CN117956529A

CN117956529A - Information transmission and switching method, management network element, service node, system and medium

Info

Publication number: CN117956529A
Application number: CN202410128499.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李振东; 梁爽
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2024-01-29
Filing date: 2024-01-29
Publication date: 2024-04-30

Abstract

The application provides an information transmission and switching method, a management network element, a service node, a system and a medium. The information transmission method comprises the steps of obtaining closed group information of user equipment in a second network; and sending the closed group information of the second network to a service node of the first network.

Description

Information transmission and switching method, management network element, service node, system and medium

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and for example, to an information transmission and handover method, a management network element, a service node, a system, and a medium.

Background

In a wireless communication system, different networks can provide different access control capabilities, and better access control effects can be achieved by combining the access control capabilities of the different networks. For example, if the coverage of the 4G network and the 5G network are provided at the same time in a certain area, for User Equipment (UE) accessing to the 4G network and the 5G network, the access of the UE can be controlled by using corresponding information and mechanism of the 4G network when accessing to the 4G network, and the access of the UE can be controlled by using corresponding information and mechanism of the 5G network when accessing to the 5G network. However, due to the difference in information and mechanisms of different networks, there is often a problem that correct access cannot be achieved in a scenario involving access control of different networks. For example, when the UE is in the 4G network, the base station of the 4G network does not know which cells the UE can access in the 5G network, which causes the UE to blindly switch/redirect the 5G network, resulting in service interruption, and reduced reliability and continuity of communication.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides an information transmission and switching method, a management network element, a service node, a system and a medium.

The embodiment of the application provides an information transmission method, which is applied to a management network element of a first network and comprises the following steps:

acquiring closed group information of user equipment in a second network;

and sending the closed group information of the second network to a service node of the first network.

The embodiment of the application also provides a switching method which is applied to the service node of the first network and comprises the following steps:

Receiving closed group information of user equipment in a second network, wherein the closed group information is sent by a management network element of the first network;

and determining a target cell switched in the second network according to the closed group information of the second network.

The embodiment of the application also provides an information transmission method which is applied to the management network element of the first network and comprises the following steps:

Acquiring closed group information of the user equipment, wherein the closed group information comprises at least one of closed access group (Closed Access Group, CAG) information and closed subscriber group (Closed Subscriber Group, CSG) information;

and transmitting the closed group information to a management network element of a second network under the condition that the user equipment is switched from the first network to the second network.

The embodiment of the application also provides an information transmission method which is applied to the management network element of the second network and comprises the following steps:

receiving closed group information of user equipment sent by a management network element of a first network, wherein the closed group information comprises at least one of CAG information and CSG information;

And sending the closed group information to a service node of the second network.

The embodiment of the application also provides a management network element, which comprises: a memory, and one or more processors;

The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

The one or more programs, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the information transmission method applied to the management network element of the first network described above.

The embodiment of the application also provides a service node, which comprises: a memory, and one or more processors;

The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

the one or more programs, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the above-described handover method applied to the service node of the second network.

The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the above-described information transmission method applied to the management network element of the second network.

The embodiment of the application also provides a communication system, which comprises: the system comprises user equipment, a first network and a second network, wherein the first network comprises a management network element, and the second network comprises a service node.

The embodiment of the application also provides a communication system, which comprises: the system comprises user equipment, a first network and a second network, wherein the first network comprises a management network element, and the second network comprises a management network element.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer readable storage medium, and a computer program is stored on the computer readable storage medium, and when the program is executed by a processor, the information transmission method or the switching method is realized.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture for two-way interoperability of 4G and 5G according to one embodiment;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of moving from a 4G CSG cell to a 5G CAG cell according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an information transmission method according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a handover method according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a closed-group information interaction process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another closed-set information interaction process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of yet another closed-group information interaction process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of yet another closed set information interaction process provided by an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of yet another closed set information interaction process according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of yet another closed set information interaction process provided by an embodiment;

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of an information transmission device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a switching device according to an embodiment;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of another information transmission device according to an embodiment;

fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another information transmission device according to an embodiment;

Fig. 17 is a schematic hardware structure of a management network element according to an embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a hardware structure of a service node according to an embodiment;

fig. 19 is a schematic hardware structure of another management network element according to an embodiment;

Fig. 20 is a schematic hardware structure of another management network element according to an embodiment;

figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment,

Fig. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

The application is described below with reference to the drawings and examples. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the application and are not limiting thereof. It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of the present application and features of the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined with each other. It should be further noted that, for convenience of description, only some, but not all of the structures related to the present application are shown in the drawings.

In a wireless communication system, different networks may provide different access control capabilities. Because of the difference of information and mechanisms of different networks, the problem that correct access cannot be achieved often exists in the scene of access control related to different networks. The present application provides a solution for access control scenarios involving different networks.

In the embodiments of the present application, a fourth generation mobile communication (4G) network and a next generation mobile communication (5G) network are mainly described as examples. The 3GPP (3 rd Generation Partnership Project) has established a fourth generation mobile communication system (4G), also called EPS (Evolved PACKET SYSTEM), from R8, and its air interface technology is called long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE). The 3GPP starts from R14 to study the next generation communication System (NextGen System), and formally formulates a 5G System specification in R15. After 5G deployment, the 4G system does not disappear soon, and in areas where a large number of 5G systems are not covered, the 4G is still providing access. After the UE accesses the 5G system, as the user moves out of coverage of the 5G system, the UE accesses the 4G system (by switching between idle state movement or network redirection, etc.), and vice versa. At this time, it is necessary to ensure continuity of the UE when moving between the 4G and 5G systems, i.e., access continuity (without initial access) and continuity of service (it is necessary to keep the user UE IP address unchanged).

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture for two-way interoperability of 4G and 5G according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, in the architecture compatible with both 4G and 5G, the core features are that a packet data Network Gateway control entity (PACKET DATA Network Gateway Control Plane, PGW-C) and a session control Plane function (Session Management Function, SMF) are integrated, a packet data Network Gateway User Plane (PACKET DATA Network Gateway-User Plane, PGW-U) and a User Plane function (User Plane function, UPF) are integrated, a Policy control function (Policy Control Function, PCF) and a Policy control and charging rules function (PCRF) are integrated, and a User Plane (User Plane) of a UE is always anchored on the UPF/PGW-U. Between the AMF and the MME, the N26 interface may or may not be deployed. For deployed N26 and undeployed N26 interfaces, the system may have different flows to handle.

The main network element, communication node or entity related to the embodiment of the application is as follows:

User Equipment (UE) is mainly accessed to a 4G network or a 5G network through a wireless air interface and obtains services, the UE exchanges information with a base station through an air interface, and exchanges information with a management entity (a mobility management entity MME, a mobility management function AMF and a session control plane function SMF) of a core network through non-Access Stratum signaling (NAS) when accessing to the 4G.

A 4G base station (RAN, radio Access Network, eNB) is responsible for air interface resource scheduling and air interface connection management of UEs accessing the network.

And the 5G base station (NG-RAN, radio Access Network) is responsible for air interface resource scheduling and air interface connection management of the UE access network. The next generation base station may be a new radio access technology (gNB) or an LTE-advanced technology (eLTE).

Mobility management entity (Mobility MANAGEMENT ENTITY, MME): the 4G core network control plane entity is mainly responsible for functions of user authentication, authorization and subscription check, user mobility management, PDN connection and bearer maintenance, paging triggering and the like in the user IDLE state.

Service gateway (SERVING GW): the 4G core network user plane functional entity is mainly responsible for interaction with PDN GW under roaming condition.

Packet data gateway (PDN GW): the 4G core network user plane functional entity is an access point of UE accessing the PDN network, is responsible for distributing user IP addresses, carrying establishment, modification and deletion triggered by the network, has the functions of QoS control charging and the like, and is an anchor point of the user in a 3GPP system, thereby ensuring that the IP addresses are unchanged and ensuring service continuity. In the control and forwarding separation architecture, the P-GW is divided into 2 parts, one is the control entity PGW-C and one is the user plane entity PGW-U. The PGW-C is responsible for signaling control, and the PGW-U is responsible for IP forwarding.

Home Subscription Server (HSS): storing subscription information of users

Policy control and charging rules function (PCRF), responsible for policy decisions and the formulation of charging rules. The PCRF provides network Control rules based on the traffic data flow including detection of the traffic data flow, gating (QoS) Control, quality of service (Quality of Service) Control, and charging rules based on the data flow, etc. The PCRF sends the formulated policy and charging rules to the P-GW for execution.

The following are control functions in a 5G network:

Session control plane function (SMF): interacting with UE, mainly responsible for processing user packet data Unit (PACKET DATA Unit, PDU) session establishment, modification and deletion requests, selecting User Plane Function (UPF); establishing user plane connection between UE and UPF; together with Policy Control Function (PCF) to determine quality of service (Quality ofService, qoS) parameters for the session, etc.

Access and mobility control function (ACCESS AND Mobility control Function, AMF): is a common control plane function within the core network. One user has only one AMF, which is responsible for authentication, authorization and subscription check of the user to ensure that the user is a legitimate user; user mobility management, including location registration and temporary identity assignment; when a user initiates a PDU session establishment request, selecting a proper SMF; forwarding non-access stratum (Non Access Stratum, NAS) signaling between the UE and the SMF; forwarding Access Stratum (AS) signaling between the base station and the SMF.

User Plane Function (UPF): user plane processing functions are provided, including data forwarding, qoS enforcement. The UPF also provides a user plane anchor point when the user moves, and ensures service continuity.

Policy Control Function (PCF): providing an authorization function for resources, which is very similar to PCRF in the 4G age.

Unified data management function (Unified DATA MANAGEMENT, UDM): the subscription data of the subscriber is stored, which is very similar to the HSS of the 4G age.

Through the mechanism of the combined network element and the intersystem interface (N26), the continuity of the user UE when moving between the 4G system and the 5G system is ensured. When the UE moves from 4G to 5G, the 5G system will convert the received UE 4G context into a 5G context. When the UE moves from 5G to 4G, the 5G system will convert the UE 5G context into a 4G context and forward it to the 4G system. This ensures as little impact as possible on the 4G system.

One specific access control scheme is defined in 4G: closed Subscriber Group (CSG). Each CSG is identified by a CSG ID, each CSG has multiple UE members, and each user UE may also belong to multiple CSG. Each 4G CSG cell supports only one CSG group that will broadcast the CSG ID over the air, and members of the closed subscriber group identified by this CSG ID can access the cell.

The UE locally maintains a list of CSG to which it belongs, and can access the cell broadcasting the CSG ID in the list, and CSG cells corresponding to other CSG IDs outside the list are not accessible to the UE. The subscription information of the user includes a list of CSG IDs to which the user can access.

In 4G, CSG is used in home network or in ad hoc network deployment.

In the private network (non Public Network, NPN) standard of 5G, there is a private network access management method: closed Access Group (CAG). Each CAG is identified by a CAG ID. Each CAG-enabled cell will broadcast its list of supported CAG IDs. The UE may also configure a CAG list that it may access, and when the UE finds that the configured CAG ID list matches the CAG ID list broadcast by the network, i.e., at least one CAG ID is the same, the UE may access the cell. In the subscription of the UE, a CAG ID list which can be accessed is also included, when the UE is registered, the base station reports the CAG ID list supported by the current cell of the UE, the AMF can obtain the CAG list subscribed by the UE from the UDM, and the AMF judges whether the UE can be accessed to the cell according to the two lists, namely, if at least one CAG ID is the same in the CAG ID list supported by the cell and the CAG ID list subscribed by the UE, the UE can be accessed to the cell, otherwise, the UE is refused.

The CSG of 4G and the CAG of 5G are similar, but there are also many differences. 1) The CSG cell of 4G only supports 1 CSG ID, and the CAG cell of 5G may broadcast a plurality of CAGs. 2) CSG of 4G supports roaming and CAG of 5G does not support roaming. 3) The CSG of the 4G is associated with UE traffic, e.g. a certain APN can only be used for certain CSG cells, whereas the CAG of the 5G is decoupled from the traffic.

In some scenarios, CSG and CAG techniques may be combined to achieve good access control. Such as providing both 4G and 5G coverage in a certain area and only certain UEs may access these 4G and 5G networks. The CSG technique may be used to control UE access in 4G and CAG in 5G. However, the prior art has a problem of not being able to access correctly.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of moving from a 4G CSG cell to a 5G CAG cell according to an embodiment. The UE accesses in the 4G CSG cell, assuming that its 5G subscription contains CAG:6,7. When the UE moves to the 4G cell edge, there are 2 5G base stations, NR 1and NR2, which support CAG respectively: 1/2/3 and CAG:4/5/6. However, the 4G base station eNB can only determine the target cell based on the signal strength, in this example, the eNB selects the cell of NR 1. The UE is handed over or redirected to the NR1 base station of the 5G network, then the UE performs mobility registration (Mobility Registration), and the AMF finds that the subscription of the UE (CAG: 6, 7) and the CAG (1, 2, 3) of the current base station cell do not match, resulting in a UE registration failure. The UE then reselects to the NR2 cell and the registration is successful. However, the PDU session of the UE is released after the registration failure, and the UE can only reestablish the PDU session, at this time, the IP address of the PDU session changes, resulting in an application layer service interruption.

In fig. 2, taking an example of the UE moving from a CSG cell to a CAG cell, the mobility problem of the CAG to the CSG cell is similar.

It can be seen that the core of the above problem is that when the UE is in the source access network (4G or 5G), the base station of the source network does not know CAG or CSG information that the UE can access in the target network (5G or 4G), resulting in blind handover/redirection and interruption of service continuity.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of an information transmission method according to an embodiment, where the method may be applied to a management network element of a first network. As shown in fig. 3, the method provided in this embodiment includes step 110 and step 120.

In step 110, closed group information of the user equipment in the second network is obtained.

In step 120, closed group information of the second network is sent to a service node of the first network.

In this embodiment, the first network and the second network are different networks, and the first network may be a network currently accessed by the UE or a source network before handover; the second network may be a network to which the UE will or may access in the future, or a target network after handover of the UE.

For example, the first network is a 4G network, the management network element in the first network is an MME, and the service node is an eNB; the second network is a 5G network, the closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the MME may send the CAG information to eMB.

For another example, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, and the service node is NG-RAN; the second network is a 4G network, the closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the AMF may send the CSG information to the NG-RAN.

In the embodiment of the present application, the CAG information may be a CAG ID list, and the CSG information may be a CSG ID list.

On the basis, the service node of the first network can acquire the closed group information of the second network, and can provide reliable basis for the UE to switch to the second network in the process of going on or possible to go on in the future, so that the UE can switch to the correct cell, and the communication reliability and service continuity are improved.

In an embodiment, the management network element of the first network is a mobility management network element MME; the closed group information of the second network includes CAG information; the closed group information of the second network is obtained by at least one of: acquiring subscription data of a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) of a first network; acquiring from a source management network element of a first network; obtained from the access and mobility control function AMF of the second network.

In this embodiment, the first network is a 4G network, the management network element in the first network is an MME, and the service node is an eNB; the second network is a 5G network, the closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the MME may send the CAG information to the eNB. The CAG information may be obtained from subscription data of the HSS, may be obtained from a source management network element of the 4G (i.e., a history MME to which the UE has access before accessing the current MME), or may be obtained from an AMF of the 5G.

In an embodiment, in case that the management network element of the first network receives the NAS message of the user equipment, the closed group information of the second network is obtained from the subscription data of the HSS. In this embodiment, the first network is a 4G network, the management network element in the first network is an MME, and the service node is an eNB; the second network is a 5G network, the closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the MME may send the CAG information to the eNB.

CAG information may be obtained from the subscription data of the HSS. For example, the UE accesses in a 4G network, sends a NAS message to the MME, and sends the NAS message to the MME via the eNB (encapsulated in an Access Stratum (AS) message), where the NAS may be an initial attach (INITIAL ATTACH) message, a Tracking Area Update (TAU) message, or a Service Request (SR) message. The MME sends a location update request (Update Location Request) to the HSS, acquires the subscription data of the UE, and the subscription data contains CAG information of the UE subscribed in 5G.

In an embodiment, in case the UE is handed over from the second network to the first network, closed group information of the second network is acquired from an AMF of the second network. In this embodiment, the first network is a 4G network, the management network element in the first network is an MME, and the service node is an eNB; the second network is a 5G network, the closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the MME may send the CAG information to the eNB.

CAG information may be obtained from the AMF of the 5G network. For example, the UE currently accesses a 5G CAG cell. The NG-RAN determines that the UE needs to be switched to a target cell of 4G according to a measurement report of the UE, and can send a switching request (Handover request) message to the AMF, wherein the switching request message carries target network and cell information and can also carry CSG information of the UE; AMF selects MME according to the target network and the cell information, and sends forward relocation request (Forward Relocation Request) information, wherein CAG information signed by UE in 5G is carried, in addition, 4G CSG information can also be carried, MME or eNB can judge whether UE can be switched into eNB by using 4G CSG information, and access control check can also be understood.

In an embodiment, acquiring closed group information of the user equipment in the second network includes: and under the condition that the user equipment is switched from the source management network element in the first network to the management network element in the first network, acquiring the closed group information of the second network from the source management network element of the first network. In this embodiment, the first network is a 4G network, a management network element in the first network is a target MME, and the service node is an eNB; the second network is a 5G network, the closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the target MME may send the CAG information to the eNB.

CAG information may be obtained from a source MME of a 4G network. For example, the UE performs an internal handover in the 4G network, such as S1 handover, and the MME changes during the handover, and the source MME sends Forward Relocation Request a message to the target MME, where the message carries CAG information that the UE signs up in 5G.

AS another example, the UE accesses the 4G network, and sends a NAS message to the network, where the NAS message is sent to the target MME via the eNB (encapsulated in an AS message), and the target MME may obtain, from the source MME, the UE context according to the UE identity (GUTI) in the NAS message, where the UE includes CAG information about the 5G subscription.

In an embodiment, the management network element of the first network is an AMF; the closed group information of the second network includes CSG information; the closed group information of the second network is obtained by at least one of: acquiring subscription data of UDM of a first network; acquiring from a source management network element of a first network; obtained from the MME of the second network.

In this embodiment, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, and the service node is NG-RAN; the second network is a 4G network, the closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the AMF may send the CSG information to the NG-RAN. The CSG information may be obtained from subscription data of the UDM, from a source management network element of 5G (i.e., a historical AMF that the UE accesses before accessing the current AMF), or from an MME of 4G.

In an embodiment, the closed group information of the second network is obtained from the subscription data of the UDM in case the management network element of the first network receives the NAS message of the user equipment. In this embodiment, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, and the service node is NG-RAN; the second network is a 4G network, the closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the AMF may send the CSG information to the NG-RAN.

The CSG information may be obtained from subscription data of the UDM. For example, the UE accesses in a 5G network, sends a NAS message to the AMF via an NG-RAN (encapsulated in AS message), where the NAS may be a Registration (Registration) message or an SR message. The AMF acquires subscription data of the UE from the UDM, wherein the subscription data comprises CSG information of the UE subscribed in 4G.

In an embodiment, in case the user equipment is handed over from the second network to the first network, closed group information of the second network is obtained from an MME of the second network. In this embodiment, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, and the service node is NG-RAN; the second network is a 4G network, the closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the AMF may send the CSG information to the NG-RAN.

CAG information may be obtained from the MME of the 4G network. For example, the UE currently accesses a 4G CSG cell. The eNB determines that the UE needs to be switched to a 5G target cell according to a measurement report of the UE, and the eNB can send a switching request (Handover request) message to the MME, wherein the switching request message carries target network and cell information and can also carry CAG information of the UE; the MME selects AMF according to the target network and the cell information and sends Forward Relocation Request information to the AMF, wherein the AMF carries CSG information signed by the UE in 4G, and can also carry CAG information. The AMF or NG-RAN may use the CAG information to determine whether the UE can switch to the NG-RAN, or may understand that access control checking is performed.

In an embodiment, in case the user equipment is switched from a source management network element in the first network to a management network element in the first network, closed group information of the second network is obtained from the source management network element of the first network. In this embodiment, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is a target AMF, and the service node is NG-RAN; the second network is a 4G network, the closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the target AMF may send the CSG information to the NG-RAN.

CSG information may be obtained from a source AMF of a 5G network. For example, the UE performs an internal handover, such as an N2 handover, in the 5G network, and the AMF changes during the handover, and the source AMF sends a create UE context request (Namf _communication_ CreateUEContext Request) message to the target AMF, where CSG information about the UE subscribed in 4G is carried.

AS another example, the UE accesses the 5G network, and sends a NAS message to the network, where the NAS message is sent to the target AMF via the NG-RAN (encapsulated in the AS message), and the target AMF may obtain, from the source AMF, the context of the UE according to the UE identifier (5G-GUTI) in the NAS message, where the context includes CSG information of the UE subscribed in 4G.

In an embodiment, the closed group information of the second network is sent to the serving node of the first network by one of the following messages: initializing a context request (Initial Context Setup Request) message; a downlink non-access stratum transmission message (Downlink NAS Transport Message); a Handover Request (Handover Request) message; a path switch acknowledgement (PATH SWITCH ACK) message.

For example, the first network is a 4G network, the management network element in the first network is an MME, and the service node is an eNB; the second network is a 5G network, the closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the MME may send an S1-AP message, such as Initial Context Setup Request or Downlink NAS transport message, to the eNB, where the CAG information carrying that the UE signs up with 5G may be included in a Handover Restriction List information element (Information Element, IE).

For example, the first network is a 4G network, a management network element in the first network is a target MME, and the serving node is an eNB; the second network is a 5G network, the closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the target MME sends the CAG information signed by the UE in 5G to the target eNB through a Handover Request or PATH SWITCH ACK message.

For example, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, and the service node is an NG-RAN; the second network is a 4G network, the closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the AMF sends an NGAP (Protocol for NG INTERFACE) message, such as Initial Context Setup Request or Downlink NAS transport message, to the NG-RAN, where the CSG information that carries the UE subscribed to the 4G may be included in Handover Restriction List cells.

For example, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is a target AMF, and the service node is NG-RAN; the second network is a 4G network, the closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the target AMF sends the CSG information signed by the UE in the 4G to the target NG-RAN through a Handover Request or PATH SWITCH ACK message.

For example, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, the service node is NG-RAN, and the closed group information of the first network is CAG information; the second network is a 4G network, a management network element in the second network is an MME, a service node is an eNB, closed group information of the second network is CSG information, the AMF sends CAG (or CSG) information of the UE to a target base station NG-RAN through a Handover Request, and the NG-RAN judges whether the UE can access the 5G network through the CAG information.

For example, the first network is a 4G network, a management network element in the first network is an MME, a service node is an eNB, and closed group information of the first network is CSG information; the second network is a 5G network, a management network element in the second network is an AMF, a service node is an NG-RAN, closed group information of the second network is CAG information, the MME sends CSG (CAG) information of the UE to the target base station eNB through a Handover Request, and the eNB judges whether the UE can access the 4G network through the CSG information.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a handover method according to an embodiment, where the method may be applied to a service node of a first network. As shown in fig. 4, the method provided in this embodiment includes step 210 and step 220. It should be noted that technical details not described in detail in this embodiment may be found in any of the above embodiments.

In step 210, closed group information of the user equipment in the second network, which is sent by the management network element of the first network, is received.

In step 220, a target cell for handover in the second network is determined from closed group information of the second network.

For example, the first network is a 4G network, the management network element in the first network is an MME, and the service node is an eNB; the second network is a 5G network, the closed group information of the second network is CAG information, the MME can send the CAG information to the eNB, and the eNB determines a target cell in the 5G network according to the CAG information.

For another example, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, and the service node is NG-RAN; the second network is a 4G network, the closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the AMF may send the CSG information to the NG-RAN, which determines a target cell in the 4G network according to the CSG information.

On the basis, the service node of the first network can acquire the closed group information of the second network, and determine a target cell in the second network according to the closed group information of the second network, and the terminal can be switched to the target cell by requesting switching or redirection, so that reliable basis can be provided for the switching to the second network which is performed by the UE or is possible to be performed in the future, the UE can be switched to the correct cell, and the communication reliability and service continuity are improved.

In an embodiment, the management network element of the first network is an MME; the closed group information of the second network includes CAG information; or the management network element of the first network is AMF; the closed group information of the second network includes CSG information.

In an embodiment, the closed group information of the second network is received by one of the following messages: initializing a context request message; transmitting a message by a downlink non-access stratum; a handover request message; a path switch acknowledgement message.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

And sending the closed group information of the target cell to user equipment through an RRC release message, wherein the user equipment is used for redirecting to the target cell.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises: and receiving the closed group information of the user equipment in the first network, which is sent by the management network element of the first network.

For example, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, the service node is NG-RAN, and the closed group information of the first network is CAG information; the second network is a 4G network, a management network element in the second network is an MME, a service node is an eNB, closed group information of the second network is CSG information, and the AMF can send CAG (or CSG) information of the UE to the target base station NG-RAN through a Handover Request.

For example, the first network is a 4G network, a management network element in the first network is an MME, a service node is an eNB, and closed group information of the first network is CSG information; the second network is a 5G network, a management network element in the second network is an AMF, a service node is an NG-RAN, closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the MME may send CSG (or CAG) information of the UE to the target base station eNB through a Handover Request.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of another information transmission method according to an embodiment, where the method may be applied to a management network element of a first network. As shown in fig. 5, the method provided in this embodiment includes step 310 and step 320.

In step 310, closed group information of a user is acquired, the closed group information including at least one of CAG information and CSG information.

In step 320, in case the user equipment is handed over from the first network to the second network, the closed group information is sent to a management network element of the second network.

In this embodiment, the first network and the second network are different networks, and the first network may be a source network before switching; the second network may be a target network after handover of the UE.

For example, the first network is a 4G network, a management network element in the first network is an MME, a service node is an eNB, and closed group information of the first network is CSG information; the second network is a 5G network, a management network element in the second network is an AMF, a service node is an NG-RAN, closed group information of the second network is CAG information, and the MME may send the CAG information and/or CSG information to the AMF, and the AMF may send the CAG information and/or CSG information to the NG-RAN.

For another example, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, the service node is NG-RAN, and the closed group information of the first network is CAG information; the second network is a 4G network, a management network element in the second network is an MME, a service node is an eNB, closed group information of the second network is CSG information, the AMF can send CAG information and/or CSG information to the MME, and the MME sends the CAG information and/or the CSG information to the eNB.

On the basis, the service node of the second network can acquire the closed group information, and a reliable basis is provided for the ongoing switching of the UE to the second network, so that the UE can be switched to a correct cell, and the communication reliability and service continuity are improved.

In an embodiment, the closed group information is obtained from a handover request message of a serving node of the first network.

In an embodiment, the management network element of the first network determines the closed group information of the second network according to at least one of:

determining second network closed group information provided by a service node in the first network;

Closed group subscription data for the second network;

and mapping the closed group information of the first network according to the local configuration to obtain closed group information corresponding to the second network.

In this embodiment, the first network is a 5G network, the management network element in the first network is an AMF, the service node is an NG-RAN, the second network is a 4G network, and the closed group information of the second network is CSG information. The AMF may obtain closed group information from a handover request message of a service node of the first network, where the closed group information includes CAG information subscribed by the UE in 5G and/or CSG information subscribed in 4G, and the AMF selects an MME and sends Forward Relocation Request, where the closed group information carries the CAG information and/or CSG information. If the CSG information obtained by the AMF includes a plurality of CSG IDs, the AMF may determine that one target CSG ID is sent to the MME, where the target CSG ID may be sent to the AMF by the NG-RAN, or may be determined by the AMF according to 4G CSG subscription data of the UE, or may be obtained by mapping 5G CAG to 4G CSG according to configuration of the AMF, for example, mapping CAG-A1, CAG-A2, and CAG-A3 to CSG-B1, CSG-B2, and CSG-B3, respectively.

In an embodiment, the closed group information is sent to a management network element of the second network by a forward relocation request message.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of yet another information transmission method according to an embodiment, where the method may be applied to a management network element of a second network. As shown in fig. 6, the method provided in this embodiment includes step 410 and step 420. It should be noted that technical details not described in detail in this embodiment may be found in any of the above embodiments.

In step 410, closed group information of a user equipment transmitted by a management network element of a first network is received, the closed group information including at least one of CAG information and CSG information.

In step 420, the closed group information is sent to a service node of the second network.

In this embodiment, the first network and the second network are different networks, and the first network may be a source network before switching; the second network may be a target network after handover of the UE. The CAG information may be a CAG ID list and the CSG information may be a CSG ID list.

The information transmission method or the handover method of the present application will be exemplarily described below by some embodiments.

Example 1

In this embodiment, the first network is a 4G network, and the second network is a 5G network.

When UE is accessed in 4G, MME sends CAG information signed by UE in 5G to eNB; the CAG information for the UE on the MME subscribed to 5G may be obtained from the HSS or the source MME (old MME). The CAG information of the 5G subscription may be a CAG ID list.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a closed group information interaction procedure according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 7, the closed group information interaction process includes:

In step 301, the ue sends a NAS message to the network at 4G access, the NAS message being sent to the MME via the eNB (encapsulated in AS message). The NAS message may be INITIAL ATTACH, TRACKING AREA Update (TAU) or Service Request (SR) message.

In step 302, the MME may obtain the UE context from the old MME according to the UE identifier in the NAS message, such as the globally unique temporary identifier (Globally Unique Temporary Identifier, GUTI), where the CAG information of the UE subscribed in 5G may be included. The MME sends Identification Request or Context Request message to the source MME to acquire the Context. This step is optional and does not necessarily occur.

In step 303, the mme sends Update Location Request a message to the HSS, and the acquired UE subscription data includes CAG information of the UE subscribed in 5G.

In step 304, the mme sends an S1-AP message, such as Initial Context Setup Request message or Downlink NAS transport message, to the eNB, where the CAG information of the UE subscribed to 5G is carried, and the information may be included in the Handover Restriction List cell.

In step 305, if the S1-AP message includes a NAS container, the eNB sends the NAS message to the UE, such as ATTACH ACCEPT or TAU Accept message.

Example 2

When the UE is switched in 4G, the MME sends CAG information signed by the UE in 5G to the eNB; the CAG information for the UE on the MME subscribed to 5G may be obtained from source MME (source MME).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another closed-set information interaction process according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 8, the closed group information interaction process includes:

in step 401, the ue performs a 4G internal handover, such as an Xn handover or an S1 handover, in the 4G

In step 402, if the MME changes during the handover procedure, the source MME sends Forward Relocation Request to the target MME, where the CAG information of the UE subscribed in 5G is carried. If no MME change occurs, then step 402 may be skipped if the source MME and the target MME are one network element in the figure.

In step403, the target MME sends CAG information of the UE subscribed in 5G to the target base station, where the message may be a Handover Request or PATH SWITCH ACK message.

Example 3

In this embodiment, the first network is a 5G network, and the second network is a 4G network.

When UE is accessed in 5G, AMF sends CSG information signed by UE in 4G to NG-RAN; the CSG information for the UE subscribed to 4G on the AMF may be obtained from the UDM or the source AMF (old AMF). Hereinafter, the CSG information of the 4G subscription refers to a CSG ID list.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of still another closed group information interaction procedure according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 9, the closed group information interaction process includes:

In step 501, the ue sends a NAS message to the network at 5G access, the message being sent to the AMF via NG-RAN (encapsulated in AS message), the NAS message may be a Registration or Service Request (SR) message.

In step 502, the AMF may obtain the context of the UE from the old AMF according to the UE identifier (5G-GUTI) in the NAS message, where the context may include CSG information about the UE subscribed in 4G. The AMF may send a transfer UE context request (Namf _communication_ UEContextTransfer Service Operation) message to the source AMF to acquire the context. This step is optional and does not necessarily occur.

Step 503, the amf obtains UE subscription data from the UDM, where the subscription data includes CSG information of the UE subscribed in the 4G

In step 504, the amf sends an NGAP message, such as Initial Context Setup Request message or Downlink NAS transport message, to the NG-RAN, where the NGAP message carries CSG information that the UE signs up for in 4G. This information may be contained in Handover Restriction List cells.

In step 505, if the NGAP message includes a NAS container, the NG-RAN sends the NAS message to the UE, such as Registration Accept message.

Example 4

When the UE is switched in 5G, AMF sends CSG information signed by the UE in 4G to NG-RAN; CSG information for a UE subscribed to 4G on an AMF may be obtained from a source AMF.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of yet another closed group information interaction procedure according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 10, the closed group information interaction process includes:

in step 601, the ue makes a 5G internal handover, such as an Xn handover or an N2 handover, within the 5G.

In step 602, if the AMF is changed during the handover process, the source AMF sends Namf _communication_ CreateUEContext Request to the target AMF, where the CSG information that the UE signs up in 4G is carried. If no AMF change occurs, then step 602 may be skipped if the source AMF and the target AMF are one network element in the figure.

In step 603, the target AMF sends CSG information subscribed by the UE in 4G to the target base station NG-RAN, where the message may be a Handover Request or PATH SWITCH ACK message.

Example 5

When the UE is switching from 4G to 5G, the eNB needs to select a target cell according to the 5G CAG information of the UE and initiate a handover/redirection.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of yet another closed set information interaction process according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 11, the closed group information interaction process includes:

In step 701, the ue currently accesses a 4G CSG cell. And the eNB judges that the UE needs to be switched to the 5G cell according to the measurement report of the UE. And the eNB determines that the UE is destined to the 5G target cell according to the 5G CAG subscription of the UE.

The eNB switches the UE to the 5G CAG cell in 2 ways. One is the switching method of steps 702 to 704, and the other is the redirection method of step 705. The eNB will only perform one of them.

In step 702, the enb sends a Handover request (Handover required) message to the MME, where the Handover request message carries the target network and cell information, and optionally, 5G CAG information of the UE.

In step 703, according to the target information, the MME selects AMF and sends Forward Relocation Request, where the AMF carries CAG information of the UE subscribed in 5G and/or UE 4G CSG subscription information.

In step 704, the amf sends the UE in 4G CSG and/or 5G CAG information to the target base station NG-RAN through the Handover Request, and the NG-RAN judges whether the UE can access through the 5G CAG information, and performs access control check by using the 4G CSG information.

In step 705, the enb sends RRC RELEASE a message (RRC RELEASE WITH Redirection) to the UE, which includes the redirected target cell (5G cell) information, which may include CAG information of the target cell. The UE selects the cell and accesses the 5G system, for a flow see example 3 (fig. 9).

Example 6

When the UE is switching from 5G to 4G, the NG-RAN needs to select the target cell according to the UE's 4G CSG information and initiate a handover/redirection.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of yet another closed group information interaction procedure according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 12, the closed group information interaction process includes:

In step 801, the ue currently accesses a 5G CAG cell. And the NG-RAN judges that the UE needs to be switched to the 4G cell according to the measurement report of the UE. And the NG-RAN determines that the UE goes to the 4G target cell according to the 4G CSG subscription of the UE.

The NG-RAN switches the UE to the 4G CSG cell in 2 ways. One is the switching method of steps 802 to 804, and the other is the redirection method of step 805. Only one of which is performed by the NG-RAN.

In step 802, the ng-RAN sends a Handover request (Handover required) message to the AMF, where the Handover request message carries the target network and cell information, and optionally, 4G CSG information of the UE.

In step 803, the AMF selects an MME according to the target information, and sends Forward Relocation Request, where the MME carries CAG information and/or target 4G CSG information for the UE subscribed in 5G. The 4G CSG information may be sent to the AMF by the base station NG-RAN in step 802, or the AMF may determine according to the 4G CSG subscription of the UE, or map the 5G CAG to the 4G CSG according to the configuration of the AMF.

In step 804, the mme sends the UE 4G CSG and/or 5G CAG information to the target base station enb via the Handover Request, and the enb determines whether the UE can access via the 4G CSG information, and performs access control check using the 5G CAG information.

In step 805, the ng-RAN sends RRC RELEASE a message (RRC RELEASE WITH Redirection) to the UE, which includes the redirected target cell (4G cell) information, which may include CSG information of the target cell. The UE selects the cell and accesses the 4G system

In step 806, after the handover is completed or after redirection, the UE initiates a TAU procedure to the 4G network. This step can be seen in example 1 (fig. 7).

The embodiment of the application also provides an information transmission device. Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of an information transmission device according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 13, the information transmission apparatus includes:

an obtaining module 510, configured to obtain closed group information of the user equipment in the second network;

a sending module 520 is configured to send the closed group information of the second network to a service node of the first network.

In an embodiment, the management network element of the first network is a mobility management network element MME; the closed group information of the second network includes CAG information;

The closed group information of the second network is obtained by at least one of the following means:

Acquiring subscription data of the HSS of the first network;

acquiring from a source management network element of the first network;

And acquiring from an access and mobility control function (AMF) of the second network.

In an embodiment, the management network element of the first network is an AMF; the closed group information of the second network includes CSG information;

acquiring subscription data of a unified data management function (UDM) of the first network;

acquiring from a source management network element of the first network;

obtained from an MME of the second network.

In an embodiment, the closed group information of the second network is sent to the serving node of the first network by one of the following messages: initializing a context request message; transmitting a message by a downlink non-access stratum; a handover request message; a path switch acknowledgement message.

In one embodiment, the acquisition module 510 is configured to: and under the condition that the management network element of the first network receives the NAS message of the user equipment, acquiring the closed group information of the second network from the subscription data of the HSS.

In one embodiment, the acquisition module 510 is configured to: and acquiring closed group information of the second network from an AMF of the second network in the condition that the user equipment is switched to the first network by the second network.

In one embodiment, the acquisition module 510 is configured to: and under the condition that the management network element of the first network receives the NAS message of the user equipment, acquiring the closed group information of the second network from the subscription data of the UDM.

In one embodiment, the acquisition module 510 is configured to: and acquiring closed group information of the second network from an MME of the second network under the condition that the user equipment is switched to the first network by the second network.

In one embodiment, the acquisition module 510 is configured to: and under the condition that the user equipment is switched from the source management network element in the first network to the management network element in the first network, acquiring the closed group information of the second network from the source management network element of the first network.

The information transmission device according to the present embodiment and the information transmission method applied to the management network element of the first network according to the foregoing embodiment belong to the same inventive concept, and technical details not described in detail in the present embodiment can be seen in any of the foregoing embodiments, and the present embodiment has the same advantages as those of executing the information transmission method.

The embodiment of the application also provides a switching device. Fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a switching device according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 14, the switching device includes:

a first receiving module 610, configured to receive closed group information of a user equipment in a second network, where the closed group information is sent by a management network element of the first network;

A determining module 620 is configured to determine a target cell for handover in the second network according to the closed group information of the second network.

In an embodiment, further comprising:

In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises:

The second receiving module is configured to receive closed group information of the user equipment in the first network, which is sent by the management network element of the first network.

The switching device according to the present embodiment and the switching method applied to the service node of the first network according to the foregoing embodiment belong to the same inventive concept, and technical details not described in detail in the present embodiment can be seen in any of the foregoing embodiments, and the present embodiment has the same advantages as those of executing the switching method.

The embodiment of the application also provides an information transmission device. Fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of an information transmission device according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 15, the information transmission apparatus includes:

An obtaining module 710 configured to obtain closed group information of the user equipment, where the closed group information includes at least one of CAG information and CSG information;

A sending module 720, configured to send the closed group information to a management network element of the second network in case the user equipment is handed over from the first network to the second network.

Closed group subscription data of the second network;

and mapping the closed group information of the first network to obtain closed group information corresponding to the second network according to the local configuration.

The embodiment of the application also provides an information transmission device. Fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of an information transmission device according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 16, the information transmission apparatus includes:

a receiving module 810, configured to receive closed group information of a user equipment sent by a management network element of a first network, where the closed group information includes at least one of CAG information and CSG information;

a sending module 820 is arranged to send the closed group information to a service node of the second network.

The information transmission device according to the present embodiment and the information transmission method applied to the management network element of the second network according to the foregoing embodiment belong to the same inventive concept, and technical details not described in detail in the present embodiment can be seen in any of the foregoing embodiments, and the present embodiment has the same advantages as those of executing the information transmission method.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a management network element, and fig. 17 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a management network element provided by an embodiment, as shown in fig. 17, where the management network element provided by the present application includes a processor 910 and a memory 911; the number of processors 910 in the management network element may be one or more, and one processor 910 is illustrated in fig. 17; the memory 911 is configured to store one or more programs; the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors 910 to cause the one or more processors 910 to implement the information transmission method applied to the management network element of the first network as described in the embodiment of the present application.

The management network element further comprises: a communication device 912, an input device 913, and an output device 914.

The processor 910, the memory 911, the communication device 912, the input device 913, and the output device 914 in the management network element may be connected by a bus or other means, for example by a bus connection in fig. 17.

The input means 913 may be used to receive input numeric or character information and to generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the management network element. The output 914 may include a display device such as a display screen.

The communications device 912 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The communication device 912 is configured to perform information transmission and reception communication according to the control of the processor 910.

The memory 911 is configured as a computer readable storage medium, and may be configured to store a software program, a computer executable program, and a module, as described in the embodiment of the present application, corresponding to a program instruction/module of the information transmission method applied to the management network element of the first network. The memory 911 may include a storage program area that may store an operating system, at least one application program required for functions, and a storage data area; the storage data area may store data created according to the use of the management network element, etc. In addition, the memory 911 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In some examples, memory 911 may further include memory located remotely from processor 910, which may be connected to the management network element through a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

The embodiment of the application also provides a service node, fig. 18 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of the service node provided by the embodiment, as shown in fig. 18, and the service node provided by the application includes a processor 920 and a memory 921; the service node may have one or more processors 920, one processor 920 being illustrated in fig. 18; memory 921 is configured to store one or more programs; the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors 920, so that the one or more processors 920 implement the information transmission method applied to the service node of the first network as described in the embodiment of the present application.

The service node further comprises: communication device 922, input device 923, and output device 924.

The processor 920, the memory 921, the communication device 922, the input device 923, and the output device 924 in the service node may be connected by a bus or other means, for example by a bus connection in fig. 18.

The input device 923 may be used to receive input numeric or character information and to generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the service node. The output device 924 may include a display device such as a display screen.

Communication device 922 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The communication device 922 is configured to perform information transmission and reception communication according to control of the processor 920.

The memory 921 is configured as a computer readable storage medium, and may be configured to store a software program, a computer executable program, and a program instruction/module corresponding to a handover method applied to a service node of a first network according to an embodiment of the present application. The memory 921 may include a storage program area that may store an operating system, at least one application program required for functions, and a storage data area; the storage data area may store data created according to the use of the service node, etc. Further, the memory 921 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid state storage device. In some examples, memory 921 may further comprise memory remotely located with respect to processor 920, which may be connected to a service node through a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a management network element, fig. 19 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of another management network element provided by an embodiment, and as shown in fig. 19, the management network element provided by the present application includes a processor 930 and a memory 931; the number of processors 930 in the management network element may be one or more, and one processor 930 is illustrated in fig. 19; the memory 931 is configured to store one or more programs; the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors 930, so that the one or more processors 930 implement the information transmission method applied to the management network element of the first network as described in the embodiment of the present application.

The management network element further comprises: a communication device 932, an input device 933, and an output device 934.

The processor 930, memory 931, communication device 932, input device 933, and output device 934 in the management network element may be connected by a bus or other means, for example by a bus connection in fig. 19.

The input device 933 may be used to receive input numeric or character information and to generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the management network element. The output 934 may include a display device such as a display screen.

The communication device 932 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The communication device 932 is configured to perform information transceiving communication according to control of the processor 930.

The memory 931, as a computer readable storage medium, may be configured to store a software program, a computer executable program, and a module, as described in the embodiment of the present application, corresponding to a program instruction/module of the information transmission method applied to the management network element of the first network. The memory 931 may include a storage program region that may store an operating system, at least one application program required for functions, and a storage data region; the storage data area may store data created according to the use of the management network element, etc. In addition, memory 931 may include high speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid state storage device. In some examples, memory 931 may further include memory located remotely from processor 930, which may be connected to the management network element through a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a management network element, and fig. 20 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of another management network element provided by an embodiment, as shown in fig. 20, where the management network element provided by the present application includes a processor 940 and a memory 941; the number of processors 940 in the management network element may be one or more, and one processor 940 is taken as an example in fig. 20; the memory 941 is configured to store one or more programs; the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors 940, so that the one or more processors 940 implement an information transmission method applied to a management network element of a second network as described in the embodiment of the present application.

The management network element further comprises: a communication device 942, an input device 943, and an output device 944.

The processor 940, the memory 941, the communication means 942, the input means 943 and the output means 944 in the management network element may be connected by a bus or other means, for example in fig. 20.

The input device 943 is operative to receive input numerical or character information and to generate key signal inputs associated with user settings and function controls of the administrative network element. The output 944 may include a display device such as a display screen.

The communication device 942 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The communication device 942 is configured to perform information transmission and reception communication according to the control of the processor 940.

The memory 941 serves as a computer readable storage medium, and may be configured to store a software program, a computer executable program, and a module, which are program instructions/modules corresponding to the information transmission method applied to the management network element of the second network according to the embodiment of the present application. Memory 941 may include a storage program area that may store an operating system, at least one application program required for functionality, and a storage data area; the storage data area may store data created according to the use of the management network element, etc. In addition, memory 941 may include high-speed random access memory and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In some examples, memory 941 may further include memory located remotely from processor 940, which may be connected to the management network element via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, and fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment, as shown in fig. 21, where the system includes: the user equipment 10, the first network 20 and the second network 30, wherein the first network 20 comprises the management network element 21, and the second network 30 comprises the service node 31.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, fig. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication system provided in an embodiment, as shown in fig. 22, where the system includes: the user equipment 10, the first network 40 and the second network 50, wherein the first network 40 comprises the management network element 41, and the second network 50 comprises the service node 51.

The embodiment of the application also provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program realizes the information transmission method or the switching method according to any one of the embodiments of the application when being executed by a processor.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program/instruction, wherein the computer program/instruction realizes the information transmission method or the switching method according to any one of the embodiments of the application when being executed by a processor.

The computer storage media of embodiments of the application may take the form of any combination of one or more computer-readable media. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to: an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or a combination of any of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an erasable programmable Read-Only Memory (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, EPROM), a flash Memory, an optical fiber, a portable CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, either in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated data signal may take many forms, including, but not limited to: electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination of the preceding. A computer readable signal medium may also be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to: wireless, wire, fiber optic cable, radio Frequency (RF), and the like, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present application may be written in one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, smalltalk, C ++ and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the case of a remote computer, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any kind of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet service provider).

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product comprising a computer program/instruction which, when executed by a processor, implements a video encoding method as described in any of the embodiments above.

The foregoing description is only exemplary embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the scope of the application.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the term user terminal encompasses any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as a mobile telephone, a portable data processing portable web browser or a car mobile station.

In general, the various embodiments of the application may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the application is not limited thereto.

Embodiments of the application may be implemented by a data processor of a mobile device executing computer program instructions, e.g. in a processor entity, either in hardware, or in a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (Instruction Set Architecture, ISA) instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

The block diagrams of any of the logic flows in the figures of this application may represent program steps, or may represent interconnected logic circuits, modules, and functions, or may represent a combination of program steps and logic circuits, modules, and functions. The computer program may be stored on a memory. The Memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, but not limited to, read-Only Memory (ROM), random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), optical Memory devices and systems (digital versatile Disk (Digital Video Disc, DVD) or Compact Disk (CD)), etc., the computer readable medium may comprise a non-transitory storage medium.

The foregoing detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the application has been provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples. Various modifications and adaptations to the above embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the application, which is defined in the accompanying drawings and claims. Accordingly, the proper scope of the application is to be determined according to the claims.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that it is applied to a management network element of a first network, comprising:

acquiring closed group information of user equipment in a second network;

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the management network element of the first network is a mobility management network element MME; the closed group information of the second network comprises Closed Access Group (CAG) information;

acquiring subscription data of a Home Subscription Server (HSS) of the first network;

acquiring from a source management network element of the first network;

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the management network element of the first network is an AMF; the Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) information of the second network comprises closed CSG information;

acquiring from a source management network element of the first network;

obtained from an MME of the second network.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the closed group information of the second network is sent to the serving node of the first network by one of the following messages:

initializing a context request message; transmitting a message by a downlink non-access stratum; a handover request message; a path switch acknowledgement message.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining closed group information for the user device at the second network comprises:

And under the condition that the management network element of the first network receives the NAS message of the user equipment, acquiring the closed group information of the second network from the subscription data of the HSS.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining closed group information for the user device at the second network comprises:

And acquiring closed group information of the second network from an AMF of the second network in the condition that the user equipment is switched to the first network by the second network.

7. A method according to claim 3, wherein obtaining closed group information of the user equipment at the second network comprises:

And under the condition that the management network element of the first network receives the NAS message of the user equipment, acquiring the closed group information of the second network from the subscription data of the UDM.

8. A method according to claim 3, wherein obtaining closed group information of the user equipment at the second network comprises:

And acquiring closed group information of the second network from an MME of the second network under the condition that the user equipment is switched to the first network by the second network.

9. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein obtaining closed group information of the user equipment at the second network comprises:

And under the condition that the user equipment is switched from the source management network element in the first network to the management network element in the first network, acquiring the closed group information of the second network from the source management network element of the first network.

10. A method of handover, applied to a service node of a first network, comprising:

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the management network element of the first network is an MME; the closed group information of the second network comprises Closed Access Group (CAG) information;

Or alternatively

The management network element of the first network is AMF; the closed subscriber group information of the second network includes closed subscriber group CSG information.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the closed group information for the second network is received via one of:

13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

And sending the closed group information of the target cell to user equipment through a Radio Resource Control (RRC) release message, wherein the user equipment is used for redirecting to the target cell.

14. An information transmission method, characterized in that it is applied to a management network element of a first network, comprising:

acquiring closed group information of user equipment, wherein the closed group information comprises at least one of Closed Access Group (CAG) information and closed user group (CSG) information;

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the closed group information is obtained from a handover request message of a serving node of the first network.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the management network element of the first network determines the closed group information of the second network based on at least one of:

Closed group subscription data of the second network;

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the closed group information is sent to a management network element of the second network by a forward relocation request message.

18. An information transmission method, characterized in that it is applied to a management network element of a second network, comprising:

Receiving closed group information of user equipment sent by a management network element of a first network, wherein the closed group information comprises at least one of CAG information and closed user group (CSG) information;

19. A management network element, comprising: a memory, and one or more processors;

The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

The one or more programs, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the information transmission method of any of claims 1-9.

20. A service node, comprising: a memory, and one or more processors;

The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

the one or more programs, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the handover method of any of claims 10-13.

21. A management network element, comprising: a memory, and one or more processors;

The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

the one or more programs, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the information transmission method of any of claims 14-17.

22. A management network element, comprising: a memory, and one or more processors;

The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

the one or more programs, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the information transmission method of claim 18.

23. A communication system, comprising: a user equipment, a first network comprising the management network element according to claim 19, and a second network comprising the service node according to claim 20.

24. A communication system, comprising: a user equipment, a first network comprising the management network element according to claim 21, and a second network comprising the management network element according to claim 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, characterized in that the program, when being executed by a processor, implements the information transmission method according to any one of claims 1-9 or 14-17 or the handover method according to any one of claims 10-13.