CN105393635A

CN105393635A - Application server, network element and method of selecting network element

Info

Publication number: CN105393635A
Application number: CN201480036020.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 曹龙雨; 张艳平; 朱奋勤
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-02
Filing date: 2014-07-02
Publication date: 2016-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-02
Also published as: WO2016000228A1; CN105393635B

Abstract

Provided in the present invention are an application server, network element and method of selecting a network element. The application server comprises a first transceiving unit and a first processing unit. The first transceiving unit obtains a tracking area identifier (TAI) and an evolved cell global identifier (ECGI) from user equipment; the first processing unit queries the preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a network element of a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS); the application server performs MBMS bearer activation, MBMS bearer deletion or MBMS bearer modification with the selected network element. Using the above method, the present invention can select a network element of the MBMS based on the TAT and the ECGT.

Description

Application server, network element and method for selecting network element

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to an application server, a network element, and a method for selecting a network element.

[ background of the invention ]

A trunking communication system is a special communication system with scheduling capability, which can provide unidirectional call capability and allow a User Equipment (UE) to communicate with one or more other UEs. With the increasing abundance of mobile services, texts, pictures, videos and the like become one of the group communication contents, and the traditional group communication system cannot meet the communication requirements. And, with the development of Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, it becomes possible to implement rich trunking services on a public LTE network. The trunking communication in LTE can adopt unicast and multicast modes for information transmission. The multicast transmission mode of the trunking communication adopts the existing MBMS technology to transmit information.

As shown in fig. 1, a conventional Multimedia Broadcast (MBMS) system 10 includes: a Broadcast Multicast Service center (BM-SC) 101, an MBMS Gateway (MBMS Gateway, MBMSGW) 102, a Mobility Management Element (MME) 103, a Multi-cell/Multicast coordination node (MCE) 104, and an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio access network (E-UTRAN) 105. The BM-SC101 is configured to provide service convergence and transmission, user authorization, establishment and initiation of MBMS service bearer, initiation of session control, and the like, and may also implement synchronization between the BM-SC101 and the E-UTRAN 105. The MBMS-GW102 is a node between the BM-SC101 and the E-UTRAN105, and serves as an access gateway of the network, and is responsible for processing user data related messages and session related signaling. For a Single MBMS service, the MCE104 is mainly used for scheduling the service, that is, selecting a suitable resource to perform multimedia broadcast multicast Single frequency network (MBSFN) transmission; for multiple MBMS services, MCE104 needs to coordinate its corresponding multiple MBSFN transmissions. The group communication Application Server (GCSAS) 106 is an Application Server of a third party, and has functions of managing group members, activating the MBMS, and the like.

The GCSAS106 selects the BM-SC101 and the BM-SC101 selects other network nodes downstream, and performs node selection according to preconfigured information, that is, the corresponding relationship between MBMS Service Area Identity (SAI) and each network element is preconfigured. Specifically, the GCSAS106 selects a corresponding BM-SC101 according to the corresponding relationship between the SAI and the BM-SC101, and sends an MBMS activation request to the BM-SC 101; after receiving the MBMS activation request message, BM-SC101 selects a corresponding MBMS GW102 according to the correspondence between SAI and MBMS GW102, and sends a session start request to the MBMS GW 102.

For the trunking communication of different service types in the public safety domain, a part (less than 8) of SAIs in the MBMS system architecture 10 are redefined, i.e., 8 different SAIs respectively represent 8 different types of services. The SAI at this time is only relevant to the service type of the public safety user group, and not to the service area of the MBMS system architecture 10. If the same service needs to be broadcast in the same service area (such as a certain cell), the base station only needs to include the SAI corresponding to the service in the system broadcast message; if the same service area (e.g. a cell) broadcasts different services, the base station needs to include all SAIs corresponding to the services in the system broadcast message (according to the redefined meaning of the SAI, the same cell can only broadcast 8 different SAIs at most). Therefore, in the MBMS bearer activation process, the selection network elements such as the GCSAS106 and the BM-SC101 that need to select and determine the next-hop node cannot determine the downlink network node according to the SAI.

[ summary of the invention ]

In view of this, the present invention provides an application server, a network element, and a method for selecting a network element thereof, which can solve the problem that a downlink network node cannot be determined according to an SAI.

A first aspect provides an application server, which includes a first transceiver unit and a first processing unit, where the first transceiver unit obtains a tracking area identity TAI and a cell identity ECGI from a user equipment; the first processing unit inquires preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a network element of the multimedia broadcast MBMS, and the application server and the selected network element carry out MBMS bearing activation, MBMS bearing deletion or MBMS bearing modification.

With reference to the implementation manner of the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the configuration information includes a correspondence between the TAI and a network element of the MBMS.

With reference to the implementation manner of the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the configuration information is configured on the application server.

With reference to the implementation manner of the first aspect, the first possible implementation manner, or the second possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, the selected network element is a broadcast multicast service center BM-SC.

With reference to any one implementation manner of the first aspect to the third possible implementation manner, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the performing, by the application server and the selected network element, MBMS bearer activation, MBMS bearer deletion, or MBMS bearer modification includes:

the first receiving and sending unit sends a request message for activating the MBMS bearing to the selected network element, wherein the request message for activating the MBMS bearing comprises TAI and ECGI;

or, the first transceiver unit sends a deactivation MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes a TAI and an ECGI;

or, the first transceiver unit sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.

With reference to any implementation manner of the first aspect to any implementation manner of the third possible implementation manner, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the selecting, by the first processing unit, a required network element according to the TAI, and setting the required network element in the first parameter, and performing, by the application server and the selected network element, MBMS bearer activation, MBMS bearer deletion, or MBMS bearer modification includes:

the first receiving and sending unit sends an MBMS bearing activation request message to the selected network element, wherein the MBMS bearing activation request message comprises a first parameter and an ECGI;

or, the first transceiver unit sends a deactivation MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the first transceiver unit sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

A second aspect provides a method of selecting a network element, comprising: the application server acquires the TAI and the ECGI from the user equipment; the application server inquires preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a network element of the MBMS; and the application server and the selected network element carry out MBMS bearing activation, MBMS bearing deletion or MBMS bearing modification.

With reference to the implementation manner of the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the configuration information includes a correspondence between the TAI and a network element of the MBMS.

With reference to the implementation manner of the second aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the configuration information is configured on the application server.

With reference to the implementation manner of the second aspect, the first possible implementation manner, or the second possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, the selected network element is a BM-SC.

With reference to any one implementation manner of the second aspect to the third possible implementation manner, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the performing, with the selected network element, MBMS bearer activation, MBMS bearer deletion, or MBMS bearer modification includes:

the application server sends an MBMS bearing activation request message to the selected network element, wherein the MBMS bearing activation request message comprises a TAI and an ECGI;

or the application server sends a request message for deactivating the MBMS bearer to the selected network element, wherein the request message for deactivating the MBMS bearer comprises the TAI and the ECGI;

or the application server sends a request message for modifying the MBMS bearing to the selected network element, wherein the request message for modifying the MBMS bearing comprises the TAI and the ECGI.

With reference to any implementation manner of the second aspect to any implementation manner of the third possible implementation manner, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the selecting, by the application server, a required network element according to the TAI, setting the required network element in the first parameter, and performing MBMS bearer activation, MBMS bearer deletion, or MBMS bearer modification with the selected network element includes:

the application server sends an MBMS bearing activation request message to the selected network element, wherein the MBMS bearing activation request message comprises a first parameter and an ECGI;

or the application server sends a request message for deactivating the MBMS bearing to the selected network element, wherein the request message for deactivating the MBMS bearing comprises the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the application server sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

A third aspect provides a network element, which includes a second transceiver unit and a second processing unit, where the second transceiver unit obtains a TAI and an ECGI from an application server, and the second processing unit queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a next-hop network element of an MBMS, and the network element and the next-hop network element perform session start, session stop, or session update.

With reference to the implementation manner of the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the configuration information includes a correspondence between the TAI and a network element of the MBMS.

With reference to the implementation manner of the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the configuration information is configured on the network element.

With reference to the implementation manner of the third aspect, the first possible implementation manner, or the second possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, when the network element is a BM-SC, the BM-SC selects an MBMS gateway MBMSGW according to the TAI query configuration information; and when the network element is the MBMS GW, the MBMS GW selects a mobility management network element MME according to the TAI query configuration information.

With reference to any implementation manner of the third aspect to any implementation manner of the third possible implementation manner, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the performing, by the network element, session start, session stop, or session update with the next-hop network element includes:

the second receiving and sending unit acquires an MBMS bearing activation request message from the application server and sends a session start request message to the next hop network element, wherein the MBMS bearing activation request message comprises a TAI and an ECGI, and the session start request message comprises the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the second transceiver unit obtains a deactivation MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes a TAI and an ECGI, and the session stop request message includes the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the second transceiver unit obtains the modify MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session update request message to the next hop network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.

With reference to any implementation manner of the third aspect to any implementation manner of the third possible implementation manner, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the second transceiver unit further obtains a first parameter from the application server, where the first parameter includes that the application server selects a required network element according to the TAI, and the performing, by the network element, a session start, a session stop, or a session update with the next-hop network element includes:

the second receiving and sending unit acquires an MBMS bearing activation request message from the application server and sends a session start request message to the next hop network element, wherein the MBMS bearing activation request message comprises a first parameter and an ECGI, and the session start request message comprises the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the second transceiver unit obtains a deactivation MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session stop request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the second transceiver unit obtains the MBMS bearer modification request message from the application server, and sends a session update request message to the next hop network element, where the MBMS bearer modification request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

A fourth aspect provides a method of selecting a network element, comprising: the network element acquires the TAI and the ECGI from the application server; the network element inquires preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a next-hop network element of the MBMS; the network element performs session start, session stop or session update with the next hop network element.

With reference to the implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the configuration information includes a correspondence between the TAI and a network element of the MBMS.

With reference to the implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the configuration information is configured on the network element.

With reference to the implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the first possible implementation manner, or the second possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, when the network element is a BM-SC, the BM-SC queries the configuration information according to the TAI to select the MBMSGW; and when the network element is the MBMS GW, the MBMS GW selects the MME according to the TAI query configuration information.

With reference to any implementation manner of the fourth aspect to any implementation manner of the third possible implementation manner, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the performing, by the network element, a session start, a session stop, or a session update with the next-hop network element includes:

the network element acquires an MBMS bearing activation request message from the application server and sends a session start request message to the next hop network element, wherein the MBMS bearing activation request message comprises a TAI and an ECGI, and the session start request message comprises the TAI and the ECGI;

or the network element acquires a request message for deactivating the MBMS bearer from the application server and sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element, wherein the request message for deactivating the MBMS bearer comprises a TAI and an ECGI, and the request message for stopping the session comprises the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the network element acquires the request message for modifying the MBMS bearer from the application server and sends a session update request message to the next hop network element, where the request message for modifying the MBMS bearer includes the TAI and the ECGI, and the request message for session update includes the TAI and the ECGI.

With reference to any implementation manner of the fourth aspect to any implementation manner of the third possible implementation manner, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the network element further obtains a first parameter from the application server, where the first parameter includes that the application server selects a required network element according to the TAI, and the performing, by the network element, a session start, a session stop, or a session update with the next-hop network element includes:

the network element acquires an MBMS bearing activation request message from the application server and sends a session start request message to the next hop network element, wherein the MBMS bearing activation request message comprises a first parameter and an ECGI (enhanced cell gateway index), and the session start request message comprises the first parameter and the ECGI;

or the network element acquires a request message for deactivating the MBMS bearer from the application server and sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element, wherein the request message for deactivating the MBMS bearer comprises a first parameter and an ECGI, and the request message for stopping the session comprises the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the network element acquires the MBMS bearer modification request message from the application server, and sends a session update request message to the next hop network element, where the MBMS bearer modification request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

A fifth aspect provides a user equipment, where the user equipment reports the TAI and the ECGI to an application server, so that the application server selects a network element of an MBMS according to the TAI.

Through the scheme, the invention has the beneficial effects that: the invention obtains a tracking area identification TAI and a cell identification ECGI from user equipment through a first receiving and transmitting unit; the first processing unit queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the network element of the MBMS, and the network element of the MBMS can be selected through the TAI and the ECGI.

[ description of the drawings ]

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts. Wherein:

fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a conventional multimedia broadcasting system;

fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a network element of the MBMS in fig. 2;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method of selecting a network element according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method of selecting a network element according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method of selecting a network element according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method of selecting a network element according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flowchart of a method of selecting a network element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[ detailed description ] embodiments

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a structural diagram of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 20 disclosed in the present embodiment includes: an application server 201, a network element 202 of an MBMS and a user equipment 203.

The application server 201 includes a first transceiver 211, a first processing unit 221, and a first storage unit 231, wherein the first processing unit 221 is connected to the first transceiver 211 and the first storage unit 231, respectively. The ue 203 reports an identifier (TAI) and a Cell identifier (ECGI) of a Tracking Area (TA) to which the ue belongs to the application server 201, that is, the first transceiver 211 of the application server 201 acquires the TAI and the ECGI from the ue 203. The first processing unit 221 obtains the TAI and the ECGI from the first transceiver 211, and the first processing unit 221 queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the network element 202 of the MBMS, where the preset configuration information includes a corresponding relationship between the TAI and the network element 202 of the MBMS. The application server 201 and the selected network element 202 perform MBMS bearer activation, MBMS bearer deletion, or MBMS bearer modification.

Preferably, the preset configuration information is configured on the first storage unit 231, and the first processing unit 221 directly acquires the preset configuration information from the first storage unit 231. In other embodiments, a person skilled in the art may fully configure the preset configuration information on other devices, for example, configure the preset configuration information on a DNS server, configure the correspondence between the TAI and the network element 202 of the MBMS on a new DNS server, and exist independently from the DNS server configured by the correspondence between the TAI and the normal network element; the corresponding relationship between the TAI and the network element 202 of the MBMS and the corresponding relationship between the TAI and the common network element may also be configured in the same DNS server, and the common network element is a functional network element (such as an MME) in the EPS network system, and these network elements do not participate in the network element of the MBMS system.

Communication system 20 also includes a next hop network element 204, and next hop network element 204 is the object of sending messages for network element 202 of the MBMS. The network element 202 of the MBMS includes a second transceiver unit 212, a second processing unit 222 and a second storage unit 232, and the second processing unit 222 is connected to the second transceiver unit 212 and the second storage unit 232, respectively. The network element 202 of the MBMS obtains the TAI and the ECGI from the application server 201, i.e. the second transceiver unit 212 obtains the TAI and the ECGI from the first transceiver unit 211. The second processing unit 222 obtains the TAI and the ECGI from the second transceiver unit 212, and queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the next-hop network element 204 of the MBMS. The preset configuration information includes a corresponding relationship between the TAI and the network element 202 of the MBMS, that is, the preset configuration information includes a corresponding relationship between the TAI and the next hop network element 204, preferably, the preset configuration information is configured on the second storage unit 232, and the second processing unit 222 directly obtains the preset configuration information from the second storage unit 232. The network element 202 of the MBMS performs session start, session stop or session update with the next hop network element 204.

The communication system 20 disclosed in this embodiment selects the network element 202 of the MBMS according to the TAI and the ECGI reported by the user equipment 203, and further can select the network element 202 of the MBMS through the TAI and the ECGI.

Referring to fig. 3, the network element 202 of the MBMS includes a BM-SC, an MBMS GW, an MME, an MCE, and an eNB, and the network element 202 of the MBMS is preferably a BM-SC or an MBMS GW. The following embodiments are all described in detail with BM-SC, MBMSGW, MME, MCE and eNB.

The present invention also provides a communication system of the second embodiment, which is described on the basis of the communication system 20 disclosed in the first embodiment. The MBMS bearer activation performed by the application server 201 and the selected network element 202 disclosed in this embodiment includes:

a first transceiving unit 211 of the application server 201 sends an MBMS bearer activation request message to the selected network element 202, that is, the application server 201 sends an MBMS bearer activation request message to the selected BM-SC, where the MBMS bearer activation request message includes TAI and ECGI;

the second transceiver unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS acquires the activate MBMS bearer request message from the first transceiver unit 211 of the application server 201 to acquire the TAI and ECGI.

The step of the network element 202 of the MBMS performing session start with the next hop network element 204 includes:

the second transceiving unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS sends a session start request message to the next hop network element 204, the session start request message comprising the TAI and the ECGI. When the network element 202 of the MBMS is a BM-SC and the next hop network element 204 is an MBMS GW, the BM-SC sends a session start request message to the MBMS GW, where the session start request message includes a TAI and an ECGI.

When the network element 202 of the MBMS is an MBMS GW and the next hop network element 204 is an MME, the MBMS GW acquires a session start request message, and queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a corresponding MME; the MBMSGW sends a session start request message to the MME, wherein the session start request message comprises a TAI and an ECGI.

The MME acquires a session start request message and selects a corresponding MCE according to the ECGI; the MME sends a session start request message to the MCE, the session start request message including the TAI and the ECGI.

The MCE acquires a session start request message and selects a corresponding eNB according to the ECGI; the MCE sends a session start request message to the eNB.

The eNB allocates radio resources after receiving the session start request message and transmits a session start response message to the MCE. MCE sends a session start response message to MME, MME sends a session start response message to MBMSGW, MBMS GW sends a session start response message to BM-SC, and BM-SC sends an MBMS bearer activation response message to application server 201.

The present invention also provides a communication system of a third embodiment, which is different from the communication system disclosed in the second embodiment in that: the first processing unit 221 disclosed in this embodiment further selects the required network elements 202 according to the TAI, that is, the first processing unit 221 selects the network elements 202 of all MBMS to be selected when performing MBMS bearer activation according to the TAI, and the network elements 202 of all MBMS include BM-SC, MBMSGW, MME and MCE. The first processing unit 221 sets the required network element 202 at the first parameter, i.e. the first processing unit 221 sets the BM-SC, the MBMSGW, the MME and the MCE at the first parameter. Preferably, the first parameter may be a list of downstream nodes.

The MBMS bearer activation performed by the application server 201 and the selected network element 202 includes:

a first transceiver unit 211 of the application server 201 sends an MBMS bearer activation request message to the network element 202 required for selection, that is, the application server 201 sends an MBMS bearer activation request message to the BM-SC corresponding to the first parameter, where the MBMS bearer activation request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

the second transceiver unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS acquires the activate MBMS bearer request message from the first transceiver unit 211 of the application server 201 to acquire the first parameter and the ECGI.

the second transceiving unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS sends a session start request message to the next hop network element 204, the session start request message comprising the first parameter and the ECGI. When the network element 202 of the MBMS is a BM-SC and the next hop network element 204 is the MBMS GW corresponding to the first parameter, the BM-SC sends a session start request message to the MBMS GW, where the session start request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

When the network element 202 of the MBMS is an MBMS GW and the next hop network element 204 is a corresponding MME in the first parameters, the MBMS GW acquires a session start request message, and sends the session start request message to the MME corresponding to the first parameters, where the session start request message includes the first parameters and an ECGI.

The MME acquires a session start request message and selects a corresponding MCE according to the ECGI; the MME sends a session start request message to the MCE, the session start request message including the first parameter and the ECGI.

Compared with the communication system 20 disclosed in the first embodiment, in the communication system disclosed in the present embodiment, by setting the required network element 202 in the first parameter, the network element 202 of the MBMS can select the next-hop network element 204 according to the first parameter, and the network element 202 of the MBMS is prevented from selecting the next-hop network element 204 by querying the preset configuration information according to the TAI.

The present invention also provides a communication system of a fourth embodiment, which is described on the basis of the communication system 20 disclosed in the first embodiment. The application server 201 and the selected network element 202 performing MBMS bearer deletion disclosed in this embodiment include:

a first transceiving unit 211 of the application server 201 sends a deactivation MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element 202, that is, the application server 201 sends a deactivation MBMS bearer request message to the selected BM-SC, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes TAI and ECGI;

the second transceiver unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS acquires the MBMS bearer deactivation request message from the first transceiver unit 211 of the application server 201 to acquire the TAI and ECGI;

after acquiring the MBMS bearer deactivation request message, the second transceiver unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS sends a MBMS bearer deactivation response message to the application server 201.

The step of the network element 202 of the MBMS performing session stop with the next hop network element 204 includes:

the second transceiving unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element 204, the session stop request message comprising the TAI and the ECGI. When the network element 202 of the MBMS is a BM-SC and the next hop network element 204 is an MBMSGW, the BM-SC sends a session stop request message to the MBMS GW, where the session stop request message includes a TAI and an ECGI.

The MBMS GW sends a session stop response message to the BM-SC after acquiring the session stop request message. When the network element 202 of the MBMS is the MBMSGW and the next hop network element 204 is the MME, the MBMS GW queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a corresponding MME; the MBMSGW sends a session stop request message to the MME, wherein the session stop request message comprises the TAI and the ECGI.

And the MME sends a session stop response message to the MBMSGW after acquiring the session stop request message. The MME selects a corresponding MCE according to the ECGI; the MME sends a session stop request message to the MCE, the session stop request message including the TAI and the ECGI.

And the MCE sends a session stop response message to the MME after acquiring the session stop request message. The MCE selects a corresponding eNB according to the ECGI; the MCE sends a session stop request message to the eNB.

And the eNB allocates the wireless resource after receiving the session stop request message and sends a session stop response message to the MCE.

In other embodiments, the first processing unit 221 may further select, according to the TAI, network elements 202 of all MBMS to be selected when performing MBMS bearer deletion, and set the required network elements 202 at the first parameter, where the MBMS bearer deactivation request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session stop request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

The present invention also provides a communication system of a fifth embodiment, which is described on the basis of the communication system 20 disclosed in the first embodiment. The MBMS bearer modification performed by the application server 201 and the selected network element 202 disclosed in this embodiment includes:

the first transceiving unit 211 of the application server 201 sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element 202, that is, the application server 201 sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected BM-SC, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes TAI and ECGI;

the second transceiver unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS acquires the modify MBMS bearer request message from the first transceiver unit 211 of the application server 201 to acquire the TAI and ECGI;

the second transceiver unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS sends a modify MBMS bearer response message to the application server 201 after acquiring the modify MBMS bearer request message.

The session update between the network element 202 of the MBMS and the next hop network element 204 includes:

the second transceiving unit 212 of the network element 202 of the MBMS sends a session update request message to the next hop network element 204, the session update request message comprising the TAI and the ECGI. When the network element 202 of the MBMS is a BM-SC and the next hop network element 204 is an MBMSGW, the BM-SC sends a session update request message to the MBMS GW, where the session update request message includes a TAI and an ECGI.

When the network element 202 of the MBMS is an MBMS GW and the next hop network element 204 is an MME, the MBMS GW acquires a session update request message, and queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a corresponding MME; the MBMSGW sends a session update request message to the MME, and the session start request message comprises a TAI and an ECGI.

The MME acquires the session update request message and selects a corresponding MCE according to the ECGI; the MME sends a session update request message to the MCE, the session update request message including the TAI and the ECGI.

The MCE acquires the session updating request message and selects a corresponding eNB according to the ECGI; the MCE sends a session update request message to the eNB.

And the eNB allocates the wireless resource after receiving the session update request message and sends a session update response message to the MCE. MCE sends session update response message to MME, MME sends session update response message to MBMSGW, MBMS GW sends session update response message to BM-SC.

In other embodiments, the first processing unit 221 may further select, according to the TAI, network elements 202 of all MBMS to be selected when performing MBMS bearer modification, and set the required network elements 202 at the first parameter, where the modified MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

The present invention also provides the method for selecting a network element of the first embodiment, which is described on the basis of the communication system 20 disclosed in the first embodiment. As shown in fig. 4, the method for selecting a network element disclosed in this embodiment includes:

s401: the application server 201 obtains the TAI and ECGI from the user equipment 203;

s402: the application server 201 queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the network element 202 of the MBMS;

s403: the application server 201 and the selected network element 202 perform MBMS bearer activation, MBMS bearer deletion or MBMS bearer modification;

s404: the network element 202 of the MBMS acquires the TAI and ECGI from the application server 201;

s405: the network element 202 of the MBMS queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a next hop network element 204 of the MBMS;

s406: the network element 202 of the MBMS performs session start, session stop or session update with the next hop network element 204.

In S401, the ue 203 reports the TAI and ECGI to which it belongs to the application server 201.

In S402, the preset configuration information includes a correspondence between the TAI and the network element 202 of the MBMS. Preferably, the preset configuration information is configured on the application server 201. In other embodiments, it is well within the ability of one of ordinary skill in the art to configure the preset configuration information on other devices, such as on a DNS server.

In S405, the preset configuration information further includes a corresponding relationship between the TAI and the next hop network element 204. Preferably, the preset configuration information is configured on the network element 202 of the MBMS.

The method for selecting a network element disclosed in this embodiment selects the network element 202 of the MBMS according to the TAI and the ECGI reported by the user equipment 203, and further can select the network element 202 of the MBMS through the TAI and the ECGI.

The present invention also provides a method for selecting a network element of the second embodiment, which is described on the basis of the communication system disclosed in the second embodiment. As shown in fig. 5, the method for selecting a network element disclosed in this embodiment includes:

s501: the user equipment 203 reports the TAI and ECGI to which the user equipment belongs to the application server 201;

s502: the application server 201 sends a request message for activating the MBMS bearer to the selected BM-SC;

in S502, the application server 201 queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a BM-SC. The activate MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.

S503: BM-SC sends session start request message to MBMS GW;

in S503, the BM-SC acquires the TAI and the ECGI from the MBMS bearer activation request message, and queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the MBMS GW.

S504: MBMS GW sends session start request message to MME;

in S504, the MBMSGW acquires the TAI and ECGI from the session start request message, and queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the MME.

S505: MME sends a session start request message to MCE;

in S505, the MME acquires the TAI and ECGI from the session start request message, and selects the MCE according to the ECGI.

S506: the MCE sends a session start request message to the eNB;

in S506, the MCE acquires the TAI and ECGI from the session start request message and selects an eNB according to the ECGI. The session start request message sent by the MCE to the eNB may include the TAI and the ECGI.

The session start request messages each include a TAI and an ECGI in S503-S505.

S507: the eNB allocates wireless resources after receiving the session start request message and sends a session start response message to the MCE;

s508: the MCE sends a session start response message to the MME;

s509: MME sends a session start response message to MBMS GW;

s510: MBMS GW sends conversation start response message to BM-SC;

s511: the BM-SC sends an activate MBMS bearer response message to the application server 201.

The present invention also provides a method for selecting a network element of the third embodiment, which is described on the basis of the communication system disclosed in the third embodiment. As shown in fig. 6, the method for selecting a network element disclosed in this embodiment includes:

s601: the user equipment 203 reports the TAI and ECGI to which the user equipment belongs to the application server 201;

s602: the application server 201 sends an MBMS bearer activation request message to the selected BM-SC, wherein the MBMS bearer activation request message comprises a first parameter and an ECGI;

in S602, the application server 201 selects the required network element 202 according to the TAI, and sets the required network element 202 at a first parameter, preferably a list of downlink nodes. The application server 201 selects a BM-SC according to the first parameter.

S603: BM-SC sends a session start request message to MBMSGW, wherein the session start request message comprises a first parameter and ECGI;

in S603, the BM-SC obtains the first parameter and the ECGI from the MBMS bearer activation request message, and selects the MBMS gw according to the first parameter.

S604: MBMS GW sends session start request message to MME, the session start request message includes first parameter and ECGI;

in S604, the MBMS GW acquires the first parameter and the ECGI from the session start request message, and selects an MME according to the first parameter.

S605: the MME sends a session start request message to the MCE, wherein the session start request message comprises a first parameter and an ECGI;

in S605, the MME acquires the first parameter and the ECGI from the session start request message, and selects the MCE according to the ECGI.

S606: the MCE sends a session start request message to the eNB;

in S606, the MCE acquires the first parameter and the ECGI from the session start request message, and selects an eNB according to the ECGI.

S607: the eNB allocates wireless resources after receiving the session start request message and sends a session start response message to the MCE;

s608: the MCE sends a session start response message to the MME;

s609: MME sends a session start response message to MBMS GW;

s610: MBMS GW sends conversation start response message to BM-SC;

s611: the BM-SC sends an activate MBMS bearer response message to the application server 201.

Compared with the method for selecting a network element disclosed in the first embodiment, in the present embodiment, by setting the required network element 202 in the first parameter, the network element 202 of the MBMS can select the next-hop network element 204 according to the first parameter, so that the network element 202 of the MBMS does not select the next-hop network element 204 by querying the preset configuration information according to the TAI.

The present invention also provides a method for selecting a network element of the fourth embodiment, which is described on the basis of the communication system disclosed in the fourth embodiment. As shown in fig. 7, the method for selecting a network element disclosed in this embodiment includes:

s701: the user equipment 203 reports the TAI and ECGI to which the user equipment belongs to the application server 201;

s702: the application server 201 sends a request message for deactivating the MBMS bearer to the selected BM-SC;

s703: the BM-SC sends a response message for deactivating the MBMS bearer to the application server 201 after acquiring the request message for deactivating the MBMS bearer;

s704: BM-SC sends a session stop request message to MBMS GW;

s705: MBMS GW sends session stop response message to BM-SC after obtaining session stop request message;

s706: MBMS GW sends session stop request message to MME;

s707: MME sends a session stop response message to MBMS GW after acquiring the session stop request message;

s708: MME sends a session stop request message to MCE;

s709: the MCE sends a session stop response message to the MME after acquiring the session stop request message;

s710: the MCE sends a session stop request message to the eNB;

s711: and the eNB allocates the wireless resource after receiving the session stop request message and sends a session stop response message to the MCE.

In S702, the application server 201 queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a BM-SC. The deactivate MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.

In S704, the BM-SC acquires the TAI and the ECGI from the MBMS bearer deactivation request message, and queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the MBMS GW.

In S706, the MBMSGW acquires the TAI and ECGI from the session stop request message, and queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the MME.

In S708, the MME acquires the TAI and ECGI from the session stop request message, and selects the MCE according to the ECGI.

In S710, the MCE acquires the ECGI from the session stop request message to select the eNB according to the ECGI. The session stop request message sent by the MCE to the eNB may include the TAI and the ECGI.

The session stop request message includes a TAI and an ECGI in S704, S706, and S708.

In other embodiments, the application server 201 may further select, according to the TAI, network elements 202 of all MBMS to be selected when performing MBMS bearer deletion, and set the required network elements 202 in the first parameter, where the MBMS bearer deactivation request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session stop request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

The present invention also provides a method for selecting a network element of the fifth embodiment, which is described on the basis of the communication system disclosed in the fifth embodiment. As shown in fig. 8, the method for selecting a network element disclosed in this embodiment includes:

s801: the user equipment 203 reports the TAI and ECGI to which the user equipment belongs to the application server 201;

s802: the application server 201 sends a request message for modifying the MBMS bearer to the selected BM-SC;

s803: BM-SC sends a modification MBMS bearer response message to the application server 201 after acquiring the modification MBMS bearer request message;

s804: BM-SC sends session update request message to MBMS GW;

s805: MBMS GW sends session update request message to MME;

s806: MME sends a session update request message to MCE;

s807: MCE sends session update request message to eNB;

s808: the eNB allocates wireless resources after receiving the session update request message and sends a session update response message to the MCE;

s809: the MCE sends a session update response message to the MME;

s810: MME sends a session update response message to MBMS GW;

s811: the MBMS GW sends a session update response message to the BM-SC.

In S802, the application server 201 queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a BM-SC. The modify MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.

In S804, the BM-SC obtains the TAI and the ECGI from the MBMS bearer modification request message, and queries the preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the MBMS GW.

In S805, the MBMSGW acquires the TAI and ECGI from the session update request message, and queries preset configuration information according to the TAI to select the MME.

In S806, the MME acquires the TAI and ECGI from the session update request message, and selects the MCE according to the ECGI.

In S807, the MCE acquires the ECGI from the session update request message to select the eNB according to the ECGI. The session update request message sent by the MCE to the eNB may include the TAI and the ECGI.

In S804-806, the session update request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.

In other embodiments, the application server 201 may further select, according to the TAI, network elements 202 of all MBMS to be selected when performing MBMS bearer modification, and set the required network elements 202 in the first parameter, where the modification MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.

Different from the situation in the prior art, the network element 202 of the MBMS is selected by the present invention according to the TAI and the ECGI reported by the user equipment 203, and further, the network element 202 of the MBMS can be selected by the TAI and the ECGI.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present invention, and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and all modifications of equivalent structures and equivalent processes performed by the present specification and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

An application server, characterized in that the application server comprises a first transceiver unit and a first processing unit, wherein the first transceiver unit acquires a Tracking Area Identity (TAI) and a cell identity (ECGI) from a user equipment; and the first processing unit inquires preset configuration information according to the TAI, selects a network element of the multimedia broadcast MBMS, and the application server and the selected network element carry out MBMS bearing activation, MBMS bearing deletion or MBMS bearing modification.
The application server of claim 1, wherein the configuration information comprises a correspondence between the TAI and a network element of the MBMS.
The application server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the configuration information is configured on the application server.
The application server according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the selected network element is a broadcast multicast service center, BM-SC.
The application server as claimed in any of claims 1-4, wherein the performing, by the application server and the selected network element, the MBMS bearer activation, the MBMS bearer deletion or the MBMS bearer modification comprises:

the first transceiver unit sends an MBMS bearer activation request message to the selected network element, where the MBMS bearer activation request message includes the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the first transceiver unit sends a MBMS deactivation bearer request message to the selected network element, where the MBMS deactivation bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the first transceiver unit sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.
The application server according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the first processing unit further selects a required network element according to the TAI, and sets the required network element at the first parameter, and the performing, by the application server and the selected network element, the MBMS bearer activation, the MBMS bearer deletion, or the MBMS bearer modification comprises:

the first transceiver unit sends an MBMS bearer activation request message to the selected network element, where the MBMS bearer activation request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the first transceiver unit sends a deactivation MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the first transceiver unit sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.
A method of selecting a network element, the method comprising:

the application server acquires the TAI and the ECG I from the user equipment;

the application server inquires preset configuration information according to the TAI and selects a network element of the MBMS;

and the application server and the selected network element carry out MBMS bearing activation, MBMS bearing deletion or MBMS bearing modification.
The method of claim 7, wherein the querying, by the application server, preset configuration information according to the TAI comprises:

the configuration information includes a corresponding relationship between the TAI and a network element of the MBMS.
The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the configuration information is configured on the application server.
The method according to claim 7 or 8 or 9, wherein the selected network element is a BM-SC.
The method as claimed in any of claims 7-10, wherein the MBMS bearer activation, the MBMS bearer deletion or the MBMS bearer modification with the selected network element comprises:

the application server sends an MBMS bearer activation request message to the selected network element, wherein the MBMS bearer activation request message comprises the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the application server sends a deactivation MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the application server sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.
The method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the selecting, by the application server, a required network element according to the TAI, and setting the required network element to the first parameter, and the performing, with the selected network element, the MBMS bearer activation, the MBMS bearer deletion, or the MBMS bearer modification comprises:

the application server sends an MBMS bearing activation request message to the selected network element, wherein the MBMS bearing activation request message comprises the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the application server sends a deactivation MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the application server sends a modify MBMS bearer request message to the selected network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.
A network element is characterized in that the network element comprises a second transceiver unit and a second processing unit, the second transceiver unit acquires a TAI and an ECGI from an application server, the second processing unit inquires preset configuration information according to the TAI to select a next hop network element of an MBMS, and the network element and the next hop network element perform session start, session stop or session update.
The network element of claim 13, wherein the configuration information comprises a correspondence between the TAI and the network element of the MBMS.
The network element according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the configuration information is configured on the network element.
The network element of claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein when the network element is a BM-SC, the BM-SC queries the configuration information according to the TAI to select an MBMS gateway, MBMSGW; and when the network element is the MBMS GW, the MBMS GW inquires the configuration information according to the TAI and selects a mobility management network element MME.
The network element of any of claims 13-16, wherein the network element performing the session start, the session stop, or the session update with the next-hop network element comprises:

the second transceiver unit acquires an MBMS bearer activation request message from the application server, and sends a session start request message to the next hop cell, where the MBMS bearer activation request message includes the TAI and the ECGI, and the session start request message includes the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the second transceiver unit obtains a deactivation MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI, and the session stop request message includes the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the second transceiver unit obtains a modify MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session update request message to the next hop cell, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.
The network element according to any of claims 13-16, wherein the second transceiver unit further obtains a first parameter from the application server, the first parameter comprises a network element required for the application server to select according to the TAI, and the network element performs session start, session stop or session update with the next-hop network element, including:

the second transceiver unit acquires an MBMS bearer activation request message from the application server, and sends a session start request message to the next hop cell, where the MBMS bearer activation request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session start request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the second transceiver unit obtains a deactivation MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session stop request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the second transceiver unit obtains a modify MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session update request message to the next hop network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.
A method of selecting a network element, the method comprising:

the network element acquires the TAI and the ECGI from the application server;

the network element inquires preset configuration information according to the TAI so as to select a next hop network element of the MBMS;

and the network element and the next hop network element perform session starting, session stopping or session updating.
The method of claim 19, wherein the configuration information comprises a correspondence between the TAI and a network element of the MBMS.
The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said configuration information is configured on said network element.
The method according to claim 19 or 20 or 21, when the network element is a BM-SC, the BM-SC queries the configuration information according to the TAI to select the MBMSGW; and when the network element is the MBMS GW, the MBMS GW queries the configuration information according to the TAI and selects an MME.
The method according to any of claims 19-22, wherein said network element performing said session start, said session stop or said session update with said next hop network element comprises:

the network element acquires an MBMS bearer activation request message from the application server and sends a session start request message to the next hop network element, wherein the MBMS bearer activation request message comprises the TAI and the ECGI, and the session start request message comprises the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the network element acquires a deactivation MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI, and the session stop request message includes the TAI and the ECGI;

or, the network element acquires a modify MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session update request message to the next hop network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the TAI and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the TAI and the ECGI.
The method as claimed in any of claims 19-22, wherein said network element further obtains a first parameter from said application server, said first parameter comprising a network element required for said application server to select according to said TAI, said network element performing session start, session stop and session update with said next-hop network element comprising:

the network element acquires an MBMS bearer activation request message from the application server and sends a session start request message to the next hop network element, wherein the MBMS bearer activation request message comprises the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session start request message comprises the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the network element acquires a deactivation MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session stop request message to the next hop network element, where the deactivation MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session stop request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI;

or, the network element acquires a modify MBMS bearer request message from the application server, and sends a session update request message to the next hop network element, where the modify MBMS bearer request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI, and the session update request message includes the first parameter and the ECGI.
User Equipment (UE) is characterized in that the UE reports a TAI and an ECGI to an application server so that the application server selects a network element of an MBMS according to the TAI.