CN115244984A

CN115244984A - Independent non-public network mobility

Info

Publication number: CN115244984A
Application number: CN202180017950.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘壮; 高音; 陈嘉君; 张曼
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2021-01-12
Filing date: 2021-01-12
Publication date: 2022-10-25
Also published as: EP4107984A1; WO2022150965A1; EP4107984A4

Abstract

The invention discloses a wireless communication method for a first radio network node of a first network. The method comprises the following steps: receiving mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network from a core network; determining a second wireless network node based on the mobile-assisted information for the wireless terminal; and handing over the wireless terminal to the second wireless network node.

Description

Independent non-public network mobility

Technical Field

This document relates generally to wireless communications.

Background

In current 5G networks, a User Equipment (UE) operating in an independent non-public network (SNPN) access mode will only (re) select a cell within the selected/registered SNPN that provides authentication. That is, only intra-SNPN handover is supported, and handover between SNPNs or handover between a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and SNPNs is not supported. However, in order to support traffic continuity during UE mobility, handover between SNPNs or handover between PLMN and SNPN is proposed herein.

Further, SNPN may be deployed with a subscription or credential owned by an entity independent of SNPN, and the UE discovers and selects the SNPN, which provides authentication in an external entity. To support service continuity, handover between SNPN with the same independent entity is described herein, e.g., a UE moves from SNPN #1 with independent entity #1 to available SNPN #2 with independent entity # 1; and a handover between SNPN and PLMN (where independent entity = PLMN) is described herein.

SNPN is a network deployed for non-public use that does not rely on network functions provided by PLMNs. The SNPN cell is identified by a PLMN identity and a Network ID (NID).

An SNPN capable UE may have one or more SNPN subscriptions, and the UE may select and access the SNPN network while authentication is done by the accessed SNPN or a subscription/credential owner (SCO) independent of the accessed SNPN. The separate SCO entity may be a PLMN or other SNPN or authentication server.

According to the prior art, during the movement of the UE, the UE and the RAN network do not know whether other SNPNs or PLMNs can authenticate the UE or whether other SNPNs or PLMNs have the same SCO available for authenticating the UE as the currently accessed SNPN. Thus, currently, handover between SNPNs or handover between PLMN and SNPN is not supported.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to a method of wireless communication for a first radio network node of a first network. The method comprises the following steps:

receiving mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network from a core network;

determining a second wireless network node based on the mobile-assisted information for the wireless terminal; and

the wireless terminal is handed over to the second wireless network node.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features:

preferably, the first network is an independent non-public network (SNPN) and the second network is one of an SNPN or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).

Preferably, the first network is a PLMN and the second network is a SNPN.

Preferably, the mobile assistance information comprises at least one of:

a list of allowed networks indicating at least one second network supported by the wireless terminal; or alternatively

A restriction indication indicating at least one of:

whether to allow a wireless terminal to transition from one SNPN to another, or

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access the PLMN cell.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes: a target network for use in the second radio network node is determined based on the mobile assistance information.

Preferably, the target network is one of at least one second network supported by the wireless terminal.

Preferably, the mobile assistance information indicates to allow the wireless terminal to transition from one SNPN to another SNPN and/or to allow the wireless terminal to access a PLMN cell.

Preferably, the handover of the wireless terminal to the second radio network node comprises:

sending a handover request message associated with the second radio network node to the core network,

wherein preferably the handover request message comprises a target network for use in the second radio network node.

Preferably, handing over the wireless terminal to the second radio network node comprises:

sending a handover request message for the wireless terminal to a second radio network node,

wherein preferably, the handover request message comprises at least one of:

a target network for use in a second radio network node; or alternatively

The mobile assistance information.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes: a handover failure message is received from the second radio network node, the handover failure message comprising at least one second network supported by the second radio network node.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes:

receiving a paging message from a core network, the paging message indicating at least one second network supporting paging of the wireless terminal; and

the wireless terminal is paged based on the paging message.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes:

receiving a message from a core network carrying non-access stratum information of a wireless terminal, wherein the message includes updated mobility assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network; and

the mobility assistance information is updated by the updated mobility assistance information.

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for a core network. The method comprises the following steps: mobile assistance information associated with a wireless terminal and at least one second network is sent to a first radio network node of a first network.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features:

preferably, the first network is an independent non-public network (SNPN) and the second network is one of a SNPN or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).

Preferably, the first network is a PLMN and the second network is a SNPN.

Preferably, the mobile assistance information comprises at least one of:

a list of allowed networks indicating at least one second network supported by the wireless terminal; or

A restriction indication indicating at least one of:

whether to allow a wireless terminal to transition from one SNPN to another, or

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access the PLMN cell.

Preferably, the wireless communication method includes:

receiving a handover request message from a first radio network node for handover of a wireless terminal to a second radio network node; and

sending a handover request message to the second radio network node,

wherein the handover request message comprises a target network for use in the second radio network node.

Preferably, the handover request message sent to the second radio network node further comprises mobile assistance information.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes: sending a paging message to the first radio network node, the paging message indicating at least one second network supporting paging of the wireless terminal.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes: sending a message carrying non-access stratum information of the wireless terminal to the first radio network node, wherein the message comprises updated mobility assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and the at least one second network.

The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication method for a second radio network node. The method comprises the following steps: a handover request message for handing over a wireless terminal is received from a first radio network node of a first network, wherein the handover request message comprises at least one of a target network for use in a second network node or mobility assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features:

preferably, the first network is an independent non-public network (SNPN),

wherein the second network is one of SNPN or Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), and

wherein the target network is one of SNPN or PLMN.

Preferably, the first network is a PLMN, the second network is an SNPN, and the target network is an SNPN.

Preferably, the mobile assistance information comprises at least one of:

A restriction indication indicating at least one of:

whether the wireless terminal is allowed to transition from one SNPN to another, or

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access a PLMN cell.

Preferably, the handover request message is received from a core network.

Preferably, the handover request message is received from the first radio network node.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes:

sending a path switch message to the core network for a path switch associated with the wireless terminal and the second radio network node,

wherein the path switch message comprises a target network for use in the second radio network node.

Preferably, the wireless communication method further includes: sending a handover failure message to the first radio network node, the handover failure message comprising at least one second network supported by the second radio network node.

The present disclosure relates to a first radio network node. The first radio network node comprises:

a communication unit configured to receive mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network from a core network; and

a processor configured to:

determining a second radio network node based on mobile assistance information for the wireless terminal, an

The wireless terminal is handed over to the second wireless network node.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features:

preferably, the processor is further configured to perform any one of the above-described wireless communication methods.

The present disclosure relates to a core network. The core network includes:

a communication unit configured to transmit mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network to a first radio network node of a first network.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features:

preferably, the core network further comprises: a processor configured to perform any one of the above wireless communication methods.

The present disclosure relates to a second radio network node. The second radio network node comprises:

a communication unit configured to receive a handover request message for handing over a wireless terminal from a first radio network node of a first network,

wherein the handover request message comprises at least one of a target network used in the second network node or mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and the at least one second network.

Various embodiments may preferably implement the following features:

preferably, the second radio network node further comprises: a processor configured to perform any one of the above wireless communication methods.

The present disclosure relates to a computer program product comprising a computer readable program medium code stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform any of the above methods.

The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are intended to provide features that will become apparent by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. According to various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is to be understood, however, that these embodiments are presented by way of example, and not by way of limitation, and that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments may be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Moreover, the particular order and/or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely exemplary. Based upon design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods or processes disclosed may be rearranged without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present the various steps or actions in a sample order, and unless otherwise explicitly stated, the disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The above and other aspects and embodiments thereof are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings, the description and the claims.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a mobile handover in an RRC connected state without Xn interface signaling, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 2 illustrates a mobile handover in RRC connected state with Xn interface signaling, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 3 illustrates a mobile (paging UE) in RRC idle/inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 illustrates SNPN mobility assistance information updates according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 shows an example of a schematic diagram of a wireless terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 shows an example of a schematic diagram of a wireless network node according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In particular, fig. 1 illustrates a mobile handover in an RRC connected state without Xn interface signaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, network a may be an SNPN and network B may be another SNPN or PLMN. Alternatively, network a may be a PLMN and network B may be SNPN.

Step 1: the 5G core network (5 GC) sends an initial context setup request message or a PDU session setup request message to the source gNB to request the source gNB to allocate resources on the Uu interface (i.e. the interface between the gNB and the UE) and the NG interface (i.e. the interface between the gNB and the 5 GC) to the UE for one or more PDU session resources, including SMA information (SNPN mobility assistance information) in the message, wherein the SMA information includes at least one of the following information: a list of allowed SNPNs indicating which SNPN or SNPNs are allowed for UE access; and SNPN limits including at least one of the following information: whether to allow the UE to access a different SNPN from the currently serving SNPN; and whether the UE is allowed to access a non-SNPN cell (e.g., a PLMN cell).

The gNB will store SMA information for the UE mobility procedure.

And 2, step: one or more indicated PDU sessions directed to the UE are established and served by the source gNB.

And step 3: the UE sends a measurement report to the source gNB to report the signal quality of the serving cell and the neighboring cells.

And 4, step 4: the source gNB may decide a target cell (i.e., target gNB) for handover based on the UE measurement reports, and the gNB will select the SNPN or PLMN supported by the target cell based on the stored SMA information, the selected SNPN being either in the allowed SNPN list and satisfying the SNPN limit or the currently serving SNPN; or when the UE is allowed to access a non-SNPN cell (PLMN cell), the selected PLMN will meet the SNPN restrictions.

And 5: in the case where the target gNB has no Xn interface connected to the source gNB, the source gNB sends a Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP) message (e.g., HANDOVER request) to the 5GC to request preparation of resources at the target network, including the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN to be used in the target network in the message.

And 6: the 5GC sends an NGAP message (e.g., HANDOVER REQUEST) to the target gNB for requesting resource preparation at the target gNB, including SMA information (SNPN mobility assistance information) and/or the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN to be used in the NAGP message. The target gNB will store SMA information for subsequent moves and the target gNB will set up resources in the selected network (SNPN or PLMN).

And 7: the target gNB sends an NGAP message (e.g., HANDOVER ackowrleg) to the 5GC to inform that the required resources have been successfully set.

If the target gNB cannot support the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN indicated by the HANDOVER REQUEST message, the target gNB may respond 5GC with a HANDOVER FAILURE message including one or more SNPNs and/or one or more PLMNs supported by the target gNB.

And 8: after the required resources are successfully set at the target gNB, the 5GC sends an NGAP message (e.g., HANDOVER COMMAND) to the source gNB to inform the source gNB that resources for the HANDOVER are already ready at the target gNB.

And step 9: the source gNB sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE to request handover of the UE to the target gNB.

Step 10: the UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the target gNB to establish a connection with the target gNB.

Step 11: the target gNB sends a HANDOVER NOTIFY message to the 5GC to inform the 5GC that the UE has been identified in the target cell and that the HANDOVER has been completed.

Step 12: after the handover is completed, the source gNB releases the UE context.

Next, referring to fig. 2, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In particular, fig. 2 illustrates a mobile handover in RRC connected state with Xn interface signaling according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the case of network sharing, one gNB (cell) may support multiple network sharing, e.g., one gNB (e.g., cell) may be shared with multiple PLMNs or SNPNs. In other words, one gNB (e.g., cell) may support multiple PLMNs or SNPNs as a network share. Adjacent gnbs may have Xn interfaces connected to each other.

Steps 1 to 4 are similar to steps 1 to 4 described in connection with fig. 1. Therefore, the description thereof is omitted herein.

And 5: in the case where the target gNB has an Xn interface connected to the source gNB, the source gNB sends an XNAP message (e.g., HANDOVER REQUEST) to the target gNB to REQUEST preparation of resources at the target gNB, including in the message the selected SNPN or SMA information (SNPN mobility assistance information) of the selected PLMN and/or selected PLMN to be used in the target gNB. The target gNB will store SMA information for subsequent moves and the target gNB will set up resources in the selected network (selected SNPN or selected PLMN).

Step 6: the target gNB sends an XNAP message (e.g., HANDOVER REQUEST ACKOWLEDGE) to the source gNB to inform the source gNB of the resources that are ready at the target.

If the target gNB is unable to support the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN, the target gNB may respond to the source gNB with a HANDOVER PREPARTATION FAILURE message, including one or more SNPNPs and/or one or more PLMNs supported by the target gNB.

And 7: the source gNB sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the UE to request handover of the UE to the target gNB.

And 8: the UE sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the target gNB to establish a connection with the target gNB.

And step 9: the target gNB transmits a NAGP path switch message, in which the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN is included, to the 5GC to request a path switch to the target node.

Step 10: the 5GC sends a path switch response message to the target gNB.

Step 11: after the handover is completed, the source gNB releases the UE context.

Next, referring to fig. 3, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In particular, fig. 3 illustrates a mobile (paging UE) in RRC idle/inactive state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Step 1: the 5GC sends a PAGING message to the gNB, including a list of allowed PAGING SNPNs in the message to indicate which SNPN or SNPNs are allowed for PAGING the UE.

Step 2: upon determining the cell on which paging is to be performed, the gNB takes into account the received allowed paging SNPN list information.

Next, referring to fig. 4, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In particular, fig. 4 illustrates SNPN mobility assistance information updates according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Step 1: the 5GC sends a NAGP message (e.g., download NAS TRANSPORT) to the gNB for carrying NAS information for the corresponding UE, including SMA information (SNPN mobility assistance information) in the message.

Step 2: the gNB may use the received SMA information for subsequent movement of the respective UE and override any previously stored SMA information for the respective UE.

In summary, according to various embodiments, a method for SNPN shifting comprises: and the gNB receives the SMA information (SNPN mobile auxiliary information) sent by the 5GC, selects a target SNPN or PLMN according to the received SMA information, and switches the UE to the target network.

According to an embodiment, the SMA information may include at least one of the following information: a list of allowed SNPNs indicating which SNPN or SNPNs are allowed for UE access; and SNPN limits, which may include at least one of the following information: whether to allow the UE to access a different SNPN from the currently serving SNPN; and whether the UE is allowed to access a non-SNPN cell (PLMN cell).

In view of the above-described handover without an Xn interface between the source gNB and the target gNB, the source gNB may select an SNPN or PLMN to be used in the target network according to the previously received SMA information. That is, the selected SNPN is either in the allowed SNPN list and meets the SNPN limit, or is the current serving SNPN; or when the UE is allowed to access a non-SNPN cell (PLMN cell), the selected PLMN will satisfy the SNPN restriction.

The source gNB may send an NGAP message (e.g., HANDOVER requested) to the 5GC requesting preparation of resources at the target network, including in the message the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN to be used in the target network.

The target gNB may receive SMA information (SNPN movement assistance information) in a NAGP message (e.g., HANDOVER REQUEST) sent by the 5GC for requesting resource preparation, which the target gNB will store for subsequent movement.

The target gNB may receive a selected SNPN or a selected PLMN to be used in a NAGP message (e.g., HANDOVER REQUEST) transmitted by the 5GC for requesting resource preparation, and the gNB provides a service to the UE using the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN.

If the target gNB is unable to support the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN, the gNB will respond with a HANDOVER FAILURE message to the 5GC, including one or more SNPNs supported by the target gNB and/or one or more PLMNs supported.

In view of the Xn interface based handover described above, the source gNB may select the SNPN or PLMN to be used in the target gNB according to the SMA information received previously. That is, the selected SNPN is either in the allowed SNPN list and meets the SNPN limit, or is the current serving SNPN; or when the UE is allowed to access a non-SNPN cell (PLMN cell), the selected PLMN will meet the SNPN restrictions.

The source gNB may send an XNAP message (e.g., HANDOVER REQUEST) to the target gNB to REQUEST preparation of resources at the target gNB.

The target gNB may receive SMA information (SNPN mobility assistance information) in an XNAP message (e.g., HANDOVER REQUEST) sent by the source gNB to REQUEST resource preparation, which the target gNB will store for subsequent mobility.

The target gNB may receive a selected SNPN or a selected PLMN to be used in an XNAP message (e.g., HANDOVER REQUEST) sent by the source gNB for requesting resource preparation, with which the target gNB provides services to the UE.

If the target gNB is unable to support the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN, the target gNB responds to the source gNB with a HANDOVER PREPARTATION FAILURE message, including one or more SNPNs supported by the target gNB and/or one or more PLMNs supported thereby.

The target gNB may send a NAGP path switch message to the 5GC to request a path switch to the target node, including the selected SNPN or the selected PLMN in the message.

In view of the above-described RRC idle state/inactive state mobility (paging the UE), the gNB may receive a paging message sent by the 5GC that includes a list of allowed paging SNPNs in the message to indicate which SNPN or SNPNs are allowed for paging the UE.

The gNB may take this information into account when determining the cell on which paging is to be performed.

In view of the above-described updates to SNPN mobility assistance information, the gNB may receive SMA information (SNPN mobility assistance information) in a NAGP message (e.g., DOWNLINK NAS TRANSPORT) sent by the 5GC for carrying NAS information for the UE, which would cover any SMA information previously stored for the UE at the gNB.

Fig. 5 relates to a schematic diagram of a wireless terminal 50 in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless terminal 50 may be a communication device, a User Equipment (UE), a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet, an e-book, or a portable computer system, without limitation. Wireless terminal 50 may include a processor 500, such as a microprocessor or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a storage unit 510, and a communication unit 520. The memory unit 510 may be any data storage device that stores program code 512 accessed and executed by the processor 500. Examples of the storage unit 510 include, but are not limited to, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a flash memory, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a hard disk, and an optical data storage device. The communication unit 520 may be a transceiver and serves to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or data packets) according to the processing result of the processor 500. In one embodiment, the communication unit 520 transmits and receives signals via at least one antenna 522 as shown in FIG. 5.

In an embodiment, the memory unit 510 and the program code 512 may be omitted, and the processor 500 may include a memory unit in which the program code is stored.

For example, processor 500 may perform any of the steps of the exemplary embodiments on wireless terminal 50 by executing program code 512.

The communication unit 520 may be a transceiver. Alternatively or additionally, the communication unit 520 may combine a transmitting unit and a receiving unit configured to transmit and receive signals to and from, respectively, a radio network node (e.g. a base station).

Fig. 6 relates to a schematic diagram of a radio network node 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The radio network node 60 may be a communication device, a satellite, a Base Station (BS), a network entity, a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a serving gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), a Radio Access Network (RAN), a next generation RAN (NG-RAN), a gNB, a data network, a core network, or a Radio Network Controller (RNC), without limitation thereto. Further, the radio network node 60 may include (perform) at least one network function, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), an Application Function (AF), an application protocol client function, an application protocol server function, a port management registration and assignment function, a port assignment function, and/or the like. The radio network node 60 may comprise a processor 600, such as a microprocessor or ASIC, a memory unit 610 and a communication unit 620. The memory unit 610 may be any data storage device that stores program code 612 for access and execution by the processor 600. Examples of the storage unit 610 include, but are not limited to, a SIM, a ROM, a flash memory, a RAM, a hard disk, and an optical data storage device. The communication unit 620 may be a transceiver and serves to transmit and receive signals (e.g., messages or data packets) according to the processing result of the processor 600. In an example, the communication unit 620 sends and receives signals via at least one antenna 622 shown in fig. 6.

In an embodiment, the storage unit 610 and the program code 612 may be omitted. The processor 600 may include a memory unit that stores program code.

For example, the processor 600 may perform any of the steps described in the exemplary embodiments on the radio network node 60 by executing the program code 612.

The communication unit 620 may be a transceiver. Alternatively or additionally, the communication unit 620 may combine a transmitting unit and a receiving unit configured to transmit and receive signals to and from a wireless terminal (e.g., user equipment), respectively.

Fig. 7 shows a flow chart of a process according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The process shown in fig. 7 may be used for a first radio network node (e.g., source gNB) of a first network, and includes the steps of:

step 701: receiving mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network from a core network;

step 702: determining a second wireless network node based on the mobile-assisted information for the wireless terminal;

step 703: the wireless terminal is handed over to the second wireless network node.

In fig. 7, a first radio network node receives mobility assistance information (e.g., SMA information) associated with a wireless terminal (e.g., a UE) and at least one second network (e.g., a network different from the first network). For example, if it is determined to transfer the wireless terminal to another wireless network node (e.g., when it is determined that the wireless quality of the wireless terminal is degraded), the first wireless network node determines a second wireless network node for the wireless terminal based on the mobile assistance information. The first radio network node then hands over the wireless terminal to a second radio network node determined based on the mobility assistance information.

In one embodiment, the first network is an SNPN and the second network is one of an SNPN or a PLMN.

In an embodiment, the first network is different from the second network.

In one embodiment, the first network is a PLMN and the second network is a SNPN.

In an embodiment, the mobile assistance information comprises at least one of:

And (4) limiting indication.

The restriction indication indicates at least one of:

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access the PLMN cell.

In an embodiment, the first radio network node determines a target network for use in the second radio network node based on the mobility assistance information. The target network may be the same or different from the first network.

Note that based on the mobile assistance information, the first radio network node may first determine the second radio network node and then determine the target network used in the second radio network node. For example, in the network supported by the UE (i.e. the first network and/or the at least one second network supported by the UE), the second radio network node can provide the UE with the best communication quality. Alternatively, based on the mobile assistance information, the first radio network node may determine a target network used (e.g. supported) by the wireless terminal and then determine a second radio network node supporting the target network node.

In an embodiment, the target network is one of at least one second network supported by the wireless terminal. That is, the target network may be in a list of allowed networks included in the mobility assistance information.

In an embodiment, the first radio network node determining the target network for the wireless terminal refers to the mobility assistance information indicating:

allowing the wireless terminal to transition from one SNPN to another SNPN; and/or

For example, when the first radio network node determines a target network for the wireless terminal, the wireless terminal is allowed access to the PLMN cell.

In an embodiment, the first radio network node hands over (e.g., transfers) the wireless terminal to the second radio network node by:

In an embodiment, the first radio network node hands over the wireless terminal to the second radio network node by sending a handover request message for the wireless terminal to the second radio network node. In this embodiment, the handover request message includes at least one of:

a target network for use in a second radio network node; or

The mobile assistance information.

In an embodiment, the first radio network node may receive a handover failure message from the second radio network node, the handover failure message comprising at least one second network supported by the second radio network node.

In an embodiment, the first radio network node receives a paging message from the core network, the paging message indicating at least one second network supporting paging of the wireless terminal. The first radio network node pages the wireless terminal based on the paging message.

In an embodiment, a first radio network node receives a message from a core network carrying NAS information for a wireless terminal, wherein the message comprises updated mobility assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network. The first radio network node updates the mobility assistance information by updating the mobility assistance information.

Fig. 8 shows a flow chart of a process according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The procedure shown in fig. 8 may be used for a core network (e.g., 5 GC), and includes the following steps:

step 801: mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network is sent to a first radio network node of a first network.

In fig. 8, a core network sends to a first radio network node of a first network mobility assistance information associated with a wireless terminal and at least one second network. In one embodiment, the first network is an SNPN and the second network is one of an SNPN or a PLMN. In one embodiment, the first network is a PLMN and the second network is a SNPN. In an embodiment, the first network is different from the second network.

In an embodiment, the mobile-assisted information includes at least one of:

And (4) limiting indication.

In an embodiment, the restriction indication indicates at least one of:

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access the PLMN cell.

Based on the mobile assistance information, the first radio network node is able to confirm one or more other networks supported by the wireless terminal and/or whether the wireless terminal may be transferred (e.g. handed over) to one or more other networks.

In an embodiment, a core network receives a handover request message from a first radio network node to handover a wireless terminal to a second radio network node. The core network sends a handover request message to the second radio network node. In this embodiment, the handover request message comprises a target network for use in the second radio network node. The handover request message sent to the second radio network node may further comprise mobility assistance information.

In an embodiment, the core network sends a paging message to the first radio network node, wherein the paging message indicates at least one second network supporting paging of the wireless terminal.

In an embodiment, the core network sends a message carrying non-access stratum information of the wireless terminal to the first radio network node. The message includes updated mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and the at least one second network.

Fig. 9 shows a flow chart of a process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process shown in fig. 9 may be used for a second radio network node (e.g., a target gNB) and includes the steps of:

step 901: a handover request message for handover of a wireless terminal is received from a first radio network node of a first network.

In this embodiment, the second radio network node may receive a handover request message for handover of the wireless terminal from the first radio network node of the first network. The handover request message includes at least one of a target network used in the second network node or mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network. In one embodiment, the first network is an SNPN and the second network is one of an SNPN or a PLMN. In one embodiment, the first network is a PLMN and the second network is a SNPN. In an embodiment, the first network is different from the second network and/or the target network. In an embodiment, the target network may be one of SNPN or PLMN. For example, when the first network is SNPN, the second network is SNPN or PLMN, and the target network is SNPN or PLMN. Alternatively, when the first network is a PLMN, the second network is SNPN and the target network is SNPN.

In an embodiment, the mobile-assisted information includes at least one of:

And (4) limiting indication.

In an embodiment, the restriction indication indicates at least one of:

whether to allow a wireless terminal to transition from one SNPN to another, or

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access the PLMN cell.

Based on the mobile-assisted information, the second radio network node may confirm one or more other networks supported by the wireless terminal (e.g., one or more networks other than the first network) and/or whether the wireless terminal may be transferred (e.g., handed over) to one or more other networks.

In one embodiment, a handover request message is received from a core network. In this embodiment, there may be no N26 interface between the first radio network node and the second radio network node.

In an embodiment, a handover request message is received from a first radio network node. That is, there may be an N26 interface between the first radio network node and the second radio network node.

In an embodiment, the second radio network node sends a path switch message to the core network for path switching associated with the wireless terminal and the second radio network node. The path switch message includes a target network for use in the second radio network node.

In one embodiment, for example, when the second radio network node does not support the target network (e.g., the mobility assistance information has not been updated), the second radio network node sends a handover failure message that includes at least one second network supported by the second radio network node.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Likewise, the various figures may depict example architectures or configurations, and are provided to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the exemplary features and functionality of the present disclosure. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, but may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, one or more features of one embodiment may be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

It will also be understood that any reference herein to elements using a name such as "first," "second," etc., does not generally limit the number or order of such elements. Rather, these names may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, reference to a first element and a second element does not mean that only two elements are used, or that the first element must somehow precede the second element.

Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, units, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware (e.g., digital, analog, or combinations of both), firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which may be referred to herein, for convenience, as "software" or a "software element"), or any combination of these technologies.

To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various illustrative components, blocks, units, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or combinations of such technologies, depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. 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 disclosure. According to various embodiments, a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc. may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. As used herein, the terms "configured to" or "configured to" with respect to a particular operation or function refer to a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, unit, etc., that is physically constructed, programmed, and/or arranged to perform the particular operation or function.

Furthermore, those of skill will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, units, devices, components, and circuits described herein may be implemented within or performed by an Integrated Circuit (IC), which may include 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, or any combination thereof. The logic blocks, units and circuits may also include antennas and/or transceivers to communicate with various components within the network or device. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied as software stored in a computer readable medium.

Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that can transfer a computer program or code from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

In this document, the term "unit" as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Additionally, for purposes of discussion, the various elements are described as discrete elements; however, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that two or more units may be combined to form a single unit performing the associated functions in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

Additionally, in embodiments of the present disclosure, memory or other storage devices and communication components may be employed. It will be appreciated that the above description for clarity has described embodiments of the disclosure with reference to different functional units and processors. It will be apparent, however, that any suitable distribution of functionality between functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be employed without departing from the disclosure. For example, functionality illustrated to be performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic elements or controllers. Thus, references to specific functional units are only to references to suitable means for providing the described functionality rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.

Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication for a first radio-network node of a first network, the method comprising:

determining a second wireless network node based on mobile assistance information for the wireless terminal; and

handing over the wireless terminal to the second radio network node.

2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the first network is an independent non-public network (SNPN) and the second network is one of a SNPN or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).

3. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the first network is a PLMN and the second network is a SNPN.

4. The wireless communication method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the mobile-assisted information comprises at least one of:

A restriction indication indicating at least one of:

whether the wireless terminal is allowed to transition from one SNPN to another or

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access a PLMN cell.

5. The wireless communication method of any of claims 1-4, further comprising:

determining a target network for use in the second wireless network node based on the mobile assistance information.

6. The wireless communication method of claim 5, wherein the target network is one of at least one second network supported by the wireless terminal.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the mobile assistance information indicates that the wireless terminal is allowed to transfer from one SNPN to another SNPN and/or that the wireless terminal is allowed to access the PLMN cell.

8. The wireless communication method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein handing over the wireless terminal to the second radio network node comprises:

9. The wireless communication method according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein handing over the wireless terminal to the second radio network node comprises:

sending a handover request message for the wireless terminal to the second radio network node,

wherein preferably, the handover request message comprises at least one of:

a target network for use in the second radio network node; or alternatively

The mobile assistance information.

10. The wireless communication method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a handover failure message from the second radio network node, the handover failure message comprising at least one second network supported by the second radio network node.

11. The wireless communication method of any of claims 1-10, further comprising:

receiving a paging message from the core network, the paging message indicating at least one second network supporting paging of the wireless terminal; and

paging the wireless terminal based on the paging message.

12. The wireless communication method of any of claims 1-11, further comprising:

receiving a message from the core network carrying non-access stratum information of the wireless terminal, wherein the message includes updated mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and the at least one second network; and

updating the mobility assistance information by the updating mobility assistance information.

13. A method of wireless communication for a core network, comprising:

mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network is sent to a first radio network node of a first network.

14. The wireless communication method of claim 13, wherein the first network is an independent non-public network (SNPN) and the second network is one of a SNPN or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).

15. The wireless communication method of claim 13, wherein the first network is a PLMN and the second network is a SNPN.

16. The wireless communication method of any of claims 13-15, wherein the mobile-assisted information comprises at least one of:

A restriction indication indicating at least one of:

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access a PLMN cell.

17. The wireless communication method of any of claims 13 to 16, further comprising:

receiving a handover request message from the first radio network node for handing over the wireless terminal to a second radio network node; and

sending the handover request message to the second radio network node,

18. The wireless communication method of claim 17, wherein the handover request message sent to the second wireless network node further includes the mobile assistance information.

19. The wireless communication method of any of claims 13 to 18, further comprising:

sending a paging message to the first radio network node, the paging message indicating at least one second network supporting paging of the wireless terminal.

20. The wireless communication method of any of claims 13 to 18, further comprising:

sending a message to the first radio network node carrying non-access stratum information of the wireless terminal, wherein the message comprises updated mobility assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and the at least one second network.

21. A method of wireless communication for a second wireless network node, comprising:

receiving a handover request message for handing over the wireless terminal from a first radio network node of a first network,

wherein the handover request message comprises at least one of a target network used in the second network node or mobile assistance information associated with the wireless terminal and at least one second network.

22. The wireless communication method of claim 21, wherein the first network is an independent non-public network (SNPN),

wherein the second network is one of SNPN or public land Mobile network PLMN, and

wherein the target network is one of SNPN or PLMN.

23. The wireless communication method of claim 21, wherein the first network is a PLMN, the second network is a SNPN, and the target network is a SNPN.

24. The wireless communication method of any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the mobile-assisted information comprises at least one of:

A restriction indication indicating at least one of:

Whether the wireless terminal is allowed to access a PLMN cell.

25. The wireless communication method of any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the handover request message is received from a core network.

26. The wireless communication method according to any of claims 21 to 24, wherein the handover request message is received from the first radio network node.

27. The wireless communication method of claim 26, further comprising:

sending a path switch message to a core network for a path switch associated with the wireless terminal and the second radio network node,

28. The wireless communication method of claim 26 or 27, further comprising:

sending a handover failure message to the first radio network node, the handover failure message comprising at least one second network supported by the second radio network node.

29. A first radio network node, comprising:

a processor configured to:

Handing over the wireless terminal to the second radio network node.

30. The first radio network node according to claim 29, wherein the processor is further configured to perform the wireless communication method according to any of claims 2 to 12.

31. A core network, comprising:

32. The core network of claim 31, further comprising: a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method of any one of claims 14 to 20.

33. A second radio network node, comprising:

34. The second radio network node in claim 33, further comprising: a processor configured to perform the wireless communication method of any one of claims 22 to 28.

35. A computer program product comprising a computer readable program medium code stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the wireless communication method according to any of claims 1 to 28.