of the first node. It should be noted that the serving cell of the terminal in the first terminal set is a cell managed by the WAB-gNB1 of the first node, and the serving cell of the WAB-MT of the first node is a cell managed by an access network node (such as a macro base station) accessed by the WAB-MT.

[0140] Through the above process, the terminal in the first terminal set can complete the AMF node change in the serving cell, and the AMF node providing the service is changed from the initial AMF node to the target AMF node.

[0141] Mode 1.2, the serving cell of the first terminal set is the second cell, and the first cell is the target cell for which the cell switching is performed by the first terminal set. The first terminal set performs the cell switching within the base station (i.e., switching from one cell to another cell of the WAB-gNB1), and then performs the AMF node change.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 7, the mode 1.2 can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0143] S701, the first node sends third information in the first cell, and the third information is used to indicate at least one TA information belonging to the first TA information set.

[0144] The first node can establish a new cell, i.e., the first cell, and the coverage range of the first cell includes the moved position area, i.e., the WAB-gNB1 manages the first cell and the second cell, and the first node broadcasts the third information in the first cell, and provides the terminal with the system information of the first cell through the third information. The system information of the first cell includes at least one TA information in the first TA information set.

[0145] S702, the terminal in the first terminal set performs cell switching from the second cell to the first cell.

[0146] Optionally, the first node can send seventh information to the terminal in the first terminal set, and the seventh information is used to instruct the terminal to switch to the first cell.

[0147] The terminal in the first terminal set can perform a neighbor cell measurement and report the measurement result to the first node, and then the first node sends seventh information to the terminal to instruct the terminal to switch to the first cell, but the application is not limited thereto. The first node can instruct the terminal to switch to the first cell through the seventh information without obtaining the measurement result of the terminal after establishing the first cell.

[0148] S703, the terminal performs the MRU procedure, and the AMF node is changed to the target AMF node

[0149] The terminal in the first terminal set can obtain the system information of the first cell by receiving the third information of the first cell, which includes at least one TA information corresponding to the first cell in the first TA information set (for example, the terminal can obtain the system information of the first cell in the neighbor cell measurement process, determine the at least one TA information, or the terminal can read the system information of the first cell in the process of attempting to access the first cell to determine the at least one TA information, but the application is not limited thereto). After the terminal switches to the first cell, the terminal triggers the MRU procedure according to the TA information set that is not within the registration area (RA) of the terminal according to the at least one TA information. Specifically, the terminal sends a NAS message, which can be a registration request (Registration Request) message. The first node sends the registration request message from the terminal to the target AMF node in the N2 message, and the target AMF node sends a message to the initial AMF after receiving the N2 message to request to obtain the context information of the terminal, so as to realize that the AMF node serving the terminal is changed to the target AMF node.

[0150] Optionally, if the first terminal set includes a terminal in the RRC inactive state, the terminal in the RRC inactive state in the first terminal set can first enter the RRC connected state, and then receive the seventh information. The terminal in the RRC inactive state entering the RRC connected state can be triggered by the terminal sending an RRC resume request (RRCResumeRequest) to the first node, or can be triggered by the first node sending a paging message to the terminal in the RRC inactive state in the first terminal set. The application is not limited thereto.

[0151] For the above-mentioned manner 2, the first node has a logical function configuration of the first access network node (e.g., the WAB-gNB2 shown in FIG. 8) and a logical function configuration of the second access network node (e.g., the WAB-gNB1 shown in FIG. 8), the first node keeps linkage with the communication interface established by the initial AMF node through the logical function configuration of the WAB-gNB1, and establishes a communication interface with the target AMF node through the logical function configuration of the WAB-gNB2. The first node assisting the terminal in the connection state served by the first node to complete the AMF node change can include but is not limited to the following implementation manners:

[0152] Manner 2.1, the serving cell of the terminal in the first terminal set is the second cell managed by the WAB-gNB1, and the first cell is the target cell managed by the WAB-gNB2, which the terminal in the first terminal set performs handover. The terminal in the first terminal set implements the AMF node change by performing the inter-base station handover based on the N2 interface (i.e., handover from the cell of the WAB-gNB1 to the cell of the WAB-gNB2).

[0153] As shown in FIG. 8, the manner 2.1 can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0154] S801, the first node sends third information in the first cell, the third information being used for indicating at least one TA information, the at least one TA information belonging to a first TA information set.

[0155] The first node can specifically broadcast the third information in the first cell through the logical function configuration of the WAB-gNB2, and provide the terminal with system information of the first cell through the third information. The system information includes at least one TA information in the first TA information set.

[0156] S802, the terminal in the first terminal set performs the N2 based handover, and is handed over from the second cell to the first cell, so as to implement the AMF node change to the target AMF node.

[0157] If the handover process of the terminal includes AMF selection, the AMF node change to the target AMF node is implemented through the AMF selection.

[0158] Optionally, the WAB-gNB1 can send seventh information to the terminal in the first terminal set, the seventh information being used for indicating the terminal in the first terminal set to perform handover, and handover from the second cell managed by the WAB-gNB1 to the first cell managed by the WAB-gNB2.

[0159] The terminal in the first terminal set can receive third information of the first cell, and obtain system information of the first cell, wherein the system information comprises at least one TA information corresponding to the first cell in the first TA information set. For example, the terminal can obtain the system information of the first cell in a neighbor cell measurement process, determine the at least one TA information, or the terminal can read the system information of the first cell in a process of attempting to access the first cell, and determine the at least one TA information.

[0160] Optionally, if the first terminal set comprises a terminal in an RRC inactive state, the terminal in the RRC inactive state in the first terminal set can first enter an RRC connected state, and then receive the seventh information. The terminal in the RRC inactive state entering the RRC connected state can be triggered by the terminal sending an RRC resume request (RRCResumeRequest) to the first node, or can be triggered by the first node sending a paging message to the terminal in the RRC inactive state in the first terminal set. The present application does not limit this.

[0161] According to the above scheme, when the first node has mobility, after the first node establishes a communication interface with the target AMF node, the first node can assist the terminal to change the AMF node, so as to ensure the communication quality and network efficiency, and improve the reliability of communication.

[0162] After the first node establishes a communication interface with the target AMF node, and all the terminals in the connected state served by the first node have changed the AMF node, the first node and the initial AMF node can release the communication interface therebetween, so as to avoid unnecessary interface maintenance overhead. The implementation mode in which the first node and the initial AMF node release the communication interface therebetween can include but is not limited to the following modes:

[0163] Implementation mode 1: the release of the communication interface between the first node and the initial AMF node is triggered by the first node.

[0164] For the above mode 1.1 and mode 1.2, the terminal in the first terminal set changes the AMF node through the MRU process in the serving cell. After the first node determines that all the terminals in the first terminal set have completed the MRU process, the first node can trigger the release of the communication interface between the first node and the initial AMF node.

[0165] For example, for the MRU process of a terminal, the first node can confirm that the MRU process of the UE is completed after receiving a downlink NAS transport message (Downlink NAS Transport message) from the target AMF node.

[0166] The first node can determine that the terminals in the first terminal set have all completed the MRU procedure upon receiving the downlink NAS transmission message corresponding to each terminal in the first terminal set. The first node can trigger release of the communication interface between the first node and the initial AMF node. For example, the first node can send sixth information to the initial AMF node, the sixth information being used to request release of the communication interface between the first node and the initial AMF node. Accordingly, the initial AMF node releases the communication interface with the first node upon receiving the sixth information. The first node can release the communication interface with the initial AMF node after sending the sixth information, but the application is not limited thereto, and the initial AMF node can send response information of the sixth information to the first node through the communication interface before releasing the communication interface, and the first node releases the communication interface upon receiving the response information. This ensures that the communication interface is released after both parties reach a consensus.

[0167] Optionally, the first node sends the sixth information to the initial AMF node after the first timer expires. The first timer is started after the last terminal in the first terminal set completes AMF change.

[0168] The first node starts the first timer upon receiving the downlink NAS transmission message corresponding to the last terminal in the first terminal set, and sends the sixth information to the AMF node after the timer expires. The running time of the first timer can be pre-defined by a protocol or pre-configured for the first node by a node in the network through signaling. According to this scheme, a buffer time can be provided after all connected terminals change the AMF node, so that the first node is prepared to release the communication interface, avoiding unnecessary errors and improving reliability.

[0169] For the above-mentioned manner 2.1, the terminals in the first terminal set change the AMF node through a handover procedure based on the N2 interface, such as inter-base station cell handover of manner 2.1. The first node triggers release of the communication interface between the first node and the initial AMF node upon determining that the terminals in the first terminal set have all switched to the first cell.

[0170] Exemplarily, the first node can determine that the terminals in the first terminal set have all completed cell handover upon satisfying one or more of the following conditions:

[0171] The WAB-gNB1 in the first node has received RRC reconfiguration complete messages from all terminals in the first terminal set;

[0172] The WAB-gNB1 in the first node sends the UE Context Release message of all terminals in the first terminal set to the WAB-gNB2;

[0173] The WAB-gNB1 in the first node releases the context of all terminals in the first terminal set;

[0174] The WAB-gNB2 in the first node receives the UE Context Release message of all terminals in the first terminal set from the WAB-gNB1.

[0175] After the first node determines that all terminals in the first terminal set have been switched to the first cell, the first node can trigger the release of the communication interface between the first node and the initial AMF node. For example, the second access network node included in the first node can send the sixth information to the initial AMF node.

[0176] Optionally, after the second timer expires, the first node sends the sixth information to the initial AMF node. The second timer is started after the last terminal in the first terminal set completes the inter-base station handover. The running time of the second timer can be pre-defined by a protocol or pre-configured for the first node by a node in the network through signaling. According to this scheme, a buffer time can be provided after all connected state terminals complete the inter-base station handover, so that the first node is prepared to release the communication interface, the probability of unnecessary errors is avoided, and the reliability is improved.

[0177] In the second implementation, the release of the communication interface between the first node and the AMF node is triggered by the AMF node.

[0178] For the above-mentioned mode 1.1 and mode 1.2, the terminals in the first terminal set change the AMF node through the MRU procedure in the serving cell. After the initial AMF node determines that all terminals in the first terminal set have completed the MRU procedure, the initial AMF node can trigger the release of the communication interface between the first node and the initial AMF node.

[0179] For example, for the MRU procedure of a terminal, the initial AMF node can determine that the terminal has completed the MRU procedure after completing the context transfer of the terminal (for example, the initial AMF node successfully sends the context of the terminal to the target AMF node).

[0180] The initial AMF node can trigger the release of the communication interface with the first node after completing the context transfer of all terminals in the first terminal set. Alternatively, the initial AMF node determines that there is no CM connected terminal under the first node that can be served by the initial AMF node, and the initial AMF node can trigger the release of the communication interface with the first node. The initial AMF node can send eighth information to the first node, where the eighth information is used to indicate the release of the communication interface between the first node and the initial AMF node. Accordingly, the first node receives the eighth information and releases the communication interface according to the eighth information. The initial AMF node can release the communication interface with the first node after sending the eighth information. However, the application is not limited thereto, and the first node can send response information of the eighth information to the initial AMF node through the communication interface before releasing the communication interface, and the initial AMF node releases the communication interface after receiving the response information. It can be ensured that the communication interface is released after both parties reach a consensus.

[0181] Optionally, the initial AMF node sends the eighth information to the first node after the third timer expires. The third timer is started after completing the context transfer of the last terminal in the first terminal set. It can provide a buffer time for releasing the communication interface, avoid the probability of unnecessary errors, and improve reliability.

[0182] For the above-mentioned method 2.1, the initial AMF node can trigger the release of the communication interface with the first node after determining that all terminals in the first terminal set have completed the inter-base station handover.

[0183] The initial AMF node can trigger the release of the communication interface with the first node after all terminals in the first terminal set have completed the inter-base station handover. For a terminal, the initial AMF node receives notification information from the target AMF node during the initial AMF node handover process, where the notification information is used to indicate that the inter-base station handover process based on the N2 interface performed by the terminal is successful. Therefore, for all terminals in the first terminal set, the initial AMF node receives corresponding notification information from the target AMF node, and the initial AMF node determines that all terminals in the first terminal set have completed the inter-base station handover based on the N2 interface. The initial AMF node triggers the release of the communication interface with the first node, and the initial AMF node can send eighth information to the first node.

[0184] In an optional embodiment of the present application, after the initial AMF node releases the communication interface with the first node, the initial AMF node determines that the access network nodes that have established communication interfaces (or in other words, keep the communication interface connected) with the initial AMF node do not support the second TA information set, which is the TA information set supported by the first node. That is, before the initial AMF node releases the communication interface with the first node, the first node is the only one of the access network nodes that have established communication interfaces with the initial AMF node that supports the second TA information set (that is, none of the other access network nodes that have established communication interfaces with the initial AMF node supports the second TA information set), and then the initial AMF node deletes the second TA information set from the third TA information set, which is the TA information set maintained by the second AMF node.

[0185] In this embodiment, after the initial AMF node releases the communication interface with the first node, if the second TA information set is included in the TA information set maintained by the initial AMF node, the second TA information set is the TA information that is only supported by the first node and not supported by the other access network nodes that keep the communication interface with the initial AMF node, the initial AMF node can update the TA information set maintained by the initial AMF node (that is, the third TA information set) to delete the second TA information set from the third TA information set. In this way, reliable network communication services can be provided.

[0186] For example, the TA information set in the present application can be a TA information list, such as a TAC list or a TAI list.

[0187] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the access network nodes (such as CUs and DUs) and the terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules for performing respective functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0188] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the terminal, the first node, the first AMF node or the second AMF node in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above-mentioned method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be one of the terminals 120a-120j as shown in FIG. 1, or can be the network device 110a or 110b as shown in FIG. 1, or a core network device in the core network 200. It can also be a module (such as a chip or a chip system) applied to a communication device (such as a terminal, a relay device, an access network device or a core network device).

[0189] The communication apparatus 900 comprises a transceiver unit 920 which can be used to receive or send information, and further comprises a processing unit 910 which can be used to process instructions or data to implement corresponding operations.

[0190] It should be understood that when the communication apparatus 900 is a chip configured in (or used for) a communication device, the transceiver unit 920 in the communication apparatus 900 can be an input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 910 in the communication apparatus 900 can be a processor in the chip.

[0191] Optionally, the communication apparatus 900 can further comprise a storage unit which can be used to store instructions or data, and the processing unit 910 can execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to make the communication apparatus implement corresponding operations.

[0192] The communication apparatus 900 can be used to implement the functions of the first node, the first AMF node or the second AMF node in the above-mentioned method embodiments shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8.

[0193] When the communication apparatus 900 is used to implement the functions of the first node in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transceiver unit 920 is configured to receive first information from a network management node, the first information being used to configure a first association relationship, the first association relationship indicating that a first access and mobility management function, AMF, node is associated with a first tracking area, TA, information set. The processing unit 910 is configured to control the transceiver unit to receive / send information to implement establishing a communication interface with the first AMF node. The transceiver unit 920 is further configured to send second information to the first AMF node, the second information being used to indicate the first TA information set.

[0194] When the communication apparatus 900 is configured to implement the function of the second AMF node in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transceiver unit 920 is configured to receive the fifth information from the first node, the fifth information comprising the registration request of the terminal, and the fifth information further comprising the location information of the terminal and / or the location information of the first node. The processing unit 910 is configured to determine the first AMF node according to the fifth information, the first AMF node being the target AMF node for performing the AMF node change for the terminal.

[0195] When the communication apparatus 900 is configured to implement the function of the first AMF node in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the processing unit 910 is configured to control the transceiver unit to receive / send information to implement the establishment of the communication interface with the first node. The transceiver unit 920 is configured to receive the second information from the first node, the second information being used to indicate the first TA information set.

[0196] For more detailed description of the processing unit 910 and the transceiver unit 920, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0197] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 920 in the communication apparatus 900 can be implemented through a communication interface (such as a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an input / output interface, or a pin, etc.), and when the communication interface is a transceiver, the transceiver can be composed of a receiver and / or a transmitter. The processing unit 910 in the communication apparatus 900 can be implemented through at least one processor, and the processing unit 910 in the communication apparatus 900 can also be implemented through at least one logic circuit. Optionally, the communication apparatus 900 further comprises a storage unit, which can be implemented by a memory.

[0198] As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 1000 comprises a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. The processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled with each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1000 can further comprise a memory 1030, which is used to store the instructions executed by the processor 1010 or store the input data required by the processor 1010 to run the instructions or store the data generated after the processor 1010 runs the instructions.

[0199] In an implementation manner, the memory 1030 can also be integrated in the processor 1010 or independent of the processor 1010.

[0200] When the communication apparatus 1000 is configured to implement the method shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, the processor 1010 is configured to implement the function of the above-mentioned processing unit 910, and the interface circuit 1020 is configured to implement the function of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 920.

[0201] When the communication device is a chip applied to a terminal, the terminal chip can realize the functions of the terminal in the method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal, and the information is sent by the network device to the terminal; or the terminal chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal, and the information is sent by the terminal to the network device.

[0202] When the communication device is a module applied to a network device, the network device module can realize the functions of the DU or the CU in the method embodiments. The network device module receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the information is sent by the terminal to the network device; or the network device module sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and the information is sent by the network device to the terminal. The network device module herein can be a baseband chip of the network device, or a CU or a DU.

[0203] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0204] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware, or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in an access network device or a terminal. The processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the access network device or the terminal.

[0205] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which comprises computer program codes, and when the computer program codes are executed by one or more processors, the computer program codes enable an apparatus comprising the processors to perform the method in the embodiments shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8.

[0206] In the embodiments described above, the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof, entirely or partially. When implemented by software, the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product, entirely or partially. The computer program product comprises one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed, entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment or other programmable apparatus.

[0207] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores the computer programs or instructions described above, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed by one or more processors, the computer programs or instructions enable an apparatus comprising the processors to perform the method in the embodiments shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8.

[0208] The computer programs or instructions described above can 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 programs or instructions can be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center through a wired or wireless manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center and the like integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, for example, a digital video disc; and a semiconductor medium, for example, a solid state disk. The computer readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0209] According to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which comprises one or more DUs described above. The system can further comprise one or more CUs described above. The system can further comprise one or more terminals described above.

[0210] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely schematic, and the division of units is merely a logical function division, and there can be another division manner in actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections between different units, or the among different units, can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0211] The units described as separated components can or can not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purposes of the present application.

[0212] In the various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions in different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced if there is no special description and logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a first node or a chip of the first node, and includes: receiving first information from a network management node, the first information being used for configuring a first association relationship, the first association relationship indicating that a first access and mobility management function, AMF, node is associated with a first tracking area, TA, information set; establishing a communication interface with the first AMF node; sending second information to the first AMF node, the second information being used for indicating the first TA information set.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The receiving first information includes: sending second information to a network management node, the second information being used for indicating a first location where the first node is located; receiving the first information from the network management node.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is used for configuring a plurality of association relationships, the plurality of association relationships corresponding to a plurality of location information, the first location where the first node is located belongs to a location area indicated by first location information, and the first association relationship is an association relationship corresponding to the first location information among the plurality of association relationships.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first information further includes one or more of the following information associated with the first location where the first node is located: an identifier of an AMF set, a radio access network notification area code, RANAC, or a cell identifier.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending third information in a first cell, the third information being used for indicating at least one TA information, the at least one TA information belonging to the first TA information set, and the third information being system information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The first cell is a serving cell of a first terminal set, and the first terminal set includes terminals in a connected state served by the first node.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further includes: sending fifth information to a second AMF node, the fifth information including a registration request of a terminal and at least one of the following: location information of the terminal; location information of the first node.

8. The method of any one of claims 6-7, wherein, The method further includes: determining that a terminal in a first terminal set completes AMF node change, the first terminal set including terminals in a connected state served by the first node; sending sixth information to the second AMF node, the sixth information being used for requesting to release a communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The sending sixth information to the second AMF node includes: after a first timer expires, sending the sixth information to the second AMF node, the first timer being started after the terminal in the first terminal set completes the AMF node change.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein, The method further includes: sending seventh information to a terminal, the seventh information being used for indicating to switch to the first cell.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The serving cell of the terminal is a second cell, the first node has a logical function configuration of a first access network node, and the first cell and the second cell are cells managed by the first access network node; or the first node has a logical function configuration of a first access network node and a logical function configuration of a second access network node, the first cell is a cell managed by the first access network node, and the second cell is a cell managed by the second access network node.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: determining that all terminals in a first terminal set are switched to the first cell, the first terminal set including terminals in a connected state served by the first node; sending sixth information to the second AMF node, the sixth information being used to request to release a communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The sending of the sixth information to the second AMF node includes: after a second timer expires, sending the sixth information to the second AMF node, the second timer being started after all terminals in the first terminal set are switched to the first cell.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving eighth information from the second AMF node, the eighth information being used to indicate to release the communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

15. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a second access and mobility management function (AMF) node, and includes: receiving fifth information from a first node, the fifth information including a registration request of a terminal, the fifth information further including location information of the terminal and / or location information of the first node; determining a first AMF node according to the fifth information, the first AMF node being a target AMF node for performing AMF node change for the terminal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further includes: receiving sixth information from the first node, the sixth information being used to request to release a communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein determining that all terminals in a first terminal set complete AMF node change or complete handover, the first terminal set including terminals in a connected state served by the first node; sending eighth information to the first node, the eighth information being used to indicate to release a communication interface between the first node and the second AMF node.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The sending of the eighth information to the first node includes: after a timer expires, sending the eighth information to the first node, the timer being started after all terminals in the first terminal set complete AMF node change.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: determining that an access network node that establishes the communication interface with the second AMF node does not support a second TA information set, the second TA information set being a TA information set supported by the first node; deleting the second TA information set in a third TA information set, the third TA information set being a set of TA information maintained by the second AMF node.

20. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a first access and mobility management function (AMF) node, and includes: establishing a communication interface with a first node; receiving second information from the first node, the second information being used to indicate a first TA information set.

21. A communications device, characterized by a module for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 14; or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 15 to 19; or a module for performing the method of claim 20.

22. A communications device, characterized by a processor coupled with a memory for storing a computer program, the processor configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-14; or to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 15-19; or to cause the communication device to perform the method of claim 20.

23. A computer readable storage medium comprising a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-20.

24. A computer program product, characterised in that, instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-20.

25. A communication system, characterized by at least two of the first node, a first access and mobility management function, AMF, node, and a second AMF node, the first node configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-14, the first AMF node configured to perform the method of claim 20, and the second AMF node configured to indicate the method of any one of claims 15-19.

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