CN114095949B

CN114095949B - Method and device for transmitting configuration information in migration process from source network element to target network element

Info

Publication number: CN114095949B
Application number: CN202010761017.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周叶
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-31
Filing date: 2020-07-31
Publication date: 2024-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-31
Also published as: CN114095949A

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for transmitting configuration information in a migration process from a source network element to a target network element, so as to solve the problem that in the migration process of a network element, configuration information of the network element to be migrated needs to be connected to the target network element and the source network element at the same time, where the method includes: in the migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, responding to a received first interface message, and sending a first F1AP PDU in the first interface message to the network element to be migrated; or/and, in response to the received second F1AP PDU, sending the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message. In this way, the configuration information of the network element to be migrated is indirectly transferred by the source network element through the F1AP PDU, connection with the target network element is not required to be established before the network element to be migrated is disconnected with the source network element, the cost and complexity of hardware are greatly reduced, and the wide popularization can be realized.

Description

Method and device for transmitting configuration information in migration process from source network element to target network element

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for transmitting configuration information in a migration process from a source network element to a target network element.

Background

In order to adapt to diversified deployment scenarios, the industry proposes a manner of subdividing a 5G base station (generation NodeB, gNB) into a gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU) network element and one or more gNB distribution units (gNB Distribute Unit, gNB-DU) network elements by reference to the design of a "split gNB". The gNB-DU can provide wireless access service for the user terminal, the gNB-CU is connected with one or more gNB-DUs obtained by subdividing the gNB, and one gNB-CU network element provides main service for one user terminal at any time.

At present, the gNB-DU network element can be deployed on a mobile device, such as a mobile carrier of a satellite, a train, an airplane and the like, and along with the position transformation of the mobile device, the gNB-DU network element needs to be switched to a different gNB-CU network element so as to realize that the gNB-DU network element continuously provides wireless access service for a user terminal. Meanwhile, when the gNB-DU network element is disconnected with the current gNB-CU network element and is connected to other gNB-CU network elements, the user terminal connected with the gNB-DU network element needs to be synchronously switched from the current gNB-CU network element to other gNB-CU network elements.

In the prior art, a specific interaction mode is not limited in the case of switching between different gNB-CU network elements, and the currently proposed scheme is that connection with a target gNB-CU network element must be established first and then disconnected from the original gNB-CU network element in the gNB-DU network element migration process.

However, in the implementation manner in the prior art, in the transmission process of the configuration information, the gNB-DU network element needs to be connected with the original gNB-CU network element and the target gNB-CU network element at the same time, so that the connection configuration cost and the complexity of hardware and software are greatly increased, and the wide popularization is difficult.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a configuration information transmission method and device in a migration process from a source network element to a target network element, which are used for solving the problem that configuration information of the network element to be migrated needs to be connected with the target network element and the source network element simultaneously in the migration process of the network element in the prior art, realizing that the configuration information of the network element to be migrated is indirectly transmitted by the source network element in the network element switching process, and establishing connection with the target network element before the network element to be switched is disconnected with the source network element, thereby greatly reducing the cost and complexity of hardware and being capable of realizing wide popularization.

The specific technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the disclosure is as follows:

In a first aspect, a method for transmitting configuration information in a migration process from a source network element to a target network element is provided, which is applied to the source network element and includes:

Responding to a first interface message which is sent by the target network element and contains a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU, and sending the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first partial configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed; or/and the combination of the two,

And in response to receiving a second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, sending the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used by connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after migration is completed.

Optionally, before the response to receiving the first interface message including the first F1AP PDU sent by the target network element, or/and the response to receiving the second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, the method further includes:

and the source network element determines to migrate the network element to be migrated to the target network element.

Optionally, the first portion of configuration information at least includes any one or any combination of the following information:

the transmission layer configuration information connected to one end of the target network element;

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

Optionally, the second portion of configuration information includes at least any one or any combination of the following information:

The transmission layer configuration information connected to one end of the network element to be migrated;

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

In a second aspect, a method for transmitting configuration information in a migration process from a source network element to a target network element is provided, which is applied to the target network element and includes:

Transmitting a first interface message containing a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU to a source network element, and enabling the source network element to transmit the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first partial configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed;

And receiving a second interface message which is sent by the source network element and contains a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after migration is completed.

Optionally, before the sending the first interface message including the first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU to the source network element, or/and the receiving the second interface message including the second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, the method further includes:

the target network element determines to receive the migration of the network element to be migrated.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

after the target network element determines that connection is established with the network element to be migrated, a second F1AP PDU directly sent by the network element to be migrated is received, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed.

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

In a third aspect, a configuration information transmission device in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element is provided, where the configuration information transmission device at least includes a memory and a processor, where the processor is configured to read an instruction in the memory, and perform the following operations:

Optionally, before the response to receiving the first interface message including the first F1AP PDU sent by the target network element, or/and before the response to receiving the second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, the processor is further configured to:

And determining to migrate the network element to be migrated to the target network element.

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

In a fourth aspect, a configuration information transmission device in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element is provided, where the configuration information transmission device at least includes a processor and a memory, where the processor is configured to read an instruction in the memory, and perform the following operations:

Optionally, before the sending, to the source network element, a first interface message including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU, or/and the receiving, to the source network element, a second interface message including a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, the processor is further configured to:

determining to receive migration of the network element to be migrated.

Optionally, the processor is further configured to:

after establishing connection with the network element to be migrated, receiving an F1 interface message directly sent by the network element to be migrated, wherein the F1 interface message comprises second part of configuration information.

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

In a fifth aspect, a device for transmitting configuration information in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element is provided, where the device includes:

A first receiving unit, configured to send a first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated in response to receiving a first interface message sent by the target network element and including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU, where the first F1AP PDU includes first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed; or/and the combination of the two,

The second receiving unit is used for responding to the received second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated and sending the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connecting the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed.

In a sixth aspect, a method for transmitting configuration information in a migration process from a source network element to a target network element is provided, including:

A sending unit, configured to send a first interface message including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU to a source network element, so that the source network element sends the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, where the first F1AP PDU includes first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed;

And the receiving unit is used for receiving a second interface message which is sent by the source network element and contains a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after migration is completed.

A seventh aspect proposes a computer readable storage medium, which when executed by a processor enables to perform the method for configuration information transfer in a migration procedure from a source network element to a target network element according to any of the first aspects above.

An eighth aspect proposes a computer readable storage medium, which when executed by a processor enables to perform the method for configuration information transfer in a migration procedure from a source network element to a target network element according to any of the second aspects above.

The beneficial effects of the present disclosure are as follows:

in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method and an apparatus for transmitting configuration information in a migration process from a source network element to a target network element are provided, and a first interface message including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU sent by the target network element is received, where the first F1AP PDU is sent to the network element to be migrated, and the first F1AP PDU includes first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed; or/and, in response to receiving the second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, sending the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed. In this way, in the network element migration process, the configuration information of the network element to be migrated is indirectly transferred by the source network element through the F1AP PDU, connection with the target network element is not required to be established before the network element to be migrated is disconnected with the source network element, the cost and complexity of hardware are greatly reduced, and large-scale popularization can be realized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a transmission flow of source network element side configuration information in a network element migration process in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a transmission flow of configuration information on a target network element side in a network element migration process in an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an interaction diagram of a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is an interaction schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an interactive schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7 is a schematic entity structure diagram of a source network element in an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 8 is a schematic logic structure diagram of a source network element in an embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 9 is a schematic entity structure diagram of a target network element in an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 10 is a schematic logic structure diagram of a target network element in an embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

In order to solve the problem of increased configuration cost caused by the need of simultaneously maintaining connection with a source network element and a target network element in the network element migration process in the prior art, the present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for transmitting configuration information in the migration process from the source network element to the target network element, where in the migration process from the source network element to the target network element, the source network element performs any one or a combination of the following operations according to any time sequence, where the migration process is used to disconnect the source network element from the to-be-migrated network element and establish connection with the target network element:

Receiving a first interface message which is sent by the target network element and contains a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit (F1 Application Processor Protocol Data Unit, F1AP PDU), and transmitting the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first partial configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed;

And receiving a second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, and transmitting the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after migration is completed.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the location of the network element to be migrated is not fixed, but the location of the source network element is fixed, so that in the process of changing the location of the network element to be migrated, in order to ensure that a stable service is provided for the network element to be migrated, the network element to be migrated needs to be migrated from the currently connected source network element to the target network element.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, in a process of migrating a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, a mode of indirectly transmitting configuration information by the source network element is adopted to transparently transmit configuration information between the source network element and the target network element, and specific transparent transmission operation will be described in detail in the following embodiments.

The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in further detail below with reference to fig. 1.

Step 101: and the source network element determines to migrate the network element to be migrated to the target network element.

Specifically, the source network element determines, based on the current configuration information and the wireless link condition information connected with the network element to be migrated, that the stable connection with the network element to be migrated cannot be continued, and then determines a target network element allowing the network element to be migrated to migrate.

Step 102: and responding to the received first interface message which is sent by the target network element and contains the first F1AP PDU, and sending the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated.

Specifically, when the source network element determines to migrate the network element to be switched to the target network element, in the process that the network element to be migrated is migrated from the source network element to the target network element, a first interface message which is sent by the target network element and contains a first F1AP PDU is received, and the first F1AP PDU is sent to the network element to be migrated, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed.

In some implementation scenarios of the present disclosure, the first F1AP PDU may be selectively transmitted to the network element to be migrated by using a transparent transmission manner.

It should be noted that, the first portion configuration information at least includes any one or any combination of the following information:

a1, the transmission layer configuration information connected to one end of the target network element.

A2, requesting activated wireless cell list information.

A3, requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information.

A4, requesting the established service cell list information.

Step 103: and the source network element responds to the received second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, and sends the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message.

Specifically, the source network element receives a second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, and sends the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed.

In some implementation scenarios of the present disclosure, the source network element transparently transmits the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message.

It should be noted that, the second portion configuration information at least includes any one or any combination of the following information:

b1, the configuration information of the transmission layer connected to one end of the network element to be migrated;

b2, activated cell list information;

b3, available wireless cell list information;

b4, the established radio link control bearing configuration information;

b5, established service cell list information.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, in the process of migrating a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, whether the steps 102 and 103 are executed and the execution sequence may be different in different scenarios, and the operations defined by the steps 102 and 103 have no time sequence of front-back causal relationship, only in response to receiving related messages from different network elements, the source network element executes any one operation or combination of the steps 102 and 103 according to any time sequence as required in different scenarios, and specific execution processes and execution details will not be described in detail in the subsequent embodiments.

The following describes, with reference to fig. 2, a transmission procedure of configuration information in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, where the transmission procedure is applied to the target network element:

step 201: the target network element determines to receive the migration of the network element to be migrated.

Specifically, the target network element determines to accept migration of the network element to be migrated based on the composite information such as the current connection condition, and then determines that the network element to be migrated is migrated from the source network element to the target network element.

Step 202: the target network element sends a first interface message containing a first F1AP PDU to a source network element, and the source network element sends the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated.

Specifically, in a process that a network element to be migrated is migrated from a source network element to a target network element, the target network element sends a first interface message containing a first F1AP PDU to the source network element, so that the source network element sends the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after the migration is completed.

A2, requesting activated wireless cell list information.

A4, requesting the established service cell list information.

Step 203: the target network element receives a second interface message which is sent by the source network element and contains a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated.

Specifically, the target network element receives a second interface message sent by the source network element and including a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed.

b2, activated cell list information;

b3, available wireless cell list information;

b4, the established radio link control bearing configuration information;

b5, established service cell list information.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, in the process of migrating a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, whether the steps 202 and 203 are executed and the execution sequence may be different in different scenarios, and the operations defined by the steps 102 and 103 have no time sequence of front-back causal relationship, and the target network element executes any one of the operations or combination of the steps 202 and 203 according to any time sequence as required in different scenarios, and the specific execution process and execution details will not be described in detail in the following embodiments.

For example, in some scenarios, before the target network element establishes a connection with the network element to be migrated, only a first interface message including a first F1AP PDU is sent to the source network element, so that the source network element transparently transmits the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, after the target network element determines that the connection is established with the network element to be migrated, a second F1AP PDU directly sent by the network element to be migrated is received, and after the migration is completed, the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used by the connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element.

In the following embodiments, only taking a network element to be migrated as a gNB-DU, a source network element as a source gNB-CU currently connected with the gNB-DU, and a target network element as a target gNB-CU to which the gNB-DU desires to be connected as an example.

Embodiment one:

Referring to fig. 3, a current corresponding scenario is that a source gNB-CU is currently connected to a gNB-DU, after the source gNB-CU determines that the gNB-DU needs to be migrated to a target gNB-CU, in a process that the gNB-DU is migrated from the source gNB-CU to the target gNB-CU, the source gNB-CU receives a first interface message including a first F1AP PDU sent by the target gNB-CU, and transparently transmits the first F1AP PDU to the gNB-DU, and after connection between the gNB-DU and the target gNB-CU is established, the gNB-DU directly sends an F1 interface message to the target gNB-CU, where the F1 interface message includes second part of configuration information.

The method comprises the following specific steps:

S1: the source gNB-CU sends an interface message a1 to the target gNB-CU.

In the case that the source gNB-CU remains connected to the gNB-DU, the source gNB-CU sends an interface message a1 to the target gNB-CU, wherein the interface message a1 is used for requesting to migrate the gNB-DU to the target gNB-CU.

Specifically, the source gNB-CU determines that stable connection with the gNB-DU cannot be continued according to current pre-configuration information and wireless link condition information connected with the gNB-DU, and then determines to migrate to the target gNB-CU, wherein the migration process aims at enabling the gNB-DU not to be connected with the source gNB-CU but to be connected with the target gNB-CU, so that an interface message a1 is directly sent to the target gNB-CU.

S2: the target gNB-CU sends an interface message a2 containing the first F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU.

The method comprises the steps that a target gNB-CU determines to accept migration of gNB-DUs based on composite information such as current connection conditions and the like, and then generates a first F1AP PDU, wherein the first F1AP PDU comprises first partial configuration information used by connection between a target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed, and the first partial configuration information specifically comprises transmission layer configuration information connected to one end of the target network element, wireless cell list information requiring activation and the like.

It should be noted that the interface message a2 including the first F1AP PDU corresponds to the first interface message referred to in step 102. The content of the first F1AP PDU is an F1 interface message intended to establish an F1 interface between the target gNB-CU and the gNB-DU, or an F1 interface message intended to update configuration information.

S3: the source gNB-CU transparently passes the first F1AP PDU to the gNB-DU.

S4: the gNB-DU performs the following two operations according to any time sequence: disconnecting from the source gNB-CU and establishing connection with the target gNB-CU.

After receiving a first F1AP PDU, a gNB-DU determines first part of configuration information contained in the first F1AP PDU, and then, the following two operations are executed according to any time sequence: disconnecting from the source gNB-CU, and establishing connection with the target gNB-CU, specifically, disconnecting from the source gNB-CU after the gNB-DU establishes connection with the target gNB-CU, or disconnecting from the source gNB-CU before the gNB-DU establishes connection with the target gNB-CU, or disconnecting from the source gNB-CU while the gNB-DU establishes connection with the target gNB-CU.

At the same time, the gNB-DU applies the first partial configuration information.

S5: the gNB-DU sends a second F1AP PDU to the target gNB-CU.

After establishing connection with a target gNB-CU, the gNB-DU directly sends a second F1AP PDU to the target gNB-CU, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connection between the gNB-DU and the target gNB-CU after migration is completed.

It should be noted that, the second partial configuration information includes the configuration information of the transport layer at one end of the gNB-DU and the activated cell list information, where the second partial configuration information is used to indicate interface configuration of the F1 interface between the gNB-DU and the target gNB-CU after the gNB-DU is migrated. The second F1AP PDU is a feedback message for the first F1AP PDU transmitted transparently in step S3.

Embodiment two:

Referring to fig. 4, a current corresponding scenario is that a source gNB-CU is currently connected to a gNB-DU, after the source gNB-CU determines that the gNB-DU needs to be migrated to a target gNB-CU, in a process that the gNB-DU is migrated from the source gNB-CU to the target gNB-CU, the source gNB-CU receives a first interface message including a first F1AP PDU sent by the target gNB-CU, and transparently transmits the first F1AP PDU to the gNB-DU, and then receives a second F1AP PDU sent by the gNB-DU, and transparently transmits the second F1AP PDU to the target gNB-CU through a second interface message.

The method comprises the following specific steps:

s1: the source gNB-CU sends an interface message b1 to the target gNB-CU.

In the case that the source gNB-CU remains connected to the gNB-DU, the source gNB-CU sends an interface message b1 to the target gNB-CU, and the interface message b1 is used for requesting to migrate the gNB-DU to the target gNB-CU.

Specifically, the source gNB-CU determines that stable connection with the gNB-DU cannot be continued according to current pre-configuration information and wireless link condition information connected with the gNB-DU, determines to migrate to the target gNB-CU, and directly sends an interface message b1 to the target gNB-CU.

S2: the target gNB-CU sends an interface message b2 containing the first F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU.

The method comprises the steps that after a target gNB-CU determines to accept migration of gNB-DUs based on composite information such as current connection conditions and the like, a first F1AP PDU is generated, wherein after the migration is completed, the first F1AP PDU comprises first partial configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated, the first partial configuration information comprises transmission layer configuration information connected to one end of the target network element, request activated wireless cell list information and the like, and the first partial configuration information is used for indicating configuration information of an F1 interface between the first partial configuration information and the target gNB-CU.

It should be noted that the interface message b2 containing the first F1AP PDU corresponds to the first interface message referred to in step 102. The content of the first F1AP PDU is an F1 interface message intended to establish an F1 interface between the target gNB-CU and the gNB-DU, or an F1 interface message intended to update configuration information.

S3: the source gNB-CU transparently passes the first F1AP PDU to the gNB-DU.

S4: the gNB-DU sends the second F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU.

Specifically, the gNB-DU sends a second F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connection between the gNB-DU and the target gNB-CU after migration is completed.

It should be noted that, the second partial configuration information includes transport layer configuration information connected to one end of the gNB-DU and activated cell list information, which is used to indicate interface configuration of the F1 interface between the gNB-DU and the target gNB-CU after the gNB-DU is migrated. And the second F1AP PDU is the feedback message of the first F1AP PDU transmitted in the step S3.

S5: the source gNB-CU transparently transmits the second F1AP PDU to the target gNB-CU through an interface message b 3.

The interface message b3 corresponds to the second interface message corresponding to step 103, and includes a second F1AP PDU sent by the gNB-DU.

S6: the following two operations are executed according to any time sequence: the gNB-DU is disconnected from the source gNB-CU; and establishing connection between the gNB-DU and the target gNB-CU.

The gNB-DU determines the first part configuration information and the second part configuration information based on the received first F1AP PDU and the sent second interface message, and then performs the following two operations according to any time sequence: disconnecting from the source gNB-CU, and establishing connection with the target gNB-CU, specifically, disconnecting from the source gNB-CU after the gNB-DU establishes connection with the target gNB-CU, or disconnecting from the source gNB-CU before the gNB-DU establishes connection with the target gNB-CU, or disconnecting from the source gNB-CU while the gNB-DU establishes connection with the target gNB-CU.

At the same time, the gNB-DU applies the first partial configuration information and the second partial configuration information.

Embodiment III:

Referring to fig. 5, a current corresponding scenario is that a source gNB-CU is currently connected to a gNB-DU, after the source gNB-CU determines that the gNB-DU needs to be switched to connect to a target gNB-CU, the source gNB-CU first sends an interface message requesting migration to the target gNB-CU to request to determine whether the target gNB-CU allows access to the gNB-DU, and after receiving the interface message accepting migration fed back by the target gNB-CU, sends an interface message for indicating migration to the gNB-DU, and then the source gNB-CU first receives a PDU including a second F1AP PDU, and transparently transmits the second F1AP PDU to the gNB-DU through the second interface message, and then receives a first interface message including a first F1AP PDU, and transparently transmits the first F1AP PDU to the target gNB-CU.

The method comprises the following specific steps:

S1: the source gNB-CU sends an interface message c1 to the target gNB-CU.

It should be noted that, the source gNB-CU sends an interface message c1 to the target gNB-CU, wherein the interface message c1 is used for determining whether the target gNB-CU allows the migration of gNB-DU.

Specifically, after determining that stable connection with the gNB-DU cannot be continued according to current pre-configuration information and wireless link condition information connected with the gNB-DU, the source gNB-CU determines to migrate to the target gNB-CU, and the migration process aims to enable the gNB-DU to be connected with the source gNB-CU but connected to the target gNB-CU.

S2: the target gNB-CU sends an interface message c2 to the source gNB-CU.

And after the target gNB-CU determines to accept the migration of the gNB-DU based on the composite information such as the current connection condition and the like, sending an interface message c2 to the gNB-CU, wherein the interface message c2 is used for indicating the migration of the gNB-DU.

S3: the source gNB-CU sends an interface message to the gNB-DU indicating migration.

The handover indication information is used to indicate the gNB-DU to migrate to the target gNB-CU.

S4: the gNB-DU sends a second F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU.

Specifically, the gNB-DU sends a second F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed. The second partial configuration information at least comprises transmission layer configuration information connected to one end of the gNB-DU and available wireless cell list information, and is used for establishing an F1 logic interface with the target gNB-CU.

The transport layer configuration information is specifically transport layer address information of the gNB-DU, and the available cell list information may be configured as a list of wireless cells currently controlled by the gNB-DU, or may be a list of available wireless cells pre-configured to the gNB-DU and related to a target gNB-CU.

S5: the source gNB-CU transparently transmits the second F1AP PDU to the target gNB-CU through interface information c 3.

The interface information c3 corresponds to the second interface message referred to in step 103.

S6: the target gNB-CU sends an interface message c4 containing the first F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU.

The method comprises the steps that a target gNB-CU sends an interface message c4 containing a first F1AP PDU to a source gNB-CU, wherein after gNB-DU migration is completed, the first F1AP PDU contains first partial configuration information used by connection between the target gNB-CU and the gNB-DU, and the first partial configuration information at least comprises transmission layer configuration information connected to one end of the target gNB-CU and wireless cell list information requiring activation.

It should be noted that, the interface message c4 corresponds to the first interface message referred to in step 102, and the content of the first F1AP PDU is a feedback message for the second F1AP PDU in step S4, so as to confirm establishment of the F1 logical interface between the target gNB-CU and the gNB-DU.

S7: the source gNB-CU transparently passes the first F1AP PDU to the gNB-DU.

S8: the gNB-DU performs the following two operations according to any time sequence: disconnecting from the source gNB-CU and establishing connection with the target gNB-CU.

Embodiment four:

Referring to fig. 6, in the current corresponding scenario, after the source gNB-CU determines that the gNB-DU needs to be migrated to the target gNB-CU, in a process of migrating the gNB-DU from the source gNB-CU to the target gNB-CU, it is determined that a migration process of the gNB-DU to the target gNB-CU is associated with a handover of a user terminal, the source gNB-CU first receives a first interface message including a first F1AP PDU, and transparently transmits the first F1AP PDU to the gNB-DU, then receives a second F1AP PDU, and transparently transmits the second F1AP PDU to the target gNB-CU through the second interface message.

The specific steps of the switching process for the user terminal are as follows:

S1: the source gNB-CU sends switching request information to the target gNB-CU.

The source gNB-CU determines a migrated target gNB-CU after determining that stable connection with the gNB-DU can not be continued according to current pre-configuration information and wireless link condition information connected with the gNB-DU, wherein the migration process is intended to enable the gNB-DU to be connected with the source gNB-CU but connected with the target gNB-CU, and the source gNB-CU needs to switch all user terminals connected with the source gNB-CU through the gNB-DU to the target gNB-CU as part of the migration process, so that the source gNB-CU sends a switching request message to the target gNB-CU for each user terminal.

It should be noted that, the handover request information sent by the source gNB-CU to the target gNB-CU at least carries the target cell identification information of the corresponding user terminal.

S2: the target gNB-CU sends an interface message d1 containing the first F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU.

Specifically, the target gNB-CU generates a first F1AP PDU after determining to accept the switching request of the corresponding user terminal based on the received switching request information, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first partial configuration information used by the connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after the migration is completed, and the first partial configuration information comprises radio link control bearer configuration information required to be established, service cell list information required to be established and the like.

It should be noted that, the interface message d1 corresponds to the first interface message in step 102, and the first portion of configuration information is specifically used to request the gNB-DU to generate configuration information of an air interface between the user terminal and the target gNB-CU after the user terminal is switched. The content of the first F1AP PDU is an F1 interface message intended to establish or modify the user terminal context within the gNB-DU.

The content requested in the first configuration information specifically includes enabling the gNB-DU to generate a corresponding user terminal context. Specifically, the request includes a plurality of configuration information and requests, for example: the information is also used for requesting the gNB-DU to generate a transport layer address which is used by the gNB-DU after the migration is completed and is connected to the gNB-DU side and is related to the user terminal, wherein the transport layer address is used by the gNB-DU after the migration is completed and is connected to the target gNB-CU side; the configured RLC bearing configuration information is requested, and the information is also used for requesting the gNB-DU to generate the RLC bearing configuration information used by the gNB-DU after migration is completed; and requesting configured serving cell list information, which is also used for requesting the gNB-DU to generate serving cell list configuration information used by the gNB-DU after migration is completed, and the like.

S3: the source gNB-CU transparently passes the first F1AP PDU to the gNB-DU.

S4: the gNB-DU sends a second F1AP PDU to the source gNB-CU.

When the gNB-DU acquires the first F1AP PDU, a target gNB-CU generating the first F1AP PDU can be determined through a special Cell identifier (SPECIAL CELL IDENTITY, cell ID) included in the first F1AP PDU, and further, the gNB-DU sends a second F1AP PDU to a source gNB-CU, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second part of configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after migration is completed. The second part of configuration information is specifically information such as a transport layer address, RLC bearing configuration, a serving cell list and the like connected to one side of the gNB-DU.

It should be noted that, the second F1AP PDU is specifically the feedback message of the first F1AP PDU related to step S3.

S5: the source gNB-CU transparently transmits the second F1AP PDU to the target gNB-CU through a second interface message.

S6: the target gNB-CU sends a handover request acknowledgement message containing the RRC reconfiguration message to the source gNB-CU.

Specifically, the target gNB-CU generates a radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC) reconfiguration message corresponding to the user terminal based on the second partial configuration information included in the obtained second F1AP PDU, and includes the RRC reconfiguration message in the generated handover request response message, and sends the handover request response message to the source gNB-CU.

S7: and the source gNB-CU sends the downlink RRC message transmission information carrying the RRC reconfiguration message to the gNB-DU, and the gNB-DU sends the RRC reconfiguration message to the user terminal.

S8: after the gNB-DU determines the access target gNB-CU, the user terminal is instructed to re-access.

S9: and after the gNB-DU determines that all the user terminals are successfully re-accessed, sending uplink RRC message transmission containing RRC reconfiguration completion message to the target gNB-CU.

Specifically, after receiving the RRC reconfiguration message, the ue re-accesses the gNB-DU according to the indication after accessing the gNB-DU to the target gNB-CU, and feeds back an RRC reconfiguration complete message, so that the gNB-DU sends an uplink RRC message transmission message to the target gNB-CU, so as to transmit the RRC reconfiguration complete message.

Based on the same inventive concept, referring to fig. 7, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the source network element side device includes at least a processor 702 and a memory 701,

Wherein the processor 702 is configured to read the program in the memory 701 and perform the following operations:

Optionally, before the response to receiving the first interface message including the first F1AP PDU sent by the target network element, or/and before the response to receiving the second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, the processor 702 is further configured to:

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

Based on the same inventive concept, referring to fig. 8, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a transmission device for configuration information in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element is provided, where the transmission device at least includes: a first receiving unit 801, and a second receiving unit 802, wherein,

A first receiving unit 801, configured to send a first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated in response to receiving a first interface message sent by the target network element and including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU, where the first F1AP PDU includes first partial configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed; or/and the combination of the two,

A second receiving unit 802, configured to send, in response to receiving the second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed.

Based on the same inventive concept, referring to fig. 9, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the source network element side device includes at least a processor 902 and a memory 901,

Wherein the processor 902 is configured to read the program in the memory 901 and perform the following operations:

determining to receive migration of the network element to be migrated.

Optionally, the processor 902 is further configured to:

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

Based on the same inventive concept, referring to fig. 10, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a transmission device for configuration information in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element is provided, where the transmission device at least includes: a transmitting unit 1001, and a receiving unit 1002, wherein,

A sending unit 1001, configured to send a first interface message including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU to a source network element, so that the source network element sends the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, where the first F1AP PDU includes first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed;

A receiving unit 1002, configured to receive a second interface message sent by the source network element and including a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after migration is completed.

Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer-readable storage medium, which when executed by a processor, enables the above-described transmission method of configuration information in a network element migration process to be performed.

In summary, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, a first F1AP PDU is sent to the network element to be migrated in response to receiving a first interface message sent by the target network element and including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU, where the first F1AP PDU includes first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after the migration is completed; or/and, in response to receiving the second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, sending the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed. In this way, in the network element migration process, the configuration information of the network element to be migrated is indirectly transferred by the source network element through the F1AP PDU, connection with the target network element is not required to be established before the network element to be migrated is disconnected with the source network element, the cost and complexity of hardware are greatly reduced, and large-scale popularization can be realized.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. It is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the disclosure.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, given that such modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and their equivalents, the present disclosure is also intended to encompass such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting configuration information in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, which is applied to the source network element, and is characterized by comprising the following steps:

Responding to a first interface message which is sent by the target network element and contains a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU, and transmitting the first F1AP PDU to a network element to be migrated, wherein after the migration is completed, the first F1AP PDU contains first part of configuration information used for connecting the target network element and the network element to be migrated, and the first part of configuration information is used for indicating the configuration information of an F1 interface between the first part of configuration information and the target network element; or/and the combination of the two,

In response to receiving a second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, transmitting the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed, where the second partial configuration information is used to indicate configuration information of an F1 interface between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed;

the second F1AP PDU is a feedback message of the first F1AP PDU, or the first F1AP PDU is a feedback message of the second F1AP PDU;

After the network element to be migrated receives the first F1AP PDU, disconnecting the network element to be migrated from the source network element and establishing connection with the target network element; or after the network element to be migrated receives the first F1AP PDU and sends the second F1AP PDU, disconnecting the network element to be migrated from the source network element and establishing connection with the target network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the responding to the receiving the first interface message including the first F1AP PDU sent by the target network element, or/and responding to the receiving the second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, further comprises:

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first part of configuration information comprises at least any one or any combination of the following information:

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second partial configuration information comprises at least any one or any combination of the following information:

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

5. A method for transmitting configuration information in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, which is applied to the target network element, and is characterized by comprising the following steps:

Transmitting a first interface message containing a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU to a source network element, and enabling the source network element to transmit the first F1AP PDU to a network element to be migrated, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first partial configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed, and the first partial configuration information is used for indicating configuration information of an F1 interface between the first partial configuration information and the target network element;

Receiving a second interface message which is transmitted by the source network element and contains a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, wherein the second F1AP PDU contains second partial configuration information used for connecting the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed, and the second partial configuration information is used for indicating the configuration information of an F1 interface between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed;

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the sending a first interface message including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit, F1AP, PDU, to a source network element, or/and the receiving a second interface message including a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, before the receiving the second interface message sent by the source network element, further comprises:

7. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

8. The method according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the first part of configuration information comprises at least any one or any combination of the following information:

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

9. The method according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the second partial configuration information comprises at least any one or any combination of the following:

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

10. The configuration information transmission device in the migration process of the network element to be migrated from the source network element to the target network element is characterized by at least comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the processor is used for reading the instructions in the memory and executing the following operations:

Responding to a first interface message which is sent by the target network element and contains a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU, and transmitting the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first partial configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed, and the first partial configuration information is used for indicating the configuration information of an F1 interface between the first partial configuration information and the target network element; or/and the combination of the two,

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to receiving a first interface message including a first F1AP PDU sent by the target network element, or/and in response to receiving a second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated:

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first part of configuration information comprises at least any one or any combination of the following information:

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second partial configuration information comprises at least any one or any combination of the following information:

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

14. The configuration information transmission device in the migration process of the network element to be migrated from the source network element to the target network element is characterized by at least comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is used for reading instructions in the memory and executing the following operations:

transmitting a first interface message containing a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU to a source network element, and enabling the source network element to transmit the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, wherein the first F1AP PDU contains first partial configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed, and the first partial configuration information is used for indicating configuration information of an F1 interface between the first partial configuration information and the target network element;

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to, prior to transmitting a first interface message to a source network element comprising a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit, F1AP PDU, or/and receiving a second interface message to the source network element comprising a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated:

determining to receive migration of the network element to be migrated.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to:

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 14-16, wherein the first portion of configuration information comprises at least any one or any combination of:

requesting active wireless cell list information;

Requesting the established radio link control bearer configuration information;

requesting the established list information of the serving cell.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 14-16, wherein the second partial configuration information comprises at least any one or any combination of the following:

Activated cell list information;

Available radio cell list information;

the established radio link control carries configuration information;

established list information of serving cells.

19. A configuration information transmission device in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, comprising:

A first receiving unit, configured to, in response to receiving a first interface message including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU sent by the target network element, transparently transmit the first F1AP PDU to the network element to be migrated, where the first F1AP PDU includes first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed, where the first part of configuration information is used to indicate configuration information of an F1 interface between the first part of configuration information and the target network element; or/and the combination of the two,

A second receiving unit, configured to, in response to receiving a second F1AP PDU sent by the network element to be migrated, transparently transmit the second F1AP PDU to the target network element through a second interface message, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration is completed, where the second partial configuration information is configured to indicate configuration information of an F1 interface between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after the migration of the network element to be migrated;

20. A configuration information transmission device in a migration process of a network element to be migrated from a source network element to a target network element, comprising:

A sending unit, configured to send a first interface message including a first F1 interface application processing protocol data unit F1AP PDU to a source network element, so that the source network element transparently transmits the first F1AP PDU to a network element to be migrated, where the first F1AP PDU includes first part of configuration information used for connection between the target network element and the network element to be migrated after migration is completed, and the first part of configuration information is used to indicate configuration information of an F1 interface between the first part of configuration information and the target network element;

A receiving unit, configured to receive a second interface message that is transmitted by the source network element and includes a second F1AP PDU received by the source network element from the network element to be migrated, where the second F1AP PDU includes second partial configuration information used for connection between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after migration is completed, where the second partial configuration information is configured to indicate configuration information of an F1 interface between the network element to be migrated and the target network element after migration;

21. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein instructions in the storage medium, when executed by a processor, enable performing the method of configuration information transfer in a migration procedure from a source network element to a target network element according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein instructions in the storage medium, when executed by a processor, enable performing the method of configuration information transfer in a migration procedure from a source network element to a target network element according to any one of claims 5-9.