WO2013107346A1

WO2013107346A1 - Method and device for establishing interface connection between base stations

Info

Publication number: WO2013107346A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/070541
Authority: WO
Inventors: 祝建建; 奚进; 吴蕴璐; 黄莹
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2012-01-18
Filing date: 2013-01-16
Publication date: 2013-07-25
Also published as: CN103220815B; CN103220815A

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and device for establishing an interface connection between base stations. A base station judges the interface type of an X2 interface established with an opposite-end base station, and establishes an X2 interface connection of a corresponding type with the opposite-end base station; wherein the interface type comprises a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface. The base station can establish an X2 interface connection with a neighbour base station through a home eNB gateway proxy, and can also directly establish an X2 interface connection with the neighbour base station. A system can control the type of X2 interface established between a home base station and a neighbour base station, and the interface type comprises a direct X2 interface and a proxy X2 interface. The base station and the home eNB gateway accomplish the subsequent signalling interacting operation related to the X2 interface by learning the type of the established X2 interface.

Description

Method and device for establishing interface connection between base stations

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for establishing an interface connection between base stations. Background technique

Home eNB (HeNB for short) is a small, low-power base station deployed in indoor locations such as homes and offices. The primary role of the home base station is to provide a higher service rate for the home and reduce the cost of using the high rate service, while at the same time making up for the deficiencies of existing distributed cellular wireless communication systems. Home base stations have the advantages of affordability, convenience, low power output, and plug and play.

The schematic diagram of the home base station network architecture in the Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE) system introduced by the Third Generation Partnership Projects (3GPP) is shown in Figure 1. The HeNB is connected to the core network element based on the core network interface protocol defined in the standard. The HeNB accesses the user equipment (UE) based on the air interface protocol defined in the standard. To a large extent, there is no difference in functionality between the HeNB and the ordinary macro base station (Macro eNB).

Based on the network planning requirements, in some deployment scenarios, the HeNB and the Mobile Network Entity (Mobile Management Entity, hereinafter referred to as ΜΜΕ) may also enter a new network element: HeNB GateWay, referred to as For HeNB GW). According to the operation procedure specified in the related system, the primary function of the home base station gateway is to establish an S1 interface between the proxy home base station and the mobility management entity, so as to reduce the impact of the large number of HeNBs directly establishing an S1 interface connection with the MME.

In the related system, the home base station and the home base station, and the macro base station and the macro base station support the establishment of a direct X2 interface, but the X2 interface is not supported between the home base station and the macro base station, as shown in FIG.

At present, with the further development of home base station applications, home base stations and macro base stations have emerged. The need to establish an X2 interface between them, and in turn, the need for the home base station gateway to proxy the home base station to establish an X2 interface with the neighboring base station. Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for establishing an inter-base station interface connection. The base station may establish an X2 interface connection between the base station gateway proxy and the adjacent base station, or may directly establish an X2 interface connection with the adjacent base station.

A method for establishing an inter-base station interface connection according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

The base station establishes an X2 interface connection with the opposite base station;

The X2 interface includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

Preferably, the base station and the opposite base station include: a home base station and a macro base station, a home base station and a home base station, or a macro base station and a home base station.

Preferably, the proxy X2 interface is connected by an X2 interface between the home base station gateway and the home base station, and an X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the opposite base station;

The proxy X2 interface includes: an X2 interface of the proxy control plane, and/or a proxy data plane

X2 interface.

Preferably, the method further includes: determining, by the base station, an interface type of the X2 interface with the opposite base station before establishing an X2 interface connection with the opposite base station.

Preferably, the X2 interface type includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

Preferably, the base station establishes a corresponding type of X2 interface connection with the opposite base station according to the determined interface type.

Preferably, the step of determining, by the base station, the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station includes: determining, by the base station, the base station and the opposite base station according to the indication information included in the received signaling message sent by the peer network element Establishing an interface type of the X2 interface, where the peer network element includes a home base station gateway or a mobility management entity (MME), and the signaling message includes an MME configuration delivery message, an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, and a home base station gateway. S1 setup response message, MME configuration update message, base station configuration update response message, or new transmission on the S1 interface with the home base station Increased signaling message; or,

The base station determines, according to the received indication information included in the signaling message sent by the peer base station, the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station; where the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message and an X2 setup response message. Or a new signaling message.

Preferably, the step of determining, by the base station, the type of the interface of the X2 interface with the peer base station includes: determining, by the base station, an interface type of the X2 interface between the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system, determining the base station with the opposite end station Establish the interface type of the X2 interface; or,

The base station determines, according to one or more base station identifiers configured by the system, the type of the interface to be configured, and determines the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the opposite base station.

Preferably, the step of determining, by the base station, the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station includes: the base station based on the transport network layer address corresponding to the peer network element when the base station establishes the S1 connection with the peer network element, And a transport network layer address corresponding to the X2 peer network element when the X2 connection is established with the peer base station, and when the two transport network layer addresses are the same, determining to establish a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station; The base station obtains a transport network layer address required for establishing an X2 connection with the opposite base station from the signaling message sent by the S1 to the peer network element; the S1 connection peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity; The signaling message includes an S1 connection setup response message, an MME configuration update message, a base station configuration update response message, or a newly added signaling message;

Or,

The source base station identifier included in the SON request message sent by the base station based on the received S1 connection peer network element and the target base station identifier included in the SON request message sent by the base station, when the source base station identifier When the identifier of the target base station is different, determining that a proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station, where the peer network element includes a home base station gateway and an MME, and the SON request message includes a base station configuration delivery message, The SON response message includes an MME configuration delivery message; or

The base station identifies, according to the source base station identifier included in the X2 setup response message sent by the peer network element, the target base station identifier included in the SON request message sent by the base station, when the source base station identifier and the target base station When the identifiers are different, it is determined that a proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station, where the peer network element includes a home base station gateway, a mobility management entity, and the SON request The message includes a base station configuration delivery message;

Or,

The base station is configured to receive the base station identifier and the cell identifier included in the X2 setup request message or the X2 setup response message sent by the peer network element, where the base station identifier is not included in the cell identifier or the base station identifier is not equal to When the cell is identified, it is determined that a proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station; wherein the peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity. Preferably, the method further includes:

The home base station gateway determines the interface type of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station, and indicates the interface type to the base station and/or the opposite base station by using a signaling message including indication information. ;

The signaling message includes an MME configuration delivery message, an X2 establishment request message, an X2 establishment response message, an S1 setup response message transmitted on the S1 interface between the home base station gateway and the home base station, an MME configuration update message, and a base station configuration update confirmation. Message or new signaling message.

Preferably, the step of determining, by the home base station gateway, the type of the interface between the base station and the opposite base station to establish an X2 interface includes:

The home base station gateway determines the interface type of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station according to the interface type of the X2 interface established by the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system; or

The home base station gateway determines, according to one or more base station identifiers configured by the system, the interface type that needs to be configured, and determines the interface type of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station; or, the home base station gateway is configured according to the system. The threshold parameter determines that the base station establishes a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station when the load exceeds a threshold of the system configuration.

Preferably, the method further includes:

After the base station determines the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station, the interface type is indicated to the home base station gateway and/or the opposite base station by using a signaling message containing the indication information;

The signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, an S1 setup request message, a base station configuration update message, an MME configuration update acknowledgement message, or a new signaling cancellation. Interest.

Preferably, the indication information includes:

The signaling message includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface indicator bit, an indication field, or does not include a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface indicator bit, an indication field.

Preferably, when the home base station gateway determines that the base station establishes a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station, the proxy completes the X2 interface establishment between the base station and the opposite base station, and sends the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station to the base station and the opposite base station. Send the transport network layer address of the home base station gateway. Preferably, the method further includes:

When the base station determines that the proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station, the signaling message sent to the home base station gateway carries the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station, where the base station identifier information includes the X2 setup operation target base station. The identifier and/or the cell identifier and/or the identifier for identifying the base station; the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, a base station configuration update message, and a base station configuration update response message;

The home base station gateway completes an X2 interface connection establishment operation between the base station and the neighbor base station corresponding to the neighbor base station identifier and/or the cell identifier, based on the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station. / or base station configuration update operation.

Preferably, the method further includes: after establishing a proxy X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station,

During the process of the user equipment switching from the home base station to the target base station, the user equipment does not send the user equipment context release message on the S1 interface to the peer network element connected to the S1 interface; wherein the S1 interface is connected. The peer network element includes a home base station gateway.

Preferably, after the base station and the opposite base station establish a control plane proxy X2 interface, when the user equipment switches between the base station and the opposite base station, the base station and the opposite end are controlled. The base station establishes an X2 interface connection of the direct data plane between the base stations, and implements direct forwarding of data between the base stations during the handover operation.

Preferably, the method further includes: after establishing a proxy X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station, The user equipment does not send the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the peer network element connected to the X2 interface, where the user equipment is switched from the X2 interface to the base station in the X2 interface operation process; wherein the X2 interface The connected peer network element includes a home base station gateway.

Preferably, the method further includes: after establishing a proxy X2 interface between the home base station and the macro base station, when the home base station gateway receives the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the home base station, releasing the user equipment performing the handover operation Relevant S 1 interface connection related and user equipment context related to X2 interface connection;

When receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the macro base station, the home base station gateway releases only the user equipment context related to the X2 interface connection related to the user equipment performing the handover operation.

An apparatus for establishing an inter-base station interface connection, which is applied to a base station, where the apparatus includes an interface establishment module, where:

The interface establishing module is configured to: establish an X2 interface connection with the peer base station, where the X2 interface includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

Preferably, the makeup type further includes an interface type judging module, configured to: determine, before the base station establishes an X2 interface connection with the opposite base station, an interface type that establishes an X2 interface with the opposite base station, where the interface type includes a direct X2 interface. Or proxy X2 interface.

Preferably, the interface type judging module is configured to determine an interface type for establishing an X2 interface with the opposite base station according to the following manner:

Determining, according to the indication information included in the signaling message sent by the peer network element, an interface type of establishing an X2 interface with the peer base station, where the peer network element includes a home base station gateway or a mobility management entity, The signaling message includes an MME configuration delivery message, an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, an S1 setup response message transmitted on the S1 interface between the home base station gateway and the home base station, an MME configuration update message, a base station configuration update response message, or a new one. Or the signaling type of the X2 interface established with the peer base station according to the indication information included in the received signaling message sent by the peer base station; wherein the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, X2 establishes a response message or a new signaling message;

Or, establish an X2 interface between the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system. Type of the interface, and determine the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station.

Or determining, according to one or more base station identifiers configured by the system, the type of the interface that needs to be configured, and determining the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station;

Or, based on the transport network layer address corresponding to the S1 connection peer network element and the X2 connection peer network element corresponding to the opposite end base station when the S1 connection is established with the peer network element, a layer address, when the two transport network layer addresses are the same, determining that a proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station; wherein, the base station obtains the peer end with the signaling message sent by the S1 connection peer network element The base station establishes a transport network layer address required for the X2 connection; the S1 connection peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity; and the signaling message includes an S1 connection setup response message, an MME configuration update message, and a base station configuration update response message. Or new signaling messages;

Or the source base station identifier in the SON response message sent by the S1 connection peer network element and the target base station identifier included in the SON request message sent by the base station, when the source base station identifier and the target base station identifier are The SON request message includes a base station configuration delivery message, and the SON response message includes, where the eNB request message includes a base station gateway and a mobility management entity. The MME configures the delivery message;

Or the source base station identifier included in the X2 setup response message sent by the received peer network element and the target base station identifier included in the SON request message sent by the base station, where the source base station identifier and the target base station identifier are If not, the proxy X2 interface is determined to be established with the peer base station, where the peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity, and the SON request message includes a base station configuration delivery message.

Or, based on receiving the base station identifier and the cell identifier included in the X2 setup request message or the X2 setup response message sent by the peer network element, when the base station identifier is not included in the cell identifier, or the base station identifier is not equal to the cell When the identifier is determined, it is determined that a proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station; wherein the peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity.

Preferably, the interface type judging module is further configured to: after determining the interface type of the X2 interface with the peer base station, the interface type is indicated to the peer network element by using a signaling message including the indication information. Or the opposite base station;

The peer network element includes a home base station gateway or a mobility management entity (MME); The signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, an S1 setup request message, a base station configuration update message, an MME configuration update acknowledgement message, or a newly added signaling message.

Preferably, the interface type judging module is further configured to: when determining that the proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station, the signaling message sent to the home base station gateway carries the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station, The base station identification information includes an X2 setup operation target base station identifier and/or a cell identifier and/or other identifiers used to identify the base station; the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, a base station configuration update message, and a base station. Configure an update response message.

Preferably, the base station is a macro base station or a home base station, and when the base station is a home base station, the apparatus further includes a handover processing module.

The handover processing module is configured to: after the proxy X2 interface is established between the base station and the opposite base station, the user equipment context release on the S1 interface is not sent during the process of the user equipment switching from the base station to the target base station according to the X2 handover operation procedure. The peer network element connected to the S1 interface; the peer network element connected to the S1 interface includes a home base station gateway; or

During the process of the user equipment switching from the X2 interface to the base station, the base station does not send the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the peer network element connected to the X2 interface; wherein the X2 interface is connected. The peer network element includes a home base station gateway.

An inter-base station interface connection establishing apparatus is applied to a home base station gateway or a mobility management entity (MME), where the apparatus includes a proxy interface establishing unit, where:

The proxy interface establishing unit is configured to: perform an X2 interface establishment between the local base station and the opposite base station by using an X2 interface connection established between the local base station and the opposite base station.

Preferably, the device further includes an interface type determining unit, configured to: determine an interface type of the local base station and the opposite base station to establish an X2 interface, where the interface type includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

Preferably, the proxy interface establishing unit is configured to: the agent completes the X2 interface of the control plane between the local base station and the opposite base station, and/or the X2 interface of the data plane.

Preferably, the interface type determining unit is configured to determine, according to the following manner, an interface type of the local base station and the opposite base station to establish an X2 interface:

An interface class that establishes an X2 interface between the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system. Determining the type of the interface between the base station and the opposite base station to establish an X2 interface; or determining the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station according to the type of the interface to be configured according to one or more base station identifiers configured by the system Interface type; or,

According to the threshold parameter configured by the system, when the load exceeds the threshold of the system configuration, it is determined that the base station establishes a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station.

Preferably, the interface type determining unit is further configured to: after determining that the local base station and the opposite base station establish an interface type of the X2 interface, the interface type is indicated by a signaling message including indication information The local base station and/or the opposite base station;

Preferably, the proxy interface establishing unit is further configured to: when the proxy completes the establishment of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station, send the transmission network of the home base station gateway to the base station and the opposite base station Layer address

And performing, according to the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station carried in the signaling message sent by the local base station or the peer base station, the base station corresponding to the neighboring base station identifier and/or the cell identifier. The X2 interface connection establishment operation and/or the base station configuration update operation between the peer base stations; wherein, the base station identification information includes an X2 establishment operation target base station identifier and/or a cell identifier and/or other identifiers for identifying the base station; The signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, a base station configuration update message, and a base station configuration update response message.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes a context release processing unit, where the context release processing unit is configured to: after the proxy interface establishment unit agent completes the establishment of the X2 interface between the home base station and the macro base station,

Receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the home base station, releasing the user equipment context related to the S1 interface connection related to the user equipment performing the handover operation and the X2 interface connection;

Upon receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the macro base station, only the user equipment context related to the X2 interface connection related to the user equipment performing the handover operation is released. The embodiment of the present invention provides a scheme for establishing an X2 interface. The system can control the type of the X2 interface established between the home base station and the neighboring base station according to requirements, including a direct X2 interface and a proxy X2 interface. The base station and the home base station gateway are established by learning. The X2 interface type completes the subsequent signaling interaction operations related to the X2 interface. And for the scenario where the proxy X2 interface is connected, some new operational procedures can be introduced between the base stations to optimize system performance. 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 network structure diagram of a related art home base station gateway proxy S1 interface;

2 is a network structure diagram of establishing an X2 interface between a home base station and a macro base station directly or through a home base station gateway proxy according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart of a macro base station initiating connection with a peer home base station to establish a home base station gateway proxy X2 interface according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart of a macro base station initiating connection with a peer home base station to establish a home base station gateway proxy X2 interface according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

5 is a flowchart of a macro base station initiating connection with a peer home base station to establish a home base station gateway proxy X2 interface according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

6 is a flowchart of establishing a home base station gateway proxy X2 interface connection between a home base station and a peer home base station according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

7 is a flowchart of a user equipment performing an X2 handover operation in a scenario of a proxy X2 interface according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

8 is a flowchart of a user equipment performing an X2 handover operation in a scenario of a proxy X2 interface according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

9 is a flowchart of a user equipment performing an X2 handover operation in a scenario of a proxy X2 interface according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for establishing an inter-base station interface connection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of another apparatus for establishing an inter-base station interface connection according to an embodiment of the present invention. Preferred embodiment of the invention

The embodiment provides a method for establishing an inter-base station interface connection, and uses the following technical solutions: The base station establishes an X2 interface connection with the opposite base station;

The X2 interface includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

The base station and the opposite base station include: a home base station and a macro base station, and a home base station and a home base station, and a macro base station and a home base station.

Preferably, the proxy X2 interface is composed of an X2 interface between the home base station gateway and the home base station, and an X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the opposite base station.

The X2 interface type may include a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

The base station can establish a corresponding type of X2 interface connection with the opposite base station according to the determined interface type.

Preferably, the base station determines, according to the following manner, an interface type that establishes an X2 interface with the opposite base station:

The base station determines that the X2 interface is established with the opposite base station according to the SON (Self Organization Network) message or the X2 setup request message or the indication information included in the X2 setup response message sent by the home base station gateway or the MME. Interface type; or,

The base station determines the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station according to the received X2 setup request message sent by the opposite base station or the indication information included in the X2 setup response message.

The base station establishes an X2 interface between the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system. The interface type is used to determine the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station; or the base station determines the interface of the X2 interface with the peer base station according to the type of the interface that needs to be configured according to one or more base station identifiers configured by the system. Types of.

When the base station establishes an S1 connection with the peer network element, when S1 connects to the transport network layer address corresponding to the peer network element and establishes an X2 connection with the opposite base station, X2 connects to the transport network layer address corresponding to the opposite base station, When the two transport network layer addresses are the same, it is determined that a proxy X2 interface is established with the opposite base station; and further, the base station obtains an X2 connection with the neighboring base station from the signaling message sent by the S1 connection peer network element. The required transmission network layer address, the S1 connection peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity; the signaling message includes an existing S1 connection setup response message, an MME configuration update message, and a base station configuration update response message. Or use the new signaling message added by the system; or,

The base station is based on the source base station identifier in the SON response message sent by the home base station gateway or the MME, and the target base station identifier included in the SON request message sent by the base station, where the source base station identifier and the target base station identifier are When not speaking, it is determined that a proxy X2 interface is established with the opposite base station; or

The base station is based on the source base station identifier included in the X2 setup response message sent by the home base station gateway and the target base station identifier included in the SON request message sent by the base station, where the source base station identifier and the target base station identifier are If not, it is determined that a proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station; or

The base station is configured to receive the base station identifier and the cell identifier included in the X2 setup request message or the X2 setup response message sent by the home base station gateway, where the base station identifier is not included in the cell identifier or the base station identifier is not equal to the cell When marking, it is determined that a proxy X2 interface is established with the opposite base station.

Preferably, the method further includes:

The home base station gateway determines that the base station establishes an interface type of the X2 interface with the opposite base station, and establishes the response type by using the SON message, the X2 establishment request message, or the X2 interface. The indication information included in the information is indicated to the base station and/or the opposite base station.

Preferably, the home base station gateway determines, according to the following manner, an interface type of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station:

The home base station gateway determines, according to one or more base station identifiers configured by the system, an interface type that needs to be configured, and determines an interface type of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station; or, the home base station gateway is configured according to the system. The threshold parameter determines that the base station establishes a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station when the load exceeds a threshold of the system configuration.

Preferably, the method further includes:

After the base station determines that the interface type of the X2 interface is established with the peer base station, the interface type is indicated to the home base station gateway by using the SON message, the X2 setup request message, or the indication information included in the X2 setup response message. Or the opposite base station.

Preferably, the indication information includes:

The message includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface indicator bit, an indication field, or does not include a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface indicator bit, an indication field.

Preferably, when the home base station gateway determines that the base station establishes a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station, the proxy completes the establishment of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station, and sends the X2 interface to the base station and the opposite base station. Send the transport network layer address of the home base station gateway.

The transport network layer address may be: the home base station gateway establishes an X2 interface by using a network layer address as a unique base station proxy; or, the home base station gateway uses the same network layer address to establish an X2 interface for more than one base station proxy. .

Preferably, the method further includes:

When the base station determines that the proxy X2 interface is established with the neighboring base station, the signaling message sent to the home base station gateway carries the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station, where the base station identifier information includes the X2 setup operation target base station. Identification and/or cell identification and/or other criteria that may identify the base station The signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, an eNB configuration update message, and an eNB configuration update response message;

The home base station gateway completes an X2 interface connection establishment operation between the base station and a base station corresponding to the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier of the neighboring base station based on the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station. / or base station configuration update operation.

Preferably, the method further includes: establishing a proxy X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station,

During the process of the user equipment switching from the home base station to the target base station based on the X2 handover operation procedure, the home base station gateway performing the X2 interface proxy function may complete the handover after receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the target base station. The user equipment context release operation of the operating user equipment, the home base station does not send the user equipment context release message on the S1 interface to the target base station to which the S1 interface is connected.

After the user equipment switches from the X2 interface to the home base station based on the X2 handover operation procedure, the home base station gateway that performs the X2 interface proxy function receives the path conversion request response message on the S1 interface sent by the core network element. And sending, by the X2 interface, the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface, where the home base station does not send the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the peer network element connected to the X2 interface, where the peer network The element includes a home base station gateway.

Preferably, the method further includes: establishing a proxy X2 interface between the home base station and the macro base station,

When receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the home base station, the home base station gateway releases the S1 interface connection related to the user equipment performing the handover operation and the user equipment context related to the X2 interface connection;

When receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the macro base station, the home base station gateway releases only the user equipment context related to the X2 interface connection related to the user equipment performing the handover operation. Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the case of no conflict, the features in the embodiments and the embodiments in the present application may be arbitrarily combined with each other.

In this embodiment, the home base station may establish an X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway proxy and the adjacent base station (the home base station or the macro base station), or establish a direct X2 interface with the adjacent base station, and the network topology structure. as shown in picture 2. When the base station establishes a proxy X2 interface connection with the opposite base station through the home base station gateway, the base station and the opposite base station respectively establish an X2 interface connection with the home base station gateway. In the following embodiments, if not specified, the base station and the home base station gateway establish X2. The interface connection or the base station establishes an X2 interface connection with the opposite base station, which can refer to the establishment of the proxy X2 interface connection.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the macro base station to establish an X2 interface with the peer home base station, as shown in FIG. 3, which mainly includes the following steps:

Step S301: The macro base station detects the presence of the peer home base station, and initiates an ANR (Automatic Neighbor Relation) process to attempt to establish an X2 interface connection with the opposite home base station;

Step S302: The macro base station sends a SON message, such as an eNB Configuration Transfer message to the MME to which the interface is connected, and the MME sends an MME Configuration Transfer message to the target HeNB based on the message target identifier included in the eNB Configuration Transfer message. Home base station gateway;

Step S303: The home base station gateway determines a proxy X2 interface connection established between the macro base station and the opposite home base station according to the condition of the system configuration, and the conditions of the system configuration include:

1) The system configures the home base station to establish a proxy X2 interface connection with the macro base station under the condition that the S1 interface is connected to the home base station gateway. When receiving the SON message, the home base station gateway determines the source base station and the target base station type corresponding to the base station identifier based on the source base station identifier and the target base station identifier information included in the message, and further determines whether the direct or proxy X2 interface type is established between the base stations. An implementation method may be: the system configures an X2 interface connection between the home base station and the macro base station;

2) the system configures one or more base station identification pairs to the home base station gateway, and indicates the home base The one or more base station identifiers of the station gateway need to establish a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface between the corresponding base stations. When receiving the SON message, the home base station gateway determines whether the source or destination base station corresponding to the base station identifier establishes a direct or proxy X2 interface type based on the source base station identifier and the target base station identifier information included in the message.

3) The home base station gateway determines to establish a proxy X2 interface connection between the home base station and the opposite base station according to the current load condition. For example, the system configures a threshold parameter for the home base station gateway, and the home base station is connected to the home base station gateway. The number, and the number of users connected to the home base station and the service traffic can be counted. When the threshold of the system configuration is exceeded, the home base station gateway controls the type of the proxy X2 interface between the home base station and the neighboring base station.

In this embodiment, the home base station gateway determines that a proxy X2 interface connection is established between the macro base station and the opposite home base station. When the proxy X2 interface type is established, the home base station gateway sends its own transport network layer address to the corresponding base station to complete the subsequent proxy X2 interface establishment. The home base station gateway sends an MME Configuration Transfer message to the peer home base station, and includes an indication message in the MME Configuration Transfer message indicating that a proxy X2 interface connection is established between the home base station and the opposite macro base station; it should be understood here that if the system specifies that the base station If a direct X2 interface is set up between the two parties, the direct X2 interface indication message needs to be included in the MME Configuration Transfer message. In this case, the home base station can be indirectly indicated by the method that does not include the establishment of the direct X2 interface in the MME Configuration Transfer message. A proxy X2 interface connection is established between the peer macro base stations; the home base station gateway in the MME Configuration Transfer includes a TNL address used for establishing an X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the home base station;

Step S304: After receiving the MME Configuration Transfer message including the indication message, the home base station determines to establish a proxy X2 interface connection with the opposite macro base station, and responds to the corresponding response message eNB Configuration Transfer;

Step S305: The home base station gateway sends an eNB Configuration Transfer message indicating the establishment of the proxy X2 interface connection indication information to the MME, where the home base station gateway includes an X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the macro base station in the eNB Configuration Transfer. The used TNL address, the MME will include the indication to indicate that the proxy X2 interface connection indication information is established and the MME Configuration Transfer message for establishing the X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the macro base station is sent to the macro base station. To indicate Acer The proxy X2 interface is established between the station and the peer home base station; the macro base station determines that it establishes a proxy X2 connection with the peer home base station, and establishes SCTP between the macro base station and the home base station gateway and the home base station gateway and the home base station respectively. (Flow Control Transmission Protocol) connection, here is to be explained: In the SON process, the base station determines that the X2 interface connection establishment procedure and the SCTP connection establishment procedure are interchangeable, and the same principles in the subsequent embodiments;

Step S306: The macro base station sends an X2 interface connection setup request message, and an X2 Setup Request message, which includes some parameter information that the macro base station needs to transmit to the opposite base station, including information such as the base station identifier and the base station cell parameter configuration, and the home base station gateway will be X2. The Setup Request message is sent to the peer home base station, and the home base station gateway may include the base station identifier of the macro base station or the base station identity information of the home base station gateway in the X2 Setup Request message sent to the home base station (here, the message passes through the home base station gateway) Forwarding, so it can be the identity information of the base station of the macro base station or the home base station gateway. Here, the base station identifier of the home base station gateway can be any identification information that can be used to identify the gateway of the home base station, and the following principles are described;

Step S307: After receiving the X2 Setup Request message from the peer network element, the home base station determines to establish a proxy X2 interface connection with the opposite base station to process the X2 Setup Request message based on the previously received indication information.

Step S308: The home base station replies to the X2 interface connection establishment response message, and the X2 Setup Response message includes some parameter information that the home base station needs to transmit to the opposite base station, including information such as the base station identifier and the base station cell parameter configuration, and the home base station gateway will be X2. The Setup Response message is sent to the peer macro base station, and the home base station gateway may include the base station identifier of the home base station or the base station identifier information of the home base station gateway in the X2 Setup Response message sent to the macro base station;

Step S309: After the macro base station receives the X2 Setup Response message from the peer network element, the information contained in the X2 Setup Response message may be different from the X2 Setup Response message in the process of establishing the direct X2 interface, for example, the message. A cell identifier that does not include the base station identifier and is not the same as the base station identifier is used. The macro base station determines that the proxy X2 interface connection is established with the peer base station based on the foregoing operation, and further enables connection establishment for the proxy X2 interface. The processing mechanism of the scenario processes the X2 Setup Response message, and completes the X2 interface connection establishment operation. If the macro base station cannot determine the scenario established for the proxy X2 interface connection at this time, the message may be determined to be an error or an abnormal message; Step S310: The macro base station and the home base station complete the operations related to the X2 interface based on the established proxy X2 interface connection, and the specific operations are described in the following embodiments;

In the operational flow described in this embodiment, the home base station gateway needs to indicate the X2 interface type to the home base station and the macro base station, respectively. However, the operation flow of transmitting the indication information in the single direction of the home base station gateway may also be used, that is, if the system only needs the home base station gateway to indicate the home base station or the macro base station in the above figure, the home base station gateway only needs to send the indication information to the corresponding base station. To indicate the type of X2 interface. Subsequent embodiments use the same processing principles.

Embodiment 2

4 is an operation flow of the macro base station initiating the establishment of an X2 interface with the peer home base station, as shown in FIG. 4, which mainly includes the following steps:

Step S401: The macro base station detects the existence of the peer home base station, and initiates an ANR (Automatic Neighbor Relation) process to attempt to establish an X2 interface connection with the opposite home base station;

Step S402: The macro base station sends a SON message, and the eNB Configuration Transfer message is sent to the MME to which it is connected. The MME sends an MME Configuration Transfer message to the home base station gateway to which the target HeNB SI interface is connected based on the message target identifier included in the eNB Configuration Transfer message.

Step S403: The home base station gateway determines the proxy X2 interface connection established between the macro base station and the opposite home base station based on the condition of the system configuration. The conditions of the system configuration are as described in the foregoing first embodiment, and the home base station gateway determines at this time. The X2 interface connection type can be carried to the base station during the subsequent X2 interface connection establishment process, as described in steps S406-S408. The home base station gateway sends an MME Configuration Transfer message to the peer home base station, where the home base station gateway includes the TNL address used by the subsequent home base station gateway to establish an X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the home base station;

Step S404: After receiving the MME Configuration Transfer message, the home base station responds to the corresponding response message eNB Configuration Transfer to the peer network element.

Step S405: The home base station gateway sends a corresponding eNB Configuration Transfer message to the MME, and the home base station gateway includes the subsequent home base in the eNB Configuration Transfer. The MME Configuration Transfer message including the TNL address information used for establishing the X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the macro base station is further sent to the macro base station, and the MME further establishes a TNL address used for the X2 interface connection between the station gateway and the macro base station. And establishing an SCTP connection between the macro base station and the home base station gateway, and the home base station gateway and the home base station respectively;

Step S406: The macro base station sends an X2 interface connection setup request message, an X2 Setup Request message, which includes some parameter information that the macro base station needs to transmit to the opposite base station, including information such as a base station identifier and a base station cell parameter configuration, and the home base station gateway will be X2. The setup request message is sent to the peer home base station, and the home base station gateway may include the base station identifier of the macro base station or the base station identity information of the home base station gateway in the X2 Setup Request message sent to the home base station; the home base station gateway is sent to the opposite end family. The X2 Setup Request message of the base station includes an indication message indicating that a proxy X2 interface connection is established between the home base station and the opposite macro base station; it should be understood here that if the system specifies that a direct X2 interface is established between the base station pairs, an X2 Setup Request message is required. When the direct X2 interface indication message is set, the proxy X2 interface connection between the home base station and the remote macro base station may be indirectly indicated by the method that the direct X2 interface is not included in the X2 Setup Request message.

Step S407: After receiving the X2 Setup Request message that is sent by the opposite end network element and including the indication message, the home base station determines that the proxy X2 interface connection is established with the opposite base station, and processes the received X2 Setup Request message;

Step S408: The home base station replies to the X2 interface connection setup response message, and the X2 Setup Response message includes some parameter information that the home base station needs to transmit to the opposite base station, including information such as the base station identifier and the base station cell parameter configuration, and the home base station gateway will be X2. The Setup Response message is sent to the peer macro base station, and the X2 Setup Response message sent by the home base station gateway to the macro base station may include the base station identity of the home base station or the base station identity information of the home base station gateway; the home base station gateway will include the X2 Setup indicating the message. The response message is sent to the macro base station to indicate the proxy X2 interface connection established between the macro base station and the opposite base station; the instruction message processing principle here is the same as that described in S406;

Step S409: After the macro base station receives the X2 Setup Response message of the opposite end network element, the information contained in the X2 Setup Response message may be different from the X2 Setup Response message in the process of establishing the direct X2 interface, for example, The message carries the base station identifier. And the same cell identifier is not identified by the base station, and the macro base station determines, according to the indication information included in the message, that a scenario is established for the proxy X2 interface, and then the processing mechanism for establishing a scenario for the proxy X2 interface connection is enabled, and then the X2 is determined. The interface connection is established. If the macro base station cannot determine the scenario established for the proxy X2 interface connection at this time, the message may be determined to be an error or an abnormal message.

Step S410: The macro base station and the home base station complete the operations related to the X2 interface based on the established proxy X2 interface, and the specific operations are described in the following embodiments.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 5 is an operation flow of the macro base station initiating the establishment of an X2 interface with the peer home base station, as shown in FIG. 5, which mainly includes the following steps:

Step S501: The macro base station detects the presence of the peer home base station, and initiates an ANR (Automatic Neighbour Relation) process to attempt to establish an X2 interface connection with the opposite home base station;

Step S502: The macro base station determines to establish a proxy X2 interface connection with the peer base station according to the system configuration, and the conditions of the system configuration include:

1) A proxy X2 interface connection needs to be established between the home base station and the macro base station, and the macro base station can determine whether the target base station that establishes the X2 interface connection is a home base station based on the information reported by the UE measurement or the system configuration information, and further determines the establishment. Direct or proxy X2 interface;

2) or the system is configured to provide one or more base station identifiers to the base station, to indicate that the base station needs to establish a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface between the base stations corresponding to the one or more base station identifiers, and the macro base station measures based on the UE. The reported information or the system configuration information may determine the base station identifier of the target base station that establishes the X2 interface connection, and further determine to establish a direct or proxy X2 interface; in this embodiment, the macro base station determines that the macro base station and the opposite home base station are established. Proxy X2 interface connection. The macro eNB further sends a SON message including the indication message, the eNB Configuration Transfer message to the MME to which the interface is connected, and the MME sends the MME Configuration Transfer message to the home base station to which the target HeNB SI interface is connected based on the message target identifier included in the eNB Configuration Transfer message. Gateway; the indication information described in this step is used to indicate the home base station and the opposite end A proxy X2 interface connection is established between the macro base stations. It should be understood here that if the system specifies that a direct X2 interface indication message needs to be established in the eNB Configuration Transfer message when establishing a direct X2 interface between the base station pairs, then the The eNB Configuration Transfer message does not include a method for establishing a direct X2 interface to indirectly indicate that a proxy X2 interface connection is established between the macro base station and the peer home base station;

Step S503: The home base station gateway sends an MME Configuration Transfer message to the peer home base station, and includes an indication message in the MME Configuration Transfer message, indicating that a proxy X2 interface connection is established between the home base station and the opposite macro base station; The description is the same as the step S303 in the first embodiment;

Step S504: After receiving the MME Configuration Transfer message including the indication message, the home base station determines to establish a proxy X2 interface connection with the opposite macro base station, and responds to the corresponding response message eNB Configuration Transfer;

Step S505: The home base station gateway sends an MME Configuration Transfer message to the macro base station; the home base station gateway includes, in the MME Configuration Transfer, a TNL address used for establishing an X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the macro base station; Establishing an SCTP interface connection between the base station gateway and the home base station gateway and the home base station;

Steps S506-S510: The same as the processing in the first embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

In the above embodiment, the establishment process of the X2 interface connection initiated by the macro base station with the target home base station is described. In addition to the foregoing embodiment, the macro base station may also obtain the TNL address and the corresponding X2 interface type required to establish an X2 interface with certain specific home base stations through the S1 interface established with the MME or from the system configuration system. The signaling message used includes the existing S1 connection setup response message, the MME configuration update message, the base station configuration update response message, or the newly added signaling message of the system, and further completes the X2 interface establishment related in the foregoing embodiment. Operation

In other embodiments of the present invention, the X2 interface connection establishment process with the target macro base station may also be initiated by the home base station. The difference between the X2 interface connection establishment process initiated by the home base station and the target macro base station and the X2 interface connection establishment initiated by the macro base station and the target home base station are mainly as follows:

1) The home base station sends an X2 Setup Request message containing the indication information, explicitly or implicitly indicating that it establishes a proxy X2 interface connection with the opposite macro base station; when receiving the X2 Setup Request message, the macro base station learns according to the indication information therein. It establishes a proxy X2 interface connection with the peer home base station;

2) The home base station gateway X2 Setup Response message includes indication information. When receiving the X2 Setup Response message, the home base station learns that it establishes a proxy X2 interface connection with the opposite macro base station according to the indication message therein.

In addition, in other embodiments of the present invention, the home base station may also establish a proxy X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the target home base station. The X2 interface connection establishment process initiated by the home base station and the target home base station is different from the X2 interface connection establishment procedure initiated by the home base station and the target macro base station mainly in:

The condition that the home base station gateway determines whether to establish a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface between the home base stations includes: the home base station gateway determines the home base station currently connected to the X2 interface based on the number of the home base stations connected to the S1 interface and/or the X2 interface. The X2 interface type between the target home base stations; or the home base station identifier included in the system configuration SON message needs to establish a proxy X2 interface connection or a direct X2 interface connection between the corresponding base stations, or may also be based on the source base station identifier and the target base station identification information. The mode of determining the source base station and the destination base station corresponding to the base station identifier is determined, and then the manner of establishing a direct or proxy X2 interface type between the base stations is determined. For example, the system configuration requires a proxy X2 interface to be established between the home base stations in the open mode of operation.

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, the manner in which the home base station gateway indicates the X2 interface type and the manner in which the base station determines the X2 interface type include the following manners in addition to the manners described in the foregoing embodiments:

A) When the home base station gateway determines that the proxy X2 interface type is established, the message sent to the base station does not include direct indication information. The base station receives the SON (Self) sent by the home base station gateway. When the source base station identifier in the response message MME Configuration Transfer is different from the target base station identifier included in the SON request message eNB Configuration Transfer sent by the base station, the base station determines to establish a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station, and can perform corresponding The X2 interface establishes operations;

B) When the home base station gateway determines that the proxy X2 interface type is established, the message not sent to the base station includes direct indication information. The base station determines that the base station identifier included in the X2 setup response message X2 Setup Response sent by the home base station gateway is different from the target base station identifier included in the SON request message eNB Configuration Transfer sent by the base station, and then the base station determines that it is between the base station and the opposite base station. Establish a proxy X2 interface, and perform a corresponding X2 interface setup operation;

C) When the home base station gateway determines that the proxy X2 interface type is established, the message sent to the base station does not include direct indication information. The base station determines to establish a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station based on the received base station identifier and the cell identity relationship included in the X2 setup operation interaction message sent by the home base station gateway. For example, the base station receives the signaling message including the base station. The relationship between the identifier and the cell identifier is: The base station identifier is not included in the cell identifier or the base station identifier is not equal to the cell identifier. For example, in the existing system, the first 20 bits or the base station identifier of the cell identifier that is identified by the base station as belonging to the base station is the same as the cell identifier that belongs to the base station. If the base station identifier and the cell identifier do not satisfy the foregoing relationship, the base station may determine A proxy X2 interface is established between the peer base stations; and the base station can further perform a corresponding X2 interface setup operation.

In addition, the home base station can obtain parameters required for establishing an X2 connection with the opposite base station and complete the corresponding X2 interface establishment by:

The home base station obtains the transport network layer address and the X2 interface type required for establishing an X2 connection with the neighboring base station from the signaling message sent by the S1 connection peer network element, where the S1 connection peer network element includes the home base station gateway and the mobility management The signaling message used by the entity includes the existing S1 connection setup response message, the MME configuration update message, the base station configuration update response message, or the newly added signaling message of the system, and further completes the X2 interface described in the foregoing embodiment. Establishing a related operation; the home base station can also determine the type of the X2 interface established with the opposite base station by: the base transmission network layer address of the SCTP connection carrying the S1 connection when the home base station establishes the S1 connection with the opposite network element. For the TNL1, the subsequent home base station obtains the bearer between the home base station and the opposite base station through the system configuration or the SON process or through the S1 interface. The peer transport network layer address of the SC2 connection of the X2 connection is TNL2. When the two transport network layer addresses TNL1 and TNL2 are the same, it is determined that the proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station, and the determination is to establish a direct X2 interface, and then complete the X2 interface establishment described in the foregoing embodiment. Related operations.

Embodiment 4

This embodiment describes the process of establishing an X2 interface connection between the home base station and the target base station. As shown in FIG. 6, the method mainly includes the following steps:

Step S601: The home base station detects the existence of the opposite base station, and initiates an ANR (Automatic Neighbour Relation) process to attempt to establish an X2 interface connection with the opposite base station;

Step S602: The home base station sends a SON message eNB Configuration Transfer message to the peer network element to obtain a TNL address required for establishing an X2 connection with the target macro base station, and the home base station gateway further sends an eNB Configuration Transfer message to the MME, where the home base station gateway The operation in the foregoing embodiment may be performed, carrying an indication of establishing an X2 connection type;

Step S603: The MME further sends an MME Configuration Transfer message to the target macro base station based on the target base station identity message included in the eNB Configuration Transfer message. Here, if the home base station gateway performs the operations in the foregoing embodiment, it carries the established X2 connection type. The indication, the MME may forward the indication to the target macro base station;

Step S604: After receiving the MME Configuration Transfer message including the indication message, the target macro base station may perform the operation in the foregoing embodiment in response to the corresponding response message eNB Configuration Transfer to the MME, and determine that the eNB Configuration Transfer message is included. The peer base station identifier corresponds to the type of X2 connection established between the base stations;

Step S605: The MME sends an MME Configuration Transfer message to the home base station gateway; the home base station gateway sends the MME Configuration Transfer to the home base station, where the MME Configuration Transfer message includes the X2 interface connection established between the subsequent home base station gateway and the macro base station. The TNL address; the home base station gateway can perform the operations in the foregoing embodiment, and the MME Configuration Transfer message carries an indication of establishing an X2 connection type; between the macro base station and the home base station gateway, and between the home base station gateway and the home base station Established separately SCTP interface connection;

Step S606: The home base station determines to establish a proxy X2 interface connection with the opposite base station, where the determining operation may be interchanged with the SCTP connection establishing operation sequence in step S605;

Step S607: The home base station includes the target base station, that is, the macro base station identification information and/or the cell identification information in the illustration, in the sent X2 connection setup request message X2 Setup Request message, where the base station identification information includes the X2 setup operation target base station. Identification and/or cell identity and/or other identifiers that may identify the base station;

Step S608: The home base station gateway completes an X2 interface connection establishment operation between the base stations based on the base station identifier and/or the cell identity information of the neighboring base station, and may carry the target base station identifier in the X2 connection establishment request message sent to the target base station. Information; the operation here may also configure an update operation for the base station, that is, the home base station gateway sends an eNB Configuration Transfer message to the opposite macro base station;

Step S609: The macro base station carries the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the HeNB in the figure in the signaling message sent to the gateway of the home base station, where the base station identifier information includes the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier of the HeNB and/or Other identifiers that can identify the HeNB. If the eNB is configured as an eNB Configuration Update message, in this step, an update response message, that is, an eNB Configuration Update Ack message, is configured for the corresponding base station;

Step S610: The home base station gateway sends the corresponding X2 Setup Response message to the corresponding HeNB based on the base station identification information received in the S609 message.

Steps S611-S612: The remaining steps are the same as those in the previous embodiment.

Embodiment 5

7 is a handover operation procedure of the user equipment switching from the home base station to the target macro base station based on the X2 interface in the scenario that the macro base station initiates the proxy X2 interface with the peer home base station in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, which mainly includes the following steps. :

Step S701: The establishment of the proxy X2 interface is completed between the macro base station and the home base station according to the method described in the foregoing embodiment.

Step S702: The system performs an X2 interface-based cut of the user equipment from the home base station to the macro base station. In this step, the mechanism that can be used is that the system controls the home base station to establish a direct data plane X2 connection between the base station and the macro base station, thereby implementing direct forwarding of data between the base stations during the handover operation. The specific operation is as follows:

After receiving the target base station handover request ACK message, the home base station gateway performs an information transfer bearer (E-RAB) between the source base station and the target base station during the identity switching operation included therein. The address identification information of the target side performs the following operations: only the message including the address identification information of the target side of the bearer needs to be transferred to the source HeNB based on the X2 interface connection of the control plane established between the source and the HeNB, and does not need to be modified. Address identification information of the target side of the bearer;

After receiving the Handover Request ACK containing the bearer identification information, the source HeNB forwards the data according to the target address indicated therein, and the HeNB GW only transparently transmits the address identifier information carried on the target side, thereby realizing direct data between the base stations. Forward. The method of establishing a direct X2 data plane interface in the proxy X2 control plane interface scenario can also be applied to the scenario where the home base station establishes a proxy X2 interface with the home base station, and the same operation can be used in subsequent embodiments.

Step S703: The target macro base station of the handover operation sends a user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the peer network element connected to the X2 interface in the handover completion phase, where the home base station gateway is located;

Step S704: The home base station gateway further sends a user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the peer network element connected to the X2 interface, where the home base station is located;

Step S705: The home base station gateway releases the S1 interface related to the user equipment and the user equipment context related to the X2 interface, where the user equipment context includes the S1 interface allocated by the home base station gateway for the user equipment and the identifier on the X2 interface; Step S704 The sequence of steps with step S705 can be exchanged according to system requirements;

Step S706: The home base station releases the S1 interface related to the user equipment and the user equipment context related to the X2 interface, where the user equipment context includes an S1 interface allocated by the home base station for the user equipment and an identifier on the X2 interface; and the home base station is based on the prior It is known that the X2 interface between the target station and the handover target base station is the state of the proxy X2 interface, and the user equipment context on the S1 interface is not sent to the peer network element connected to the S1 interface, which is the home base station gateway; Embodiment 6

8 is a handover operation procedure of the user equipment switching from the macro base station to the target home base station based on the X2 interface in the scenario that the macro base station initiates the proxy X2 interface with the peer home base station in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , which mainly includes the following steps. :

Step S801: The establishment of the proxy X2 interface is completed between the macro base station and the home base station according to the method described in the foregoing embodiment.

Step S802: The system performs an X2 interface-based handover operation process between the macro base station and the target home base station by the user equipment.

Step S803: The target home base station of the handover operation sends a user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the peer network element connected to the X2 interface in the handover completion phase, where the home base station gateway is located;

Step S804: The home base station sends a user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the peer network element connected to the X2 interface, where the macro base station is located;

Step S805: This step is different from the operation in Embodiment 5, and the home base station gateway receives the above.

After the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface, only the user equipment context related to the user equipment X2 interface is released, where the user equipment context includes the identifier on the S1 interface allocated by the home base station gateway to the user equipment;

Step S806: After receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface, the macro base station releases the S1 interface related to the user equipment and the user equipment context related to the X2 interface, where the user equipment context includes the S1 interface allocated by the base station to the user equipment. And the identity on the X2 interface.

Example 7

9 is a handover operation procedure of the user equipment switching from the macro base station to the target home base station based on the X2 interface in the scenario where the macro base station initiates the proxy X2 interface with the peer home base station, as shown in FIG. 9, which mainly includes the following steps:

Step S901: The establishment of the proxy X2 interface is completed between the macro base station and the home base station according to the method described in the foregoing embodiment. Step S902: The system controls the user equipment to perform an X2 interface-based handover operation procedure from the macro base station to the target home base station;

Step S903: The target home base station of the handover operation sends a Path Switch Request message on the S1 interface to the mobility management entity connected to the interface. Since the home base station is connected to the mobility management entity through the home base station gateway interface, the Path Switch The Request message will be forwarded by the home base station gateway;

Step S904: The mobility management entity responds to the path switch request ACK message to the home base station.

Step S905: Since the home base station is connected to the mobility management entity through the home base station gateway interface, the Path Switch Request ACK message is forwarded by the home base station gateway, and the home base station home is based on the X2 interface between the target base station and the handover operation target base station. For the state of the proxy X2 interface, the user equipment context on the X2 interface is not sent to the peer network element connected to its X2 interface, which is the home base station gateway;

Step S906: After receiving the Path Switch Request ACK, the home base station gateway may release the context related to the X2 interface connection related to the user equipment performing the handover operation, where the user equipment context includes the S1 interface allocated by the home base station gateway for the user equipment. Identification

Step S907: The home base station gateway sends a user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the source base station of the handover operation.

Step S908: After receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface, the macro base station releases the S1 interface related to the user equipment and the user equipment context related to the X2 interface, where the user equipment context includes the S1 interface allocated by the base station to the user equipment. And the identity on the X2 interface.

The method for determining the connection type of the X2 interface and the indication method in the above embodiment may be used in combination as needed, that is, one or more of the methods may be used.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention further provides an apparatus for establishing an inter-base station interface connection, which is applied to a base station. As shown in FIG. 10, the apparatus includes an interface establishing module, where:

The interface establishing module is configured to: establish a corresponding type of X2 interface connection with the opposite base station. Preferably, the device may further include an interface type determining module, configured to: determine an interface type of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station; wherein the interface type includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

Or, according to the interface type of the X2 interface established between the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system, determine the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station;

Or the source base station identifier in the SON response message sent by the S1 connection peer network element and the target base station identifier included in the SON request message sent by the base station, when the source base station identifier and the target base station identifier are If not, the proxy X2 interface is determined to be established with the peer base station, where the peer network element includes a home base station gateway, a mobility management entity, and the SON request message. And including a base station configuration delivery message, where the SON response message includes an MME configuration delivery message; or, based on the source base station identifier included in the X2 setup response message sent by the received peer network element, and the SON request message sent by the base station The target base station identifier, when the source base station identifier is different from the target base station identifier, determining to establish a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station, where the peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity, The SON request message includes a base station configuration delivery message;

The peer network element includes a home base station gateway and an MME. The signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, an S1 setup request message, a base station configuration update message, an MME configuration update acknowledgement message, or a new one. Signaling message.

Preferably, the interface type judging module is further configured to: when determining to establish a proxy X2 interface with the peer base station, carrying the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station in the signaling message sent to the home base station gateway, The base station identification information includes an X2 setup operation target base station identifier and/or a cell identifier and/or other identifiers used to identify the base station; the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, a base station configuration update message, and a base station. Configure an update response message.

The process of switching from the X2 interface peer base station to the base station according to the X2 handover operation procedure of the user equipment The base station does not send the user equipment context release message on the Χ2 interface to the peer network element connected to the Χ2 interface; wherein the peer network element connected to the Χ2 interface includes the home base station gateway.

In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, another device for establishing an inter-base station interface connection is provided, which is applied to a home base station gateway or port. As shown in FIG. 11, the device includes a proxy interface establishing unit, where:

The proxy interface establishing unit is configured to complete the Χ2 interface establishment between the local base station and the opposite base station by connecting to the Χ2 interface established between the local base station and the opposite base station respectively.

Preferably, the device may further include an interface type determining unit, configured to determine an interface type of the local base station and the opposite base station to establish a Χ2 interface, where the interface type includes a direct Χ2 interface or a proxy Χ2 interface.

Preferably, the proxy interface establishing unit is configured to: the proxy completes the Χ2 interface of the control plane between the local base station and the opposite base station, and/or the Χ2 interface of the data plane.

Preferably, the interface type determining unit is configured to determine, according to the following manner, an interface type of the local base station and the opposite base station to establish a Χ2 interface:

The type of the interface that establishes the Χ2 interface between the base station and the peer base station is determined according to the interface type of the 类型2 interface established by the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system; or

Determining, by the one or more base station identifiers configured by the system, the type of the interface to be configured, and determining the type of the interface between the base station and the opposite base station; or

According to the threshold parameter of the system configuration, when the load exceeds the threshold of the system configuration, it is determined that the base station establishes a proxy Χ2 interface with the opposite base station.

Preferably, the interface type determining unit is configured to: after determining that the local base station and the opposite base station establish an interface type of the Χ2 interface, the interface type is indicated by the signaling message that includes the indication information. Describe the local base station and/or the opposite base station;

The signaling message includes a ΜΜΕ configuration delivery message, a 建立2 setup request message, a 建立2 setup response message, an S1 setup response message transmitted on the S1 interface between the home base station gateway and the home base station, a configuration update message, and a base station configuration update confirmation. Message or new signaling message.

Preferably, the proxy interface establishing unit is further configured to complete the base station and the peer end in the proxy When the X2 interface between the base stations is established, the transmission network layer address of the home base station gateway is sent to the base station and the opposite base station;

Preferably, the device further includes a context release processing unit, where the context release processing unit is configured to: after the proxy interface establishing unit agent completes the establishment of the X2 interface between the home base station and the macro base station,

When receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the macro base station, only the user equipment context related to the X2 interface connection related to the user equipment performing the handover operation is released.

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 hardware and software. Industrial Applicability Based on the solution of the embodiment of the present invention, the system can control the type of the X2 interface established between the home base station and the neighboring base station according to requirements, including the direct X2 interface and the proxy X2 interface, and the base station and the home base station gateway learn the established X2 interface. Type, complete the subsequent signaling interaction related to the X2 interface. And for the scenario where the proxy X2 interface is connected, some new operational procedures can be introduced between the base stations to optimize system performance.

Claims

Claim

A method for establishing an interface connection between base stations, the method comprising:

The X2 interface includes a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

The base station and the opposite base station include: a home base station and a macro base station, a home base station and a home base station, or a macro base station and a home base station.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein

The proxy X2 interface is connected by an X2 interface between the home base station gateway and the home base station, and an X2 interface connection between the home base station gateway and the opposite base station;

The proxy X2 interface includes: an X2 interface of the proxy control plane, and/or an X2 interface of the proxy data plane.

The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the base station, an interface type of the X2 interface with the opposite base station before establishing an X2 interface connection with the opposite base station.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the X2 interface type comprises a direct X2 interface or a proxy X2 interface.

The method according to claim 4, wherein the base station establishes a corresponding type of X2 interface connection with the opposite base station according to the determined interface type.

The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining, by the base station, the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station includes:

The base station determines, according to the indication information included in the received signaling message sent by the peer network element, the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station; where the peer network element includes the home base station gateway or the mobility management entity. (MME), the signaling message includes an MME configuration delivery message, an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, an S1 setup response message transmitted on the S1 interface between the home base station gateway and the home base station, an MME configuration update message, and a base station configuration. Update the response message or the newly added signaling message; or,

The base station judges according to the indication information included in the received signaling message sent by the opposite base station The type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station is disconnected; wherein the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, or a newly added signaling message.

The base station determines the interface type of the X2 interface with the peer base station according to the interface type of the X2 interface established by the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system; or

The transmission network layer address corresponding to the S1 connection peer network element and the transmission network corresponding to the X2 peer network element when the X2 connection is established with the opposite base station, when the base station establishes an S1 connection with the peer network element a layer address, when the two transport network layer addresses are the same, determining that a proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station; wherein, the base station obtains the peer end with the signaling message sent by the S1 connection peer network element The base station establishes a transport network layer address required for the X2 connection; the S1 connection peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity; and the signaling message includes an S1 connection setup response message, an MME configuration update message, and a base station configuration update response message. Or new signaling messages;

Or,

The base station is configured to receive the base station identifier and the cell identifier included in the X2 setup request message or the X2 setup response message sent by the peer network element, where the base station identifier is not included in the cell identifier or the base station identifier is not equal to When the cell is identified, it is determined that a proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station; wherein the peer network element includes a home base station gateway and a mobility management entity.

10. The method of claim 7, the method further comprising:

The method according to claim 7 or 10, wherein the step of determining, by the home base station gateway, the interface type of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station comprises:

12. The method of claim 4, the method further comprising:

13. The method of claim 7, 10 or 12, wherein

The indication information includes:

The method according to claim 7, 10 or 12, wherein, when the home base station gateway determines that the base station establishes a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station, the proxy completes the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station. Establishing, and transmitting, to the base station and the opposite base station, a transport network layer address of the home base station gateway.

The method according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 12, the method further comprising: when the base station determines to establish a proxy X2 interface with the opposite base station, carrying the phase in the signaling message sent to the home base station gateway The base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station, where the base station identifier information includes an X2 setup operation target base station identifier and/or a cell identifier and/or another identifier used to identify the base station; the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message. And X2 establishing a response message, a base station configuration update message, and a base station configuration update response message;

The method of claim 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12, the method further comprising: after establishing a proxy X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station,

17. The method according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12, after the base station and the opposite base station establish a proxy X2 interface between the control planes,

When the user equipment performs handover between the base station and the opposite base station, the base station and the opposite base station are configured to establish an X2 interface connection of a direct data plane between the base stations, so as to implement data during the handover operation. Direct forwarding between base stations.

The user equipment does not send the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface to the peer network element connected to the X2 interface, where the user equipment is switched from the X2 interface to the base station in the X2 interface operation process; wherein the X2 interface The connected peer network element includes a home base station gateway.

19. The method of claim 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12, the method further comprising: after establishing a proxy X2 interface between the home base station and the macro base station,

When receiving the user equipment context release message on the X2 interface sent by the home base station, the home base station gateway releases the user equipment context related to the S1 interface connection related to the user equipment performing the handover operation and the X2 interface connection;

20. An inter-base station interface connection establishing apparatus, which is applied to a base station, where the apparatus includes an interface establishing module, where:

The device of claim 20, further comprising: an interface type judging module, configured to: determine, before the base station establishes an X2 interface connection with the opposite base station, an interface type that establishes an X2 interface with the peer base station, where the interface Types include direct X2 interface or proxy X2 interface.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein

The interface type judging module is configured to determine an interface type for establishing an X2 interface with the opposite base station according to the following manner:

Determining, according to the indication information included in the signaling message sent by the peer network element, an interface type of establishing an X2 interface with the peer base station, where the peer network element includes a home base station gateway or a mobility management entity, The signaling message includes an MME configuration delivery message, an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, an S1 setup response message transmitted on the S1 interface between the home base station gateway and the home base station, an MME configuration update message, a base station configuration update response message, or a new one. Signaling message Or, according to the indication information included in the received signaling message sent by the peer base station, determining an interface type of establishing an X2 interface with the peer base station; where the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, or New signaling message;

23. The apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, wherein

The interface type judging module is further configured to: after determining the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface with the peer base station, the interface type is indicated to the peer network element and/or the pair by using a signaling message that includes the indication information. End base station

The peer network element includes a home base station gateway or a mobility management entity (MME); the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, an S1 setup request message, a base station configuration update message, and an MME configuration update confirmation. Message, or new signaling message.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, wherein

The interface type judging module is further configured to: when determining that the proxy X2 interface is established with the peer base station, the signaling message sent to the home base station gateway carries the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station, where the base station identifier The information includes an X2 establishment operation target base station identifier and/or a cell identifier and/or other identifiers for identifying the base station; the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, a base station configuration update message, and a base station configuration update response message. .

The device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the base station is a macro base station or a home base station, and when the base station is a home base station, the apparatus further includes a handover processing module,

An inter-base station interface connection establishing apparatus, which is applied to a home base station gateway or a mobile management entity (MME), where the apparatus includes a proxy interface establishing unit, where:

The device of claim 26, further comprising: an interface type determining unit, configured to: determine an interface type of the local base station and the opposite base station to establish an X2 interface, where the interface type includes Direct X2 interface or proxy X2 interface.

The device according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the proxy interface establishing unit is configured to: the agent completes the X2 interface of the control plane between the local base station and the opposite base station, and/or the X2 of the data plane interface.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein

The interface type determining unit is configured to determine, according to the following manner, an interface type of the local base station and the opposite base station to establish an X2 interface:

The type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface between the base station and the peer base station is determined according to the type of the interface that establishes the X2 interface between the same type or different types of base stations configured by the system; or

Determining, according to one or more base station identifiers configured by the system, the type of the interface to be configured, and determining the type of the interface between the base station and the opposite base station; or

30. The apparatus according to claim 27, 28 or 29, wherein

The interface type determining unit is further configured to: after determining that the local end station establishes an interface type of the X2 interface with the opposite base station, the interface type is indicated to the local end by using a signaling message including indication information a base station and/or the opposite base station;

31. The apparatus of claim 27, 28 or 29, wherein

The proxy interface establishing unit is further configured to: when the agent completes the establishment of the X2 interface between the base station and the opposite base station, send the transmission network layer address of the home base station gateway to the base station and the opposite base station;

And performing, according to the base station identifier and/or the cell identifier information of the neighboring base station carried in the signaling message sent by the local base station or the peer base station, the base station corresponding to the neighboring base station identifier and/or the cell identifier. The X2 interface connection establishment operation and/or the base station configuration update operation between the peer base stations; wherein the base station identification information includes an X2 setup operation target base station identifier and/or a cell identifier And/or other identifiers for identifying the base station; the signaling message includes an X2 setup request message, an X2 setup response message, a base station configuration update message, and a base station configuration update response message.

The apparatus according to claim 27, 28 or 29, wherein the apparatus further comprises a context release processing unit, wherein the context release processing unit is configured to: when the proxy interface establishing unit proxy completes the home base station and the macro base station After the X2 interface is established,