CN111866970B

CN111866970B - Method and device for reporting position information

Info

Publication number: CN111866970B
Application number: CN201910365490.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘琼; 晋英豪; 谭巍
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-04-30
Filing date: 2019-04-30
Publication date: 2021-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-30
Also published as: CN111866970A

Abstract

The application provides a method and a device for reporting position information. The land network TN knows the exact location of the terminal device through the network identifier, such as the cell or the tracking area TA. However, in the non-terrestrial network NTN, the beam generated by the satellite sweeps the ground following the satellite, and for terminal devices in the ground area, the cell ID and TA of the terminal device are rapidly changed even if no movement occurs. The serving cell will be handed over frequently. Therefore, the reporting of the position of the terminal device will become frequent, and if the network device adopts the method of configuring the terminal device for measurement reporting through the dedicated message in the long term evolution LTE, a large amount of signaling needs to be consumed between the network device and the terminal device. According to the method for reporting the position information, the network equipment indicates the terminal equipment to report the position of the terminal equipment through the broadcast message, the RRC message or the NAS message, and signaling overhead of the terminal equipment for reporting the position can be reduced.

Description

Method and device for reporting position information

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for reporting location information.

Background

The concept of Tracking Area (TA) is proposed in Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. The TA defines a free mobility area where the terminal device does not need to update the service. The network side can realize the position management of the terminal equipment based on TA, including paging management and position updating management. When the terminal equipment moves in a TA, the position updating process does not need to be initiated. When the network side pages the terminal device, paging is performed in all cells in the TA of the terminal device. When the terminal device moves across the TA, the location of the terminal device needs to be reported to the network side, so that the network side can know the location change of the terminal device, and the terminal device is convenient to perform paging management and service processing (for example, selection of a charging policy, handover management) and the like subsequently.

With the development of communication technology, the 3rd generation partnership project (3 GPP) standard organization has proposed to subsequently study the world-to-earth convergence communication technology, to converge satellite communication to a terrestrial cellular network, to achieve seamless coverage of wireless signals throughout the earth, and to propose a non-terrestrial network (NTN). In the NTN scenario, an idle platform (e.g., satellite) provides access services for the UE.

However, unlike the NTN network and the Terrestrial Network (TN), the beams generated by the satellites will sweep across the ground following the operation of the satellites. From the viewpoint of the terminal device, even if no movement occurs, the Identification (ID) of the serving cell and the identification such as TA are frequently changed. Compared with the TN, the location reporting of the terminal equipment in the NTN will be more frequent. And in the TN, the network device configures the terminal device to perform measurement and report of the position through a dedicated message. If the method is also adopted in the NTN, the network equipment needs to send the configuration message frequently, and the terminal equipment needs to report the position frequently, thereby causing very large signaling overhead.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a method and a device for reporting position information, which can reduce signaling overhead of a terminal device for reporting a position.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for reporting location information, where the method includes: the method comprises the steps that terminal equipment receives a broadcast message from access network equipment, wherein the broadcast message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to start a reporting function of position information; and the terminal equipment reports the position information.

In the technical scheme of the application, the access network equipment carries the first indication information for indicating the UE to report the location information in the broadcast message, so that the network side can trigger the reporting of the location information by taking a cell as a unit. After all the UEs in one cell receive the broadcast message, the reporting of the position information is started, so that the signaling overhead can be saved.

In addition, the access network equipment indicates the UE to report the position information in the broadcast message, so that the UE can acquire the indication of whether to report the position information when accessing the network. After the UE accesses the network, the network side does not need to perform extra signaling to indicate the UE, so that signaling overhead can be saved.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the reporting, by the terminal device, the location information includes: the terminal equipment receives a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the access network equipment, wherein the first RRC message carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to report position information in a response message of the first RRC message; and the terminal equipment reports the position information to the access network equipment through a second RRC message, wherein the second RRC message is a response message of the first RRC message.

The access network equipment indicates the UE to report the position information through the RRC message, and the signaling overhead caused by indicating by adopting additional signaling is avoided.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first RRC message includes any one of the following messages: RRC establishment request, RRC reconfiguration, RRC re-establishment, RRC recovery, or measurement control.

The access network equipment does not limit to instruct the UE to report the position information in any one or more RRC messages, and the flexibility of the indication is improved.

In addition, the access network equipment indicates the UE to report the position information of the UE through the RRC message, so that extra signaling overhead caused by the fact that the UE is configured by adopting a special message to carry out measurement reporting can be avoided.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second RRC message includes any one of the following messages: RRC setup complete, RRC reconfiguration complete, RRC reestablishment complete, RRC recovery complete, or RRC measurement report.

Here, the second RRC message is a response message of the first RRC message.

According to the indication of the first RRC message, the terminal equipment reports the position information of the terminal equipment in the response message of the first RRC message, so that the extra signaling overhead caused by measurement reporting by adopting a special message can be avoided.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the reporting, by the terminal device, the location information includes: and the terminal equipment reports the position information to the core network equipment through the NAS message.

Optionally, the terminal device may also use the NAS message to directly report the location information to the core network device when analyzing the broadcast message and knowing that the location information needs to be reported. Similar to the situation that the terminal device reports the location information of the terminal device by using the RRC message, the terminal device reports the location information of the terminal device by using the NAS message, and thus, additional signaling overhead caused by measurement reporting by using a dedicated message can be avoided.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the NAS message includes any one of the following messages: a registration request, a de-registration request or a UE initial direct transfer message, where the registration request includes a registration request in any one of the following flows: initial attachment, location update, periodic location reporting, or emergency registration.

The terminal equipment is not limited to adopt any one or more NAS messages to report the position information, and the reporting flexibility is improved.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the reporting, by the terminal device, the location information includes: the terminal device reports the location information to the access network device through a third RRC message, where the third RRC message includes any one of the following messages: RRC establishment completion, RRC reconfiguration completion, RRC reestablishment completion and RRC recovery completion.

In this embodiment, after the terminal device obtains the first indication information by analyzing the received broadcast message, it defaults to report the location information to the network device through the RRC message, and the network device does not need to indicate a specific RRC message for reporting the location information through the RRC message, so that signaling overhead can be further saved.

In a possible implementation manner, the terminal device and the access network device may agree with a default RRC message for reporting the location information, or may also be specified by a protocol, which is not limited in this application.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementation manners of the first aspect, the location information includes first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity, where the first granularity indication information is used to indicate the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used to indicate the second granularity, the location information of the first granularity is used to indicate longitude and latitude coordinates of a terminal device, and the location information of the second granularity is used to indicate a country where the terminal device is located.

It should be understood that the terminal device indicates the granularity of the reported location information, so that the network device can know how to analyze the location information.

Here, the first granularity is smaller than the second granularity. Therefore, the longitude and latitude coordinates are fine-grained location information, and the country where the terminal device is located is coarse-grained location information.

On one hand, the terminal device reports the location information of the latitude and longitude granularity (namely, the location information of the first granularity) to the network side, so that the terminal device can assist the network side to combine with the ephemeris of the satellite, accurately find the corresponding satellite for paging when paging the UE, reduce the difficulty of paging and save the paging resources of the network side.

On the other hand, the UE can assist the network side to judge the time period of the UE which is possibly switched according to the ephemeris by reporting fine-grained position information of the longitude and latitude coordinates, so that switching preparation is made. Subsequently, the network side can perform blind handover or measurement control starting and the like in the time period, so that signaling interaction is reduced.

On the other hand, the terminal device reports coarse-grained location information, such as country-grained location information, to the network device, which may assist the network device in determining the country in which the terminal device is located, so as to select a corresponding charging policy for charging the terminal device, thereby optimizing charging management.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: and the terminal equipment reports the time stamp related to the position information.

It should be noted that the timestamp may reflect the referential property of the location information reported by the terminal device. Theoretically, the closer the time recorded by the timestamp and the current time is, the closer the positioning indicated by the position information is to the current real position of the terminal device, the more referential the position information is. The farther the time of the time stamp recording is from the current time, the more likely the terminal device is to move between the time of the time stamp recording and the current time, and therefore the referential is low.

Thus, the timestamp may assist the network device in more accurately finding the corresponding satellite paging terminal device and more accurately managing the traffic of the UE, e.g., billing management, cell handover management, etc.

With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, before the access network device is mounted on an idle platform and the terminal device receives the broadcast message from the access network device, the method further includes: when the terminal equipment leaves the ground network, the public land mobile network PLMN information of the ground network is stored; the method for reporting the position information by the terminal equipment comprises the following steps: and the terminal equipment reports the PLMN information and the second granularity indication information.

The terminal device may store PLMN information for the terrestrial network when leaving the terrestrial network. After the air network is accessed, if the network device indicates the terminal device to report the location information, but the terminal device does not obtain the location information with fine granularity, the terminal device may report the stored PLMN information of the ground network as the location information with coarse granularity to the network device. Therefore, certain reference can be provided for the network equipment to carry out position management on the terminal equipment, and the situation that the network equipment cannot acquire the position information of the terminal equipment is avoided.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for reporting location information, including: the access network equipment determines to start the reporting function of the position information of the terminal equipment; the access network equipment sends a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to start a reporting function of the position information.

In the technical scheme of the application, the access network equipment carries the first indication information for indicating the UE to report the location information in the broadcast message, so that the network side can trigger the reporting of the location information by taking a cell as a unit. After all the UEs in one cell receive the broadcast message, the reporting of the position information is started, so that a large amount of signaling interaction caused by the fact that the access network equipment configures the UEs to carry out measurement reporting through a special message is avoided, and signaling overhead can be saved.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, after the access network device sends the broadcast message, the method further includes: the access network equipment sends a first RRC message to the terminal equipment, wherein the first RRC message carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to report position information in a response message of the first RRC message; and the access network equipment receives a second RRC message from the terminal equipment, wherein the second RRC message carries the position information.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first RRC message includes any one of the following messages: RRC establishment request, RRC reconfiguration, RRC re-establishment, RRC recovery, or measurement control.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second RRC message includes any one of the following messages: RRC setup complete, measurement report, RRC reconfiguration complete, RRC reestablishment complete, or RRC recovery complete.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, after the access network device receives the second RRC message from the terminal device, the method further includes: the access network equipment reports the position information of the terminal equipment to the core network equipment, wherein the position information is carried in any one of the following messages: the UE initial direct transfer message, the initial context establishment response or the UE context release is completed.

And after the access network equipment acquires the position information of the UE from the second RRC message sent by the UE, reporting the position information of the UE to the core network equipment. Here, the access network device is not limited to report the location information of the UE to the core network device in any one or more of the above messages, which improves the reporting flexibility.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the access network device is an access network device that is connected when the terminal device enters the connected state from the inactive state, and the method further includes: and the access network equipment sends a path switching request to the core network equipment, wherein the path switching request carries the position information.

When the terminal equipment enters a connection state from an inactive state, the access network equipment reports the acquired position information of the UE to the core network equipment through a path switching request. The scheme provides a solution for reporting the position information in the process that the terminal equipment enters the connected state from the inactive state.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the access network device is a source access network device of the terminal device, and the method further includes: and the access network equipment sends a switching request to the target access network equipment, wherein the switching request carries the position information.

When the terminal equipment is switched from the source access network equipment to the target access network equipment, the source access network equipment forwards the position information of the UE to the target access network equipment through the switching request. The scheme provides a solution for reporting the position information in the switching process of the terminal equipment.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementation manners of the second aspect, the location information includes first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity, where the first granularity indication information is used to indicate the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used to indicate the second granularity, the location information of the first granularity is used to indicate longitude and latitude coordinates of a terminal device, and the location information of the second granularity is used to indicate a country where the terminal device is located.

With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the access network device receives a timestamp from the terminal device associated with the location information.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a method for reporting location information, where the method includes: the method comprises the steps that the access network equipment acquires position information of the terminal equipment and is carried on an aerial platform; and the access network equipment reports the position information to the core network equipment, wherein the position information comprises longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal equipment.

In the technical scheme, after the access network equipment obtains the position information of the longitude and latitude granularity of the terminal equipment through positioning, the position information of the longitude and latitude granularity is reported to the core network, so that the core network equipment can be assisted to combine with an ephemeris of a satellite, and the corresponding satellite can be accurately found for paging when the UE is paged, the paging difficulty can be reduced, and the network side paging resource can be saved.

In addition, fine-grained position information of the latitude and longitude coordinates can assist the access network equipment to judge the time period of possible switching of the UE according to the ephemeris, so that switching preparation is made. Subsequently, the access network device may perform blind handover or measurement control start, etc. within this time period, thereby reducing signaling interaction.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, before the access network device reports the location information to the core network device, the method further includes: the access network equipment receives a first position report control message from the core network equipment, wherein the first position report control message is used for requesting to report the position information of the terminal equipment, and the first position report control message carries information used for indicating the reporting mode of a position report and/or the granularity of the position information; the access network device reporting the location information to the core network device includes: the access network equipment responds to the first position report control message and sends a position report to the core network equipment, wherein the position report carries the position information of the terminal equipment.

In a possible implementation, after the access network device obtains the location information of the UE by positioning, when the core network device requests a request for reporting the location information of the UE, the access network device reports the location information of the UE to the core network device.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the reporting, by the access network device, the location information to the core network device includes: after the access network equipment acquires the position information of the terminal equipment, the access network equipment actively sends a position report to the core network equipment, wherein the position report carries the position information.

In another possible implementation, after the access network device obtains the location information of the UE by positioning, when the core network device requests a request for reporting the location information of the UE, the access network device reports the location information of the UE to the core network device.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, after the access network device reports the location information of the terminal device to the core network device, the method further includes: and the access network equipment receives a second position report control message from the core network equipment, wherein the second position report control message carries indication information for controlling the reporting of the position report.

The core network equipment controls the access network equipment to report the position report of the position information of the UE through the position report control message, and the flexibility of reporting control is improved. Here, the reporting control includes instructing to change a reporting period, change a reporting mode, or stop reporting, etc. The reporting mode may include periodic reporting or event-triggered reporting.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the reporting, by the access network device, the location information to the core network device includes: and the access network equipment sends a UE context release control message to the core network equipment, wherein the UE context release control message carries the position information.

In the process of releasing the terminal equipment, the access network equipment reports the position information of the terminal equipment leaving the network to the core network equipment, which is beneficial to the core network equipment to accurately find the corresponding satellite for paging according to the position information of the terminal equipment leaving the network when the core network equipment pages the terminal equipment next time, and the paging resource can be saved.

With reference to the third aspect, in certain implementation manners of the third aspect, the location information includes first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity, where the first granularity indication information is used to indicate the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used to indicate the second granularity, the location information of the first granularity is used to indicate longitude and latitude coordinates of a terminal device, and the location information of the second granularity is used to indicate a country where the terminal device is located.

With reference to the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the access network device receives a timestamp from the terminal device associated with the location information.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a method for reporting location information, where the method includes: the method comprises the steps that core network equipment receives a first message, wherein the first message carries position information of terminal equipment, and the position information comprises longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal equipment; and the core network equipment performs paging management and/or service management on the terminal equipment according to the position information.

In the technical scheme, the core network equipment acquires the position information of the latitude and longitude granularity of the terminal equipment from the access network equipment, and can assist the core network equipment to accurately find the corresponding satellite for paging when paging the UE by combining with the ephemeris of the satellite, so that the paging difficulty can be reduced, and the network side paging resource can be saved.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the receiving, by the core network device, the first message includes: the core network device receives the first message from the access network device, wherein the first message includes any one of the following messages: UE initial direct transfer message, path switching request, initial context setup response, or UE context release complete message.

According to the scheme, the core network equipment is not limited to acquire the position information of the UE through any one or more messages, and the flexibility of the core network equipment for acquiring the position information of the UE is improved.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the receiving, by the core network device, the first message is an NAS message, and the receiving, by the core network device, the first message includes: the core network equipment receives an NAS message from the terminal equipment, wherein the NAS message comprises any one of the following messages: the method comprises the following steps that UE initiates a direct transfer message, a registration request or a de-registration request, wherein the registration request comprises a registration request in any one of the following flows: initial attachment, location update, periodic location reporting, or emergency registration.

In the scheme, the terminal equipment adopts the NAS information to directly report the position information of the core network equipment under the condition of analyzing the broadcast information and knowing that the position information needs to be reported. The extra signaling overhead caused by the fact that the network side is provided with the terminal equipment to adopt the special message for measurement reporting can be avoided.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, after the core network device receives the NAS message from the terminal device, the method further includes: the core network equipment sends the position information to the access network equipment through any one of the following messages: a paging message, an initial context setup request, a UE context release control, or a UE context modification request.

The core network equipment is not limited to the terminal equipment adopting any one or more NAS messages to report the position information, and the reporting flexibility is improved.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, before the receiving, by the core network device, the first message, the method includes: the core network equipment sends a first positioning report control message to the access network equipment, wherein the first positioning report control message is used for requesting to report the position information of the terminal equipment; the core network equipment receives a first message, which comprises: the core network equipment receives a position report from the access network equipment, wherein the position report carries the position information of the terminal equipment.

In this implementation, the core network device may acquire the location information of the UE obtained by the access network device through positioning by requesting the access network device to report the location information of the UE.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, after the core network device receives the first message, the method further includes: and the core network equipment sends a second position report control message to the access network equipment, wherein the second position report control message carries indication information for controlling the reporting of the position report.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in certain implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the location information includes first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity, where the first granularity indication information is used to indicate the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used to indicate the second granularity, the location information of the first granularity is used to indicate longitude and latitude coordinates of a terminal device, and the location information of the second granularity is used to indicate a country where the terminal device is located.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the core network device receives a timestamp associated with the location information.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device having the functionality to implement the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device having functionality to implement the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and/or having functionality to implement the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device having the functionality to implement the method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above functions.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a terminal device comprising a processor and a memory. The memory is adapted to store a computer program, and the processor is adapted to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, so that the terminal device performs the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a network device comprising a processor and a memory. The memory is used for storing a computer program and the processor is used for calling and executing the computer program stored in the memory, so that the network device executes the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof, or executes the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof.

Here, the network device of the ninth aspect may be an access network device.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a network device comprising a processor and a memory. The memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor is used for calling and executing the computer program stored in the memory, so that the network device executes the method in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof.

Here, the network device of the tenth aspect may be a core network device.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip comprising a processor. The processor is adapted to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

Optionally, the chip further comprises a memory, and the memory and the processor are connected with the memory through a circuit or a wire.

Further optionally, the chip further comprises a communication interface.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip comprising a processor. The processor is adapted to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to perform the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

Further optionally, the chip further comprises a communication interface.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip comprising a processor. The processor is adapted to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

Further optionally, the chip further comprises a communication interface.

In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code to, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system suitable for use in embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a communication system suitable for use in embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating that an access network device indicates a UE to report location information through a broadcast message.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a process in which an access network device indicates a UE to report location information through an RRC setup message.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a process in which the access network device indicates the UE to report the location information through the RRC recovery message.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a process in which the access network device indicates the UE to report the location information through the RRC reestablishment message.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a process in which a UE reports location information to an access network device through measurement reporting.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of reporting location information to core network equipment by a UE through a registration procedure.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of reporting location information to core network equipment by a UE through a de-registration process.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of reporting location information by a UE through a de-registration procedure initiated by a network side.

Fig. 11 is an example of a core network device sending location information reported by a UE to an access network device.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a process in which the access network device forwards the location information of the UE through the handover request.

Fig. 13 is an example of reporting location information by a UE.

Fig. 14 is another example of reporting location information by a UE.

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of reporting location information by a UE.

Fig. 16 is an example of a process in which the access network device forwards the location information of the UE through a handover request.

Fig. 17 is an example of reporting location information by a UE through RRC measurement configuration.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of a coverage area of a satellite cell in an NTN scenario.

Fig. 19 is an example of an access network device automatically reporting location information of a UE to a core network device.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating that an access network device reports location information of a UE to a core network device in a process of releasing a UE context.

Fig. 21 is an example of reporting, by an access network device, location information of a UE to a core network device.

Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 500 provided in the present application.

Fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 600 provided in the present application.

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 700 provided in the present application.

Fig. 25 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device provided in the present application.

Fig. 26 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided in the present application.

Fig. 27 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided in the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solution in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The technical scheme of the application is mainly suitable for a scenario that the terminal device reports the location (or position) of the terminal device to the network side in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), and is not limited to be applied to the following scenarios of an air platform: scene a, scene B, scene C1, scene C2, scene D1, or scene D2.

TABLE 1

	Transparent mode satellite	Regenerative mode satellite
			GEO based on NTN	Scene A	Scene B
NTN-based LEO: staring beam	Scene C1	Scene C2
			NTN-based LEO: beam following satellite movement	Scene D1	Scene D2

As shown in table 1, in scene a, scene C1, and scene C2, the satellite operates in transparent (transparent) mode. In scenario B, scenario D1, and scenario D2, the satellite is operating in a regenerative (regenerative) mode.

Wherein GEO in table 1 indicates a synchronous orbit (geostationary orbit), and LEO indicates a low orbit (low orbit).

These scenarios are briefly described below.

Scene A: the GEO (geosynchronous orbit) carries a transparent satellite, the satellite is only responsible for the empty port forwarding of the UU port, and the satellite beam and the cell are relatively static on the ground.

Scene B: GEO (geostationary orbit) satellites carry regenerative mode satellites, have on-satellite base station processing capabilities, and may carry either a complete gNB or a separate gNB, such as a DU, with the satellite beams and cells relatively stationary.

Scene C1: a transparent satellite is carried on an LEO (Low-orbit satellite), and the satellite is only responsible for the empty port forwarding of a UU port. Although LEO satellites are in motion, the satellite beams have directivity, pointing permanently into a fixed geographical area, and the satellite beams and cells can be considered relatively stationary with respect to the ground.

Scene C2: LEO (low earth orbit satellite) carries a regenerative mode satellite, has on-satellite base station processing capability, and may carry either a complete gNB or a separate gNB, such as a DU. Although LEO satellites are in motion, the satellite beams have directivity, pointing permanently into a fixed geographical area, and the satellite beams and cells can be considered relatively stationary with respect to the ground.

Scene D1: a transparent satellite is carried on an LEO (Low-orbit satellite), and the satellite is only responsible for the empty port forwarding of a UU port. The satellite beam follows the LEO satellite and the satellite beam and the cell are moving relative to the ground.

Scene D2: LEO (low earth orbit satellite) carries a regenerative mode satellite, has on-satellite base station processing capability, and may carry either a complete gNB or a separate gNB, such as a DU. The satellite beam follows the LEO satellite and the satellite beam and the cell are moving relative to the ground.

Two main architectures are provided for the load carrying scene of the hollow load platform in the NTN. The following description is made with reference to fig. 1 and 2, respectively.

The empty platforms mentioned in this application include, but are not limited to: a satellite or an air platform with determined operation orbit, such as a unmanned plane, a hot air balloon, an airplane and the like, or a bus, a ship and the like with determined track.

Two architectures for loading the empty platform with a load will be described below, taking the empty platform as an example.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system suitable for use in embodiments of the present application. As shown in fig. 1, the satellite carries a payload that functions as the entire access network device. The terminal equipment and the access network equipment pass through a wireless U_UThe access network device establishes a wireless feedback link through a ground NTN gateway and a Core Network (CN).

Among the new air ports (NR), the Uu port is also called NR-Uu. In addition, N is shown in FIG. 1₆The interface is an interface between the CN and a data network (data network). And an NG interface is adopted between the CN and the NTN gateway. An NG interface based on a Satellite Radio Interface (SRI) is adopted between the NTN gateway and a Radio Access Network (RAN).

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a communication system suitable for use in embodiments of the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the satellite carries part of the functional load of the access network equipment. For example, a satellite may carry Distributed Unit (DU) modules, and the airborne DUs establish wireless feedback links with Centralized Units (CUs) through terrestrial NTN gateways.

In addition, in fig. 2, an F1 interface based on SRI is adopted between the DU and the CU of the access network device, where RRU denotes a radio remote unit (radio remote unit).

The following describes in detail a technical solution for reporting location information by a terminal device according to the present application.

The following description is given with the gNB as an example of an access network device and an access and mobility management function (AMF) as an example of a core network device. In addition, the access network device in the embodiment of the present application is not limited to the gNB, and the core network device is not limited to the AMF.

For example, in the architecture of the separation of DU and CU of the gNB, the access network device may also be a gNB-DU. The core network device may also be a network element in an Evolved Packet Core (EPC).

Scheme 1

The access network equipment sends a broadcast message to the UE, wherein the broadcast message carries the first indication information. The first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to start the reporting function of the position information.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an access network device indicating a UE to report location information through a broadcast message. As shown in fig. 3, the gNB carries the first indication information in the broadcast message. The first indication information is used for indicating the UE to report the position information. The UE receives the broadcast message when accessing the cell and periodically receives the broadcast message after accessing the cell, thereby acquiring the first indication information.

In one example, the first indication information may be a location information reporting switch of the UE. If the reporting switch is turned on, the UE needs to report the location information. And if the reporting switch is closed, the UE stops reporting the position information.

Alternatively, the first indication information may also be referred to as a UE location report switch (UE location report switch). Alternatively, the UE location report switch may include both on and off states. For example, on means on and off means off. Alternatively, 1 means on and 0 means off.

In another example, the first indication information may be an indication that the UE reports location information. If the UE receives the first indication information, the UE reports the position at a proper time. In another implementation, the first indication information may be set as an optional information element of the broadcast message. The broadcast message sent by the network side may or may not carry the first indication information. For the angle of the terminal equipment, if the received broadcast message carries the first indication information, the terminal equipment starts the reporting function of the position information. If the received broadcast message does not carry the first indication information, the terminal equipment does not need to actively report the position information.

The first indication information may be an explicit indication or an implicit indication.

Optionally, the first indication information may also be used as an indication switch of the network type. The network type may include a fixed NTN network (NTN fixed), a mobile NTN network (NTN move), and a TN, among others.

In the prior art, the location information of the UE is reported by the network side through measurement control triggering. And measurement control is a dedicated message for the UE. In the NTN scenario, the network side has more general requirements for acquiring the location information of the UE, for example, assisted paging, assisted service processing, and the like. In this case, if the network side configures measurement control for the UEs in the cell, signaling overhead is large.

Therefore, in the technical scheme of the application, the network side can trigger the reporting of the location information by taking the cell as a unit by carrying the first indication information for indicating the UE to report the location information in the broadcast message. After all the UEs in one cell receive the broadcast message, the reporting of the position information is started, so that the signaling overhead can be saved.

In addition, the network side indicates the UE to report the position information in the broadcast message, so that the UE can acquire the indication of whether to report the position information when accessing the network. After the UE accesses the network, the network side does not need to perform extra signaling to indicate the UE, so that signaling overhead can be saved.

In scheme 1, after the access network device sends the broadcast message to the UE, in one mode, the access network device further instructs, through an RRC message, which RRC message the UE uses to report the location information, as described in mode 1 below. In another mode, after receiving the broadcast message, the terminal device actively reports its location information, as described in mode 2 below.

Mode 1 and mode 2 will be described below.

Mode 1

The access network device may further send a first RRC message to the terminal device, where the first RRC message carries the second indication information. The second indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to report the position information through the response message of the first RRC message.

And after receiving the first RRC message from the access network equipment, the terminal equipment reports the position information to the access network equipment through a second RRC message.

Here, the second RRC message is a response message of the first RRC message.

Further, the second indication information may be in the same cell form as the above first indication information. For example, the second indication information may be represented by 1 bit. Bit "1" indicates to indicate reporting, and bit "0" indicates to stop reporting.

In another implementation, the second indication information may also be set as an optional information element of the first RRC message. The first RRC message sent by the network side may carry the second indication information or not. From the perspective of the terminal device, if the received first RRC message carries the second indication information, the terminal device needs to report the location information through a response message of the first RRC message. If the received first RRC message does not carry the second indication information, the terminal equipment does not need to report the position information.

Alternatively, the first RRC message may be an RRC setup request (RRC setup), an RRC reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration), an RRC reestablishment (RRC reestablishment), or an RRC recovery (RRC resume).

Accordingly, the second RRC message may be RRC setup request complete (RRC setup complete), RRC reconfiguration complete (RRC reconfiguration complete), RRC reestablishment complete (RRC reestablishment complete), or RRC recovery complete (RRC resume complete).

For example, the access network device sends an RRC setup message, where the RRC setup message carries the first indication information. After the RRC establishment is completed, the terminal device sends an RRC setup complete (RRC setup complete) message to the access network device, where the RRC setup complete message carries the location information.

In this example, the RRC setup message is a first RRC message, and the RRC setup complete message is a second RRC message, that is, a response message of the RRC setup message.

For another example, the access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message, where the RRC reconfiguration message carries the first indication information. After the RRC reconfiguration is completed, the terminal device sends an RRC reconfiguration complete (RRC reconfiguration complete) message to the access network device, where the RRC reconfiguration complete message carries the location information.

In this example, the RRC reconfiguration message is a first RRC message, and the RRC reconfiguration complete message is a second RRC message, that is, a response message of the RRC reconfiguration message.

The other RRC messages listed above are also similar. For example, if an RRC reestablishment (RRC reestablishment) message sent by the access network device carries the first indication information, the terminal device reports the location information in an RRC reestablishment complete (RRC reestablishment complete) message. For another example, if the RRC recovery (RRC resume) message sent by the access network device carries the first indication information, the terminal device reports the location information in an RRC recovery complete (RRC resume complete) message.

In the technical scheme of the application, the terminal device reports the location information to the network side, and may report the location information to the access network device or report the location information to the core network device.

In one implementation, the terminal device reports the location information to the access network device via an RRC message. After the access network equipment acquires the position information, the position information is reported to the core network equipment through the NG interface.

For example, the access network device of the UE is switched, and the UE enters the connected state from the inactive state and enters the connected state from the idle state.

The following description will be made for different scenes.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a process in which an access network device indicates a UE to report location information through an RRC setup message. As shown in fig. 4, the UE reports the location information to the network side in the process of entering the connected state from the idle state.

In the following method embodiments, the technical solution of the present application is described with a gNB as an example of an access network device and an AMF as an example of a core network device.

401. The UE sends an RRC setup request (RRC setup request) to the gNB.

402. The gNB sends an RRC setup (RRC setup) message to the UE. Wherein, the RRC setup carries the second indication information. With regard to the second indication information, reference may be made to the foregoing description.

403. The UE replies an RRC setup complete (RRC setup complete) message to the gNB. Wherein, the RRC setup complete carries the location information of the UE.

Through step 301 and step 303, the gNB obtains the location information reported by the UE. And then, the gNB can report the acquired location information of the UE to the AMF through the NG interface.

404. And the gNB sends the UE initial direct transfer message to the AMF. Wherein, the UE initial direct transfer message carries the location information of the UE.

It should be understood that the gNB populates the UE's location information in the UE initial direct transfer message (initial UE message) before sending the UE initial direct transfer message to the AMF.

It should be understood that, in the embodiment of the present application, the gNB fills the location information of the UE in a certain message and sends the message to the AMF, which means that the gNB sends the location information of the UE to the AMF through the message.

In another implementation, the gNB may also directly forward the received message carrying the location information of the UE to the AMF.

In step 404, the AMF acquires location information of the UE.

Optionally, step 405 may also be included after step 404.

405. The AMF sends an initial context setup request (initial context setup request) to the gNB.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a process in which an access network device indicates a UE to report location information through an RRC recovery message. As shown in the figure, the UE reports the location information to the network side in the process of entering the connected state from the inactive state.

It should be understood that when the UE is in the inactive state, the connection between the UE and the RAN is disconnected, but the RAN and a Core Network (CN) are in a connected state.

501. The UE sends an RRC recovery request (RRC resume request) to the access network device.

502. The gbb sends a get UE context request (retrieve UE context request) to the upper serving gbb.

Here, the last serving gNB (last serving gNB) refers to a gNB that provides an access service for the UE before the connection between the UE and the RAN is disconnected. The gNB shown in fig. 5 refers to a gNB that is newly accessed after a connection is established between the UE and the RAN when the UE enters a connected state from an inactive state.

503. The last serving gNB returns a retrieve UE context response to the gNB.

504. The gNB returns an RRC resume (RRC resume) message to the UE. Wherein, the RRC resume carries the second indication information.

505. The UE returns an RRC resume complete (RRC resume complete) message to the gNB. Wherein, the RRC resume complete message carries the location information of the UE.

506. The gNB sends a path switch request to the AMF. Wherein, the path switching request carries the location information of the UE.

Before sending the path switching request to the AMF, the gNB fills the location information of the UE in the path switching request.

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a process in which the access network device instructs the UE to report the location information through the RRC reestablishment message.

601. The UE sends an RRC reestablishment request (RRC request) to the gNB.

602. The gbb sends a get UE context request (retrieve UE context request) to the upper serving gbb.

603. The last serving gNB returns a retrieve UE context response to the gNB.

604. The gNB returns an RRC reestablishment (RRC reestablishment) message to the UE.

Optionally, the second indication information is carried in the RRC message.

605. The gNB returns an RRC reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) message to the UE.

Optionally, the second indication information is carried in RRC reconfiguration.

It should be understood that the gNB may choose to carry the second indication information in the RRC request message or the RRC reconfiguration message.

606. The UE returns an RRC reestablishment complete message to the gNB.

Optionally, in step 604, if the RRC request message received by the UE carries the second indication information, the UE carries the location information in the RRC request message complete.

607. The UE returns an RRC reconfiguration complete (RRC reconfiguration complete) message to the gNB.

Optionally, if in step 605, the RRC reconfiguration received by the UE carries the second indication information, the UE carries the location information in the RRC reconfiguration complete.

608. And the gNB sends a path switch request (path switch request) to the AMF, wherein the path switch request carries the position information of the UE.

Before the gNB sends the path switching request to the AMF, the position information of the UE is filled in the path switching request.

In the process shown in fig. 6, in step 501 and 506, the gNB obtains the location information reported by the UE. In step 509, the gNB reports the acquired location information of the UE to the core network device.

Referring to fig. 7, fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of reporting location information by a UE through measurement. As shown in fig. 7, the access network device indicates the UE to report the location information by configuring measurement control in an RRC reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) message sent to the UE. The UE reports the location information to the gNB in an RRC measurement report (RRC reconfiguration report).

In another implementation, the terminal device may also report the location information to the core network device through a Non Access Stratum (NAS) message.

Optionally, the NAS message may be any of the following messages:

a registration request (registration request), a de-registration request (registration request), or a UE initial direct message (initial UE message).

Optionally, the registration request may be a registration request in any one of the following flows: initial attachment registration (initial registration), location update, periodic location reporting, or emergency registration.

The following is an example of a scenario in which the terminal device directly sends location information to the core network device.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating that a UE reports location information to a core network device through a registration procedure. As shown in fig. 8, the UE sends a registration request (registration request) to the gNB, where the registration request includes location information of the UE. And after receiving the registration request of the UE, the gNB forwards the registration request to the selected AMF.

Optionally, before the gNB forwards the registration request carrying the location information of the UE to the AMF, the gNB selects a corresponding AMF.

The AMF returns a registration complete message to the UE after completing registration of the UE.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating that a UE reports location information to a core network device through a de-registration procedure. As shown in fig. 9, when the UE initiates a de-registration procedure, the UE sends a de-registration request (registration request) to the core network device, where the de-registration request carries location information of the UE. After the AMF completes the de-registration of the UE, a de-registration accept message (deregistration accept) is returned to the UE. Therefore, the UE reports the location information to the core network device through the deregistration process.

The registration and de-registration procedures shown in fig. 8 and 9 are both initiated by the UE. In another implementation, the deregistration process may also be initiated by the network side. In a de-registration process initiated by a network side for the UE, the UE reports location information to the AMF.

Referring to fig. 10, fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating that a UE reports location information through a de-registration procedure initiated by a network side. As shown in fig. 10, the AMF sends a deregistration request to the UE. The UE returns a deregistration accept message to the AMF. Wherein, the deregistration acceptance message carries the location information of the UE.

If the terminal device directly reports the location information to the core network device through the NAS message, for example, in the scenarios shown in fig. 8 to 10, the core network device sends the location information to the access network device through the NG interface after acquiring the location information.

Optionally, the core network device may send the location information of the terminal device to the access network device through the following message:

an initial context setup request (initial context setup request), a UE context release control (UE context release command), or a UE context modification request (UE context modification request).

The following examples are given.

Referring to fig. 11, fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example that a core network device sends location information reported by a UE to an access network device.

1101. The UE sends an RRC setup request to the gNB.

1102. The gNB sends an RRC establishment to the UE.

1103. The UE sends an RRC setup complete to the gNB. Wherein, the RRC establishment complete message carries the location information of the UE.

1104. The gNB sends a UE initial direct transfer message (initial UE message) to the AMF. Wherein, the UE initial direct transfer message carries the location information of the UE.

In step 1104, here, the gNB does not parse the NAS message sent by the UE, but forwards the NAS message to the core network device. And the AMF analyzes the received NAS message to acquire the position information of the UE.

1105. The AMF returns an initial context setup request (initial context setup request) to the gNB. Wherein, the initial context establishment request carries the location information of the UE.

In step 1105, the AMF sends the parsed location information of the UE to the gNB through the initial context setup request.

In another implementation manner, after parsing the NAS message from the UE forwarded by the gNB, the AMF acquires the location information of the UE. The AMF does not actively send the location information of the UE to the gNB. And when the gNB requests the AMF for the position information of the UE, triggering the AMF to send the position information of the UE obtained by analysis to the gNB.

In some scenarios, after acquiring the location information of the terminal device, the access network device may also send the location information to other adjacent access network devices through an Xn interface.

For example, in the process of switching the UE from the source access network device to the target access network device, the source gNB sends the location information of the UE to the target gNB.

Referring to fig. 12, fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a process of forwarding location information of a UE through a handover request by an access network device.

1201. The source gNB sends a handover request (handover request) to the target gNB. Wherein, the handover request carries the location information of the UE.

1202. The target gbb replies a handover request acknowledge (handover request acknowledge) to the source gbb.

Mode 2 is described below.

Mode 2

And after receiving the broadcast message from the access network equipment, the UE actively reports the position information to the access network equipment.

Optionally, the UE may report its location information to the access network device through a third RRC message.

Here, the third RRC message is only to distinguish from the above first RRC message and second RRC message.

Wherein, the third RRC message may be: RRC setup request complete (RRC setup complete), RRC reconfiguration complete (RRC reconfiguration complete), RRC reestablishment complete (RRC reestablishment complete), or RRC recovery complete (RRC resume complete).

In other words, after receiving the broadcast message from the access network device, the UE may autonomously select an RRC message to report the location information.

It can be understood that, in the mode 1, after the access network sends the broadcast message, it is further indicated to the terminal device which RRC message to report the location information.

In the mode 2, the terminal device acquires the first indication information from the broadcast message, and can know that the location information needs to be reported to the network side, but does not limit which message is used for reporting.

Mode 2 will be exemplified below.

Referring to fig. 13, fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of reporting location information by a UE.

1301. And the gNB sends a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message carries the first indication information.

1302. The UE sends an RRC setup request (RRC setup request) to the gNB.

1303. The gNB returns an RRC setup message (RRC setup) to the UE.

1304. The UE sends an RRC setup complete (RRC setup complete) message to the gNB. Wherein, the RRC establishment complete message carries the location information of the UE.

1305. The gNB sends a UE initial direct transfer message (initial UE message) to the AMF. Wherein, the UE initial direct transfer message carries the location information of the UE.

It should be understood that before the gNB sends the UE initial direct transfer message to the AMF, the location information of the UE is filled in the UE initial direct transfer message.

1306. The AMF returns an initial context setup request (initial context setup request) to the gNB.

In fig. 13, after receiving the broadcast message, the UE selects to report the location information to the gNB in an RRC setup complete message. And after the gNB acquires the position information of the UE, the position information of the UE is sent to the AMF through the initial direct transfer message of the UE.

Different from the process shown in fig. 4, after the gNB sends the broadcast message, it does not need to instruct the UE to report the location information through the RRC message. In other words, after receiving the broadcast message, the UE reports its location information by default through an RRC message.

Referring to fig. 14, fig. 14 is another example of reporting location information by a UE. Specifically, the UE reports the location information to the network side in the process of entering the connected state from the inactive state.

1401. And the gNB sends a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message carries the first indication information.

1402. The UE sends an RRC recovery request (RRC resume request) to the gNB.

1403. The gbb sends a get UE context request (retrieve UE context request) to the upper serving gbb.

1404. The last serving gNB returns a retrieve UE context response to the gNB.

1405. The gNB returns an RRC resume (RRC resume) message to the UE.

1406. The UE returns an RRC resume complete (RRC resume complete) message to the gNB. Wherein, the RRC resume complete message carries the location information of the UE.

1407. The gNB sends a path switch request to the AMF. The path switching request carries the location information of the UE.

It should be understood that the location information of the UE is filled in the path switch request message before the gNB sends the path switch request to the AMF.

Unlike the flow shown in fig. 5, in step 34 shown in fig. 14, the second indication information is not carried in the RRC resume sent by the gNB to the UE. And after receiving the broadcast message, the UE reports the position information of the UE by default through an RRC message.

In addition, fig. 14 shows that the UE reports the location information during the process of entering the active state from the inactive state.

Referring to fig. 15, fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of reporting location information by a UE.

1501. And the gNB sends a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message carries the first indication information.

1502. The UE sends an RRC reestablishment request (RRC request) to the gNB.

1503. The gbb sends a get UE context request (retrieve UE context request) to the upper serving gbb.

1504. The last serving gNB returns a retrieve UE context response to the gNB.

1505. The gNB returns an RRC reestablishment (RRC reestablishment) message to the UE.

1506. The gNB returns an RRC reconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) message to the UE.

1507. The UE returns an RRC reestablishment complete message to the gNB.

Optionally, after receiving and acquiring the first indication information in the broadcast message, the UE may select to carry the location information in the RRC request fragment complete.

1508. The UE returns an RRC reconfiguration complete (RRC reconfiguration complete) message to the gNB.

Optionally, the UE may also carry the location information in the RRC reconfiguration complete.

1509. And the gNB sends a path switch request (path switch request) to the AMF, wherein the path switch request carries the position information of the UE.

Referring to fig. 16, fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for forwarding location information of a UE through a handover request by an access network device.

1601. And the source gNB sends a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message carries the first indication information.

1602. The UE sends an RRC reestablishment request to the source gNB.

1603. The source gNB sends a handover request to the target gNB. The handover request carries the location information of the UE acquired by the source gNB.

1604. The target gbb replies a handover request acknowledge (handover request acknowledge) to the source gbb.

1605. The source gbb sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE.

1607. The UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the target gNB. And the reconfiguration completing message carries the position information of the UE.

In the process shown in fig. 16, the source gNB may transmit the location information of the UE to the target gNB through a handover request during the handover of the UE to another target gNB. Unlike the process shown in fig. 12, after acquiring the first indication information in the broadcast message, if the UE subsequently switches from the source gNB to the target gNB, the UE defaults to report its location information in the RRC reconfiguration complete message sent to the target gNB.

Referring to fig. 17, fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of reporting location information by a UE through RRC measurement configuration. As shown in fig. 17, the access network device carries the first indication information in the transmitted broadcast message. Subsequently, if the UE receives the RRC reconfiguration message from the gNB, the UE reports its location information in an RRC measurement report (RRC reconfiguration report).

In the above scheme 1, the access network device instructs the terminal device to report its location information by carrying the first indication information in the broadcast message. Further, the access network device may instruct the UE to report the location information thereof by using the first RRC message. The terminal device may also actively report its location information through an RRC message after receiving the broadcast message.

Another scheme for the network device to instruct the terminal device to report its location information is described below, as in scheme 2 below.

Scheme 2

And the access network equipment sends a first RRC message to the UE, wherein the first RRC message carries second indication information. And the second indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to report the position information through the response message of the first RRC message.

After receiving the first RRC message from the access network device, the terminal device reports the location information to the network side through a response message of the first RRC message, that is, the second RRC message.

It should be understood that, in scheme 2, the access network device indicates, through an RRC message, that the reporting function of the location information is turned on to the terminal device. Therefore, it can be considered that the broadcast message sent by the access network device may not carry information for instructing the terminal device to report the location information, such as the above first indication information. The first RRC message and the second RRC message in scheme 2 may refer to the description in scheme 1, and the procedure for reporting the location information to the network side by the UE through the RRC message is also the same as in scheme 1, and is not described again.

In embodiments of the present application, the location information reported by the terminal device may include first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity. That is, the technical solution of the present application suggests distinguishing the accuracy of the location information of the UE, and may obtain the location information of the country granularity not only by using a Global Positioning System (GPS) to obtain high-accuracy longitude and latitude location information, but also by using other methods. When the UE reports the location information to the network device, if there is high-precision location information, it reports the high-precision (i.e., fine granularity) location information, and if there is no high-precision location information, it reports the low-precision (i.e., coarse granularity) location information.

The first granularity indication information is used for indicating a first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used for indicating a second granularity, and the precision of the position information of the first granularity is higher than that of the position information of the second granularity. Thus, the location information of the first granularity is used to indicate fine-grained location information of the terminal device. The fine-grained location information may include one or more of north-south hemisphere indication information, longitude coordinates (longitude of longitude) of the UE, latitude coordinates (latitude of latitude) of the UE, altitude (altitude) of the UE, and direction of altitude (direction of altitude).

The height direction includes both height and depth, wherein height represents elevation (such as high mountain) and depth represents elevation (such as sea bottom).

The location information of the second granularity is used to indicate location information of coarse granularity, such as a country where the terminal device is located, a Tracking Area Code (TAC), and a cell. The coarse-grained information may be obtained by GPS, or may be obtained by other methods.

When the terminal device reports the location information, the granularity of the reported location information can be indicated. For example, the terminal device reports the location information of the first granularity and also reports the indication information of the first granularity to indicate that the reported location information is of the first granularity. If the terminal device reports the location information of the second granularity, the terminal device also reports second granularity indication information at the same time to indicate that the reported location information is the second granularity.

And according to the indication of the terminal equipment to the granularity of the reported position information, the network equipment analyzes the position information of the terminal equipment.

Optionally, in the above-mentioned scheme 1 and scheme 2, after receiving the broadcast message or the first RRC message, the terminal device may obtain the location information through a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or a Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) function, and report the obtained location information to the network side.

It should be understood that acquiring a location by MDT functionality requires the terminal device to be MDT enabled.

In a possible case, if the terminal device can acquire fine-grained location information, the fine-grained location information is reported to the network side. In another possible case, the terminal device cannot acquire fine-grained location information, for example, cannot acquire longitude and latitude coordinates, and reports coarse-grained location information to the network side. For example, the coarse-grained location information reported by the UE to the network side may include Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information, country code, or the like. Or, the terminal device may also report the identifier of the TAC or the ID of the serving cell to the network side.

In the existing scheme, the location information reported by the UE to the network side usually only includes TAC and cell information. In the solution of the present application, the UE reports coarse-grained location information and/or fine-grained location information to the network, so that, in an NTN scenario, paging management of the network side to the UE can be optimized, and the network side is facilitated to perform service management on the UE, for example, selection of a charging policy, management of cell switching, and the like. This will be described with reference to fig. 18.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of a coverage area of a satellite cell in an NTN scenario. As shown in fig. 18, a satellite cell may span a continent or a country due to the large coverage area of the satellite cell. As shown in fig. 18, one satellite cell covers country a, country B and country C. Since the satellite may be operated by an independent operator different from the terrestrial operator, and different billing policies need to be established according to different countries. Thus, in the scenario shown in fig. 18, the cell ID of the UE may not provide sufficient accuracy to ensure that the network determines which country's charging policy to employ. The core network cannot determine in which country each UE accessing the satellite cell is, and thus cannot determine in which country the charging policy is used.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, the UE may assist the network side to distinguish which country the UE accessing the satellite cell is located in by reporting coarse-grained location information (for example, the country where the UE is located), so as to adopt a corresponding charging policy.

In addition, since the beam generated by the satellite follows the satellite, the beam serving the UE is rapidly switched even though the UE does not move on the ground. Therefore, from the viewpoint of a UE located on the ground, the ID and Tracking Area (TA) of a satellite cell serving the UE are also frequently changed. In TN, the network side pages (paging) the UE through the TA, and since the cell provided by the ground base station is fixed, the network side can quickly complete paging of the UE according to the TA as long as the UE does not move across the TA. However, in the NTN scenario, as described above, the UE no longer has a relatively fixed binding relationship between the geographical location on the ground, the cell ID, and the TA due to the rapid changes in the satellite cell ID and the TA. Therefore, even if the UE does not move on the ground, the satellite cell ID and the TA of the UE are no longer suitable as a basis for the location determination of the UE. If the network side continues to page the UE by means of the TA, the network side needs to page all cells in the TA list of the UE one by one, which causes paging difficulty.

In the technical scheme of the application, the terminal device reports the location information of the latitude and longitude granularity (that is, the location information of the first granularity) of the UE to the network side through the RRC message or the NAS message, so that the terminal device can assist the network side to combine with an ephemeris of a satellite, and accurately find the corresponding satellite for paging when paging the UE, thereby reducing the difficulty of paging, and saving the paging resources of the network side, so that the consumption of the paging resources of the network side is minimized.

In addition, in the TN, the network device configures the UE to perform location measurement and reporting through the dedicated message, and performs handover decision according to the measurement report reported by the UE. In the NTN scenario, even if the UE does not move, the satellite serving the UE is frequently handed over. Therefore, in the NTN, if the network side also configures the UE through the dedicated message to perform the position measurement and report the measurement report, and then performs the handover determination according to the measurement report reported by the UE, not only the UE needs to perform the measurement frequently, but also the network side needs to perform the handover determination frequently, which will consume a large amount of power consumption of the UE and the network device, and the signaling interaction amount is also large, which is not beneficial to the network side performing the handover management on the UE.

In the technical scheme of the application, the UE can assist the network side to judge which time period the UE is possibly switched in according to the ephemeris by reporting fine-grained position information containing the longitude and latitude coordinates, so that switching preparation is made. Subsequently, the network side can perform blind handover or measurement control starting and the like in the time period, so that signaling interaction is reduced.

Optionally, the terminal device may report coarse-grained location information, for example, country-grained location information, to the network side when the fine-grained location information is not obtained. Therefore, the network equipment can be assisted to determine the country of the terminal equipment, so that the corresponding charging strategy is selected to charge the terminal equipment, and the charging management is optimized.

Optionally, the terminal device may also report the fine-grained location information and the coarse-grained location information to the network side at the same time when acquiring the fine-grained location information, which is not limited in this application.

As described above, in these embodiments of reporting location information, the terminal device needs to indicate the granularity of the reported location information, which is convenient for the network device to analyze.

In other possible cases, the terminal device may not obtain the location information, for example, the terminal device may not have positioning capability or the GNSS service may be lost. In this case, the terminal device needs to trigger the network side to start positioning measurement to estimate the positioning of the terminal device.

In one implementation, the terminal device may rely on a terrestrial network to obtain the location information. For example, the terrestrial network obtains the location of the terminal device through Radio Access Technology (RAT).

Optionally, when the UE is handed over from the terrestrial network to an air network (e.g., a satellite network), the UE stores the frequency point, PLMN information, cell ID, TAC information, and the like of the access terrestrial network as coarse-grained location information. And after the UE accesses the air network, reporting the stored PLMN information as coarse-grained location information.

In both the above solutions 1 and 2, the access network device obtains the location information of the terminal device by instructing the terminal device to report the location information. Another scheme is described below, in which the access network device obtains the location information of the terminal device without reporting by the terminal device, and reports the obtained location information to the core network device, as in scheme 3 below.

Scheme 3

And the access network equipment autonomously acquires the position information of the terminal equipment. And after the core network equipment acquires the position information of the terminal equipment, reporting the position information to the core network equipment.

Here, the location information includes fine-grained location information of the UE. E.g., latitude and longitude coordinates of the UE.

It should be noted that the scheme 3 is mainly applicable to a scenario in which the access network device can obtain the location of the terminal device by positioning without reporting the terminal device.

For example, when the access network device is mounted on the idle platform, the idle platform acquires the location information of the terminal device and then sends the location information to the access network device. For the empty platform, see the above description, which is not repeated herein.

In one implementation, after the access network device obtains the location information of the terminal device, the access network device may actively report the location information of the terminal device to the core network device.

Optionally, the access network device may report the location information of the terminal device to the core network device through the following messages: location report, N2UE context release control (N2UE context release command).

Referring to fig. 19, fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an access network device automatically reports location information of a UE to a core network device. As shown in fig. 19, after acquiring the location information of the UE through the positioning function, the gNB sends a location report to the AMF, where the location report carries the location information of the UE.

Optionally, after the access network device reports the location information to the core network device through the location report, the core network device may further control a manner or a period of reporting the location report by the access network device through a location reporting control (location reporting control) message.

In other words, if the core network device needs to change the reporting mode of the location report, the core network device can adjust the reporting mode through the location report control message.

Here, the reporting control of the location report may include indicating a reporting period of the location report, changing the reporting period, changing a reporting mode, indicating to stop reporting, and the like.

Optionally, the reporting manner herein may include event-triggered reporting or periodic reporting. For the event triggering mode, for example, when receiving a broadcast message carrying the first indication information or receiving an RRC message carrying the second indication information, the terminal device triggers the UE to report the location information to the network side. As an example of the periodic reporting mode, an idle-state (idle-state) UE may initiate a registration procedure periodically, and initiate an access procedure on a RAN side. And the UE reports the position information to the network side through the periodic event. Alternatively, the period may be set.

Referring to fig. 20, fig. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating that an access network device reports location information of a UE to a core network device in a process of releasing a UE context.

2001. The connection between the UE and the Radio Access Network (RAN) is released.

2001. The gNB sends an N2UE context release request (N2UE context release request) to the AMF.

2003. AMF replies to gNB with N2UE context release control (N2UE context release command).

2004. RAN connection release (RAN connection release).

2005. The gNB sends an N2UE context release control (N2UE context release command) to the AMF.

In another implementation, when the core network device requests the location information of the terminal device, the access network device sends the acquired location information of the UE to the core network device.

Referring to fig. 21, fig. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example that an access network device reports location information of a UE to a core network device. As shown in fig. 21, after the gNB obtains the location information of the UE through positioning, if the gNB receives the positioning report control from the AMF, the gNB requests the gNB to report the location information of the UE, and the gNB sends a positioning report to the AMF, where the positioning report carries the location information of the UE.

The above describes various implementations of how the terminal device reports the location information to the network side. Optionally, in each of the above method embodiments, the terminal device may report, in addition to the location information, a timestamp related to the location information to the network side.

Therefore, the time stamp can assist the network side to find the corresponding satellite paging UE more accurately, and manage the service of the UE more accurately, such as charging management, cell switching management, and the like.

In addition, the location information reported by the terminal device in the above embodiments may be location information acquired in real time, or may also be location information acquired in one period or multiple periods, which is not limited herein.

The technical solution of the present application is described in detail above, and the following describes an apparatus for reporting location information provided by the present application.

Referring to fig. 22, fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 500 provided in the present application. The communication device 500 comprises a transceiving unit 510 and a processing unit 520.

A transceiver unit 510, configured to receive a broadcast message from an access network device, where the broadcast message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the communication apparatus to start a reporting function of location information;

the processing unit 520 is configured to parse the broadcast message to obtain the first indication information.

A transceiver unit 510, configured to report location information of the communication device.

Alternatively, the transceiver unit 510 may be replaced by a receiver unit and/or a transmitter unit.

For example, the transceiving unit 510 may be replaced by a receiving unit when performing the step of receiving. The transceiving unit 510 may be replaced by a transmitting unit when performing the step of transmitting.

In one implementation, the communication apparatus 500 may completely correspond to the terminal device in the method embodiment, or the communication apparatus 500 is the terminal device.

In such an implementation, the transceiving unit 510 shown in fig. 22 may be a transceiver. The transceiver has a function of transmitting and/or receiving. The transceiver may also be replaced by a receiver and/or a transmitter. The processing unit 520 may be a processor. The transceiver and the processor are used for performing the steps or processes performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments.

For example, the transceiver unit 510 receives a first RRC message from the access network device, where the first RRC message carries the second indication information. Wherein, the first RRC message may include any one of the following messages: RRC establishment request, RRC reconfiguration, RRC recovery, or measurement control.

The processing unit 510 parses the first RRC message received by the transceiver unit 510 to obtain the second indication information.

Further, the transceiver unit 510 reports the location information of the communication device to the access network equipment through a second RRC message. Wherein the second RRC message includes any one of the following messages: RRC setup complete, RRC reconfiguration complete, RRC reestablishment complete, RRC recovery complete, or RRC measurement report.

For another example, the transceiver unit 510 may also report the location information of the communication apparatus to the core network device through a NAS message. The NAS message may include any one of the following messages: a registration request, a de-registration request, or a UE initial direct transfer message.

For another example, the transceiver unit 510 may also report the location information of the communication device to the access network equipment through a third RRC message. Wherein the third RRC message may include any one of the following messages: RRC establishment completion, RRC reconfiguration completion, RRC reestablishment completion and RRC recovery completion.

Optionally, the communication device 500 may further include a storage unit 530. The storage unit 530 may store PLMN information of the terrestrial network when the communication device leaves the terrestrial network.

As another example, the transceiving unit 510 transmits a time stamp (or, in other words, time stamp information) associated with the location information to the network device.

In another implementation, the communication device 500 may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

In such an implementation, the transceiving unit 510 shown in fig. 22 may be a communication interface. Alternatively, the communication interface may be an input-output interface or a transceiver circuit. The processing unit 520 may be a processing device. The functionality of the processing means may be partly or wholly implemented by software.

In one implementation, the functionality of the processing means may be implemented partly or wholly in software. In this implementation, the processing device may include a memory and a processor, where the memory is used for storing the computer program, and the processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to perform the processing internally implemented by the terminal device in the embodiments. For example, the processing performed by the processing unit 520 described above is performed.

Alternatively, the processing means may comprise only the processor, the memory for storing the computer program being located outside the processing means. The processor is connected to the memory through the circuit/wire to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory.

In another implementation, the functionality of the processing means may be implemented partly or wholly in hardware. In this implementation, the processing device includes an input interface circuit, a logic circuit, and an output interface circuit. The input interface circuit is used for acquiring a broadcast message of the network equipment, wherein the broadcast message carries first indication information; the logic circuit is used for analyzing the broadcast message to obtain first indication information; the output interface circuit is used for outputting the first indication information.

Or the input interface circuit is used for acquiring a first RRC message of the network equipment, wherein the first RRC message carries second indication information; the logic circuit is used for analyzing the first RRC message to obtain second indication information; the output interface circuit is used for outputting the second indication information.

Referring to fig. 23, fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 600 provided in the present application. The communication device 600 includes a processing unit 610 and a transceiving unit 620.

The processing unit 610 is configured to determine to start a reporting function of the location information of the terminal device;

the transceiving unit 620 is configured to send a broadcast message, where the broadcast message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate the terminal device to start a reporting function of the location information.

Alternatively, the transceiver unit 620 may be replaced by a receiving unit and/or a transmitting unit.

For example, the transceiving unit 620 may be replaced by a receiving unit when performing the step of receiving. The transceiving unit 620 may be replaced by a transmitting unit when performing the step of transmitting.

In one implementation, the communication apparatus 600 may completely correspond to an access network device (e.g., a gNB) in the method embodiment, or the communication apparatus 500 is an access network device.

In such an implementation, the transceiving unit 620 shown in fig. 23 may be a transceiver. The transceiver has a function of transmitting and/or receiving. The transceiver may also be replaced by a receiver and/or a transmitter. The processing unit 610 may be a processor. The transceiver and the processor are used for performing the steps or processes performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments.

For example, the transceiving unit 620 transmits a first RRC message to the terminal device.

Further, the transceiver 620 receives a second RRC message from the terminal device, where the second RRC message carries the location information of the terminal device. The processing unit 610 parses the second RRC message to obtain the location information of the terminal device.

For another example, the transceiver 620 reports the location information of the terminal device to the core network device by sending any one of the following messages: the UE initial direct transfer message, the initial context establishment response or the UE context release is completed.

For another example, the transceiver 620 sends a path switching request to the core network device, where the path switching request carries the location information of the terminal device.

For another example, the communication device 600 is a source access network device of the terminal device, and when the terminal device is switched from the source access network device to the target access network device, the transceiver unit 620 is further configured to send a switching request to the target access network device, where the switching request carries the location information of the terminal device.

As another example, the transceiving unit 620 receives a time stamp (or, time stamp information) associated with the location information from the terminal device.

In another implementation, the communication device 600 may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

In this implementation, the transceiving unit 620 shown in fig. 23 may be a communication interface. Alternatively, the communication interface may be an input-output interface or a transceiver circuit. The processing unit 610 may be a processing device. The functionality of the processing means may be partly or wholly implemented by software.

In one implementation, the functionality of the processing means may be implemented partly or wholly in software. In such an implementation, the processing means may include a memory for storing a computer program and a processor that reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to perform the processing implemented internally by the access network device in the embodiments. For example, the processing performed by the processing unit 610 described above is performed.

In another implementation, the functionality of the processing means may be implemented partly or wholly in hardware. In this implementation, the processing device includes an input interface circuit, a logic circuit, and an output interface circuit.

Optionally, the logic circuit is configured to determine whether to start a reporting function of the location information of the terminal device, and the output interface circuit is configured to output a result determined by the logic circuit. It should be understood that the logic circuit determination may be turned on or off as a result.

In another possible implementation, the communications apparatus 600 is mounted on an airborne platform.

In this case, the processing unit 610 and the transceiver unit 620 may be configured to acquire location information of the terminal device, where the location information includes longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal device, and the transceiver unit 620 is further configured to report the acquired location information to the core network device.

Optionally, the transceiving unit 620 is further configured to receive a first location report control message from the core network device. In response to the first location report control message, the transceiving unit 620 sends a location report to the core network device, where the location report carries the location information of the terminal device.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 620 may be further configured to send a UE context release control message to the core network device, where the UE context release control message carries the location information of the terminal device.

Referring to fig. 24, fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 700 provided in the present application. The communication device 700 includes a transceiving unit 710 and a processing unit 720.

A transceiving unit 710, configured to receive a first message, where the first message carries location information of a terminal device, and the location information includes a latitude and longitude coordinate of the terminal device;

the processing unit 720 is configured to analyze the first message, obtain a latitude and longitude coordinate of the terminal device, and perform paging management and/or service management on the terminal device according to the latitude and longitude coordinate.

Alternatively, the transceiver unit 710 may be replaced by a receiving unit and/or a transmitting unit.

For example, the transceiving unit 710 may be replaced by a receiving unit when performing the step of receiving. The transceiving unit 710 may be replaced by a transmitting unit when performing the step of transmitting.

In one implementation, the communication apparatus 700 may completely correspond to a core network device (e.g., AMF) in the method embodiment, or the communication apparatus 700 is a core network device.

In such an implementation, the transceiving unit 710 shown in fig. 22 may be a transceiver. The transceiver has a function of transmitting and/or receiving. The transceiver may also be replaced by a receiver and/or a transmitter. The processing unit 720 may be a processor. The transceiver and the processor are used for performing the steps or processes performed by the terminal device in the method embodiments.

For example, the transceiver unit 710 is configured to receive a first message from an access network device, where the first message may include any one of the following messages: UE initial direct transfer message, path switching request, initial context setup response, or UE context release complete message.

For another example, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to receive a NAS message from the terminal device, where the NAS message includes any one of the following messages: the method comprises the following steps that UE initiates a direct transfer message, a registration request or a de-registration request, wherein the registration request comprises a registration request in any one of the following flows: initial attachment, location update, periodic location reporting, or emergency registration. The NAS message includes location information of the terminal device.

Further, after the transceiver unit 710 receives the NAS message from the terminal device, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to send the location information to the access network device through any one of the following messages: an initial context setup request, a UE context release control, or a UE context modification request.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to send a first location report control message to the access network device, where the first location report control message is used to request reporting of location information of the terminal device.

Further, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to receive a location report from the access network device, where the location report carries the location information of the terminal device.

Optionally, the transceiver unit 710 is further configured to send a second location report control message to the access network device, where the second location report control message carries indication information for controlling reporting of the location report.

Optionally, the transceiving unit 710 is further configured to receive a timestamp associated with the location information of the terminal device.

In another implementation, the communication device 700 may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

In this implementation, the transceiving unit 710 shown in fig. 24 may be a communication interface. Alternatively, the communication interface may be an input-output interface or a transceiver circuit. The processing unit 720 may be a processing device. The functionality of the processing means may be partly or wholly implemented by software.

In one implementation, the functionality of the processing means may be implemented partly or wholly in software. In this implementation, the processing device may include a memory and a processor, where the memory is used for storing the computer program, and the processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to perform the processing internally implemented by the terminal device in the embodiments. For example, the processing performed by processing unit 720 described above is performed.

In another implementation, the functionality of the processing means may be implemented partly or wholly in hardware. In this implementation, the processing device includes an input interface circuit, a logic circuit, and an output interface circuit. The input interface circuit is used for acquiring a first message, wherein the first message carries position information of the terminal equipment, and the position information comprises longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal equipment; the logic circuit is used for analyzing the first message to obtain longitude and latitude information of the terminal equipment; and the output interface circuit is used for outputting the longitude and latitude information.

Referring to fig. 25, fig. 25 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 25, the terminal device 800 includes a processor 801 and a transceiver 802.

Optionally, terminal device 800 further comprises a memory 803. The processor 801, the transceiver 802 and the memory 803 may communicate with each other via internal connection paths to transmit control signals and/or data signals.

The memory 803 is used for storing computer programs, among other things. The processor 801 is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory 803, thereby implementing each function of the communication apparatus 500 in the above-described apparatus embodiment.

In particular, processor 801 may be used to perform the operations and/or processes described in the apparatus embodiments (e.g., fig. 22) as being performed by processing unit 520, while transceiver 802 is used to perform the operations and/or processes described as being performed by transceiver unit 510.

Alternatively, the memory 803 may be integrated into the processor 801 or separate from the processor 801.

Optionally, the terminal device 800 may further include an antenna 804 for transmitting signals output by the transceiver 802. Alternatively, the transceiver 802 receives signals through an antenna.

Optionally, terminal apparatus 800 can also include a power supply 805 for providing power to various devices or circuits in the terminal apparatus.

In addition to this, in order to further improve the functions of the terminal apparatus, the terminal apparatus 800 may further include one or more of an input unit 806, an output unit 807, an audio circuit 808, a camera 809, a sensor 810, and the like. The audio circuit may further include a speaker 8082, a microphone 8084, etc., which are not described in detail.

Alternatively, when the communication apparatus 500 is a terminal device, the transceiver unit 510 shown in fig. 22 may be the transceiver 804 shown in fig. 25, and the processing unit 520 may be the processor 801.

Alternatively, when the communication device 500 is a chip or an integrated circuit, the transceiver unit 510 shown in fig. 22 may be a communication interface, and the processing unit 520 is a processor.

Referring to fig. 26, fig. 26 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided in the present application. Network device 1000 may correspond to an access network device (e.g., a gNB) in various method embodiments. As shown in fig. 26, the network device 1000 includes an antenna 1101, a radio frequency device 1102, and a baseband device 1103. An antenna 1101 is connected to the radio frequency device 1102. In the uplink direction, the rf device 1102 receives a signal from the terminal device through the antenna 1101, and sends the received signal to the baseband device 1103 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband apparatus 1103 generates a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device, and transmits the generated signal to the rf apparatus 1102. The rf device 1102 transmits the signal through an antenna 1101.

The baseband device 1103 may include one or more processing units 11031. The processing unit 11031 may be specifically a processor.

In addition, the baseband device 1103 may also include one or more storage units 11032 and one or more communication interfaces 11033. The storage unit 11032 is used to store computer programs and/or data. The communication interface 11033 is used to exchange information with the radio frequency device 1102. The storage unit 11032 may be specifically a memory, and the communication interface 11033 may be an input/output interface or a transceiver circuit.

Alternatively, the storage unit 11032 may be a storage unit on the same chip as the processing unit 11031, that is, an on-chip storage unit, or may be a storage unit on a different chip from the processing unit, that is, an off-chip storage unit. This is not a limitation of the present application.

In one implementation, when the communication apparatus 600 shown in fig. 23 and the access network device in the method embodiment completely correspond, the communication apparatus 600 may be implemented by the network device 1000 shown in fig. 26, or the access network device may be as shown in fig. 26. For example, the processing unit 610 of the communication apparatus 600 shown in fig. 23 may be the baseband apparatus 1103 shown in fig. 26. The transceiver unit 610 may be the radio frequency device 1102 shown in fig. 26.

Referring to fig. 27, fig. 27 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided in the present application. The network device 2000 may correspond to a core network device (e.g., AMF) in various method embodiments. As shown in fig. 27, the network device 2000 includes an antenna 2101, a radio frequency device 2102, and a baseband device 2103. The antenna 2101 is connected to a radio frequency device 2102. In the uplink direction, the rf device 2102 receives signals from the access network equipment via the antenna 2101 and sends the received signals to the baseband device 2103 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband apparatus 2103 generates a signal to be transmitted to the terminal device or the access network device, and transmits the generated signal to the radio frequency apparatus 2102. The rf device 2102 transmits the signal via antenna 2101.

The baseband apparatus 2103 may include one or more processing units 21031. The processing unit 21031 may specifically be a processor.

The baseband apparatus 2103 may further comprise one or more memory units 21032 and one or more communication interfaces 21033. The storage unit 21032 is used to store computer programs and/or data. The communication interface 21033 is used to interact with the radio frequency device 2102. The storage unit 21032 may be specifically a memory, and the communication interface 21033 may be an input/output interface or a transceiver circuit.

Alternatively, the storage unit 21032 may be a storage unit on the same chip as the processing unit 21031, that is, an on-chip storage unit, or may be a storage unit on a different chip from the processing unit, that is, an off-chip storage unit. This is not a limitation of the present application.

In one implementation, when the communication apparatus 700 shown in fig. 24 and the core network device in the method embodiment completely correspond, the communication apparatus 700 may be the network device 2000 shown in fig. 27. For example, the transceiver unit 710 of the communication device 700 shown in fig. 24 may be the radio frequency device 1102 shown in fig. 27. The processing unit 720 may be the baseband device 1103 shown in fig. 27.

In addition, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes one or more terminal devices, one or more access network devices, and one or more core network devices provided in the present application.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, where the computer program, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the terminal device in any one of the method embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the access network device in any of the method embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, where the computer program, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the core network device in any one of the method embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising computer program code to, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the terminal device in any of the method embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising computer program code to, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the access network device in any of the method embodiments.

The present application further provides a computer program product comprising computer program code to, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the core network device in any of the method embodiments.

The present application further provides a chip comprising a processor. A memory for storing the computer program is provided separately from the chip, and a processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the terminal device in any one of the method embodiments.

Further, the chip may also include a communication interface. The communication interface may be an input/output interface, an input/output circuit, or the like. Further, the chip may further include the memory.

The present application further provides a chip comprising a processor. A memory for storing the computer program is provided separately from the chip, and a processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the access network device in any of the method embodiments.

The present application further provides a chip comprising a processor. A memory for storing the computer program is provided separately from the chip, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to perform the operations and/or processes performed by the core network device in any of the method embodiments.

The processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip having the capability of processing signals. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in the form of software. The processor may be a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, or discrete hardware components. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware encoding processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the encoding processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and a processor reads information in the memory and completes the steps of the method in combination with hardware of the processor.

The memory in the embodiments of the present application may be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. Volatile memory can be Random Access Memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM, enhanced SDRAM, SLDRAM, Synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware, depending on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the elements can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of the present application.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application or portions thereof that substantially contribute to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium and including instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and shall be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for reporting location information, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that terminal equipment receives a broadcast message from access network equipment, wherein the broadcast message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to start a reporting function of position information;

the terminal device reports location information, where the location information includes first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity, where the first granularity indication information is used to indicate the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used to indicate the second granularity, the location information of the first granularity is used to indicate longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal device, and the location information of the second granularity is used to indicate a country where the terminal device is located.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting of the location information by the terminal device comprises:

the terminal equipment receives a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the access network equipment, wherein the first RRC message carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to report position information in a response message of the first RRC message;

and the terminal equipment reports the position information to the access network equipment through a second RRC message, wherein the second RRC message is a response message of the first RRC message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first RRC message comprises any one of the following messages:

RRC establishment request, RRC reconfiguration, RRC re-establishment, RRC recovery, or measurement control.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the second RRC message comprises any one of the following messages:

RRC setup complete, RRC reconfiguration complete, RRC reestablishment complete, RRC recovery complete, or RRC measurement report.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting of the location information by the terminal device comprises:

and the terminal equipment reports the position information to core network equipment through a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the NAS message comprises any one of the following messages:

a registration request, a de-registration request or a UE initial direct transfer message, where the registration request includes a registration request in any one of the following flows: initial attachment, location update, periodic location reporting, or emergency registration.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting of the location information by the terminal device comprises:

the terminal device reports the location information to the access network device through a third RRC message, where the third RRC message includes any one of the following messages:

RRC establishment completion, RRC reconfiguration completion, RRC reestablishment completion and RRC recovery completion.

8. A method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the method further comprises:

and the terminal equipment reports a timestamp related to the position information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the access network device is mounted on an off-board platform, and wherein before the terminal device receives the broadcast message from the access network device, the method further comprises:

when the terminal equipment leaves a ground network, storing Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) information of the ground network;

the reporting of the position information by the terminal equipment comprises the following steps:

and the terminal equipment reports the PLMN information and the second granularity indication information.

10. A method for reporting location information, comprising:

the access network equipment determines to start a reporting function of position information of the terminal equipment, wherein the position information comprises first granularity indication information and position information of first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and position information of second granularity, the first granularity indication information is used for indicating the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used for indicating the second granularity, the position information of the first granularity is used for indicating longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal equipment, and the position information of the second granularity is used for indicating a country where the terminal equipment is located;

the access network equipment sends a broadcast message, wherein the broadcast message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to start a reporting function of the position information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein after the access network device sends the broadcast message, the method further comprises:

the access network equipment sends a first RRC message to the terminal equipment, wherein the first RRC message carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to report position information in a response message of the first RRC message;

and the access network equipment receives a second RRC message from the terminal equipment, wherein the second RRC message carries the position information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first RRC message comprises any one of the following messages:

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the second RRC message comprises any one of the following messages:

RRC setup complete, measurement report, RRC reconfiguration complete, RRC reestablishment complete, or RRC recovery complete.

14. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein after the access network device receives the second RRC message from the terminal device, the method further comprises:

the access network equipment reports the position information of the terminal equipment to the core network equipment, wherein the position information is carried in any one of the following messages:

the UE initial direct transfer message, the initial context establishment response or the UE context release is completed.

15. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the access network device is an access network device that is connected when the terminal device enters a connected state from an inactive state, the method further comprising:

and the access network equipment sends a path switching request to core network equipment, wherein the path switching request carries the position information.

16. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the access network device is a source access network device of the terminal device, and wherein the method further comprises:

and the access network equipment sends a switching request to target access network equipment, wherein the switching request carries the position information.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

the access network equipment receives the position information of the terminal equipment from core network equipment, and the position information is carried in any one of the following messages of the core network equipment:

a paging message, an initial context setup request, a UE context release control, or a UE context modification request.

18. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the method further comprises:

the access network device receives a timestamp associated with the location information from the terminal device.

19. An apparatus for reporting positioning information, comprising:

a receiving and sending unit, configured to receive a broadcast message from an access network device, where the broadcast message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate a terminal device to start a reporting function of location information;

the processing unit is used for analyzing the broadcast message to obtain the first indication information;

the transceiver unit is further configured to report location information of the apparatus according to the first indication information, where the location information includes first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity, where the first granularity indication information is used to indicate the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used to indicate the second granularity, the location information of the first granularity is used to indicate longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal device, and the location information of the second granularity is used to indicate a country where the terminal device is located.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

receiving a first Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the access network equipment, wherein the first RRC message carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used for indicating the device to report position information in a response message of the first RRC message;

and reporting the position information to the access network equipment through a second RRC message, wherein the second RRC message is a response message of the first RRC message.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to report the location information to a core network device through a non-access stratum (NAS) message.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

reporting the location information to the access network device through a third RRC message, where the third RRC message includes any one of the following messages: RRC establishment completion, RRC reconfiguration completion, RRC reestablishment completion and RRC recovery completion.

23. The apparatus according to any of claims 19-22, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to report a timestamp associated with the location information.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a storage unit, configured to store public land mobile network PLMN information of a ground network when the processing unit determines that the apparatus leaves the ground network;

and the transceiver unit is further configured to report the PLMN information and second granularity indication information, where the second granularity indication information is used to indicate that the PLMN information is used as location information of a second granularity.

25. An apparatus for reporting location information, comprising:

the processing unit is configured to determine to start a reporting function of location information of a terminal device, where the location information includes first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity, where the first granularity indication information is used to indicate the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used to indicate the second granularity, the location information of the first granularity is used to indicate longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal device, and the location information of the second granularity is used to indicate a country where the terminal device is located;

the terminal equipment comprises a receiving and sending unit, a sending and receiving unit and a reporting unit, wherein the receiving and sending unit is used for sending a broadcast message, the broadcast message carries first indication information, and the first indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to start a reporting function of the position information.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to:

sending a first RRC message to the terminal equipment, wherein the first RRC message carries second indication information, and the second indication information is used for indicating the terminal equipment to report position information in a response message of the first RRC message;

and receiving a second RRC message from the terminal equipment, wherein the second RRC message carries the position information.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to report location information of the terminal device to a core network device, where the location information is carried in any one of the following messages:

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the apparatus is an access network device that is connected when the terminal device enters a connected state from an inactive state, and the transceiver unit is further configured to send a path switching request to a core network device, where the path switching request carries the location information.

29. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the apparatus is a source access network device of the terminal device, and the transceiver unit is further configured to send a handover request to a target access network device, where the handover request carries the location information.

30. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive location information of the terminal device from a core network device, where the location information is carried in any one of the following messages from the core network device:

31. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the location information comprises first granularity indication information and location information of a first granularity, and/or second granularity indication information and location information of a second granularity, wherein the first granularity indication information is used for indicating the first granularity, the second granularity indication information is used for indicating the second granularity, the location information of the first granularity is used for indicating longitude and latitude coordinates of the terminal device, and the location information of the second granularity is used for indicating a country where the terminal device is located.

32. The arrangement according to any of claims 25-27, wherein said transceiving unit is further configured to receive a timestamp associated with said location information from said terminal device.

33. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9.

34. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising a computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 10-18.

35. A chip comprising a processor and a memory, the memory for storing a computer program, the processor for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9.

36. A chip comprising a processor and a memory, the memory for storing a computer program, the processor for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method of any one of claims 10-18.