WO2013127117A1

WO2013127117A1 - Roaming communication method and system for mtc device

Info

Publication number: WO2013127117A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/074122
Authority: WO
Inventors: 余万涛
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2012-02-29
Filing date: 2012-04-16
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Also published as: CN103298030A; CN103298030B

Abstract

Disclosed are a roaming communication method and system for an MTC device. The method comprises: an MTC external interface function entity of a visited network receiving first communication data which is sent to an MTC server by an MTC device (S602); according to registration information about the MTC device, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network determining an MTC external interface function entity of a home network of the MTC device (S604); and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routing the first communication data to the MTC server through the MTC external interface function entity (S606). According to the technical solution provided in the present invention, the support to the roaming communication of the MTC device can be realized, the external interface security of the MTC device communication is ensured, and the load balance effect of the MTC communication in a 3GPP network is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method and system for roaming communication of a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Machine Type Communication (MTC) refers to a series of technologies and combinations thereof that implement wireless communication technology to realize data communication and communication between machines and machines, machines and people. MTC has the following two meanings: The first layer means the machine itself, that is, the smart device in the embedded field; the second layer refers to the connection between the machine and the machine, that is, the machines are connected together through the network. Machine-based communication has a wide range of applications, such as: intelligent measurement, remote monitoring, tracking, medical, etc., making human life more intelligent. Compared with traditional human-to-human communication, MTC devices have a large number of applications and a wide range of applications, which has great market prospects. 1 is a schematic diagram of a machine type communication system architecture according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, the MTC Device communicates with the MTC server (MTC Server) through the 3GPP network and the external interface function entity MTC-IWF (MTC InterWorking Function). 2 is a schematic diagram of a machine type communication system architecture for a scenario of home network routing when an MTC device roams according to the related art. 3 is a schematic diagram of a machine type communication system architecture for a local grooming scenario when an MTC device roams according to the related art. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the MTC device roams, the MTC related communication will generate relevant signaling and communication data traffic in the home network and the visited network. In particular, signaling and communication data traffic caused when a large number of MTC devices roam will occupy a lot of network resources, which may affect normal non-MTC communication. For security reasons, when the MTC Server is located outside the 3GPP network, an MTC-Security Gateway can be introduced to authenticate and authorize the MTC Server to ensure the security of the external interface. 4 is a schematic diagram of a connection system of an external interface after the introduction of a security gateway according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 4, when the MTC device roams, after the MTC security gateway is introduced, the external interface connection in the home network routing scenario is the same as when the non-roaming is performed. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an external interface connection system in a local grooming scenario after the introduction of the MTC security gateway according to the related art. As shown in Figure 5, when the MTC Server is outside the 3GPP network, after the MTC security gateway is introduced as the MTC external interface function entity (MTC-IWF), although the security of the external interface is guaranteed, the current MTC system architecture is based on the current When the MTC device roams, the MTC related communication will generate relevant signaling and communication data traffic in the home network and the visited network. especially Signaling and communication data traffic caused when a large number of MTC devices roam will occupy a lot of network resources, which may affect normal non-MTC communication. From the perspective of the MTC system architecture, the connection mode of the external interface of the roaming and non-roaming system architecture has an important influence on the communication security and roaming of the MTC system supporting the MTC device. In the prior art, whether it is non-MTC communication between people or MTC communication between machines, it needs to be processed by the MME, thereby increasing the load of the MME. Introducing the MTC security gateway as an MTC external interface functional entity

After (MTC-IWF), how to improve the load balancing of MTC-related communication in the 3GPP network is a problem that needs to be solved in the case of ensuring the security of the external interface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a roaming communication method and system for an MTC device, to at least solve the related art, in which signaling and communication data traffic caused by a large number of MTC devices roaming consumes too much network resources, thereby affecting normal non- The problem of MTC communication. According to an aspect of the present invention, a roaming communication method of an MTC device is provided. The method for roaming communication of the MTC device according to the present invention includes: receiving, by the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, first communication data sent by the MTC device to the MTC server; and determining, by the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, the MTC device according to the registration information of the MTC device The MTC external interface function entity of the home network; the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the first communication data to the MTC server via the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. Preferably, before the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the first communication data sent by the MTC device to the MTC server, the method further includes: when the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the MTC device from the MTC device The registration information of the home network is established, and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network establishes a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network according to the registration information of the MTC device; When the network is attached to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the registration information from the MTC device and saves it, wherein the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network establishes the MTC external interface of the visited network according to the registration information of the MTC device. A routing relationship between a functional entity and an MTC external interface functional entity of the home network. Preferably, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the first communication data to the MTC server via the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, including: the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity and the attribution through the visited network Network MTC external interface between functional entities A pre-established connection routes the first communication data to the MTC server via the MTC external interface functional entity of the home network. Preferably, after the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the first communication data to the MTC server via the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, the method further includes: the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the MTC server and sends the MTC server to the MTC device. The second communication data; the MTC external interface function entity of the home network determines the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network to which the MTC device is currently attached according to the registration information of the MTC device; the MTC external interface function entity of the home network routes the second communication data to Visiting the MTC external interface function entity in the network; the MTC external interface function entity in the visited network sends the second communication data to the MTC device. Preferably, the foregoing MTC external interface function entity is one of the following: an MTC security gateway; an external interface function entity including an MTC security gateway function; a combination of an MTC security gateway and an external interface function entity including an MTC security gateway function. Preferably, the registration information is at least one of the following: identity information of the MTC device subscription user and identity information of the MTC device; network identity information of the network to which the MTC device is attached. According to another aspect of the present invention, a roaming communication method of another MTC device is provided. The method for roaming communication of the MTC device according to the present invention includes: the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the third communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device; the MTC external interface function entity of the home network determines the MTC according to the registration information of the MTC device The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network that the device is currently roaming; the MTC external interface function entity of the home network sends the third communication data to the MTC device via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network. Preferably, before the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the third communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device, the method further includes: when the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the MTC device from the MTC device The registration information of the home network is established, and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network establishes a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network according to the registration information of the MTC device; When the network is attached to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the registration information from the MTC device and saves it, wherein the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network establishes the MTC external interface of the visited network according to the registration information of the MTC device. A routing relationship between a functional entity and an MTC external interface functional entity of the home network. Preferably, the MTC external interface function entity of the home network sends the third communication data to the MTC device via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, including: the MTC external interface function entity of the home network The third communication data is sent to the MTC device via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network through a pre-established connection between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network. Preferably, after the MTC external interface function entity of the home network sends the third communication data to the MTC device via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, the method further includes: the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the MTC device and sends the message to the MTC server. The fourth communication data; the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the fourth communication data to the MTC external interface function entity in the home network; the MTC external interface function entity in the home network routes the fourth communication data to the MTC server. Preferably, the foregoing MTC external interface function entity is one of the following: an MTC security gateway; an external interface function entity including an MTC security gateway function; a combination of an MTC security gateway and an external interface function entity including an MTC security gateway function. Preferably, the registration information is at least one of the following: identity information of the MTC device subscription user and identity information of the MTC device; network identity information of the network to which the MTC device is attached. According to still another aspect of the present invention, a roaming communication system of an MTC device is provided. The roaming communication system of the MTC device according to the present invention includes: the system includes: an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network; the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network includes: a first receiving module, configured to receive the MTC device and send the signal to the MTC server a first communication module, configured to determine an MTC external interface function entity of the home network of the MTC device according to the registration information of the MTC device; the first routing module is configured to send the first communication data to the MTC external interface of the home network The functional entity is routed to the MTC server. Preferably, the system further includes: an MTC external interface function entity of the home network; the MTC external interface function entity of the home network includes: a second receiving module, configured to receive the registration from the MTC device when the MTC device is attached to the visited network The MTC external interface function entity of the home network establishes a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network according to the registration information of the MTC device; the MTC of the visited network The external interface function entity further includes: a third receiving module, configured to receive the registration information from the MTC device and save the MTC device when the MTC device is attached to the visited network, where the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network according to the registration information of the MTC device Establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. Preferably, the first routing module is configured to connect the first communication data to the MTC external interface function entity of the home network by using a pre-established connection between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. Route to the MTC server. Preferably, the MTC external interface function entity of the home network further includes: a fourth receiving module, configured to receive second communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device; and a second routing module configured to route the second communication data to the visit The MTC external interface function entity in the network; the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network further includes: a third routing module, configured to route the second communication data to the MTC device. Preferably, the foregoing MTC external interface function entity is one of the following: an MTC security gateway; an external interface function entity including an MTC security gateway function; a combination of an MTC security gateway and an external interface function entity including an MTC security gateway function. Preferably, the registration information is at least one of the following: identity information of the MTC device subscription user and identity information of the MTC device; network identity information of the network to which the MTC device is attached. According to still another aspect of the present invention, a roaming communication system of another MTC device is provided. The roaming communication system of the MTC device according to the present invention includes: an MTC external interface function entity of the home network; the MTC external interface function entity of the home network includes: a fifth receiving module, configured to receive third communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device a second determining module, configured to determine, according to the registration information of the MTC device, an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network that the MTC device has roamed to; the fourth routing module is configured to send the third communication data to the MTC external interface of the visited network The functional entity is sent to the MTC device. Preferably, the system further includes: an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network; the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network includes: a sixth receiving module, configured to receive fourth communication data that is sent by the MTC device to the MTC server; And the MTC external interface function entity of the home network further includes: a sixth routing module, configured to route the fourth communication data to the MTC server. According to the present invention, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network determines the MTC external interface function entity of the home network of the MTC device according to the registration information of the MTC device, and establishes a routing relationship with the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, The communication data interaction between the MTC device and the MTC server of the home network is implemented by the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. In the related art, the signaling and communication data traffic caused by a large number of MTC devices roaming consumes too much network resources, thereby affecting the problem of normal non-MTC communication, and the MTC external interface function entity is used to process the MTC device and the attribution. Communication data between the network's MTC servers, thus ensuring In the case where the interface is secure, the load balancing of the MTC communication in the mobile communication network, such as the 3GPP network, is improved for the case of the MTC device roaming. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are set to illustrate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a machine type communication system architecture according to the related art; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a machine type communication system architecture for a home network route scenario when an MTC device roams according to the related art; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a connection system of an external interface after introducing an MTC security gateway according to the related art; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a connection system of an external interface after introducing an MTC security gateway according to the related art; FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for roaming communication of an MTC device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for roaming communication in a local grooming scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for roaming communication of an MTC device according to a preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of the MTC device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; A flowchart of a method for roaming communication of an MTC device; FIG. 10 is a diagram of another MTC device according to an embodiment of the present invention FIG. 11 is a structural block diagram of a roaming communication system of an MTC device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a structural block diagram of a roaming communication system of an MTC device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 13 is a structural block diagram of a roaming communication system of another MTC device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 is a structural block diagram of a roaming communication system of another MTC device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 15 is a schematic diagram of a roaming communication system of an MTC device using only one MTC external interface function entity per communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing that each communication network uses two MTC external interfaces according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of a roaming communication system of a functional entity's MTC device. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a roaming communication method of an MTC device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the method mainly includes the following processing: Step S602: The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the first communication data that is sent by the MTC device to the MTC server; Step S604: The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network is according to the MTC. The registration information of the device determines the MTC external interface entity of the home network of the MTC device; Step S606: The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the first communication data to the MTC server via the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. In the related art, signaling and communication data traffic caused when a large number of MTC devices roam consumes excessive network resources, thereby affecting normal non-MTC communication. Using the method shown in FIG. 6, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network determines the MTC external interface function entity of the home network of the MTC device according to the registration information of the MTC device roaming to the visited network, and implements the MTC device and The MTC server of the home network realizes the interaction of communication data by accessing the MTC external interface entity of the network and the MTC external interface entity of the home network, thereby achieving the effect of improving the load balancing of the MTC communication in the mobile communication network, such as the 3GPP network.

The registration information reported by the MTC device to the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network may include, but is not limited to: MTC device identity information, such as: IMEI; MTC subscription user identity information, such as: IMSI. The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network may establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network according to the foregoing registration information. Preferably, in step S602, before receiving the first communication data sent by the MTC device to the MTC server, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network may further include the following processing: (1) When the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC device registers with the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the registration information from the MTC device and saves, where the MTC of the home network The external interface function entity may establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network according to the foregoing registration information;

(2) When the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC device registers with the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, and the MTC external interface entity of the visited network receives the registration information from the MTC device and saves, wherein the MTC outside the visited network The interface function entity may establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network according to the foregoing registration information. In a preferred implementation process, the foregoing registration information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

(1) The identity information of the MTC device subscription user, such as: IMSI, and the identity information of the MTC device, such as: IMEI;

(2) Network information attached to the MTC device, such as: Network identity information. In a preferred embodiment, the identity information of the MTC device subscription user mainly refers to the identity information of the User Identity Identification Card (UICC) installed on the MTC device. In the embodiment of the present invention, the UICC may include a user identity module, such as: SIM, USIM, ISIM, and the like. The MTC device is attached to the home network and needs to be registered with the MTC external interface entity of the home network (the MTC security gateway and the external interface function entity including the MTC security gateway function). The registration information may include: the identity information of the MTC device subscription user and the MTC device identity information, and the registration information may further include the home network identity information. When the MTC device roams and attaches to the visited network, the MTC external interface function of the visited network is required. The entity (the MTC security gateway and the external interface entity containing the MTC security gateway function) is registered. The registration information may include: identity information of the MTC device subscription user and MTC device identity information, and the registration information may further include visited network identity information. When the MTC device roams and attaches to the visited network, it is further required to register with the MTC external interface function entity (the MTC security gateway and the external interface entity including the MTC security gateway function) of the home network. The registration information may include identity information of the MTC device subscription user and MTC device identity information, and information of the visited network such as the identity information of the visited network. To implement roaming to support MTC devices, the MTC external interface function entity can be an independent MTC security gateway, implement external interface functions, authenticate and authorize the MTC server, ensure the security of external interface communication, and can be used to shield mobile communication. The network topology of the system, relaying or processing signaling protocols. The MTC external interface entity can also be composed of an MTC security gateway entity and an external interface entity that includes the MTC security gateway function. (MTC-IWF (MTC Security Gateway)), which implements external interface functions, authenticates and authorizes the MTC server, ensures the security of external interface communication, and can be used to shield the network topology of the mobile communication system, relay or process the message. Order agreement. After the MTC device roams to the visited network, the MTC device needs to register with the MTC external interface function entity in the visited network after completing the visited network attachment, and further needs to register with the MTC external interface function entity in the home network. In a preferred embodiment, when the MTC device according to the present invention roams and attaches to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network can establish the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external of the home network according to the foregoing registration information. Routing relationship between interface functional entities. While the roaming MTC device registers with the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, the MTC device needs to further register with the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. When the MTC device roams, the MTC external interface function entity of the home network The routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network may be established according to the foregoing registration information. In a preferred embodiment, the information registered by the MTC device at the MTC external interface function entity can be saved, managed, and maintained by the MTC external interface function entity. When the MTC device is detached, the MTC external interface function entity may delete the registration information of the MTC device. In addition, when the MTC device performs location update or handover, the MTC device may update the registration information saved in the MTC external interface function entity. In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to support roaming of the MTC device, connections between different MTC external interface function entities may be established in advance. For example, when the MTC external interface function entity is implemented by the MTC security gateway, different MTC security gateways can be interconnected. When the MTC external interface function entity is composed of an MTC security gateway entity and an external interface function entity (MTC-IWF (MTC Security Gateway)) that includes the MTC security gateway function, different security gateways are interconnected, and different different MTC security gateways are included. The external interface entities of the function are also interconnected. In addition, when the MTC external interface entity is composed of an MTC security gateway entity and an external interface function entity (MTC-IWF (MTC Security Gateway)) including the MTC security gateway function, if necessary, the MTC security gateway and the external function including the MTC security gateway function Interface functional entities can also be interconnected. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the connection between the MTC external interface function entities must also be a secure connection, that is, the communication between the MTC external interface function entities needs to be securely protected. In the embodiment of the present invention, the security of communication between the MTC external interface function entities may be implemented by a security mechanism of a mobile communication network, such as a core network of a 3GPP network. Therefore, in step S606, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network can access the network by

a pre-established connection between the MTC external interface functional entity and the MTC external interface functional entity of the home network, The first communication data is routed to the MTC server via the MTC external interface functional entity of the home network. Thereby, the transmission efficiency of the communication data between the MTC device and the MTC server can be improved when the MTC device roams. Preferably, in the embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the communication data from the roaming MTC device, the MTC server may also send a message to the MTC device. Therefore, in step S606, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network will first communicate. After the data is routed to the MTC server via the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, the following processing may also be included:

(1) The MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the second communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device;

(2) The MTC external interface function entity of the home network routes the second communication data to the MTC external interface function entity in the visited network;

(3) The MTC external interface function entity in the visited network sends the second communication data to the MTC device. In a preferred embodiment, the communication from the MTC device to the MTC server may be routed to the home network via an MTC external interface function entity in the visited network, such as: an MTC security gateway or an external interface function entity including an MTC security gateway function. MTC external interface function entity. For the communication from the MTC server to the MTC device, the MTC external interface function entity in the visited network may be routed through an MTC external interface function entity in the home network, such as an MTC security gateway or an external interface function entity including the MTC security gateway function. For communication from the MTC device to the MTC server, the external interface function entity in the home network further transmits communication data from the roaming MTC device to the corresponding MTC server. For communication from the MTC server to the MTC device, the external interface function entity in the visited network further transmits the communication data from the MTC server to the roaming MTC device. The above preferred embodiment will be further described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a roaming communication method of an MTC device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the method may include the following processing steps: Step S702: When the MTC device roams, after the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity in the home network registers. The registration information may include identity information of the MTC device subscription user, MTC device identity information, and network identity information of the visited network. Step S704: When the MTC device roams, after attaching to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity in the visited network registers. The registration information may include identity information of the MTC device subscription user and MTC device identity information. It should be noted that the registration information according to the need may further include the identity information of the visited network. Step S706: For communication from the MTC device to the MTC server, the external interface function entity in the home network further transmits the communication data from the roaming MTC device to the corresponding MTC server. For communication from the MTC server to the MTC device, the external interface function entity in the visited network further transmits the communication data from the MTC server to the roaming MTC device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a roaming communication method of an MTC device according to a preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the method may include the following processing steps: Step S802: When the MTC device roams, after the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC security gateway in the home network registers. The registration information may include identity information of the MTC device subscription user, MTC device identity information, and network identity information of the visited network. Step S804: When the MTC device roams, after attaching to the visited network, the MTC security gateway in the visited network registers. The registration information may include identity information of the MTC device subscription user and MTC device identity information. It should be noted that the registration information according to the need may further include the identity information of the visited network. Step S806: For communication from the MTC device to the MTC server, the security gateway in the home network further transmits the communication data from the roaming MTC device to the corresponding MTC server. For communication from the MTC server to the MTC device, the MTC security gateway in the visited network further transmits the communication data from the MTC server to the roaming MTC device. 9 is a flowchart of a roaming communication method of an MTC device according to a preferred embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the method may include the following processing steps: Step S902: When the MTC device roams, when the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the external interface function entity including the MTC security gateway function in the home network registers. The registration information may include identity information of the MTC device subscription user, MTC device identity information, and network identity information of the visited network. Step S904: When the MTC device roams, after attaching to the visited network, the external interface function entity including the MTC security gateway function in the visited network registers. The registration information may include identity information of the MTC device subscription user and MTC device identity information. It should be noted that the registration information according to the need may further include the identity information of the visited network. Step S906: For communication from the MTC device to the MTC server, the external interface function entity in the home network including the MTC security gateway function further transmits the communication data from the roaming MTC device to the corresponding MTC server. For communication from the MTC server to the MTC device, an external function interface entity in the visited network that includes the MTC security gateway function further transmits communication data from the MTC server to the roaming MTC device. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a roaming communication method of an MTC device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the method mainly includes the following processes: Step S1002: The MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the third communication data that is sent by the MTC server to the MTC device. Step S1004: The MTC external interface function entity of the home network is according to the MTC. The registration information of the device determines an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network to which the MTC device is currently roaming; Step S1006: The MTC external interface function entity of the home network sends the third communication data to the MTC via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network. device. The method shown in FIG. 10 solves the problem that the signaling and communication data traffic caused by a large number of MTC devices roaming excessive network resources when the roaming of a large number of MTC devices affects the normal non-MTC communication, and the MTC is implemented by the MTC. The external interface function entity processes the communication data between the MTC device and the MTC server of the home network, thereby improving the MTC communication in the mobile communication network, such as the 3GPP network, in the case of ensuring the security of the external interface, in the case of the MTC device roaming. Load balancing. Preferably, in step S1002, before receiving the third communication data sent by the MTC server to the roaming MTC device, the MTC external interface function entity of the home network may further include the following processing:

(1) When the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC device registers with the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the registration information from the MTC device and saves, where the MTC of the home network The external interface function entity may establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network according to the foregoing registration information;

(2) When the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC device registers with the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the registration information from the MTC device and saves, wherein the MTC of the visited network is visited. The external interface function entity can establish the same according to the above registration information. The routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. In a preferred implementation process, the foregoing registration information includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following information:

(1) The identity information of the MTC device subscription user, such as IMSI; and the identity information of the MTC device, such as IMEI.

(2) Network information attached to the MTC device, such as: Network identity information. In a preferred embodiment, when the MTC device roams to the visited network, it needs to register with the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, where the registration information includes: identity information of the MTC device subscription user, MTC device identity information, and visited network identity. information. The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network may establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network according to the foregoing registration information. When the MTC device roams and attaches to the visited network, it needs to further register with the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, where the registration information includes: the identity information of the MTC device subscription user, the MTC device identity information, and the information of the visited network, such as : Visiting the identity information of the network. The MTC external interface function entity of the home network may establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network according to the foregoing registration information, thereby implementing communication between the MTC server and the MTC device. . To implement roaming to support MTC devices, the MTC external interface function entity can be an independent MTC security gateway, implement external interface functions, authenticate and authorize the MTC server, ensure the security of external interface communication, and can be used to shield mobile communication. The network topology of the system, relaying or processing signaling protocols. The MTC external interface function entity may also be composed of an MTC security gateway entity and an external interface function entity (MTC-IWF (MTC Security Gateway)) that includes the MTC security gateway function, implements an external interface function, authenticates and authorizes the MTC server, and guarantees the external The security of interface communication can also be used to shield the network topology of the mobile communication system, relay or process signaling protocols. After the MTC device roams to the visited network, the MTC device needs to register with the MTC external interface function entity in the visited network after completing the visited network attachment, and further needs to register with the MTC external interface function entity in the home network. In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to support roaming of the MTC device, connections between different MTC external interface function entities may be established in advance. For example, when the MTC external interface function entity is implemented by the MTC security gateway, different MTC security gateways can be interconnected. When the MTC external interface function entity is composed of an MTC security gateway entity and an external interface function entity (MTC-IWF (MTC Security Gateway)) that includes the MTC security gateway function, different security gateways are interconnected, and different different MTC security gateways are included. Functional external interface functional entities are also interconnected. In addition, when the MTC external interface functional entity is operated by MTC When the full gateway entity and the external interface entity (MTC-IWF (MTC Security Gateway)) that includes the MTC security gateway function are formed, the MTC security gateway and the external interface entity including the MTC security gateway function can also be interconnected if necessary. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the foregoing MTC external interface function entities need to perform a secure connection, that is, the communication between the MTC external interface function entities needs to be securely protected. In the embodiment of the present invention, the security of the MTC external interface function entity may be implemented by a security mechanism of a mobile communication network such as a core network of a 3GPP network. Preferably, in step S1006, the MTC external interface function entity of the home network sends the third communication data to the MTC device via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network. The method further includes the following processing: the MTC external interface function entity of the home network passes the attribution A pre-established connection between the MTC external interface function entity of the network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network transmits the third communication data to the MTC device via the MTC external interface entity of the visited network. Preferably, in step S1006, after the MTC external interface function entity of the home network sends the third communication data to the MTC device via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, the following processing may also be included: (1) the MTC external interface of the visited network The functional entity receives fourth communication data that is sent by the MTC device to the MTC server;

(2) The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the fourth communication data to the MTC external interface function entity in the home network;

(3) The MTC external interface function entity in the home network routes the fourth communication data to the MTC server. 11 is a block diagram showing the structure of a roaming communication system of an MTC device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the roaming communication system of the MTC device mainly includes: an MTC external interface function entity 10 of the visited network; the MTC external interface function entity 10 of the visited network may further include: a first receiving module 100, configured to receive the MTC device a first communication module that is sent to the MTC server; the first determining module 102 is configured to determine an MTC external interface function entity of the home network of the MTC device according to the registration information of the MTC device; the first routing module 104 is configured to set the first communication The data is routed to the MTC server via the MTC external interface functional entity of the home network. The first receiving module 100 of the MTC external interface function entity 10 of the visited network receives the first communication data sent by the MTC device to the MTC server; the first determining module 102 determines the registration information of the MTC device according to the system shown in FIG. Determining an MTC external interface function entity of the home network of the MTC device; The routing module 104 routes the first communication data to the MTC server via the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, and solves the related art, the signaling and communication data traffic caused by the roaming of a large number of MTC devices occupies excessive network resources, thereby A problem affecting normal non-MTC communication, thereby achieving communication data between the MTC device and the MTC server of the home network handled by the MTC external interface function entity, thereby improving load balancing of the MTC communication in the mobile communication network, such as: 3GPP network Effect. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 12, the system may further include: an MTC external interface function entity 20 of the home network; the MTC external interface function entity 20 of the home network may further include: a second receiving module 200, configured to be in the MTC device When the home network is attached to the home network, the registration information from the MTC device is received and saved. The MTC external interface function entity 10 of the visited network may further include: a third receiving module 106, configured to receive when the MTC device is attached to the visited network, Registration information for the MTC device is saved. In a preferred implementation process, the foregoing registration information may be, but not limited to, at least one of the following:

(1) The identity information of the MTC device subscription user and the identity information of the MTC device;

(2) Network information attached to the MTC device, such as: Network identity information. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 12, the first routing module 104 is configured to connect the first communication data by using a pre-established connection between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. The MTC external interface function entity of the network is routed to the MTC server. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 12, the MTC external interface function entity 20 of the home network may further include: a fourth receiving module 202, configured to receive second communication data that is sent by the MTC server to the MTC device; and a second routing module 204, The MTC external interface function entity 10 is configured to route the second communication data to the visited network; the MTC external interface function entity 10 of the visited network may further include: a third routing module 108 configured to route the second communication data to the MTC device . In a preferred implementation process, the foregoing MTC external interface function entity may be one of the following:

(1) MTC security gateway;

(2) An external interface entity that includes the MTC security gateway function; (3) A combination of the MTC security gateway and an external interface functional entity that includes the MTC security gateway function. FIG. 13 is a structural block diagram of a roaming communication system of an MTC device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the roaming communication system of the MTC device mainly includes: an MTC external interface function entity 30 of the home network; the MTC external interface function entity 30 of the home network may include: a fifth receiving module 300, configured to receive The MTC server sends the third communication data to the MTC device. The second determining module 302 is configured to determine, according to the registration information of the MTC device, an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network that the MTC device is currently roaming to; the fourth routing module 304, It is arranged to transmit the third communication data to the MTC device via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network. The system shown in FIG. 13 is used to implement the communication data between the MTC device and the MTC server of the home network by the MTC external interface function entity, so as to ensure the external interface security, for the MTC device roaming situation, Improve MTC communication in mobile communication networks, such as: Load balancing in 3GPP networks. In a preferred embodiment, when the MTC device roams to the visited network, it needs to register with the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network. The registration information includes the identity information of the MTC device subscription user, and the MTC device identity information. If the registration information is required, it may further include visiting the network identity information. The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network may establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network according to the foregoing registration information. When the MTC device roams and attaches to the visited network, it needs to further register with the MTC external interface function entity of the home network. The registration information includes the identity information of the MTC device subscription user, the MTC device identity information, and the information of the visited network, such as the identity information of the visited network. The MTC external interface function entity of the home network may establish a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network according to the foregoing registration information, thereby implementing communication between the MTC server and the MTC device. . Preferably, as shown in FIG. 14, the system may further include: an MTC external interface function entity 40 of the visited network; the MTC external interface function entity 40 of the visited network may include: a sixth receiving module 400, configured to receive the MTC device and send the The fourth communication module of the MTC server is configured to: route the fourth communication data to the MTC external interface function entity in the home network; the MTC external interface function entity 30 of the home network may further include: a sixth routing module 306. Set to route the fourth communication data to the MTC server. 15 is a diagram showing that each communication network uses only one MTC external interface function entity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Schematic diagram of a roaming communication system of an MTC device. As shown in FIG. 15, the system may include: (1) an MTC external interface function entity, and an MTC external interface function entity may be an independent MTC security gateway, implement an external interface function, authenticate and authorize the MTC server, and ensure an external interface. The security of communication can also be used to shield the network topology of the mobile communication system, relay or process signaling protocols. (2) MTC server, MTC server is used to provide MTC related services or services. (3) GGSN/PGW, Gateway GPRS Support Node/Packet Data Gateway. (4) HLR/HSS, home location register/home subscription data server. SGSN/MME, GPRS service support node/mobile management entity. (5) SMS-SC/IP-SM-GW, Short Message Center. In the system architecture The MTC external interface function is implemented by an independent MTC security gateway, and different MTC security gateways are interconnected to support roaming of the MTC device. 16 is a schematic diagram of a roaming communication system of an MTC device using two MTC external interface function entities for each communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, the system includes: (1) an MTC external interface function entity, which is composed of an MTC security gateway entity and an external interface function entity (MTC-IWF (MTC Security Gateway)) that includes an MTC security gateway function, and implements an external interface. Function: Authenticate and authorize the MTC server to ensure the security of external interface communication. At the same time, it can be used to shield the network topology of the mobile communication system, relay or process signaling protocols. (2) MTC server, MTC server is used to provide MTC related services or services. (3) GGSN/PGW, Gateway GPRS Support Node/Packet Data Gateway. (4) HLR/HSS, home location register/home subscription data server. (5) SGSN/MME, GPRS service support node/mobile management entity. (6) SMS-SC/IP-SM-GW, Short Message Center. In the system architecture, the MTC external interface function is implemented by the MTC security gateway and an external interface function entity including the MTC security gateway function, between different MTC security gateways, and different external interface functional entities including MTC security gateway functions. Interconnect to support roaming of MTC devices. There is no connection between the MTC security gateway and the external interface functional entity that contains the MTC security gateway functionality. Of course, in each communication network, communication data transmitted via the Gi/SGi may be arbitrarily selected by one of the MTC external interface function entity or by one of the MTC security gateway entity and the external interface function entity including the MTC security gateway function. However, there is a need to ensure that the last selected MTC external interface entity for each communication network is consistent. Through the architecture diagram of the roaming communication system of the MTC device shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, in the mobile communication network, such as the 3GPP network, the MME may be different from the identifier of the non-MTC communication between the person according to the identifier of the MTC device. Further, the partial MTC communication or all the MTC communication is not processed, and the unprocessed MTC communication is processed by the MTC external interface entity, thereby alleviating the load when the MTC communication and the non-MTC communication are simultaneously processed on the MME, thereby improving the MTC. Communication is load balanced in 3GPP networks. From the above description, it can be seen that the present invention achieves the following technical effects: Support for roaming communication of the MTC device, security of the external interface of the MTC device communication, and improvement of the MTC communication in the mobile communication network, such as: Load balancing in 3GPP networks. 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. Perform the steps shown or described, or separate them into individual integrated circuit modules, or Multiple of these modules or steps are fabricated as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim

1. A machine type communication method for roaming communication of an MTC device, comprising:

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the first communication data sent by the MTC device to the MTC server;

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network determines an MTC external interface function entity of the home network of the MTC device according to the registration information of the MTC device;

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the first communication data to the MTC server via an MTC external interface function entity of the home network.

The method according to claim 1, wherein before the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the first communication data sent by the MTC device to the MTC server, the method further includes:

When the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the registration information from the MTC device and saves, where the MTC external interface function entity of the home network is according to the The registration information of the MTC device establishes a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network;

When the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives the registration information from the MTC device and saves, where the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network is according to the The registration information of the MTC device establishes a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routing the first communication data to the MTC server via the MTC external interface function entity of the home network comprises:

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, by using a pre-established connection between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, via the attribution The MTC external interface function entity of the network is routed to the MTC server.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the first communication data to the MTC server via an MTC external interface function entity of the home network, Includes:

The MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the second communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device;

Determining, by the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network currently attached by the MTC device according to the registration information of the MTC device;

The MTC external interface function entity of the home network routes the second communication data to an MTC external interface function entity in the visited network;

The MTC external interface function entity in the visited network transmits the second communication data to the MTC device.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the MTC external interface function entity is one of the following:

MTC security gateway;

An external interface function entity that includes the MTC security gateway function;

A combination of an MTC security gateway and an external interface functional entity that includes MTC security gateway functionality.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the registration information is at least the identity information of the MTC device subscription user and the identity information of the MTC device; the MTC device attachment Network identity information for the network.

7. A machine type communication method for roaming communication of an MTC device, comprising:

The MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the third communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device;

The MTC external interface function entity of the home network determines, according to the registration information of the MTC device, an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network that the MTC device has roamed to; the MTC external interface function entity of the home network The third communication data is sent to the MTC device via an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network.

The method according to claim 7, wherein, before the MTC external interface function entity of the home network receives the third communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device, the method further includes:

The method of claim 7, wherein the sending, by the MTC external interface function entity of the home network, the third communication data to the MTC device via the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network comprises:

The MTC external interface function entity of the home network sends the third communication data via the visit through a pre-established connection between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network The MTC external interface function entity of the network is sent to the MTC device.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein after the MTC external interface function entity of the home network sends the third communication data to the MTC device via an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network, Also includes:

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network receives fourth communication data that is sent by the MTC device to the MTC server;

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network routes the fourth communication data to an MTC external interface function entity in the home network;

The MTC external interface function entity in the home network routes the fourth communication data to the MTC server.

The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the MTC external interface function entity is one of the following: MTC security gateway;

The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the registration information is at least one of the following:

The MTC device subscribes to the identity information of the user and the identity information of the MTC device; and the network identity information of the network to which the MTC device is attached.

13. A machine type communication roaming communication system of an MTC device, the system comprising: an MTC external interface function entity of a visited network;

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network includes:

The first receiving module is configured to receive the first communication data sent by the MTC device to the MTC server; the first determining module is configured to determine an MTC external interface function entity of the home network of the MTC device according to the registration information of the MTC device;

The first routing module is configured to route the first communication data to the MTC server via an MTC external interface functional entity of the home network.

The system according to claim 13, wherein the system further comprises: an MTC external interface function entity of the home network;

The MTC external interface function entity of the home network includes:

a second receiving module, configured to receive, when the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the registration information from the MTC device, where the MTC external interface function entity of the home network is configured according to the MTC device The registration information establishes a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the home network and the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network;

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network further includes:

a third receiving module, configured to receive, when the MTC device is attached to the visited network, the registration information from the MTC device, where the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network is configured according to the MTC device The registration information establishes a routing relationship between the MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and the MTC external interface function entity of the home network.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein

The first routing module is configured to connect the first communication data to the home network through a pre-established connection between an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network and an MTC external interface function entity of the home network The MTC external interface function entity is routed to the MTC server.

The system of claim 13, wherein the MTC external interface function entity of the home network further comprises:

a fourth receiving module, configured to receive second communication data that is sent by the MTC server to the MTC device;

a second routing module, configured to route the second communication data to an MTC external interface function entity in the visited network;

A third routing module is configured to route the second communication data to the MTC device.

The system according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the MTC external interface function entity is one of the following:

MTC security gateway;

The system according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the registration information is at least one of the following:

A roaming communication system for a machine type communication MTC device, wherein the system comprises: an MTC external interface function entity of a home network;

The MTC external interface function entity of the home network includes:

a fifth receiving module, configured to receive third communication data sent by the MTC server to the MTC device, where the second determining module is configured to determine, according to the registration information of the MTC device, an MTC external to the visited network that the MTC device is currently roaming to Interface function entity; And a fourth routing module, configured to send the third communication data to the MTC device via an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network. The system according to claim 19, wherein the system further comprises: an MTC external interface function entity of the visited network;

The MTC external interface function entity of the visited network includes:

a sixth receiving module, configured to receive fourth communication data that is sent by the MTC device to the MTC server;

a fifth routing module, configured to route the fourth communication data to an MTC external interface function entity in the home network;

The MTC external interface function entity of the home network further includes:

A sixth routing module is configured to route the fourth communication data to the MTC server.