JP6944007B2 - Methods, devices, and wireless communication systems to determine control plane nodes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of communication, and more particularly to methods, devices, and wireless communication systems for determining control plane nodes.

Since multiple network slices are located in the wireless communication system, the wireless communication system can be adapted to different application scenarios. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, different network slices may be placed for different types of user equipment (English: user equipment, UE for short) in a wireless communication system. For example, the MBB network slice may be deployed for a mobile broadband (English: mobile broadband, abbreviated MBB) UE, and the V2V network slice may be located for a vehicle-to-vehicle communication (English: vehicle to vehicle, V2V) UE. It may be deployed and the MTC network slice may be deployed for a machine type communication UE.

After receiving the service request message sent by the UE, the radio access network node typically obtains the identifier of a mobility management entity (English: mobility management entity, MME for short) that is pre-connected to the UE. Global Unique Mobility Management Entity Identifier in Global Unique Temporary Identity (GUTI for short) carried in a service request message (English: global unique mobility management Entity .. If the MME identifier is not included in the MME list stored on the Radio Access Network node, the Radio Access Network node selects the appropriate MME for the UE based on the MME selection feature and accesses the MME via a DNS query. The address may be obtained and then the UE's service request message may be sent to the MME for processing.

However, a plurality of network slices are arranged in the wireless communication system, and the MME corresponding to the network slice and the MME that provides a customized service to different types of UEs are different. Therefore, when the radio access network node selects an MME for the UE using the MME selection function, an MME other than the MME corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs can be selected. As a result, the MME selected for the UE by the radio access network node cannot provide customized services to the UE.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of determining control plane nodes, devices, and wireless communication systems such that the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs is selected for the UE, thereby providing a control plane. Ensure that the node can provide customized services to the UE.

The following technical solutions are used in embodiments of the present invention to achieve the above object.

According to the first aspect, the embodiment of the present invention is a method of determining a control plane node.
A step of acquiring instruction information by the user equipment UE, which is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs, and a step of transmitting an access layer request message by the UE to a radio access network node. The access layer request message contains instruction information, and the access layer request message is used to trigger a radio access network node to determine the control plane node corresponding to the network slice for the UE based on the instruction information. Provides a method including steps to be done.

In this embodiment of the invention, the instructional information transmitted by the UE to the radio access network node and used to determine the control plane node for the UE can accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, after the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information. , The control plane node can reliably provide customized services to the UE.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the specific method of the step of acquiring instructional information by the UE is
Steps to get preset instruction information by the UE,
In the step of receiving the instruction information transmitted by the control plane node by the UE, or in the step step of receiving the temporary identity transmitted by the control plane node by the UE and acquiring the instruction information by the UE based on the temporary identity. There, the temporary identity can include steps, including instructional information.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the UE can acquire instructional information by any one of the above-mentioned three methods. Obtaining the instruction information preset by the UE may reduce the complexity of the implementation, and receiving the instruction information sent by the control plane node by the UE ensures that the existing message format is not modified. In order to obtain the instruction information by the UE based on GUTI, improvement based on the existing message format is required, and its implementation is relatively convenient.

Optionally, the instruction information is an identifier of the network slice, and the specific method of the step of acquiring the instruction information by the UE is
Based on the step of acquiring the network slice identifier information by the UE and the mapping relationship preset with the network slice identifier information by the UE, the network slice identifier and the identifier corresponding to the network slice identifier information are acquired. The mapping relationship may include a step that includes a mapping relationship between the identifier information of the network slice and the identifier of the network slice.

In this embodiment of the invention, the UE may directly obtain the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs. Alternatively, the UE may first acquire the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs, and then acquire the identifier of the network slice based on the identifier information of the network slice. The method of directly obtaining the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs can be applied to the scenario in which the identifier of the network slice is standardized. The method of indirectly obtaining the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs can be applied to a scenario in which the identifier of the network slice is not standardized. That is, the method of determining the control plane node provided in the embodiment of the present invention can correspond to both a scenario in which the network slice identifier is standardized and a scenario in which the network slice identifier is not standardized.

According to the second aspect, the embodiment of the present invention is a method of determining a control plane node.
The step of receiving the access layer request message transmitted by the user equipment UE by the radio access network node, the access layer request message contains instruction information, and the instruction information is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. , And a step of determining the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information by the radio access network node.

In this embodiment of the invention, the instructional information used by the radio access network node to determine the control plane node of the UE may accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, whereby the control plane node provides a customized service to the UE. Can be reliably provided.

Optionally, the step of determining the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs is based on the instruction information by the radio access network node to the UE.
The step of acquiring the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information by the radio access network node, and
The step of obtaining the identifier of the control plane node and the identifier corresponding to the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs, based on the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the preset first mapping relationship by the wireless access network node. The first mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the identifier of the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs.
The radio access network node to the UE includes a step of determining the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the identifier of the control plane node.

In this embodiment of the invention, the radio access network node may determine the control plane node for the UE based on the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, the control plane node can be ensured to be the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs, to ensure that the control plane node can provide customized services to the UE.

Optionally, the instruction information is network slice identifier information.

The specific method of obtaining the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs is based on the instruction information by the radio access network node.
The step of acquiring the identifier of the network slice and the identifier corresponding to the identifier information of the network slice based on the identifier information of the network slice and the preset second mapping relationship by the wireless access network node. The mapping relationship of 2 may include steps, including a mapping relationship between the network slice identifier information and the network slice identifier.

In this way, the radio access network node first acquires the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs, and then acquires the identifier of the network slice based on the identifier information of the network slice. This method can be applied to scenarios where network slice identifiers are not standardized.

According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention is a method of determining a control plane node.
The control plane node receives the non-access layer request message sent by the user equipment UE, the control plane node acquires the usage type of the UE based on the non-access layer request message, and the control plane node. , A step to obtain instructional information corresponding to a UE usage type based on a UE usage type and a preset mapping relationship, which is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs and is mapped. The relationship provides a method that includes a step that includes a mapping relationship between the usage type of the UE and the instruction information, and a step that sends the instruction information to the UE by the control plane node.

In this embodiment of the invention, the control plane node may transmit to the UE instructional information that accurately indicates the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, after the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information. , The control plane node can reliably provide customized services to the UE.

The specific method of the step of optionally transmitting the instruction information to the UE by the control plane node is
The step of transmitting the temporary identity to the UE by the control plane node, the temporary identity may include a step containing instructional information.

The way the control plane node sends instruction information to the UE using a temporary identity (or specifically GUTIUE) may be improved based on the existing message format, and its implementation is relatively convenient.

According to the fourth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention is
An acquisition unit configured to acquire instruction information, which is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs, and to send an access layer request message to the radio access network node. The access layer request message includes the instruction information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the access layer request message determines the control plane node corresponding to the network slice for the UE based on the instruction information. Provide a UE with a transmitter, which is used to trigger a radio access network node.

In this embodiment of the invention, the instructional information transmitted by the UE to the radio access network node and used to determine the control plane node for the UE can accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, after the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information. This allows the control plane node to reliably provide customized services to the UE.

Optionally, the acquisition unit is specifically configured to acquire preset instruction information,
The acquisition unit is specifically configured to receive instructional information transmitted by the control plane node, or the acquisition unit specifically receives the temporary identity transmitted by the control plane node and becomes a temporary identity. It is configured to obtain instructional information based on it, and the temporary identity includes the instructional information.

Optionally, the instruction information is a network slice identifier.

Specifically, the acquisition unit acquires the identifier information of the network slice, is the identifier of the network slice based on the preset mapping relationship with the identifier information of the network slice, and is the identifier corresponding to the identifier information of the network slice. The mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the network slice identifier information and the network slice identifier.

For a detailed description of the technical effect of the optional method of the fourth aspect, see the relevant description of the technical effect of the corresponding optional method of the first aspect. Details will not be described again herein.

According to the fifth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention is
A receiver configured to receive an access layer request message sent by a user equipment UE, the access layer request message containing instruction information, which is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Provided is a radio access network node including a receiving unit and a determining unit configured to determine a control plane node corresponding to a network slice for a UE based on instruction information received by the receiving unit.

In this embodiment of the invention, the instructional information used by the radio access network node to determine the control plane node for the UE may accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, the radio access network node determines to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, thereby ensuring that the control plane node provides a customized service to the UE. Can be provided.

Optionally, the determination unit specifically obtains the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, and the control plane based on the identifier of the network slice and the preset first mapping relationship. It is a node identifier, and is configured to acquire an identifier corresponding to the network slice identifier and determine the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to the UE based on the control plane node identifier. Contains the mapping relationship between the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the identifier of the control plane node.

Optionally, the instruction information is network slice identifier information.

Specifically, the determination unit is configured to acquire the identifier of the network slice and the identifier corresponding to the identifier information of the network slice based on the identifier information of the network slice and the preset second mapping relationship. The second mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the identifier of the network slice.

For a detailed description of the technical effect of the optional method of the fifth aspect, see the relevant description of the technical effect of the corresponding optional method of the second aspect. Details will not be described again herein.

According to the sixth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention is
A receiver configured to receive non-access layer request messages sent by the user equipment UE,
Get the UE usage type based on the non-access layer request message received by the receiver, and get the instruction information corresponding to the UE usage type based on the UE usage type and the preset mapping relationship. The acquisition unit is configured in, the mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the usage type of the UE and the instruction information, and the instruction information is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Provided is a control plane node including a transmitter configured to transmit instruction information acquired by the acquirer to the UE.

In this embodiment of the invention, the control plane node may transmit to the UE instructional information that accurately indicates the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, after the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information. , The control plane node can reliably provide customized services to the UE.

Optionally, the transmitter is specifically configured to transmit a temporary identity to the UE, which contains instructional information.

For a detailed description of the technical effect of the optional method of the sixth aspect, see the relevant description of the technical effect of the corresponding optional method of the third aspect. Details will not be described again herein.

Optionally, in the first to sixth aspects, the instructional information is the network slice identifier or the network slice identifier information, and the network slice identifier information is used to indicate the network slice identifier. NS.

The fact that the instruction information is a network slice identifier may be applicable to a scenario in which the network slice identifier is standardized, and the fact that the instruction information is network slice identifier information means that the network slice identifier is standardized. May be applicable to scenarios that are not. That is, the method of determining the control plane node provided in this embodiment of the present invention can correspond to both a scenario in which the network slice identifier is standardized and a scenario in which the network slice identifier is not standardized. ..

Optionally, in the first, third, fourth, and sixth aspects,
The temporary identity may be a globally unique temporary identity GUTI, where GUTI includes instructional information, or GUTI includes global unique mobility management entity identifier GUMMEI, and GUMMEI contains instructional information.

Optionally, in the first, third, fourth, and sixth aspects,
The GUTI includes the MME-Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity M-TMSI field, which is used to indicate instructional information.
GUMMEI includes a terrestrial public mobile network PLMN identifier field, and the PLMN identifier field is used to indicate instructional information.
GUMMEI includes a mobility management entity MME group identifier field and the MME group identifier field is used to indicate instruction information, or GUTI or GUMMEI contains a network slice identifier field and a network slice identifier field to indicate instruction information. used.

Optionally, in the second and fifth aspects, the instruction information may be carried with a temporary identity in the access layer request message.

Optionally, in the second and fifth aspects, the access layer request message includes GUMMEI, where GUMMEI includes instructional information.

Optionally, in the second and fifth aspects, the GUMMEI includes a PLMN identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.
GUMMEI contains an MME group identifier field and the MME group identifier field is used to indicate instruction information, or an access layer request message or GUMMEI contains a network slice identifier field and a network slice identifier field to indicate instruction information. used.

This embodiment of the present invention may support a plurality of methods of presenting instructional information so that the instruction of the instructional information can be flexibly implemented.

According to a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a user equipment UE including a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and a system bus. The memory is configured to store computer executable instructions. Processors, transceivers, and memory are configured to be connected and communicate with each other using a system bus. When the UE operates, the processor executes instructions that can be executed by the computer stored in memory so that the UE provides a control plane node by either the first aspect or the optional method of the first aspect. Execute the judgment method.

According to an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a radio access network node including a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and a system bus. The memory is configured to store computer executable instructions. Processors, transceivers, and memory are configured to be connected and communicate with each other using a system bus. When the radio access network node operates, the processor executes instructions that can be executed by the computer stored in memory so that the radio access network node either performs the second aspect or the optional method of the second aspect. Executes the method of determining the control plane node by one.

According to a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control plane node including a processor, a transceiver, a memory, and a system bus. The memory is configured to store computer executable instructions. Processors, transceivers, and memory are configured to be connected and communicate with each other using a system bus. When the control plane node operates, the processor executes instructions that can be executed by the computer stored in memory, and the control plane node depends on either one of the third mode or the optional method of the third aspect. Performs the method of determining the control plane node.

According to a tenth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention is:
The user equipment UE according to any one of the fourth aspect, the optional method of the fourth aspect, or the seventh aspect, and any of the fifth aspect, the optional method of the fifth aspect, or the eighth aspect. Provided is a radio communication system comprising a radio access network node according to one and a control plane node according to any one of the sixth aspect, the optional method of the sixth aspect, or the ninth aspect.

In this embodiment of the invention, the instructional information used by the radio access network node to determine the control plane node for the UE may accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, the radio access network node determines to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, thereby ensuring that the control plane node provides a customized service to the UE. Can be provided.

In order to more clearly explain the technical solution in the embodiment or the prior art of the present invention, the accompanying drawings necessary for explaining the embodiment or the prior art will be briefly described below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description merely show some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network slice deployed in a conventional wireless communication system. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a method for determining a control plane node according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a UE according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a radio access network node according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a control plane node according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the hardware of the UE according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the hardware of the radio access network node according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the hardware of the control plane node according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The term "and / or" as used herein describes only the relationships for describing related objects and indicates that there may be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases, that is, only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. Further, the symbol "/" in the present specification generally indicates the relationship of "or" between related objects. For example, A / B can be understood as A or B.

In embodiments of the invention, words such as "example" or "for example" are used to indicate that an example, illustration, or description is given. Any embodiment or design solution described as an "example" or "eg" in an embodiment of the invention is described as preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Should not be done. Strictly speaking, the use of words such as "example" or "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a particular way.

In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more. For example, multiple network slices refer to two or more network slices.

Moreover, the terms "provide", "contain", or any other variation thereof referred to in the description of the invention are intended to protect non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes other unlisted steps or units. , Or optionally, further include another unique step or unit of process, method, product, or device.

In the following description, specific details such as specific system structures, interfaces, and techniques are shown, but not in a limited sense, for a complete understanding of the present invention. However, one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments without these particular details. In other cases, detailed description of well-known devices, circuits, and methods will be omitted and the invention will be described without obscuring it with unnecessary details.

The method of determining the control plane node provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a wireless communication system. For example, the wireless communication system is a system that uses the 4th generation mobile communication technology (English: the 4th generation mobile communication technology, abbreviated as 4G), and may be a system called a 4G system or a fifth. A system that uses generational mobile communication technology (English: the 5th generation mobile communication technology, abbreviated as 5G), which may be a system hereinafter referred to as a 5G system, or another system in which multiple network slices are deployed. It may be a wireless communication system. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic architectural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the radio communication system includes a control plane node, a radio access network node, and a UE. Any two of the control plane node, radio access network node, and UE can interact with each other. In this embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of network slices are deployed in the wireless communication system, and each network slice provides a customized service to the UE connected to the network slice. Corresponds to one control plane node configured in.

As shown in FIG. 2, specifically, the same infrastructure is obtained by combining software-defined networking (English: software defined networking, abbreviated as SDN) technology and network function virtualization (NFV) technology. Network slices may be deployed in a wireless communication system that may provide different network slices for different types of UEs in the structure, i.e., provide different customized services for different types of UEs. For example, MBB network slices are deployed on MBB UEs, V2V network slices are deployed on V2V UEs, MTC network slices are deployed on MTC UEs, and ITS network slices are deployed on remote machines and intelligent transport systems. It can be deployed in a system (ITS for short) UE.

In this embodiment of the invention, the functionality of different network slices may be implemented based on different customized software, and the optimization configuration may be performed based on the type and characteristics of the UE, thereby. , UEs can only receive customized services provided by the control plane node corresponding to the network slice if they are connected to a network slice to which a different type of UE belongs. A network slice implemented based on customized software allows the operator to provide a network to be used as a service to the UE, i.e., the operator virtualizes the entity network and "networks as a service". Networks such as rate, capacity, coverage, latency, reliability, safety and availability to provide connectivity services for different types of UEs and different application scenarios in the form and meet the specific requirements of each UE and each application scenario. Performance indicators can be combined flexibly.

Based on the wireless communication system shown in FIG. 2 and the above description, multiple network slices are deployed in the wireless communication system, and each network slice corresponds to one control plane node, so that different control plane nodes are different types of UEs. To provide customized services. Therefore, when a radio access network node selects a control plane node for a UE, a control plane node other than the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs may be selected. As a result, the control plane node that can be selected by the UE's radio access network node cannot provide customized services to the UE.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining a control plane node. The radio access network node gets the instruction information used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs and uses the access layer request message to send the instruction information to the radio access network node. Based on this, the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs is determined for the UE. The radio access network node can select the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs to ensure that the control plane node can provide customized services to the UE.

In this embodiment of the invention, the control plane node may be a network element or functional entity that resides within the wireless communication system and provides control plane functionality to the UE. For example, in a 4G system, the control plane node may be an MME, and in a 5G system, the control plane node may be a functional module that provides a control plane function to the UE.

The radio access network node may be a base station, a distributed base station, a cloud radio access network (English: cloud RAN, CRAN for short) device, or an access network device that includes a radio access network controller and a base station. A distributed base station or CRAN device may include both a baseband unit (English: base band unit, abbreviated as BBU) and a remote radio unit (English: remote radio unit, abbreviated as RRU). Alternatively, the CRAN device may be a CRAN device having a flexible protocol layer. CRAN devices with flexible protocol layers specifically include both dilated BBUs and dilated RRUs. Both dilated BBU and dilated RRU may include some or all radio protocol layers. The wireless protocol layer includes a packet data convergence protocol (English: Packet Data Convergence Protocol, abbreviated as PDCP) layer, a wireless link control (English: Radio Link Control, abbreviated as RLC) layer, and a media access control (English: Media Access Control, abbreviated as). MAC) layer and physical layer (English: physical layer, abbreviated as PHY) are included. The RRU further includes a radio frequency (English: radio frequency, RF for short) section.

The UE may be a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal may be a device that provides voice and / or data connections for the user, a handheld device that has wireless connectivity capabilities, or another processing device connected to a wireless modem. The radio terminal may communicate with one or more core networks by using a radio access network (English: Radio Access Network, RAN for short). A wireless terminal is a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (also referred to as a "cellular" phone), or a computer equipped with a mobile terminal, such as a portable, pocket-sized handheld device that exchanges voice and / or data with a wireless access network. It may be a computer built-in type or an in-vehicle mobile device. For example, wireless terminals include personal communication service (English: personal communications service, PCS for short) telephones, cordless telephones, session initiation protocol (SIP for short) telephones, wireless local loops (English: wireless local loop). , WLL for short, or a mobile information terminal (English: personal digital assistant, PDA for short). Wireless terminals are also systems, subscriber units (English: subscriber unit), subscriber stations (English: subscriber station), mobile stations (English: mobile station), mobile terminals (English: mobile terminal), remote stations (English: mobile station). remote station), access point (English: access point), remote terminal (English: remote terminal), access terminal (English: access terminal), user terminal (English: user terminal), user agent (English: user agent), user It is also called a device (English: user terminal) or the like.

Hereinafter, the technical solution according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings according to the embodiment of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are not all embodiments of the invention, but rather only a few.

Based on the wireless communication system shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 3, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method of determining a control plane node. This method may include the following steps:

S101. The UE acquires the instruction information.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the present invention, the method of acquiring the instruction information by the UE may be the following S101a, S101b, or S101c to S101d.

S101a. The UE acquires the preset instruction information.

As described in S101a, the instruction information may be preset in the UE so that the UE can acquire the instruction information directly from the memory of the UE.

S101b. The UE receives the instruction information transmitted by the control plane node.

As described in S101b, the UE may directly receive the instruction information transmitted by the control plane node.

S101c. The UE receives the temporary identity transmitted by the control plane node, and the temporary identity contains instructional information.

S101d. The UE acquires instruction information based on the temporary identity.

In S101c to S101d, after receiving the temporary identity transmitted by the control plane node, the UE may acquire instruction information from the temporary identity.

In this embodiment of the invention, the temporary identity is assigned to the UE by the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs, based on at least one of the UE's persistent identifier or the UE's device identifier. It is identifier information, and the temporary identity can uniquely identify one UE in a network (eg, 4G system network or 5G system network). Because temporary identities are used, the disclosure of UE private parameters such as the UE's persistent identifier and the UE's device identifier in network transmissions can be reduced. The persistent identifier of the UE may be the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI for short). The device identifier of the UE may be the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI for short).

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the temporary identities in S101c-S101d may be GUTI. GUTI includes display information, or GUTI includes GUMMEI, and GUMMEI contains instructional information. That is, after receiving the GUTI transmitted by the control plane node, the UE may obtain the instruction information directly from the GUTI, or the UE may acquire the instruction information from the GUTIMEI of the GUTI.

The particular method by which GUTI or GUTIM's GUMMEI includes instructional information is described in detail in the following description of the control plane node, the details of which are not described herein.

In this embodiment of the invention, the UE may acquire instructional information by executing any of S101a, S101b, or S101c-S101d. Obtaining the instruction information preset by the UE may reduce the complexity of the implementation, and receiving the instruction information sent by the control plane node by the UE does not change the existing message format. It can be ensured that obtaining instructional information by the UE based on GUTI requires improvements based on existing message formats, and its implementation is relatively convenient.

It should be noted that in this embodiment of the invention, the control plane node and the UE may reach an agreement in advance which of the above methods will be used to indicate instructional information. This is not limited to this embodiment of the invention.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the process of the UE acquiring instruction information from the control plane node and the control plane node transmitting the instruction information to the UE, corresponding to S101b or S101c to S101d, is specific. May be the following S201 to S204.

S201. The control plane node receives the non-access layer request message sent by the UE.

S202. The control plane node gets the UE usage type based on the non-access layer request message.

The control plane node may be a control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs, or may be a control plane node not corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs. This is not particularly limited in the present invention.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the usage type of UE is a type of UE having the same type of communication or service function. UE usage type may also be referred to by a name that can be used to represent the type of UE, the service type of the UE, or all UEs that have the same type of communication or service functionality. The usage type of the UE is usually stored in the subscription data of the UE.

In this embodiment of the invention, the control plane node receives the non-access layer request message sent by the UE and then is the join data of the UE based on the non-access layer request message and is the home subscriber server. : The usage type of the UE can be obtained from the subscription data stored in the home node server (HSS for short). Specifically, after the control plane node receives the non-access hierarchy request message sent by the UE, the control plane node gets the UE identifier from the non-access hierarchy request message, and then the control plane node gets the UE identifier. Based on the UE identifier, the UE usage type is acquired by querying the UE subscription data, which is the subscription data stored in the HSS.

S203. The control plane node acquires the instruction information corresponding to the UE usage type based on the UE usage type and the preset mapping relationship.

The instruction information is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs, and the mapping relationship in S203 includes a mapping relationship between the UE usage type and the instruction information.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in an actual implementation, the mapping relationship of S203 may include a mapping relationship between a plurality of UE usage types and a plurality of instructional information. The mapping relationship includes the mapping relationship between the UE usage type and the instruction information corresponding to the UE usage type acquired by the control plane node in S202.

For example, it is assumed that the usage type of the plurality of UEs includes MBB UE, V2V UE, MTC UE, and the like, and that the plurality of instruction information includes MBB instruction information, V2V instruction information, MTC instruction information, and the like. Therefore, the mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the MBB UE and the MBB instruction information, a mapping relationship between the V2V UE and the V2V instruction information, a mapping relationship between the MTC UE and the MTC instruction information, and the like. For example, the mapping relationship can be shown in Table 1.

In this embodiment of the invention, S202 through S203 may be executed when the control plane node assigns a temporary identity to the UE. Specifically, the temporary identity is not available to the UE (for example, was the UE powered up first, or the UE deleted the temporary identity previously assigned to the UE by the control plane node, or Alternatively, if the UE cannot obtain the temporary identity stored by the UE), the UE's permanent identifier may be used to send an access layer request message to the Radio Access Network node, where the Radio Access Network node is the control plane node for the UE. After selecting, the radio access network node may forward the non-access layer request message contained in the access layer request message to the control plane node, so that the control plane node is based on the non-access layer request message. S202 and S203 may be executed when assigning a temporary identity to the UE and assigning the temporary identity.

In this embodiment of the invention, if the control plane node selected by the wireless access network node for the UE is different from the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs, the wireless access network node will be in the network slice to which the UE belongs. Note that the redirect process may be performed to redirect the UE, and the control plane node corresponding to the network slice provides customized services to the UE.

S204. The control plane node sends instruction information to the UE.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the method of transmitting instruction information to the UE by the control plane node may be S204a or S204b.

S204a. The control plane node sends instruction information to the UE.

As described in S204a, the control plane node may transmit instruction information directly to the UE.

S204b. The control plane node sends a temporary identity to the UE, which contains instructional information.

For a detailed description of S204b, refer to the related description of S101c to S101d in the above embodiment. Details will not be described again herein.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the temporary identity in S204b may be GUTI. GUTI includes display information. Alternatively, GUTI includes GUMMEI, and GUMMEI contains instructional information.

Specifically, the control plane node can add instruction information to GUTI or GUTIM's GUMMEI and transmit GUTII or GUTI's GUMMEI to the UE. For example, if the control plane node assigns a GUTI to a UE, the control plane node may add instructional information to the corresponding field in the GUTI or the GUMMEI of the GUTI and send the GUTIM of the GUTI or GUTI to the UE. Specifically, the method in which the control plane node notifies the UE of the instruction information using GUTI or GUTMEI of GUTI may be any of the following methods.

(1) The GUTI includes an MME-temporary mobile subscriber identification information (English: MME-temporary mobile subscriber identity, abbreviated as M-TMSI) field, and the M-TMSI field is used to indicate instruction information. ..

In this embodiment of the invention, as shown in Table 2, the M-TMSI field contains 4 bytes (each byte contains 8 bits (eg 0-7 in Table 2)), and each byte is hexadecimal. The first byte of the M-TMSI field, which can be represented numerically), can be used to indicate instructional information, and the remaining 3 bytes of the M-TMSI field can be further used to uniquely identify the UE. .. For example, when generating a GUTI for a UE, the control plane node may first generate the value of the first byte of the M-TMSI field based on the instruction information in the M-TMSI field. The control plane node then generates another 3 bytes of value for the M-TMSI field for the UE in order to obtain the complete M-TMSI field.

(2) GUMMEI includes a terrestrial public mobile network (English: public land mobile network, PLMN for short) identifier field, and the PLMN identifier field is used to indicate instruction information.

In this embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Table 3, the PLMN identifier field is a mobile country code (English: mobile country code, abbreviated as MCC) and a mobile network code (English: mobile network code, abbreviated as MNC). include. The MCC is usually represented by the three decimal values represented by MCC1, MCC2, and MCC3 in Table 3 (eg, 460 represents China's mobile country code). Generally, changes to the MCC are not allowed. MNC is usually represented by the three decimal values represented by MNC1, MNC2, and MNC3 in Table 3. The range of MNC values may be 000 to 999. In addition to some values used by wireless communication protocols (eg 000 for mobile phones in China, 010 for Unicom in China), there are many undefined values. In this embodiment of the invention, MNCs can be used to indicate instructional information. That is, undefined values in the MNC can be used to establish a one-to-one correspondence with the instruction information. For example, 001 may be used to indicate MBB instruction information (MBB instruction information is used to indicate MBB network slices) and 002 may be used to indicate V2V instruction information. (V2V instruction information is a V2V network slice), and 003 may be used to indicate MTC instruction information (MTC instruction information is used to indicate an MTC network slice). In Table 3, each decimal value occupies 4 bits.

(3) GUMMEI includes an MME group identifier field, and the MME group identifier field is used to indicate instruction information.

In this embodiment of the invention, as shown in Table 4, the MME group identifier field contains 2 bytes (each byte contains 8 bits (eg 0-7 in Table 4)), where each byte is 16. Can be represented by a base value). The MME group identifier field may be used to indicate instructional information, i.e., undefined values in the MME group identifier field are used to establish a one-to-one correspondence with the instructional information. For details of the example of establishing a one-to-one correspondence between the undefined value in the MME group identifier field and the instruction information, refer to the one-to-one correspondence between the undefined value in the MNC and the instruction information in (2) above. Please refer to the related description. Details are not described again herein.

(4) GUTI or GUMMEI includes a network slice identifier field, and the network slice identifier field is used to indicate instruction information.

In this embodiment of the invention, GUTI or GUMMEI can be extended. The network slice identifier field may be added to GUTI or GUMMEI, and the network slice identifier field is used to indicate instructional information. That is, the value of the network slice identifier field has a one-to-one correspondence with the instruction information. As shown in Table 5, the defined network slice identifier field contains 1 byte (bytes contain 8 bits (eg 0-7 in Table 5) and bytes can be represented in hexadecimal values). The network slice identifier field may be used to indicate instructional information, i.e., the values in the network slice identifier field are used to establish a one-to-one correspondence with the instructional information. For details of the example of establishing a one-to-one correspondence between the value in the network slice identifier field and the instruction information, refer to the one-to-one correspondence between the undefined value in the MNC and the instruction information in (2) above. Please refer to the related description. Details will not be described again herein.

The M-TMSI field of (1), the PLMN identifier field of (2), and the MME group identifier field of (3) are all existing fields of GUTI, and the network slice identifier field of (4) is set to GUTI or GUMMEI. This is a newly added field.

Since this embodiment of the present invention can support the instruction of the instruction information in a plurality of ways, the instruction of the instruction information can be flexibly implemented.

In the present embodiment, in S101c to S101d, when the temporary identity is GUTI, the detailed description of the method of acquiring the instruction information from GUTIMEI of GUTI or GUTI by the UE is described in S204a and S204b of GUTI or GUTI. See the relevant description of how the control plane node presents instructional information to the UE using GUMMEI.

S102. The UE sends an access layer request message to the radio access network node, and the access layer request message contains instruction information.

S103. The radio access network node receives the access layer request message sent by the UE.

After acquiring the instruction information, the UE may add the instruction information to the access layer request message and send the access layer request message to the radio access network node. After receiving the access layer request message transmitted by the UE, the radio access network node can acquire instruction information based on the access layer request message.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, if the temporary identity is GUTI, then when the UE sends an access layer request message to a radio access network node, the UE will only send GUMMEI within the GUTI, and thus by the UE. The method of presenting the instruction information to the radio access network node can be (2), (3), and (4) described in the previous embodiment. For details, refer to the related description of (2), (3), and (4) in the above embodiment, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

In the present embodiment, when the UE presents instruction information to the radio access network node using the method (4), the above (4) may be specifically replaced with the following.

(4') The access layer request message or GUMMEI includes a network slice identifier field, and the network slice identifier field is used to indicate instructional information.

In this embodiment, the UE extends the access layer request message or GUMMEI by adding a new network slice identifier field to the access layer request message or GUMMEI, and then uses the network slice identifier field to provide instruction information. It may be indicated, i.e., the value of the network slice identifier field may be used to establish a one-to-one correspondence with the above indicated information.

For the detailed description of (4'), refer to the related description of (4) in the above embodiment, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

Optionally, the access layer request message in this embodiment of the present invention may be another request message, such as an RRC connection request message. The non-access layer request message may be an attach (English: attach) request message, or may be another request message such as a tracking area update (English: tracking area update, TAU for short) request message.

S104. The radio access network node determines the control plane node corresponding to the network slice for the UE based on the instruction information.

Optionally, the instructional information in this embodiment of the present invention may be the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs or the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs. The identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs is used to indicate the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs.

If the network slice identifier is standardized, for example, if the operator agrees to use the integrated network slice identifier, the instructional information in this embodiment of the invention may be the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs. Well, or if the network slice identifier is not standardized, for example, if each operator customizes the network slice identifier, the instructional information in the embodiments of the present invention may be the network slice identifier information to which the UE belongs. Well, it may be the information used to indicate the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs.

For example, assume that the network slice identifier is standardized, for example, the MBB network slice identifier is standardized as 100, the V2V network slice identifier is standardized as 101, and the MTC network slice identifier is standardized as 110. Suppose. The standardized identifier of the network slice may be indicated using the corresponding fields according to the methods (1), (2), (3) and (4) or (4') in the aforementioned embodiments. , 100, 101, 110 may be indicated directly using the corresponding fields. It is assumed that the network slice identifier is not standardized, for example, the MBB network slice identifier is specified as 100, the V2V network slice identifier is specified as 101, and the MTC network slice identifier is specified as 110. Assuming that the unstandardized network slice identifier information is obtained by using the corresponding fields according to the methods (1), (2), (3) and (4) or (4') in the above embodiments. May be shown. The specified network slice identifier information is used to indicate the network slice identifier, i.e. the corresponding fields indicate 001 (001 is used to indicate 100), 002 (002 is 101). (Used for), and 003 (003 is used to indicate 110) may be used to indicate.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the radio access network node determines how to determine the control plane node corresponding to the network slice for the UE based on the instruction information. S104a to S104c may be included.

S104a. The radio access network node acquires the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information.

S104b. The radio access network node acquires the identifier of the control plane node and the identifier corresponding to the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs, based on the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the preset first mapping relationship. do.

The first mapping relationship in S104b includes a mapping relationship between the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the identifier of the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs.

In this embodiment of the present invention, in an actual implementation, the first mapping relationship in S104b may include a mapping relationship between the identifiers of the plurality of network slices and the identifiers of the plurality of control plane nodes. The first mapping relationship is a network slice identifier, which includes a mapping relationship between the identifier acquired by the radio access network node in S104a and the identifier of the control plane node corresponding to the network slice.

For example, assuming that the identifiers of the plurality of network slices include 100, 101, 110, the identifiers of the plurality of control plane nodes are the control plane node identifier 201, the control plane node identifier 202, and the control plane node identifier 203. Is assumed to contain. Therefore, the above-mentioned first mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between 100 and 201, a mapping relationship between 101 and 202, a mapping relationship between 110 and 203, and the like. 100 is the identifier of the MBB network slice and is used to indicate the MBB network slice, and 201 is the identifier of the control plane node corresponding to the MBB network slice. 101 is the identifier of the V2V network slice and is used to indicate the V2V network slice, and 202 is the identifier of the control plane node corresponding to the V2V network slice. 110 is an identifier of the MTC network slice and is used to indicate the MTC network slice, and 203 is an identifier of the control plane node corresponding to the MTC network slice.

S104c. The radio access network node determines from the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the identifier of the control plane node.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the control plane node identifier may be, for example, the access address of the control plane node.

The wireless access network node is the identifier of the control plane node, and after acquiring the identifier corresponding to the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs, it corresponds to the network slice to which the UE belongs to the UE based on the identifier of the control plane node. The control plane node can be determined. Specifically, when the identifier of the control plane node is the access address of the control plane node, the wireless access network node uses a preset domain name server (domain name server, DNS) as the access address of the control plane node. To determine for the UE the control plane node that corresponds to the network slice to which the UE belongs. The radio access network node then forwards the non-access layer request message carried within the access layer request message sent by the UE to the control plane node identified by the access address, which causes the control plane node to , Serve the UE. In this way, the radio access network node selects for the UE the control plane node that corresponds to the network slice to which the UE belongs, ensuring that the control plane node can provide customized services to the UE. can do.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, S101 may specifically include S101e-S101f when the instruction information is a network slice identifier.

S101e. The UE acquires the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs.

For the method in which the UE acquires the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs in S101e, refer to the method in which the UE acquires the instruction information in S101a, S101b, or S101c to S101d (the instruction information is the network slice to which the UE belongs). Identifier information). Details will not be described again herein.

S101f. The UE acquires the identifier of the network slice and the identifier corresponding to the identifier information of the network slice based on the identifier information of the network slice and the preset mapping relationship.

The mapping relationship of S101f includes a mapping relationship between the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs.

In this embodiment of the present invention, in an actual implementation, the mapping relationship of S101f may include a mapping relationship between identifier information of a plurality of network slices and identifiers of a plurality of network slices. The mapping relationship is network slice identifier information, and includes a mapping relationship between the network slice identifier information acquired by the UE in S101e and the network slice identifier, which is the identifier corresponding to the identifier information.

For example, it is assumed that the identifier information of the plurality of network slices includes 001, 002, 003, and the identifiers of the plurality of network slices include 100, 101, 110. Therefore, the mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between 001 and 100, a mapping relationship between 002 and 101, a mapping relationship between 003 and 110, and the like. 100 is an identifier for the MBB network slice and is used to indicate the MBB network slice. 101 is an identifier for the V2V network slice and is used to indicate the V2V network slice. 110 is an identifier for the MTC network slice and is used to indicate the MTC network slice.

In this embodiment of the invention, if the instruction information acquired by the UE is the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs, in one possible implementation, the UE first acquires the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs. The UE then acquires the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs, based on the network slice identifier information and the preset mapping relationship. In this way, after the UE sends the network slice identifier to the wireless access network node, the wireless access network node corresponds to the network slice (the network slice to which the UE belongs) based on the network slice identifier. Nodes can be selected, ensuring that the control plane node provides customized services to the UE.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, S104a may specifically include S104a1 when the instruction information is network slice identifier information.

S104a1. The radio access network node acquires the identifier of the network slice and the identifier corresponding to the identifier information of the network slice based on the identifier information of the network slice and the preset second mapping relationship.

The second mapping relationship in S104a1 includes the mapping relationship between the identifier information of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs, that is, the second mapping relationship in S104a1 is the mapping relationship in S101f. It is the same. The difference is that the mapping relationship in S101f is stored in the UE, while the second mapping relationship in S104a1 is stored in the radio access network node.

For details and examples of the second mapping relationship in S104a1, refer to the description and example of the mapping relationship in S101f in the above embodiment. Details will not be described again herein.

In the present embodiment, both the method of S101e to S101f for acquiring the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs and the method of S104a1 for acquiring the identifier of the network slice to which the UE belongs by the radio access network node are network slices. The identifier of may be applied to non-standardized scenarios. That is, the method of determining the control plane node provided in the embodiment of the present invention can correspond to both a scenario in which the network slice identifier is standardized and a scenario in which the network slice identifier is not standardized.

In the method of determining the control plane node provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the control plane node acquires the instruction information used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs and transmits the instruction information to the UE. After acquiring the instruction information, the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node using the access layer request message, and the radio access network node tells the UE based on the instruction information to the network slice to which the UE belongs. Determine the corresponding control plane node.

Based on the technical solutions described above, the instructional information used by the radio access network node to determine the control plane node for the UE may accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, the radio access network node determines to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, thereby ensuring that the control plane node provides a customized service to the UE. can.

As shown in FIG. 4, embodiments of the present invention provide UEs. The UE is configured to perform the steps performed by the UE in the manner described above. The UE may include modules corresponding to the corresponding steps. For example, the UE
An acquisition unit 10 configured to acquire instruction information, which is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs, and an access layer request message transmitted to the radio access network node. The access layer request message includes the instruction information acquired by the acquisition unit 10, and the access layer request message triggers the radio access network node and responds to the network slice to the UE based on the instruction information. It may include a transmission unit 11 that determines the control plane node to be used.

Arbitrarily, the acquisition unit 10 is specifically configured to obtain preset instruction information.

Optionally, the acquisition unit is specifically configured to receive instruction information transmitted by the control plane node.

Optionally, the acquirer is specifically configured to receive the temporary identity transmitted by the control plane node and acquire the instructional information based on the temporary identity, which includes the instructional information.

Optionally, the temporary identity is GUTI. GUTI contains instructional information, or GUTI includes GUMMEI and GUMMEI contains instructional information.

Optionally, the GUTI includes an MME-temporary mobile subscriber identity M-TMSI field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the GUMMEI includes a terrestrial public mobile network PLMN identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the GUMMEI includes a mobility management entity MME group identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, GUTI or GUMMEI includes a network slice identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the instruction information is a network slice identifier or a network slice identifier information, and the network slice identifier information is used to indicate a network slice identifier.

Optionally, the instruction information is a network slice identifier.

Specifically, the acquisition unit 10 acquires the identifier information of the network slice, is the identifier of the network slice based on the identifier information of the network slice and the preset mapping relationship, and corresponds to the identifier information of the network slice. Configured to obtain an identifier, the mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the identifier information of the network slice and the identifier of the network slice.

The UE of this embodiment may correspond to a UE in a method of determining a control plane node in an embodiment of the method described above (including an embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 3 and an embodiment of a method not shown). , It can be understood that the division and / or function of each module in the UE in this embodiment is for carrying out the method procedure shown in the embodiment of the method described above. To avoid repetition, the details are not described again herein.

This embodiment of the present invention provides a UE. The instructional information sent by the UE to the radio access network node and used to determine the control plane node for the UE can accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, after the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node, the radio access network node determines to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, and thereby controls. Plain nodes can reliably provide customized services to UEs.

As shown in FIG. 5, embodiments of the present invention provide radio access network nodes. The radio access network node is configured to perform the steps performed by the radio access network node in the manner described above. The radio access network node may include modules corresponding to the corresponding steps. For example, a radio access network node
A receiver 20 configured to receive an access layer request message transmitted by a UE, the access layer request message containing instruction information, which is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs, receive. A unit 20 includes a unit 20 and a determination unit 21 configured to determine a control plane node corresponding to a network slice for the UE based on instruction information received by the receiving unit 20.

Optionally, the instruction information may be carried by the temporary identity in the access layer request message.

Optionally, the access layer request message includes GUMMEI, which contains instructional information.

Optionally, the GUMMEI includes a terrestrial public mobile network PLMN identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the GUMMEI includes a mobility management entity MME group identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the access layer request message or GUMMEI includes a network slice identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the instruction information is a network slice identifier or a network slice identifier information, and the network slice identifier information is used to indicate a network slice identifier.

Optionally, the determination unit 21 specifically acquires the network slice identifier based on the instruction information, and based on the network slice identifier and the preset first mapping relationship, the control plane node identifier. Is configured to obtain an identifier corresponding to the network slice identifier and determine the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to the UE based on the control plane node identifier, the first mapping relationship being the network. Includes the mapping relationship between the slice identifier and the control plane node identifier.

Optionally, the instruction information is network slice identifier information.

Specifically, the determination unit 21 acquires the identifier of the network slice, which is the identifier of the network slice, and the identifier of the network slice corresponding to the identifier information of the network slice, based on the identifier information of the network slice and the preset second mapping relationship. The second mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the network slice identifier information and the network slice identifier.

The radio access network node of this embodiment is a radio access in a method of determining a control plane node in an embodiment of the method described above (including an embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 3 and an embodiment of a method not shown). It may correspond to a network node, and it is understood that the division and / or function of each module in the radio access network node in this embodiment is for carrying out the method procedure shown in the embodiment of the above method. Can be done. To avoid repetition, the details are not described again herein.

This embodiment of the present invention provides a radio access network node. The instructional information used by the radio access network node to determine the control plane node for the UE can accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, whereby the control plane node provides a customized service to the UE. Can be reliably provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, embodiments of the present invention provide control plane nodes, which are configured to perform steps performed by the control plane nodes in the manner described above. The control plane node may include modules corresponding to the corresponding steps. For example, the control plane node
Based on the receiver 30 configured to receive the non-access hierarchy request message sent by the UE and the non-access hierarchy request message received by the receiver 30, the UE usage type is acquired and the UE usage is obtained. The acquisition unit 31 is configured to acquire instruction information corresponding to the usage type of the UE based on the type and the preset mapping relationship, and the mapping relationship is between the usage type of the UE and the instruction information. The instruction information is used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs, and the acquisition unit 31 and the transmission unit 32 configured to transmit the instruction information acquired by the acquisition unit 31 to the UE. May be provided.

Optionally, the transmitter 32 is specifically configured to transmit a temporary identity to the UE, which includes instructional information.

Optionally, the temporary identity may be GUTI. GUTI contains instructional information, or GUTI includes GUMMEI and GUMMEI contains instructional information.

Optionally, the GUTI includes an MME-temporary mobile subscriber identification information M-TMSI field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the GUMMEI includes a terrestrial public mobile network PLMN identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the GUMMEI includes a mobility management entity MME group identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, GUTI or GUMMEI includes a network slice identifier field, which is used to indicate instructional information.

Optionally, the instruction information is a network slice identifier or a network slice identifier information, and the network slice identifier information is used to indicate a network slice identifier.

The control plane node of the present embodiment corresponds to the control plane node in the method of determining the control plane node in the method embodiment described above (including the embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 3 and the embodiment of the method not shown). It can be understood that the division and / or function of each module in the control plane node in this embodiment is for carrying out the method procedure shown in the embodiment of the above method. To avoid repetition, the details are not described again herein.

This embodiment of the present invention provides a control plane node. The control plane node may send instruction information to the UE that accurately indicates the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, after the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information. , The control plane node can reliably provide customized services to the UE.

As shown in FIG. 7, embodiments of the present invention provide a UE. The UE includes a processor 40, a transceiver 41, a memory 42, and a system bus 43. The memory 42 is configured to store computer executable instructions. The processor 40, the transceiver 41, and the memory 42 are connected and communicate with each other using the system bus 43. When the UE operates, the processor 40 executes a computer-executable instruction stored in the memory 42, and performs the embodiment of the method described above (the embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 3 and the embodiment of the method not shown). The method of determining the control plane node described in any one of (including) is executed. For a specific method for determining the control plane node, refer to the related description in the embodiment of the above-mentioned method, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

This embodiment further provides a storage medium. The storage medium may include a memory 42.

The processor 40 may be a central processing unit (English: central processing unit, CPU for short). Alternatively, the processor 40 is another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (English: digital signal processor, abbreviated as DSP), an integrated circuit for a specific application (English: application-specific integrated circuit, abbreviated as ASIC), a field programmable gate array (abbreviated as ASIC). English: field program get array (FPGA for short) or another programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

The processor 40 may be a dedicated processor, and the dedicated processor may include at least one of a baseband processing chip, a radio frequency processing chip, and the like. The dedicated processor may further include a chip with another dedicated processing function of the UE.

The memory 42 may include a volatile memory (English: volatile memory), for example, a random access memory (English: random access memory, RAM for short). The memory 42 is a non-volatile memory (English: non-volatile memory), for example, a read-only memory (English: read-only memory, ROM for short), a flash memory (English: flash memory), a hard disk (English: hard disk drive). , HDD for short), or solid state drive (English: solid state drive, SSD for short) may be included. The memory 42 may include a combination of the types of memory described above.

The system bus 43 may include a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, a signal status bus, and the like. In this embodiment, various buses are represented by the system bus 43 in FIG. 7 for clarity.

Specifically, the transceiver 41 may be a transceiver on the UE. The transceiver may be a wireless transceiver. For example, the wireless transceiver may be the antenna of the UE. The processor 40 uses the transceiver 41 to send and receive data to and from another node, such as a radio access network node.

In the specific implementation process, all steps corresponding to the UE in the method procedure shown in the embodiment of the method described above are such that the processor 40 in the form of hardware is in the form of software and is stored in memory 42. It can be implemented in a way that executes a computer-executable instruction. To avoid repetition, the details are not described again herein.

This embodiment of the present invention provides a UE. The instructional information sent by the UE to the radio access network node and used to determine the control plane node for the UE can accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, after the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information. , The control plane node can reliably provide customized services to the UE.

As shown in FIG. 8, embodiments of the present invention provide radio access network nodes. The radio access network node includes a processor 50, a transceiver 51, a memory 52, and a system bus 53. The memory 52 is configured to store computer executable instructions. The processor 50, the transceiver 51, and the memory 52 are connected to each other and communicate with each other using the system bus 53. When the radio access network node operates, the processor 50 executes a computer-executable instruction stored in the memory 52, and the radio access network node executes an embodiment of the above-mentioned method (the embodiment and illustration of the method shown in FIG. 3). The method of determining the control plane node described in any one of (including embodiments of the method not performed) is performed. For a specific method for determining the control plane node, refer to the related description in the embodiment of the above-mentioned method, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

This embodiment further provides a storage medium. The storage medium may include a memory 52.

The processor 50 may be a CPU. The processor 50 may be another general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or another programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, and the like. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, and the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

The processor 50 may be a dedicated processor, and the dedicated processor may include at least one of a baseband processing chip, a radio frequency processing chip, and the like. The dedicated processor may further include a chip with another dedicated processing function of the radio access network node.

The memory 52 may include a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 52 can also include non-volatile memory, such as ROM, flash memory, HDD, or SSD. The memory 52 may further include a combination of the types of memory described above.

The system bus 53 may include a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, a signal status bus, and the like. In this embodiment, various buses are represented by the system bus 53 of FIG. 8 for clarity.

Specifically, the transceiver 51 may be a transceiver on a radio access network node. The transceiver may be a wireless transceiver. For example, the radio transceiver may be the antenna of a radio access network node. The processor 50 uses the transceiver 51 to send and receive data to and from another node such as a UE or a control plane node.

In the specific implementation process, all steps corresponding to the wireless access network nodes in the method procedure shown in the embodiment of the method described above are such that the processor 50 in hardware form is in software form and in memory 52. It can be implemented in a way that executes the stored computer executable instructions. To avoid repetition, the details are not described again herein.

This embodiment of the present invention provides a radio access network node. The instructional information used by the radio access network node to determine the control plane node for the UE can accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, whereby the control plane node provides a customized service to the UE. Can be reliably provided.

As shown in FIG. 9, embodiments of the present invention provide control plane nodes. The control plane node includes a processor 60, a transceiver 61, a memory 62, and a system bus 63. The memory 62 is configured to store computer executable instructions. The processor 60, the transceiver 61, and the memory 62 are connected to each other and communicate with each other using the system bus 63. When the control plane node operates, the processor 60 executes a computer executable instruction stored in the memory 62, and the control plane node executes an embodiment of the above-described method (a method shown in FIG. 3 and a method (not shown)). The method of determining the control plane node described in any one of (including embodiments of) is performed. For a specific method for determining the control plane node, refer to the related description in the embodiment of the above-mentioned method, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

This embodiment further provides a storage medium. The storage medium may include a memory 62.

The processor 60 may be a CPU. The processor 60 may be another general purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or another programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, and the like. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, and the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

The processor 60 may be a dedicated processor, and the dedicated processor may include at least one of a baseband processing chip, a radio frequency processing chip, and the like. The dedicated processor may further include a chip with another dedicated processing function of the radio access network node.

The memory 62 may include a volatile memory, such as a RAM. The memory 62 can also include non-volatile memory, such as ROM, flash memory, HDD, or SSD. The memory 62 may further include a combination of the types of memory described above.

The system bus 63 may include a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, a signal status bus, and the like. In this embodiment, various buses are represented by the system bus 63 of FIG. 9 for clarity.

Specifically, the transceiver 61 may be a transceiver on the control plane node. The transceiver may be a wireless transceiver. For example, the radio transceiver may be the antenna of the control plane node. The processor 60 uses the transceiver 61 to send and receive data to and from another node such as a UE or a control plane node.

In the specific implementation process, all steps corresponding to the control plane nodes in the method procedure shown in the embodiment of the above method are stored in the memory 62 by the processor 60 in the form of hardware in the form of software. It can be implemented in a way that executes the computer-executable instructions that have been made. To avoid repetition, the details are not described again herein.

This embodiment of the present invention provides a control plane node. The control plane node may send instruction information to the UE that accurately indicates the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, after the UE sends the instruction information to the radio access network node, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information. , The control plane node can reliably provide customized services to the UE.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a wireless communication system. Radio communication systems include UEs, radio access network nodes, and control plane nodes. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic architectural diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The UE may be the UE shown in FIG. 4 or 7, the radio access network node may be the UE shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 8, and the control plane node may be the control shown in FIG. 6 or 9. It may be a plain node.

For a detailed description of the UE in this embodiment of the present invention, refer to the related description of the UE in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. For a detailed description of the radio access network node, refer to the related description of the radio access network node in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. For a detailed description of the control plane node, refer to the related description of the control plane node in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 or 9. Details will not be described again herein.

In the wireless communication system provided in this embodiment of the present invention, the control plane node acquires instructional information used to indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs and transmits the instructional information to the UE. After the UE acquires the instruction information, the UE may send the instruction information to the radio access network node using the access layer request message, and the radio access network node tells the UE based on the instruction information. Determine the control plane node that corresponds to the network slice to which it belongs.

Based on the technical solutions described above, the instructional information used by the radio access network node to determine the control plane node for the UE may accurately indicate the network slice to which the UE belongs. Therefore, the radio access network node may determine to the UE the control plane node corresponding to the network slice to which the UE belongs based on the instruction information, whereby the control plane node provides a customized service to the UE. Can be reliably provided.

The above description of the implementation can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the division of the functional modules described above is taken up as an example for illustration purposes for the sake of brevity and brief description. In a real application, the above functions can be assigned to different modules and implemented according to the requirements, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different function modules to realize all or part of the above functions. .. For detailed working processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices, and units, the corresponding processes in embodiments of the above-mentioned methods may be referred to, the details of which are not described herein.

It should be understood that in some embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiment of the device described is only an example. For example, a module or unit division is only a logical functional division, and may be another division in an actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, some functions may be ignored, or they may not be performed. In addition, the shown or discussed interconnected or direct coupled or communication connections may be implemented by using several interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connections between devices or units may be performed electronically, mechanically or in other forms.

Units listed as separate parts may or may not be physically separated, and parts labeled as units may or may not be physical units and may be placed in one position. It may be distributed to a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to the actual need to achieve the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

Further, the functional unit according to the embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, may physically exist independently, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. May be done. The integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software function unit.

If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product, the integrated unit may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, essentially all or some of the technical solutions of the invention, or parts that contribute to the prior art, or technical solutions may be implemented in the form of software products. The software product is stored on a storage medium and instructs a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device) or processor to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in embodiments of the present invention. Includes some instructions to do. The storage medium described above includes any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, removable hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

This description is merely a specific embodiment of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention. Within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, any modification or alternative easily conceived by one of ordinary skill in the art falls within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall belong to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims (31)

It ’s a method for wireless communication,
The step of receiving the request message from the terminal by the first control plane node,
A step of transmitting instruction information indicating a network slice to the terminal by the first control plane node, wherein the network slice is associated with a service type in the subscription data of the terminal.
A step of receiving an access layer message from the terminal by the radio access network node, wherein the access layer message includes the instruction information indicating the network slice.
A method comprising the step of determining a second control plane node corresponding to a network slice of the terminal based on the instruction information by the radio access network node. The method of claim 1, wherein the first control plane node and the second control plane node corresponding to the network slice are the same. The step of receiving the request message from the terminal by the first control plane node is
A step of receiving a non-access layer message from the terminal by the first control plane node, wherein the non-access layer message includes a step including an identifier of the terminal.
The method is
A step of acquiring subscription data of the terminal based on the identifier of the terminal by the first control plane node, and
The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step of determining the instruction information based on the subscription data of the terminal by the first control plane node. The step of determining the instruction information based on the subscription data of the terminal by the first control plane node is the service type of the user device (UE) in the subscription data of the terminal by the first control plane node. The method according to claim 3, wherein the instruction information is determined based on the above. A step of acquiring the instruction information from the first control plane node by the terminal, and
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a step of transmitting the access layer message including the instruction information to the radio access network node by the terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the instruction information is an identifier of the network slice or an identifier information for indicating the identifier of the network slice. A system with radio access network nodes and one or more control plane nodes.
The first control plane node of the one or more control nodes receives a request message from the terminal, and in response to the request message, sends instruction information indicating a network slice to the terminal, and the network slice is a network slice. It is configured to be associated with the service type in the subscription data of the terminal.
The radio access network node
A system that receives an access layer message including the instruction information from the terminal and is set to determine a second control plane node corresponding to a network slice of the terminal based on the instruction information. The system according to claim 7, wherein the first control plane node and the second control plane node corresponding to the network slice are the same. The request message is a non-access layer message, and the first control plane node is
The non-access layer message is received from the terminal, and the non-access layer message includes the identifier of the terminal.
The subscription data of the terminal is acquired based on the identifier of the terminal, and the subscription data is acquired.
The system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the instruction information is determined based on the subscription data of the terminal. The terminal further comprises the terminal, which is configured to receive the instruction information from the first control plane node and transmit the access layer message including the instruction information to the radio access network node. Item 6. The system according to any one of Items 7 to 9. The radio access network node
It is configured to determine the second control plane node corresponding to the network slice based on the instruction information and the first mapping relationship.
The system according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the network slice and the second control plane node. The system according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the instruction information is an identifier of the network slice or identifier information indicating the identifier of the network slice. It ’s a method for wireless communication,
The step of sending a request message to the first control plane node by the terminal,
A step of receiving instruction information indicating a network slice from the first control plane node by the terminal, wherein the network slice is associated with a service type in the subscription data of the terminal.
A method of transmitting an access layer message to a radio access network node by the terminal, wherein the access layer message includes the instruction information, including steps. 13. The method of claim 13, wherein the instruction information is used to allow the radio access network node to select a second control plane node that corresponds to the network slice of the terminal. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the request message to the first control plane node is a non-access layer message, and the non-access layer message includes an identifier of the terminal. 14. The method of claim 14, wherein the first control plane node and the second control plane node corresponding to the network slice are identical. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the instruction information is determined by the first control plane node based on the service type in the subscription data of the terminal. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the instruction information is an identifier of the network slice or identifier information for indicating the identifier of the network slice. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the access layer message is a radio resource control (RRC) connection message. A device comprising a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory, wherein the at least one processor executes an instruction stored in the memory to provide the device with claims 13-19. A device configured to perform the method described in any one of the sections. A means of sending a request message to the first control plane node,
A means for receiving instruction information indicating a network slice from the first control plane node, wherein the network slice is associated with a service type in the subscription data of the terminal.
A device comprising means for transmitting an access layer message to a radio access network node, wherein the access layer message includes instruction information. 21. The device of claim 21, wherein the instruction information is used to allow the radio access network node to select a second control plane node that corresponds to the network slice of the terminal. The device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the request message to the first control plane node is a non-access layer message, and the non-access layer message includes an identifier of the terminal. 22. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the first control plane node and the second control plane node corresponding to the network slice are the same. The instruction information based on the service type in the subscriber data of the terminal, the being determined by the first control plane node, apparatus according to any one of claims 2 1-23. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the instruction information is an identifier of the network slice or identifier information for indicating the identifier of the network slice. The device according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the access layer message is a radio resource control (RRC) connection message. A computer-readable storage medium having a stored program, wherein the program includes an instruction for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A computer-readable storage medium having a stored program, wherein the program includes instructions for performing the method according to any one of claims 13-19. A computer program comprising computer program code that causes the computer unit to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when executed by the computer unit. A computer program comprising computer program code that causes the computer unit to perform the method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, when executed by the computer unit.

Images