JP2011087331A - Mobile communication method, wireless access device, and gateway device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute sequence control of downlink data in a wireless access device of a handover destination when Inter-RAT handover is executed. <P>SOLUTION: A mobile communication method has: a step in which, when a gateway device S-GW is switched from a first state of transmitting downlink data to a first wireless access device into a second state of transmitting the downlink data to a second wireless access device, the first wireless access device imparts specific information to the downlink data received from the gateway device S-GW so as to transfer the data to the second wireless access device; and a step in which the second wireless access device transmits the downlink data to be transferred, which is transferred from the first wireless access device and imparted with the specific information, to a mobile station UE prior to transmission of the new downlink data transmitted from the gateway device S-GW. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication method, a radio access device, and a gateway device.

  In a mobile communication system defined by 3GPP, a mobile station UE performs Inter-RAT (Radio Access Technology) handover between an E-UTRAN (Evolved Terrestrial Radio Access Network) cell and a UTRAN cell. In this case, the handover source radio access apparatus (for example, the radio network controller RNC or the radio base station eNB) transmits the downlink data addressed to the mobile station UE transmitted from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW, as shown in FIG. The wireless access device that is the handover destination can be transferred.

3GPP TS 23.401

  However, in the conventional mobile communication system, the handover destination radio access apparatus is not only the downlink data transferred from the handover source radio access apparatus as described above, but also the downlink transmitted from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW. It is also configured to receive data.

  In such a case, the handover destination radio access apparatus cannot easily distinguish between downlink data transferred from the handover source radio access apparatus and downlink data transmitted from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW. There is a problem that it is difficult to perform the sequence control.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and mobile communication that enables downlink data order control in a handover destination radio access apparatus when an Inter-RAT handover is performed. It is an object to provide a method, a radio access device, and a gateway device.

  A first feature of the present invention is a mobile communication method in which a mobile station receives downlink data from a first radio access device in a first radio access network or a second radio access device in a second radio access network. From the first state in which the gateway device connecting the first radio access network and the second radio network transmits the downlink data to the first radio access device, the downlink to the second radio access device When the first wireless access device switches to the second state for transmitting data, the first wireless access device sets specific information in the downlink data received from the gateway device and transfers the specific information to the second wireless access device; and Transfer in which the specific information transmitted from the gateway device is not set by the second wireless access device Ri before the link data, and summarized in that a step B of transmitting a transfer downlink data to which the identification information transferred from said first radio access unit is set to the mobile station.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, a first tunnel is set between the gateway device and a switching center connected to the second radio access network, and the switching center and the second radio access device. In the second state, the forward downlink data is transmitted from the first radio access device via the first tunnel and the second tunnel in the second state. The new downlink data is transferred from the gateway device to the second wireless access device via the first tunnel and the second tunnel in the second state. Good.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the gateway device and the first radio access network are connected between the second radio access device and the first radio access network and the gateway device connecting the second radio access network. A new downlink data tunnel and a forward downlink data tunnel are established between the exchange station and the exchange station and the first radio access device. The one radio access apparatus may transfer the downlink data in which the specific information is set to the second radio access apparatus via the transfer downlink data tunnel.

  In the first feature of the present invention, the gateway device transmits a specific message after transmitting the last downlink data to the first radio access device in the second state, and 1 radio access device, the step of transferring the specific message to the second radio access device, In the step B, the second radio access device, after receiving the specific message, Transfer downlink data for which specific information is not set may be transmitted to the mobile station.

  A second feature of the present invention is a mobile communication method in which a mobile station receives downlink data from a first radio access device in a first radio access network or a second radio access device in a second radio access network. Between the second radio access device and the gateway device connecting the first radio access network and the second radio access network, the exchange connected to the gateway device and the first or second radio access network. A new downlink data tunnel and a forward downlink data tunnel are set up between the mobile station and between the exchange and the first radio access device, and the gateway device is used for the new downlink data A first state in which the downlink data is transmitted to the first radio access apparatus through a tunnel; The downlink received by the first radio access apparatus from the gateway apparatus when the second radio access apparatus is switched to the second state in which the downlink data is transmitted to the second radio access apparatus via the new downlink data tunnel. Transferring the data to the second radio access device via the transfer downlink data tunnel, wherein in the step, the first radio access device transmits the last data to the second radio access device. After transmitting downlink data, a specific message is transmitted to the second radio access device, and the second radio access device transmits the first downlink data transmitted from the gateway device before the first downlink data. After transmitting forward downlink data transferred from the radio access device to the mobile station and receiving the specific message , To increase the transmission of the new downlink data to the mobile station.

  A third feature of the present invention is a mobile communication method in which a mobile station receives downlink data from a first radio access device in a first radio access network or a second radio access device in a second radio access network. Then, the gateway apparatus connecting the first radio access network and the second radio network transmits the downlink data to the first radio access apparatus from the first state to the second radio access apparatus. Even when the data is switched to the second state for transmitting data, the first radio access device does not transfer all the downlink data received from the gateway device to the second radio access device. The gist is not to transmit downlink data to the second radio access device.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, a first tunnel is established between the gateway device and an exchange connected to the second radio access network, and the exchange and the second radio access device. In the second state, the forward downlink data is transmitted from the first radio access device via the first tunnel and the second tunnel in the second state. The new downlink data is transferred from the gateway device to the second wireless access device via the first tunnel and the second tunnel in the second state. Good.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, the gateway device and the first radio access network are connected between the second radio access device and the gateway device connecting the first radio access network and the second radio access network. A new downlink data tunnel and a forward downlink data tunnel are established between the exchange station and the exchange station and the first radio access apparatus, and the first radio access apparatus The downlink data received via the new downlink data tunnel may be transferred to the second radio access device via the transfer downlink data tunnel.

  In the third aspect of the present invention, the gateway device transmits a specific message after transmitting the last downlink data to the first radio access device in the second state, and A wireless access device that transfers the specific message to the second wireless access device, and the second wireless access device receives the downlink data when the specific message is received. It may be determined that all of the data has been transferred to the second wireless access device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the mobile station is configured to receive downlink data from a first radio access device in the first radio access network or a second radio access device in the second radio access network. In a mobile communication system, a radio access device that can operate as the first radio access device, wherein a gateway device that connects the first radio access network and the second radio network is the first radio access device. When switching from the first state in which the downlink data is transmitted to the second state in which the downlink data is transmitted to the second radio access device, specific information is added to the downlink data received from the gateway device. It is configured to be set and transferred to the second wireless access device To.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the mobile station is configured to receive downlink data from a first radio access device in the first radio access network or a second radio access device in the second radio access network. In a mobile communication system, a wireless access device that can operate as the second wireless access device, wherein the gateway device that connects the first wireless access network and the second wireless network is the first wireless access device. The specific information transmitted from the gateway device is not set when the first state of transmitting the downlink data is switched to the second state of transmitting the downlink data to the second radio access device. The identification transferred from the first radio access device prior to the new downlink data It is summarized as the broadcast is configured to transfer downlink data are configured to transmit to the mobile station.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the mobile station is configured to receive downlink data from a first radio access device in the first radio access network or a second radio access device in the second radio access network. In a mobile communication system, a wireless access device that can operate as the second wireless access device, and connects the second wireless access device, the first wireless access network, and the second wireless access network Between the gateway device and the switching center connected to the first or second radio access network, and between the switching center and the first radio access device, for new downlink data A tunnel and a forward downlink data tunnel are configured, and the gateway From the first state in which the device transmits the downlink data to the first radio access device via the new downlink data tunnel, the device transmits to the second radio access device via the new downlink data tunnel. When switching to the second state for transmitting the downlink data, the transfer from the first radio access device prior to the new downlink data transmitted from the gateway device via the new downlink data tunnel It is configured to transmit the forward downlink data transferred through the downlink data tunnel to the mobile station, and after receiving the specific message, transmit the new downlink data to the mobile station. The gist.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the mobile station is configured to receive downlink data from a first radio access device in the first radio access network or a second radio access device in the second radio access network. In the mobile communication system, the gateway device that connects the first radio access network and the second radio network, wherein the second radio network is transmitted from the first state in which the downlink data is transmitted to the first radio access device. Even in the case of switching to the second state in which the downlink data is transmitted to the radio access device, the first radio access device transmits all the downlink data received from the gateway device to the second radio access device. It is configured not to transmit the downlink data to the second radio access device until the transfer is completed. The gist of the Rukoto.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when an Inter-RAT handover is performed, a mobile communication method, a radio access device, and a radio access device capable of performing downlink data order control in a handover destination radio access device, A gateway device can be provided.

It is a figure for demonstrating the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the order control of the U plane data at the time of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the GTP-U header provided to the downlink data transferred in the case of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the GTP-U header provided to the downlink data transferred in the case of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the order control of the U plane data at the time of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the order control of the U plane data at the time of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the order control of the U plane data at the time of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the order control of the U plane data at the time of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the order control of the U plane data at the time of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the mobile communication system which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the order control of the U plane data at the time of the Inter-RAT handover performed with the conventional mobile communication system.

(Mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention)
A mobile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment, E-UTRAN radio access networks and UTRAN radio access networks are mixed.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile station UE performs an Inter-RAT handover from a cell of a UTRAN radio access network (first radio access network) to a cell of an E-UTRAN radio access network (second radio access network). An example of performing the above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a radio network controller RNC (first radio access device, Source-RNC) in a UTRAN radio access network starts from a UTRAN radio access network cell of a mobile station UE in step S101. When the start of the Inter-RAT handover to the cell of the E-UTRAN radio access network is determined, in step S101, the switching center SGSN (Source-SGSN) connected to the UTRAN radio access network is described above. A “Relocation Required” message is transmitted requesting that Inter-RAT handover be performed.

  In step S102, the switching center SGSN sends a “Forward Relocation Required” message to the mobility management apparatus MME (Target-MME) connecting the UTRAN radio access network and the E-UTRAN radio access network. Send.

  In step S103, the mobility management apparatus MME transmits a “Handover Request” message to the radio base station eNB (second radio access apparatus, Target-eNB) in the E-UTRAN radio access network.

  Here, the “Handover Request” message identifies the endpoint on the serving gateway device S-GW side of the uplink data tunnel set between the serving gateway device S-GW and the radio base station eNB. "TEID (Tunnel Endpoint Identifier)" is included.

  In step S104, the radio base station eNB transmits a “Handover Request ACK” message to the mobility management apparatus MME.

  Here, in the “Handover Request ACK” message, the end point on the radio base station eNB side of the new downlink data tunnel # A1 set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the radio base station eNB is indicated. In order to identify “TEID” for identification and the endpoint on the radio base station eNB side of the forward downlink data tunnel # A2 set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the radio base station eNB "TEID" is included.

  The new downlink data is downlink data transmitted from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW to the radio network controller RNC via the switching center SGSN.

  The forward downlink data is downlink data that is forwarded from the radio base station eNB to the radio network controller RNC via the serving gateway device S-GW and the exchange SGSN.

  In step S106, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW transmits a “Forward Relocation Response” message to the switching center SGSN.

  Here, in the “Forward Relocation Response” message, the endpoint on the serving gateway device S-GW side of the forward downlink data tunnel # A4 set between the serving gateway device S-GW and the exchange SGSN “TEID” is included for identifying.

  In step S108, the switching center SGSN transmits a “Relocation Command” message to the radio network controller RNC.

  Here, the “Relocation Command” message identifies the end point on the exchange SGSN side of the forward downlink data tunnel # A6 set between the exchange SGSN and the radio network controller RNC. “TEID” is included.

  Here, the timing of notifying the serving gateway device S-GW of “TEID” for identifying the endpoints of the new downlink data tunnel # A1 and the forward downlink data tunnel # A2 on the radio base station eNB side is as follows: You may perform in either step S105 or S107.

  The new downlink data tunnel # A3 is a new downlink data tunnel before the Inter-RAT handover set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the exchange SGSN, and is used for new downlink data. Tunnel # A5 is a new downlink data tunnel before Inter-RAT handover, which is set between the switching center SGSN and the radio network controller RNC.

  Thereafter, when the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs path switching, that is, from the first state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio network controller RNC, the second state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB. 2, the radio network controller RNC adds specific information (for example, “1” in the “Spare bit” or “Next Extension” to the downlink data received from the serving gateway device S-GW, as shown in FIG. The higher 2 bits in the “Header Field Value” are set to values starting with “11”) and transferred to the radio base station eNB.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the radio network controller RNC sets “1” to a specific bit (Spare bit) in the GTP-U header of the downlink data, that is, the fourth bit of the first octet. The downlink data may be configured and configured to be transferred to the radio base station eNB.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a “Type of Extension Header” for data transfer identification is newly defined in the GTP-U header, and “Next Extension Header Field Value” for that purpose, for example, “10000000” or “11000011” is defined. Is defined.

  The radio network controller RNC sets “Next Extension Header Field Value” for data transfer identification described above in the “Next Extension Header Type” in the GTP-U header of the downlink data (packet), and sets the downlink The data may be configured to be transferred to the radio base station eNB.

  Here, when a value starting with “11” in the upper 2 bits is set in the “Next Extension Header Field Value” for data transfer identification described above, for example, when “11000011” is set, the exchange is performed. The station SGSN and the serving gateway device S-GW may also be configured to transfer the downlink data after analyzing the “Next Extension Header Type”.

  On the other hand, if the “Next Extension Header Field Value” for data transfer identification has a value in which the upper 2 bits start with “10”, for example, “10000000” is set, the switching center SGSN and the serving gateway The device S-GW may also be configured to transfer downlink data without analyzing the “Next Extension Header Type”.

  Here, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW transmits the last downlink data to the radio network controller RNC after performing path switching and via the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A5. After that, the “End Marker message (specific message)” which is a GTP-U message may be transmitted via the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A5.

  When the radio network controller RNC receives the “End Marker message” transmitted by the serving gateway apparatus S-GW, the radio network controller RNC transmits the downlink downlink data tunnels # A6, # A4, # to the radio base station eNB. It is configured to transfer an “End Marker message” via A2.

  By receiving the “End Marker message” that is a GTP-U message, the radio base station eNB confirms that the transfer of the downlink data transmitted via the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A5 is completed. Can be recognized.

  In addition, the radio base station eNB specifies the specific information transferred from the radio network controller RNC before the new downlink data (new downlink data) in which the specific information transmitted from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW is not set. It is configured to transmit transfer downlink data (transfer downlink data) in which information is set to the mobile station UE.

  It is assumed that the downlink data is configured to be transmitted in the packet shape to which the GTP-U header is added in the above-described tunnels # A1 to # A6.

  According to the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when Inter-RAT handover is performed, whether or not the radio base station eNB that is a radio access device to which handover is performed has specific information set. Therefore, the forward downlink data and the new downlink data can be distinguished from each other, so that the order of both can be controlled.

(Mobile communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention)
With reference to FIG.5 and FIG.6, the mobile communication system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. Hereinafter, the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment will be described by focusing on differences from the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment described above.

  In this embodiment, the mobile station UE performs an Inter-RAT handover from a cell of an E-UTRAN radio access network (first radio access network) to a cell of a UTRAN radio access network (second radio access network). An example of performing the above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a radio base station eNB (first radio access device, Source-eNB) in an E-UTRAN radio access network receives a cell of a UTRAN radio access network of a mobile station UE in step S200. The inter-RAT handover to the cell of the E-UTRAN radio access network is determined to perform the above-described Inter-RAT handover to the mobility management device MME (Source-MME) in step S201 Send the requested “Handover Required” message.

  In step S202, the mobility management device MME transmits a “Forward Relocation Required” message to the switching center SGSN (Target-SGSN).

  In step S203, the switching center SGSN transmits a “Relocation Request” message to the radio network controller RNC (second radio access device, Target-RNC) in the UTRAN radio access network.

  Here, in the “Relocation Request” message, “TEID” for identifying the end point on the switching center SGSN side of the uplink data tunnel set between the switching center SGSN and the radio network controller RNC. It is included.

  In step S204, the radio network controller RNC transmits a “Relocation Request ACK” message to the switching center SGSN.

  Here, the “Relocation Request ACK” message identifies the end point on the radio network controller RNC side of the downlink data tunnel # B1 set between the exchange SGSN and the radio network controller RNC. “TEID” is included.

  Note that a single downlink data tunnel # B1 is set between the switching center SGSN and the radio network controller RNC, and both new downlink data and forward downlink data are used for the downlink data. It is configured to be transmitted via tunnel # B1.

  In step S205, the switching center SGSN transmits a “Forward Relocation Response” message to the mobility management apparatus MME.

  Here, the “Forward Relocation Response” message identifies the end point on the exchange SGSN side of the downlink data tunnel # B2 set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the exchange SGSN. “TEID” may be included.

  Here, the timing of notifying the serving gateway device S-GW of “TEID” for identifying the endpoint on the switching center SGSN side of the downlink data tunnel # B2 may be the timing of step S206, It may be the timing after step S206.

  Note that a single downlink data tunnel # B2 is set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the switching center SGSN, and both the new downlink data and the forward downlink data are the downlink data. It is comprised so that it may transmit via tunnel # B2.

  In step S207, the mobility management apparatus MME transmits a “Handover Command” message to the radio base station eNB.

  Here, the “Handover Command” message includes an endpoint on the serving gateway device S-GW side of the forward downlink data tunnel # B4 set between the serving gateway device S-GW and the radio base station eNB. “TEID” is included for identifying.

  The new downlink data tunnel # B3 is a new downlink data tunnel before the Inter-RAT handover set between the serving gateway device S-GW and the radio base station eNB.

  Thereafter, when the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs path switching, that is, from the first state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB, the second state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio network controller RNC. 6, the radio base station eNB is configured to set specific information in the downlink data received from the serving gateway device S-GW and transfer it to the radio network controller RNC as shown in FIG. Yes.

  Here, the setting method of the specific information for the downlink data by the radio base station eNB is the same as the setting method of the specific information for the downlink data by the radio network controller RNC according to the first embodiment described above.

  It is assumed that the downlink data is configured to be transmitted in the packet shape to which the GTP-U header is added in the above-described tunnels # B1 to # B4.

  According to the mobile communication system of the second embodiment of the present invention, when Inter-RAT handover is performed, whether or not the specific information is set by the radio network controller RNC that is the handover destination radio access apparatus. Therefore, the forward downlink data and the new downlink data can be distinguished from each other, so that the order of the both can be controlled.

(Mobile communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention)
With reference to FIG.7 and FIG.8, the mobile communication system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. Hereinafter, the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment will be described by focusing on differences from the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment described above.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile station UE performs an Inter-RAT handover from a cell of a UTRAN radio access network (first radio access network) to a cell of an E-UTRAN radio access network (second radio access network). An example of performing the above will be described.

  The operations in steps S300 to S308 in FIG. 7 are the same as the operations in steps S100 to S108 in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, a new downlink data tunnel # A1 and a forward downlink data tunnel # A2 between the radio base station eNB (second radio access device) and the serving gateway device S-GW. Is set.

  Also, a new downlink data tunnel # A3 and a forward downlink data tunnel between the serving gateway device S-GW and the switching center SGSN connected to the UTRAN radio access network (first radio access network) # A4 is set.

  Further, a new downlink data tunnel # A5 and a forward downlink data tunnel # A6 are set between the exchange SGSN and the radio network controller RNC (first radio access device).

  Here, when the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs path switching, that is, from the first state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio network controller RNC via the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A5. The downlink data received by the radio network controller RNC from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW when the mobile station is switched to the second state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # A1 Are transferred to the radio base station eNB via the forward downlink data tunnels # A6, # A4, # A2.

  In such a case, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW transmits the last downlink data to the radio network controller RNC after performing path switching and via the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A5. After that, the “End Marker message (specific message)” which is a GTP-U message may be transmitted via the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A5.

  Then, when receiving the “End Marker message” transmitted from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW, the radio network controller RNC transmits to the radio base station eNB tunnels for forward downlink data # A6, # A4, # A2 Is configured to forward an “End Marker message”.

  Then, until the radio base station eNB receives the “End Maker message” of GTP-U, the radio base station eNB precedes the new downlink data transmitted from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW via the new downlink data tunnel # A1. In addition, the transfer downlink data transferred from the radio network controller RNC via the transfer downlink data tunnels # A6, # A4, # A2 is transmitted to the mobile station UE.

  Here, the radio base station eNB determines that the downlink data received from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW via the new downlink data tunnel # A1 is new downlink data, and serves as the serving gateway apparatus S-GW. Is configured to determine that the downlink data received via the forward downlink data tunnel # A2 is the forward downlink data.

  It is assumed that the downlink data is configured to be transmitted in the packet shape to which the GTP-U header is added in the above-described tunnels # A1 to # A6.

  According to the mobile communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when Inter-RAT handover is performed, the radio base station eNB that is the radio access device of the handover destination Based on TEID, transfer downlink data and new downlink data can be distinguished, and based on “End Maker”, the completion of transfer of transfer downlink data can be grasped. Order control can be performed.

(Mobile communication system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention)
With reference to FIG.9 and FIG.10, the mobile communication system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. Hereinafter, the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment will be described by focusing on differences from the mobile communication system according to the second embodiment described above.

  In this embodiment, the mobile station UE performs an Inter-RAT handover from a cell of an E-UTRAN radio access network (first radio access network) to a cell of a UTRAN radio access network (second radio access network). An example of performing the above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the operations in steps S400 to S403 are the same as the operations in steps S200 to S203 in FIG.

  In step S404, the radio network controller RNC (Target-RNC) transmits a “Relocation Request ACK” message to the switching center SGSN (Target-SGSN).

  Here, the “Relocation Request ACK” message identifies the end point on the radio network controller RNC side of the new downlink data tunnel # C1 set between the exchange SGSN and the radio network controller RNC. And “TEID” for identifying the end point on the radio network controller RNC side of the forward downlink data tunnel # C2 set between the exchange SGSN and the radio network controller RNC. "TEID" is included.

  Note that a new downlink data tunnel # C1 and a forward downlink data tunnel # C2 are set between the switching center SGSN and the radio network controller RNC, and the new downlink data is for the new downlink data. The transmission downlink data is transmitted via the tunnel # C1, and is configured to be transmitted via the transmission downlink data tunnel # C2.

  In step S405, the switching center SGSN transmits a “Forward Relocation Response” message to the mobility management apparatus MME (Source-MME).

  Here, the “Forward Relocation Response” message identifies the end point on the exchange SGSN side of the new downlink data tunnel # C3 set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the exchange SGSN. And “TEID” for identifying the endpoint on the switching center SGSN side of the forward downlink data tunnel # C4 set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the switching center SGSN May be included.

  Here, the timing for notifying the serving gateway device S-GW of “TEID” for identifying the endpoints on the switching center SGSN side of the new downlink data tunnel # C3 and the forward downlink data tunnel # C4 is as follows: The timing of S406 may be sufficient, and the timing after step S406 may be sufficient.

  Note that a new downlink data tunnel # C3 and a forward downlink data tunnel # C4 are set between the serving gateway device S-GW and the switching center SGSN, and the new downlink data is the new downlink data. The forward downlink data is transmitted via the forward tunnel # C3, and the forward downlink data is transmitted via the forward downlink data tunnel # C4.

  In step S407, the mobility management apparatus MME transmits a “Handover Command” message to the radio base station eNB.

  Here, the “Handover Command” message includes an endpoint on the serving gateway device S-GW side of the forward downlink data tunnel # C6 set between the serving gateway device S-GW and the radio base station eNB. “TEID” is included for identifying.

  The new downlink data tunnel # C5 is a new downlink data tunnel before the Inter-RAT handover, which is set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the radio base station eNB.

  Thereafter, when the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs path switching, that is, from the first state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # C5, the new downlink data When switching to the second state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB via the tunnels # C3 and # C1, the radio base station eNB transfers the downlink data received from the serving gateway device S-GW. The data is transferred to the radio network controller RNC via downlink data tunnels # C6, # C4, and # C2.

  In such a case, after the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs the path switch and transmits the last downlink data to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # C5, It may be configured to transmit an “End Marker message” which is a GTP-U message via the downlink data tunnel # C5.

  When the radio base station eNB receives the “End Marker message” transmitted by the serving gateway apparatus S-GW, the radio base station eNB sends the downlink downlink data tunnels # C6, # C4, # to the radio network controller RNC. It is configured to transfer an “End Marker message” via C2.

  Then, the radio network controller RNC receives the new end data transmitted from the serving gateway apparatus S-GW via the new downlink data tunnels # C3 and # C2 until receiving the “End Marker message” which is a GTP-U message. Prior to the downlink data, the transfer downlink data transferred from the radio base station eNB via the transfer downlink data tunnels # C6, # C4, and # C2 is transmitted to the mobile station UE.

  Here, the radio network controller RNC determines that the downlink data received from the switching center SGSN via the new downlink data tunnel # C1 is new downlink data, and transfers downlink data from the switching center SGSN. The downlink data received via the private tunnel # C2 is determined to be transfer downlink data.

  It is assumed that the downlink data is configured to be transmitted in the packet shape to which the GTP-U header is added in the above-described tunnels # C1 to # C6.

  According to the mobile communication system of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when Inter-RAT handover is performed, the radio network controller RNC, which is a handover destination radio access device, transmits the downlink data to the tunnel. Transfer downlink data and new downlink data can be distinguished on the basis of the TEID, and the completion of transfer downlink data transfer can be grasped on the basis of “End Maker”. Order control can be performed.

(Mobile communication system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention)
With reference to FIG.11 and FIG.12, the mobile communication system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. Hereinafter, the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment will be described by focusing on differences from the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment described above.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile station UE performs an Inter-RAT handover from a cell of a UTRAN radio access network (first radio access network) to a cell of an E-UTRAN radio access network (second radio access network). An example of performing the above will be described.

  The operations in steps S500 to S508 in FIG. 11 are the same as the operations in steps S100 to S108 in FIG.

  Thereafter, when the serving gateway device S-GW performs path switching, that is, from the first state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio network controller RNC via the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A1, When switching to the second state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # A5, the radio network controller RNC receives the downlink data received from the serving gateway device S-GW. The transmission downlink data tunnels # A2, # A4, and # A6 are configured to be transferred to the radio base station eNB.

  However, even if the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs the path switch, the downlink data transmitted to the radio network controller RNC before performing the path switch, that is, the new downlink data tunnel Until all the downlink data transmitted via # A3 and # A1 is transferred to the radio base station eNB, the downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # A5. It is configured not to.

  Here, the serving dateway device S-GW sends the last downlink data to the radio network controller RNC after the path switch and through the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A1. After the transmission, the GTP-U message “End Marker message” is configured to be transmitted.

  When the “End Marker message” is received, the radio network controller RNC transfers the “End Marker message” via the forward downlink data tunnels # A2, # A4, and # A6.

  Therefore, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW receives the “End Marker message” from the tunnel # A4, thereby transmitting the downlink data transmitted via the new downlink data tunnels # A3 and # A1 to the radio base station eNB. Can be recognized.

  That is, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW buffers the downlink data to be transmitted to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # A5 after performing path switching, and from the tunnel # A4, “ After receiving the “End Marker message”, the downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # A5.

  It is assumed that the downlink data is configured to be transmitted in the packet shape to which the GTP-U header is added in the above-described tunnels # A1 to # A6.

  According to the mobile communication system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, when an Inter-RAT handover is performed, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs a handover to a radio base station eNB that is a handover destination radio access apparatus. Since the configuration is such that the new downlink data is transmitted after the transmission downlink data is transmitted, the sequence control for the transfer downlink data and the new downlink data is performed without performing special processing in the radio base station eNB. It can be performed.

(Mobile communication system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention)
With reference to FIG.13 and FIG.14, the mobile communication system which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. Hereinafter, the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment will be described by focusing on differences from the mobile communication system according to the second embodiment described above.

  In this embodiment, the mobile station UE performs an Inter-RAT handover from a cell of an E-UTRAN radio access network (first radio access network) to a cell of a UTRAN radio access network (second radio access network). An example of performing the above will be described.

  The operations in steps S600 to S607 in FIG. 13 are the same as the operations in steps S200 to S207 in FIG.

  Here, one downlink data tunnel # B1 is set between the switching center SGSN and the radio network controller RNC, and both the new downlink data and the forward downlink data are the downlink data. It is configured to be transmitted through the tunnel # B1.

  In addition, one downlink data tunnel # B2 is set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the switching center SGSN, and both the new downlink data and the forward downlink data are the downlink data. It is comprised so that it may transmit via tunnel # B2.

  Further, a new downlink data tunnel # B3 and a forward downlink data tunnel # B4 are set between the serving gateway apparatus S-GW and the radio base station eNB, and the new downlink data is a new downlink data. The transmission downlink data is transmitted via the data tunnel # B3, and the forward downlink data is configured to be transmitted via the forward downlink data tunnel # B4.

  Thereafter, when the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs path switching, that is, from the first state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # B3, the new downlink data When switching to the second state in which downlink data is transmitted to the radio network controller RNC via the tunnels # B2 and # B1, the radio base station eNB transmits the downlink data received from the serving gateway device S-GW, It is configured to transfer to the radio network controller RNC via the forward downlink data tunnels # B4, # B2, and # B1.

  However, even if the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs the path switch, the downlink data transmitted to the radio base station eNB before performing the path switch, that is, the new downlink data tunnel # The downlink data is not transmitted to the radio network controller RNC until all the downlink data transmitted via B3 is transferred to the radio network controller RNC.

  Here, after the gateway switch S-GW performs the path switch and transmits the last downlink data to the radio base station eNB via the new downlink data tunnel # B3, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW It is configured to transmit an “End Marker message” which is a U message.

  When receiving the “End Marker message”, the radio base station eNB transfers the “End Marker message” via the forward downlink data tunnels # B4, # B2, and # B1.

  Accordingly, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW receives the “End Marker message” from the tunnel # B4, thereby transmitting the downlink data transmitted through the new downlink data tunnel # B3 to the radio network controller RNC. It is possible to recognize that the transfer of all has been completed.

  That is, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW buffers the downlink data to be transmitted to the radio network controller RNC via the downlink data tunnels # B2 and # B1 after performing path switching. When the “End Marker message” is received from # B4, the downlink data is transmitted to the radio network controller RNC via the downlink data tunnels # B2 and # B1.

  It is assumed that the downlink data is configured to be transmitted in the packet shape to which the GTP-U header is added in the above-described tunnels # B1 to # B4.

  According to the mobile communication system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, when an Inter-RAT handover is performed, the serving gateway apparatus S-GW performs communication with the radio network controller RNC that is a handover destination radio access apparatus. Thus, after the transmission downlink data is transmitted, the new downlink data is transmitted, so that the transmission line downlink data and the new downlink data can be transmitted without performing special processing in the radio network controller RNC. Sequence control can be performed.

  The operations of the radio base station eNB, the radio network controller RNC, the switching center SGSN, and the serving gateway device S-GW described above may be implemented by hardware or by a software module executed by a processor. Or it may be implemented by a combination of both.

  The software module includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM, a hard disk, a registerable ROM, a hard disk). Alternatively, it may be provided in a storage medium of an arbitrary format such as a CD-ROM.

  Such a storage medium is connected to the processor so that the processor can read and write information from and to the storage medium. Further, such a storage medium may be integrated in the processor. Such a storage medium and processor may be provided in the ASIC. Such an ASIC may be provided in the radio base station eNB, the radio network controller RNC, the exchange SGSN, or the serving gateway device S-GW. Further, the storage medium and the processor may be provided as a discrete component in the radio base station eNB, the radio network controller RNC, the switching center SGSN, or the serving gateway device S-GW.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiment, it is obvious for those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the present specification. The present invention can be implemented as modified and changed modes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the scope of claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for illustrative purposes and does not have any limiting meaning to the present invention.

eNB ... Radio base station S-GW ... Serving gateway device SGSN ... Switching station RNC ... Radio channel control station

Claims (1)

A mobile communication method in which a mobile station receives downlink data from a first radio access device in a first radio access network or a second radio access device in a second radio access network,
From the first state in which the gateway device connecting the first radio access network and the second radio network transmits the downlink data to the first radio access device, the downlink data is sent to the second radio access device. A step A in which the first radio access device sets specific information in the downlink data received from the gateway device and transfers it to the second radio access device when switching to the second state to transmit;
In the second radio access device, the specific information transferred from the first radio access device is set before the transfer downlink data in which the specific information transmitted from the gateway device is not set. And a step B of transmitting forward downlink data to the mobile station.