WO2017026842A1

WO2017026842A1 - Method and device for controlling node management range

Info

Publication number: WO2017026842A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/008896
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaowan KE; Lixiang Xu; Hong Wang
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-08-12
Filing date: 2016-08-12
Publication date: 2017-02-16
Also published as: CN106454943A

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for controlling a node management range, comprising: acquiring, by a base station, information about management range supported by a core network node to determine a management range of each core network node to which said base station is connected; and selecting, by the base station, a core network node for user equipment (UE) according to the management range of said each core network node. The application of the present application can prevent the UE from accessing to a wrong core network node, and prevent a communication request of the UE from being refused.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING NODE MANAGEMENT RANGE

The present invention relates to the wireless communication technology and in particular to a method and device for controlling node management range.

The modern mobile communications increasingly provide multi-media services of high-rate transmission to users. Fig. 1 is a system architecture diagram of System Architecture Evolution (SAE), in which:

User equipment (UE) 101 is a terminal device supporting network protocol; evolved-universal terrestrial ratio access network (E-UTRAN) 102 is a wireless access network, including a base station (eNodeB/NodeB) which provides an interface for UE for accessing to a wireless network; mobility management entity (MME) 103 is responsible for managing the mobility context, session context and security information of UE; service gateway (SGW) 104 mainly plays a role of providing a user plane, and the MME 103 and the SGW 104 may be in a same physical entity; packet data gateway (PGW) 105 is responsible for charging, lawful interception or the more, and may be in the same physical entity as the SGW 104; policy and charging rule functional entity (PCRF) 106 provides a quality of service (QoS) policy and charging rule; serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 108 is a network node device which provides routing for transmission of data in a universal mobile communication system (UMTS); home subscriber server (HSS) 109 is a home ownership subsystem of UE, and responsible for protecting user information such as current location of UE, address of a service node, user security information, packet data context of UE.

In the existing networks, when different cells of a base station belong to different core network node management ranges, that is, the management ranges of core network nodes to which a base station is connected are not overlapped in the base station, the base station may select a wrong core network node for UE. As a result, the access request of the UE is refused.

The present application provides a core network node selection method, including:

acquiring, by a base station, information about management range supported by a core network node, to determine a management range of each core network node to which said base station is connected; and

selecting, by said base station, a core network node for user equipment (UE) according to the management range of said each core network node.

Preferably, the information about management range supported by said core network node is configured by a system or sent by a core network node.

Preferably, the method further comprises: before acquiring, by the base station, information about management range supported by the core network node, sending, by said base station, information about management range supported by said base station, to the core network node;

Preferably, selecting, by said base station, a core network node for the UE includes:

when UE initiates connection establishment in a cell of said base station, selecting, by said base station, a core network node supporting the management range indicated by the information about management range of said cell, as a core network node serving the UE, according to the information about management range supported by said cell and the management range of said each core network node.

Preferably, said information about management range comprises one or more of the following: information about a management region, a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier and a core network node group identifier.

Preferably, said information about a management region includes one or more of the following: a service area identifier, a tracking area identifier, a base station identifier and a cell identifier; and/or,

said PLMN identifier is used for indicating that said information about a management region is information about a management region in a PLMN indicated by said PLMN identifier; and/or,

said core network node group identifier is used for indicating that said information about a management region is information about a management region in a core network node group indicated by said core network node group identifier.

A core network node selection method is provided, including:

receiving, by a core network node, information about management range supported by said core network node in a base station, the information about management range being sent by said base station; and

configuring, by said core network node, a management range of said core network node, according to the received information about management range supported by said core network node in said base station.

Preferably, said information about management range comprises one or more of the following: information about a management region, a PLMN identifier and a core network node group identifier.

A method for controlling a node management range, including:

acquiring, by a first core network node, information about management range supported by a second core network node, to determine a management range of said second core network node; and

receiving, by the first core network node, an access request of UE and information of source region thereof, and if a source region determined by said information of source region of the access request does not belong to a management range of the first core network node, and instead, belongs to the management range of the second core network node, sending, by the first core network node, core network node redirection information to a base station to indicate said base station to reselect a core network node to be accessed by the UE.

Preferably, said management range information includes one or more of the following: information about a management region, a PLMN identifier and a core network group identifier.

Preferably, said core network node redirection information includes at least one of the following: a core network node group identifier and a core network node identifier.

Preferably, said core network node identifier is used for indicating the base station to select a second core network node supporting said core network node identifier; and/or,

said core network node group identifier is used for indicating said base station to select a second core network node supporting said core network node group identifier.

A core network node selection method is provided, including:

receiving, by a first core network node, information about intra-base-station handover of UE; and determining the intra-base-station handover of said UE according to said information about intra-base-station handover of UE.

Preferably, said information about intra-base-station handover of UE includes one of the following: an indication of intra-base-station handover, information about a source management region to which UE is accessed, information about a destination management region to which the UE is to be accessed, and an identifier of said UE in a base station.

an identifier of said UE in a base station comprises one or more of the following: an eNB UE S1 AP ID, and a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI).

Preferably, said first core network node receives said information about intra-base-station handover of UE from a base station or a second core network node.

Preferably, after determining, by said first core network node, the intra-base-station handover of said UE, said first core network node performs at least one of the following:

when a source access region and a destination access region of the UE determined by the first core network node belong to management ranges of different PLMNs in said first core network or belong to management ranges of different core network node groups, said core network node reselects a core network node identifier of a core network node group or a PLMN supporting said destination access region, and sends the reselected core network node identifier to said base station and said UE as a serving core network node identifier of said UE;

when said first core network node receives handover preparation information sent by the base station, said first core network node does not send it to a second core network node or the base station;

said first core network node determines completion of handover according to the received handover request confirmation message sent by the base station, and requests the second core network node to release context of the UE; and

after said first core network node receives the handover completion information sent by the base station, said first core network node requests the second core network node to release the context of the UE; and

wherein, the core network node identifier at least contains one of the following: a mobility management entity (MME) identifier, an MME pool identifier, a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) identifier and an SGSN pool identifier.

A core network node selection method is provided, including:

receiving, by a base station, information about intra-base-station handover of user equipment (UE) sent by a first core network node; and determining the intra-base-station handover of said UE according to said information about intra-base-station handover of UE.

Preferably, after determining, by said base station, the intra-base-station handover of said UE, said base station performs at least one of the following:

not sending handover preparation information to said first core network node;

directly reconfiguring the UE for handover to a destination cell;

sending a handover request confirmation message to said first core network node to indicate completion of intra-base-station handover, after the UE is switched into the destination cell; and

sending, by the base station, handover completion information to said first core network node, after the UE is switched into the destination cell.

Preferably, said information about intra-base-station handover of UE includes one of the following: an indication of intra-base-station handover, information about a source management region to which UE is accessed, information about a destination management region to which the UE is to be accessed, and an identifier of the UE in a base station.

an identifier of said UE in a base station comprises one or more of the following: an eNB S1 UE ID, and a C-RNTI.

A core network node selection method is provided, including:

determining, by a base station, to perform intra-base-station handover of UE;

sending, by said base station, information about intra-base-station handover of the UE to a core network node managing a destination cell, after said base station determines that UE is switched into said destination cell; and

receiving, by said base station, an updated serving core network node identifier of the UE sent by said core network node.

A base station device for selecting a core network node, including: a management range determination unit and a selection unit;

said management range determination unit is configured to acquire information about management range supported by a core network node, and determine a management range of each core network node to which the base station device is connected; and

said selection unit is configured to select a core network node for the UE according to the management range of said each core network node.

A core network device for selecting a core network node, including: a receiving unit and a configuration unit;

said receiving unit is configured to receive information about management range supported by a core network node in a base station, the information about management range being sent by said base station; and

said configuration unit is configured to configure a management range according to the information about management range supported by the core network node in said base station.

A core network device for selecting a core network node, including: a management range determination unit, a receiving unit and a sending unit;

said management range determination unit is configured to acquire information about management range supported by another core network node, and determine a management range of said another core network node ;

said receiving unit is configured to receive an access request of UE and information of source region of said access request, and if a source region determined by the information of source region of said access request does not belong to the management range of the core network node, and instead, belongs to the management range of said another core network node, inform said sending unit; and

said sending unit is configured to send core network node redirection information to a base station to indicate said base station to reselect a core network node to which said UE is to be accessed, after being informed by said receiving unit.

A core network device for selecting a core network node, including: a receiving unit and a determination unit;

said receiving unit is configured to receive information about intra-base-station handover of UE; and

said determination unit is configured to determine the intra-base-station handover of said UE according to said information about intra-base-station handover of UE received by said receiving unit.

A base station device for selecting a core network node, including: a receiving unit and a determination unit;

said receiving unit is configured to receive information about intra-base-station handover of UE sent by a core network node; and

A base station device for selecting a core network node, including: a determination unit, a sending unit and a receiving unit;

said determination unit is configured to determine to perform intra-base-station handover of UE, and trigger said sending unit;

said sending unit is configured to, upon receiving the trigger of said determination unit, send information about intra-base-station handover of UE to a core network node managing a destination cell after it is determined that the UE is switched into said destination cell; and

said receiving unit is configured to receive an updated serving core network node identifier of UE sent by said core network node.

It can be seen from the above technical solutions that, by acquiring core network management range information of a core network node, a base station can, further according to information about a cell where the UE is located, select a core network node supporting the cell, thereby preventing the UE from accessing to a wrong core network node and preventing a communication request of the UE from being refused.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a first method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a second method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a third method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a fourth method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a fifth method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a sixth method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a schematic flowchart of a seventh method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a sixth embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention; and

Fig. 15 is a schematic view of a seventh embodiment of a method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

In the existing networks, there can be multiple cells in a base station, those cells can belong to different tracking areas (TAs), and different TAs can be managed by different core network nodes respectively. For example, TA-A is managed jointly by all MMEs in an MME Pool-1 (an MME Pool), and TA-B is managed jointly by all MMEs in an MME Pool-2. In this case, there are non-overlapped core network node management ranges in a base station.

At present, when UE accesses to a radio access network, a radio access network node selects a core network node mainly according to a PLMN selected by the UE, an identifier (GUMMEI) of a core network node on which the UE is previously registered, and a temporary identifier (S-TMSI) allocated by a core network node on which the UE is previously registered. Generally, the radio access network node can try to select, for the UE, the core network node on which the UE is previously registered. If the radio access network node does not belong to the management range of the core network node on which the UE is previously registered, the radio access network node can select, for the UE, a serving core network node from core network nodes of a PLMN selected by the UE according to the principle of load balance.

At present, there are following problems:

problem 1): if, in a same PLMN, different cells in a base station can be managed by different core network nodes (for example, MME, MME Pool, SGSN, SGSN Pool), that is, when there are non-overlapped core network node management regions in a base station, when UE accesses to a cell in TA-A, the base station may select a core network node managed by TA-B, thereby leading to mistakes;

problem 2): the base station does not know whether the management region of a core network node to which the base station is connected represents all cells in the base station or some cells in the base station;

problem 3): the base station does not know in which regions the overloaded operations are to be executed, when the core network node is overloaded;

problem 4): S1 handover should be triggered when UE performs intra-base station handover and the destination cell for handover does not belong to the management range of the current core network node; however, when handover occurs in a same base station, too much handover delay will be caused if still forwarding handover preparation information by the destination core network node and the source core network node; and

problem 5):when UE performs intra-base station handover, the destination cell access region may be within the management range of the current core network node; however, this region may not belong to the management range of core network node group or a PLMN indicated by the current serving core network node identifier.

To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail as below with reference to the accompanying drawings by embodiments.

Fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a first method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method explains how a base station obtains management range information of a core network and uses the management range information to select a core network node for UE. This method includes the following steps.

S201: A base station acquires information about management range supported by a core network node, and determines a management range of each core network node to which the base station is connected.

Optionally, the base station can obtain information about management range supported by a core network node according to the configuration of the system or from the core network node.

Optionally, the management range information supported by a core network node at least contains one of the following: information about a management region supported by a core network node, a PLMN identifier and a core network node identifier (for example, MMEGI).

Optionally, the management region at least contains one of the following: a service area, a tracking area (for example, TA, LA), a base station, a cell.

Optionally, the information about a management region at least contains one of the following: a service area identifier (SAI), a tracking area identifier (for example, tracking area code (TAC), tracking area identifier (TAI), location area code (LAC), location area identifier (LAI)), a base station identifier, a cell identifier.

In some embodiments, a core network node can support one or more PLMNs, and the management regions of different PLMNs in a same core network node can be different. A PLMN identifier in the information about management range supported by a core network node can indicate that, the indicated management region supported by a core network node is a management region in a PLMN indicated by this PLMN identifier in the core network node. The information about management range supported by a core network node can include multiple PLMN identifiers and information about a management region supported by a core network node corresponding to each PLMN identifier. That is, the information about management range supported by a core network node can be a list formed by a group of PLMN identifiers and information about a management region supported by a core network node. The list indicates management regions of multiple PLMNs in a core network node.

In some embodiments, a core network node can support one or more core network node group identifiers, and the management ranges of different core network node groups in a same core network node can be different. A core network node group identifier in the information about management range supported by a core network node can indicate that, the indicated management region supported by a core network node is a management region in a core network node group indicated by this core network node group identifier in the core network node. The information about management range supported by a core network node can include multiple core network node group identifiers and information about a management region supported by a core network node corresponding to each core network node group identifier. That is, the information about management range supported by a core network node can be a list formed by a group of core network node group identifiers and information about a management region supported by a core network node. The list indicates management regions of multiple core network node groups in a core network node.

In some embodiments, the information about management range supported by a core network node is a part of the information about management range supported by a base station which is provided by the base station to the core network node. For example, the base station first provides its supported management range information to the core network node. The core network node can ignore, among the provided management range information, information about management range that is not supported by the core network node, and return only information about management range supported by the core network node to the base station. Optionally, the information about management range supported by a base station at least contains one of the following: information about a management region supported by a base station, and a PLMN identifier. The PLMN identifier can indicate that, the indicated management region supported by a base station is a management region in a PLMN indicated by this PLMN identifier in the base station.

The management region and the information about a management region are as described above, and will not be repeated here.

The core network node can be an MME, an MME Pool, an SGSN or an SGSN Pool. The base station can be an eNB or an RNC.

S202: The base station selects a core network node for UE according to the information about management range supported by the core network node.

Optionally, when the UE initiates connection establishment in a cell in a base station, the base station can select a serving core network node for the UE further according to that the management range supported by this cell belongs to which core network node’s management range.

Optionally, the information about management range supported by a cell at least contains one of the following: information about a management region supported by a cell, and a PLMN identifier. The management region and the information about a management region are as described in S201, and will not be repeated here.

For example, the base station selects a core network node supporting a cell or a TA where the UE is located for the UE, according to an identifier of this cell where the UE is located or an identifier of a TA (for example, TAC, TAI) where the UE is located.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a second method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for selecting a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S301: A core network node receives information about management range supported by the core network node in a base station, wherein the information about management range is sent by the base station.

In some embodiments, the information about management ranges supported by different core network nodes are different, and a management region supported by one base station can be managed by different core network nodes respectively. The base station needs to configure with that each management region in the base station is to be managed by which core network nodes, and sends information about management range supported by the core network node in this base station to the core network node.

The management region and the information about management range supported by a core network node are as described in S201, and will not be repeated here.

S302: The core network node configures its own management range according to the received information about management range supported by the core network node.

In some embodiments, a core network node can support multiple PLMNs, and the management ranges of different PLMNs in a same core network node can be different. When the information about management range supported by the core network node received by the core network node is specific for different PLMNs, the core network node can configure the management ranges of different PLMNs according to the information about management range which is supported by the core network nodes and specific for different PLMNs.

In some embodiments, a core network node can support multiple core network node groups, and the management ranges of different core network node groups in a same core network node can be different. When the information about management range supported by the core network node received by the core network node is specific for different core network node groups, the core network node can configure the management ranges of different core network node groups according to the information about management range which is supported by the core network nodes and is specific for different core network node groups.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a third method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for selecting a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S401: A first core network node acquires information about management range supported by a second core network node, and determines a management range of the second core network node.

Optionally, the information about management range supported by the second core network node can be acquired by configuring, inquiring a DNS, or receiving from the second core network node. The information about management range supported by a core network node is as described in S201, and will not be repeated here.

S402: The core network node receives an access request from UE and the information of the source region where the access request comes. When the source region where the access request comes does not belong to the management range of the first core network node, and instead, belongs to the management range of the second core network node, the first core network node sends core network node redirection information to the base station.

The core network node redirection information indicates the base station to use the second core network node as a core network node where the UE is to access.

Optionally, the information of source region is the same as the information about a management region in S201, and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the core network node redirection information at least contains one of the following: a core network node group identifier and a core network node identifier. The core network node group identifier or the core network node identifier at least contains one of the following: an MME identifier (for example, GUMMEI), an MME Pool identifier (for example, MMEGI), an SGSN identifier or an SGSN Pool identifier.

In some embodiments, the core network node indicated by the core network redirection information is a core network node to which the base station is connected.

S403: The base station reselects, for the UE, a core network node to be accessed according to the received core network node redirection information.

In some embodiments, the base station selects, among the connected core network nodes, a core network node supporting the core network node identifier or core network node group identifier in the core network node redirection information.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for selecting a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S501: A base station sends an S1 Setup Request message to a core network node. The message contains TAC information supported by the base station.

S502: The core network node sends an S1 Setup Response message to the base station. Optionally, the message contains information about management range supported by the core network node. The information about management range supported by a core network node is as described in S201, and will not be repeated here.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the method for selecting a core network node according to the present invention. This method includes the following steps.

S601: A base station sends an S1 Setup Request message to a core network node. The message contains information about management range supported by the core network node in the base station. The core network node configures its own management range according to the received information about management range supported by the core network node. The specific operations are the same as those described in S301 and S302, and will not be repeated here.

S602: The core network node sends an S1 Setup Response message to the base station.

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the method for selecting a core network node according to the present invention. This method includes the following steps.

S701: UE establishes an RRC connection with a base station.

S702: The base station selects a serving core network node for the UE, according to which core network node’ management range the information about management range supported by a cell where the UE initiates an RRC connection belongs to.

For example, the base station selects, for the UE, a core network node supporting a cell or a TA, according to an identifier of this cell where the UE is located or an identifier of a TA (for example, TAC, TAI) where the UE is located.

At this time, the base station sends an initial UE message to the selected core network node.

The information about management range supported by a cell is as described in S202, and will not be repeated here.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for selecting a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S801: UE establishes an RRC connection with a base station.

S802: The base station selects a first core network node for the UE, and sends initial UE message to the first core network node.

S803: If the first core network node finds that the information of source region of the request of the UE does not belong to the management range of the first core network node, and instead, belongs to the management range of a second core network, the first core network node sends core network node redirection information to the base station.

The information of the source region where the access request comes of the UE and the core network node redirection information are as described in S402, and will not be repeated here.

For example, if the first core network node finds that the cell or TA (TAC, TAI, LAC or LAI indication) where the UE is located does not belong to its management range, and instead, belongs to the management range of a second core network node, the first core network node sends core network node redirection information to the base station.

S804: The base station selects, for the UE, a second core network node according to the received core network node redirection information. The specific operation is the same as S403, and will not be repeated here. The base station sends an initial UE message to the second core network node.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a fourth method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for selecting a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S901: A core network node sends management range information of an overloaded core network node to a base station.

Optionally, the core network node can send management range information of an overloaded core network node to the base station by carrying it in an overload starting message, the overload starting message being used for indicating the management range of the overloaded core network node.

The management range information of the overloaded core network node is the same as the information about management range supported by the core network node in S201, and will not be repeated here.

S902: The base station executes overload actions within the management range (for example, within TA) indicated by the indicated management range information of the overloaded core network node.

For example, only within the indicated TA, an operation of refusing an RRC establishment request of the UE is executed. In a case where the base station is a DeNB or an HeNB GW, after receiving the overload starting message, if the management region supported by a HeNB or RN does not belong to the indicated management range of the overloaded core network node, the DeNB or an HeNB GW may not forward the received overload starting message to the HeNB or RN.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of a fifth method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for selecting a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S1001: A first core network node receives information about intra-base-station handover of UE, which is sent by a base station or a second core network node.

The information about intra-base-station handover of UE at least contains one of the following: an indication of intra-base-station handover, information about a source management region to which UE is accessed, information about a destination management region to which the UE is to be accessed, and an identifier of the UE in a base station. The information about a management region is as described in S201, and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, an identifier of the UE in a base station at least includes one of the following: an eNB UE S1 AP ID (an identifier uniquely identifying the UE on an interface S1 in an eNB), and a C-RNTI.

In some implementations, the second core network node sends the information about intra-base-station handover of UE to the first core network node, upon receiving the information about intra-base-station handover of UE sent by the base station.

Optionally, the information about intra-base-station handover of UE can bear one or more of the following messages: a handover requirement message, a relocation request message, a handover request message, a handover request confirmation message, and a Path Switch Request message.

S1002: The first core network node determines that the UE performs intra-base-station handover according to the received information about intra-base-station handover of UE.

In some implementations, the first core network can know that the UE performs intra-base-station handover according to one of the following: the reception of the information about intra-base-station handover of UE, the reception of an indication for intra-base-station handover, or the comparison between information about a source management region to which UE is accessed and information about a destination management region to which the UE is to be accessed. In further implementations, the first core network knows which UE performs handover in which base station, according to the identifier of the UE in the base station.

Optionally, after the first core network node determines that the UE performs intra-base-station handover, the subsequent handover process can be simplified or the identifier of the serving core network node of the UE can be updated. In some implementations, after the first core network node determines that the UE performs intra-base-station handover, the first core network node executes at least one of the following:

when a source access region and a destination access region of the UE determined by the first core network node belong to management ranges of different PLMNs in the first core network or belong to management ranges of different core network node groups, the core network node reselects a core network node identifier of a PLMN or a core network node group supporting the destination access region, and sends the selected core network node identifier to the base station and the UE as a serving core network identifier of the UE; the core network node identifier at least contains one of the following: an MME identifier (for example, GUMMEI), an MME Pool identifier (for example, MMEGI), an SGSN identifier or an SGSN Pool identifier;

when the first core network node receives handover preparation information sent by the base station, the first core network node does not send it to the second core network node or the base station;

the first core network node determines the completion of handover according to the received handover request confirmation message sent by the base station, and requests the second core network node to release the context of the UE;

after the first core network node receives the handover completion information sent by the base station, the first core network node requests the second core network node to release the context of the UE; the information about the completion of handover can be borne in the handover request confirmation message; and the information about the completion of handover can at least contain one or more of the following: a handover completion informing indication, an intra-base-station handover completion indication, an E-UTRAN CGI, an TAI, Tunnel Information for BBF, and an LHN ID.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a sixth method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for switching a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S1101: A base station receives information about intra-base-station handover of UE sent by a first core network node.

The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here.

In some implementations, when the base station decides to perform intra-base-station handover of UE, the base station sends information about intra-base-station handover of UE to the first core network node, or sends information about intra-base-station handover of UE to the first core network node through a second core network node. For example, if the destination cell for intra-base-station handover of UE does not belong to the management range of a core network node in a source cell of the UE, it is needed to trigger S1 handover to update a core network node. At this time, the base station can send information about intra-base-station handover of UE to a source core network node and then to a destination core network node, and then, the destination core network node sends the received information about intra-base-station handover of UE back to the base station. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here.

S1102: The base station determines that the UE performs intra-base-station handover according to the received information about intra-base-station handover of UE.

In some implementations, after the base station determines the intra-base-station handover of said UE, the base station at least executes one of the following:

not sending handover preparation information to the first core network node;

directly reconfiguring the UE for handover to a destination cell;

sending a handover request confirmation message to the first core network node to indicate the completion of intra-base-station handover, after the UE is switched into the destination cell; and

sending, by the base station, handover completion information to the first core network node, after the UE is switched into the destination cell; the information about the completion of handover is as described in S1002, and will not be repeated here; and the information about the completion of handover can be contained in the handover request confirmation message.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a seventh method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for switching a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S1201: A base station decides to perform intra-base-station handover of UE. The base station sends information about intra-base-station handover of UE to a core network node managing a destination cell, after the base station determines that UE is switched into said destination cell.

Optionally, the information about intra-base-station handover of UE can be borne in a Path Switch Request message.

In some implementations, the management regions of different PLMNs within a core network node are different, or the management regions of different core network node groups in a core network node are different. When the following conditions are satisfied, the base station sends information about intra-base-station handover of UE to said core network node:

-the base station decides to perform intra-base-station handover of UE and the base station determines that the UE is switched into a destination cell; and

-the base station determines that a source access region and a destination access region of the UE belong to management ranges of different PLMNs in the serving core network node of said UE or belong to management ranges of different core network node groups.

S1202: The base station receives an updated serving core network node identifier of UE sent by the core network node.

The serving core network node identifier is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for switching a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S1301: UE sends a measurement report to a base station, the base station decides to switch the UE to a destination cell in the base station, and the management region of the destination cell does not belong to the management range of the current core network node.

S1302: The base station sends a handover requirement message to a source core network node. Optionally, the message contains information about intra-base-station handover of UE. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here.

S1303: The source core network node sends a relocation request to a destination core network node. Optionally, the message contains information about intra-base-station handover of UE. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here. In some implementations, according to the identifier of the UE in the source base station, the destination core network node can know which UE performs intra-base-station handover.

S1304: The destination core network node sends a handover request to the base station. Optionally, the message contains information about intra-base-station handover of UE. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here. In some implementations, according to the identifier of the UE in the source base station, the base station can know which UE performs intra-base-station handover.

S1305: The base station sends an RRC reconfiguration request message to the UE.

S1306: The UE sends an RRC reconfiguration response message to the base station.

S1307: The base station sends a handover request confirmation message to the destination core network node after the handover is completed. The request confirmation message indicates information about the completion of handover. The information about the completion of handover is as described in S1102, and will not be repeated here.

S1308: The destination core network node determines the intra-base-station of UE, sends a relocation response to the source core network node, and indicates the source core network node to release the context of the UE.

Optionally, the relocation response message contains information about the completion of handover or an indication for releasing the context of the UE. The source core network node can directly release the context of the UE. The information about the completion of handover is as described in S1002, and will not be repeated here.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a sixth embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for switching a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S1401: UE sends a measurement report to a base station, the base station decides to switch the UE to a destination cell in the base station, and the destination cell belongs to the management range of the current core network node but does not belong to the management range of a core network node group or PLMN indicated by the current serving core network node identifier.

S1402: The base station sends an RRC reconfiguration request message to the UE.

S1403: The UE sends an RRC reconfiguration response message to the base station.

S1404: The base station sends a Path Switch Request message to a core network node. Optionally, the message contains information about intra-base-station handover of UE. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1301, and will not be repeated here.

S1405: The access region of the destination cell belongs to the management range of the current core network node but does not belong to the management range of a core network node group or PLMN indicated by the current serving core network node identifier. The core network node reselects one of core network node identifiers supporting the PLMN or core network node group of the destination access region of the UE, and sends the selected core network node identifier to the base station and the UE as a serving core network node identifier of the UE.

The core network node sends a Path Switch Response message to the base station. Optionally, the message contains a new serving core network node identifier of the UE. The serving core network node identifier of the UE is as described in S1202, and will not be repeated. In some implementations, the core network node sends the new serving core network node identifier of the UE to the UE, by an NAS signaling.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view of a seventh embodiment of the method for controlling a node management range according to the present invention. This method can be used for switching a core network node. This method includes the following steps.

S1501: UE sends a measurement report to a base station, the base station decides to switch the UE to a destination cell in the base station, and the management region of the destination cell does not belong to the management range of the current core network node.

S1502: The base station sends a handover requirement message to a source core network node. Optionally, the message contains information about intra-base-station handover of UE. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here.

S1503: The source core network node sends a relocation request to a destination core network node. Optionally, the message contains information about intra-base-station handover of UE. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here.

S1504: The destination core network node sends a handover request to the base station. Optionally, the message contains information about intra-base-station handover of UE. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here.

S1505: The base station sends a handover request confirmation message to the destination core network node. Optionally, the message contains information about intra-base-station handover of UE. The information about intra-base-station handover of UE is as described in S1001, and will not be repeated here.

The destination core network node determines the intra-base-station handover of UE, and does not send handover preparation information to the source core network node.

S1506: The base station sends an RRC reconfiguration request message to the UE.

S1507: The UE sends an RRC reconfiguration response message to the base station.

S1508: The base station sends a handover completion notification to the destination core network node.

S1509: The destination core network code indicates the source core network node to release the context of the UE. Optionally, the relocation response message contains information about the completion of handover or an indication for releasing the context of the UE. The source core network node can directly release the context of the UE. The information about the completion of handover is as described in S1002, and will not be repeated here.

The foregoing is the specific implementation of the core network node selection method in the present application. The present application further provides a core network node selection device. This device may be used for implementing the above selection method.

Specifically, corresponding to the first method, a base station device for controlling a node management range provided by the present application includes: a management range determination unit and a selection unit; wherein the management range determination unit is configured to acquire information about management range supported by a core network node, and determine a management range of each core network node to which the base station device is connected; and the selection unit is configured to select a core network node for UE according to the management range of each core network node.

Corresponding to the second method, a base station device for controlling a node management range provided by the present application includes: a receiving unit and a configuration unit; wherein the receiving unit is configured to receive information about management range supported by the core network node in a base station, the management range information being sent by the base station; and the configuration unit is configured to configure a management range according to the information about management range supported by the core network node in the base station.

Corresponding to the third method, a core network device for controlling a node management range provided by the present application includes: a management range determination unit, a receiving unit and a sending unit; wherein the management range determination unit is configured to acquire information about management range supported by another core network node, and determine a management range of the another core network node; the receiving unit is configured to receive an access request of UE and information of source region of said access request, and if a source region determined by the information of source region of the access request does not belong to the management range of the core network node, and instead, belongs to the management range of the another core network node, inform the sending unit; and the sending unit is configured to send core network node redirection information to a base station to indicate the base station to reselect a core network node to which the UE is to be accessed, after being informed by the receiving unit.

Corresponding to the fourth method, a base station device for controlling a node management range provided by the present application includes: a receiving unit and an overload execution unit; the receiving unit is configured to receive management range information of an overloaded core network node which is sent by a core network node; and the overload execution unit is configured to execute overload actions within a management region indicated by the management range information of the overloaded core network node.

Corresponding to the fifth method, a core network device for controlling a node management range provided by the present application includes: a receiving unit and a determination unit; wherein the receiving unit is configured to receive information about intra-base-station handover of UE; and the determination unit is configured to determine the intra-base-station handover of UE according to the information about intra-base-station handover of UE received by the receiving unit.

Corresponding to the sixth method, a base station device for controlling a node management range provided by the present application includes: a receiving unit and a determination unit; the receiving unit is configured to receive information about intra-base-station handover of UE sent by a core network node; and the determination unit is configured to determine the intra-base-station handover of UE according to the information about intra-base-station handover of UE received by the receiving unit.

Corresponding to the seventh method, a base station device for controlling a node management range provided by the present application includes: a determination unit, a sending unit and a receiving unit; wherein the determination unit is configured to determine to perform intra-base-station handover of UE, and trigger the sending unit; the sending unit is configured to, upon receiving the trigger of the determination unit, send information about intra-base-station handover of UE to a core network node managing the destination cell after it is determined that the UE is switched into the destination cell; and the receiving unit is configured to receive an updated serving core network node identifier of UE sent by said core network node.

It can be seen from the above technical solutions that, by acquiring core network management range information of a core network node, further according to information about a cell where the UE is located, a base station can select a core network node supporting the cell, thereby preventing the UE from accessing to a wrong core network node and preventing a communication request of the UE from being refused.

The foregoing descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and not intended to limit the present invention. All modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements or more made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be regarded as falling into the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

A method for controlling a node management range, characterized in comprising:

acquiring, by a base station, information about management range supported by a core network node, to determine a management range of each core network node to which the base station is connected; and

selecting, by the base station, a core network node for user equipment (UE) according to the management range of the each core network node.
The method according to claim 1, characterized in further comprising, before acquiring, by the base station, information about management range supported by the core network node: sending, by the base station, information about management range supported by the base station, to the core network node; and

the information about management range supported by the core network node acquired by the base station is, information about management range supported by the core network node, which is selected by the core network node from the received information about management range supported by the base station.
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that selecting, by the base station, a core network node for UE comprises:

when UE initiates connection establishment in a cell of the base station, selecting, by the base station, a core network node supporting the management range indicated by the information about management range of the cell, as a core network node serving the UE, according to the information about management range supported by the cell and the management range of the each core network node.
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information about management range comprises one or more of the following: information about a management region, a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier and a core network node group identifier.
The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the information about a management region comprises one or more of the following: a service area identifier, a tracking area identifier, a base station identifier, a cell identifier; and/or,

the PLMN identifier is used for indicating that the information about a management region is information about a management region in a PLMN indicated by the PLMN identifier; and/or

the core network node group identifier is used for indicating that the information about a management region is information about a management region in a core network node group indicated by the core network node group identifier.
A method for controlling a node management range, characterized in comprising:

receiving, by a core network node, information about management range supported by the core network node in a base station, the information about management range being sent by the base station; and

configuring, by the core network node, a management range of the core network node, according to the received information about management range supported by the core network node in the base station.
The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the information about management range comprises one or more of the following: information about a management region, a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier and a core network node group identifier.
The method according to claim 7, characterized in that,

the information about a management region comprises one or more of the following: a service area identifier, a tracking area identifier, a base station identifier and a cell identifier; and/or,

the PLMN identifier is used for indicating that the information about a management region is information about a management region in a PLMN indicated by the PLMN identifier; and/or,

the core network node group identifier is used for indicating that the information about a management region is information about a management region in a core network node group having the core network node identifier.
The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, when the information about management range supported by the core network node in the base station comprises multiple PLMN identifiers and information about a management region supported by the core network node corresponding to each PLMN identifier, the core network node configures a management range for different PLMNs according to information about a management region supported by a core network node corresponding to a different PLMN identifier.
A base station device for controlling a node management range, characterized in comprising: a management range determination unit and a selection unit;

the management range determination unit is configured to acquire information about management range supported by a core network node, and determine a management range of each core network node to which the base station device is connected; and

the selection unit is configured to select a core network node for the UE according to the management range of the each core network node.
A core network device for controlling a node management range, characterized in comprising: a receiving unit and a configuration unit;

the receiving unit is configured to receive information about management range supported by a core network node in a base station, the information about management range being sent by the base station; and

the configuration unit is configured to configure a management range according to the information about management range supported by the core network node in the base station.