CN101400041B

CN101400041B - Method, apparatus and system for distributing, obtaining position region identification information

Info

Publication number: CN101400041B
Application number: CN2007100773870A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郭小龙; 张万强; 张鹏
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-27
Filing date: 2007-09-27
Publication date: 2011-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-27
Also published as: WO2009043263A1; CN101400041A

Abstract

The invention relates to mobile communication field and discloses a method for acquiring position zone mark information. The method comprises following steps: control plane entity judges the assigned location area mark information is first location area mark information, then transmits message carrying special mark information according to first location area mark information; terminal receives message carrying special mark information, acquires corresponding first location area mark information according to the special mark information. The control plane entity judges the location area mark information assigned to terminal is identical with that originally assigned, then sends special mark message to terminal while not needing to repeatedly sending location area mark information, which can not bring unnecessary load for network, saves relatively more air interface resources especially when control plane entity assigns relatively more location area mark information.

Description

Method, device and system for distributing and acquiring location area identification information

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of mobile communication, in particular to a technology for acquiring identification information of a location area by a terminal.

Background

In the third generation Mobile communication system, attention is paid to a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) that uses Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) communication system air interface technology, and UMTS is also a third generation wireless communication network technology standard defined by the third generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) organization. As shown in fig. 1, the UMTS system is composed of three parts, namely, a Core Network (Core Network, abbreviated as "CN"), a universal mobile telecommunications system Terrestrial radio access Network (UMTS Terrestrial radio access Network, abbreviated as "UTRAN"), and a User Equipment (User Equipment, abbreviated as "UE").

The UTRAN further includes a plurality of Radio Network Subsystems (RNSs) connected to the CN. An RNS includes a Radio Network Controller (RNC) and one or more base stations (Node bs), each of which covers one or more cells.

The CN is logically divided into a Circuit Switched (CS) domain and a Packet Switched (PS) domain. The CS domain is a CS domain, the Serving Gprs Support Node (SGSN) and the gprs Support Node (GGSN) belong to a PS domain, and the home Location Register (HomeLocation Register, HLR) belongs to a function Node shared by the CS domain and the PS domain. The MSC/VLR completes the control, management, authentication, encryption, etc. functions of the CS domain, and the GMSC is a network manager of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC for short) and is responsible for connection with other fixed or Mobile networks.

Currently, in 3GPP, various manufacturers are actively researching Long Term evolution (Long Term evolution, abbreviated as LTE)/System Architecture evolution (System Architecture evolution, abbreviated as SAE), where LTE is used to provide a low-cost network that can reduce delay, improve user data rate, improve System capacity and coverage, and a PS domain service is used, and a bearer network is an IP bearer. FIG. 2 is a conventional LTE/SAE network architecture. In an evolved packet core network, wherein:

the Mobility Management Entity (MME) functions to store a Mobility Management context of the UE, such as an identifier of the UE, a Mobility Management state, location information, and the like, process a Non Access Stratum (NAS) signaling, and is responsible for security of the NAS signaling.

The SAE Gateway includes a Serving Gateway (S-GW) and a packet data network Gateway (PDN GW), where the S-GW and the P-GW are two logical entities and may exist on the same or different physical entities. The S-GW is configured to store a user plane context of the UE, such as an IP address and routing information of the UE, and perform lawful interception, a packet data routing function, and the like. The interface between the S-W and the MME is S11, which is responsible for communication between the MME and the UPE, and performs interaction of mobility management information of the UE and session control information, etc.

The MME is responsible for the connection of a control plane and a user plane with the EUTRAN network through S1-MME and S-GW through S1-u respectively. Meanwhile, MME is connected with 2G/3GSGSN through S3 interface and S-GW through S4 interface, and is responsible for mobility control plane anchor point and user plane anchor point function of UE between 3G and SAE network.

The P-GW is responsible for the user plane anchor point function of UE accessing to the packet data network, communicates with the external packet data network through the SGi reference point, has the functions of packet routing and forwarding, and is responsible for the functions of policy charging enhancement, the packet filtering function based on each user and the like. The P-GW connects to the S-GW through an S5 interface, and transfers control information such as bearer establishment/modification/deletion, packet data routing, and the like.

A Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) transmits QoS and Charging Policy control information to the P-GW as a Policy and Charging Enhancement Function (PCEF) through an S7 interface.

The problem of limited signaling in different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) between SAE and Pre-SAE (i.e. 2G/3G networks) is that if the UE moves between different RATs (e.g. 2G/3G networks and evolved networks), the UE may change to camp on different networks to frequently cause network registration procedures, and the frequent network registration procedures are a great waste of air interfaces.

As shown in fig. 3, which is a multi-RAT network structure, RA1 and RA2 are existing 2G/3G Routing areas (Routing areas), and a Routing Area Update (RAU) procedure is initiated by an existing 2G/3G UE each time RA is replaced. Certainly, the UE has a periodic location update procedure without changing the RA, which is used to make the network know that the UE is currently in the network, so as to prevent the UE from leaving the network and paging the UE continuously without the network knowing. In the SAE network, in order to prevent the UE from frequently initiating TAU procedures when changing tracking areas (TA, similar to RA of 2G/3G), MME allocates a tracking area List (TA List) to the UE. A group of TAs is included in the tracking area list, and the UE does not need to initiate a TAU procedure when moving within the group of TAs, thereby saving network resources. Of course in this case the periodic location update procedure is still performed. For the TA list, the network side may allocate the same TA list to all UEs according to pre-configuration, or may allocate different TA lists to the UEs according to the mobility of each UE.

The restriction signaling between different RATs (Radio Access Technology) between Pre-SAE (i.e. 2G/3G network) is an important issue, i.e. when the UE moves between different RATs (e.g. 2G/3G network and evolved network), the UE may change to camp on different networks and frequently cause network registration procedures, and the frequent network registration procedures are a great waste of air interfaces.

RA1 and RA2 are existing Routing areas of 2G/3G (Routing Area), TA1, TA2, TA3 and TA4 are Tracking areas of evolved networks (Tracking Area, similar to RA of 2G/3G). Thus, when a multimode UE moves in these areas, if there is no mechanism, it will cause frequent network registration procedures, such as UE entering RA1 to register with 2G/3G SGSN, UE entering TA1 to register with MME/UPE of evolved network, UE moving out of TA1 to enter RA1 and to register with 2G/3G SGSN. The purpose of registration is to enable the network to page to the UE in a certain RAT, but with a significant amount of registration signaling overhead.

Inter-RAT restriction signaling is proposed to solve the problem, and several methods are currently proposed in specification document TR23.882 of 3GPP SAE (system architecture Evolution) to avoid the problem. At present, a scheme is basically established to reduce the impact of registration/update of an idle mode UE in an inter RAT on an air interface. The idea of the solution is that the UE registers to one access network (2G/3G network or evolved network) after attach, and then the UE moves to another access network and registers to another access network, so that the UE simultaneously registers to two access networks, and then moves in corresponding registration areas (RA or TA) of the two networks without initiating any registration process. When the UE changes RA or TA, normal RAU or TAU procedures are initiated. Both access systems (SGSN of 2G/3G or MME of evolved network) to which the UE is registered have context of the UE.

As shown in fig. 4, for the UE-initiated periodic tracking area update procedure in the prior art:

step 401, UE sends TAU request message to MME, where the message carries information such as update type, and the update type indicates periodic TAU;

step 402, the MME judges whether authentication with the UE is needed or not according to the information reported by the UE, and if so, the MME executes a security function;

step 403, the MME determines that the tracking area update request of the UE can be accepted, sends a TAU accept message to the UE, where the message carries information such as TA list and S-TMSI, if the MME allocates a new S-TMSI to the UE, the message carries new S-TMSI information, and if the MME does not allocate a new S-TMSI, the message carries old S-TMSI information.

In step 404, if the UE receives the new S-TMSI information allocated by the MME, a TAU completion message is returned to the MME to confirm that the newly allocated S-TMSI has been successfully received.

The inventor of the present invention finds, through further analysis, that a defect in the prior art is that, when the TA list allocated by the MME to the UE does not change, the TAU accept message still needs to carry the unchanged TA list information, which brings unnecessary burden to the network, and especially, when the TA list allocated by the MME is relatively large, more air interface resources are occupied. In addition, in the prior art, there is a prohibited TA List concept, where the MME allocates a prohibited TA List to the UE, and the UE will not access any TA in the TA List. And in the attachment acceptance message and the tracking area updating acceptance message, the MME sends the prohibited TA list information to the UE. If the prohibited TA list information is not changed, the unchanged information still needs to be sent to the UE in the tracking area accept message, thereby wasting the limited radio side resources.

Disclosure of Invention

The main technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method, an apparatus and a system for acquiring location area identification information, which can reduce the burden on the network.

The main technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for allocating location area identification information, which can reduce the burden on the network and save air interface resources.

To solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for acquiring location area identification information, including the following steps:

receiving a message carrying special identification information;

and acquiring corresponding position area identification information according to the special identification information.

To solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for acquiring location area identification information, including:

the receiving unit is used for receiving the message carrying the special identification information;

and the acquisition unit is used for acquiring the corresponding position area identification information according to the special identification information.

To solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for allocating location area identification information, including the following steps:

judging that the allocated location area identification information is first location area identification information;

and sending a corresponding message carrying the special identification information according to the identification information of the first location area.

To solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for allocating location area identification information, including:

an allocation unit configured to determine whether the allocated location area identification information is first location area identification information;

and the sending unit is used for sending the message carrying the special identification information according to the identification information of the first location area.

when the control plane entity judges that the allocated location area identification information is first location area identification information, sending a message carrying special identification information to the terminal according to the first location area identification information;

and after receiving the message carrying the special identification information, the terminal acquires corresponding first location area identification information according to the special identification information.

To solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a system for acquiring location area identification information, including:

the control plane entity is used for judging whether the distributed location area identification information is first location area identification information or not, and sending a message carrying special identification information to the terminal if the distributed location area identification information is the first location area identification information;

and the terminal is used for receiving the message carrying the special identification information and acquiring the corresponding first location area identification information according to the special identification information.

judging whether the new location area is entered into the stored location area identification information, if so, receiving the location area identification information configured in the system broadcast message;

if not, initiating an updating request and receiving the location area identification information configured for the accessed location area in the system broadcast message.

Compared with the prior art, the implementation mode of the invention has the main differences and the effects that: the control plane entity of the invention sends the special identification information to the terminal without repeatedly sending the location area identification information under the condition of judging that the location area identification information distributed to the terminal is consistent with the original distribution, thus not bringing unnecessary burden to the network, and saving more air interface resources especially under the condition that the control plane entity distributes more location area identification information.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art UMTS system architecture;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a prior art LTE/SAE network architecture;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a prior art multi-RAT network architecture;

fig. 4 is a prior art UE initiated periodic tracking area update flow diagram;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of the terminal acquiring location area identification information according to the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of the terminal acquiring location area identification information according to the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the terminal acquiring location area identification information according to the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of the terminal acquiring location area identification information according to the present invention;

fig. 9 is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of the present invention in which a terminal acquires location area identification information;

fig. 10 is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of the terminal acquiring location area identification information according to the present invention;

fig. 11 is a flowchart of a seventh embodiment of the terminal acquiring location area identification information according to the present invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of a system for acquiring location area identifiers by a terminal according to the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of the system for acquiring location area identifiers by a terminal according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in fig. 5, a flowchart of a first embodiment of the terminal acquiring location area identifier information according to the present invention mainly includes the following steps:

the first step is to allocate location area identification information to the control plane entity, and the specific allocation step comprises:

step 1, judging that the distributed location area identification information is first location area identification information;

and step 2, sending a message carrying the corresponding special identification information according to the identification information of the first location area.

The second step is that the terminal obtains the identification information of the position area, and the specific obtaining step comprises:

step 3, after the terminal receives the message carrying the special identification information sent by the control plane entity;

and 4, acquiring corresponding position area identification information according to the special identification information.

In step 1, when the control plane entity judges that the allocated first location area identification information is the originally used location area identification information; in step 2, the sent corresponding special identification information may be a flag bit, or a special cause value, or empty location area identification information, or a location identification information parameter not carried in the message; in step 3, after the terminal receives the special identification information in step 2, in step 4, the terminal obtains the corresponding originally used location area identification information according to the special identification information.

In step 1, when the control plane entity determines that the allocated first location identity information is a location area list to which at least one piece of location area identity information is added or subtracted correspondingly on an originally used location area list; in step 2, the message carrying the corresponding special identification information is sent as an indication for increasing or decreasing at least one location area identification information and a message of the increased or decreased location area identification information and the changed location area identification information; in step 3, after the terminal receives the message carrying the special identification information in step 2, in step 4, the terminal obtains the location area list after at least one location area identification information is correspondingly added or subtracted on the originally used location area list according to the special identification information.

And the empty position identification information is the position area identification information, wherein the identification type length value is 0.

Wherein, before step 1, the method further comprises the steps of:

receiving request information of updating a location area;

and if the authentication is needed according to the request information, executing the safety function.

Or, before step 1, the method further comprises the steps of:

and the control plane entity initiates the reallocation of the temporary mobile user identification information.

The location area identification information is a tracking area identification or a tracking area list or a routing area identification or a routing area list or other location area identifications or lists.

Wherein the control plane entity may be an MME or an SGSN, and the temporary mobile subscriber identity information may be a P-TMSI or an S-TMSI.

As shown in fig. 6, a flowchart of a second embodiment of the present invention for acquiring location area identifier information is shown, where a TAU initiated by a UE includes the following steps:

step 601, the UE sends a TAU request message to the MME, where the message carries information such as an update type, for example, the update type indicates periodic TAU;

step 602, the MME determines whether authentication with the UE is required according to the information reported by the UE, and interacts with the HSS to execute a security function if required;

step 603, the MME sends a TAU acceptance message to the UE;

in step 603, the MME first determines whether the TA List allocated to the UE changes, and if the TA List allocated to the UE by the MME does not change, the MME sends a message carrying special identification information to the UE to indicate that the TA List does not change, where the special identification information may be a flag bit or a special Cause (Cause) value, or may be an empty TA List or does not send TA List information. The specific way of sending the empty TA list is that the TA list carried in the TAU accept message sent by the MME is in TLV (type length value) format, and when the length of the parameter TA list is 0, it indicates that the TA list is empty; the specific way of not sending the TA List information is that the TA List parameter is optional, and when the parameter is not carried in the TAU accept message, it indicates that the original TA List is still used.

If the TA list allocated to the UE by the MME changes, but the change is only that the TA list increases or decreases one or more TAIs, the MME does not transfer the unchanged TAIs to the UE, and sends a message carrying special identification information and the changed TAI information to the UE, wherein the special identification information is an indication of increasing or decreasing one or more TAIs;

and if the TA list distributed to the UE by the MME changes, sending the TA list information carrying the change to the UE. The MME carries new S-TMSI information if it allocates new S-TMSI to the UE, and carries old S-TMSI information if it does not allocate new S-TMSI.

Step 604, the UE acquires TA list information;

if the UE receives the changed TA list information carried in the TAU receiving message sent by the MME, the UE acquires the changed TA list information; if the UE receives that the TAU receiving message sent by the MME carries the special identification information, the UE uses the original TAlist according to the indication of the special identification information, or uses the TA list after one or more TAIs are added or reduced in the original TA list.

Step 605, the UE receives the new S-TMSI allocated by the MME, and returns a TAU complete message to the MME to confirm successful reception of the newly allocated S-TMSI.

As shown in fig. 7, a flowchart of a third embodiment of the present invention for acquiring location area identifier information is shown, where a UE-initiated RAU includes the following steps:

step 701, UE sends RAU request message to SGSN, wherein the message carries information such as update type;

step 702, SGSN judges whether authentication with UE is needed according to the information reported by UE, if so, SGSN interacts with HSS to execute safety function;

step 703, the SGSN sends an RAU accept message to the UE;

in step 703, the SGSN first determines whether the RAI allocated to the UE changes, and if the RAI allocated to the UE by the SGSN does not change, the SGSN sends a message carrying special identification information to the UE to indicate that the RAI does not change, where the special identification information may be a flag bit or a special Cause (Cause) value, or may be an empty RAI or does not send RAI information. The specific way of sending the empty RAI is that the RAI carried in the RAU receiving message sent by the SGSN is in a TLV (type length value) format, and when the length of the parameter RAI is 0, the RAI is indicated to be empty; the specific way of not sending the RAI information is that the RAI parameter is optional, and when the parameter is not carried in the RAU accept message, it indicates that the original RAI is still used.

And if the RAI distributed to the UE by the SGSN changes, sending a message carrying the changed RAI information to the UE. If the SGSN allocates new P-TMSI to the UE, the new P-TMSI information is carried, and if the new P-TMSI is not allocated, the old P-TMSI information is carried.

Step 704, the UE acquires RAI information;

in step 704, if the RAU accept message sent by the SGSN and carrying the changed RAI information is received by the UE, the UE acquires the changed RAI information; and if the UE receives the special identification information carried in the RAU receiving message sent by the SGSN, the UE uses the original RAI according to the indication of the special identification information.

Step 705, after receiving the new P-TMSI sending message allocated by the SGSN, the UE returns an RAU complete message to the SGSN to confirm successful receipt of the newly allocated P-TMSI.

As shown in fig. 8, a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of obtaining location area identifier information according to the present invention is shown, where an MME initiates an S-TMSI reallocation procedure, which specifically includes the following steps:

step 801, MME sends S-TMSI reallocation command message to UE;

the MME firstly determines whether the TA List allocated to the UE changes, and if the TA List allocated to the UE by the MME does not change, the MME sends a message carrying special identification information to the UE to indicate that the TA List does not change, where the special identification information may be a flag bit or a special Cause (Cause) value, or may be an empty TA List or does not send TA List information. The specific way of sending the empty TA list is that the TAlist carried in the S-TMSI reallocation command message sent by the MME is in a TLV (type length value) format, and when the length of the parameter TA list is 0, the TA list is empty; the specific way of not sending the TA List information is that the TA List parameter is optional, and when the parameter is not carried in the S-TMSI reallocation command message TAU accept message, it indicates that the original TA List is still used.

If the TA list allocated to the UE by the MME changes, but the change is only that the TA list increases or decreases one or more TAIs, the MME does not transfer the unchanged TAIs to the UE, and sends special identification information and changed TAI information to the UE, wherein the special identification information is an indication for increasing or decreasing one or more TAIs;

if the TA list distributed to the UE by the MME changes, sending the TA list information carrying the change to the UE; and the MME allocates new S-TMSI to the UE and carries new S-TMSI information.

Step 802, the UE acquires TA list information;

if the UE receives the changed TAlist information carried in the S-TMSI reallocation message sent by the MME, the UE acquires the changed TAlist information; if the UE receives that the S-TMSI reallocation message sent by the MME carries the special identification information, the UE uses the original TA list according to the indication of the special identification information, or uses the TAlist after one or more TAIs are added or reduced in the original TA list.

In step 803, the UE returns an S-TMSI reallocation complete message to the MME to confirm that the new S-TMSI information has been correctly received.

As shown in fig. 9, which is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of obtaining location area identifier information according to the present invention, wherein an SGSN initiates a P-TMSI reallocation procedure, specifically comprising the following steps

Step 901, SGSN sends P-TMSI reallocation information to UE;

the method comprises the steps that an SGSN judges whether RAI allocated to UE changes or not, if the RAI allocated to the UE by the SGSN does not change, the SGSN sends a message carrying special identification information to the UE to indicate that RA does not change, wherein the special identification information can be a marking bit or a special reason (Cause) value, can also be empty RAI or does not send RAI information. The RAI sending the null is specifically that the RAI carried in the P-TMSI reallocation message sent by the SGSN is in a TLV (type length value) format, and when the length of the parameter RAI is 0, the RAI is null; the specific way of not sending the RAI information is that the RAI parameter is optional, and when the parameter is not carried in the P-TMSI reallocation message, it indicates that the original RAI is still used.

And if the RAI distributed to the UE by the SGSN changes, sending the RAI information carrying the change to the UE. SGSN allocates new P-TMSI to UE, carrying new P-TMSI information.

Step 902, the UE acquires RAI information;

in step 902, if the UE receives changed RAI information carried in the P-TMSI reallocation message sent by the SGSN, the UE acquires the changed RAI information; and if the UE receives that the P-TMSI reallocation message sent by the SGSN carries the special identification information, the UE uses the original RAI according to the indication of the special identification information.

In step 903, the UE returns a P-TMSI reallocation complete message to the SGSN to confirm that the new P-TMSI information has been correctly received.

As shown in fig. 10, which is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of the present invention for acquiring location area identifier information, wherein, under the restriction signaling, the UE updates a routing area initiated by 2G/3G:

1001, UE sends RAU request message to SGSN, where the message carries information such as update type;

step 1002, the SGSN judges whether authentication with the UE is needed or not according to the information reported by the UE, and if so, the SGSN interacts with the HSS to execute a safety function;

step 1003, SGSN sends RAU acceptance message to UE;

in step 1003, the SGSN determines whether the TA List changes, and if the TA List does not change, the SGSN sends a message carrying special identification information to the UE to indicate that the TA List I does not change, where the special identification information may be a flag bit or a special Cause (Cause) value, or may be an empty TA List/I or does not send TA List information. The specific way of sending the empty TA list is that the TA list carried in the RAU accept message sent by the SGSN is in TLV (type length value) format, and when the length of the parameter TA list is 0, it indicates that the TA list is empty; the specific way of not sending the TA list i information is that the TA list parameter is optional, and when the parameter is not carried in the RAU accept message, it indicates that the original TA list is still used.

If the TA list changes, but the change is only that the TA list increases or decreases one or more TAIs, the SGSN does not transmit the unchanged TAIs to the UE, and sends special identification information and changed TAI information to the UE, wherein the special identification information is an indication for increasing or decreasing one or more TAIs;

in this embodiment, the processing of the RAI by the SGSN may be the same as that in the third embodiment, and is not described again; it is also possible to still send the unchanged RAI information when the RAI is unchanged, because one RAI information occupies less air interface resources.

If the TA list/RAI changes, the SGSN sends the changed TA list/RAI information to the UE. If the SGSN allocates new P-TMSI to the UE, the new P-TMSI information is carried, and if the new P-TMSI is not allocated, the old P-TMSI information is carried.

Step 1004, the UE acquires TA list/RAI information;

if the UE receives the changed TA list/RAI information carried in the RAU receiving message sent by the SGSN, the UE acquires the changed TA list/RAI information; if the UE receives the special identification information carried in the RAU receiving message sent by the SGSN, the UE uses the original TA list/RAI according to the indication of the special identification information, or uses the TA list after one or more TAIs are added or reduced in the original TA list.

Step 1005, the UE receives the new P-TMSI information distributed by the SGSN, and then returns RAU completion information to the SGSN to confirm that the newly distributed P-TMSI has been successfully received.

As shown in fig. 11, a flowchart of a seventh embodiment of the present invention for acquiring location area identifier information is shown, where, under a restriction signaling, a UE initiates a TAU in LTE, and the specific steps are as follows:

step 1101, the UE sends a TAU request message to the MME, wherein the message carries information such as an update type and the like;

step 1102, the MME determines whether authentication with the UE is required according to the information reported by the UE, and interacts with the HSS to execute a security function if required;

step 1103, the MME sends a TAU accept message to the UE;

in step 1103, the MME determines whether the RAI changes, and if the RAI does not change, the MME sends a message carrying special identification information to the UE to indicate that the RA does not change, where the special identification information may be a flag bit or a special Cause (Cause) value, or may be an empty RAI or does not send the RAI information. The specific way of sending the empty RAI is that the RAI carried in the TAU accept message sent by the MME is in TLV (type length value) format, and when the length of the parameter RAI is 0, it indicates that the RAI is empty; the specific way of not sending the RAI information is that the RAI parameter is optional, and when the parameter is not carried in the TAU accept message, it indicates that the original RAI is still used.

In this embodiment, the processing of the TA List by the MME is the same as that in the second embodiment, and is not described again.

And if the TA list/RAI changes, the MME sends the changed TA list/RAI information to the UE. The MME carries new S-TMSI information if it allocates new S-TMSI to the UE, and carries old S-TMSI information if it does not allocate new S-TMSI.

Step 1004, the UE acquires RAI/TA list information;

if the UE receives the changed RAI/TAlist information carried in the TAU receiving message sent by the MME, the UE acquires the changed RAI/TA list information; if the UE receives that the TAU receiving message sent by the MME carries the special identification information, the UE uses the original RAI/TA list according to the indication of the special identification information, or uses the TA list after one or more TAIs are added or reduced in the original TA list.

Step 1005, the UE receives the new S-TMSI information allocated by the MME, and returns a TAU complete message to the MME to confirm that the newly allocated S-TMSI has been successfully received.

The flowchart of an eighth embodiment of the present invention for acquiring location area identifier information, wherein TA List information configured by the TA is broadcasted in a system broadcast message, and the MME always does not send the TA List to the UE through an NAS message, includes the following steps:

step 1201, judging whether the new TA is in the saved TA list, if so, executing step 1202, otherwise, executing step 1203;

step 1202, directly receiving a TA list configured in a system broadcast message;

step 1203, initiate an update request, and receive a TA list configured for the accessed TA in the system broadcast message.

In addition, after the UE accesses the network, the network updates the TA list of the UE on the network side according to the TA area to which the UE accesses, and the UE updates according to the TA list configured by the system broadcast message. Or when the UE releases the connection, the network updates the TA list of the UE at the network side according to the TA area currently accessed by the UE, and meanwhile, the UE updates according to the TA list configured by the system broadcast message.

In all the above embodiments, the routing area has no concept of List, and if the concept of List is introduced into the routing area, the processing manner is the same as TA List, and the tracking area identifier, other location area identifiers or lists are also applicable to the present invention.

In addition, in the above embodiments, the TA list/RAI is a tracking area/routing area that the UE can access, and if the MME/SGSN allocates the TA list/RAI to the UE for which access is prohibited, the processing flow is consistent with the above method: the method can send a flag bit or a special Cause value to the UE to indicate that the prohibited TA List/RAI is not changed, and can also send empty prohibited TA List/RAI or no prohibited TA List/RAI information to the UE, and the UE judges that the former prohibited TA List/RAI is still used to save network resources of a wireless side.

In summary, in all embodiments of the present invention for acquiring location area identifier information, when it is determined that the TA list/RAI allocated to the UE by the MME/SGSN does not change, special identifier information is sent to the UE, and the unchanged location area identifier information does not need to be sent to the UE, thereby saving network resources on the wireless side.

Fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for acquiring location area identification information according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Wherein the system 11 comprises:

a control plane entity 13, configured to determine whether the allocated location area identifier information is the first location area identifier information, and send a message carrying corresponding special identifier information to the terminal if the allocated location area identifier information is the first location area identifier information;

and the terminal 12 is configured to receive the message carrying the special identifier information, and obtain the corresponding first location area identifier information according to the special identifier information.

The control plane entity 13 includes a first receiving unit 17, an allocating unit 18, and a second sending unit 19: the terminal 12 comprises a first sending unit 14, an acquiring unit 15 and a second receiving unit 16, wherein,

a first transmitting unit 14 for transmitting TAU/RAU request information to the first receiving unit 17;

the first receiving unit 17 is configured to receive the TAU/RAU request information sent by the first sending unit 14;

an allocation unit 18 for judging whether the allocated location area identification information is the first location area identification information; wherein the first location area identification information is originally used location area identification information; the second sending unit 19 sends a message carrying the special identification information to the second receiving unit 16;

the special identification information is a mark bit, a special reason value, an empty TA list/RAI, or a message which does not carry the TA list/RAI; the specific way of sending the empty TA list is that the TA list/RAI carried in the TAU/RAU acceptance message and the TMSI reallocation message sent by the MME/SGSN is in a TLV (type length value) format, and when the length of the parameter TA list/RAI is 0, the TA list/RAI is empty; the specific way of not sending the TA list/RAI information is that the TA list/RAI parameter is optional, and when the parameter is not carried in the TAU/RAU accept message and the TMSI reallocation message, it indicates that the original TA list/RAI is still used.

The first location area identification information is a location area list in which at least one piece of location area identification information is correspondingly added or subtracted on an originally used location area list; the first sending unit 17 sends a message carrying the special identification information to the second receiving unit 16, where the message is a message of increasing or decreasing at least one indication of the location area identification information and the changed location area identification information.

The obtaining unit 15 is configured to receive the message carrying the special identifier information according to the second receiving unit 16, and obtain the corresponding location area identifier information according to the special identifier information.

The first location area identification information is a tracking area identification or a tracking area list or a routing area identification or a routing area list or other location area identifications or lists.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for acquiring location area identification information according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Wherein the system 21 comprises:

the control plane entity 23 is configured to determine whether the allocated location area identifier information is the first location area identifier information, and send a message carrying special identifier information to the terminal if the allocated location area identifier information is the first location area identifier information;

and the terminal 22 is configured to receive the message carrying the special identifier information, and obtain the corresponding first location area identifier information according to the special identifier information.

The control plane entity 23 includes an allocation unit 28 and a sending unit 29: the terminal 22 comprises an acquisition unit 25 and a receiving unit 26, wherein,

an allocating unit 28, configured to initiate request information for reallocating the temporary mobile subscriber identity information to the terminal 22, and determine whether the allocated location area identity information is the first location area identity information;

if the first location area identification information is the originally used location area identification information, the sending unit 29 sends a message carrying special identification information to the receiving unit 26, where the special identification information is a flag bit, or a special cause value, or an empty TA list/RAI, or no list/RAI is carried in the message; the specific way of sending the empty TA list is that the TA list/RAI carried in the TAU/RAU acceptance message and the TMSI reallocation message sent by the MME/SGSN is in a TLV (type length value) format, and when the length of the parameter TA list/RAI is 0, the TA list/RAI is empty; the specific way of not sending the TA list/RAI information is that the TA list/RAI parameter is optional, and when the parameter is not carried in the TAU/RAU accept message and the TMSI reallocation message, it indicates that the original TA list/RAI is still used.

If the first location area identification information is a location area list in which at least one piece of location area identification information is correspondingly added or subtracted on an originally used location area list; the sending unit 29 sends information carrying the unique identification information, which is an indication to increase or decrease at least one location area identification information, and the changed location area identification information to the receiving unit 26.

An obtaining unit 25 for obtaining the corresponding location area identification information according to the special identification information received by the receiving unit 26,

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining location area identification information, comprising the steps of:

receiving a message carrying special identification information;

acquiring corresponding position area identification information according to the special identification information;

the special identification information is a mark bit, or a special reason value, or empty location area identification information, or an indication that no location identification information parameter is carried in the message, or at least one location area identification information is increased or decreased;

if the special identification information is a flag bit, or a special reason value, or empty location area identification information, or no location identification information parameter is carried in the message, the obtaining of the corresponding location area identification information according to the special identification information includes:

acquiring the originally used position area identification information according to the special identification information; or

If the special identification information is an indication for increasing or decreasing at least one location area identification information, the obtaining of the corresponding location area identification information according to the special identification information includes:

and acquiring the position area identification information with at least one position area identification added or subtracted in the original position area identification information according to the special identification information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the empty location area id information is an id type length value of 0 in the location area id information.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the receiving the message carrying the special identifier information is receiving a location area update accept message carrying the special identifier information; or

And the message carrying the special identification information is received and redistributed to the temporary mobile user identification information carrying the special identification information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein before receiving the location area update acceptance message carrying the specific identification information, the method further comprises

Sending location area updating request information;

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the location area identification information is a tracking area identifier or a tracking area list or a routing area identifier or a routing area list.

6. An apparatus for obtaining location area identification information, comprising:

the acquisition unit is used for acquiring corresponding position area identification information according to the special identification information;

wherein,

if the special identification information is a mark bit, or a special reason value, or empty location area identification information, or a message does not carry location identification information parameters, the acquisition unit acquires the original used location area identification information; or

If the special identification information is an indication of increasing or decreasing at least one location area identification information, the obtaining unit obtains the location area list on which the at least one location area identification information is correspondingly increased or decreased on the location area list originally used.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the empty location area id information is an id type length value of 0 in the location area id information.

8. The apparatus for acquiring identifier information of location area according to any of claims 6 to 7, wherein the receiving unit receives the message carrying the specific identifier information as a message for receiving a location area update acceptance message carrying the specific identifier information; or

The receiving unit receives the message carrying the special identification information and the message carrying the temporary mobile user identification information reallocation of the special identification information.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the location area identification information is a tracking area identifier or a tracking area list or a routing area identifier or a routing area list.

10. A method of assigning location area identification information, comprising the steps of:

sending a corresponding message carrying special identification information according to the identification information of the first location area;

wherein,

if the first location area identification information is the originally used location area identification information, the special identification information carried in the sending message is the sending of the location area identification information carrying a marker bit, or a special reason value, or empty location area identification information, or no location identification information parameter carried in the message;

and if the first location area identification information is a location area list obtained by correspondingly adding or reducing at least one piece of location area identification information on the originally used location area list, sending an indication that the message carrying the special identification information is the message carrying the added or reduced at least one piece of location area identification information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the empty location area id information is an id type length value of 0 in the location area id information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the sending the corresponding message carrying the special identifier information is sending a corresponding location area update accept message carrying the special identifier information; or

And the message carrying the special identification information is sent as a message for reallocating the corresponding temporary mobile user identification information carrying the special identification information.

13. The method according to any of claims 10 to 11, wherein the operation of determining that the allocated location area identification information is the first location area identification information is preceded by the operation of further comprising

Receiving request information of updating a location area;

14. The method of assigning location area identification information according to claim 10, wherein said location area identification information is a tracking area identification or a tracking area list or a routing area identification or a routing area list.

15. An apparatus for assigning location area identification information, comprising:

the sending unit is used for sending a message carrying special identification information according to the identification information of the first location area;

wherein,

the first location area identification information is originally used location area identification information; the sending unit sends the special identifier carried in the message as a marker bit, or a special reason value, or empty location area identifier information, or no location identifier information parameter carried in the message; or

And if the first location area identification information is a location area list in which at least one piece of location area identification information is correspondingly added or subtracted on the originally used location area list, the message sent by the sending unit carries a special identification as an indication for adding or subtracting at least one piece of location area identification information.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a receiving unit for receiving a request message for location area update.

17. The apparatus for assigning location area identification information according to claim 15, wherein said location area identification information is a tracking area identification or a tracking area list or a routing area identification or a routing area list.

18. A method for obtaining location area identification information, comprising the steps of:

the control plane entity judges that the allocated location area identification information is first location area identification information, and then sends a message carrying special identification information to the terminal according to the first location area identification information;

after receiving a message carrying special identification information, the terminal acquires corresponding first location area identification information according to the special identification information;

wherein,

the first location area identification information is originally used location area identification information; the special identification information carried in the sent message is a marker bit, or a special reason value, or empty location area identification information, or no location identification information parameter carried in the message;

and if the first location area identification information is a location area list obtained by correspondingly adding or reducing at least one piece of location area identification information on the originally used location area list, sending an indication that the special identification carried in the message is the added or reduced at least one piece of location area identification information.

19. A system for obtaining location area identification information, comprising:

the terminal is used for receiving the message carrying the special identification information and acquiring corresponding first location area identification information according to the special identification information;

wherein,

the first location area identification information is originally used location area identification information; the special identification information carried in the sent message is a marker bit, or a special reason value, or empty location area identification information, or no location identification information parameter carried in the message; or

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the location area identification information is a tracking area identification or a tracking area list or a routing area identification or a routing area list.