WO2017012228A1

WO2017012228A1 - Inter-plmn handover method in evolved node b, evolved node b, communication system and storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2017012228A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/094871
Authority: WO
Inventors: 邹俊; 许兵舰; 游佳莹
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2015-07-20
Filing date: 2015-11-18
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Also published as: CN106376037B; CN106376037A

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention discloses an inter-PLMN handover method in an evolved node B (eNB). The method comprises: acquiring, by an eNB, a PLMN negotiation result of a core network, and determining, according to the negotiation result, a network sharing scenario of the eNB, wherein the network sharing scenario comprises multi-operator core network (MOCN) sharing and gateway core network (GWCN) sharing; receiving a measurement report sent from a user equipment (UE), and determining, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of a source cell and a PLMN of a handover target cell in the eNB; and if the PLMN of the source cell and the PLMN of the handover target cell are different, then performing inter-PLMN handover in the eNB corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the eNB. Also disclosed in embodiments of the present invention are an eNB, communication system and computer storage medium.

Description

Cross-PLMN handover method, base station, communication system and storage medium in base station

Technical field

The present invention relates to a public land mobile network (PLMN) handover technology in the field of communications, and in particular to a method for handover across a PLMN in a base station, a base station, a communication system, and a storage medium.

Background technique

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a mobile communication system of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) technology standard developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Generally, in an LTE mobile communication system, an operator network is also called a PLMN, and is divided into a core network and an access network. The core network node is a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and a service gateway. (SGW, Serving Gateway), packet data gateway (PGW, PDN Gateway), etc.; the access network node is composed of an evolved base station (eNodeB, Evolved Node B), and the involved network nodes in the process of performing PLMN selection/switching For MME and eNodeB.

Network sharing refers to the realization of wireless network sharing between different operators. In the 3GPP TS23.251 protocol, two network sharing architectures are defined, which are a multi-operator core network (MOCN) sharing technology and a gateway core network (GWCN, Gateway Core Network) sharing technology. As shown in FIG. 1 , the MOCN is an eNodeB connected to multiple core network nodes, and the eNodeB network element is shared among multiple operators to provide services for multiple operators. As shown in FIG. 2, the GWCN is a shared network and a part of the core network nodes. The eNodeB network element is shared, and some core network devices (such as the MME) are also shared to provide services for multiple operators.

In the mobility scenario under the network sharing, in addition to supporting the handover between the same PLMN, the eNodeB also supports sharing between the LTE area and the non-shared LTE area, between the shared LTE area and the 2G/3G area, and between different PLMNs. Switching. For handover between different PLMNs, that is, cross-PLMN handover, the protocol can only adopt the inter-station X2 handover or the inter-station S1 handover mode. The X2 handover is a direct transmission of data and signaling between the eNodeBs, and the S1 handover is that the eNodeB transmits and transmits data and signaling through the MME.

However, in the work of the existing communication system, it is found that the UE cannot perform the intra-eNodB handover in time to cause the UE to drop the call, and the application scenario of the network sharing is limited.

Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a method for inter-base station cross-PLMN handover, a base station, a communication system, and a computer storage medium, which at least partially solve the phenomenon that the frequency of dropped calls of the UE is high.

The technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is implemented as follows:

The embodiment of the invention provides a cross-PLMN switching method in a base station, including:

Obtaining a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determining a network sharing scenario of the base station according to the negotiation result, where the network sharing scenario of the base station includes a multi-operator core network MOCN sharing and a gateway core network GWCN sharing;

Receiving a measurement report sent by the user equipment UE, determining, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of a source cell of the base station and a PLMN of the handover target cell;

When the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, performing intra-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station.

The cross-PLMN handover in the base station corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station includes: a handover preparation phase and a handover execution phase.

The network sharing scenario of the base station is an MOCN sharing, and the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the MOCN sharing scenario is performed; the handover preparation phase includes:

Sending a first handover request message to the source mobility management entity MME, the first handover request message carrying the PLMN information of the handover target cell, so that the source MME determines the target MME according to the information of the handover target cell PLMN;

Receiving, by the target MME, a second handover request message, where the second handover request message carries bearer information created by the target MME;

Sending a handover request acknowledgement message to the target MME, where the handover request acknowledgement message indicates that the handover target cell performs handover admission processing and preparation is completed;

And receiving a handover command message sent by the source MME, and creating a first RRC connection reconfiguration message corresponding to the handover according to the handover command message.

The network sharing scenario of the base station is an MOCN sharing, and the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the MOCN sharing scenario is performed; the handover execution phase includes:

And sending the first RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell;

Sending a first state transition message to the source MME;

Receiving a second state transition message sent by the target MME;

Receiving, by the UE, a first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is completed;

Sending a handover notification message to the target MME, and updating context information of the UE to the target MME according to the handover notification message;

Receiving a UE context release command sent by the source MME, where the UE context release command indicates release of the source cell radio resource and the UE context release.

The network sharing scenario of the base station is a GWCN sharing, and the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the GWCN sharing scenario is performed; the handover preparation phase includes:

Carrying the PLMN information of the handover target cell selected by the UE to the handover target side cell in the base station.

The network sharing scenario of the base station is shared by the GWCN, and the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the GWCN sharing scenario is performed; the handover execution phase includes:

Sending a second RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell;

Receiving, by the UE, a second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is completed;

Sending a path switch request message to the MME, and updating the context information of the UE to the MME according to the path switch request message;

Receiving a path switch request response message sent by the MME, performing context information update of the UE and release of the UE context according to the path switch request response message.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a base station, where the base station includes: an acquiring unit, a receiving unit, and a switching unit;

The acquiring unit is configured to obtain a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determine a network sharing scenario of the base station according to the negotiation result, where the network sharing scenario of the base station includes a multi-operator core network MOCN sharing and a gateway core network GWCN shared;

The receiving unit is configured to receive a measurement report sent by the user equipment UE, and determine, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of a source cell of the base station and a PLMN of the handover target cell;

The switching unit is configured to perform intra-base station cross-PLMN switching corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station when the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell.

The switching unit performs intra-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station, including: a handover preparation phase and a handover execution phase.

The base station further includes: a sending unit; if the network sharing scenario of the base station is MOCN sharing, in the handover preparation phase,

The sending unit is configured to send a first handover request message to the source mobility management entity The MME, the first handover request message carries the PLMN information of the handover target cell, so that the source MME determines the target MME according to the PLMN information of the handover target cell, and is further configured to send a handover request acknowledgement message to the target. MME, the handover request acknowledgement message indicates that the handover target cell performs handover admission processing and preparation is completed;

The receiving unit is configured to receive a second handover request message sent by the target MME, where the second handover request message carries bearer information created by the target MME, and is further configured to receive a handover command message sent by the source MME. And, according to the handover command message, create a first RRC connection reconfiguration message corresponding to the handover.

If the network sharing scenario of the base station is the MOCN sharing, performing intra-base station cross-PLMN switching in the MOCN sharing scenario, in the handover execution phase,

The sending unit is configured to send the first RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell; a first state transition message to the source MME; further configured to send a handover notification message to the target MME, and update context information of the UE to the target MME according to the handover notification message;

The receiving unit is configured to receive a second state transition message sent by the target MME, and is further configured to receive a first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates The UE handover is completed; and is further configured to receive a release command sent by the source MME, where the release command indicates release of the source cell radio resource and the UE context release.

The base station further includes: a sending unit; if the network sharing scenario of the base station is GWCN sharing, in the handover preparation phase,

The sending unit is configured to carry the PLMN information of the handover target cell selected by the UE to the handover target side cell in the base station.

Wherein, if the network sharing scenario of the base station is GWCN sharing, the switching execution stage segment,

The sending unit is configured to send a second RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell; Sending a message to the MME, and updating the context information of the UE to the MME according to the path switch request message;

The receiving unit is configured to receive a second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is complete, and is further configured to receive a path sent by the MME And switching a request response message, performing context information update of the UE and releasing the UE context according to the path switch request response message.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication system, where the communication system includes: a user equipment, a core network, and any one of the foregoing base stations.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer storage medium, where the computer storage medium stores computer executable instructions, and the computer executable instructions are used to execute at least one of the intra-base station cross-PLMN switching methods.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a cross-PLMN handover method, a base station, a communication system, and a computer storage medium in a base station, and obtains a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determines a network sharing scenario of the base station according to the negotiation result, where the base station The network sharing scenario includes the MOCN sharing and the GWCN sharing; receiving the measurement report sent by the UE, determining, according to the measurement report, the PLMN of the source cell of the base station and the PLMN of the handover target cell; determining the PLMN of the source cell and the handover target cell When the PLMNs are not different, the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station is performed. In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing scheme of the cross-PLMN handover in the base station corresponding to the network sharing scenario is performed by determining the network sharing scenario of the base station in advance, and the UE context information after the PLMN handover in the base station can be effectively updated to the MME, and the MME is guaranteed. The service continuity also solves the problem that the prior art does not support the cross-PLMN scenario in the base station, and reduces the UE dropped calls caused by the cross-PLMN handover in the base station, thereby improving the application scenario of the network sharing. Activity, versatility and stability.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a MOCN architecture of network sharing;

2 is a schematic diagram of a GWCN architecture of network sharing;

3 is a schematic diagram of a PLMN negotiation process between a base station and a core network in an MOCN scenario;

4 is a schematic diagram of a PLMN negotiation process between a base station and a core network in a GWCN scenario;

5 is a schematic flowchart 1 of a method for switching across a PLMN in a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a second schematic flowchart of a cross-PLMN handover method in a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart 1 of a cross-PLMN handover signaling process in a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart 3 of a method for switching across a PLMN in a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

9 is a second schematic diagram of a cross-PLMN handover signaling process in a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a schematic structural diagram 1 of a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram 2 of a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

It is found that in the network sharing architecture of the LTE system, the user equipment (UE, User Equipment) switches from the cell of one PLMN1 in the eNodB to the cell scenario of another PLMN2, and the changed UE context information cannot be changed due to eNodB ( The information including the PLMN and the like is synchronously updated to the corresponding MME. Therefore, the prior art cannot implement the cross-PLMN switching scenario within the eNodB. Moreover, in the network sharing scenario, when the UE reports that the measurement report satisfies the eNodB handover condition, the UE does not support intra-eNodB handover in time to cause the UE to drop calls, and the application of the network sharing is restricted, because the eNodB is not supported in the inter-PLMN scenario. Scenes. Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention specifically proposes a cross-PLMN switching method in a base station. The method includes: obtaining a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determining a network sharing scenario of the base station according to the negotiation result, where the network sharing scenario of the base station includes a multi-operator core network MOCN sharing and a gateway core The heart network GWCN shares; receives the measurement report sent by the user equipment UE, determines the PLMN of the source cell of the base station and the PLMN of the handover target cell according to the measurement report; when the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, Performing intra-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station. In this case, if the PLMN of the source cell and the PLMN of the handover target cell are different, the inter-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing of the base station is performed, thereby reducing the call drop phenomenon caused by the UE failing to switch across the PLMN.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that the preferred embodiments described below are only used to illustrate and explain the present invention, and are not intended to limit this invention.

Embodiment 1

The base station includes the carrier network as PLMN1 and PLMN2, the core network equipment includes MME1 and MME2, the carrier network of MME1 is PLMN1, and the carrier network of MME2 is PLMN2.

As shown in Figure 3, the PLMN negotiation process between the base station and the core network in the MOCN scenario includes:

Step 101: The eNodeB determines a Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) coupling established by a transport layer, and numbers the coupling.

Optionally, the eNodeB determines SCTP coupling information of all MMEs according to the transport layer, and numbers the coupling, wherein the coupling number of MME1 may be AssoID1, and the coupling of MME2 is numbered AssoID2.

The eNodeB may be referred to as an eNB for short; the transport layer is a layer responsible for overall data transmission and data control transmission; SCTP is a reliable datagram transmission protocol based on a protocol based on unreliable transmission services, and the coupling in SCTP is A correspondence between two SCTP endpoints that contains two SCTP endpoints and protocol status information including information such as the authentication label and the transmission sequence number. A coupling can be used by the SCTP endpoint using the coupled transport address. Unique knowledge No, there will be no more than one coupling between the two SCTP endpoints at any time.

Step 102: The eNB sends an S1 setup request message.

Optionally, on the SCTP coupling to AssoID1, the eNB sends an S1SETUP REQUEST message to the MME1, and at the same time, the SC1 is coupled to the AssoID2, and the eNB sends the S1SETUP REQUEST message MME2. The PLMN in the Global eNB ID in the S1SETUP REQUEST message is a global PLMN, and the Broadcast PLMNs in the Supported Tas fill in PLMN1 and PLMN2.

Step 103: The eNB receives an S1 setup response message.

Optionally, when the SCTP is coupled to AssoID1, the eNB receives the S1SETUP RESPONSE message replied by the MME1, where the service provider list Serve Plmn List in the S1SETUP RESPONSE message carries the PLMN1, and the ALS1 coupled AssoID1 saves the support PLMN1. The cell broadcast and subsequent MME routing. On the SCTP coupled as AssoID2, the eNB receives the S1SETUP RESPONSE message replied by the MME2, where the operator list Serve Plmn List served in the S1SETUP RESPONSE carries the PLMN2, and the ALS2 coupled AssoID2 saves the support PLMN2 for cell broadcast and subsequent MME routing.

Step 104: The eNB selects an MME for the UE according to the PLMN supported by the SCTP coupling.

Optionally, the eNB selects an MME for the UE according to the PLMN condition supported by the SCTP coupling, and the UE sends the selected PLMN information to the corresponding MME, and sends the S1 handover request to the access and the MME.

In the MOCN scenario, each MME can only support a single PLMN. Therefore, the network sharing scenario of the base station can be determined according to the number of PLMNs supported by each MME in the result of the PLMN negotiation between the base station and the core network.

Embodiment 2

The base station includes eNB1 and eNB2, and the eNB1 includes the carrier network as the PLMN1 and the PLMN2, the eNB2 includes the carrier network as the PLMN1, and the core network device includes the MME and the MME. The carrier networks are PLMN1 and PLMN2.

As shown in Figure 4, the PLMN negotiation process between the base station and the core network in the GWCN scenario includes:

Step 201: The eNB determines SCTP coupling established by the transport layer and numbers the coupling.

Optionally, the eNB1 determines the SCTP coupling information of the MME according to the self-transport layer, and the eNB2 determines the SCTP coupling information of the MME according to the self-transport layer. The eNB1 and the MME are numbered as AssoID1, and the eNB2 and the MME are numbered AssoID2.

Step 202: The eNB sends an S1 setup request message.

Optionally, on the SCTP coupling, the eNB1 sends an S1SETUP REQUEST message to the MME, where the PLMN in the Global eNB ID is a global PLMN, and the Broadcast PLMNs in the Supported Tas fill in the PLMN1 and the PLMN2.

Optionally, on the SCTP coupled to AssoID2, the eNB2 sends an S1SETUP REQUEST message to the MME. In the S1SETUP REQUEST message, the PLMN in the Global eNB ID is a global PLMN, and the Broadcast PLMNs in the Supported Tas fill in the PLMN1.

Step 203: The eNB receives an S1 setup response message.

Optionally, the eNB1 is coupled to the S1SETUP RESPONSE message sent by the MME in the SCTP, and the service provider list Serven Plmn List in the S1SETUP RESPONSE message carries the PLMN1 and the PLMN2, and takes the PLMN that the eNB1 and the MME have, that is, the PLMN1 and PLMN2 then saves support for PLMN1 and PLMN2 for cell broadcast and subsequent MME routing on coupled AssoID1.

Optionally, the eNB2 is coupled to the S1SETUP RESPONSE message sent by the MME in the SCTP, and the service provider list Serven Plmn List in the S1SETUP RESPONSE message carries the PLMN1 and the PLMN2, and takes the PLMN that the eNB1 and the MME have, that is, the PLMN1. The support PLMN1 is then supported on the coupled AssoID2 for cell broadcast and subsequent MME routing.

Optionally, in the GWCN scenario, each MME can support multiple PLMNs, therefore, The network sharing scenario of the base station may be determined according to the number of PLMNs supported by each MME in the result of the PLMN negotiation between the base station and the core network.

Embodiment 3

The embodiment of the invention provides a cross-PLMN switching method in a base station. As shown in FIG. 5, the method includes:

Step 301: The eNB acquires a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determines a network sharing scenario of the base station according to the negotiation result, where the network sharing scenario of the eNB includes MOCN sharing and GWCN sharing.

Optionally, in the MOCN scenario, each MME supports only one single PLMN. In the GWCN scenario, each MME can support multiple PLMNs. According to the PLMN negotiation result of the core network, each MME can support the PLMN. The number can determine the network sharing scenario of the base station, and the network sharing scenario includes MOCN sharing and GWCN sharing. For the processing of the PLMN negotiation process of the base station and the core network, reference may be made to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the MOCN sharing technology is that an eNodeB is connected to multiple core network nodes, and the eNodeB network element is shared and served by multiple operators. As shown in FIG. 2, the GWCN sharing technology shares the access network and some core network nodes at the same time. Not only the eNodeB network elements are shared, but some core network devices (such as MMEs) also share services for multiple operators.

Step 302: The eNB receives the measurement report sent by the user equipment UE, and determines, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of the source cell of the base station and a PLMN of the handover target cell.

Optionally, after the eNB obtains the measurement report sent by the UE, the measurement report generally includes a measurement identifier, and the measurement configuration configured by the network can be used to learn the frequency point corresponding to the current report, the event event triggering event threshold, and the period. The content of the triggering object, the measurement volume of the serving cell (reference signal received power RSRP and reference signal received quality RSRQ); the measured neighbor cell list includes the physical cell identifier, the value of the measured quantity corresponding to the cell, the cell identifier, and the tracking area. Code and PLMN list. According to the measurement report, the PLMN of the source cell of the eNB and the PLMN of the handover target cell can be determined.

Optionally, the PLMN of the handover target cell in the eNB is selected according to the 23.251 protocol, and the selection principle is that the available cell supporting the current serving PLMN is preferentially selected as the handover target cell; if the available cell supporting the current serving PLMN is not used as the handover target cell, Selecting an available cell supporting the peer PLMN or selecting one available cell as the handover target cell according to the configuration on the eNB side.

Step 303: When the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, the eNB performs intra-eNB cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the eNB.

Optionally, the eNB determines, according to the PLMN information determined by the measurement report, whether the PLMN of the source cell and the PLMN of the handover target cell are the same. When the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, the eNB performs an intra-eNB cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the eNB, where the inter-eNB cross-PLMN handover includes an intra-eNB cross-over in the MOCN sharing scenario. Cross-PLMN handover within the eNB in the PLMN handover and GWCN sharing scenarios. The intra-eNB cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the eNB includes a handover preparation phase and a handover execution phase, and performs different handover preparation phases and handover execution phases in different network sharing scenarios.

The intra-base station cross-PLMN handover method provided by the embodiment of the present invention predetermines the network sharing scenario of the base station, and performs cross-PLMN handover processing in the base station corresponding to the network sharing scenario, so as to effectively update the UE context information after the intra-station PLMN handover to The MME ensures the service continuity, and also solves the problem that the prior art does not support the cross-PLMN scenario in the base station, and reduces the UE call drop caused by the cross-PLMN handover in the base station, thereby improving the application scenario flexibility of the network sharing. Extensive and stable.

Embodiment 4

The embodiment of the invention provides a method for switching across a PLMN in a base station, as shown in FIG. The law includes:

Step 401: The eNB acquires a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determines, according to the negotiation result, that the network sharing scenario of the eNB is an MOCN sharing.

Optionally, in the MOCN scenario, each MME supports only one single PLMN. According to the PLMN negotiation result of the core network, each MME can support a single PLMN to determine that the eNB's network sharing scenario is MOCN sharing. For the processing of the eNB and the core network, the process of the PLMN negotiation process may be referred to the first embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

Step 402: The eNB receives a measurement report reported by the UE, and determines, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of the source cell of the base station and a PLMN of the handover target cell.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7 , after receiving the report of the UE report, the source cell Cell1 of the eNB may determine, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of the source cell of the eNB and a PLMN of the handover target cell, where the measurement report includes the measurement. The list of neighboring cells to include the physical cell identifier, the value of the measurement corresponding to the cell, the cell identifier, the tracking area code, and the PLMN list.

Step 403: When the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, the eNB sends a first handover request message to the source mobility management entity MME, where the first handover request message carries the PLMN information of the handover target cell. So that the source MME determines the target MME according to the PLMN information of the handover target cell.

Optionally, the eNB determines, according to the PLMN information determined by the measurement report, whether the PLMN of the source cell and the PLMN of the handover target cell are the same, and when the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, the eNB sends the first handover. Request message to source mobility management entity MME. As shown in FIG. 7, according to the selected PLMN information of the handover target cell Cell2, the source cell Cell1 fills in the PLMN of the handover target cell Cell2 in the Selected TAI of the Target ID of the first handover request message Handover Required, and sets a direct path back propagation. The availability of the Direct Forwarding Path Availability is available. According to the corresponding coupling information, the source cell Cell1 of the base station sends a first handover request message Handover Required to the source MME (Source MME). Then, the source MME selects the corresponding Target MME according to the Selected TAI of the Target ID of the received Handover Required message, and sends the first migration request message Forward Relocation Request to the target MME (Target MME). After the Target MME receives the Forward Relocation Request message, it creates a session with the target SGW.

Step 404: The eNB receives a second handover request message sent by the target MME, where the second handover request message carries bearer information created by the target MME.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7 , on the corresponding SCTP coupling, the handover target cell Cell2 of the eNB receives the second handover request message Handover Request, and the Handover Request message carries the bearer information created by the handover Target MME.

Step 405: The eNB sends a handover request acknowledgement message to the target MME, where the handover request acknowledgement message indicates that the handover target cell performs handover admission processing and preparation is completed.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, after the admission process and the preparatory handover of the target cell Cell2 of the eNB are completed, the target cell Cell2 of the eNB sends a handover request acknowledgement message Handover Request Acknowledge to the Target MME. After the Target MME receives the Handover Request Acknowledge message, the Target MME replies to the Source MME with the second migration request message Forward Relocation Response.

Step 406: The eNB receives the handover command message sent by the source MME, and creates a first RRC connection reconfiguration message corresponding to the handover according to the handover command message.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the source cell Cell1 of the eNB receives the cut sent by the Source MME. After the Handover Command is received, the Handover Command message is received, indicating that the inter-PLMN handover preparation in the eNB is completed.

Step 407: The eNB sends the first RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the source cell Cell1 of the eNB creates a corresponding RRC connection reconfiguration message RRC Connection Reconfiguration message according to the received Handover Command message, and sends the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message to the UU interface. UE. After receiving the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, the UE saves the corresponding parameter and triggers random access in the handover target cell Cell2.

The RRC (Radio Resource Control) RRC processes the third layer information of the control plane between the UE (User Equipment) and the eNodeB (Evolved Node-B). The RRC allocates radio resources and sends related signaling. The main part of the control signaling between the UE and the EUTRAN is the RRC message, and the RRC message carries all the parameters required for establishing, modifying, and releasing the layer and the physical layer protocol entity.

Step 408: The eNB sends a first state transition message to the source MME.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the source cell Cell1 of the eNB sends a first state transition message eNB Status Transfer to the corresponding Source MME.

Step 409: The eNB receives a second state transition message sent by the target MME.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the handover target cell Cell2 of the eNB receives the second state transition message Mme Status Transfer sent by the Target MME, and performs a data back-transmission process.

Step 410: The eNB receives a first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is complete.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, after the synchronization of the handover target cell Cell2 is successful, the UE sends an RRC connection reconfiguration complete message RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete to the handover target cell Cell2, indicating that the UE handover is complete. eNB handover target cell Cell2 After receiving the RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message, the UE confirms that the UE has completed the inter-PLMN handover completion.

Step 411: The eNB sends a handover notification message to the target MME, and updates the context information of the UE to the target MME according to the handover notification message.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the handover target cell Cell2 of the eNB updates the UE-related context information to the corresponding Target MME by using a handover notification message Handover Notify. After receiving the Handover Notify message, the Target MME triggers direct bearer modification of the Target MME and the Target SGW.

Step 412: The eNB receives a UE context release command sent by the source MME, where the UE context release command indicates release of the source cell radio resource and the UE context release.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7, the source cell Cell1 of the eNB waits for the Source MME to initiate a UE context release command, and triggers the release of the related cell radio resource and the UE context release process of the source cell Cell1. After the release of the source cell Cell1 related radio resources and the release of the UE context, the intra-eNB cross-PLMN handover is completed.

Embodiment 5

The embodiment of the invention provides a cross-PLMN switching method in a base station. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes:

Step 501: The eNB obtains a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and according to the negotiation result, The network sharing scenario of the eNB is GWCN sharing.

Optionally, in the GWCN scenario, each MME may support multiple PLMNs. According to the PLMN negotiation result of the core network, each MME may determine that the eNB's network sharing scenario is GWCN sharing. For the processing of the PLMN negotiation process of the eNB and the core network, reference may be made to the second embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

Step 502: The eNB receives the measurement report reported by the UE, and determines, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of the source cell of the base station and a PLMN of the handover target cell.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, after the source cell Cell1 of the eNB receives the measurement report reported by the UE, the measurement report includes the measured neighbor cell list including the physical cell identifier, the value of the measurement quantity corresponding to the cell, and the cell. Information such as identification, tracking area code, and PLMN list. According to the measurement report, the PLMN of the source cell of the eNB and the PLMN of the handover target cell can be determined. According to the measurement report, the PLMN of the handover target cell Cell2 within the eNB can be determined.

Step 503: When the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, the eNB carries the PLMN information of the handover target cell selected by the UE to the handover target side cell in the base station.

Optionally, the eNB determines, according to the PLMN information determined by the measurement report, whether the PLMN of the source cell and the PLMN of the handover target cell are the same. When the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, as shown in FIG. The existing intra-eNB handover is prepared, and the eNB internal source cell Cell1 carries the handover target cell support PLMN information selected by the UE to the handover target side cell Cell2 in the eNB.

Step 504: The eNB sends a second RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, after the handover preparation in the eNB is completed, the source cell Cell1 of the eNB sends a second RRC connection reconfiguration message RRC Connection Reconfiguration to the UE, and after receiving the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, the UE saves the corresponding The parameter triggers random access in the handover target cell Cell2.

Step 505: The eNB receives a second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is complete.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9 , after the synchronization of the handover target cell Cell2 is successful, the handover target cell Cell2 of the base station receives the RRC connection reconfiguration complete message, and the RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message indicates that the UE handover is complete.

Step 506: The eNB sends a path switch request message to the MME, and updates the context information of the UE to the MME according to the path switch request message.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, after the handover target cell Cell2 of the eNB receives the RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message, the UE clears that the UE has completed the inter-PLMN handover, and the handover target cell Cell2 passes the path switch request message Path Switch Request. The UE related context information is updated to the MME. After receiving the Path Switch Request, the MME performs the related ERAB bearer modification process.

The ERAB (Evolved Radio Access Bearer) refers to the bearer of the user plane, and is used for transmitting voice, data, and multimedia services between the UE (User Equipment) and the CN (Core Network). .

Step 507: The eNB receives a path switch request response message sent by the MME, and performs context information update of the UE and release of the UE context according to the path switch request response message.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, the handover target cell Cell2 of the eNB receives the Path Switch Request Response message (Path Switch Request Ack) of the MME, and then the eNB performs an update process of the related UE context. After the handover target cell Cell2 of the eNB indicates the release of the UE context of the source cell Cell1 in the base station, the intra-eNB handover is completed.

Embodiment 6

The embodiment of the present invention provides a base station 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the base station 1 includes: an obtaining unit 10, a receiving unit 11, and a switching unit 12;

The obtaining unit 10 is configured to obtain a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determine a network sharing scenario of the base station according to the negotiation result, where the network sharing scenario of the base station includes a multi-operator core network MOCN sharing and a gateway core network GWCN sharing.

The receiving unit 11 is configured to receive a measurement report sent by the user equipment UE, and determine, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of the source cell of the base station and a PLMN of the handover target cell.

The switching unit 12 is configured to perform intra-base station cross-PLMN switching corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station when the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell.

The acquiring unit 10 in this embodiment may correspond to the communication interface, and receive the PLMN negotiation result through information interaction or from other network devices; the obtaining unit 10 may also have an information reading function corresponding to the processor or the processing circuit. The processing structure is such that the storage medium stored in the base station 1 reads the locally stored PLMN negotiation result.

The receiving unit 11 can correspond to an air interface capable of communicating with the UE, and can receive the measurement report sent by the UE.

The switching unit 12 can correspond to a processor or processing circuitry. The processor in this embodiment may include an application processor, a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a programmable array, etc.; the processing circuit may include an application specific integrated circuit or the like.

The processor or the processing circuit may be connected to the storage medium in the base station 1 through a structure such as a bus. By reading and running the executable instructions stored in the base station 1, the acquiring unit 10 and the switching unit 12 may be separately performed. Features.

Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the base station 1 may further include a determining unit 13 configured to determine whether the PLMN of the source cell is the same as the PLMN of the handover target cell. The specific structure of the judging unit 13 herein may also correspond to the processor or processing circuit. The specific structure of the processing circuit or processor is not repeated here.

The switching unit 12 performs intra-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station, including: a handover preparation phase and a handover execution phase.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the base station 1 further includes: a sending unit 14; if the network sharing scenario of the base station is MOCN sharing, in the handover preparation phase,

The sending unit 14 is configured to send a first handover request message to the source mobility management entity MME, where the first handover request message carries the PLMN information of the handover target cell, so that the source MME is configured according to the PLMN of the handover target cell. Determining, by the target MME, the handover request acknowledgement message to the target MME, where the handover request acknowledgement message indicates that the handover target cell performs handover admission processing and preparation is completed;

The receiving unit 11 is configured to receive a second handover request message sent by the target MME, where the second handover request message carries the bearer information created by the target MME, and is further configured to receive a handover command message sent by the source MME. And creating a first RRC connection reconfiguration message corresponding to the handover according to the handover command message.

The sending unit 14 here can correspond to the communication interface of the base station 1, and the communication interface is an interface capable of communication by the MME, and can usually be a wired interface, where the wired interface can be a cable interface.

Optionally, if the network sharing scenario of the base station is the MOCN sharing, performing intra-base station cross-PLMN switching in the MOCN sharing scenario, where the handover execution phase is performed,

The sending unit 14 is configured to send the first RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell; a state transition message to the source MME; further configured to send a handover notification message to the target MME, and update context information of the UE to the target MME according to the handover notification message;

The receiving unit 11 is configured to receive a second state transition message sent by the target MME, and is further configured to receive a first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates The UE handover is completed; and is further configured to receive a release command sent by the source MME, where the release command indicates release of the source cell radio resource and the UE context release.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the base station further includes: a sending unit 14; if the network sharing scenario of the base station is GWCN sharing, in the handover preparation phase,

The sending unit 14 is configured to carry the PLMN information of the handover target cell selected by the UE to the handover target side cell in the base station.

Optionally, if the network sharing scenario of the base station is GWCN sharing, in the handover execution phase,

The sending unit 14 is configured to send a second RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell, and is further configured to send a path switch request. Sending the message to the MME, and updating the context information of the UE to the MME according to the path switch request message;

The receiving unit 11 is configured to receive the second RRC connection reconfiguration complete sent by the UE. And the second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is complete; and is further configured to receive a path switch request response message sent by the MME, and perform context information of the UE according to the path switch request response message. Update and the UE context release.

In an actual application, the obtaining unit 10, the receiving unit 11, the determining unit 13, the switching unit 12, and the transmitting unit 14 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor (MPU), and a digital signal processor located on the base station ( DSP), or field programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation.

For an understanding of the base station provided by the embodiment of the present invention, reference may be made to the description of the method for the inter-PLMN handover in the base station according to the third embodiment to the fifth embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a base station, which determines a network sharing scenario of a base station in advance, performs cross-PLMN handover processing in the base station corresponding to the network sharing scenario, and can effectively update the UE context information after the intra-station PLMN handover to the MME, and ensure The service continuity also solves the problem that the prior art does not support the cross-PLMN scenario in the base station, and reduces the UE dropped calls caused by the cross-PLMN handover in the base station, thereby improving the flexibility, extensiveness and stability of the application scenario of the network sharing. Sex.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication system, including a user equipment, a core network, and a base station as described above. The communication system performs a network sharing scenario of the base station in advance, and performs a cross-PLMN corresponding to the network sharing scenario. The handover process can effectively update the UE context information after the inter-PLMN handover to the MME, and ensure the continuity of the service, and also solves the problem that the prior art does not support the cross-PLMN scenario in the base station, and reduces the cross-PLMN in the base station. The UE caused by the handover is dropped, thereby improving the flexibility, extensiveness, and stability of the application scenario of the network sharing.

It should be noted that related signaling transmissions in Embodiments 1 to 5 of the present invention can be found in the protocols 3GPP TS 36.331, 3GPP TS 36.413, 3GPP TS 36.423, 3GPP TS 23.251, and 3GPP TS 23.401.

It should be noted that the method for switching across PLMNs in a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention is The base station and the communication system are described by taking the LTE communication system as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is within the scope of the present invention as long as the cross-PLMN handover method, the base station, and the communication system are involved in the base station.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer storage medium, where the computer storage medium stores computer executable instructions, where the computer executable instructions are used to execute at least one of the intra-base station cross-PLMN switching methods; for example, executable At least one of the methods shown in Figures 3 to 9.

The computer storage medium may include various types of storage media such as a hard disk, an optical disk, a flash disk, a magnetic tape, and the like, and may be a non-transitory storage medium.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention can be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention can take the form of a hardware embodiment, a software embodiment, or a combination of software and hardware. Moreover, the invention can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage and optical storage, etc.) including computer usable program code.

The present invention has been described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (system), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flowchart illustrations and/or FIG. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine for the execution of instructions for execution by a processor of a computer or other programmable data processing device. Means for implementing the functions specified in one or more of the flow or in a block or blocks of the flow chart.

The computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising the instruction device. The device is implemented in a flow chart A function specified in a block or blocks of a process or multiple processes and/or block diagrams.

These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device such that a series of operational steps are performed on a computer or other programmable device to produce computer-implemented processing for execution on a computer or other programmable device. The instructions provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more of the flow or in a block or blocks of a flow diagram.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The modifications made in accordance with the principles of the present invention are understood to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A cross-PLMN switching method in a base station, which includes:

Obtaining a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determining a network sharing scenario of the base station according to the negotiation result, where the network sharing scenario of the base station includes a multi-operator core network MOCN sharing and a gateway core network GWCN sharing;

Receiving a measurement report sent by the user equipment UE, determining, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of a source cell of the base station and a PLMN of the handover target cell;

When the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell, performing intra-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station.
The intra-base station cross-PLMN handover method according to claim 1, wherein the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station comprises: a handover preparation phase and a handover execution phase.
The intra-base station cross-PLMN handover method according to claim 2, wherein the network sharing scenario of the base station is an MOCN sharing, and the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the MOCN sharing scenario is performed; the handover preparation phase includes:

Sending a first handover request message to the source mobility management entity MME, the first handover request message carrying the PLMN information of the handover target cell, so that the source MME determines the target MME according to the information of the handover target cell PLMN;

Receiving, by the target MME, a second handover request message, where the second handover request message carries bearer information created by the target MME;

Sending a handover request acknowledgement message to the target MME, where the handover request acknowledgement message indicates that the handover target cell performs handover admission processing and preparation is completed;

And receiving a handover command message sent by the source MME, and creating a first RRC connection reconfiguration message corresponding to the handover according to the handover command message.
The intra-base station cross-PLMN handover method according to claim 3, wherein the network sharing scenario of the base station is an MOCN sharing, and the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the MOCN sharing scenario is performed; the handover execution phase includes:

And sending the first RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell;

Sending a first state transition message to the source MME;

Receiving a second state transition message sent by the target MME;

Receiving, by the UE, a first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is completed;

Sending a handover notification message to the target MME, and updating context information of the UE to the target MME according to the handover notification message;

Receiving a UE context release command sent by the source MME, where the UE context release command indicates release of the source cell radio resource and the UE context release.
The intra-base station cross-PLMN handover method according to claim 2, wherein the network sharing scenario of the base station is GWCN sharing, and the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the GWCN sharing scenario is performed; the handover preparation phase includes:

Carrying the PLMN information of the handover target cell selected by the UE to the handover target side cell in the base station.
The intra-base station cross-PLMN handover method according to claim 5, wherein the network sharing scenario of the base station is GWCN sharing, and the intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the GWCN sharing scenario is performed; the handover execution phase includes:

Sending a second RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell;

Receiving, by the UE, a second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is completed;

Sending a path switch request message to the MME, and updating the context information of the UE to the MME according to the path switch request message;

Receiving a path switch request response message sent by the MME, performing context information update of the UE and release of the UE context according to the path switch request response message.
A base station, the base station includes: an acquiring unit, a receiving unit, and a switching unit;

The acquiring unit is configured to obtain a PLMN negotiation result of the core network, and determine a network sharing scenario of the base station according to the negotiation result, where the network sharing scenario of the base station includes a multi-operator core network MOCN sharing and a gateway core network GWCN shared;

The receiving unit is configured to receive a measurement report sent by the user equipment UE, and determine, according to the measurement report, a PLMN of a source cell of the base station and a PLMN of the handover target cell;

The switching unit is configured to perform intra-base station cross-PLMN switching corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station when the PLMN of the source cell is different from the PLMN of the handover target cell.
The base station according to claim 7, wherein the handover unit performs intra-base station cross-PLMN handover corresponding to the network sharing scenario of the base station, including: a handover preparation phase and a handover execution phase.
The base station according to claim 8, wherein the base station further comprises: a sending unit; if the network sharing scenario of the base station is MOCN sharing, in the handover preparation phase,

The sending unit is configured to send a first handover request message to the source mobility management entity MME, where the first handover request message carries the PLMN information of the handover target cell, so that the source MME is configured according to the handover target cell. The PLMN information is used to determine the target MME, and is further configured to send a handover request acknowledgement message to the target MME, where the handover request acknowledgement message indicates that the handover target cell performs handover admission processing and preparation is completed;

The receiving unit is configured to receive a second handover request message sent by the target MME, where the second handover request message carries bearer information created by the target MME, and is further configured to receive the The handover command message sent by the source MME is used to create a first RRC connection reconfiguration message corresponding to the handover according to the handover command message.
The base station according to claim 9, wherein if the network sharing scenario of the base station is MOCN sharing, performing intra-base station cross-PLMN handover in the MOCN sharing scenario, in the handover execution phase,

The sending unit is configured to send the first RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell; a first state transition message to the source MME; further configured to send a handover notification message to the target MME, and update context information of the UE to the target MME according to the handover notification message;

The receiving unit is configured to receive a second state transition message sent by the target MME, and is further configured to receive a first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE, where the first RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates The UE handover is completed; and is further configured to receive a release command sent by the source MME, where the release command indicates release of the source cell radio resource and the UE context release.
The base station according to claim 8, wherein the base station further comprises: a sending unit; if the network sharing scenario of the base station is GWCN sharing, in the handover preparation phase,

The sending unit is configured to carry the PLMN information of the handover target cell selected by the UE to the handover target side cell in the base station.
The base station according to claim 11, wherein if the network sharing scenario of the base station is GWCN sharing, in the handover execution phase,

The sending unit is configured to send a second RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration message indicates that the UE performs random access in the handover target cell; Sending a message to the MME, and updating the context information of the UE to the MME according to the path switch request message;

The receiving unit is configured to receive a second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message sent by the UE, where the second RRC connection reconfiguration complete message indicates that the UE handover is complete, and is further configured to receive a path sent by the MME And switching a request response message, performing context information update of the UE and releasing the UE context according to the path switch request response message.
A communication system, comprising: a user equipment, a core network, and the base station according to any one of claims 7 to 12.
A computer storage medium having stored therein computer executable instructions for performing at least one of the methods of claims 1 to 6.