User equipment, base station, core network node and method performed by the same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a 5G communication system or a 6G communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4G communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method performed by a base station in a first network in a wireless communication system, comprises: receiving a first message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the first message includes first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; transmitting a second message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the second message includes second information related to session configuration in the second network; and transmitting a third message to the UE, wherein the third message includes third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

Description

USER EQUIPMENT, BASE STATION, CORE NETWORK NODE AND METHOD PERFORMED BY THE SAME

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication, and more particularly, to user equipment, a base station, a core network node and a method performed by the same.

[0002] Considering the development of wireless communication from generation to generation, the technologies have been developed mainly for services targeting humans, such as voice calls, multimedia services, and data services. Following the commercialization of 5G (5th-generation) communication systems, it is expected that the number of connected devices will exponentially grow. Increasingly, these will be connected to communication networks. Examples of connected things may include vehicles, robots, drones, home appliances, displays, smart sensors connected to various infrastructures, construction machines, and factory equipment. Mobile devices are expected to evolve in various form-factors, such as augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets, and hologram devices. In order to provide various services by connecting hundreds of billions of devices and things in the 6G (6th-generation) era, there have been ongoing efforts to develop improved 6G communication systems. For these reasons, 6G communication systems are referred to as beyond-5G systems.

[0003] 6G communication systems, which are expected to be commercialized around 2030, will have a peak data rate of tera (1,000 giga)-level bps and a radio latency less than 100μsec, and thus will be 50 times as fast as 5G communication systems and have the 1 / 10 radio latency thereof.

[0004] In order to accomplish such a high data rate and an ultra-low latency, it has been considered to implement 6G communication systems in a terahertz band (for example, 95GHz to 3THz bands). It is expected that, due to severer path loss and atmospheric absorption in the terahertz bands than those in mmWave bands introduced in 5G, technologies capable of securing the signal transmission distance (that is, coverage) will become more crucial. It is necessary to develop, as major technologies for securing the coverage, radio frequency (RF) elements, antennas, novel waveforms having a better coverage than orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), beamforming and massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, and multiantenna transmission technologies such as large-scale antennas. In addition, there has been ongoing discussion on new technologies for improving the coverage of terahertz-band signals, such as metamaterial-based lenses and antennas, orbital angular momentum (OAM), and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS).

[0005] Moreover, in order to improve the spectral efficiency and the overall network performances, the following technologies have been developed for 6G communication systems: a full-duplex technology for enabling an uplink transmission and a downlink transmission to simultaneously use the same frequency resource at the same time; a network technology for utilizing satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and the like in an integrated manner; an improved network structure for supporting mobile base stations and the like and enabling network operation optimization and automation and the like; a dynamic spectrum sharing technology via collison avoidance based on a prediction of spectrum usage; an use of artificial intelligence (AI) in wireless communication for improvement of overall network operation by utilizing AI from a designing phase for developing 6G and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions; and a next-generation distributed computing technology for overcoming the limit of UE computing ability through reachable super-high-performance communication and computing resources (such as mobile edge computing (MEC), clouds, and the like) over the network. In addition, through designing new protocols to be used in 6G communication systems, developing mecahnisms for implementing a hardware-based security environment and safe use of data, and developing technologies for maintaining privacy, attempts to strengthen the connectivity between devices, optimize the network, promote softwarization of network entities, and increase the openness of wireless communications are continuing.

[0006] It is expected that research and development of 6G communication systems in hyper-connectivity, including person to machine (P2M) as well as machine to machine (M2M), will allow the next hyper-connected experience. Particularly, it is expected that services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile hologram, and digital replica could be provided through 6G communication systems. In addition, services such as remote surgery for security and reliability enhancement, industrial automation, and emergency response will be provided through the 6G communication system such that the technologies could be applied in various fields such as industry, medical care, automobiles, and home appliances.

[0007] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method performed by a base station in a first network in a wireless communication system, may include receiving a first message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the first message comprises first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network, transmitting a second message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the second message comprises second information related to session configuration in the second network, and transmitting a third message to the UE, wherein the third message comprises third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0008] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, may include transmitting a first message to a base station in a first network, wherein the first message comprises first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network, and receiving a third message from the base station in the first network, wherein the third message comprises third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0009] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a base station in a first network may include at least one transceiver, at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver, and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one memory may store instructions executable by at least one processor to cause the base station to receive a first message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the first message comprises first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network, transmit a second message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the second message comprises second information related to session configuration in the second network, and transmit a third message to the UE, wherein the third message comprises third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0010] In an embodiment of the disclosure, a base station in a first network may include at least one transceiver, at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver, and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor. The at least one memory may store instructions executable by at least one processor to cause the UE to transmit a first message to a base station in a first network, wherein the first message comprises first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network, and receive a third message from the base station in the first network, wherein the third message comprises third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an exemplary system architecture of System Architecture Evolution (SAE) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an architectural schematic diagram of 5G according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an architectural schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a UE initiated registration procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process of initiating a service request at a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a handover procedure of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a process for establishing a voice service between a UE and a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a process for establishing a voice service between a UE and a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a process for establishing a voice service between a UE and a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a process for establishing connections with two different radio access networks for a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a User equipment (UE) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a network entity 1400 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a method performed by a base station in a first network in an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a method performed by a UE in a first network in an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] In describing the embodiments, descriptions related to technical contents well-known in the art and not associated directly with the disclosure will be omitted. Such an omission of unnecessary descriptions is intended to prevent obscuring of the main idea of the disclosure and more clearly transfer the main idea.

[0029] For the same reason, in the accompanying drawings, some elements may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated. Further, the size of each element does not completely reflect the actual size. In the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are provided with identical reference numerals or different reference numerals.

[0030] The advantages and features of the disclosure and ways to achieve them will be apparent by making reference to embodiments as described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments set forth below, but may be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided only to completely disclose the disclosure and inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the disclosure, and the disclosure is defined only by the scope of the appended claims. Throughout the specification, the same or like reference numerals designate the same or like elements. Furthermore, in describing the disclosure, a detailed description of known functions or constitution incorporated herein will be omitted in the case that it is determined that the description may make the subject matter of the disclosure unnecessarily unclear. The terms which will be described below are terms defined in consideration of the functions in the disclosure, and may be different according to users, intentions of the operators, or customs. Therefore, the definitions of the terms should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

[0031] Herein, it will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations, may be performed based on computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded collectively onto at least one processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which perform through any one of, or in any combination of, the at least one processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for performing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer usable or computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that perform the function specified in the flowchart block(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a computer executed process such that the instructions that perform on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus provide steps for executing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s).

[0032] Further, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions for executing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order. For example, two blocks(or functions) shown in succession may in fact be performed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be performed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

[0033] As used in embodiments of the disclosure, a "~unit" may refer to a software element or a hardware element, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which performs a predetermined function. However, the term including the word "~unit" does not always have a meaning limited to software or hardware. The "~unit" may be constructed either to be stored in an addressable storage medium or to execute one or more processors. Therefore, the "~unit" includes, for example, software elements, object-oriented software elements, components such as class elements and task elements, processes, functions, properties, procedures, sub-routines, segments of a program code, drivers, firmware, micro-codes, circuits, data, database, data structures, tables, arrays, and parameters. The components and functions provided by the "~unit" may be either combined into a smaller number of components and a "~unit," or divided into additional components and a "~unit." Moreover, the components and "~units" may be implemented to reproduce one or more central processing units (CPUs) within a device or a security multimedia card. Further, in the embodiments, the "~unit" may include one or more processors.

[0034] It should be appreciated that the blocks in each flowchart and combinations of the flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs which include instructions. The entirety of the one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device or the one or more computer programs may be divided with different portions stored in different multiple memory devices.

[0035] Any of the functions or operations described herein can be processed by one processor or a combination of processors. The one processor or the combination of processors is circuitry performing processing and includes circuitry like an application processor (AP, e.g. a CPU), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a Wi-Fi chip, a Bluetooth® chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, connectivity chips, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a finger-print sensor controller, a display driver integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on chip (SoC), an IC, or the like.

[0036] It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure according to the claims and description in the specification can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0037] Any such software may be stored in non-transitory computer readable storage media. The non-transitory computer readable storage media store one or more computer programs (software modules), the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device individually or collectively, cause the electronic device to perform a method of the disclosure.

[0038] Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage such as, for example, a storage device like read only memory (ROM), whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium such as, for example, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are various embodiments of non-transitory machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a computer program or computer programs comprising instructions that, when executed, implement various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a program comprising code for implementing apparatus or a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a non-transitory machine-readable storage storing such a program.

[0039] Hereinafter, the determination of priority between A and B in the present disclosure may refer to various actions such as selecting the one having a higher priority based on a predefined priority rule and performing an operation corresponding thereto, or omitting or dropping an operation corresponding to the one having a lower priority.

[0040] Hereinafter, "A or B" as described in the present disclosure may be understood as "A and / or B," which may include A, or B, or both A and B.

[0041] In addition, "at least one of A, B, and C" as described in the present disclosure may be understood to include A, or B, or C, or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0042] In addition, "at least one of A, B, or C" as described in the present disclosure may be understood to include A, or B, or C, or any combination of A, B, and C.

[0043] Furthermore, "A / B" as described in the present disclosure may be understood as "A and / or B," which may include A, or B, or both A and B.

[0044] Furthermore, "A, B" as described in the present disclosure may be understood as "A and / or B," which may include A, or B, or both A and B.

[0045] Furthermore, "A and B" as described in the present disclosure may be understood as "A and / or B," which may include A, or B, or both A and B.

[0046] Furthermore, "if condition A and condition B are satisfied," as described in the present disclosure, may not be limited to a case where both condition A and condition B are satisfied, but may be understood to include a case where either condition A or condition B is individually satisfied, both condition A and condition B are satisfied, or one or more additional conditions are satisfied in combination.

[0047] Furthermore, throughout this disclosure, ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., (and similar qualifiers) are used merely to distinguish between different instances, occurrences, configurations, messages, stages, or aspects of elements, operations, or information as described herein. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the use of such ordinal terms does not itself require that the elements, operations, or information distinguished by these terms be structurally different, numerically distinct, or substantively dissimilar. For example, a "first signal" and a "second signal" may refer to instances of the same signal transmitted at different times or containing the same core information despite minor variations, or they may refer to signals with different content or characteristics, depending on the specific context. Similarly, a "first value" and a "second value" may represent the same magnitude but measured or applied in different circumstances, or they may represent different magnitudes. The interpretation should be guided by the specific technical context, function, and relationship described in the relevant portion of the specification and claims.

[0048] Furthermore, the terms "first ~", "second ~", etc., as described in the present disclosure with respect to various elements (e.g., information, objects, operation, sequences, or the like), should not limit those elements. These terms may only be intended to distinguish one element from another, and may not be intended to indicate a specific order. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element.

[0049] Furthermore, even if "first ~" and "second ~" are described in the present disclosure, it may be understood that element(s) referred to by "first ~" and "second ~" may be the same or different. For example, in case of element(s) being information, first information and second information may both be same information and, in some cases, are separate and different information.

[0050] In addition, the terms "if ~" and "in case that ~" as used in the disclosure or claims may be interpreted to include the meanings of "when (or upon) ~," "in response to ~," "based on ~," or "according to ~," and may be used interchangeably with these expressions. In addition, expressions other than those exemplified herein may also be used, as long as they have substantially the same meaning and do not impair the technical features of the present disclosure.

[0051] For example, the physical layer signaling may be referred to as Layer 1 (L1) signaling and may include downlink control information (DCI). In addition, the higher layer signaling may include a medium access control (MAC) control message, a radio resource control (RRC) signaling message, a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling message, or an application layer message. The RRC signaling message may be referred to as L3 (layer 3) signaling. It should be noted, however, that the higher layer signaling is not limited to the aforementioned examples.

[0052] In addition, the term "not perform" as used in the present disclosure or claims may, in context, be understood to mean that the corresponding step is omitted or skipped. Such a term may be replaced with other terms having the same or substantially equivalent meaning.

[0053] In addition, "transmitting a message including A and B" as described in the present disclosure, may be understood as encompassing both (i) transmitting A and B in a single message, and (ii) transmitting A and B separately via multiple messages (e.g., transmitting a first message including A and a second message including B). This interpretation may also apply to messages that include two or more items (e.g., A, B, C), transmitted either together or separately.

[0054] In addition, "transmitting a message including A and transmitting a message including B" may also be interpreted as transmitting a message including A and B in a single message.

[0055] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described below, terms or components included in the disclosure may be expressed in singular or plural form depending on the specific embodiments presented. However, such singular or plural expressions are selected appropriately for convenience of description, and the present disclosure is not limited to a singular or plural number of components. A component expressed in the plural form may be implemented as a single component, and a component expressed in the singular form may be implemented as multiple components.

[0056] The drawings or flowcharts described below illustrate exemplary methods that may be implemented according to the principles of the present disclosure, and various modifications may be made to the methods illustrated in the flowcharts of the present disclosure. For example, although illustrated as a series of steps, various steps in each drawing or flowchart may overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or be repeated. In other examples, any step may be omitted or replaced with another step.

[0057] The methods and apparatuses proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to each embodiment individually, but may also be applied in combination of all or some of the embodiments proposed in the disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified and applied without significantly departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0058] In this case, even if certain wordings are described differently across embodiments, they may be used interchangeably or in substitution or in combination if their underlying concepts are equivalent. For example, for the same or equivalent concept, even if one embodiment uses the expression "A" and another embodiment uses the expression "B", such expressions may be understood interchangeably, in substitution, or in combination.

[0059] The terms used in the following description to refer to access nodes, network entities, messages, interfaces between network entities, various types of identification information, and the like, are provided merely for the convenience of explanation by way of example. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the terms described below, and other terms having equivalent technical meanings may also be used. Such terms may also be interchangeable with terms defined in any 3rd generation partnership project　(3GPP) technical specifications (TS) where appropriate.

[0060] Hereinafter, a base station is an entity that allocates resources to terminals, and may be at least one of a gNode B, an eNode B, a Node B, a base station (BS), a wireless access unit, a BS controller, or a node on a network.

[0061] Furthermore, the base station of the present disclosure may include a split architecture comprising a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In this structure, the CU is configured to process the higher layers of the control and user planes, while the DU is configured to process lower-layer radio resource functions. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be equally applicable to 5G base station architectures in which such CU and DU functional splits are implemented.

[0062] A terminal may include a UE, a mobile station (MS), a cellular phone, a smartphone, a computer, or a multimedia system capable of performing communication functions.

[0063] In the disclosure, a downlink (DL) refers to a radio link through which a BS transmits a signal to a UE, and an uplink (UL) refers to a radio link through which a UE transmits a signal to a BS.

[0064] Furthermore, hereinafter, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technologies (e.g., 5G new radio (NR)), 6th generation (6G) mobile communication technologies may be described by way of example, but the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied to other communication systems having similar technical backgrounds or channel types. For example, newly evolved mobile communication systems developed after 5G and 6G may be included. Furthermore, based on determinations by those skilled in the art, the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applied to other communication systems (e.g., Wi-Fi systems) through some modifications without significantly departing from the scope of the present disclosure

[0065] In the following description, the terms physical channel and signal may be used interchangeably with data or control signal. For example, the term physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) refers to a physical channel through which data is transmitted, but the term PDSCH may also be used to refer to the data itself. That is, in the present disclosure, the expression "transmit a physical channel" may be interpreted as being equivalent to the expression "transmit data or a signal via a physical channel."

[0066] Hereinafter, in the context of the present disclosure, higher layer signaling may refer to signaling corresponding to at least one or any combination of the following: master information block (MIB), system information block (SIB) or SIB M (M = 1, 2, ...), radio resource control (RRC), or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling message, or an application layer message. The RRC signaling message may be referred to as L3 (layer 3) signaling.

[0067] In addition, L1 signaling may refer to signaling corresponding to at least one or any combination of signaling techniques using the at least one or any combination of the following physical layer channels or signaling: physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), downlink control information (DCI), user equipment (UE)-specific DCI, group-common DCI, common DCI, scheduling DCI (e.g., DCI used for scheduling downlink or uplink data), non-scheduling DCI (e.g., DCI not used for scheduling downlink or uplink data) physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), or uplink control information (UCI). The L1 signaling message may be referred to as a physical layer signaling.

[0068] Hereinafter, the expression that information is configured by the BS, as used in the present disclosure or claims, may, in context, be understood to mean that the terminal receives the corresponding information from the BS via a physical layer signaling or a higher layer signaling. Such an expression may be replaced with other terms having the same or substantially equivalent meaning.

[0069] Hereinafter, the operational principle of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] In order to make the objectives, technical schemes and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a clearly and complete description will be made with respect to the technical schemes of the embodiments of the present disclosure, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary skilled in the art without creative labor belong to the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0071] Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term "couple" and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms "transmit," "receive," and "communicate," as well as derivatives thereof, encompass both direct and indirect communication. The terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning and / or. The phrase "associated with," as well as derivatives thereof, means to include, be included within, interconnect to or with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software and / or firmware. The function associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. The phrase "at least one of," when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, "at least one of: A, B, and C" includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C. For example, "at least one of A, B, or C " includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

[0072] In addition, various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed by computer-readable program code and embodied in a computer-readable medium. The terms "application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, instruction sets, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data or parts thereof appropriate for implementation in suitable computer-readable program code. The phrase "computer readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, objective code and executable code. The phrase "computer readable medium" includes any type of medium that can be accessed by a computer, such as Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), hard disk drive, compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD) or any other type of memory. A "non-transitory" computer-readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical or other communication links that transfer transitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes a medium in which data can be stored permanently and a medium in which data can be stored and rewritten later, such as rewritable optical disks or erasable memory devices.

[0073] The terms used herein to describe the embodiments of the present application is not intended to limit and / or define the scope of the present application. For example, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the present disclosure should have ordinary meanings as understood by ordinary skilled in the art to which the present application belongs.

[0074] It should be understood that "first", "second" and similar words used in the present disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Unless clearly indicated otherwise in the context, similar words such as "a", "an", "the" and the like in the singular form do not indicate a quantitative limitation, but indicate the existence of at least one.

[0075] As used herein, any reference to "one example" or "an example", "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in one example" in different places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0076] As used herein, "a part of" a certain thing means "at least some of" this thing, so it may mean being less than the entirety thereof or being the entirety thereof. Therefore, "a part of" the thing includes the whole thing as a special case, that is, an example in which the whole thing is a part of the thing.

[0077] It will be further understood that words such as "include", "contain" or the like means that the elements or objects appearing preceding the word encompass the elements or objects listed behind the word as well as their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Words such as "connect", "interconnect" or the like are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connection, whether direct or indirect. "Up", "Down", "Left" and "Right" are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, accordingly, the relative positional relationship may change as well.

[0078] The various embodiments discussed below for describing the principle of the present disclosure in this patent document are for illustration only, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principle of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication system. For example, although the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure will focus on LTE and 5G communication systems, those skilled in the art can understand that the main points of the present disclosure can also be applied to other communication systems with similar technical backgrounds and channel formats, with slight modifications and basically without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The schemes of the embodiments of the present application may be applied to various communication systems. For example, the communication systems may include a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) system or New Radio (NR), etc. In addition, the schemes of the embodiments of the present application may be applied to future-oriented communication technologies. In addition, the schemes of the embodiments of the present application may be applied to future-oriented communication technologies.

[0079] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. The description includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but should be regarded as exemplary only. Accordingly, the ordinary skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications to the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and structures may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0080] The terms and wordings used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only, but not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0081] It should be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents, unless clearly indicated otherwise in the context. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0082] The term "include" or "may include" refers to the existence of a corresponding disclosed function, operation or component which can be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not limit the existence of one or more additional functions, operations, or components. The terms "include" and / or "have" may be construed to represent certain characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the possibility of existence of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0083] The term "or" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure includes any of the listed terms or all combinations thereof. For example, "A or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0084] Unless defined differently, all terms used in the present disclosure, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those understood by the skilled in the art as described in the present disclosure. Common terms as defined in a dictionary are to be interpreted to have meanings consistent with the context in the relevant technical field o, and are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively, unless clearly defined as such in the present disclosure.

[0085] In order to meet an increasing demand for radio data communication services since a deployment of 4G communication system, efforts have been made to develop an improved 5G or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5G or pre-5G communication system is also called "beyond 4G network" or "post LTE system".

[0086] Wireless communication is one of the most successful innovations in modern history. Recently, a number of subscribers of wireless communication services has exceeded 5 billion, and it continues growing rapidly. With the increasing popularity of smart phones and other mobile data devices (such as tablet computers, notebook computers, netbooks, e-book readers and machine-type devices) in consumers and enterprises, a demand for radio data services is growing rapidly. In order to meet rapid growth of mobile data services and support new applications and deployments, it is very important to improve efficiency and coverage of wireless interfaces.

[0087] Figs. 1 to 5 discussed below and various embodiments for describing the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are only for illustration and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any way. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

[0088] FIG. 1 is an exemplary system architecture 100 of system architecture evolution (SAE) according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0089] User equipment (UE) 101 is a terminal device for receiving data. An evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) 102 is a radio access network, which includes a macro base station (eNodeB / NodeB) that provides UE with interfaces to access the radio network. A mobility management entity (MME) 103 is responsible for managing mobility context, session context and security information of the UE. A serving gateway (SGW) 104 mainly provides functions of user plane, and the MME 103 and the SGW 104 may be in the same physical entity. A packet data network gateway (PGW) 105 is responsible for functions of charging, lawful interception, etc., and may be in the same physical entity as the SGW 104. A policy and charging rules function entity (PCRF) 106 provides quality of service (QoS) policies and charging criteria. A general packet radio service support node (SGSN) 108 is a network node device that provides routing for data transmission in a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS). A home subscriber server (HSS)109 is a home subsystem of the UE, and is responsible for protecting user information including a current location of the user equipment, an address of a serving node, user security information, and packet data context of the user equipment, etc.

[0090] FIG. 2 is an exemplary system architecture 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Other embodiments of the system architecture 200 can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0091] User equipment (UE) 201 is a terminal device for receiving data. A next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) 202 is a radio access network, which includes a base station (for example, the base station can be called iNB, or it can be called by other names, taking iNB as an example herein, and the same below) that provides UE with interfaces to access the radio network. The access control and mobility management function entity (called eAMF, for example, or other names, taking AMF as an example herein, the same below) 203 is responsible for managing mobility context and security information of the UE. A user plane function entity (called eUPF, for example, or other names, taking UPF as an example herein, the same below) 204 mainly provides functions of user plane. A session management function entity (called eSMF, for example, or other names, taking SMF as an example herein, the same below) 205 is responsible for session management. A data network (for example, DN, which can also be called by other names, taking DN as an example herein, the same below) 206 includes, for example, services of operators, access of Internet and service of third parties.

[0092] In the wireless communication system, in order to support network function virtualization, more efficient resource management and scheduling, the base station (iNB) that provides the terminal (UE) with interfaces to access the radio network can be further divided into a central unit iNB-CU (iNB central unit) and a distributed unit iNB-DU / (iNB distributed unit) (referred to as CU and DU in the present disclosure). The iNB-CU has Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) protocol layers, etc. The iNB-DU has radio link control protocol (RLC), medium access control (MAC) and physical layer, etc. A standardized public interface is between iNB-CU and iNB-DU, which is similar to the F1 interface, hereafter referred to as eF1. The eF1 interface is divided into a control plane eF1-C and a user plane eF1-U. The transport network layer of eF1-C is based on IP transport. For a more reliable transmission of signaling, the SCTP protocol has been added on top of IP. SCTP may provide reliable application layer message transport. The transport layer of eF1-U is UDP / IP, and GTP-U is used on top of UDP / IP to carry user plane protocol data units (PDUs). Further, for iNB-CU, iNB-CU may include iNB-CU-CP (a control plane part of a central unit of a base station) and iNB-CU-UP (a user plane part of a central unit of a base station), iNB-CU-CP includes the control plane function of the base station and has RRC and PDCP protocol layers, and iNB-CU-UP includes the user plane function of the base station and has SDAP and PDCP protocol layers. A standardized public interface is between iNB-CU-CP and iNB-CU-UP, similar to the E1 interface.

[0093] As communication technology continues to be developed / improved, such as communication network architecture, etc., improved communication methods are urgently needed to accommodate the improved communication architecture.

[0094] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a method performed by a base station in a first network in a communication system, the method comprising: receiving a first message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the first message includes first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; transmitting a second message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the second message includes second information related to session configuration in the second network; transmitting a third message to the UE, wherein the third message includes third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0095] Various embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, the method comprising: transmitting a first message to a base station in a first network, wherein the first message includes first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; receiving a third message from the base station in the first network, wherein the third message includes third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0096] Various embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a method performed by a core network node in a first network in a communication system, the method comprising: receiving a second message from a base station in the first network, wherein the second message includes second information related to a session configuration in a second network; transmitting a fourth message to the core network node in the second network, wherein the fourth message includes the second information related to the session configuration in the second network.

[0097] The above embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for establishing dual connectivity, in which the UE establishes dual connectivity with the first network and the second network through the core network node, thereby there is no need to establish an interface between the first network and the second network, and the throughput of the UE can be improved.

[0098] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a base station in a communication system, the method comprising: receiving a fifth message from user equipment (UE), wherein the fifth message includes seventh information and a non-access stratum container corresponding to the seventh information, and the seventh information is used to determine a core network corresponding to the non-access stratum container; transmitting a corresponding non-access stratum container to the corresponding core network node, based on the seventh information.

[0099] Various embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, the method comprising: transmitting a fifth message to a base station, wherein the fifth message includes seventh information and a non-access stratum container corresponding to the seventh information, and the seventh information is used to determine a core network corresponding to the non-access stratum container; receiving an eighth message from the base station, wherein the eighth message includes tenth information associated with a core network node and a non-access stratum container corresponding to the tenth information.

[0100] The above embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for transmitting a non-access stratum container, which can adapt to the architecture in which a base station is connected to multiple core network nodes at the same time. By directly transmitting the non-access stratum container to the corresponding core network node by the base station, the signaling transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0101] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, via a base station in a first network, a sixth message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the sixth message includes eighth information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; receiving, via the base station in the first network, a seventh message from the core network node in the first network, wherein the seventh message includes ninth information associated with establishment of a first service on the second network; initiating a procedure of the establishment of the first service on the second network.

[0102] Various embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a performed by a core network node in a first network in a communication system, the method comprising: receiving, via a base station in the first network, a sixth message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the sixth message includes eighth information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; transmitting, via the base station in the first network, a seventh message to the UE, wherein the seventh message includes ninth information associated with establishment of a first service on the second network.

[0103] The above embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for establishing a first service (for example, a voice service), which can realize the support for the first service (for example, a voice service) under the condition that the first network (for example, 6G network) does not yet support the first service.

[0104] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0105] The text and drawings are provided as examples only to help understand the present disclosure. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Although certain embodiments and examples have been provided, based on the disclosure herein, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that changes can be made to the illustrated embodiments and examples without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0106] The NR and LTE in the following description are merely examples of different radio access technologies (RATs), and can also be other RATs. The NG-RAN, gNB, AMF, SMF are merely examples of different nodes, and can also be other nodes. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0107] FIG. 3 is an architecture schematic diagram according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] One architecture is that the base station or the control plane entity of the base station is connected to the core network through a service interface. The base station and other entities of the core network are all in the same secure network. The base station can directly communicate with other entities in the core network and transmit control messages or state information directly to other entities in the core network. The transport layer network technology can adopt general technologies, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Or the service interface is used for the control and / or user data of some special services. These service-related control data or user plane data are transmitted between the base station and the service nodes of special services through the service process, and other service-related control data are also transmitted on the connection of GTP-C (GPRS Tunneling Protocol - Control Plane) currently used. Another architecture is that the base station, the base station control plane entity and the user plane entity are all connected to the core network through the service interface. The difference from the first architecture is that the data of the user plane is also transmitted through a unified network transport layer protocol, instead of using the transport layer mechanism of GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol - User Plane) currently used. Similarly, the service interface can only be used for the control and / or user data of some special services. These service-related control data or user plane data are transmitted between the base station and the service nodes of special services through the service process, and other service-related user plane data are also transmitted on the connection of GTP-U.

[0109] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a UE-initiated registration procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] The registration process includes the UE transmitting a registration request message to the network, receiving a registration response message from the network, and then transmitting a registration completion message to the network. Through the registration process message, the UE obtains authorization from the network. After authorization, it can receive service data or report the moving tracking area to the network. The registration process may be a process initiated when the UE initially accesses the network, or a mobile registration update process initiated when the UE moves out of the registration area, moves to a new routing area (Tracking area or similar name), or a periodic registration update process etc. Currently, the RRC (Radio Resource Control) message can carry a non-access stratum message. In this method, the previous non-access stratum message undergoes information recombination and becomes multiple non-access stratum information or containers. These information or containers are transmitted to different core network entities respectively. The RRC message can carry multiple of these non-access stratum information or containers, and indicate the core network receiving entity or service corresponding to each non-access stratum information or container to the base station. Alternatively, different access layer messages are carried through different RRC message names, and the base station receives the RRC message, and transmits the carried non-access stratum message to the corresponding core network receiving entity or service according to the different RRC message names. According to the structure shown in FIG. 3, the base station is a secure entity. In order to reduce the complexity of encryption, non-access stratum messages do not need to be encrypted and integrity protected, but only encrypted and integrity protected at the RRC layer; or when the base station receives a non-access stratum message transmitted by the core network node, the base station encrypts and integrity protects the non-access stratum message; or the encryption information is transmitted to the core network entity respectively, and different core network entities encrypt and integrity protect the non-access stratum messages respectively. Using the method of Embodiment 1, the base station directly transmits the non-access stratum message to the corresponding core network entity or service, which can improve signaling transmission efficiency and reduce the complexity of encryption and complete protection. The specific process is shown in FIG. 4.

[0111] Step 401: The UE may transmits an RRC message (which may also be called a fifth message, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit on this) to the base station.

[0112] If under a separated architecture, the above-mentioned "base station" refers to the base station control plane entity. If there is no subsequent mention of the user plane entity, the "base station" refers to the control plane entity, and the same applies below.

[0113] The UE may set up an RRC connection with the base station, and sets up a signaling radio bearer during the RRC Setup process. Through the signaling radio bearer, the UE may transmit an RRC message to the base station, wherein the RRC message may carry a non-access stratum message.

[0114] The non-access stratum message may be a registration request message, which may be carried through an RRC Setup Completion message, or carried through an RRC uplink information transmission message. The following is explained by carrying the RRC Setup Completion message as an example.

[0115] The RRC Setup Completion message may contain, for example, the identification of the operator selected by the UE. If the UE has previously performed a registration process, the RRC Setup Completion message may contain, for example, the identification of the registered operator and the identification of the access and mobility management entity. If the UE has previously established a session context, the RRC Setup Completion message may contain, for example, the identification of the session to be activated and the identification of the previously allocated session management entity. The RRC Setup Completion message may contain, for example, location information of the UE and information of slices supported or selected by the UE.

[0116] The registration request message may be a non-access stratum message. In the RRC message, it is generally embodied as a string. In this embodiment, in addition to the non-access stratum message, it can also carry a measurement report transmitted to the core network, also through the same method to transmit. There are two ways of implementation. An RRC message may carry multiple non-access stratum information or containers, and these information or containers may be transmitted to different core network entities respectively. The RRC message can carry multiple non-access stratum information or containers and indicate the core network receiving entity or service corresponding to each non-access stratum information or container to the base station. The second implementation method is to carry different access layer messages through different RRC message names, and the base station may receive the RRC message, and transmit the carried non-access stratum message to the corresponding core network receiving entity or service, according to the different RRC message names.

[0117] The following is a detailed description of the first method.

[0118] The RRC message may contain first indication information (also called seventh information, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit on this), and a string or container corresponding to the first indication information, and the string or container may contain non-access stratum message information, a previous non-access stratum message can be contained through several strings or containers, and the string or container can also contain UE measurement data or reports, For example, an MDT (Measurement Data Transmission) measurement, a location measurement, and a measurement data of Sensing and Communication. A string may be a type of container.

[0119] The first indication information may indicate the identification of the core network function entity. For example, the first indication information may indicate the identification of the access and mobility management entity (hereinafter represented by AMF, which may be other names), or the first indication information may indicate the identification of the session management entity (hereinafter represented by SMF, which may be other names), or the identification of the tracking control entity (hereinafter represented by TCE, which can be other names), or the identification of the location management entity (hereinafter represented by LMF, which can be other names), or the identification of the Sensing and Communication control entity (hereinafter represented by SF, which can be other names), etc., or the name of the selected data network (hereinafter referred to as DNN, other names are possible). The identification of a function entity may be the unique identification corresponding to the entity. Through this identification, a specific entity can be found;

[0120] The first indication information may indicate an identification of a service, such as a service identification of a UE context management service, or a service identification of a session management service. The service identification uniquely may identify a certain service, and the node or physical location where the service is located can be found through the service identification.

[0121] The first indication information may indicate the identification of the string or container or the identification of its content. For example, the first indication information may be set to the content contained in the non-access stratum container (UE context information, session information, an MDT measurement result, a location measurement result, a measurement result of Sensing and Communication, a measurement result of Artificial Intelligence, etc.). Through the identification of the string or container, or the identification of the content, the base station can transmit the string or container to the corresponding service or the corresponding node. For example, the content contained in the non-access stratum container may be the measurement result of Sensing and Communication, and the first indication information can be set to an identification corresponding to the measurement result of Sensing and Communication. Based on the identification, the base station can identify the corresponding core network node as the function node of Sensing and Communication, thereby transmitting the non-access stratum container containing the measurement result of Sensing and Communication to the function node of Sensing and Communication. For another example, the content contained in the non-access stratum container may be the MDT measurement result, and the first indication information can be set to an identification corresponding to the MDT measurement result. Based on the identification, the base station can identify the corresponding core network node as the MDT measurement result, thereby transmitting the non-access stratum container containing the MDT measurement result to the tracking control node.

[0122] The first indication information may include information on the length of the message contained in the string or container. The container can be a string type, and the base station does not need to parse the container. Through the information on the length of the message contained in the first indication information, the base station can intercept part of the container and forward the container to the corresponding core network entity.

[0123] The first indication information and the corresponding container may be transmitted by the non-access stratum or measurement module in the UE to the access layer, and the non-access stratum may transmit the first indication information and the container to the access layer through the internal interface, or the non-access stratum or the measurement module may transmit the container to the access layer through the internal interface, and the access layer may set the first indication information according to which non-access stratum or measurement module it receives from.

[0124] The RRC Setup Completion message may include multiple first indication information and corresponding containers. For example, the RRC Setup Completion message may contain a first indication information to indicate the identification of the access and mobility management entity and the container to be transmitted to it, and may contain another first indication information to indicate the identification of the tracking control entity and the MDT measurement result to be transmitted to it.

[0125] After receiving the RRC message, the base station may not parse the container, but the base station may parse the first indication information. By parsing the first indication information, the base station may transmit the container to the corresponding core network entity or to the corresponding core network service.

[0126] The following is a detailed description of the second method.

[0127] Through different RRC message names, the base station can know that the non-access stratum container carried in the RRC message is to be transmitted to different core network entities. For example, if the RRC message name is RRC Setup Completion, the base station may transmit it to the access and mobility management entity. If the RRC message is a Session Setup Request message, the base station may transmit the carried non-access stratum message to the SMF. If it is a RRC message carrying the MDT measurement report, the base station may transmit the carried MDT measurement report to the TCE. If it is a non-access stratum message carried in the RRC message related to location information, it may be transmitted to the location management entity. If it is a non-access stratum message carried in the RRC message related to the Sensing and Communication, it may be transmitted to the control entity of the Sensing and Communication. To put it simply, through different RRC message names, the base station can know the core network entity corresponding to the carried non-access stratum message, and the base station can directly transmit the non-access stratum message to the corresponding core network entity.

[0128] Step 402: the base station may transmit a Setup UE Context Request message to the access and mobility management entity.

[0129] The name of Setup UE Context Request message may be other. After the base station receives the RRC message, the base station will initiate a message with the core network. According to the container contained in the RRC message, the base station needs to select the corresponding core network, not only the AMF, but also the SMF or other entities. The selection of AMF may refer to the content contained in the RRC message, and the selection of SMF can be selected with reference to the content contained in the RRC message and the information stored by the base station, or with the help of another entity, such as the network analysis entity NRF, to discover the information of the SMF. When selecting, refer to the location of the UE, the slice information selected by the UE, the name of the data network and other information.

[0130] The first indication information contained in the message of step 401 may indicate the identification of the access and mobility management entity, and the base station may find the access and mobility management entity according to the first indication information, and transmit the container corresponding to the first indication information to the access and mobility management entity. The container may contain non-access stratum messages, such as registration request messages.

[0131] The message in step 401 may contain multiple first indication information and multiple non-access stratum messages. If the base station does not store the encryption information of the UE, the base station needs to wait until the response from the access and mobility management entity to obtain the encryption information of the UE, then it can process other non-access stratum messages. Alternatively, the base station directly may initiate the message in step 404 and obtain the encryption information from the authentication encryption function entity. In the present disclosure, when an "entity" is mentioned, it may also indicate a service on the entity.

[0132] If the first indication information contained in the message in step 401 indicates the identification of the LMF, the base station may transmit the non-access stratum message corresponding to the first indication information to the LMF according to the identification of the LMF.

[0133] If the first indication information contained in the message in step 401 indicates the identification of the TCE, the base station may transmit the container corresponding to the first indication information to the TCE, according to the identification of the TCE.

[0134] Other implementations are similar and are omitted here.

[0135] Step 403: AMF may transmit a Setup UE Context Response message to the base station.

[0136] The Setup UE Context Response message may contain a mobility restriction list of the UE, authentication information, non-access stratum information container, capability information of the UE, etc. If the AMF has stored the encryption related information of the UE, for example, the context information of the UE obtained from the source AMF before step 403, the message may contain information such as the encryption capability of the UE, the encryption key of the UE, and the permanent identification of the UE, etc.

[0137] Step 404: the base station may transmit an Authentication Encryption Request message to the authentication encryption function entity.

[0138] If the encryption information of the UE is not included in step 403, the base station may transmit an Authentication Encryption Request message to the authentication encryption function entity. The message may contain the capability information of the UE and the permanent identification of the UE. Step 404 and step 402 may be in parallel.

[0139] After the base station obtains the encryption information, the base station can transmit the encryption information to the entity in the core network that generates non-access stratum messages. Or the entity that generates non-access stratum messages can directly obtain the UE encryption information from the authentication encryption function entity, so that the transmitted NAS message can be encrypted and integrity protected. Or both encryption and integrity protection of NAS messages may be performed by the base station. Or considering that the base station (or the control entity of the base station) has been serviced and has the same security mechanism as other core network entities, encryption and integrity protection of NAS messages are not that necessary, and encryption and integrity protection of NAS messages do not need to be performed. Encryption and integrity protection may be only performed at the RRC layer.

[0140] Step 405: the authentication encryption function entity may transmit an encryption mode command message to the base station.

[0141] The message may contain the encryption capability of the UE, the encryption key of the UE and other information.

[0142] Step 406: the base station may transmit an Encryption Request message to the UE.

[0143] The Encryption Request message may include an indication of an access stratum integrity protection algorithm and an indication of an access stratum encryption algorithm. These algorithms can be used to control the integrity protection and encryption of radio signaling, or the integrity protection and encryption of user data.

[0144] Step 407: The UE may transmit an Encryption Response message to the base station, wherein the Encryption Response message is used to confirm that the UE has received the encryption information.

[0145] In step 408, the base station may transmit an Encryption Response message to the authentication encryption function entity (e.g., AUSF).

[0146] Step 409: the base station may transmit a Session Setup / Modification Request message to the session management entity SMF.

[0147] After receiving the RRC message, based on the container contained in the RRC message, the base station may select the corresponding core network, not only the AMF, but also the SMF. The selection of SMF can be based on the content contained in the RRC message and the information stored by the base station, or with the help of another entity, such as the NRF, to discover the SMF information. When selecting, refer to the location of the UE, the slice information selected by the UE, the name of the data network and other information.

[0148] If the first indication information contained in the message of step 401 indicates the identification of the SMF or indicates the identification of the DNN, the base station may find the SMF entity based on the first indication information and transmits the container corresponding to the first indication information to the SMF entity. The container may contain non-access stratum information, such as a Session Setup Request message. The Session Setup Request message may contain information such as a slice identification, a data network name DNN, an identification of the session, etc.

[0149] Step 410: SMF may transmit a Bearer Request to UPF.

[0150] The Bearer Request message may contain, for example, a slice identification, an identification of the session, and a quality requirement of the session.

[0151] Step 411: UPF may transmit a Bearer Response to SMF.

[0152] The Bearer Response message may include, for example, a slice identification, an identification of the session, and user plane information allocated by the UPF for the session.

[0153] Step 412: the session management entity may transmit a Session Setup / Modification Response message to the base station.

[0154] The Session Setup / Modification Response message may include, for example, a slice identification of the session, an identification of the session, a quality requirement of the session, and user plane information allocated by the UPF for the session.

[0155] Steps 413 to 417 are steps for a separate base station. For the separate base station, the current mechanism is that the base station control plane entity needs to perform two configuration processes with the base station user plane entity in order to complete the configuration of the user plane entity. In this embodiment, in order to improve the configuration efficiency and reduce delay, the user plane entity transmits signaling, which can reduce the control plane configuration process once, and can be parallel with the control plane process, thereby reducing the configuration delay.

[0156] Step 413: the base station control plane entity may transmit a Bearer Request to the base station user plane entity.

[0157] The Bearer Request message may contain, for example, a slice identification of the session, an identification of the session, a quality requirement of the session, and user plane information allocated by the UPF for the session.

[0158] Step 414: the base station user plane entity may transmit a Bearer Response message to the base station control plane entity.

[0159] The Bearer Response message may include, for example, a slice identification of the session, an identification of the session, and user plane information allocated by the base station user plane entity for the session. The user plane information may include, for example, an IP address and a tunnel identification.

[0160] Step 415: the base station control plane entity may transmit a Context Request message to the distributed unit entity.

[0161] The Context Request message may contain, for example, a slice identification of the session, an identification of the session, and user plane information allocated by the base station user plane entity for the session. The user plane information may include an IP address and a tunnel identification.

[0162] Step 416: the distributed unit entity may transmit a Context Response message to the base station control plane entity.

[0163] The Context Response message may contain, for example, a slice identification of the session, an identification of the session, and user plane information allocated by the distributed entity for the session.

[0164] Step 417: the distributed entity may transmit a User Plane Setup Notification message to the base station user plane entity.

[0165] The distributed entity may transmit a user plane message to the base station user plane entity, which may contain, for example, an identification of the session, user plane information allocated by the session of distributed entity. If the distributed entity does not allocate a successful session, the user plane information allocated by the session of distributed entity may not be included in the information, or may be represented by a list of failed session identifications. The user plane notification message may be transmitted to the address in the user plane information allocated for a certain session by the base station user plane entity received in step 415. Alternatively, the distributed entity may transmit a notification for each of the successfully setup sessions, the notification being transmitted to the user plane address allocated by the base station user plane entity for the session.

[0166] Step 418: the base station user plane entity may transmit a User Plane Setup Notification to the UPF.

[0167] The base station or the base station user plane entity may transmit a message of the user plane to the UPF, and the message may contain, for example, user plane information allocated by the base station user plane entity.

[0168] The base station or the base station user plane entity may transmit a message of the user plane to the UPF, which may contain, for example, an identification of the session, user plane information allocated by the base station or the base station user plane entity for all sessions. If the base station or the base station user plane entity does not allocate a successful session, the user plane information allocated by the base station or the base station user plane entity for all sessions may not be included in the information or may be represented by a list of failed session identifications. The user plane notification message may be transmitted to the address in the user plane information allocated for a certain session by the UPF received in step 412. Alternatively, the base station or base station user plane entity may transmit a notification for each session to the user plane address allocated by UPF for this session.

[0169] Step 419: the base station may transmit an RRC message (which may also be called an eighth message, or other message names, the present disclosure does not limit on this) to the UE, and the RRC message carries a non-access stratum message.

[0170] The base station can transmit multiple non-access stratum messages to the UE, such as the method described in step 401, carrying multiple indication information (which can also be called tenth information, or other information names, the present disclosure does not limit on this this) and non-access stratum messages (which can also be called non-access stratum containers corresponding to the tenth information, or other message names, the present disclosure does not limit on this) to the UE. Alternatively, the base station can transmit different RRC messages carrying different non-access messages, which are omitted here.

[0171] The first embodiment is completed.

[0172] Through the above method, it can adapt to the architecture in which the base station is connected to multiple core network nodes at the same time. By directly transmitting the non-access stratum container to the corresponding core network node by the base station, the signaling transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0173] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process of initiating a service request at the UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0174] The service request process includes: the UE transmits a service request message to the network and receives a service request response message from the network. Through the registration process message, the UE establishes a user plane for the service request process and can receive service data. The specific process is shown in FIG. 5.

[0175] Step 501: UE may transmit an RRC message to the base station (or base station control plane entity).

[0176] The UE may set up an RRC connection with the base station, and may set up a signaling radio bearer during the RRC Setup process. Through the signaling radio bearer, the UE may transmit an RRC message to the base station, wherein the RRC message may carry a service request message.

[0177] The service request message may be a non-access stratum message and can be carried through an RRC Setup Completion message or through an RRC uplink information transmission message. The following is explained by carrying the RRC Setup Completion message as an example.

[0178] The RRC Setup Completion message may contain, for example, the identification of the operator selected by the UE. If the UE has previously performed a registration process, the RRC Setup Completion message may also contain, for example, the identification of the registered operator and the identification of the access and mobility management entity. If the UE has previously established a session context, the RRC Setup Completion message may also contain, for example, the identification of the session to be activated and the identification of the previously allocated session management entity. The RRC Setup Completion message may also contain, for example, location information of the UE and information of slices supported or selected by the UE.

[0179] A method similar to step 401 may be used, and the RRC message may also include first indication information and a container corresponding to the first indication information. Alternatively, the RRC message may also include multiple first indication information and corresponding containers. Omitted here.

[0180] Alternatively, the RRC message may contain multiple information containers, and the core network entity corresponding to each information container may be different. For example, the non-access stratum message may contain an MM (Mobility Management) information container, and may contain an SM (Session Management) information container, the base station does not need to parse the specific content of the information container, the base station can know which core network entity the information container needs to be transmitted to through the name of the information container, and the base station can transmit the container to the corresponding core network entity, or transmitted to the corresponding core network service.

[0181] Step 502: the base station may transmit a UE Context Update message to the AMF.

[0182] After receiving the RRC message, based on the container contained in the RRC message, the base station may select the corresponding core network, not only the AMF, but also the SMF. If the first indication information contained in the message of step 501 indicates the identification of the AMF, the base station may transmit the corresponding container to the AMF entity.

[0183] Step 503: AMF may transmit a UE Context Update Response message to the base station.

[0184] The UE Context Response message may contain, for example, a mobility restriction list of the UE, authentication information, a non-access stratum information container, capability information of the UE, etc. If the AMF stores the encryption information of the UE, the message may also contain information such as the encryption capability of the UE, the encryption key of the UE, and the permanent identification of the UE.

[0185] Step 504: the base station may transmit a Session Request message to the SMF.

[0186] After receiving the RRC message, based on the container contained in the RRC message, the base station may select the corresponding core network, not only the AMF, but also the SMF. The selection of SMF can be selected by the content contained in the RRC message and the information stored by the base station, or by another entity, such as the NRF, to discover the SMF information. When selecting, you can refer to the location of the UE, the slice information selected by the UE, the name of the data network and other information.

[0187] If the first indication information contained in the message of step 501 indicates the identification of the SMF or indicates the identification of the DNN, the base station may find the SMF entity based on the first indication information and transmit the container corresponding to the first indication information to the SMF entity. The container may contain non-access stratum information, such as a Session Setup Request message. The Session Setup Request message may contain information such as a slice identification, a data network name DNN, an identification of the session and other information.

[0188] Step 505: SMF may transmit a Session Response message to the base station.

[0189] The Session Response message may contain, for example, a slice identification of the session, an identification of the session, a quality requirement of the session, and user plane information allocated by the UPF for the session.

[0190] Step 506: the base station may transmit an RRC Reconfiguration message to the UE.

[0191] The RRC Reconfiguration message may contain configuration information such as radio data. The base station may transmit multiple non-access stratum messages to the UE, such as the method described in step 501, carrying multiple indication information and non-access stratum messages to the UE. Alternatively, the base station can transmit different RRC messages carrying different non-access messages, which are omitted here.

[0192] The process of Embodiment 2 is completed.

[0193] Through the above method, it can adapt to the architecture in which the base station is connected to multiple core network nodes at the same time. By directly transmitting the non-access stratum container to the corresponding core network node by the base station, the signaling transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0194] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a handover procedure of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0195] FIG. 6 may describe the handover process of the UE in the architecture shown in FIG. 3. Based on the serviced base station, the handover process can be a unified process without distinguishing between Xn-based handover and Ng-based handover. There is no need to establish an Xn interface, which can reduce the complexity of handover and improve handover performance. The specific process is shown in FIG. 6.

[0196] Step 601: a source base station may transmit a Handover Request message to the destination base station.

[0197] The Handover Request message may contain, for example, a list of PDU sessions to be handed over, encryption information of the UE, a mobility restriction list of the UE, location information, etc.

[0198] The source base station can find the destination base station corresponding to the destination cell through the stored information, and the destination cell may be obtained based on the measurement report of the UE or obtained based on an artificial intelligence algorithm.

[0199] If the source base station does not store the information of the destination base station, the source base station may transmit a request message to the network analysis entity NRF, and the request message may include, for example, the identification of the UE and the identification of the destination cell. According to the identification of the destination cell, the NRF can find the corresponding destination base station and transmit the information of the destination base station, such as the IP address, to the source base station, and the source base station can transmit the message of step 601 to the destination base station.

[0200] When the NRF finds that the destination base station cannot be accessed directly, the NRF can tell the source base station about the information of AMF that the source base station can access, and the source base station may access the destination base station through the AMF. The NRF may notify the source base station of the address of the AMF that can be accessed, the reason why the destination base station cannot be accessed, and other information.

[0201] Step 602: the destination base station may transmit a Handover Response message to the source base station.

[0202] The Handover Response message may include, for example, a list of PDU sessions successfully handed over and an RRC container transmitted to the UE.

[0203] Step 603: the source base station may transmit an RRC Reconfiguration Request message to the UE.

[0204] The RRC Reconfiguration Request message may include configuration information such as radio data, and the configuration information of the radio data may be configured by the destination base station and transmitted to the source base station through the RRC container.

[0205] Step 604: the UE may transmit an RRC Reconfiguration Completion message to the destination base station.

[0206] Step 605: the destination base station may transmit a Context Update request message to the AMF.

[0207] The destination base station may notify the AMF that the UE has been handed over to the destination base station, and the Context Update request message may contain, for example, the location information of the UE.

[0208] Step 606: the destination base station may transmit a Session Update request message to the SMF.

[0209] The Session Update request message may contain, for example, a list of PDU sessions successfully handed over and downlink user plane information allocated by the destination base station.

[0210] After receiving the RRC message, if the RRC message contains a NAS container, the base station may select the corresponding core network based on the container contained in the RRC message. For session-related NAS containers, the destination base station transmits the container to the SMF.

[0211] After receiving the RRC message, if the RRC message does not contain a NAS container, the base station can also transmit a Session Update request to the SMF to indicate that the user plane has been handed over to the destination base station.

[0212] Step 607: AMF may transmit a Context Update Response message to the destination base station.

[0213] AMF may transmit a Context Update Response message to confirm receipt of the Context Update request message.

[0214] Step 608: SMF may transmit a Session Update Response message to the destination base station.

[0215] SMF may transmit a Session Update Response message to confirm receipt of the Session Update request message.

[0216] The process of Embodiment 3 is completed.

[0217] Through the above method, there is no need to establish an Xn interface, thereby reducing the complexity of handover and improving handover performance.

[0218] As wireless communications evolve from generation to generation, these technologies have been developed primarily for human-targeted services, such as voice calls, multimedia services, and data services. With the commercialization of 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, the number of connected devices is expected to grow exponentially. These will increasingly be connected to communication networks. Examples of the Internet of Things may include vehicles, robots, drones, home appliances, displays, smart sensors connected to various infrastructures, construction machinery, and factory equipment. Mobile devices are expected to evolve in various forms, such as augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets, and holographic devices. Efforts have been made to develop improved 6G communication systems to provide various services by connecting hundreds of billions of devices and things in the 6th-generation (6G) era.

[0219] In the beginning of 6G deployment, the coverage of 6G may not be full, and voice services are important services for mobile communications. In 5G, voice services are provided through the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) system. If the IMS system is deployed, a dedicated voice bearer based on IP can be established between the terminal (UE) and the IMS system, so that the terminal can directly carry out voice services on the 6G system. However, in the early stage of 6G network deployment, the IMS system has not yet been connected to the 6G system, or the coverage of the 6G system is insufficient. At this time, it is necessary to study how to support the transmission of voice services in the early stage of 6G system deployment, or when the 6G system is not deployed.

[0220] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a process for establishing a voice service between a UE and a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0221] If the UE supports simultaneous access to two radio access networks (also called radio access systems, radio access technologies, etc., which can be used interchangeably in the present disclosure), for example, the UE can access the 5G network and the 6G network at the same time, or the UE can access the 4G network and the 6G network at the same time. This embodiment provides a method, including: the UE transmits a message (the message can be an access layer message or other messages, not limited to the specific form of the message) to the first network core network, reporting that it has the ability to access two radio access networks at the same time; the UE receives a message (the message may be an access layer message or other messages, not limited to the specific form of the message) from the first network core network, and the message may contain, for example, configuration information, the configuration information including the correspondence between the session or service and the radio access technology or radio access network or radio access system, or information on from which radio access network a certain session or a certain service is established or accessed; when the UE needs to establish the session or the service, or when the UE receives a paging message on the session or the service, the UE establishes the session or service from the corresponding radio access network according to the configuration. The specific process is shown in FIG. 7.

[0222] Step 701, the UE may transmit a non-access stratum message (which may also be called a sixth message, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit on this) to the core network authentication mobility management entity AMF in the first radio access network.

[0223] The non-access stratum message may be a UE registration request message, a PDU Session Setup Request message, or other names thereof. The non-access stratum message may be carried through the RRC message. In the RRC message, the non-access stratum message may be a string, which is equivalent to carrying the non-access stratum message through a container. The non-access stratum message may be forwarded to the AMF through the first network base station (the base station of the first radio access network and the first network base station can be used interchangeably, or can also be called other names), and the first network base station does not parse the specific content of the non-access stratum message.

[0224] The non-access stratum message may carry second indication information (also called eighth information, or other names, which are not limited in any way by the present disclosure), and can be used to indicate that the UE supports simultaneous access to two radio access networks (also called a radio access system, radio access technology, which can be used interchangeably in the present disclosure), and further, it can also indicate which two radio access networks the two radio access networks are.

[0225] Step 702: the AMF of the first radio access network may transmit a response message (which may also be called a seventh message, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit on this) to the UE. The response message may be a non-access stratum message and may be a response message to the non-access stratum message in step 701.

[0226] The non-access stratum message may be a UE registration response message, or a UE registration rejection message, or a PDU session setup response message, or a PDU session setup rejection message, or other names thereof. The non-access stratum message may be carried through the core network to the base station. The non-access stratum message may be a string, which is equivalent to carrying the non-access stratum message through a container. The non-access stratum message may be forwarded to the UE through the first network base station, and the first network base station does not parse the specific content of the non-access stratum message.

[0227] The non-access stratum message can carry configuration information (also called ninth information, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit on this), and the configuration information can configure the relationship between the PDU session and the radio access technology, or can indicate through which radio access technology a certain PDU session is established. For example, the configuration information may indicate that the voice service is established or accessed through the second radio access technology. The configuration information may also carry authorization information for some UEs.

[0228] Step 703, the UE may initiate an RRC Setup Request message to the base station of the second radio access network (the base station of the second radio access network and the second network base station may be used interchangeably, or may also be called other names).

[0229] When the UE wants to initiate the first service (for example, voice service or other services, such as mobile broadband service.The following description takes voice service as an example), or when the UE receives a paging message on the voice service in the first radio access network, the UE may synchronize with the base station of the second radio access network according to the configuration information and measurement information in step 702, and then transmit an RRC Setup Request message.

[0230] Step 704: the base station of the second access network may transmit an RRC Setup message to the UE.

[0231] The RRC Setup Request message in step 703 and the RRC Setup message in step 704 have the same or similar content as the current message, and may be omitted here.

[0232] Step 705, the UE may transmit an RRC Setup Completion message to the base station of the second radio access network.

[0233] The RRC Setup Completion message may carry a non-access stratum message, and the non-access stratum message may be a PDU Session Setup Request message, which is used to establish voice services.

[0234] Step 706: the base station of the second radio access network may transmit an Initial UE Message to the second network core network related entity, such as the AMF entity.

[0235] The name of the Initial UE Message may also be other names. The Initial UE Message may carry, for example, a non-access stratum message received from the UE. The Initial UE Message may contain, for example, the temporary identification of the UE, location information of the UE, the cause of RRC Setup, actively initiated voice, or passively initiated voice.

[0236] Step 707: the second network core network may transmit a UE Context Setup Request message to the second network base station.

[0237] The message name can be other names. Depending on the state of the UE, a Session Resource Setup Request message may also be transmitted, and the Session Resource Setup Request message may include, for example, configuration information of the session to be established. According to the message in step 706, the second network core network knows that the UE wants to establish a voice service, and the second network core network node, such as the AMF in the second network core network, obtains the configuration information of the session related to the voice service from the session management node SMF, and the configuration information may include information such as an identification of the session, a quality requirement of the session, an encryption capability of the UE, an encryption key of the UE, a mobility restriction list of the UE, and the like. The configuration information may also include, for example, non-access stratum messages to be transmitted to the UE, such as a Session Setup Request message.

[0238] Step 708: a UE Reconfiguration Process may be performed between the base station of the second radio access network and the UE.

[0239] The UE Reconfiguration Process may include: the UE receiving an RRC Reconfiguration Request message from the base station of the second radio access network, and transmitting an RRC Reconfiguration Completion message to the base station of the second radio access network after the UE completes the configuration. This process is the same or similar to the current process and is omitted here.

[0240] Step 709: the base station of the second radio access network may transmit a UE Context Setup Response message to the second network core network.

[0241] The UE Context Setup Response message may include, for example, the set-up session identification and the configuration of the user plane corresponding to the session.

[0242] The process of Embodiment 4 is completed.

[0243] Through the above method, it can realize the support for the first service (for example, a voice service) under the condition that the first network (for example, 6G network) does not yet support the first service.

[0244] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a process for establishing a voice service between a UE and a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0245] If the UE supports simultaneous access to two radio access networks (also called radio access systems, radio access technologies, etc., which can be used interchangeably in the present disclosure), for example, the UE can access the 5G network and the 6G network at the same time, or the UE can access the 4G network and the 6G network at the same time. This embodiment provides a method, including: the UE transmits a message (the message can be an access layer message or other messages, not limited to the specific form of the message) to the first network core network, requiring the establishment of a voice service, and reporting that it has the ability to access two radio access networks at the same time; the first network core network configures the second network core network, allowing the second network core network to page the UE and establish a voice service; the UE receives a paging message from the second radio access network, and then establishes a voice service with the second radio access network. The specific process is shown in FIG. 8.

[0246] Step 801: the UE may transmit a non-access stratum message to the first network core network node.

[0247] The non-access stratum message may be a PDU Session Setup Request message, or other names thereof. The non-access stratum message may be carried through the RRC message. In the RRC message, the non-access stratum message may be a string, which is equivalent to carrying the non-access stratum message through a container. The non-access stratum message may be forwarded to the first network core network node through the base station, and the base station does not parse the specific content of the non-access stratum message. The first network core network node may be an AMF.

[0248] The PDU Session Setup Request message may carry information indicating the establishment of a voice service. For example, the DNN indicates that the requested session is voice. The message may carry indication information indicating that the UE supports simultaneous access to two radio access networks, and further, may indicate which two radio access networks the two radio access networks are.

[0249] Step 802: the first network core network node may transmit a message to the second network core network node.

[0250] The message may carry the identification of the UE and the indication information of the voice service.

[0251] Step 803: the second network core network node may transmit a Paging request message to the UE.

[0252] The message may be forwarded to the UE through the second radio access network, and the message may carry the identification of the UE and carry indication information indicating a paging request initiated because a voice service is to be established.

[0253] Step 804: the UE may transmit an RRC Setup Request message to the base station of the second radio access network.

[0254] Step 805: the base station of the second radio access network may transmit an RRC Setup message to the UE.

[0255] The RRC Setup Request message in step 804 and the RRC Setup message in step 805 have the same or similar content as the current message, and are omitted here.

[0256] Step 806: the UE may transmit an RRC Setup Completion message to the base station of the second radio access network.

[0257] The RRC Setup Completion message may carry a non-access stratum message, and the non-access stratum message may be a PDU Session Setup Request message, which is used to establish voice services.

[0258] Step 807: the second network base station may transmit an Initial UE Message to the second network core network related entity, such as the AMF entity.

[0259] The message name can be other names. The message may carry non-access stratum messages received from the UE. The message may contain the temporary identification of the UE, the location information of the UE, the reason for RRC Setup, actively initiated voice, or passively initiated voice.

[0260] Step 808: the second network core network node may transmit a UE Context Setup Request message to the base station of the second radio access network.

[0261] The message name can be other names. Depending on the state of the UE, a Session Resource Setup Request message may also be transmitted. The Session Resource Setup Request message may include configuration information of the session to be established. According to the message in step 807, if the second network core network knows that the UE wants to establish a voice service, the second network core network node, such as the AMF in the second network core network, may obtain the configuration information of the session related to the voice service from the session management node SMF, and transmit the configuration information of the session related to the voice service to the base station of the second radio access network. The configuration information of the session related to the voice service may include, for example, the identification of the session, a quality requirement of the session, an encryption capability of the UE, an encryption key of the UE, a mobility restriction list of the UE and other information. The configuration information of the session related to the voice service may include non-access stratum messages to be transmitted to the UE, such as Session Setup Request messages.

[0262] Step 809: a UE Reconfiguration Process may be performed between the second network core network node base station and the UE.

[0263] The UE Reconfiguration Process may include: the UE receiving an RRC Reconfiguration Request message from the base station of the second radio access network, and transmitting an RRC Reconfiguration Completion message to the base station of the second radio access network after the UE completes the configuration. This process is the same or similar to the current process and is omitted here.

[0264] Step 810: the base station of the second radio access network may transmit a UE Context Setup Response message to the second network core network.

[0265] The UE Context Setup Response message may include, for example, the set-up session identification and the configuration of the user plane allocated by the base station for the session.

[0266] Step 811: the second network core network may transmit a message to the first network core network to notify that the voice service has been successfully established.

[0267] The process of Embodiment 5 is completed.

[0268] Through the above method, it can realize the support for the first service (for example, a voice service) under the condition that the first network (for example, 6G network) does not yet support the first service.

[0269] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a process for establishing a voice service between a UE and a network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0270] If the UE supports simultaneous access to two radio access networks (also called radio access systems, radio access technologies, etc., which can be used interchangeably in the present disclosure), for example, the UE can access the 5G network and the 6G network at the same time, or the UE can access the 4G network and the 6G network at the same time. This embodiment provides a method, including: the UE transmits a message (the message can be an access layer message or other messages, not limited to the specific form of the message) to the first network core network, requiring the establishment of a voice service, and reporting that it has the ability to access two radio access networks at the same time; the first network core network configures a first network base station, and the first network base station hands over the voice service to the second network base station; the UE establishes voice services in the second radio access network. The specific process is shown in FIG. 9.

[0271] Step 901: the UE may transmit a non-access stratum message to the first network core network node.

[0272] The non-access stratum message may be a PDU Session Setup Request message, or other names thereof. The non-access stratum message may be carried through the RRC message. In the RRC message, the non-access stratum message may be a string, which is equivalent to carrying the non-access stratum message through a container. The non-access stratum message may be forwarded to the first network core network node through the base station, and the first network base station does not parse the specific content of the non-access stratum message. The first network core network node may be an AMF.

[0273] The PDU Session Setup Request message may carry information indicating the establishment of a voice service. For example, the DNN indicates that the requested session is voice. The message may carry indication information indicating that the UE supports simultaneous access to two radio access networks, and further, may indicate which two radio access networks the two radio access networks are.

[0274] Step 902: the first network core network may transmit a Session Resource Setup Request message (for example, a PDU Session Resource Setup Request message) to the first network base station.

[0275] The Session Resource Setup Request message may include an identification of the session and configuration information of the user plane allocated by the first network core network for the session. The Session Resource Setup Request message may also include indication information indicating that the session is voice.

[0276] Step 903: the first network base station may transmit a Session Resource Rejection message (for example, a PDU Session Resource Rejection message) to the first network core network.

[0277] The first network base station decides to reject the establishment of the voice session based on its own configuration information. The first network base station may transmit a rejection message to the first network core network, and the Session Resource Rejection message includes information indicating that the reason for the rejection is that the voice service is not supported.

[0278] Step 904: the first network base station may transmit a Session Handover Request to the first network core network.

[0279] The first network base station may find a base station in the adjacent second radio access network according to the measurement information, and the first network base station transmits a Session Handover Request message to the first network core network. The Session Handover Request message may include, for example, the identification of the second network base station and routing information that can find the second network base station (for example, the identification of the tracking area supported by the second network base station). The Session Handover Request message may also include, for example, an RRC container, and the RRC container may include, for example, capability information of the UE, radio bearer configuration information at the source base station, etc.

[0280] Step 905: the first network core network may transmit a Context Setup Request message to the second network core network.

[0281] The Context Setup message may include, for example, the identification of the second network base station and routing information through which the second network base station can be found (for example, the tracking area identification supported by the second network base station). The context setup message may also contain, for example, an RRC container.

[0282] Step 906: the second network core network may transmit a Handover Request message to the second network base station.

[0283] In order to reduce modifications to the second network base station, the second network core network can transmit a Handover Request to the second network base station. The Handover Request message is the same as the current Handover Request message. For example, it can include the identification of the session to be handed over and the reason for the handover (which can be set to the establishment of a voice service). The Handover Request message may also contain the encryption capability of the UE, encryption information, and RRC containers.

[0284] Step 907: the second network base station may transmit a Handover Response message to the second network core network.

[0285] The Handover Response message may contain, for example, the received session identification, the destination-to-source RRC container.

[0286] Step 908: the second network core network may transmit a Context Setup Response message to the first network core network.

[0287] The context setup response message may contain, for example, the received session identification, the destination to the source RRC container.

[0288] Step 909: the first network core network may transmit a Handover Command message to the first network base station.

[0289] The Handover Command message may contain, for example, an identification of the session of the handover, an RRC container of destination to source.

[0290] Step 910: the first network base station may transmit an RRC Reconfiguration Request message to the UE.

[0291] The RRC Reconfiguration Request message may include, for example, handover-related information, the identification of the destination cell, and configuration information of the data radio bearer configured by the destination base station for the UE.

[0292] Step 911: the UE may transmit an RRC Reconfiguration Completion message to the second network base station.

[0293] The UE may synchronize with the destination cell and then transmits an RRC Reconfiguration Completion message to the second network base station.

[0294] Step 912: the second network base station may transmit a Path Notification message to the second network core network.

[0295] The Path Notification message may include, for example, a list of PDU sessions successfully handed over, downlink user plane information allocated by the destination base station, indicating that the user plane has been handed over to the destination base station.

[0296] Step 913: the second network core network may transmit an Information Notification to the first network core network.

[0297] The process of Embodiment 6 is completed.

[0298] Through the above method, it can realize the support for the first service (for example, a voice service) under the condition that the first network (for example, 6G network) does not yet support the first service.

[0299] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a process for establishing connections with two different radio access networks (also referred to as access networks, which can be used interchangeably in the present invention) for a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0300] Assuming that the UE supports simultaneous access to two radio access networks, for example, the UE can access the 5G network and the 6G network at the same time, or the UE can access the 4G network and the 6G network at the same time, this embodiment provides a method to improve the transmission rate of data and reliable transmission. The method may include: the first network base station decides to establish connections with two different radio access networks, the first network base station transmits a message to the first network core network, activates the establishment of the two connections, and the first network base station transmits a message to UE, including configuration information of sessions established in two networks respectively. Through this method, it can be supported that there is no interface between base stations, and different PDU sessions can be established in networks of different access technologies, or a certain session can be established in networks of two different access technologies. In the user plane, the core network can transmit data of different sessions on the two connections separately, or transmit the same data of the same session on the two connections, or split the data and transmit it separately on the two connections. The same goes for uplink. This method can increase the data rate and improve the reliability of the data. When the UE moves, it can be handed over separately for each connection. When the two radio access networks are not handed over at the same time, the data can be transmitted on the unhanded over connection, which can ensure the continuous transmission of data and reduce the loss of data and the delay of data transmission. The specific process is shown in FIG. 10.

[0301] Step 1001: the first network base station may receive the RRC message transmitted by the UE (which may also be called the first message, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit in any way).

[0302] The RRC message may contain a measurement report. The serving cell of the first network may be configured to measure the UE. According to the configuration, the UE may measure the cell of the second network and transmit the measurement result to the first network base station. The measurement result may include the signal quality of the cell of the second network and signal quality of the current serving cell.

[0303] The RRC message may contain UE capability information (which may also be called first information, or other names, which are not limited in any way by the present disclosure), indicating that the UE can access the first network and the second network at the same time.

[0304] Step 1002: the first network base station may transmit a Dual Connectivity Setup Request message (which may also be called a second message, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit in any way) to the first network core network.

[0305] The base station where the UE serving cell of the first network is located decides to establish two connections between the first network and the second network. The first network base station may find that the cell quality of the second network is good enough, and the current UE session requires a larger bandwidth or requires more reliable transmission, and the first network base station can decide to establish a connection in the second network as well, while the connection of the first network must be maintained.

[0306] The first network base station may transmit a Dual Connectivity Setup Request message to the first network core network. The connection setup request message may include second information, wherein the second information may include, for example, a list of sessions that need to be established in the second network, information indicating the type of dual connectivity of the second network (such as a session segmentation type, a session duplication type, etc.), a session identification, data radio bearer configuration information, etc., operator identification of the second network, second network access technology indication, such as 5G. The connection setup request message may also contain, for example, dual connectivity indication information (which may also be referred to as fifth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity, or other names, which the present disclosure does not impose any limitation on). The connection setup request message may also contain, for example, a list of sessions established in the first network. The session list may contain, for example, identifications of the sessions, a quality requirement of the sessions. The connection setup request message may also include, for example, an RRC container transmitted by the first network base station to the second network base station. The connection setup request message may also include, for example, the identification of the second network base station and routing information of the second network base station.

[0307] Step 1003: the first network core network may transmit a Context Setup Request message (which may also be called a fourth message, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit on this) to the second network core network.

[0308] According to the routing information of the second network base station and the identification of the second network base station, the first network core network may find the second network core network and transmit the Context Setup Request message to the second network core network. The Context Setup Request message may also include, for example, the identification of the UE, the identification of the base station of the second network, and a list of sessions to be established in the second network. If the session established in the second network is the same as an identification of the session of the first network and the session quality requirement parameters are different, the first network core network can perform information mapping to become a format supported by the second network. The Context Setup Request message may also include an RRC container to be transmitted to the second network base station.

[0309] Step 1004: the second network core network may transmit a Handover Request message to the second network base station.

[0310] The second network core network may transmit a Handover Request message to establish a session in the second network. The Handover Request message may contain, for example, the identification of the UE, a list of sessions to be established. The session list may contain, for example, identifications of the sessions, a quality requirement of the sessions. The Handover Request message may also contain the encryption capability of the UE, the encryption key of the UE, a mobility restriction list of the UE, an RRC container and other information. The second network base station does not need to know the established dual connectivity, which can minimize the impact on the second network base station, and the second network base station can support the establishment of dual connectivity without modification.

[0311] Step 1005: the second network base station may transmit a Handover Response message to the second network core network.

[0312] The Handover Response message may contain the identification of the session successfully established and the destination-to-source RRC container.

[0313] Step 1006: the second network core network may transmit a Context Setup Response message to the first network core network.

[0314] The Context Setup Response message may contain the identification of the session successfully established, and the destination to the source RRC container.

[0315] Step 1007: the first network core network may transmit a Dual Connectivity Setup Response to the first network base station.

[0316] The Dual Connectivity Setup message may contain the identification of the session successfully established and the destination RRC container to the source.

[0317] Step 1008: the first network base station may transmit an RRC Reconfiguration Request message (which may also be called a third message, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit on this) to the UE.

[0318] The RRC Reconfiguration Request message may include session configuration information in the first network (which may also be called third information, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit in any way), and session configuration information in the second network (which may also be called It is called fourth information, or other names, which the present disclosure does not limit in any way). The session configuration information (third information or fourth information) may include, for example, a session list (for example, a session list that needs to be established in the first network or a session list that needs to be established in the second network), and may also include, for example, an identification of the session, a quality requirement of the session, configuration information of the data radio bearer, operator identification indicating the UE of the first network and the second network, second network access technology indication, such as 5G, a type of dual connectivity established (such as a session split type, a session repetition type), and the like. The RRC Reconfiguration Request message may also include, for example, dual connectivity indication information (which may also be called sixth information, or other names, which the present disclosure does not impose any limitation on).

[0319] Step 1009: the UE may transmit RRC Reconfiguration Completion to the second network base station and / or to the first network base station.

[0320] The UE may configure a session in the first network and a session in the second network, the UE synchronizes with the second network, and then the UE can transmit RRC Reconfiguration Completion to the first network base station. The UE may also transmit an RRC Reconfiguration Completion to the second network base station.

[0321] Step 1010: the second network base station may transmit a Path Handover Notification message to the second network core network to indicate that the second network base station has established a session with the UE.

[0322] Step 1010 may also include the first network base station transmitting a Path Handover Notification to the first network core network.

[0323] Step 1011: the second network core network may transmit an Information Notification message to the first network core network to notify the first network core network that the session of the second network has been successfully established. The first network may notify the second network that the user plane corresponding to the established session starts transmitting data to the second network base station.

[0324] Herein, the process of the user plane and the current establishment process of the user plane are omitted here.

[0325] Step 1011 may also include the first network core network transmitting a notification message to the second network core network.

[0326] The process of Example 7 is completed.

[0327] In the above method, the UE establishes dual connectivity with the first network and the second network through the core network node, thereby there is no need to establish an interface between the first network and the second network, and the throughput of the UE can be improved.

[0328] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a network node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0329] The network node according to the present disclosure (the network node may include, for example, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), SMF (Session Management Function), AUSF (Authentication Server Function), UPF (User Plane Function), etc., the present disclosure is not limited thereto) includes a transceiver 1110, a controller 1120 and a memory 1130. The transceiver 1110, the controller 1120 and the memory 1130 are configured to perform the operations of the methods and / or embodiments of the present disclosure. Although the transceiver 1110, the controller 1120 and the memory 1130 are shown as separate entities, they may be implemented as a single entity, such as a single chip. The transceiver 1110, the controller 1120 and the memory 1130 may be electrically connected or coupled to each other. The transceiver 1110 may transmit and receive signals to and from other network nodes, such as UEs, base stations, MN (master node), SN (secondary node), S-SN (source-secondary node), T-SN (target-secondary node), other candidate T-SNs, or core network nodes. The controller 1120 may include one or more processing units, and may control the UE to perform the operations and / or functions according to one of the above embodiments. The memory 1130 may store instructions for implementing the operations and / or functions of one of the above embodiments described.

[0330] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a terminal or user equipment UE 1200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0331] The UE according to the present disclosure includes a transceiver 1201, a controller (e.g., at least one processor) and a memory 1203. The transceiver 1201, the controller and the memory 1203 are configured to perform the operations of the methods and / or embodiments of the present disclosure. Although the transceiver 1201, the controller and the memory 1203 are shown as separate entities, they may be implemented as a single entity, such as a single chip. The transceiver 1201, the controller and the memory 1203 may be electrically connected or coupled to each other. The transceiver 1201 may transmit and receive signals to and from other network nodes, such as UE, base station or core network node. The controller may include one or more processing units, and may control the UE to perform the operations and / or functions according to one of the above embodiments. The memory 1203 may store instructions for implementing the operations and / or functions of one of the above embodiments described.The terminal is an electronic device capable of wireless communication, may include a User Equipment (UE), a portable phone, a smartphone, a tablet, an Internet of things (IoT) device, etc., having various form factors, and may perform wireless communication with a base station (BS) through a wireless channel.

[0332] Referring to FIG. 12, the UE 1200 may include at least one transceiver (hereinafter, referred to as simply "transceiver") 1201, at least one processor (hereinafter, referred to as simply "processor") 1202, and at least one memory (hereinafter, referred to as simply "memory") 1203. According to at least one or a combination of methods corresponding to the embodiments described in the present disclosure, the transceiver 1201, the processor 1202, and the memory 1203 of the UE 1200 may operate. However, components of the UE 1200 are not limited to the exemplary components illustrated in FIG. 12. In another embodiment, the UE 1200 may further include additional components in addition to the above-mentioned components, or some components may be omitted. Further, in some embodiments, any combination of the transceiver 1201, the processor 1202, or the memory 1203 may be integrated in the form of one component.

[0333] The transceiver 1201 may be a communication circuit or communication circuitry that enables the UE 1200 to perform wireless communication with a node or an entity of a network. For example, the transceiver 1201 may enable the UE 1200 to transmit or receive a signal to or from a BS through cellular communication, or to transmit or receive a signal to or from another UE through cellular communication. For example, the transceiver 1201 may support at least one of various cellular communication technologies including 3rd generation (3G), 4thgeneration (4G), long term evolution (LTE), 5th generation (5G) NR, 6thgeneration (6G), and various cellular wireless communication technologies supported by the transceiver (1201) may include all subsequent generations of evolved wireless communications.

[0334] According to an embodiment, the UE 1200 may include a plurality of transceivers. For example, in the case of supporting evolved-universal terrestrial radio access-new radio (E-UTRA-NR) dual connectivity (EN-DC), the UE 1200 may include a first transceiver supporting the 4G LTE wireless communication and a second transceiver supporting the 5G NR wireless communication. According to another embodiment, in the case of supporting NR-dual connectivity (NR-DC), the UE 1200 may include a plurality of transceivers supporting the 5G NR wireless communication. According to still another embodiment, in the case of supporting near field wireless communication, the UE 1200 may separately include a transceiver supporting at least one standard in the group of wireless communication protocol standards as defined in the protocol standards for Bluetooth®, wireless local area network (WLAN) network (including institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11-2016 standard or its amendments, e.g., 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be, without being limited thereto).

[0335] According to an embodiment, the transceiver 1201 may include various circuit structures used to transmit or receive signals to or from a BS through a wireless channel. The signals may include control information and data. For example, the transceiver 1201 may include a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of a transmitted signal and an RF receiver for low-noise-amplifying a received signal and down-converting the frequency thereof. The transceiver 1201 may output a signal received through a wireless channel to the processor 1202 and may transmit, through a wireless channel, a signal output from the processor 1202.

[0336] The processor 1202 may control general operations of the UE 1200 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The processor 1202 may be implemented by one or more integrated circuit (or circuitry) (IC) chips and may execute various data processings. The processor 1202 may include at least one electric circuit, and may execute instructions (or a program, codes, data, etc.) stored in the memory 1203, individually, collectively or in any combination thereof. Further, the processor 1202 may include a single-core processor or multi-core processor, and may include a processor assembly including a plurality of processing circuits (circuitry) according to a specific implementation scheme.

[0337] The processor 1202 may be electrically, operatively, or communicatively coupled to the transceiver 1201 to control the transceiver 1201.

[0338] The processor 1202 may include at least one processor (or processing circuitry), and the at least one processor may perform the following operations individually, collectively or in any combination thereof. For example, the processor 1202 may include a communication processor (CP) configured to control communication operations and an application processor (AP) configured to control execution of an upper layer (for example, an application layer) . In a specific embodiment, at least a part of the processor 1202 may be included in one chip and the other part of the processor 1202 may be included in another chip. Otherwise, at least one processor may be included in another component, for example, the transceiver 1201 or the memory 1203.

[0339] The processor 1202 may perform or control or cause an operation of the UE 1200 for executing at least one or a combination of methods according to embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the processor 1202 may control operations of the UE 1200 for processing a downlink signal received from a BS or generating and transmitting an uplink signal to a BS. To this end, the processor 1202 may execute a computer program, codes, or instructions stored in the memory 1203, so as to control other components of the UE 1200 to enable execution of various operations.

[0340] The memory 1203 corresponds to a hardware storage device capable of temporarily or permanently storing information and may include one or more storage media. For example, the memory 1203 may include a memory assembly including one or more storage media. For example, the one or more storage media may include permanent memory, such as a hard drive, flash memory, or read-only memory (ROM), semipermanent memory, such as random access memory (RAM), cache memory, or a combination thereof.

[0341] The memory 1203 may be electrically, operatively, or communicatively coupled to the processor 1202 and may be accessed by the processor 1202.

[0342] The memory 1203 may store a computer program, codes, or instructions executable by the processor 1202. According to an embodiment, a computer program, codes, or instructions executable by the processor 1202 may be either stored in a single memory device or separated and distributedly stored in two or more memory devices. By executing the instructions stored in the memory 1203, the processor 1202 may perform various functions according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0343] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, operations of the UE 1200 may be caused to be performed based on execution of instructions (or a computer program or codes) stored in the memory 1203 by at least one processor (or processing circuitry) configured to execute the same individually, collectively, or in any combination thereof, based on processing circuitry that is not configured to execute instructions, and / or based on components of processing circuitry that is not configured to execute instructions.

[0344] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a base station (BS) 1300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0345] The base station according to the present disclosure includes a transceiver 1301, a controller (e.g., at least one processor) and a memory 1303. The transceiver 1301, the controller and the memory 1303 are configured to perform the operations of the methods and / or embodiments of the present disclosure. Although the transceiver 1301, the controller and the memory 1303 are shown as separate entities, they may be implemented as a single entity, such as a single chip. The transceiver 1301, the controller and the memory 1303 may be electrically connected or coupled to each other. The transceiver 1301 may transmit and receive signals to and from other network nodes, such as UE, core network node. The controller may include one or more processing units, and may control the UE to perform the operations and / or functions according to one of the above embodiments. The memory 1303 may store instructions for implementing the operations and / or functions of one of the above embodiments described.The BS 1300 may perform wireless communication with at least one user equipment (UE) located within the area of the BS 1300 through a wireless channel.

[0346] Referring to FIG. 13, the BS 1300 may include at least one transceiver (hereinafter, referred to as simply "transceiver") 1301, at least one processor (hereinafter, referred to as simply "processor") 1302, and at least one memory (hereinafter, referred to as simply "memory") 1303. According to at least one or a combination of methods corresponding to the embodiments described in the present disclosure, the transceiver 1301, the processor 1302, and the memory 1303 of the BS 1300 may operate. However, components of the BS 1300 are not limited to the exemplary components illustrated in FIG. 13. In another embodiment, the BS 1300 may further include additional components in addition to the above-mentioned components, or some components may be omitted. Further, in some embodiments, any combination of the transceiver 1301, the processor 1302, or the memory 1303 may be integrated in the form of one component.

[0347] The transceiver 1301 may be a communication circuit or communication circuitry that enables the BS 1300 to perform wireless communication with a node or an entity of a network. For example, the transceiver 1301 may enable the BS 1300 to transmit or receive a signal to or from the UE X00 through cellular communication, or to transmit or receive a signal to or from another network entity through wireless communication. For example, the transceiver 1301 may support various cellular communication technologies including 3rd generation (3G), 4thgeneration (4G), long term evolution (LTE), 5th generation (5G) NR, 6thgeneration (6G), and various cellular wireless communication technologies supported by the transceiver (1301) may include all subsequent generations of evolved wireless communications.. According to an embodiment, the transceiver 1301 may include various circuit structures used to transmit or receive signals to or from a UE through a wireless channel. The signals may include control information and data. For example, the transceiver 1301 may include a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of a transmitted signal and an RF receiver for low-noise-amplifying a received signal and down-converting the frequency thereof. The transceiver 1301 may output a signal received through a wireless channel to the processor 1302 and may transmit, through a wireless channel, a signal output from the processor 1302.

[0348] Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the BS 1300 may perform communication with a node or an entity of a network through wired or wireless communication. For example, the BS 1300 may perform wired or wireless communication with an adjacent BS, or a node or an entity of a core network through a backhaul network. Although not illustrated in FIG. 13, when the BS 1300 performs wired communication, the BS 1300 may further include a separate network interface for wired communication in addition to the transceiver 1301. The network interface may be referred to as network interface circuitry or communication interface circuitry.

[0349] The processor 1302 may control general operations of the BS 1300 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The processor 1302 may be implemented by one or more integrated circuit (or circuitry) (IC) chips and may execute various data processings. The processor 1302 may include at least one electric circuit, and may execute instructions (or a program, codes, data, etc.) stored in the memory 1303, individually, collectively or in any combination thereof. Further, the processor 1302 may include a single-core processor or multi-core processor, and may include a processor assembly including a plurality of processing circuits (circuitry) according to a specific implementation scheme.

[0350] The processor 1302 may be electrically, operatively, or communicatively coupled to the transceiver 1301 to control the transceiver 1301.

[0351] The processor 1302 may include at least one processor (or processing circuitry), and the at least one processor may perform the following operations individually, collectively or in any combination thereof. In a specific embodiment, at least a part of the processor 1302 may be included in one chip and the other part of the processor 1302 may be included in another chip. Otherwise, at least one processor may be included in another component, for example, the transceiver 1301 or the memory 1303.

[0352] The processor 1302 may perform or control or cause an operation of the BS 1300 for executing at least one or a combination of methods according to embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the processor 1302 may control operations of the BS 1300 for generating and transmitting a downlink signal to a UE or processing an uplink signal received from a UE. Otherwise, the BS 1300 may transmit or receive a signal to or from a neighboring BS, transfer a signal received from a UE to an upper node of the network, or transmit a signal transferred from an upper node of the network to a UE. To this end, the processor 1302 may execute a computer program, codes, or instructions stored in the memory 1303, so as to control other components of the BS 1300 to enable execution of various operations.

[0353] The memory 1303 corresponds to a hardware storage device capable of temporarily or permanently storing information and may include one or more storage media. For example, the memory 1303 may include a memory assembly including one or more storage media. For example, the one or more storage media may include permanent memory, such as a hard drive, flash memory, or read-only memory (ROM), semipermanent memory, such as random access memory (RAM), cache memory, or a combination thereof.

[0354] The memory 1303 may be electrically, operatively, or communicatively coupled to the processor 1302 and may be accessed by the processor 1302.

[0355] The memory 1303 may store a computer program, codes, or instructions executable by the processor 1302. According to an embodiment, a computer program, codes, or instructions executable by the processor 1302 may be either stored in a single memory device or separated and distributedly stored in two or more memory devices. By executing the instructions stored in the memory 1303, the processor 1302 may perform various functions according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0356] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, operations of the BS 1300 may be caused to be performed based on execution of instructions (or a computer program or codes) stored in the memory 1303 by at least one processor (or processing circuitry) configured to execute the same individually, collectively, or in any combination thereof, based on processing circuitry that is not configured to execute instructions, and / or based on components of processing circuitry that is not configured to execute instructions.

[0357] The UE or the base station may perform various communication procedures related to the control plane or the user plane by cooperating with one or more network entities based on wireless communication. For example, the UE may communicate with network entity such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) or a Session Management Function (SMF) via the base station, or the base station may perform at least one communication procedure by directly transmitting and receiving signals to / from, or relaying signals between, the network entities.

[0358] The structure of the above-described network entity will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0359] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a network entity 1400 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0360] The network entity 1400 may include an entity (apparatus, device, or server, etc.) that performs one or more network functions (NFs) or a part of a network function constituting a core network (e.g., a 5th generation (5G) core (5GC)) in a communication system. In this case, multiple NFs may be implemented within a single network entity, or a single NF may be distributed and implemented across a plurality of network entities. In addition, when an NF is implemented within the network entity, the NF may be implemented in the form of software, and in such a case, a program for operating the NF may be stored in memory of the network entity 1400.

[0361] A single NF may be implemented by one or more instances, which may be deployed on the same network entity or distributed across multiple network entities to operate. The instance may be a software unit that logically executes a specific network function, and may be implemented in a form that is decoupled from physical hardware resources. Further, one or more NFs may be implemented in the form of one network slice to operate to satisfy specifications required by a particular service.

[0362] The NF may include at least one of an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF), a local session management function (L-SMF), a user plane function (UPF), a local user plane function (L-UPF), a policy control function (PCF), a unified data management (UDM), a unified data repository (UDR), a network exposure function (NEF), a network repository function (NRF), an application function (AF), a network slice selection function (NSSF), a network data analytics function (NWDAF), a network slice admission control function (NSACF), an authentication server function (AUSF), or a data network (DN).

[0363] Referring to FIG. 14, the network entity 1400 may include at least one network interface 1401, at least one processor 1402 (hereinafter, "processor"), and at least one memory 1403 (hereinafter, "memory"). As described above, a NF may be implemented in the form of a physical device such as the network entity 1400, or may be virtualized and executed in the form of an instance. When implemented as an instance, the NF need not necessarily include physical components as illustrated in FIG. 14. In such a case, the instance may be logically represented as comprising one or more logical functional elements.

[0364] According to at least one or a combination of methods corresponding to the embodiments described in the present disclosure, the network interface 1401, the processor 1402, and the memory 1403 of the network entity 1400 may operate. However, components of the network entity 1400 are not limited to the exemplary components illustrated in FIG. 14. In another embodiment, the network entity 1400 may further include additional components in addition to the above-mentioned components, or some components may be omitted. Further, in an embodiment, the network interface 1401, the processor 1402, or the memory 1403 may be integrated in the form of one component.

[0365] The network interface 1401 is a collective term for a transmitter part of the network entity 1400 and a receiver part of the network entity 1400, and may be a communication circuit for transmitting or receiving a signal to or from a user equipment (UE), a base station (BS), or another network entity. Here, the communication circuit may include both a communication circuit for wireless communication and a communication circuit for a wired communication. For example, the network interface 1401 may include a circuit, logic, hardware, etc., configured to exchange a control plane message or a user plane message with a UE, a BS, or other core network entities through wireless communication or wired communication. The network interface 1401 may operate using various protocols (e.g., non-access stratum (NAS) protocol). The network interface 1401 may also be referred to, for convenience of description or depending on implementation, as communication circuitry, network interface circuitry, or a communication interface circuitry.

[0366] The processor 1402 may control general operations of the network entity 1400 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The processor 1402 may be implemented by one or more integrated circuit (or circuitry) (IC) chips and may execute various data processings. The processor 1402 may include at least one electric circuit, and may execute instructions (or a program, codes, data, etc.) stored in the memory 1403, individually, collectively or in any combination thereof. Further, the processor 1402 may include a single-core processor or multi-core processor, and may include a processor assembly including a plurality of processing circuits (circuitry) according to a specific implementation scheme. Further, it should be noted that, according to another embodiment, in a case where NF is implemented in the form of an instance, the network function may be not necessarily configured by physical hardware.

[0367] According to an embodiment, the processor 1402 may be electrically, operatively, or communicatively coupled to the network interface 1401 to control the network interface 1401.

[0368] The processor 1402 may include at least one processor (or processing circuitry), and the at least one processor may perform the following operations individually, collectively or in any combination thereof. In a specific embodiment, at least a part of the processor 1402 may be included in one chip and the other part of the processor 1402 may be included in another chip. Otherwise, at least one processor may be included in another component, for example, the network interface 1401 or the memory 1403.

[0369] The processor 1402 may perform or control or cause an operation of the network entity 1400 for executing at least one or a combination of methods according to embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the processor 1402 may control operations of the network entity 1400 for exchanging a control plane message or a user plane message with a UE, a BS, or other core network entities through wireless or wired communication, using various protocols (e.g., NAS protocol). To this end, the processor 1402 may execute a computer program, codes, or instructions stored in the memory 1403, so as to control other components of the network entity 1400 to enable execution of various operations.

[0370] The memory 1403 corresponds to a hardware storage device capable of temporarily or permanently storing information and may include one or more storage media. For example, the memory 1403 may include a memory assembly including one or more storage media. For example, the one or more storage media may include permanent memory, such as a hard drive, flash memory, or read-only memory (ROM), semipermanent memory, such as random access memory (RAM), cache memory, or a combination thereof.

[0371] The memory 1403 may be electrically, operatively, or communicatively coupled to the processor 1402 and may be accessed by the processor 1402.

[0372] The memory 1403 may store a computer program, codes, or instructions executable by the processor 1402. According to an embodiment, a computer program, codes, or instructions executable by the processor 1402 may be either stored in a single memory device or separated and distributedly stored in two or more memory devices. By executing the instructions stored in the memory 1403, the processor 1402 may perform various functions according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0373] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, operations of the network entity 1400 may be caused to be performed based on execution of instructions (or a computer program or codes) stored in the memory 1403 by at least one processor (or processing circuitry) configured to execute the same individually, collectively, or in any combination thereof, based on processing circuitry that is not configured to execute instructions, and / or based on components of processing circuitry that is not configured to execute instructions.

[0374] FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a method performed by a base station in a first network in an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0375] Referring to FIG. 15, the method 1500 may include operations 1510 to 1530.

[0376] In operation 1510, the base station may receive a first message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the first message may include first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network.

[0377] In operation 1520, the base station may transmit a second message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the second message may include second information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0378] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second information may include at least one of a list of sessions that need to be established on the second network, a type of dual connectivity, identification information of a session, or configuration information of a data radio bearer.

[0379] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second message may further include at least one of fifth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity, or identification information of a base station in the second network.

[0380] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second information related to the session configuration in the second network may be transmitted from the core network node in the first network to a core network node in the second network.

[0381] In operation 1530, the base station may transmit a third message to the UE, wherein the third message may include third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0382] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fourth information may include at least one of a list of sessions that need to be established on the second network, a type of dual connectivity, identification information of a session, or configuration information of a data radio bearer.

[0383] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the third message may further include sixth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity.

[0384] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the identification information of a base station in the second network may be transmitted from the core network node in the first network to a core network node in the second network.

[0385] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the base station may receive a fifth message from the UE, wherein the fifth message may include seventh information and a non-access stratum container corresponding to the seventh information, and the seventh information may be used to determine a core network corresponding to the non-access stratum container.

[0386] In an embodiment of the disclosure, seventh information may include at least one of identification information of a core network node, identification information of a service, or identification information of content contained in a non-access stratum container.

[0387] In an embodiment of the disclosure, content contained in the non-access stratum container may be unencrypted.

[0388] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the non-access stratum container may include at least one of context information of the UE, session information, a measurement result of Measurement Data Transmission (MDT), a location measurement result, a measurement result of Sensing and Communication, or a measurement result of Artificial Intelligence.

[0389] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the base station may transmit a corresponding non-access stratum container to a corresponding core network node, based on the seventh information.

[0390] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the base station may transmit a first non-access stratum container to a first core network node while transmitting a second non-access stratum container to a second core network node.

[0391] FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a method performed by a UE in a first network in an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0392] Referring to FIG. 16, the method 1600 may include operations 1610 and 1620.

[0393] In operation 1610, the UE may transmit a first message to a base station in a first network, wherein the first message may include first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network.

[0394] In operation 1620, the UE may receive a third message from the base station in the first network, wherein the third message may include third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0395] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fourth information may include at least one of a list of sessions that need to be established on the second network, a type of dual connectivity, identification information of a session, or configuration information of a data radio bearer.

[0396] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the third message may further include sixth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity.

[0397] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a base station in a first network in a communication system, the method comprising: receiving a first message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the first message includes first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; transmitting a second message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the second message includes second information related to session configuration in the second network; transmitting a third message to the UE, wherein the third message includes third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0398] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the base station in the first network in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the second information or the fourth information includes at least one of: a list of sessions that need to be established on the second network; a type of dual connectivity; an identification of a session; configuration information of a data radio bearer.

[0399] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the base station in the first network in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the second message further includes at least one of: fifth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity, an identification of a base station in the second network.

[0400] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the base station in the first network in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the third message further includes sixth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity.

[0401] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, the method comprising: transmitting a first message to a base station in a first network, wherein the first message includes first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; receiving a third message from the base station in the first network, wherein the third message includes third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

[0402] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the user equipment (UE) in the first network in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the fourth information includes at least one of: a list of sessions that need to be established on the second network; a type of dual connectivity; an identification of a session; configuration information of a data radio bearer.

[0403] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the user equipment (UE) in the first network in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the third message further includes sixth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity.

[0404] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a core network node in a first network in a communication system, the method comprising: receiving a second message from a base station in the first network, wherein the second message includes second information related to a session configuration in a second network; transmitting a fourth message to the core network node in the second network, wherein the fourth message includes the second information related to the session configuration in the second network.

[0405] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the core network node in the first network in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the second message further includes an identification of a base station in the second network; wherein the fourth message further includes at least one of: an identification of a User Equipment (UE) and an identification of a base station in the second network.

[0406] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the core network node in the first network in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the second information includes at least one of: a list of sessions that need to be established on the second network; a type of dual connectivity; an identification of a session; configuration information of a data radio bearer.

[0407] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a base station in a communication system, the method comprising: receiving a fifth message from user equipment (UE), wherein the fifth message includes seventh information and a non-access stratum container corresponding to the seventh information, and the seventh information is used to determine a core network corresponding to the non-access stratum container; transmitting a corresponding non-access stratum container to the corresponding core network node, based on the seventh information.

[0408] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the base station in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the seventh information includes at least one of: an identification of a core network node; an identification of a service; an identification of content contained in a non-access stratum container.

[0409] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the base station in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the content contained in the non-access stratum container is not encrypted.

[0410] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the base station in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the non-access stratum container includes at least one of: context information of the UE, session information, a measurement result of Measurement Data Transmission (MDT), a location measurement result, a measurement result of Sensing and Communication, a measurement result of Artificial Intelligence.

[0411] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the base station in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the transmitting the corresponding non-access stratum container to the corresponding core network node comprises: transmitting a first non-access stratum container to a first core network node while transmitting a second non-access stratum container to a second core network node.

[0412] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, the method comprising: transmitting a fifth message to a base station, wherein the fifth message includes seventh information and a non-access stratum container corresponding to the seventh information, and the seventh information is used to determine a core network corresponding to the non-access stratum container; receiving an eighth message from the base station, wherein the eighth message includes tenth information associated with a core network node and a non-access stratum container corresponding to the tenth information.

[0413] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the user equipment (UE) in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the seventh information includes at least one of: an identification of a core network node; an identification of a service; an identification of content contained in a non-access stratum container.

[0414] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the user equipment (UE) in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the content contained in the non-access stratum container is not encrypted.

[0415] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the user equipment (UE) in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the non-access stratum container includes at least one of: context information of the UE, session information, a measurement result of Measurement Data Transmission (MDT), a location measurement result, a measurement result of Sensing and Communication, a measurement result of Artificial Intelligence.

[0416] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, via a base station in a first network, a sixth message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the sixth message includes eighth information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; receiving, via the base station in the first network, a seventh message from the core network node in the first network, wherein the seventh message includes ninth information associated with establishment of a first service on the second network; initiating a procedure of the establishment of the first service on the second network.

[0417] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the user equipment (UE) in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the method further comprises: the UE simultaneously maintaining a session of the first service on the second network and a session of a second service on the first network.

[0418] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a performed by a core network node in a first network in a communication system, the method comprising: receiving, via a base station in the first network, a sixth message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the sixth message includes eighth information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; transmitting, via the base station in the first network, a seventh message to the UE, wherein the seventh message includes ninth information associated with establishment of a first service on the second network.

[0419] In combination with any of the above embodiments, according to the method performed by the core network node in the first network in the communication system provided by the present disclosure, wherein the method further comprises: the UE simultaneously maintaining a session of the first service on the second network and a session of a second service on the first network.

[0420] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a user equipment (UE) comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and / or receive signals; and a controller configured to control the transceiver to perform the above method performed by the UE.

[0421] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a base station comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and / or receive signals; and a controller configured to control the transceiver to perform the above method performed by the base station.

[0422] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a core network node comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit and / or receive signals; and a controller configured to control the transceiver to perform the above method performed by the core network node.

[0423] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon a program which, when being executed by a computer, performs any of the above methods.

[0424] Those skilled in the art will understand that the illustrative embodiments described above are described herein and are not intended to be limiting. It should be understood that any two or more of the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any combination. In addition, other embodiments can be utilized and other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that aspects of the present disclosure of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated and designed in various different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[0425] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and steps described in the present application can be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of both. In order to clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described above in the form of their function set. Whether such a function set is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled people can implement the described function set in different ways for each specific application, but such design decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

[0426] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in the present application can be implemented in a general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0427] The steps of the method or technique described in the present application can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of both. Software modules may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, register, hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of storage media known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor to enable the processor to read and write information from / to the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in the UE. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside in the UE as discrete components.

[0428] In one or more exemplary designs, the described functions can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, each function can be stored on or transferred by a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or codes. Computer-readable media include both computer storage media and communication media, which includes any media that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0429] What has been described above is only an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure, which is determined by the appended claims.

[0430] Meanwhile, although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1.A method performed by a base station in a first network in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:receiving a first message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the first message comprises first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network;transmitting a second message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the second message comprises second information related to session configuration in the second network; andtransmitting a third message to the UE, wherein the third message comprises third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.2.The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the second information or the fourth information comprises at least one of:a list of sessions that need to be established on the second network;a type of dual connectivity;identification information of a session; orconfiguration information of a data radio bearer.3.The method of claim 1, wherein the second message further comprises at least one of fifth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity, or identification information of a base station in the second network.4.The method of claim 1, wherein the third message further comprises sixth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity.5.The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the second information related to the session configuration in the second network or identification information of a base station in the second network is transmitted from the core network node in the first network to a core network node in the second network.6.The method of claim 1, comprising:receiving a fifth message from the UE, wherein the fifth message comprises seventh information and a non-access stratum container corresponding to the seventh information, and the seventh information is used to determine a core network corresponding to the non-access stratum container; andtransmitting a corresponding non-access stratum container to a corresponding core network node, based on the seventh information.7.The method of claim 6, wherein the seventh information comprises at least one of:identification information of a core network node;identification information of a service; oridentification information of content contained in a non-access stratum container.8.The method of claim 6, wherein content contained in the non-access stratum container is unencrypted.9.The method of claim 6, wherein the non-access stratum container comprises at least one of:context information of the UE;session information;a measurement result of Measurement Data Transmission (MDT);a location measurement result;a measurement result of Sensing and Communication; ora measurement result of Artificial Intelligence.10.The method of claim 6, wherein the transmitting of the corresponding non-access stratum container to the corresponding core network node comprises:transmitting a first non-access stratum container to a first core network node while transmitting a second non-access stratum container to a second core network node.11.A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:transmitting a first message to a base station in a first network, wherein the first message comprises first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; andreceiving a third message from the base station in the first network, wherein the third message comprises third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.12.The method of claim 11, wherein the fourth information comprises at least one of:a list of sessions that need to be established on the second network;a type of dual connectivity;identification information of a session; orconfiguration information of a data radio bearer.13.The method of claim 11, wherein the third message further comprises sixth information associated with setting up a dual connectivity.14.A base station in a first network, the base station comprising:at least one transceiver;at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver; andat least one memory, coupled to the at least one processor, storing instructions executable by at least one processor to cause the base station to:receive a first message from a user equipment (UE), wherein the first message comprises first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network;transmit a second message to a core network node in the first network, wherein the second message comprises second information related to session configuration in the second network; andtransmit a third message to the UE, wherein the third message comprises third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.15.A user equipment (UE), the UE comprising:at least one transceiver;at least one processor coupled to the at least one transceiver; andat least one memory, coupled to the at least one processor, storing instructions executable by at least one processor to cause the UE to:transmit a first message to a base station in a first network, wherein the first message comprises first information associated with the UE supporting simultaneous access to the first network and a second network; andreceive a third message from the base station in the first network, wherein the third message comprises third information related to session configuration in the first network and fourth information related to session configuration in the second network.

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