WO2017167153A1

WO2017167153A1 - Mobile communication system and paging method

Info

Publication number: WO2017167153A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/078317
Authority: WO
Inventors: 朱进国; 卢飞; 周晓云; 梁爽
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2016-04-01
Filing date: 2017-03-27
Publication date: 2017-10-05
Also published as: CN107295499A

Abstract

Provided are a mobile communication system and a paging method. The method comprises a base station, a mobility management function entity, a session management function entity and a data network gateway. The mobility management function entity is used to send a context identifier of a user in the base station to the session management function entity during the reception of a session activation request of a terminal. The session management function entity is further used to send, to the base station, a session message carrying the context identifier of the user in the base station. The base station is further used to find a context corresponding to the terminal by means of the context identifier of the user, and perform information interaction with the terminal, wherein an air interface wireless channel is established. By means of the present invention, the problem in the relevant art that subsequent function maintenance is not convenient in a 5G application process due to the fact that MME functions are too complex because an MME includes both the mobility management function and the session management function in a 4G network architecture is solved.

Description

Mobile communication system and paging method

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a mobile communication system and a paging method.

Background technique

Mobile communications have now evolved to the 4G phase. Compared with previous generations, the 4G network architecture is based on the Internet Protocol (IP) transmission. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the 4G network architecture in the related art, as shown in Figure 1, in the 4G network architecture. The functions of each network element are as follows:

The terminal (User Equipment, UE for short) accesses the 4G network through the wireless air interface and obtains the service. The terminal exchanges information through the air interface and the base station, and the mobility of the non-access stratum (Non-accessstratum, NAS for short) and the core network. Manage entity interaction information.

The base station is responsible for the air interface resource scheduling of the terminal accessing the network and the connection management of the air interface.

Mobility Management Entity (MME): A core network control plane entity that is responsible for authentication, authorization, and subscription checking of users to ensure that users are legitimate users. User mobility management, including location registration and temporary identification. Assignment; maintain IDLE and CONNECT status and state transition; switch in CONNECT state; packet data network (Packet Data Network, PDN for short) connection and bearer maintenance, including session management functions such as creation, modification and deletion; user IDLE In the state, the function of triggering paging is triggered.

Service Gateway Serving GW: The core network user plane function entity, mainly responsible for the interaction with the PDN GW in the roaming situation; receiving the downlink data packet for buffering in the IDLE state and notifying the mobile management entity to page the user; the user plane anchor point across the base station And user plane anchors across 2G/3G/4G mobility.

Packet data gateway PDN GW: The core network user plane function entity is the access point of the terminal accessing the PDN network. It is responsible for assigning user IP addresses, network-triggered bearer establishment, modification and deletion, and also has quality of service (Quality of Service, referred to as Controlling billing and other functions for QoS) is an anchor point for users to switch between 3GPP systems and non-3GPP systems, thereby ensuring that IP addresses are unchanged and business continuity is guaranteed.

2 is a schematic diagram of a terminal registration process in a 4G network in the related art. As shown in FIG. 2, the steps of the registration process include:

In step S201, a radio resource connection (Radio Resource Connection, RRC for short) connection is established between the terminal and the base station. Through this process, an air interface signaling connection is established between the UE and the base station, and information exchange between the subsequent UE and the base station is performed. Pass the connection.

Step S202: The terminal initiates a registration request to the mobility management entity by using an RRC connection, where the message carries the International Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (IMSI). Optional also has session-related information, such as Access Point Name (APN), for Select the appropriate PDN GW and PDN Type (PDN Type for indicating IPv4, IPv6 or IPv4v6, or non-IP). After the base station adds the current cell information of the user to the message, the base station sends the information to the mobility management entity.

Step S203: The mobility management entity acquires a key from the authentication center according to the IMSI, and calculates the authentication request information according to the authentication algorithm, and then initiates an authentication request to the terminal.

In step S204, the terminal first authenticates the network. After the success, the terminal calculates the authentication response information and sends the authentication response information to the mobile management entity. The mobile management entity accepts the authentication response information returned by the terminal to check whether the terminal is legal. After the authentication succeeds, the mobility management entity initiates a security mode command to the base station, and the air interface information is encrypted and integrity protected between the base station and the UE, and the NAS signaling between the UE and the mobility management entity is also integrity protected.

Step S205: The mobility management entity obtains the subscription information from the home subscriber server (HSS) and performs a subscription check, and mainly checks whether the user is allowed to access at the current location, and whether the requested APN is allowed. If the user does not request the APN information, the default APN is obtained through the subscription information.

Step S206, if the subscription check is passed, the mobility management entity then selects the appropriate Serving GW and PDN GW through the DNS process according to the requested APN or the default APN in the subscription and the current location information of the user.

Step S207, the mobility management entity initiates a setup session activation request to the selected serving gateway SGW, where the message carries the requested APN, the PDN type, the subscription QoS, and the like;

Step S208, the SGW forwards the received setup session activation request message to the selected PGW.

Step S209, after the PGW receives the session activation request, the PGW determines the QoS information required for the default bearer according to the local policy, and the PGW may also need to interact with the Policy Center (Policy and Charging Rule Function, PCRF for short) to determine QoS and charging. Strategy. The PGW may also assign an IP address to the user, and then the PGW returns the QoS policy and the optional user IP address to the SGW in the setup session response.

Step S210, the SGW forwards the received setup session response to the MME. In the above steps, the user plane tunnel identifier is also negotiated between the SGW and the PGW, so that the user plane tunnel of the default bearer between the SGW and the PGW is established.

In step S211, the MME initiates a user initial context setup request with the information of the tunnel identifier assigned by the SGW for the S1-U interface and the QoS of the default bearer.

Step S212: The information exchange between the base station and the UE is performed, the air interface resource is allocated for the default bearer, the air interface wireless channel is established, and then the base station allocates the tunnel identifier of the S1-U, and returns an initial context setup response to the MME, where the message carries the base station assignment. S1-U tunnel identity.

Step S213: The MME sends an update bearer request to the SGW, and sends the S1-U tunnel identifier allocated by the base station to the SGW.

Step S214, the SGW sends an update bearer response to the MME. Through the above process, a user plane channel that is defaulted between the base station and the SGW is established.

Step S215, the MME allocates a user registration location list according to the current cell information of the user, and allocates a temporary identifier, and returns a registration accept message to the terminal through the base station, with a registered registration location list and a temporary identifier, and an optional user IP. address. Note that step S215 may be sent to the base station in a message with step S211, thereby reducing the number of messages between the base station and the MME.

Step S216, the base station sends a registration response to the terminal.

Step S217, the terminal saves the registration location list and the temporary identifier, and returns a registration completion message to the MME. Subsequent terminals will use the temporary identity to access the network, avoiding the use of permanent identity IMSI, thereby improving security. When the terminal moves in the area in the registration location list, there is no need to notify the network. When the terminal moves out of the registration location list, the location update process needs to be initiated to notify the network of the latest location information, and the network re-allocates the registration according to the latest location information in the process. Location list and temporary identification. When the terminal moves in the area in the registration location list, it also needs to periodically initiate a location update notification network, so that the network detection terminal is unreachable.

If the PGW does not assign an IP address to the user in step S209, the UE acquires the IP address by means of DHCP through the channel between the newly established UE and the PGW after registration.

After the terminal is successfully registered, if there is no data transmission, the air interface and the S1 interface will be released, and the terminal enters the IDLE idle state. At this time, the base station deletes the user's context, but the user plane tunnel between the SGW and the PGW remains. When the downlink data arrives at the PGW, it is sent to the SGW through the user plane tunnel, and the SGW buffers the downlink data and notifies the MME to initiate paging.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a process of triggering MME paging by downlink data in the related art. As shown in FIG. 3, the steps of the process include:

In step S301, the downlink data packet is sent to the SGW through the user plane tunnel.

Step S302, the SGW finds that the terminal is currently in an idle state, for example, there is no user plane tunnel identifier of the base station, and the user data is cached at this time.

Step S303, the SGW initiates a downlink data notification process to the MME.

Step S304, the MME initiates paging in the base station in the user registration area, with a temporary identifier of the user, and the base station initiates paging of the user.

Step S305: After the terminal monitors the paging, the terminal initiates a service access request message with a temporary identifier allocated by the MME.

Step S306, the MME initiates a user initial context establishment request to the base station, where the SGW allocates information such as a tunnel identifier allocated by the S1-U interface and a default bearer QoS.

Step S307: The information exchange between the base station and the UE is performed, and the air interface resource is allocated for the default bearer, and the air interface wireless channel is established. The terminal detects the establishment of the air interface bearer. The default network side has successfully processed the access service request. After that, the terminal can uplink data. The base station allocates the tunnel identifier of the S1-U, and returns an initial context setup response to the MME, where the message carries the S1-U tunnel identifier assigned by the base station.

Step S308, the MME sends an update bearer request to the SGW, and sends the S1-U tunnel identifier allocated by the base station to the SGW.

Step S309, the SGW sends an update bearer response to the MME. Through the above process, a user plane channel that is defaulted between the base station and the SGW is established.

Step S310, the SGW sends the buffered user data to the terminal through the newly established S1-U tunnel and the air interface bearer.

Because the 4G network in the related technology mainly serves people and people, the location of the PDN GW can be deployed higher, and the above system can well meet the service requirements of 4G. In the 5G era, with the support of communication between objects and things, the location of the PDN GW may be very low, and the location where the MME may be deployed is relatively high. Since the MME includes session management related functions, all session management processes need to go through MME, resulting in inefficient and complex processes. At the same time, the MME function is too complicated, which is inconvenient for subsequent function maintenance. Especially with the application of virtualization technology, a network function needs to be conveniently deployed to the virtual machine. In this case, the impact on other functions needs to be as small as possible, for example. When modifying session management related functions, it is not desirable to affect the functionality of mobility management.

In the 4G network architecture, the MME includes the mobility management function, which also includes the session management function, so that the process efficiency is not high in the 5G application process, and the MME function is too complicated, which is inconvenient for subsequent function modification and maintenance. There is currently no effective solution.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile communication system and a paging method, so as to at least solve the related art, in the 4G network architecture, the MME includes mobility management and also includes session management, so that the MME is used in the 5G application process. The function is too complicated to cause problems that are not convenient for subsequent function maintenance.

According to an aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a mobile communication system includes: a base station, a mobility management function entity, a session management function entity, and a data network gateway; and the mobility management function entity is configured to receive a session of the terminal. Sending, in the activation request, the user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity; the session management function entity is further configured to send, to the base station, a session message carrying a user context identifier in the base station; And setting, by using the user context identifier, a context corresponding to the terminal, and performing information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.

Optionally, the context identifier in the base station is a user temporary identifier, or an identifier that is allocated by the base station side and uniquely indicates the user context.

Optionally, the mobility management function entity is configured to send, in the process of receiving the session activation request of the terminal, the registration location information of the terminal and the temporary identifier allocated to the terminal to the session management function entity. The session management function entity is configured to receive downlink data sent by the data network gateway; and when determining that the terminal is in an idle state, buffer the downlink data, and forward the homing to the terminal by using the base station; And the message, wherein the temporary message is carried in the paging message.

Optionally, the base station is configured to receive a registration request sent by the terminal by using a radio resource connection RRC between the terminal and the base station, and send the registration request to the mobility management function entity; a management function entity configured to forward, by the base station, a registration response responsive to the registration request after the user is successfully registered, wherein the note The book response carries a list of registered locations and assigned temporary identifiers that are allocated according to the current cell information of the terminal.

Optionally, the base station is configured to receive a session activation request sent by the terminal, and send the session request and send a session activation request to the mobility management function entity; and the mobility management function entity is configured to receive a session activation request sent by the terminal for establishing a session, where the session activation request carries the temporary identifier, a session type, and an access point name APN; and the mobility management function entity is set to select session management. And sending the session activation request to the session management function entity, where the session activation request further carries a terminal capability, a user context identifier of the base station, and/or a temporary identifier allocated to the terminal, and a registration location list; The session management function entity is configured to: after receiving the bearer setup request of the data network gateway, send a terminal initial context setup request to the base station, where the setup request carries a user context identifier of the base station; And being further configured to find the user corresponding to the wireless according to the user context identifier Hereinafter, the information exchange between the RRC and the terminal is performed to establish an air interface wireless channel.

Optionally, the session management function entity is configured to determine, when receiving the downlink data packet sent by the data gateway, whether the terminal is in an idle state; and when the terminal is in an idle state, to the terminal The base station in the registration area sends a paging message, where the paging message carries the temporary identifier of the terminal; the base station is configured to forward the paging message to the terminal; the mobility management function entity, And the method further includes: after the terminal monitors the paging, receiving a service access request message initiated by the terminal, and forwarding the service access request message to the session management function entity, where the service The access request message carries the user context identifier of the base station; the session management function entity is further configured to: after receiving the service access request message, initiate the terminal initial context establishment request to the base station, where The establishment request includes a user context identifier of the base station, where the base station is further configured to find a user corresponding according to the user context identifier. Line context, and information exchange and the terminal through RRC, establishing an air interface radio channel.

Optionally, the mobility management function entity is further configured to receive a message that the terminal registration is complete, and send a location update notification message to the session management function entity, where the location update notification message carries a new connection Incoming cell information, a new registration location list, and a new temporary identity; the session management function entity is configured to save the new access cell information, the new registration location list, and the new temporary identity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a base station is provided, where the base station is configured to receive a session activation request sent by a terminal through a radio resource connection RRC between the terminal and a base station, and send the session request a mobile management function; the base station is further configured to: upon receiving the initial context setup request initiated by the session management function, according to a user context identifier carried therein; the base station is further configured to be based on a user context The identifier finds a wireless context corresponding to the user, and performs information interaction between the RRC and the terminal to establish an air interface channel with the terminal.

Optionally, the context identifier in the base station is a user temporary identifier, or an identifier that is allocated by the base station side and uniquely identifies the user context.

According to still another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a mobility management function entity is provided. The mobility management function entity is configured to send a temporary identifier and/or a temporary identifier assigned to the terminal to the session management function entity during the terminal location update process. Registration location information of the terminal; and/or the mobility management function entity is configured to receive the Establishing a session activation request of the session; the mobility management function entity is configured to select a session management function, and send the session activation request to the session management function entity, where the session activation request further carries a terminal capability, The context identifier in the base station, and/or the registered location information and the assigned temporary identity.

According to still another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a session management function entity is provided, where a session management function entity is configured to determine whether a terminal is in an idle state when receiving a downlink data packet sent by a data gateway; When in the idle state, the paging message is sent to the base station in the terminal registration area, where the paging message carries the temporary identifier of the terminal; and/or the session management function entity is further configured to receive a service access request message sent by the terminal that is sent by the mobile management function entity after receiving the paging message, where the service access request message carries a context identifier in the base station; the session management function entity further sets After the service access request message is received, the terminal initial context setup request is initiated to the base station, where the setup request carries a context identifier in the base station.

According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, a paging method based on a mobile communication system is provided, where the system includes: a base station, a mobility management function entity mobility management function entity, a session management function entity, and a data network gateway. During the terminal session activation request, the mobility management function entity sends a user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity; the session management function entity sends a session message carrying the context identifier in the base station to the base station; The base station finds a context corresponding to the terminal by using the user context identifier, and performs information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.

Optionally, in the terminal session activation process, the mobility management function entity sends the registration location information of the terminal and the temporary identifier allocated to the terminal to the session management function entity; the session management function entity Receiving downlink data sent by the data network gateway; and, when determining that the terminal is in an idle state, buffering the downlink data; and triggering, by the base station, forwarding a paging message to the terminal, where the paging The temporary identifier is carried in the message.

Optionally, the base station receives the registration request sent by the terminal, and sends the registration request to the mobility management function entity; after the mobility management function entity successfully registers, the mobility management function entity passes the The base station forwards the registration response in response to the registration request, where the registration response carries a registration location list and an assigned temporary identifier allocated according to the current cell information of the terminal.

Optionally, the mobility management function entity receives a session activation request that is sent by the terminal and is used to establish a session, where the session activation request carries the temporary identifier, a session type, and an access point name APN; The management function entity selects a session management function, and sends the session activation request to the session management function entity, where the session activation request further carries a terminal capability, a user context identifier in the base station, and/or a registration location list and a temporary identifier that is allocated; the session management function entity sends a terminal initial context setup request to the base station, where the setup request carries a user context identifier in the base station; and the base station finds a context corresponding to the terminal by using the temporary identifier And establishing an air interface wireless channel by performing information interaction with the terminal.

Optionally, when receiving the downlink data packet sent by the data gateway, the session management function entity determines Whether the terminal is in an idle state; when the terminal is in an idle state, sending a paging message to the base station in the terminal registration area, where the paging message carries the temporary identifier of the terminal; The terminal forwards the paging message; the mobility management function entity receives a service access request message initiated by the terminal, and forwards the service access request message to the session management function entity, where The service access request message carries the base station user context identifier; after receiving the service access request message, the session management function entity initiates the terminal initial context establishment request to the base station, where the establishment request The base station user context identifier is carried in the base station; the base station finds a wireless context corresponding to the user according to the base station user context identifier, and performs information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.

Optionally, after receiving the location update message of the terminal, the mobility management function entity completes the location update process, and allocates a new user registration location list and a new temporary identifier to the terminal according to the current cell information; and Returning to carry the new user registration location list and the new temporary identity location update response message; the mobility management function entity sends a location update notification message to the session management function entity, where the location update notification message And carrying a new access cell information, a new registration location list, and a new temporary identifier; the session management function entity saves the new access cell information, the new registration location list, and the new temporary identifier.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is arranged to store program code for performing the following steps:

Transmitting, in the terminal session activation request, the user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity; sending a session message carrying the context identifier in the base station to the base station; and finding, by using the user context identifier, the terminal corresponding to the terminal identifier The context and interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the mobility management function entity is configured to: in the process of receiving the session activation request of the terminal, send the user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity; and the session management function entity is further configured to send to the base station a session message of the user context identifier in the base station; and the base station is further configured to find the context corresponding to the terminal by using the user context identifier, and perform information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel; thereby solving the related art, in the 4G network architecture, the MME is Including the mobility management also includes the function of session management, which is inconvenient for subsequent function maintenance in the 5G application process due to the complexity of the MME function.

DRAWINGS

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

1 is a schematic diagram of a 4G network architecture in the related art;

2 is a schematic diagram of a terminal registration process in a 4G network in the related art;

3 is a schematic flowchart of triggering MME paging by downlink data in the related art;

4 is a flow chart of a mobile communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a paging method based on a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

6 is a schematic structural diagram of a mobile communication system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a flow chart of registration under a mobile communication system in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a flow chart showing a session connection establishment in a mobile communication system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a schematic flow chart of a downlink data triggering paging process in a mobile communication system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a mobility management function notification session management function in a user location update process according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings in conjunction with the embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

It is to be understood that the terms "first", "second" and the like in the specification and claims of the present invention are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or order.

In the embodiment, a mobile communication system is provided. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the system includes: a base station 102, a mobility management function entity 104, and session management. Functional entity 106, data network gateway 108;

The mobility management function entity 104 is configured to send, in the process of receiving the session activation request of the terminal, the user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity;

The session management function entity 106 is further configured to send, to the base station, a session message carrying the user context identifier in the base station;

The base station 102 is further configured to find a context corresponding to the terminal by using the user context identifier, and perform information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.

With the system of this embodiment, the mobility management function entity 104 is configured to, in the process of receiving the session activation request of the terminal, send the user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity; and the session management function entity 106 is further configured to the base station Sending a session message carrying the user context identifier in the base station; and the base station 102 is further configured to find the context corresponding to the terminal by using the user context identifier, and perform information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel; thereby solving the related art in the 4G network. In the architecture, the MME includes the mobility management function and also includes the session management function. Therefore, in the 5G application process, the MME function is too complicated, which is inconvenient for subsequent function maintenance.

The context identifier in the base station involved in this embodiment is a temporary identifier of the user, or an identifier assigned by the base station side to uniquely indicate the context of the user.

In an optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the mobility management function entity 104 is configured to: in the process of receiving the session activation request of the terminal, send the registration location information of the terminal and the temporary identifier allocated to the terminal to the session management function entity; meeting The call management function entity 106 is configured to receive the downlink data sent by the data network gateway; and when determining that the terminal is in an idle state, buffer the downlink data, and forward the paging message to the terminal by using the base station, where the paging message carries the temporary message Logo.

In another optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the base station 102 is configured to receive a registration request sent by the terminal through the radio resource connection RRC between the terminal and the base station, and send the registration request to the mobility management function entity; The function entity 104 is configured to forward, by the base station, a registration response in response to the registration request after the user is successfully registered, wherein the registration response carries a registration location list and an assigned temporary identifier allocated according to the current cell information of the terminal.

In still another optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the base station 102 is further configured to receive a session activation request sent by the terminal, and send the session request and send the session activation request to the mobility management function entity; the mobility management function entity 104, And configured to receive a session activation request sent by the terminal for establishing a session, where the session activation request carries a temporary identifier, a session type, an access point name APN, and a session management function, and sends the session management function to the session management function entity. a session activation request, where the session activation request further carries a terminal capability, a user context identifier of the base station, and/or a temporary identifier assigned to the terminal, and a registration location list; the session management function entity 106 is configured to receive the data network gateway. After the bearer setup request, the terminal sends a terminal initial context setup request to the base station, where the setup request carries the user context identifier of the base station; and the base station 102 is further configured to find the radio context corresponding to the user according to the user context identifier, and pass the RRC and The terminal exchanges information and establishes an air interface. Wireless channel.

In still another optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the session management function entity 106 is configured to determine, when receiving the downlink data packet sent by the data gateway, whether the terminal is in an idle state; when the terminal is in an idle state, The base station in the terminal registration area sends a paging message, where the paging message carries the temporary identifier of the terminal; the base station 102 is configured to forward the paging message to the terminal; the mobility management function entity 104 is further configured to listen to the paging at the terminal. After receiving the service access request message initiated by the terminal, the service access request message is forwarded to the session management function entity, where the service access request message carries the user context identifier of the base station; the session management function entity 106 is further used. After receiving the service access request message, the terminal initiates a terminal initial context setup request, where the setup request carries the user context identifier of the base station, and the base station 102 is further configured to find the wireless context corresponding to the user according to the user context identifier. And the information exchange between the RRC and the terminal establishes an air interface wireless channel.

In still another optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the mobility management function entity 106 is further configured to receive a message that the terminal registration is completed, and send a location update notification message to the session management function entity, where the location update notification message carries The new access cell information, the new registered location list, and the new temporary identity; the session management function entity 108 is configured to save the new access cell information, the new registered location list, and the new temporary identity.

In an optional embodiment of the present embodiment, a base station is further provided, where the base station 102 is configured to receive a session activation request sent by the terminal through a radio resource connection RRC between the terminal and the base station, and send the session request to the a mobility management function; and is further configured to: initiate a request for initial establishment of the terminal initiated by the session management function, according to the user context identifier carried therein, and also set to find the wireless context corresponding to the user according to the user context identifier, and pass the RRC Interact with the terminal to establish information and establish an air interface channel of the terminal.

In another optional embodiment of this embodiment, a mobility management function entity is further provided, configured to send a temporary allocation to the terminal to the session management function entity during the terminal location update process. Identifying and/or registration location information of the terminal; and/or, the mobility management function entity 104 is configured to send a session activation request for establishing a session at the receiving terminal; the mobility management function entity 104 is configured to select a session management function, and The session activation request is sent to the session management function entity, where the session activation request further carries the terminal capability, the context identifier in the base station, and/or the registration location information and the assigned temporary identifier.

In another optional embodiment of the present embodiment, a session management function entity is further provided, and the session management function entity 106 is configured to determine whether the terminal is in an idle state when receiving a downlink data packet sent by the data gateway. When the terminal is in an idle state, sending a paging message to the base station in the terminal registration area, where the paging message carries the temporary identifier of the terminal; and/or the session management function entity 106 is further configured to receive the mobility management function entity. The service access request message sent by the forwarded terminal after receiving the paging message, where the service access request message carries the context identifier in the base station; the session management function entity 106 is further configured to receive the service access request message. Then, the terminal initiates a terminal initial context setup request to the base station, where the setup request carries the context identifier in the base station.

5 is a flowchart of a paging method based on a mobile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the system includes: a base station, a mobility management function entity mobility management function entity, a session management function entity, and a data network gateway, as shown in the figure. As shown in Figure 5, the steps of the method include:

Step S502: In the terminal session activation request process, the mobility management function entity sends the user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity.

Step S504: The session management function entity sends a session message carrying the context identifier in the base station to the base station;

Step S506: The base station finds the context corresponding to the terminal by using the user context identifier, and performs information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.

It should be noted that the context identifier in the base station is a temporary identifier of the user, or an identifier assigned by the base station side that uniquely indicates the context of the user.

The method further includes: in the terminal session activation process, the mobility management function entity sends the registration location information of the terminal and the temporary identifier allocated to the terminal to the session management function entity; the session management function entity receives the downlink data sent by the data network gateway And when the terminal is determined to be in an idle state, the downlink data is buffered; and the paging message is forwarded to the terminal by the base station, where the paging message carries the temporary identifier.

The method further includes: the base station receiving the registration request sent by the terminal, and transmitting the registration request to the mobility management function entity; after the mobility management function entity is successfully registered, the mobility management function entity forwards the registration response in response to the registration request by using the base station. The registration response carries a registration location list and an assigned temporary identifier allocated according to the current cell information of the terminal.

The method of the method further includes: the mobility management function entity receives a session activation request sent by the terminal for establishing a session, where the session activation request carries a temporary identifier, a session type, an access point name APN, and the mobility management function entity selects a session. Management function and sending a session activation request to the session management function entity, wherein the session activation request is also carried The terminal capability, the user context identifier in the base station, and/or the registration location list and the assigned temporary identifier; the session management function entity sends a terminal initial context setup request to the base station, where the setup request carries the user context identifier in the base station; The temporary identifier finds the context corresponding to the terminal, and establishes an air interface wireless channel by performing information interaction with the terminal.

The method further includes: when receiving the downlink data packet sent by the data gateway, the session management function entity determines whether the terminal is in an idle state; and when the terminal is in an idle state, sends a paging message to the base station in the terminal registration area, The paging message carries the temporary identifier of the terminal; the base station forwards the paging message to the terminal; the mobility management function entity receives the service access request message initiated by the terminal, and forwards the service access request message to the session management function entity, where The service access request message carries the base station user context identifier. After receiving the service access request message, the session management function entity initiates a terminal initial context setup request to the base station, where the setup request carries the base station user context identifier; The base station user context identifier finds the wireless context corresponding to the user, and performs information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.

The method further includes: after receiving the location update message of the terminal, the mobility management function entity completes the location update process, and allocates a new user registration location list and a new temporary identifier to the terminal according to the current cell information; and returns to the terminal. Carrying a new user registration location list and a new temporary identity location update response message; the mobility management function entity sends a location update notification message to the session management function entity, where the location update notification message carries new access cell information, new registration A location list and a new temporary identity; the session management function entity saves the new access cell information, the new registration location list, and the new temporary identity.

The invention is exemplified below in conjunction with an alternative embodiment of the invention;

6 is a schematic structural diagram of a mobile communication system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, in this architecture, a session management function of an MME is separated from an MME and merged with a SGW into a new session management function. Responsible for the creation, update, and deletion of sessions. The original MME is only responsible for handling mobile management functions, including registration, location management, and contract management. The functions of the terminal, base station and data network gateway are unchanged. The interface related to the mobility management function and the session management function is also changed. In addition, it should be noted that the session management function is independent from the MME in this embodiment, and refers to the point-to-point between the UE and the PDN GW. Path, session management refers to the management of this path, including the creation, modification and deletion. The present exemplary embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to specific alternative embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

Alternative embodiment 1

7 is a flow chart of registration under a mobile communication system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the steps of the process include:

In step S701, an RRC connection is established between the terminal and the base station. Through the process, an air interface signaling connection is established between the UE and the base station, and information exchange between the subsequent UE and the base station passes through the connection.

Step S702: The terminal initiates a registration request to the mobility management function by using an RRC connection, where the message carries the user permanent identifier IMSI. After the base station adds the current cell information of the user to the message, the base station sends the mobile management function.

Step S703, the mobility management function performs integrity verification and decryption on the NAS message, and then acquires a key from the authentication center according to the IMSI, and calculates the authentication request information according to the authentication algorithm, and then initiates an authentication request to the terminal.

In step S704, the terminal first authenticates the network. After the success, the terminal calculates the authentication response information and sends the authentication response information to the mobile management function. The mobile management function accepts the authentication response information returned by the terminal to check whether the terminal is legal. After the authentication succeeds, the mobility management function initiates a security mode command to the base station, and the air interface information is encrypted and integrity protected between the base station and the UE, and the NAS signaling between the UE and the mobility management function is also integrity protected.

Step S705, the mobility management function acquires the subscription information from the HSS and performs a subscription check, and mainly checks whether the user is allowed to access at the current location.

Step S706, the mobility management function allocates a user registration location list according to the current cell information of the user, and allocates a temporary identifier, and returns a registration accept message to the base station, with the assigned registration location list and the temporary identifier.

Step S707, the base station returns the registration receiving message to the terminal.

Step S708, the terminal saves the registration location list and the temporary identifier, and returns a registration completion message to the mobility management function. Subsequent terminals will use the temporary identity to access the network, avoiding the use of permanent identity IMSI, thereby improving security. When the terminal moves in the area in the registration location list, there is no need to notify the network. When the terminal moves out of the registration location list, the location update process needs to be initiated to notify the network of the latest location information, and the network re-allocates the registration according to the latest location information in the process. Location list and temporary identification. When the terminal moves in the area in the registration location list, it also needs to periodically initiate a location update notification network, so that the network detection terminal is unreachable.

Alternative embodiment 2

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of establishing a session connection in a mobile communication system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the steps of the process include:

In step S801, an RRC (Radio Resource Connection) connection is established between the terminal and the base station. Through the process, an air interface signaling connection is established between the UE and the base station, and information exchange between the subsequent UE and the base station passes through the connection. The specific establishment process is not the content of this patent and is therefore ignored. In this process, the base station stores a user temporary identifier.

Step S802, the terminal initiates a setup session activation request to the mobility management entity by using an RRC connection, where the message includes a user temporary identifier and session related information such as an APN (Access Point Name) and a session type (indicating IPv4). , IPv6 or IPv4v6, or non-IP). After the base station adds the current cell information of the user to the message, the base station sends the mobile management function.

Step S803, after the mobility management function performs the integrity check and decryption of the NAS message, obtains the information such as the request APN, and then selects the session management function according to the current cell information of the user and the information such as the APN. If the terminal does not request an APN, the default APN in the subscription is used.

Step S804, the mobility management function does not process the establishment session activation request message of the terminal, but sends a setup session activation request message to the selected session management function. The mobility management function also needs to notify the session management function of the current temporary identifier, the registered location list, the PSM (Power Saving Mode) and other paging related information, and the terminal capability and the user context identifier in the base station. The terminal capability is sent by the user to the mobility management function during the registration process and saved in the mobility management function. The mobility management function also requests the subscribed QoS information corresponding to the APN or the default APN and the request The requested session type is sent to the session management function.

In step S805, the session management function saves paging related information, terminal capabilities, and the like, and then selects an appropriate data network gateway according to the APN information.

Step S806, the session management function sends a setup session activation request to the selected data network gateway, where the APN information, the session type, and the corresponding QoS information are carried.

Step S807: After receiving the session activation request, the data network gateway determines the QoS information required for the default bearer according to the local policy, and optionally interacts with the Policy Center (Policy and Charging Rule Function) to determine the QoS and charging policy. According to the user request, the data network gateway may also assign an IP address to the user, and then the data network gateway returns the QoS policy and the optional user IP address to the session management function in the establishment session response.

Step S808: The session management function sends a user initial context establishment request to the base station, where the user context identifier in the base station, the tunnel identifier allocated by the SGW to the NG1-U interface, and the QoS of the default bearer are information.

Step S809: The base station finds the wireless context corresponding to the user by using the user context identifier in the base station, and then performs information exchange between the RRC and the UE, allocates air interface resources for the default bearer, and establishes an air interface wireless channel. The base station allocates the tunnel identifier of the NG1-U, and returns an initial context setup response to the session management function, where the message carries the NG1-U tunnel identifier assigned by the base station.

Step S810, the session management function returns a session establishment response to the mobility management function, including session related information such as QoS parameters, and optionally, an IP address assigned by the data network gateway to the user.

Step S811, the mobility management function performs integrity protection and encryption on the message, and then sends the message to the terminal. After the terminal checks and decrypts the integrity of the message, the terminal learns that the session connection is successfully established, and saves the session related information. The terminal can then send or receive data over the newly established session connection.

If the data gateway does not assign an IP address to the user in step S808, the UE obtains the IP address by means of DHCP through the session connection between the newly established UE and the data gateway after registration.

Alternative embodiment three

If there is no data transmission, the air interface and the NG1 interface will be released, and the terminal enters the IDLE idle state. At this time, the base station deletes the user's context, but the user plane tunnel between the session management function and the data network gateway remains. When the downlink data arrives at the data network gateway, the session management function is sent through the user plane tunnel, and the session management function initiates paging to the base station according to the registration location information. FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a downlink data triggering paging process in a mobile communication system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the steps of the process include:

In step S901, the downlink data packet is sent to the session management function through the user plane tunnel.

Step S902, the session management function finds that the terminal is currently in an idle state, for example, there is no user plane tunnel identifier of the base station, and the user data is cached at this time.

Step S903, the session management function initiates paging in the base station in the user registration area, with a temporary identifier of the user, and the base station Initiate paging of the user.

Step S904: After the terminal monitors the paging, the terminal initiates a service access request message with a temporary identifier of the user. The base station forwards the service access request message to the mobility management function that allocates the temporary user identifier according to the temporary identifier of the user.

Step S905, the mobility management function forwards the service access request to the corresponding session management function, with the user context identifier in the base station. If the user has multiple session management functions, the mobility management function needs to notify all session management functions.

Step S906: The session management function initiates a user initial context establishment request to the base station, where the user context identifier in the base station, the tunnel identifier assigned by the session management function to the NG1-U interface, and the QoS of the default bearer are information.

Step S907: The base station identifies the wireless context corresponding to the user by using the user context identifier in the base station, and then performs information exchange between the RRC and the UE, allocates air interface resources for the default bearer, and establishes an air interface wireless channel. The terminal detects the establishment of the air interface bearer. The default network side has successfully processed the access service request. After that, the terminal can uplink data. The base station allocates the tunnel identifier of the NG1-U, and returns an initial context setup response to the session management function, where the message carries the NG1-U tunnel identifier assigned by the base station.

Through the above process, a user plane channel that is defaulted between the base station and the session management function is established.

Step S908: The session management function sends the cached user data to the terminal through the newly established NG1-U tunnel and the air interface bearer.

Alternative embodiment four

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a mobility management function notification session management function in a user location update process according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the steps of the process include:

In step S1001, an RRC connection is established between the terminal and the base station. Through the process, an air interface signaling connection is established between the UE and the base station, and information exchange between the subsequent UE and the base station passes through the connection.

Step S1002: The terminal initiates a location update process to the mobility management function by using an RRC connection, where the message carries a user temporary identifier. After the base station adds the current cell information of the user to the message, the base station sends the mobile management function.

Step S1003: The mobility management function performs integrity check and decryption on the NAS message, and then checks the subscription to determine whether the user is allowed to access at the current location, saves the current cell information of the user if allowed, and allocates a new user registration according to the current cell information. A list of locations, and assigning a new temporary identity, returning a location update accept message to the terminal via the base station, with a list of assigned registration locations and a temporary identity.

In step S1004, the terminal saves the registration location list and the temporary identifier, and returns a registration completion message to the mobility management function.

Step S1005: The mobility management function sends a location update notification message to all session management functions of the user, where the message includes a user latest access cell, a new registration location list, and a new temporary identifier. If the terminal capability changes, it contains the latest terminal capability information of the user. If the paging information such as the PSM parameter of the terminal changes, the message also contains the latest paging information.

In step S1006, the session management function saves the information and uses the latest information to page the user when the user needs to be paged.

It should be noted that, in the optional embodiment of the embodiment, the session management function and the control plane function of the data network gateway and the user plane function are not limited. That is to say, the above solution in the alternative embodiment is also applicable to a scenario in which the control plane function and the user plane function are separated.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a storage medium. Optionally, in the embodiment, the foregoing storage medium may be configured to store program code for performing the following steps:

Step S1: In the terminal session activation request process, the mobility management function entity sends the user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity;

Step S2: The session management function entity sends a session message carrying the context identifier in the base station to the base station;

Step S3: The base station finds the context corresponding to the terminal by using the user context identifier, and performs information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel. For example, the specific examples in this embodiment may refer to the examples described in the foregoing embodiments and the optional embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

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

The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

Claims

A mobile communication system includes: a base station, a mobility management function entity, a session management function entity, and a data network gateway;

The mobility management function entity is configured to send, in the process of receiving a session activation request of the terminal, a user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity;

The session management function entity is further configured to send, to the base station, a session message carrying a user context identifier in the base station;

The base station is further configured to find a context corresponding to the terminal by using the user context identifier, and perform information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.
The system according to claim 1, wherein the context identifier in the base station is a user temporary identifier or an identifier assigned by the base station side to uniquely indicate the user context.
The system of claim 2 wherein

The base station is configured to receive a registration request sent by the terminal by using a radio resource connection RRC between the terminal and the base station, and send the registration request to the mobility management function entity;

The mobility management function entity is configured to: after the user is successfully registered, forward, by the base station, a registration response that is responsive to the registration request, where the registration response carries a registration location list that is allocated according to the current cell information of the terminal, and The temporary ID assigned.
The system of claim 3 wherein

The base station is configured to receive a session activation request sent by the terminal, and send the session request and send a session activation request to the mobility management function entity;

The mobility management function entity is configured to receive a session activation request sent by the terminal for establishing a session, where the session activation request carries the temporary identifier, a session type, and an access point name APN;

The mobility management function entity is configured to select a session management function, and send the session activation request to the session management function entity, where the session activation request further carries a terminal capability and a user context identifier of the base station;

The session management function entity is configured to send a session request to the base station after receiving the session request of the data network gateway, where the session request carries a user context identifier of the base station;

The base station is further configured to: find a wireless context corresponding to the user according to the user context identifier, and perform information interaction between the RRC and the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.
a base station in which

The base station is configured to receive a session activation request sent by the terminal through the radio resource connection RRC between the terminal and the base station, and send the session request to the mobility management function;

The base station is further configured to receive a session request initiated by the session management function according to a user context identifier carried therein,

The base station is further configured to find a wireless context corresponding to the user according to the user context identifier, and perform information interaction between the RRC and the terminal to establish an air interface channel with the terminal.
The base station according to claim 5, wherein the context identifier in the base station is an identifier assigned by the base station side that uniquely identifies the user context.
A mobile management function entity, wherein

The mobility management function entity is configured to send a session activation request for establishing a session at the receiving terminal;

The mobility management function entity is configured to select a session management function, and send the session activation request to the session management function entity, where the session activation request further carries a terminal capability and a context identifier in the base station.
A session management function entity, wherein

The session management function entity is further configured to receive a session message sent by the terminal forwarded by the mobility management function entity after receiving the paging message, where the session message carries a context identifier in the base station;

The session management function entity is further configured to initiate the session request to the base station after receiving the session message, where the session request carries a context identifier in the base station.
A paging method based on a mobile communication system, the system comprising: a base station, a mobility management function entity mobility management function entity, a session management function entity, and a data network gateway;

In the terminal session activation request process, the mobility management function entity sends a user context identifier in the base station to the session management function entity;

Transmitting, by the session management function entity, a session message carrying a context identifier in the base station to the base station;

The base station finds a context corresponding to the terminal by using the user context identifier, and performs information interaction with the terminal to establish an air interface wireless channel.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the context identifier in the base station is an identifier assigned to the base station side that uniquely identifies the user context.
The method of claim 9 wherein

The mobile management function entity receives a session activation request sent by the terminal for establishing a session, where the session activation request carries a user temporary identifier, a session type, and an access point name APN;

The mobility management function entity selects a session management function, and sends the session activation request to the session management function entity, where the session activation request further carries a terminal capability and a user context identifier in the base station;

The session management function entity sends a session request to the base station, where the session request carries a user context identifier in the base station;

The base station finds a context corresponding to the terminal by using the temporary identifier, and establishes an air interface wireless channel by performing information interaction with the terminal.