WO2012041115A1

WO2012041115A1 - Terminal access method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2012041115A1
Application number: PCT/CN2011/077498
Authority: WO
Inventors: 邓云; 戴谦; 艾建勋; 毛磊
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2010-09-29
Filing date: 2011-07-22
Publication date: 2012-04-05
Also published as: CN102438277A

Abstract

The present invention provides a terminal access method and a system. The method comprises: when a terminal accesses a network, an access network element selects a core network element for the terminal on the basis of obtained information on the access support capabilities of the core network element with respect to the terminal. In the present invention, the core network element that has the appropriate processing capabilities can be selected for the terminal on the basis of the access level or service priority of a terminal or the type or priority of the service initiated, thereby ensuring normal operation of the network when a large volume of MTC devices access the network.

Description

Terminal access method and system

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a terminal access method and system.

Background technique

H2H (Human to Human) communication refers to communication between people. By communicating with the operation of the device, the existing wireless communication technology is developed based on H2H communication. In H2H communication, people use The H2H device, that is, the UE (User Equipment) in the normal sense, implements communication. The narrow definition of M2M (Machine to Machine) is machine-to-machine communication. Broadly defined, it is a networked application and service centered on intelligent interaction of machine terminals. It is based on intelligent machine terminals, using multiple communication methods as access means, providing customers with information solutions to meet customer information needs for monitoring, command and dispatch, data collection and measurement.

The development of wireless technology is an important factor in the development of the M2M market. It breaks through the space-time constraints and geographical barriers of traditional communication methods, freeing enterprises and the public from cable restraints, allowing customers to more effectively control costs, reduce installation costs, and is easy to use. . In addition, the growing demand drives M2M to keep moving forward. Contrary to the continuous growth of information processing capabilities and network bandwidth, the means of information acquisition is far behind, and M2M satisfies people's needs. It allows people to monitor the external environment in real time, enabling a wide-ranging, automated collection of information. Therefore, M2M can be widely used in industrial applications, home applications, personal applications, and the like. Industry applications such as: traffic monitoring, warning systems, maritime rescue, vending machines, paying for cars, etc. Home applications such as: automatic meter reading, temperature control, etc. Personal applications such as: life detection, remote diagnosis, etc.

M2M's communication objects are machine-to-machine and human-to-machine. Data communication between one or more machines is defined as MTC (Machine Type Communication), in which case human interaction is less required. A machine participating in MTC is defined as an MTC device (MDC). The MTC device is a terminal of the MTC user, and can communicate with the MTC device or the MTC server through a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network). After the M2M application is introduced, the existing system can be optimized according to its characteristics to meet the requirements of the M2M application, and it does not affect the user equipment (User Equipment, UE for short) in the existing system. Some notable features of the M2M application are: MTC devices are numerous, the amount of data transmitted per time is small, the transmission interval is large, and the position is relatively fixed. In view of the large number of MTC devices, and the number of common UEs, that is, H2H devices, is not an order of magnitude, the widespread application of MTC devices is likely to overload the network, such as when a cell suddenly has a power outage, when the power is restored, many MTCs. The device may attempt to access the network at the same time, which will cause the network to be overloaded. In order to cope with the overload caused by the introduction of the MTC device, the network side needs to improve the overload control capability. In the existing protocol, the core network element needs to have a new processing overload capability, such as the MME of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. Mobility Management Entity (Mobility Management Entity), which needs to implement APN-based overload control according to the traffic volume of the APN (Access point name) reported by the MTC device (the maximum number of active bearers, the maximum bearer rate, etc.), and can send a registration to the UE. Attach Reject, location area update rejection; MME needs to have the ability to delay MTC device registration request, service request (Service Request). When the MME has the capability of handling overload, it can ensure that the MTC device does not cause network embarrassment when it accesses the network in a large amount. Therefore, when the MTC device accesses the network, the MTC device needs to be incorporated into the MME with processing overload capability to implement overload control. However, in the existing protocol, the base station cannot know whether the MME has the capability of handling the overload of the MTC device, and thus cannot guide the MTC device to access the appropriate MME.

In addition, the following problems exist in the prior art: When the UE accesses the network, the access level or priority of the UE is not distinguished, and the type or priority of the service initiated by the UE is not distinguished, and some requirements are compared. A high terminal or a service with high real-time requirements cannot reasonably access a specific MME to meet its access requirements, thereby affecting the user experience.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a terminal access method and system, which solves the problem of selecting a core network element when a terminal accesses a network.

To solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a terminal access method, including: when a terminal accesses a network, the access network element is the terminal according to the acquired access support capability information of the core network element for the terminal. Select the core network element to access. The access support capability information for the terminal includes one of the following information or any combination thereof:

Whether it has the ability to support terminal access, whether it has the ability to handle the terminal, and whether it has the overload handling capability for the terminal.

The capability of supporting terminal access refers to:

Terminal access supporting some or all access levels; or,

Support partial or full priority terminal access; or,

Terminal access that supports some or all of the service priorities; or,

Support part or all of the service type access initiated by the terminal.

When the terminal accesses the network, the information of the terminal is carried;

The step of selecting the accessed core network element includes: the access network element selecting, according to the information of the terminal, the core network element having the access support capability for the terminal;

The information of the terminal includes type indication information of the terminal, or includes type indication information of the terminal, and access level information of the terminal, or priority information of the terminal, or initiated by the terminal. Information of the type of service, or the priority of the service initiated by the terminal.

The method further includes: obtaining, by the interface network element, the access support capability information of the core network element for the terminal by using the interface signaling to the core network element;

Or the core network element sends the access support capability information of the terminal to the access network element through the interface signaling;

The interface signaling includes S1 signaling in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or Iu signaling in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system.

The S1 signaling includes: an S1 setup response, a mobility management entity (MME) configuration update, an overload control start, or other newly added S1 signaling;

The Iu signaling includes: information delivery indication, resetting, or other newly added Iu signaling.

The access network element is a base station in an LTE system, or a wireless network controller in a WCDMA system;

The core network element is an MME in an LTE system, and is in a mobile exchange in a WCDMA system. Heart (MSC) and/or General Packet Radio Service Technology Service Support Node (SGSN).

The terminal includes a person-to-person (H2H) device, a machine type communication (MTC) device, or a relay node.

The present invention also provides a terminal access system, including a capability information acquisition unit and a terminal access unit in an access network element, where:

The capability information acquiring unit is configured to acquire access support capability information of the core network element for the terminal;

The terminal access unit is configured to: when the terminal accesses the network, select, according to the access support capability information of the core network element obtained by the capability information acquiring unit, the core network element selected for the terminal .

The access support capability information for the terminal includes one of the following information or any combination thereof:

In addition, the terminal access unit is configured to select a core network element for accessing the terminal by: selecting, according to the information about the terminal that is carried by the terminal when the terminal accesses the network, The core network element of the access support capability of the terminal;

The information of the terminal includes type indication information of the terminal, or includes type indication information of the terminal, and access level information of the terminal, or priority information of the terminal, or initiated by the terminal. The service type, or the information of the service priority initiated by the terminal; the capability of supporting terminal access refers to: terminal access supporting some or all access levels; or, supporting partial or full priority terminal connection Or; support terminal access that supports some or all of the service priorities; or, support partial or full service type access initiated by the terminal.

In addition, the system further includes a capability information sending unit in the core network element;

The capability information acquiring unit is further configured to: obtain the access support capability information of the core network element for the terminal by using the interface signaling to the capability information sending unit;

The capability information sending unit is configured to send the access support capability information of the core network element to the access network element by using the interface signaling; The interface signaling includes S1 signaling in an LTE system, or Iu signaling in a WCDMA system.

According to the present invention, the access network element learns the capability information of the core network element processing the MTC device through the interface signaling, and can select an appropriate core network element for the MTC device when accessing the network, because the MTC device selects The core network element has the ability to handle the overload of the MTC, so as to ensure that the network maintains normal operation when a large number of MTC devices access the network. In addition, the present invention is also applicable to all other terminals, and selects a core network element with corresponding processing capability for the terminal according to the access level or priority of the terminal, or the service type or service priority initiated by the terminal. BRIEF abstract

The drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are intended to be illustrative of the invention. In the drawing:

1 is a schematic diagram of a network layout of an LTE system according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the process of establishing an S1 interface;

3 is a schematic diagram of a network layout of a WCDMA system according to the prior art.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a terminal access method, including:

When the terminal accesses the network, the access network element selects the access core network element for the terminal according to the acquired access support capability information of the core network element.

Further, the capability of supporting terminal access refers to:

Terminal access supporting some or all access levels; or, Support partial or full priority terminal access; or,

Terminal access that supports some or all of the service priorities; or,

Support part or all of the service type access initiated by the terminal.

Further, when the terminal accesses the network, the information of the terminal is carried;

The access network element is a core network element that selects an access support capability for the terminal for the terminal according to the information of the terminal;

The information of the terminal includes type indication information of the terminal, or includes type indication information of the terminal, and one or any combination of the following information: access level information of the terminal, the terminal The priority information, the service type initiated by the terminal, and the information of the service priority initiated by the terminal.

Further, the access network element obtains the access support capability information for the terminal by using the interface signaling to the core network element, or the core network element passes the access support capability information for the terminal. The interface signaling is sent to the access network element;

The interface signaling includes S1 signaling in an LTE system, or Iu signaling in a WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) system.

The S1 signaling includes: an S1 setup response, an MME configuration update, an overload control start, or other newly added S1 signaling;

The access network element is a base station in an LTE system, or an RNC (Radio Network Controller) in a WCDMA system;

The core network element is an MME in an LTE system, an MSC and/or an SGSN in a WCDMA system.

The terminal includes an H2H device, an MTC device, a relay node, or other wireless access device. The type indication information of the terminal refers to indication information of the H2H device, or indication information of the MTC device, or indication information of the relay node, or indication information of other wireless access devices.

In order to facilitate the description of the present invention, the technical solution of the present invention will be hereinafter described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The implementation is described in further detail. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

Embodiment 1

The network layout of the LTE system is as shown in Figure 1. There is an S1 interface between the base station and the core network element MME, and an X2 interface exists between adjacent base stations.

In this embodiment, the base station 1 (any one of the LTE system base stations) is powered on, and after obtaining the necessary network parameters from the background operation and control (OAM), the S1 interface needs to be established with the core network. It provides services for its common user equipment and also provides services for its covered MTC equipment. The process of establishing an S1 interface is shown in Figure 2:

Step 201: The base station 1 sends an S1 setup request (SI Setup Request) to the MME1, where the request carries information such as a location area identifier (Track Area Code) and a base station identifier of the cell under the control of the base station;

Step 202: The MME1 returns an S1 setup response (SI Setup Response) to the base station 1, where the response includes a globally unique identifier Served GUMMEI (Globally Unique MME Identifier) and a relative MME capability ( Relative MME Capacity);

Here, the relative MME capability refers to the processing capability of one MME with respect to other MMEs, which can be understood as the load capability information of the MME, and is used for performing load balancing between the MMEs.

In the present invention, it is also necessary to add a new cell to indicate the access support capability information of the MME1 for the terminal, that is, whether it has the capability of processing the MTC device, whether the MTC device is allowed to access, or whether it has overload processing capability for the MTC device. .

After receiving the S1 setup response returned by the MME1, the base station 1 obtains the capability of the MMC device to process the MTC device, the capability of allowing the MTC device to access, or the overload processing capability for the MTC device, and applies the obtained information to the MTC device access. The choice of the core network element (referred to as MME) in the network. The base station 1 also establishes an S1 interface with other MMEs to enable load balancing between the MMEs.

After the base station 1 provides services for the common user equipment and the MTC device under the coverage, when the MTC device 1 (indicated by MD1 here) needs to access the network, the base station 1 initiates random access in the cell under the jurisdiction of the base station 1, and transmits RRC to the base station 1 ( Radio Resource Control, Radio Resource Control) Connection Request (RRC The base station 1 establishes a Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) for the MD1, and sends an RRC Connection Setup signal to the MD1. After the MD1 obtains the parameters configured by the base station 1, the base station 1 1 Send RRC Connection Setup Complete signaling, in which non-access stratum signaling (NAS signaling) is carried. In the RRC establishment process, the RRC signaling sent by the MD1 to the base station 1 carries the type indication information indicating the MTC device, so as to distinguish the common user equipment, that is, the Η2Η device, and the MD1 can carry the signaling through the RRC connection request or the RRC connection establishment completion signal. The type indication information of the MTC device, such as the identifier information of the MTC device, and the access level information of the MTC device, the priority information of the MTC device, the service type initiated by the MTC device, or the service priority initiated by the MTC device. information.

After the base station 1 receives the RRC connection setup complete signaling that carries the NAS signaling sent by the MD1, the base station 1 needs to select and send the NAS signaling. The base station 1 learns that the MME1 has the capability to process the MTC device and allows the MTC through the establishment process of the S1 interface. The capability of the device to access, or the overload processing capability for the MTC device, the base station 1 sends an initial user message (Initial UE Message) to the MME1, and the message carries the NAS signaling sent by the MD1. Thereafter, the MME1 configures parameters required for establishing a data radio bearer for the MD1, and selects a suitable user plane gateway for the MD1. After the radio access bearer is established, the MD1 can communicate with the MTC server or other MTC device.

In this embodiment, the base station 1 learns whether the MME has the capability to process the MTC device through the establishment process of the S1 interface, and then can correctly select the MME when the MTC device accesses the network, ensuring that the MTC device can normally start after accessing the network. Communication. The MTC device is directed to the MME capable of handling the MTC device in order to avoid overload caused by a large number of MTC devices accessing the normal MME.

In this embodiment, the base station 1 learns whether the MME has the capability to process the MTC device through the establishment process of the S1 interface, and the base station 1 can obtain the MME by using the MME Configuration Update (MME) sent by the MME after the S1 interface is established. Ability to handle MTC devices. For example, when the base station 1 has established an S1 interface with a certain MME (MME2), and then the MME2 has the capability to process the MTC device due to the upgrade, the MME2 may send the MME configuration update to the base station 1 to indicate that the MME2 has the processing MTC. The capabilities of the device, the ability to allow access to the MTC device, or the overload handling capability for the MTC device, base station 1 After obtaining, it is applied to the selection of the core network element when the MTC device accesses the network.

Embodiment 2

The network layout of the WCDMA system is shown in Figure 3. The Radio Network Control (RNC) communicates with the core network element mobile service switching center (MSC) and GPRS service through the Iu interface. The Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is connected to each other. The Iur interface is established between the RNCs. The Iub interface is established between the RNC and the base station.

After the RNC access network establishes an Iu interface with the core network, the RNC establishes an Iu interface with multiple MSCs and multiple SGSNs for network sharing and load balancing. After one of the SGSNs (hereafter assumed to be SGSN1) is upgraded and has the capability to process the MTC device, the SGSN1 sends the ability to carry the SGSN1 with the ability to process the MTC device, allow the MTC device to access, or have the capability to transmit to the RNC through the Iu interface. Overload processing capability of MTC equipment. SGSN1 can reuse existing Iu interface signaling, such as Information Transfer Indication and Reset signaling, and can also use the newly added Iu signaling to carry cells that represent the capability of processing MTC devices. . After receiving the SGSN1's capability to process the MTC device, the RNC applies it to the selection of the core network element (referred to as SGSN) when the MTC device accesses the network.

After the RNC provides services for the common user equipment and the MTC equipment under the coverage of the RNC, the MTC equipment 1 (hereinafter also referred to as the MD1) needs to access the network, and initiates a random connection in the cell under the jurisdiction of the RNC (referring to the cell under the jurisdiction of the RNC). The RRC connection request is sent to the RNC. The RNC establishes a signaling radio bearer (SRB) for the MD1, and sends an RRC connection setup signaling to the MD1. After obtaining the parameters configured by the RNC, the MD1 sends an RRC connection setup complete signaling to the RNC. In the process of RRC establishment, the RRC signaling sent by the MD1 to the RNC carries the identification information of the MTC device to distinguish the common user equipment, and the MD1 may carry the type indication of the MTC device through the RRC connection request or the RRC connection establishment completion signaling. The information is such as the identification information of the MTC device and the level or priority information of the MTC device. After the SRB is established, the MD1 sends an Initial Direct Transfer to the RNC to carry the NAS layer signaling. After receiving the RNC, the RNC needs to select the SGSN to send the NAS signaling. The RNC learns that the SGSN1 has the processing MTC through the Iu interface signaling. The capabilities of the device, the ability to allow MTC devices to access, or the overload handling capabilities for MTC devices, RNC An initial user equipment message (Initial UE Message) is sent to the SGSN1 for the MD1, and the message carries the NAS signaling sent by the MD1. Thereafter, the SGSN1 configures the parameters required for establishing the data radio bearer for the MD1, and selects an appropriate user plane gateway for the MD1. After the radio access bearer is established, the MD1 can communicate with the MTC server or other MTC devices. Selecting the core network element supporting the MTC device for the MD device can avoid the overload problem caused by the access of a large number of MTC devices.

In this embodiment, the MD1 carries the type indication information indicating the MTC device by using the RRC connection request or the RRC connection setup complete signaling, and the MD1 may also carry the type indication information indicating the MTC device in the initial direct transmission, because the RNC is receiving the initial information. After the direct transmission, the core network element is selected.

In this embodiment, the SGSN is mainly selected for the RNC, because the MTC device usually initiates the service of the PS domain (packet switched domain), so the RNC needs to select the SGSN for the MTC. If the MTC device can also initiate the service of the voice service, that is, the CS domain (circuit switched domain), the RNC needs to select the MSC for the MTC. Before selecting the MSC, the Iu interface needs to obtain the capability information of whether the MSC supports the MTC device.

Embodiment 3

In this embodiment, the base station 1 (any one of the LTE system base stations) is powered on, and after obtaining the necessary network parameters from the background operation and control server (OAM), the S1 interface needs to be established with the core network to cover the network. Ordinary user equipment provides services and also services the MTC equipment it covers. The process of establishing an S1 interface is as follows:

Step 301: The base station sends an S1 setup request (SI Setup Request) to the MME1, where the request carries information such as a location area identifier (Track Area Code) and a base station identifier of the cell under the control of the base station;

Step 302: The MME1 returns an S1 setup response (SI Setup Response) to the base station 1, where the response includes a globally unique identifier Served GUMMEI (Globally Unique MME Identifier) and a relative MME capability (relative MME Capacity).

In addition, in order to implement access control for MTC devices of different access levels or different priorities, the MME1 returns an S1 setup response to the base station 1 and also carries access support capabilities for the MTC device. The information about the access support capability of the MTC device may be: access to the MTC device supporting part or all of the access levels, or access to some or all of the priority MTC devices.

In this embodiment, the priority of the MTC device is divided into two types: an MTC device with a normal priority and an MTC device with a low priority. The S1 setup response sent by the MME1 to the base station 1 carries the MTC device that allows the normal priority. Into the ability information. After receiving the base station 1, the capability information is applied to the selection of the core network element (referred to as MME) when the MTC device accesses the network.

Then, if the MTC device accesses the network through the base station 1, the base station 1 learns the priority of the MTC device through the RRC establishment process. If the MTC is a low-priority MTC device, the base station 1 cannot select the MME1 to send the initial user equipment message. If the MME that has the S1 interface with the base station 1 does not have the access capability of the low-priority MTC device, the base station 1 will reject the access of the MTC device. If the MTC is a normal-priority MTC device, the base station 1 MME1 can be selected to send an initial user equipment message, and the MTC device can access the network to conduct services.

In this embodiment, the priority of the MTC device is divided into only two types. If the priority of the MTC device is divided into multiple categories (more than two types), this embodiment is also applicable. The MME may send the capability of allowing the MTC devices of different priorities to access, or the capability of allowing the MTC devices of different access levels to access, by using the S1 establishment response, the MME configuration update, the overload control start, and the like, and the MME may also pass the MME. The new S1 signaling enables the delivery of this capability.

Embodiment 4

In this embodiment, the MME sends the access support capability information of the MME to the MTC device to the base station by using the S1 establishment response, the MME configuration update, the overload control start, and the like. Further, the capability information is: supporting part of the service type. Or the service priority MTC device access. The services described include services initiated by MTC devices and/or services for MTC paging (MTC terminating).

In this embodiment, the service priorities are classified into two types: normal priority services and low priority services, or high priority services and low priority services. The MME sends the MTC device access to the base station that does not allow low priority traffic. It should be noted that the present invention is equally applicable if the business priorities are divided into multiple categories. After receiving the base station, the MME's access support capability information for the MTC device is applied to the selection of the core network element (referred to as MME) when the MTC device accesses the network.

Then, if the MTC device accesses the network through the base station, the base station learns the service priority initiated by the MTC device through the RRC establishment process. If the MTC initiates the low priority service, the base station 1 cannot select the MME to send the initial user equipment message. If the MTC initiates a normal priority (or high priority) service, the base station may select the MME to send an initial user equipment message, and the MTC device may access the network to perform services.

In this embodiment, the MME sets different access capabilities for the service priority initiated by the MTC, and sends the capability information to the eNB for selection by the MME when the MTC accesses. The MME can also set different access capabilities for the service type initiated by the MTC device. For example, the MTC device often needs to send small data to the MTC server. The MME can set different access capabilities for the service type, such as not allowing small data to be sent. The MTC device accesses the network. After the base station learns that the service type is a small data type in the RRC establishment phase of the MTC device, the base station cannot select the MME that does not allow the small data MTC device to access.

In this embodiment, the base station learns the access capability information of the MME for the MTC device by using the S1 signaling, and the base station can also learn the access capability information of the MME for the MTC device through the background operation and the management server, and after the base station learns the capability information of the MME, It is applied to the MME selection when the MTC device accesses the network.

It should be noted that the foregoing embodiment is specifically described by using an MTC device as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to an MTC device, and can be extended to a core network when all types of terminals access the network. The selection process of the yuan. For example, the terminal can also be an H2H device, a relay node, or other wireless access device. The base station or the RNC learns the access support capability information of the core network element for various terminals through interface signaling, and then applies it to the selection of the core network element when the terminal accesses the network.

For the H2H device, the existing access network element defaults all the core network elements to allow the H2H devices of different priorities to access or allow the H2H devices of different service types to access the access network element. The destination network element can be selected according to the priority of the H2H device or the type of the service to be initiated. The access network element needs to know the access support capability information of the core network element for the H2H device through the S1 interface or the Iu interface. The relay node is a wireless access device introduced to extend the coverage of the cell, reduce the dead zone in the communication, and balance the load. The relay node accesses the network through the cell under the jurisdiction of the base station to provide new network coverage. The H2H device or the MTC device accesses the network through the area covered by the relay node. When the relay node accesses the network, the base station needs to select a core network element that supports the access of the relay node, or select a core network element that allows access level access of the relay node.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal access system (not shown), where the system mainly includes a capability information acquiring unit and a terminal access unit in an access network element, where:

The capability information acquiring unit is configured to obtain access support capability information of the core network element for the terminal;

The terminal access unit is configured to: when the terminal accesses the network, select, according to the access support capability information of the core network element obtained by the capability information acquiring unit, the core network element that is selected for the terminal.

The access support capability information for the terminal acquired by the capability information acquiring unit includes one of the following information or any combination thereof:

In addition, the terminal access unit is configured to select, according to information about the terminal that is carried when the terminal accesses the network, a core network element that has an access support capability for the terminal. The information about the terminal includes the type indication information of the terminal; or includes the type indication information of the terminal, and the access level information of the terminal, or the priority information of the terminal, or the service type initiated by the terminal. Or the information of the service priority initiated by the terminal; the capability of supporting the access of the terminal refers to: supporting terminal access of some or all access levels; or, supporting terminal access of some or all priorities; or A terminal that supports partial or full service priority access; or, supports partial or full service type access initiated by the terminal.

In addition, the system further includes a capability information sending unit in the core network element,

The capability information acquiring unit is further configured to acquire, by the interface signaling, the access support capability information of the core network element for the terminal to the capability information sending unit;

The capability information sending unit is configured to provide a core network element with an access support capability letter for the terminal The information is sent to the access network element by using interface signaling.

The interface signaling includes S1 signaling in an LTE system, or Iu signaling in a WCDMA system.

The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in various other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to the invention, and such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the present invention can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device, which can be concentrated on a single computing device or distributed over a network composed of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device, such that they may be stored in the storage device by the computing device and, in some cases, may be different from the order herein. The steps shown or described are performed, or they are separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or a plurality of modules or steps are fabricated as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

Industrial Applicability Compared with the prior art, the present invention can select a suitable core network element for the MTC device to access the network according to the capability information of the core network element processing the MTC device, thereby ensuring that the network is in a large number of MTCs. The device maintains normal operation when it accesses the network. In addition, the present invention can be applied to all other terminals, and select a core network element with corresponding processing capability for the terminal according to the access level or priority of the terminal, or the service type or service priority initiated by the terminal.

Claims

Claim

1. A terminal access method, comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the capability of supporting terminal access refers to: supporting terminal access of part or all access levels; or

Support partial or full priority terminal access; or,

Terminal access that supports some or all of the service priorities; or,

Support part or all of the service type access initiated by the terminal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein

The terminal carries information of the terminal when accessing the network;

The step of selecting the core network element for accessing the terminal includes: the network element of the access network selecting, for the terminal, a core network element having an access support capability for the terminal according to the information of the terminal;

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

And obtaining, by the interface network element, the access support capability information of the core network element to the terminal by using the interface signaling to the core network element;

Or the core network element sends the access support capability information for the terminal through the interface signaling. Giving the access network element;

6. The method of claim 5, wherein

7. The method of claim 5, wherein

The access network element is a base station in an LTE system, or a radio network controller in a WCDMA system;

The core network element is an MME in an LTE system, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) in a WCDMA system, and/or a General Packet Radio Service Technical Service Support Node (SGSN).

8. The method of claim 1, wherein

The terminal includes a person-to-person device, a machine type communication device, or a relay node.

A terminal access system, comprising: a capability information acquisition unit and a terminal access unit in an access network element, wherein:

10. The system of claim 9, wherein

11. The system of claim 10, wherein The terminal access unit is configured to select a core network element for accessing the terminal by: selecting, according to the information about the terminal that is carried by the terminal when the terminal accesses the network, The core network element of the access support capability;

12. The system of claim 9, 10 or 11, further comprising a capability information transmitting unit in the core network element,

The capability information sending unit is configured to send the access network capability information of the core network element to the access network element by using interface signaling.