CN107371238B

CN107371238B - Paging method and device

Info

Publication number: CN107371238B
Application number: CN201610319124.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 孙建成; 梁靖
Original assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications Technology CATT
Current assignee: China Academy of Telecommunications Technology CATT; Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-13
Filing date: 2016-05-13
Publication date: 2020-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-13
Also published as: CN107371238A

Abstract

The invention provides a paging method and a paging device, relates to the technical field of communication, and aims to reduce the overhead of paging signaling. A paging method, comprising: when downlink data about user equipment in a light connection state is received, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) determines an anchor evolved node B (eNB); and the MME initiates a paging process to the anchor eNB. The invention is mainly used in the paging technology.

Description

Paging method and device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a paging method and apparatus.

Background

With the large-scale increase of the number of smart phones and other communication devices in an LTE (Long Term Evolution) system, the large-load signaling overhead generated therewith has become an important factor limiting the further development of LTE. Among them, a large amount of frequent RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection establishment and paging message transmission are the leading reasons for a large Control signaling load. Therefore, Light Connection technology is introduced in the Release 14 research stage of LTE to optimize the RRC Connection establishment and management procedure, the mobility management procedure, and the paging procedure of the LTE system, so as to achieve the purpose of reducing the signaling load of system control.

In the Light Connection technology, a "middle" state between an RRC connected state and an RRC idle state, called an RRC Light connected (RRC Light connected) state, is introduced to a UE (User Equipment). When the UE in the RRC connected state completes data transmission, the network side may indicate that it enters the RRC light connected state through dedicated signaling. For the UE in RRC light connected state, its context will be saved in the UE side as well as the network side. Thereafter, when the UE needs to transmit traffic data, the UE can return to the RRC connected state with less signaling interaction through the UE context saved before. Therefore, the serious control signaling load caused by frequently initiating the initial RRC connection when the UE performs data transmission in the traditional LTE system is avoided.

Paging in the current LTE system is initiated by an MME (Mobility Management Entity), and the MME controls a paging range and repeats paging. A paging optimization mechanism is introduced in the S1 protocol of Rel-13 of LTE. During paging, the MME only sends paging messages to part of the eNBs, and the eNBs only need to page the UE in part of the cells. However, in this way, the paging will still be repeated by the MME when the paging fails, so there is still a large paging signaling consumption.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, the present invention provides a paging method and apparatus for reducing overhead of paging signaling.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a paging method, including:

when downlink data about user equipment in a light connection state is received, a Mobility Management Entity (MME) determines an anchor evolved node B (eNB);

and the MME initiates a paging process to the anchor eNB.

Wherein, the MME determines an anchor evolved node B eNB, and comprises:

the eNB with the reserved connection of the control plane interface S1-C between the MME is used as the anchor eNB; or the eNB that last released the S1 interface with the MME is taken as the anchor eNB.

Wherein the MME initiating a paging procedure to the anchor eNB comprises:

the MME sends a paging message to the anchor eNB, wherein the paging message comprises paging authorization information;

establishing a connection with an anchor eNB when the anchor eNB pages the user equipment; establishing a connection with a non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages to the user equipment.

Wherein the establishing a connection with the anchor eNB when the anchor eNB pages to the user equipment comprises:

receiving a first establish connection request of the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved;

and establishing connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the anchor eNB according to the first connection establishment request.

receiving a second establish connection request of the anchor eNB when both the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are released;

establishing a connection with a user plane interface S1-U and a control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB according to the second establishment connection request.

Wherein establishing a connection with a non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages to the user equipment comprises:

when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, receiving a first path switching request of the non-anchor eNB, switching the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB into the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB, and establishing the connection with the user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB.

receiving a second path switch request of the non-anchor eNB when both the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are released;

and establishing connection with a user plane interface S1-U and a control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB according to the second path switching request.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a paging method, including:

receiving a paging message of a Mobility Management Entity (MME), wherein the paging message comprises paging authorization information;

and paging user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or indicating a non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment.

Wherein the paging the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or instructing the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment comprises:

sending a paging message to the user equipment or the non-anchor eNB;

establishing a connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged within the paging range; when a non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment, sending context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB.

Wherein the establishing of the connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged in the paging range comprises:

when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U between the MME is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, sending a first connection establishment request to the MME, wherein the first connection establishment request represents a connection for establishing the user plane interface S1-U of the MME;

receiving a first connection establishment response of the MME.

when the connection with the user plane interface S1-U and the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are released, sending a second connection establishment request to the MME, wherein the second connection establishment request represents a connection for establishing the user plane interface S1-U and the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME;

receiving a second connection establishment response of the MME.

Wherein the sending context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages to the user equipment comprises:

receiving a context acquisition request of the non-anchor eNB when a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the MME is released and a connection with a control plane interface S1-C is reserved;

and sending the context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB according to the context acquisition request, and simultaneously stopping paging the user equipment in the paging range.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a paging method, including:

receiving a paging message of an anchor eNB, wherein the paging message comprises an identifier of user equipment to be paged and in a light connection state; the paging message of the anchor eNB is sent by the anchor eNB after receiving the paging message carrying paging authorization information of the MME;

and paging the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message of the anchor eNB.

Wherein the paging the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message of the anchor eNB comprises:

sending a paging message to the user equipment;

and when the user equipment is paged, establishing connection with MME.

Wherein the establishing a connection with an MME when paging the user equipment comprises:

acquiring context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U of the MME is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved;

sending a first path switching request to the MME, wherein the first path switching request is used for indicating that the S1-C connection between the MME and the anchor eNB is switched into the S1-C connection between the MME and the non-anchor eNB and establishing the connection with the user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB.

when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are released, sending a second path switching request to the MME, wherein the second path switching request is used for indicating that the connection with the user plane interface S1-U and the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are established;

and receiving a second path switching response sent by the MME.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a paging device, including:

a determining module, configured to determine an anchor evolved node b eNB when downlink data about a user equipment in a light connection state is received;

and the paging module is used for initiating a paging process to the anchor eNB.

Wherein the determining module is specifically configured to:

the eNB with the reserved connection of the control plane interface S1-C between MME is used as the anchor eNB; or the eNB that last released the S1 interface with the MME is taken as the anchor eNB.

Wherein the paging module comprises:

a sending submodule, configured to send a paging message to the anchor eNB, where the paging message includes paging authorization information;

a first processing sub-module, configured to establish a connection with an anchor eNB when the anchor eNB pages the user equipment;

a second processing sub-module configured to establish a connection with a non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment.

Wherein the first processing sub-module comprises:

a first receiving unit, configured to receive a first connection establishment request of the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved;

a first processing unit, configured to establish a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the anchor eNB according to the first connection establishment request.

Wherein the first processing sub-module comprises:

a second receiving unit, configured to receive a second establishment connection request of the anchor eNB when both the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are released;

a second processing unit, configured to establish a connection with the user plane interface S1-U and a connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB according to the second connection establishment request.

Wherein the second processing sub-module comprises:

a third receiving unit, configured to receive the first path switching request of the non-anchor eNB when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, switch the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB to the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB, and establish the connection with the user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB.

Wherein the second processing sub-module comprises:

a fourth receiving unit, configured to receive a second path switching request of the non-anchor eNB when both a connection of the user plane interface S1-U and a connection of the control plane interface S1-C are released;

a third processing unit, configured to establish a connection with a user plane interface S1-U and a connection with a control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB according to the second path switching request.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a paging device, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a paging message of a mobility management entity MME, where the paging message includes paging authorization information;

and the paging module is used for paging the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or indicating the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment.

Wherein the paging module comprises:

a first processing sub-module, configured to establish a connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged in the paging range;

and the second processing submodule is used for sending the context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment.

Wherein the first processing sub-module comprises:

a first sending unit, configured to send a first connection establishment request to the MME, when a connection with a user plane interface S1-U between the MME is released and a connection with a control plane interface S1-C is reserved, where the first connection establishment request indicates a connection for establishing a user plane interface S1-U with the MME;

a first receiving unit, configured to receive a first connection establishment response of the MME.

Wherein the first processing sub-module comprises:

a second sending unit, configured to send a second connection establishment request to the MME when both a connection with the user plane interface S1-U and a connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are released, where the second connection establishment request indicates a connection for establishing the user plane interface S1-U and the control plane interface S1-C of the MME;

a second receiving unit, configured to receive a second connection establishment response of the MME.

Wherein the second processing sub-module comprises:

a third receiving unit, configured to receive a context acquisition request of the non-anchor eNB when a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the MME is released and a connection with a control plane interface S1-C is reserved;

a second sending unit, configured to send context information of the ue to the non-anchor eNB according to the context acquisition request, and stop paging the ue within the paging range.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a paging device, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a paging message of an anchor eNB, where the paging message includes an identifier of a user equipment to be paged and in a light connection state; the paging message of the anchor eNB is sent by the anchor eNB after receiving the paging message carrying paging authorization information of the MME;

and the paging module is used for paging the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message of the anchor eNB.

Wherein the paging module comprises:

a sending submodule, configured to send a paging message to the user equipment;

and the processing submodule is used for establishing connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged.

Wherein the processing submodule comprises:

an information obtaining unit, configured to obtain context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U of the MME is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved;

a first sending unit, configured to send a first path switching request to the MME, where the first path switching request is used to indicate that an S1-C connection between the MME and the anchor eNB is switched to an S1-C connection between the MME and a non-anchor eNB, and establish a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB.

Wherein the processing submodule comprises:

a third sending unit, configured to send a second path switching request to the MME when both the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are released, where the second path switching request is used to indicate that a connection with the user plane interface S1-U and a connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are established;

a first receiving unit, configured to receive the second path switching response sent by the MME.

The technical scheme of the invention has the following beneficial effects:

in the embodiment of the invention, when downlink data about user equipment in a light connection state is received, an MME determines an anchor eNB and initiates a paging process to the anchor eNB. Because the anchor eNB can page the user equipment in a corresponding paging range or instruct the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment in the paging process, when the paging fails, the anchor eNB can still continue to page the user equipment without the need of MME repeated triggering paging. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the scheme of the embodiment of the invention can further reduce the overhead of paging signaling.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a paging method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a paging method according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a paging method according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a paging method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a paging method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a paging method according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a paging method according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic view of a paging device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a paging device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a paging device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

As shown in fig. 1, the paging method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is executed by an MME, and includes:

step 11, when receiving the downlink data of the user equipment in the light connection state, determining an anchor evolved Node B (eNB).

The S1 interface is divided into a user plane interface S1-U and a control plane interface S1-C. Wherein the user plane interface S1-U is used for connecting the evolved node B with the serving gateway; the control plane interface S1-C connects the enb and the MME. Then, in the embodiment of the present invention, the eNB whose connection with the control plane interface S1-C between MMEs is reserved is used as the anchor eNB according to the connection state of each interface; or, the eNB that last released the S1 interface with the MME is taken as the anchor eNB. Except for the anchor eNB, other enbs under the MME are referred to as non-anchor enbs.

And step 12, initiating a paging process to the anchor eNB.

In this step, MME sends a paging message to the anchor eNB, where the paging message includes paging authorization information, so that the anchor eNB pages the user equipment in a corresponding paging range or instructs the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment. When the anchor eNB pages the user equipment, the MME establishes connection with the anchor eNB; and when the non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment, the MME establishes connection with the non-anchor eNB.

In the embodiment of the present invention, "establishment" may be understood as new establishment or recovery. The "establish" meaning used in the following examples is also understood to be such. That is, for the SI-C connection and SI-U connection between the anchor eNB or non-anchor eNB and the MME, it may be re-established as needed in this embodiment; or if there is a SI-C connection or a SI-U connection before, it is also possible to choose to resume the SI-C connection or the SI-U connection in embodiments of the present invention.

The paging authorization information is used to indicate to the anchor eNB that autonomous paging can be performed on a RAN (Radio Access Network) side. The paging authorization information may be a type identifier of the user equipment, such as a low-cost terminal, a normal terminal, and the like. The paging authorization information may also be paging type indication information indicating that the paging message is a paging message indicating that autonomous paging can be performed on the RAN side. According to the special type of paging message, the anchor eNB pages the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging authorization information or pages a non-anchor eNB on an X2 interface, and instructs the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment.

In the embodiment of the invention, the paging message can also carry the identification of the user equipment. The identity of the user equipment may be S-TMSI or IMSI of the user equipment. Meanwhile, the identifier of the user equipment can also be used as the identifier of the anchor eNB for paging the user equipment in the corresponding paging range.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the specific field in which the paging authorization information is located is not limited. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the paging message may further include paging range assistance information.

(1) Depending on the connection status of the S1 interface, there are different methods for establishing a connection with the anchor eNB.

For example, when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, the MME receives the first establishment connection request of the anchor eNB and establishes the connection with the user plane interface S1-U of the anchor eNB according to the first establishment connection request.

For another example, when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are both released, the MME receives the second establishment connection request of the anchor eNB and establishes a connection with the user plane interface S1-U and a connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB according to the second establishment connection request.

Wherein the first or second request for establishing connection can be implemented by using resume request in the prior art.

(2) There are different methods of establishing a connection with a non-anchor eNB according to the connection status of the S1 interface.

For example, when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, the MME receives the first path switch request of the non-anchor eNB, switches the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB to the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB, and establishes the connection with the user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB.

For another example, when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are both released, the MME receives the second path switch request of the non-anchor eNB and establishes a connection with the user plane interface S1-U and a connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB according to the second path switch request.

Wherein, the first path switching request or the second path switching request may be implemented by using a pathswitch request in the prior art.

As can be seen from the above, in the embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data about a user equipment in a light connection state is received, an MME determines an anchor eNB and initiates a paging procedure to the anchor eNB. Because the anchor eNB can page the user equipment in a corresponding paging range or instruct the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment in the paging process, when the paging fails, the anchor eNB can still continue to page the user equipment without the need of MME repeated triggering paging. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the scheme of the embodiment of the invention can further reduce the overhead of paging signaling.

As shown in fig. 2, the paging method according to the second embodiment of the present invention is performed by an anchor eNB, and includes:

step 21, receiving a paging message of the MME, wherein the paging message comprises paging authorization information.

The specific meaning of the paging authorization information can refer to the description of the first embodiment.

And step 22, paging the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or indicating the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the anchor eNB may page the user equipment according to its corresponding paging range, and may further instruct the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment on an X2 interface.

Specifically, in this step, the anchor eNB sends a paging message to the user equipment or the non-anchor eNB. When the user equipment is paged in the paging range, the anchor eNB establishes connection with the MME; when the non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment, the anchor eNB sends context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB.

Since the UE is constantly moving, it is possible to page the user equipment in the paging range of the anchor eNB and also in the paging range of the non-anchor eNB.

And when the user equipment is paged in the paging range of the anchor eNB, the anchor eNB establishes connection between the anchor eNB and the MME.

Specifically, when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, a first connection establishment request is sent to the MME, and the first connection establishment request represents connection establishment of the user plane interface S1-U of the MME. Then, a first connection establishment response of the MME is received.

Specifically, when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are both released, sending a second connection establishment request to the MME, wherein the second connection establishment request represents a connection for establishing the user plane interface S1-U and the control plane interface S1-C of the MME; receiving a second connection establishment response of the MME.

Wherein the first or second connection establishment response can be implemented by using resume response in the prior art.

When the connection of the user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, the anchor eNB also needs to send the context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB if the user equipment is paged within the paging range of the non-anchor eNB.

Specifically, the anchor eNB receives a context acquisition request of the non-anchor eNB, then sends context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB according to the context acquisition request, and meanwhile stops paging the user equipment within the paging range. Therefore, when the user equipment is paged in the paging range of the non-anchor eNB, the context information of the user equipment can be transferred through the context acquisition request of the non-anchor eNB, and the anchor eNB can stop paging the user equipment in the paging range, so that the signaling overhead is further reduced.

As shown in fig. 3, the paging method according to the third embodiment of the present invention is performed by a non-anchor eNB, and includes:

step 31, receiving a paging message of the anchor eNB, where the paging message includes an identifier of the user equipment to be paged and in the light connection state.

The paging message of the anchor eNB is sent by the anchor eNB after receiving the paging message carrying the paging authorization information of the MME.

And step 32, paging the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message of the anchor eNB.

In this step, the non-anchor eNB sends a paging message to the user equipment. And when the user equipment is paged, the non-anchor eNB establishes connection with the MME.

As already mentioned, the connection to the MME can be established in different ways.

The non-anchor eNB obtains context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved. Then, the non-anchor eNB sends a first path switching request to the MME, wherein the first path switching request is used for indicating that the S1-C connection between the MME and the anchor eNB is switched to the S1-C connection between the MME and the non-anchor eNB and establishing the connection with the user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB.

When the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are both released, the non-anchor eNB sends a second path switching request to the MME, wherein the second path switching request is used for indicating that the connection with the user plane interface S1-U and the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are established, and then receives a second path switching response sent by the MME.

The first path switching request or the second path switching request may be implemented by using a path switch request in the prior art, and the second path switching response may be implemented by using a path switch request response in the prior art.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the MME initiates paging assuming S1-C connection reservation and S1-U connection release in the Light Connected state. The MME may take the eNB with the S1-C connection as the anchor eNB and successfully page to the UE under the anchor eNB.

As shown in fig. 4, a paging method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes:

step 41, the MME sends a paging message to the anchor eNB, where the paging message includes paging authorization information.

And 42, the anchor eNB pages the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or sends a paging message to the non-anchor NB to indicate the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment.

Specifically, the anchor eNB determines that it is authorized as the anchor eNB according to the message type indication information, and may determine the paging range within the RAN range by itself, including instructing the non-anchor eNB to page the ue on the X2 interface. Wherein, the identity of the user equipment included in the paging message can be directly used for the UE identity in the RAN-side paging procedure.

Step 43, RRC (Radio Resource Control protocol) connection (not shown) is established between the UE and the anchor eNB, and the anchor eNB establishes S1-U connection with the MME.

Specifically, the anchor eNB sends a resume request to the MME, and the MME establishes a connection of S1-U according to the resume request, and sends a resume response to the anchor eNB.

As can be seen from the above, in the embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data about a user equipment in a light connection state is received, an MME determines an anchor eNB and initiates a paging procedure to the anchor eNB. Because the anchor eNB can page the user equipment in a corresponding paging range or instruct the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment in the paging process, when the paging fails, the anchor eNB can still continue to page the user equipment without the need of MME repeated triggering paging. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the scheme of the embodiment of the invention can further reduce the overhead of paging signaling. In addition, since the ue identifier in the paging message of the MME can be directly used as the ue identifier of the anchor eNB during RAN paging without redesign, this embodiment can further save signaling overhead.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, assuming that S1-C connection is reserved and S1-U connection is released in the Light Connected state, the MME initiates paging. The MME may take the eNB with the S1-C connection as the anchor eNB and successfully page to the UE under the non-anchor eNB.

As shown in fig. 5, a paging method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes:

step 51, the MME sends a paging message to the anchor eNB, where the paging message includes paging authorization information.

And step 52, the anchor eNB pages the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or instructs the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment, and the user equipment is successfully paged under the non-anchor eNB.

Step 53, the non-anchor eNB requests context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB.

Step 54, the anchor eNB sends the context information of the ue to the non-eNB and stops the information ue.

Through the Context acquisition (Context Fetch) process in steps 53 and 54, it may also indicate to the anchor eNB that the ue is successfully paged without paging again, thereby saving signaling overhead.

Step 55, the UE establishes RRC connection with the non-anchor eNB (not shown). The non-anchor eNB transfers the S1-C connection between the MME and the anchor eNB through a PathSwitch (Path switch) procedure and establishes a connection of S1-U with the MME.

Specifically, the non-anchor eNB sends a path switch request to the MME, the MME transfers S1-C connection with the anchor eNB, establishes connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB, and sends a path switch response to the non-anchor eNB.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, assuming that S1-C connection release and S1-U connection release are in the Light Connected state, the MME initiates paging. The MME will eventually release the S1 interfaced eNB as the anchor eNB and successfully page the UE under the anchor eNB.

As shown in fig. 6, a paging method according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention includes:

and step 61, the MME sends a paging message to the anchor eNB, wherein the paging message comprises paging authorization information.

And step 62, the anchor eNB pages the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or instructs the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment.

Specifically, the anchor eNB determines that the anchor eNB is authorized to be the anchor eNB according to the message type indication information, and may determine a paging range within a RAN (Radio Access Network ) range by itself, including indicating the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment on an X2 interface. Wherein, the identity of the user equipment included in the paging message can be directly used for the UE identity in the RAN-side paging procedure.

Step 63, RRC connection (not shown) is established between the UE and the anchor eNB, and the anchor eNB establishes S1-C, S1-U connection with the MME.

Specifically, the anchor eNB sends a resume request to the MME, and the MME establishes connection of S1-C, S1-U according to the resume request and sends a resume response to the anchor eNB.

In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the MME initiates paging assuming S1-C connection release and S1-U connection release in the Light Connected state. The MME may finally release the S1 interfaced eNB as the anchor eNB and successfully page the UE under the anchor eNB.

As shown in fig. 7, the paging method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention includes:

step 71, the MME sends a paging message to the anchor eNB, wherein the paging message comprises paging authorization information.

And step 72, the anchor eNB pages the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or instructs the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment, and the user equipment is successfully paged under the non-anchor eNB.

Step 73, the non-anchor eNB requests context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB.

Step 74, the anchor eNB sends the context information of the ue to the non-eNB and stops the information ue.

Through the Context acquisition (Context Fetch) process in steps 73 and 74, it can also indicate to the anchor eNB that the ue paging is successful, and does not need to page again, thereby saving signaling overhead.

Step 75, RRC connection is established between the UE and the non-anchor eNB (not shown). The non-anchor eNB establishes a connection with S1-C, S1-U of the MME through a PathSwitch (Path switch) procedure.

Specifically, the non-anchor eNB sends a path switch request to the MME, the MME establishes connection with S1-C, S1-U of the non-anchor eNB, and sends a path switch response to the non-anchor eNB.

As shown in fig. 8, a paging device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention includes:

a determining module 81, configured to determine an anchor evolved node b eNB when downlink data about a user equipment in a light connection state is received; a paging module 82, configured to initiate a paging procedure to the anchor eNB.

Wherein the determining module 81 is specifically configured to:

In a specific application, the paging module 82 includes:

a sending submodule, configured to send a paging message to the anchor eNB, where the paging message includes paging authorization information; a first processing sub-module, configured to establish a connection with an anchor eNB when the anchor eNB pages the user equipment; a second processing sub-module configured to establish a connection with a non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment.

Specifically, the first processing sub-module includes:

a first receiving unit, configured to receive a first connection establishment request of the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved; a first processing unit, configured to establish a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the anchor eNB according to the first connection establishment request.

Specifically, the first processing sub-module includes:

a second receiving unit, configured to receive a second establishment connection request of the anchor eNB when both the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are released; a second processing unit, configured to establish a connection with the user plane interface S1-U and a connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB according to the second connection establishment request.

Specifically, the second processing sub-module includes:

The working principle of the device of the embodiment of the invention can refer to the description of the embodiment of the method.

As shown in fig. 9, a paging device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention includes:

a receiving module 91, configured to receive a paging message of a mobility management entity MME, where the paging message includes paging authorization information; a paging module 92, configured to page the ue in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or instruct the non-anchor eNB to page the ue.

Wherein the paging module 92 comprises:

a first processing sub-module, configured to establish a connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged in the paging range; and the second processing submodule is used for sending the context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment.

Specifically, the first processing sub-module includes:

a first sending unit, configured to send a first connection establishment request to the MME, when a connection with a user plane interface S1-U between the MME is released and a connection with a control plane interface S1-C is reserved, where the first connection establishment request indicates a connection for establishing a user plane interface S1-U with the MME; a first receiving unit, configured to receive a first connection establishment response of the MME.

Specifically, the first processing sub-module includes:

a second sending unit, configured to send a second connection establishment request to the MME when both a connection with the user plane interface S1-U and a connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are released, where the second connection establishment request indicates a connection for establishing the user plane interface S1-U and the control plane interface S1-C of the MME; a second receiving unit, configured to receive a second connection establishment response of the MME.

Specifically, the second processing sub-module includes:

a third receiving unit, configured to receive a context acquisition request of the non-anchor eNB when a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the MME is released and a connection with a control plane interface S1-C is reserved; a second sending unit, configured to send context information of the ue to the non-anchor eNB according to the context acquisition request, and stop paging the ue within the paging range.

As shown in fig. 10, a paging device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention includes:

a receiving module 101, configured to receive a paging message of an anchor eNB, where the paging message includes an identifier of a user equipment to be paged and in a light connection state; the paging message of the anchor eNB is sent by the anchor eNB after receiving the paging message carrying paging authorization information of the MME;

a paging module 102, configured to page the ue within a corresponding paging range according to the paging message of the anchor eNB.

Wherein the paging module 102 comprises:

a sending submodule, configured to send a paging message to the user equipment; and the processing submodule is used for establishing connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged.

Specifically, the processing sub-module includes:

a first sending unit, configured to send a first path switching request to the MME, where the first path switching request is used to indicate to switch an S1-C connection between the MME and the anchor eNB to an S1-C connection between the MME and the non-anchor eNB, and establish a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB.

Specifically, the processing sub-module includes:

a third sending unit, configured to send a second path switching request to the MME when both the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are released, where the second path switching request is used to indicate that a connection with the user plane interface S1-U and a connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are established; a first receiving unit, configured to receive the second path switching response sent by the MME.

As can be seen from the above, in the embodiment of the present invention, when downlink data about a user equipment in a light connection state is received, an MME determines an anchor eNB and initiates a paging procedure to the anchor eNB. Because the anchor eNB can page the user equipment in a corresponding paging range or instruct the non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment in the paging process, when the paging fails, the anchor eNB can still continue to page the user equipment without the need of MME repeated triggering paging. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the scheme of the embodiment of the invention can further reduce the overhead of paging signaling. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the scheme of the embodiment of the invention can further reduce the overhead of paging signaling. In addition, since the ue identifier in the paging message of the MME can be directly used as the ue identifier of the anchor eNB during RAN paging without redesign, this embodiment can further save signaling overhead.

An eleventh embodiment of the present invention provides a data processing apparatus including: a processor; and a memory connected to the processor through a bus interface, the memory being used to store programs and data used by the processor in performing operations, and when the processor calls and executes the programs and data stored in the memory, the memory including functional modules or units implementing:

An embodiment twelfth of the present invention provides a data processing apparatus, including: a processor; and a memory connected to the processor through a bus interface, the memory being used to store programs and data used by the processor in performing operations, and when the processor calls and executes the programs and data stored in the memory, the memory including functional modules or units implementing:

An embodiment thirteenth of the present invention provides a data processing apparatus, including: a processor; and a memory connected to the processor through a bus interface, the memory being used to store programs and data used by the processor in performing operations, and when the processor calls and executes the programs and data stored in the memory, the memory including functional modules or units implementing:

It should be noted that the apparatuses provided in the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth embodiments of the present invention are apparatuses capable of correspondingly implementing the paging method provided in the foregoing method embodiments, so that all embodiments of the paging method based on network fragmentation provided in the foregoing method embodiments can be correspondingly applied to the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth embodiments, and can achieve the same or similar beneficial effects.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed method and apparatus may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may be physically included alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, or in a form of hardware plus a software functional unit.

The integrated unit implemented in the form of a software functional unit may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The software functional unit is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute some steps of the transceiving method according to various embodiments of the present invention. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for paging, comprising:

the MME initiates a paging procedure to the anchor eNB;

wherein, the MME determines an anchor evolved node B eNB, and comprises:

the eNB with the reserved connection of the control plane interface S1-C between the MME is used as the anchor eNB; or the eNB which finally releases the S1 interface connection with the MME is taken as the anchor eNB;

wherein the MME initiating a paging procedure to the anchor eNB comprises:

establishing a connection with an anchor eNB when the anchor eNB pages the user equipment; establishing a connection with a non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages to the user equipment, wherein the non-anchor eNB acquires context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB;

and the paging message also comprises the identification of the user equipment, and the identification of the user equipment is directly used for the UE identification of the anchor eNB in the RAN side paging process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the connection with the anchor eNB when the anchor eNB pages to the user equipment comprises:

receiving a first establish connection request of the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved; establishing a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the anchor eNB according to the first connection establishment request;

or, the establishing a connection with the anchor eNB when the anchor eNB pages to the user equipment includes:

receiving a second establish connection request of the anchor eNB when both the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are released; establishing a connection with a user plane interface S1-U and a control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB according to the second establishment connection request.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing a connection with a non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages to the user equipment comprises:

receiving a first path switching request of the non-anchor eNB when the connection of a user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved, switching the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB into the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB, and establishing the connection with the user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB;

or, when the non-anchor eNB pages to the user equipment, establishing a connection with the non-anchor eNB includes:

receiving a second path switch request of the non-anchor eNB when both the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C are released; and establishing connection with a user plane interface S1-U and a control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB according to the second path switching request.

4. A paging method applied to an anchor eNB, comprising:

paging user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or indicating a non-anchor eNB to page the user equipment;

sending a paging message to the user equipment or the non-anchor eNB;

establishing a connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged within the paging range; when a non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment, sending context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB;

the paging message also comprises the identification of the user equipment, and the identification of the user equipment is directly used for the UE identification of the anchor eNB in the RAN side paging process;

wherein the anchor eNB is an eNB with a reserved connection of a control plane interface S1-C with the MME; or the anchor eNB is the eNB which finally releases the S1 interface connection with the MME.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the establishing the connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged within the paging range comprises:

when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U between the MME is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, sending a first connection establishment request to the MME, wherein the first connection establishment request represents a connection for establishing the user plane interface S1-U of the MME; receiving a first connection establishment response of the MME;

or, the establishing a connection with the MME when the user equipment is paged in the paging range includes:

when the connection with the user plane interface S1-U and the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are released, sending a second connection establishment request to the MME, wherein the second connection establishment request represents a connection for establishing the user plane interface S1-U and the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME; receiving a second connection establishment response of the MME.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the sending context information of the user equipment to the non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages to the user equipment comprises:

7. A method for paging, comprising:

receiving a paging message of an anchor eNB, wherein the paging message comprises an identifier of user equipment to be paged and in a light connection state; the paging message of the anchor eNB is sent by the anchor eNB after receiving the paging message carrying paging authorization information of the MME; the identity of the user equipment is directly used for the identity of the UE of the anchor eNB in the RAN side paging process;

paging the user equipment in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message of the anchor eNB;

sending a paging message to the user equipment;

when the user equipment is paged, acquiring the context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB, and establishing connection with an MME;

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the establishing a connection with an MME when paging the user equipment comprises:

acquiring context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U of the MME is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved; sending a first path switching request to the MME, wherein the first path switching request is used for indicating that S1-C connection between the MME and the anchor eNB is switched into S1-C connection between the MME and a non-anchor eNB and establishing connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB;

or, when the user equipment is paged, establishing a connection with an MME, including:

when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are released, sending a second path switching request to the MME, wherein the second path switching request is used for indicating that the connection with the user plane interface S1-U and the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the MME are established; and receiving a second path switching response sent by the MME.

9. A paging device, comprising:

a paging module, configured to initiate a paging procedure to the anchor eNB;

wherein the determining module is specifically configured to:

the eNB with the reserved connection of the control plane interface S1-C between MME is used as the anchor eNB; or the eNB which finally releases the S1 interface connection with the MME is taken as the anchor eNB;

wherein the paging module comprises:

a second processing sub-module, configured to establish a connection with a non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment, where the non-anchor eNB acquires context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB;

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first processing sub-module comprises:

a first receiving unit, configured to receive a first connection establishment request of the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved; a first processing unit, configured to establish a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the anchor eNB according to the first connection establishment request;

or, the first processing sub-module includes:

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second processing sub-module comprises:

a third receiving unit, configured to receive the first path switching request of the non-anchor eNB when the connection of the user plane interface S1-U is released and the connection of the control plane interface S1-C is reserved, switch the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the anchor eNB to the connection with the control plane interface S1-C of the non-anchor eNB, and establish the connection with the user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB;

or the second processing submodule comprises:

12. A paging device applied to an anchor eNB, comprising:

a paging module, configured to page the ue in a corresponding paging range according to the paging message or instruct a non-anchor eNB to page the ue;

wherein the paging module comprises:

a second processing sub-module, configured to send context information of the user equipment to a non-anchor eNB when the non-anchor eNB pages the user equipment;

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first processing sub-module comprises:

a first sending unit, configured to send a first connection establishment request to the MME, when a connection with a user plane interface S1-U between the MME is released and a connection with a control plane interface S1-C is reserved, where the first connection establishment request indicates a connection for establishing a user plane interface S1-U with the MME; a first receiving unit, configured to receive a first connection establishment response of the MME;

or, the first processing sub-module includes:

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second processing sub-module comprises:

15. A paging device, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a paging message of an anchor eNB, where the paging message includes an identifier of a user equipment to be paged and in a light connection state; the paging message of the anchor eNB is sent by the anchor eNB after receiving the paging message carrying paging authorization information of the MME; the identity of the user equipment is directly used for the identity of the UE of the anchor eNB in the RAN side paging process;

a paging module, configured to page the ue within a corresponding paging range according to the paging message of the anchor eNB;

wherein the paging module comprises:

a sending submodule, configured to send a paging message to the user equipment;

a processing sub-module, configured to, when the user equipment is paged, acquire context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB, and establish a connection with an MME;

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing submodule comprises:

an information obtaining unit, configured to obtain context information of the user equipment from the anchor eNB when a connection of a user plane interface S1-U of the MME is released and a connection of a control plane interface S1-C is reserved; a first sending unit, configured to send a first path switching request to the MME, where the first path switching request is used to indicate that an S1-C connection between the MME and the anchor eNB is switched to an S1-C connection between the MME and a non-anchor eNB, and establish a connection with a user plane interface S1-U of the non-anchor eNB;

or, the processing sub-module comprises: