U.S. patent number 11,457,385 [Application Number 16/271,457] was granted by the patent office on 2022-09-27 for communication method, apparatus, and system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Bingzhao Li, Wei Quan, Yan Wang, Xiaodong Yang, Jian Zhang.
United States Patent |
11,457,385 |
Li , et al. |
September 27, 2022 |
Communication method, apparatus, and system
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication
method, an apparatus, and a system. The communication method
includes: receiving, by a terminal device, a context identifier
sent by a second radio access network device, and sending, to a
first radio access network device, a first message that includes
the context identifier; receiving, by a core network device, a
second message sent by the first radio access network device, and
sending, to the second radio access network device, a message that
includes the context identifier; and receiving, by the core network
device, context information of the terminal device that is sent by
the second radio access network device, and sending the context
information to the first radio access network device. Therefore,
communication between the first radio access network device and the
second radio access network device is ensured, and working
efficiency is improved.
Inventors: |
Li; Bingzhao (Beijing,
CN), Wang; Yan (Beijing, CN), Quan; Wei
(Beijing, CN), Zhang; Jian (Beijing, CN),
Yang; Xiaodong (Shenzhen, CN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Shenzhen |
N/A |
CN |
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Assignee: |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
(Shenzhen, CN)
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Family
ID: |
1000006583094 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/271,457 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190174365 A1 |
Jun 6, 2019 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/CN2016/095030 |
Aug 12, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W
36/0033 (20130101); H04W 76/20 (20180201); H04W
36/24 (20130101); H04W 36/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04W
36/00 (20090101); H04W 36/12 (20090101); H04W
36/24 (20090101); H04W 76/20 (20180101) |
References Cited
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Other References
"3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group
Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
(E-UTRA); Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specification
(Release 13)," pp. 1-91, 3GPP TS 36.321 V13.2.0, 3rd Generation
Partnership Project--Valbonne, France (Jun. 2016). cited by
applicant .
"3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group
Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
(E-UTRA); Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification
(Release 13)," pp. 1-623, 3GPP TS 36.331 V13.2.0, 3rd Generation
Partnership Project--Valbonne, France (Jun. 2016). cited by
applicant .
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Nanjing, China, R3-161167, pp. 1-5, 3rd Generation Partnership
Project, Valbonne, France (May 23-27, 2016). cited by applicant
.
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.
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.
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Partnership Project, Valbonne, France (Apr. 11-15, 2016). cited by
applicant .
"Discussion on truncated Resume ID," 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 Meeting #92,
Nanjing, P.R. China, R3-161252, Total 4 pages, 3rd Generation
Partnership Project, Valbonne, France (May 23-27, 2016). cited by
applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Miah; Liton
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of International Application No.
PCT/CN2016/095030, filed on Aug. 12, 2016, the disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A radio access network device, comprising: a storage medium
including executable instructions; and a processor; wherein the
executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the
radio access network device to: receive, from a terminal device, a
first message that comprises a part of a context identifier that is
obtained after a truncation; determine, based on the first message,
whether a remaining part of the context identifier needs to be
obtained, wherein the remaining part of the context identifier is
obtained after the truncation; in response to determining that the
remaining part of the context identifier needs to be obtained, send
a request message for the remaining part of the context identifier
to the terminal device; receive, from the terminal device, a third
message that comprises the remaining part of the context
identifier; send a second message to a core network device, wherein
the second message comprises the context identifier; and receive
context information of the terminal device from the core network
device.
2. The radio access network device according to claim 1, wherein
the second message further comprises an identifier of the radio
access network device.
3. The radio access network device according to claim 1, wherein
the executable instructions, when executed by the processor,
further cause the radio access network device to: receive
verification information from the terminal device; wherein the
second message further comprises the verification information and
information about a serving cell in which the radio access network
device serves the terminal device.
4. A method, comprising: receiving, by a radio access network
device from a terminal device, a first message that comprises a
part of a context identifier that is obtained after a truncation;
determining, by the radio access network device based on the first
message, whether a remaining part of the context identifier needs
to be obtained, wherein the remaining part of the context
identifier is obtained after the truncation; and in response to
determining that the remaining part of the context identifier needs
to be obtained, sending, by the radio access network device, a
request message for the remaining part of the context identifier to
the terminal device; receiving, by the radio access network device
from the terminal device, a third message that comprises the
remaining part of the context identifier; sending, by the radio
access network device, a second message to a core network device,
wherein the second message comprises the context identifier; and
receiving, by the radio access network device, context information
of the terminal device from the core network device.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second message
further comprises an identifier of the radio access network
device.
6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: receiving,
by the radio access network device, verification information from
the terminal device; wherein the second message further comprises
the verification information and information about a serving cell
in which the radio access network device serves the terminal
device.
7. A terminal device, comprising: a storage medium including
executable instructions; and a processor; wherein the executable
instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the terminal
device to: transmit a first message that comprises a part of a
context identifier to a radio access network device, wherein the
part of the context identifier is obtained after a truncation;
receive a request message for a remaining part of the context
identifier from the radio access network device, wherein the radio
access network device determines, based on the first message,
whether a remaining part of the context identifier needs to be
obtained, and wherein the remaining part of the context identifier
is obtained after the truncation; and transmit, in response to the
request message, a third message that comprises the remaining part
of the context identifier to the radio access network device.
8. A method, comprising: transmitting, by a terminal device, a
first message that comprises a part of a context identifier to a
radio access network device, wherein the part of the context
identifier is obtained after a truncation; receiving, by the
terminal device, a request message for a remaining part of the
context identifier from the radio access network device, wherein
the radio access network device determines, based on the first
message, whether a remaining part of the context identifier needs
to be obtained, and wherein the remaining part of the context
identifier is obtained after the truncation; and transmitting, by
the terminal device, in response to the request message, a third
message that comprises the remaining part of the context identifier
to the radio access network device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to wireless communications
technologies, and in particular, to a communication method in a
wireless network, an apparatus, and a system.
BACKGROUND
A light connection technology is being discussed in the 3rd
Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications. A terminal
device may enter a light connection mode under an instruction of a
radio access network (RAN) device. The radio access network device
is referred to as an anchor radio access network device. The light
connection mode is a state between a radio resource control (RRC)
connected mode and an RRC idle mode.
The terminal device that enters a light connection mode from an RRC
connected mode obtains a context identifier allocated by the anchor
radio access network device. The terminal device and the anchor
radio access network device each store connection-related context
information. In addition, the terminal device may select, based on
cell reselection mobility, a cell to be camped on. The terminal
device sends the context identifier to a serving radio access
network device of the cell when there is a data transmission
requirement. The serving radio access network device sends the
context identifier to the anchor radio access network device, to
obtain the context information of the terminal device from the
anchor radio access network device.
Generally, the foregoing communication process is implemented
between the anchor radio access network device and the serving
radio access network device using a configured interface (for
example, an X2 interface). However, there may be no available
interface between the anchor radio access network device and the
serving radio access network device. In this case, communication
between the anchor radio access network device and the serving
radio access network device cannot be implemented.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication
method in a wireless network, an apparatus, and a system, to ensure
effective communication between an anchor radio access network
device and a serving radio access network device, especially when
there is no available interface between the anchor radio access
network device and the serving radio access network device, thereby
improving working efficiency of a system.
In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the serving radio
access network device is a first radio access network device, and
the anchor radio access network device is a second radio access
network device.
According to an aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure
provides a communication method in a wireless network. The method
includes: receiving, by a first radio access network device from a
terminal device, a first message that includes a context
identifier, where the context identifier includes an identifier of
a second radio access network device and an identifier of the
terminal device that is allocated by the second radio access
network device; sending, by the first radio access network device,
a second message to a core network device, where the second message
includes the context identifier; and receiving, by the first radio
access network device, context information of the terminal device
from the core network device, where the context information of the
terminal device is associated with the identifier of the terminal
device. According to the communication method provided in this
embodiment, timely and effective communication can be ensured when
no available interface exists between the first radio access
network device and the second radio access network device, thereby
improving working efficiency of a system.
In a possible design, the context identifier further includes
public land mobile network (PLMN) information corresponding to the
second radio access network device and/or an area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device.
In a possible design, the first message and the second message
further include the PLMN information corresponding to the second
radio access network device and/or the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device.
According to the foregoing possible design, the core network device
can accurately determine the second radio access network device and
send a message, so that reliability of communication between the
first radio access network device and the second radio access
network device is improved.
In a possible design, the first message further includes indication
information, and the indication information indicates that an area
identifier corresponding to the first radio access network device
is different from the area identifier corresponding to the second
radio access network device. The method further includes: sending,
by the first radio access network device, an area identifier
request message to the terminal device; and receiving, by the first
radio access network device from the terminal device, the area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network device.
The second message further includes the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device.
In a possible design, the method further includes: determining, by
the first radio access network device based on the context
identifier, whether additional information needs to be obtained,
where the additional information includes the PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device and/or the
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device; if the first radio access network device determines that
the additional information needs to be obtained, sending, by the
first radio access network device, an additional-information
request message to the terminal device; and receiving, by the first
radio access network device, the additional information from the
terminal device. The second message further includes the additional
information.
According to the foregoing possible design, information carried in
the first message can be simplified, a transmission resource
occupied by the first message can be reduced, and transmission
efficiency can be improved.
In a possible design, the additional-information request message
further includes preamble allocation information, where the
preamble allocation information is used to indicate a preamble
allocated to the terminal device. The method further includes:
receiving, by the first radio access network device, the preamble
from the terminal device; sending, by the first radio access
network device, an allocated transmission resource to the terminal
device; and receiving, by the first radio access network device
from the terminal device, the additional information sent by using
the transmission resource.
In a possible design, the second message further includes an
identifier of the first radio access network device.
In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by
the first radio access network device, verification information
from the terminal device. The second message further includes the
verification information and information about a serving cell in
which the first radio access network device serves the terminal
device.
In a possible design, the sending, by the first radio access
network device, a second message to a core network device includes:
determining, by the first radio access network device based on the
identifier of the second radio access network device, whether an
interface exists between the first radio access network device and
the second radio access network device; and if the interface does
not exist, sending, by the first radio access network device, the
second message to the core network device.
According to another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a communication method in a wireless network.
The method includes: sending, by a second radio access network
device, a context identifier to a terminal device, where the
context identifier includes an identifier of the second radio
access network device and an identifier of the terminal device that
is allocated by the second radio access network device; receiving,
by the second radio access network device from a core network
device, a message that includes the context identifier; and
sending, by the second radio access network device, context
information of the terminal device to the core network device based
on the message that includes the context identifier, where the
context information of the terminal device is associated with the
identifier of the terminal device. According to the communication
method provided in this embodiment, timely and effective
communication between a first radio access network device and the
second radio access network device can be ensured, thereby
improving working efficiency of a system.
In a possible design, the context identifier further includes PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or an area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device.
In a possible design, the message that is received by the second
radio access network device from the core network device and that
includes the context identifier further includes the PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device.
In a possible design, the message that is received by the second
radio access network device from the core network device and that
includes the context identifier further includes at least one of an
identifier of a first radio access network device, PLMN information
corresponding to the first radio access network device, and an area
identifier corresponding to the first radio access network device.
The first radio access network device is a radio access network
device that serves the terminal device.
In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by
the second radio access network device from the core network
device, verification information of the terminal device and
information about a serving cell in which the first radio access
network device serves the terminal device; and verifying, by the
second radio access network device, the terminal device based on
the verification information and the information about the serving
cell.
In a possible design, before the receiving, by the second radio
access network device from a core network device, a message that
includes the context identifier, the method further includes:
sending, by the second radio access network device, control
information to the terminal device, where the control information
is used to instruct the terminal device to enter a light connection
mode.
According to still another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a communication method in a wireless network.
The method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, a context
identifier from a second radio access network device, where the
context identifier includes an identifier of the second radio
access network device and an identifier of the terminal device that
is allocated by the second radio access network device; and
sending, by the terminal device, a first message to a first radio
access network device, where the first message includes the context
identifier.
In a possible design, the context identifier further includes PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or an area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device.
In a possible design, the first message further includes the PLMN
information of the second radio access network device and/or the
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device.
In a possible design, before the sending, by the terminal device, a
first message to a first radio access network device, the method
further includes: receiving, by the terminal device, the second
area identifier of the second radio access network device;
receiving, by the terminal device, a first area identifier of the
first radio access network device; and determining, by the terminal
device, whether the second area identifier is the same as the first
area identifier.
In a possible design, the first message further includes indication
information, where the indication information indicates that the
first area identifier is different from the second area
identifier.
In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by
the terminal device, an area identifier request message sent by the
first radio access network device; and sending, by the terminal
device, the second area identifier to the first radio access
network device in response to the area identifier request
message.
In a possible design, before the sending, by the terminal device, a
first message to a first radio access network device, the method
further includes: truncating, by the terminal device, the context
identifier according to an instruction of the first radio access
network device, where the first message includes a part of the
context identifier obtained after the truncation.
In a possible design, after the sending, by the terminal device, a
first message to a first radio access network device, the method
further includes: receiving, by the terminal device, an
additional-information request message from the first radio access
network device, where additional information includes at least one
of the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device, the PLMN information corresponding to the second
radio access network device, and another remaining part of the
context identifier obtained after the truncation; and sending, by
the terminal device, the additional information to the first radio
access network device in response to the additional-information
request message.
In a possible design, the additional-information request message
further includes preamble allocation information, where the
preamble allocation information is used to indicate a preamble
allocated to the terminal device. The method further includes:
sending, by the terminal device, the preamble to the first radio
access network device; receiving, by the terminal device,
transmission resource information from the first radio access
network device, where the transmission resource information
indicates a transmission resource allocated by the first radio
access network device to the terminal device; and sending, by the
terminal device, the additional information to the first radio
access network device by using the transmission resource.
In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, by the
terminal device, verification information of the terminal device to
the first radio access network device.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a communication method in a wireless network.
The method includes: receiving, by a first core network device, a
second message from a first radio access network device, where the
second message includes a context identifier of a terminal device,
and the context identifier includes an identifier of a second radio
access network device and an identifier of the terminal device that
is allocated by the second radio access network device; sending, by
the first core network device, a third message to a second core
network device or the second radio access network device, where the
third message includes the context identifier; receiving, by the
first core network device, context information of the terminal
device from the second core network device or the second radio
access network device, where the context information is associated
with the identifier of the terminal device; and sending, by the
first core network device, the context information to the first
radio access network device. According to the communication method
provided in this embodiment, a message between the first radio
access network device and the second radio access network device
can be forwarded by using a core network device, thereby ensuring
timely and effective communication.
In a possible design, the context identifier further includes PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or an area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device.
In a possible design, the second message and the third message
further include the PLMN information corresponding to the second
radio access network device and/or the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device.
In a possible design, the second message and the third message
further include verification information of the terminal device and
information about a serving cell in which the first radio access
network device serves the terminal device.
In a possible design, the second message further includes an
identifier of the first radio access network device.
In a possible design, the third message further includes at least
one of the identifier of the first radio access network device,
PLMN information corresponding to the first radio access network
device, and an area identifier corresponding to the first radio
access network device.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a communication method in a wireless network.
The method includes: receiving, by a second core network device
from a first radio access network device or a first core network
device, a fourth message that includes a context identifier of a
terminal device, where the context identifier includes an
identifier of a second radio access network device and an
identifier of the terminal device that is allocated by the second
radio access network device; sending, by the second core network
device to the second radio access network device, a message that
includes the context identifier; receiving, by the second core
network device, context information of the terminal device from the
second radio access network device, where the context information
of the terminal device is associated with the identifier of the
terminal device; and sending, by the second core network device,
the context information to the first radio access network device or
the first core network device. According to the communication
method provided in this embodiment, a message between the first
radio access network device and the second radio access network
device can be forwarded by using a core network device, thereby
ensuring timely and effective communication.
In a possible design, the context identifier further includes PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or an area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device.
In a possible design, the fourth message and the message that
includes the context identifier further include the PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device.
In a possible design, the fourth message further includes an
identifier of the first radio access network device.
In a possible design, the fourth message further includes
verification information and information about a serving cell in
which the first radio access network device serves the terminal
device.
In a possible design, the message that includes the context
identifier further includes at least one of the identifier of the
first radio access network device, PLMN information corresponding
to the first radio access network device, and an area identifier
corresponding to the first radio access network device, where the
first radio access network device is an access network device that
serves the terminal device.
In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, by the
second core network device to the second radio access network
device, the verification information of the terminal device and the
information about the serving cell in which the first radio access
network device serves the terminal device.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a radio access network device, and the radio
access network device has a function of implementing an action of
the first radio access network device in the foregoing methods. The
radio access network device includes a receiver, a processor, and a
transmitter. The receiver is configured to receive, from a terminal
device, a first message that includes a context identifier. The
processor is configured to decode the first message that includes
the context identifier, where the context identifier includes an
identifier of a second radio access network device and an
identifier of the terminal device that is allocated by the second
radio access network device. The transmitter is configured to send
a second message to a core network device, where the second message
includes the context identifier. The receiver is further configured
to receive context information of the terminal device from the core
network device, where the context information of the terminal
device is associated with the identifier of the terminal
device.
In a possible design, the transmitter is further configured to send
an area identifier request message to the terminal device. The
receiver is further configured to receive, from the terminal
device, an area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device. The second message further includes the area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device.
In a possible design, the processor is further configured to
determine, based on the context identifier, whether additional
information needs to be obtained, where the additional information
includes PLMN information corresponding to the second radio access
network device and/or the area identifier corresponding to the
second radio access network device. If the processor determines
that the additional information needs to be obtained, the
transmitter is further configured to send an additional-information
request message to the terminal device. The receiver is further
configured to receive the additional information from the terminal
device. The second message further includes the additional
information.
In a possible design, the additional-information request message
further includes preamble allocation information, where the
preamble allocation information is used to indicate a preamble
allocated to the terminal device. The receiver is further
configured to receive the preamble from the terminal device. The
processor is further configured to allocate a transmission resource
to the terminal device. The transmitter is further configured to
send the allocated transmission resource to the terminal device.
The receiver receives, from the terminal device, the additional
information sent by using the transmission resource.
In a possible design, the receiver is further configured to receive
verification information from the terminal device. The second
message further includes the verification information and
information about a serving cell in which the radio access network
device serves the terminal device.
In a possible design, the processor is further configured to
determine, based on the identifier of the second radio access
network device, whether an interface exists between the radio
access network device and the second radio access network device.
If the interface does not exist, the transmitter is configured to
send the second message to the core network device.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a radio access network device, and the radio
access network device has a function of implementing an action of
the second radio access network device in the foregoing methods.
The radio access network device includes a processor, a
transmitter, and a receiver. The processor is configured to
allocate an identifier of a terminal device to the terminal device.
The transmitter is configured to send a context identifier to the
terminal device, where the context identifier includes an
identifier of the radio access network device and the identifier of
the terminal device. The receiver is configured to receive, from a
core network device, a message that includes the context
identifier. The processor is further configured to determine
context information of the terminal device in response to the
message that includes the context identifier, where the context
information of the terminal device is associated with the
identifier of the terminal device. The transmitter is further
configured to send the context information of the terminal device
to the core network device.
In a possible design, the receiver is further configured to
receive, from the core network device, verification information of
the terminal device and information about a serving cell in which a
first radio access network device serves the terminal device. The
processor is further configured to verify the terminal device based
on the verification information and the information about the
serving cell.
In a possible design, before the receiver receives, from the core
network device, the message that includes the context identifier,
the transmitter is further configured to send control information
to the terminal device. The control information is used to instruct
the terminal device to enter a light connection mode.
Functions of units in the radio access network devices in the
foregoing aspects may be further implemented by executing
corresponding software by hardware.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a terminal device, and the terminal device
performs the communication method in a wireless network in the
foregoing aspects. The terminal device includes a receiver, a
processor, and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to receive
a context identifier from a second radio access network device. The
processor is configured to decode the context identifier, where the
context identifier includes an identifier of the second radio
access network device and an identifier of the terminal device that
is allocated by the second radio access network device. The
transmitter is configured to send a first message to a first radio
access network device, where the first message includes the context
identifier.
In a possible design, before the transmitter is configured to send
the first message to the first radio access network device, the
receiver is further configured to receive the second area
identifier of the second radio access network device and a first
area identifier of the first radio access network device. The
processor is further configured to determine whether the second
area identifier is the same as the first area identifier.
In a possible design, the receiver is further configured to receive
an area identifier request message sent by the first radio access
network device. The processor is configured to: in response to the
area identifier request message, control the transmitter to send
the second area identifier to the first radio access network
device.
In a possible design, the processor is further configured to
truncate the context identifier according to an instruction of the
first radio access network device, where the first message includes
a part of the context identifier obtained after the truncation.
In a possible design, the receiver is further configured to receive
an additional-information request message from the first radio
access network device, where additional information includes at
least one of the area identifier corresponding to the second radio
access network device, PLMN information corresponding to the second
radio access network device, and another remaining part of the
context identifier obtained after the truncation. The processor is
further configured to: in response to the additional-information
request message, control the transmitter to send the additional
information to the first radio access network device.
In a possible design, the processor is further configured to decode
the additional-information request message, where the
additional-information request message further includes preamble
allocation information, and the preamble allocation information is
used to indicate a preamble allocated to the terminal device. The
transmitter is further configured to send the preamble to the first
radio access network device. The receiver is further configured to
receive transmission resource information from the first radio
access network device, where the transmission resource information
indicates a transmission resource allocated by the first radio
access network device to the terminal device. The transmitter is
further configured to send the additional information to the first
radio access network device by using the transmission resource.
In a possible design, the transmitter is further configured to send
verification information of the terminal device to the first radio
access network device.
Functions of units in the terminal device may be further
implemented by executing corresponding software by hardware.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a core network device, and the core network
device has a function of implementing an action of the first core
network device in the foregoing methods. The core network device
includes a receiver, a processor, and a transmitter. The receiver
is configured to receive a second message from a first radio access
network device. The processor is configured to decode the second
message. The second message includes a context identifier of a
terminal device. The context identifier includes an identifier of a
second radio access network device and an identifier of the
terminal device that is allocated by the second radio access
network device. The transmitter is configured to send a third
message to a second core network device or the second radio access
network device, where the third message includes the context
identifier. The receiver is further configured to receive context
information of the terminal device from the second core network
device or the second radio access network device, where the context
information is associated with the identifier of the terminal
device. The transmitter is further configured to send the context
information to the first radio access network device.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a core network device, and the core network
device has a function of implementing an action of the second core
network device in the foregoing methods. The core network device
includes a receiver, a processor, and a transmitter. The receiver
is configured to receive a fourth message from a first radio access
network device or a first core network device. The processor is
configured to decode the fourth message. The fourth message
includes a context identifier of a terminal device, and the context
identifier includes an identifier of a second radio access network
device and an identifier of the terminal device that is allocated
by the second radio access network device. The transmitter is
configured to send, to the second radio access network device, a
message that includes the context identifier. The receiver is
further configured to receive context information of the terminal
device from the second radio access network device, where the
context information of the terminal device is associated with the
identifier of the terminal device. The transmitter is further
configured to send the context information to the first radio
access network device or the first core network device.
In a possible design, the transmitter is further configured to
send, to the second radio access network device, verification
information of the terminal device and information about a serving
cell in which the first radio access network device serves the
terminal device.
Functions of units in the core network devices in the foregoing
aspects may be further implemented by executing corresponding
software by hardware.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a communications system, and the communications
system includes the radio access network device, the terminal
device, and the core network device described in the foregoing
aspects.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a computer storage medium, configured to store
a computer software instruction used by the foregoing radio access
network device, and the computer software instruction includes a
program designed for performing the foregoing aspects.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a computer storage medium, configured to store
a computer software instruction used by the foregoing terminal
device, and the computer software instruction includes a program
designed for performing the foregoing aspects.
According to yet another aspect, an embodiment of the present
disclosure provides a computer storage medium, configured to store
a computer software instruction used by the foregoing core network
device, and the computer software instruction includes a program
designed for performing the foregoing aspects.
According to the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of
the present disclosure, the first radio access network device and
the second radio access network device communicate with each other
by using a core network device, to ensure that communication can
still be performed in a timely and effective manner when no
available interface exists between the first radio access network
device and the second radio access network device, thereby
improving working efficiency of a system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the
present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly introduces
the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments.
Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description
show merely some embodiments of the present disclosure, and a
person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other
accompanying drawings from these accompanying drawings in a proper
range.
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a possible communications network
scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of another possible communications
network scenario according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication method according
to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a possible schematic structural diagram of a radio access
network device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 5 is another possible schematic structural diagram of a radio
access network device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 6 is another possible schematic structural diagram of a radio
access network device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 7 is another possible schematic structural diagram of a radio
access network device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a possible schematic structural diagram of a terminal
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 is another possible schematic structural diagram of a
terminal device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a possible schematic structural diagram of a core
network device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 11 is another possible schematic structural diagram of a core
network device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 12 is another possible schematic structural diagram of a core
network device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
FIG. 13 is another possible schematic structural diagram of a core
network device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present
disclosure are clearly described in the following with reference to
the accompanying drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments
are merely some but not all of the embodiments of the present
disclosure. It may be understood that, without any ambiguity or
contradiction, another embodiment obtained by a person of ordinary
skill in the art by combining technical features in the embodiments
or among the embodiments also falls within the protection scope of
the present disclosure.
The solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure
are based on a communications system 100 shown in FIG. 1A or FIG.
1B. The communications system 100 includes at least one core
network device, at least two radio access network (RAN) devices,
and at least one terminal device. Each radio access network device
covers at least one cell. The at least two radio access network
devices include one anchor radio access network device and at least
one serving radio access network device. Each of the radio access
network devices is connected to the core network device by using a
communications interface. The communications interface may be an Si
interface. The core network device may be a device that has a
mobility management function.
The anchor radio access network device may instruct the terminal
device to enter a light connection mode, and allocate a context
identifier to the terminal device. The light connection mode may be
a sub-state of a radio resource control (RRC) connected mode, or
may be an enhanced state of an idle mode, or may be an independent
state. The light connection mode may also be referred to as an
inactive state, a deactivated state, a low active state, a low
overhead state, or the like. A form and a name of the light
connection mode are not specifically limited in the embodiments of
the present disclosure. The terminal device that is in a light
connection mode stores context information, and has mobility for
performing cell reselection.
Both the anchor radio access network device and the terminal device
that enters a light connection mode store context information of
the terminal device. The context information may include a
configuration parameter of a connection between the anchor radio
access network device and the terminal device.
If the terminal device that enters a light connection mode does not
change a camped cell, when the terminal device has a data
transmission requirement, the terminal device may restore an RRC
connection to the anchor radio access network device by using the
stored context information, thereby avoiding signaling overloads in
an RRC connection re-establishment process.
If the terminal device that enters a light connection mode changes
a camped cell, the anchor radio access network device does not need
to give a handover instruction, and the terminal device determines,
based on a cell reselection criterion, a cell to be camped on. For
example, when finding a cell with better signal quality or higher
signal strength, the terminal device may select to camp on the
cell. In the cell to be camped on, the terminal device is served by
a serving radio access network device. When the terminal device has
a data transmission requirement, the terminal device may establish
an RRC connection to the serving radio access network device, to
obtain a data transmission service provided by the serving radio
access network device.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the communications
system 100 includes a radio access network device 10, a radio
access network device 20, and a terminal device 30. The radio
access network device 10 is an anchor radio access network device,
and the radio access network device 20 is a serving radio access
network device. The radio access network device 10 controls a cell
A. The radio access network device 20 controls a cell B. It may be
understood that the radio access network device 10 and the radio
access network device 20 may control more cells other than the cell
A and the cell B. The terminal device 30 enters a light connection
mode under an instruction of the radio access network device 10.
Afterwards, the terminal device 30 moves to the cell B. In the cell
B, the radio access network device 20 provides a data transmission
service for the terminal device.
In the solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure,
there is a communications interface between the radio access
network device 10 and a core network device, and there is a
communications interface between the radio access network device 20
and the same core network device. For example, the communications
interface is an S1 interface. Therefore, both the radio access
network device 10 and the radio access network device 20 may be
controlled by the same core network device. For example, in the
communications system 100 shown in FIG. 1A, there is a
communications interface between the radio access network device 10
and a core network device 1, and there is a communications
interface between the radio access network device 20 and the core
network device 1. Therefore, both the radio access network device
10 and the radio access network device 20 may be controlled by the
core network device 1.
In the solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure,
there may be a communications interface between the radio access
network device 10 and one core network device, and there may be a
communications interface between the radio access network device 20
and another core network device. Therefore, the radio access
network device 10 and the radio access network device 20 are
controlled separately by different core network devices. For
example, in the communications system 100 shown in FIG. 1B, there
is a communications interface between the radio access network
device 10 and a core network device 1, and there is a
communications interface between the radio access network device 20
and a core network device 2.
Generally, each core network device is responsible for managing at
least one mobility management area. For example, the mobility
management area may be a tracking area (TA), and each core network
device is corresponding to at least one tracking area. Each TA may
be corresponding to a tracking area code (TAC), and the TAC may be
used to identify the corresponding TA. Certainly, the area may
alternatively be a routing area (RA) corresponding to a routing
area code (RAC), or a location area (LA) corresponding to a
location area code (LAC). The core network device 1 may communicate
with the core network device 2.
In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the communications
system 100 may be a global system for mobile communications (GSM),
a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code
division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio
service (GPRS), a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE
frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex
(TDD) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS),
and another wireless communications system in which an orthogonal
frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology is used. A system
architecture and a service scenario that are described in the
embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to describe the
technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure
more clearly, and constitute no limitation on the technical
solutions provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. A
person of ordinary skill in the art may know that as network
architectures evolve and a new service scenario emerges, the
technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present
disclosure are also applicable to a similar technical problem.
In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio access
network device (for example, the radio access network devices 10
and 20) may be configured to provide a wireless communication
function for the terminal device. The radio access network device
may include a macro base station, a micro base station (also
referred to as a small cell), a relay station, an access point, and
the like that are in various forms. The radio access network device
may be a base transceiver station (BTS) in GSM or CDMA, a NodeB
(NB) in WCDMA, an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a
corresponding next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G network. For ease
of description, in all the embodiments of the present disclosure,
the foregoing apparatuses that provide a wireless communication
function for the terminal device are collectively referred to as
radio access network devices.
In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device
(for example, the terminal device 30) may also be referred to as
user equipment (user equipment, UE), a mobile station (MS), a
mobile terminal, or the like, and the terminal device may
communicate with one or more core networks by using a radio access
network (RAN). For example, the terminal device may be a mobile
phone (or referred to as a "cellular phone"), a computer with a
mobile terminal, or the like. For example, the terminal device may
alternatively be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer
built-in, or in-vehicle mobile apparatus, which exchanges voice
and/or data with the radio access network. This is not specifically
limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.
In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the core network
device controls one or more radio access network devices, and may
perform centralized management on resources in a system, or may
configure a resource for the terminal device. For example, the
radio access network device may be a NodeB and a radio network
controller (RNC) in the UMTS, and the core network device may be a
serving GPRS support node (SGSN) and a gateway GPRS support node
(GGSN). For another example, the radio access network device may be
an eNB in the LTE system, and the core network device may be a
mobility management entity (MME). For another example, the core
network device may be a wireless network inter-RAT coordinating
controller, or the like. This is not specifically limited in the
embodiments of the present disclosure.
It should be noted that a quantity of network elements included in
the communications system 100 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B is
merely an example, and the embodiments of the present disclosure
are not limited thereto. In addition, although the core network
devices 1 and 2, the radio access network devices 10 and 20, and
the terminal device 30 are shown in the communications system 100
shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B, network elements included the
communications system 100 may not be limited to the foregoing
network elements. For example, the communications system 100 may
further include a device configured to carry a virtualized network
function. Details are not described herein.
When the terminal device needs to establish an RRC connection to
the serving radio access network device, the serving radio access
network device may obtain the context information of the terminal
device from the anchor radio access network device. Therefore, the
serving radio access network device needs to communicate with the
anchor radio access network device, to complete transfer of the
context information.
Generally, an interface is configured between radio access network
devices. Communication is implemented between the anchor radio
access network device and the serving radio access network device
by using a configured interface. However, due to reasons such as
area division or low power, no communications interface may be
configured between radio access network devices, or an interface
between radio access network devices may be unavailable. In this
case, communication cannot be implemented between the anchor radio
access network device and the serving radio access network device.
Consequently, the terminal device cannot obtain a data transmission
service in a timely manner after a cell reselection, and working
efficiency is reduced.
Based on the foregoing technical problem, according to a
communication method in a wireless network provided in the
embodiments of the present disclosure, when communication cannot be
directly performed between the anchor radio access network device
and the serving radio access network device by using an interface,
message processing is performed according to the method in the
embodiments of the present disclosure by using the core network
device, to ensure timely and effective information obtaining and
data transmission, thereby improving working efficiency. Certainly,
based on the communication method in a wireless network provided in
the embodiments of the present disclosure, regardless of whether a
communications interface exists between the anchor radio access
network device and the serving radio access network device, the
method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be
used, to implement process uniformity in different cases.
For ease of description and to avoid unnecessary restrictions, the
serving radio access network device is referred to as a first radio
access network device, and the anchor radio access network device
is referred to as a second radio access network device below.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication method in a
wireless network according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the first
radio access network device and the second radio access network
device are controlled by a same core network device. The method
provided in this embodiment is described in detail below from a
perspective of interaction with reference to FIG. 2.
S201. The second radio access network device sends a context
identifier to a terminal device.
The context identifier includes an identifier of the second radio
access network device and an identifier of the terminal device that
is allocated by the second radio access network device. The context
identifier may be used to identify the terminal device, or may be
used to identify context information of the terminal device.
The context identifier may be an independent identifier that
includes continuous character strings. The context identifier may
be used to uniquely identify the terminal device within a local
range, for example, uniquely identify the terminal device within a
tracking area or a public land mobile network (PLMN). The context
identifier may also be used to uniquely identify the terminal
device globally.
The context identifier may include continuous character strings
that include the identifier of the second radio access network
device and the identifier of the terminal device. The context
identifier may alternatively include discontinuous character
strings that include the identifier of the second radio access
network device and the identifier of the terminal device. The
identifier of the second radio access network device that is
included in the context identifier may include an identifier of an
area and an identifier of the second radio access network device in
the area. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of
the present disclosure.
Optionally, the context identifier further includes PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or an area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device. The area identifier may be a tracking area code
(TAC), a routing area code (RAC), or a location area code (LAC).
The PLMN information corresponding to the second radio access
network device and/or the area identifier corresponding to the
second radio access network device are/is used to determine
globally a core network device corresponding to the second radio
access network device.
Optionally, the second radio access network device sends control
information to the terminal device, to instruct the terminal device
to enter a light connection mode. The second radio access network
device and the terminal device each store the context information
of the terminal device. The context information of the terminal
device is associated with the identifier of the terminal
device.
The context information may include a configuration parameter of a
connection between the second radio access network device and the
terminal device. Specifically, the configuration parameter of a
connection may include a radio bearer configuration of the terminal
device, and the radio bearer configuration includes a signaling
radio bearer configuration and/or a data radio bearer
configuration. The context information may further include key
information, and the key information is used during encrypted
transmission or during generation of verification information of
the terminal device.
S202. The terminal device receives the context identifier from the
second radio access network device, and sends, to a first radio
access network device, a first message that includes the context
identifier.
Specifically, the terminal device camps, based on cell reselection,
on a cell in which the first radio access network device provides a
service. The terminal device may send, to the first radio access
network device, the first message that includes the context
identifier for the following reason: The terminal device needs to
report, to the second radio access network device, information
about the cell in which the terminal device is currently located;
or the terminal device needs the first radio access network device
to provide a data transmission service.
Optionally, when sending the context identifier to the first radio
access network device by using the first message, the terminal
device truncates the context identifier according to an instruction
of the first radio access network device, and sends only a part of
the context identifier obtained after the truncation. This is
because when the complete context identifier is sent, the first
message may be excessively large, and consequently the terminal
device cannot successfully send the first message when signal
quality is relatively poor. Therefore, to ensure that the first
message can be successfully sent, the first radio access network
device may instruct the terminal device to send only the part of
the context identifier obtained after the truncation. For example,
the context identifier is 40 bits, and the first radio access
network device may instruct the terminal device to send only 24
bits.
The first message may further include the PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device and/or the
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device. The PLMN information corresponding to the second radio
access network device and/or the area identifier corresponding to
the second radio access network device may be carried in the first
message in a manner of being included in the context identifier, or
may be carried in the first message in a manner of being
independent of the context identifier.
Optionally, the terminal device obtains a PLMN corresponding to the
second radio access network device. After moving to the cell in
which the first radio access network device provides a service, the
terminal device determines, based on a PLMN broadcast in the cell,
the PLMN information of the second radio access network device. For
example, the PLMN corresponding to the second radio access network
device is 103, PLMNs broadcast in the cell in which the first radio
access network device provides a service include 101, 102, 103, and
104, and four pieces of PLMN information respectively corresponding
to the four PLMNs are 0, 1, 2, and 3. In this case, the PLMN
information added to the first message by the terminal device is 2.
Therefore, the first radio access network device determines that
the PLMN corresponding to the second radio access network device is
103. In this way, the first message can be simplified, and a
success rate of sending the first message is ensured.
Optionally, the first message further includes area identifier
indication information. The area identifier indication information
is used to indicate whether an area identifier corresponding to the
first radio access network device is the same as the area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network device.
In this embodiment, the area identifier indication information
indicates that the area identifier corresponding to the first radio
access network device is the same as the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device. For
example, the area identifier corresponding to the second radio
access network device is 1235, and the area identifier
corresponding to the first radio access network device is also
1235. In this case, the terminal device sets a value of the area
identifier indication information to "same", and sends the area
identifier indication information to the first radio access network
device. The first radio access network device determines, based on
the area identifier indication information, that the area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network device
is 1235.
Optionally, the terminal device further sends the verification
information to the first radio access network device. The terminal
device may send the verification information together with the
first message, where the verification information is used as an
independent message. Alternatively, the terminal device may add the
verification information to the first message for sending. The
verification information is used by the second radio access network
device to verify the terminal device.
S203. The first radio access network device receives the first
message sent by the terminal device, and sends a second message to
a core network device, where the second message includes the
context identifier.
After receiving the first message, the first radio access network
device decodes the first message, to obtain information carried in
the first message.
Optionally, the first radio access network device determines, based
on the context identifier included in the first message, whether to
request the terminal device to send additional information. The
additional information includes at least one of the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device, the PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network
device, and another remaining part of the context identifier
obtained after the truncation. For example, the first radio access
network device determines whether the area identifier and/or the
PLMN information corresponding to the second radio access network
device are/is stored. If the first radio access network device
determines that the area identifier and/or the PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device are/is not
stored, the first radio access network device determines that the
area identifier and/or the PLMN information corresponding to the
second radio access network device need/needs to be obtained. For
another example, the first radio access network device determines,
based on the identifier of the second radio access network device,
whether an interface exists between the first radio access network
device and the second radio access network device. If the interface
does not exist, the first radio access network device determines
that the area identifier and/or the PLMN information corresponding
to the second radio access network device need/needs to be
obtained. In another optional manner, when the first message
further includes the area identifier indication information, the
first radio access network device determines that the additional
information needs to be obtained.
If the first radio access network device determines that the
additional information needs to be obtained, the following optional
steps are performed.
S2021. The first radio access network device sends an
additional-information request message to the terminal device.
Specifically, the additional-information request message is sent to
the terminal device through a common control channel. The
additional-information request message may include preamble
allocation information of the terminal device. The preamble
allocation information indicates a preamble allocated by the first
radio access network device to the terminal device. Therefore, the
terminal device may send the additional information based on the
preamble allocation information.
The additional-information request message may further include
indication information. The indication information includes at
least one of PLMN request information, area identifier request
information, and request information of the another remaining part
of the context identifier obtained after the truncation. The
terminal device determines, based on the indication information,
information that needs to be sent.
S2022. The terminal device receives the additional-information
request message, and sends the additional information to the first
radio access network device based on the additional-information
request message.
Specifically, the terminal device sends the preamble to the first
radio access network device based on the preamble allocation
information. Based on the preamble, the first radio access network
device allocates a transmission resource to the terminal device,
and sends transmission resource information. The terminal device
sends the additional information by using the transmission
resource. The additional information may be included in a message
for sending. The message that includes the additional information
is sent to the first radio access network device through the common
control channel.
Optionally, the first radio access network device combines, into
the complete context identifier, the part of the context identifier
that is obtained after the truncation and that is included in the
first message, and the another remaining part of the context
identifier that is obtained after the truncation and that is
obtained by using the additional information. The first radio
access network device adds the complete context identifier to the
second message.
The second message may further include the PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device and/or the
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device. The PLMN information corresponding to the second radio
access network device and/or the area identifier corresponding to
the second radio access network device may be included in the
context identifier, or may be included in the first message and
carried in the second message in a manner of being independent of
the context identifier. The PLMN information corresponding to the
second radio access network device and/or the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device may
alternatively be obtained by the first radio access network device
by using the additional information, and carried in the second
message.
The area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device that is included in the second message may
alternatively be determined by the first radio access network
device based on the indication information in the first message,
and carried in the second message.
Optionally, the first radio access network device stores the PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device. The first radio access network device adds, to the
second message, the stored PLMN information corresponding to the
second radio access network device and/or the stored area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device.
Optionally, the second message further includes the verification
information and information about a serving cell in which the first
radio access network device serves the terminal device. The
information about the serving cell may include at least one of a
physical cell identifier (PCI) of the serving cell, a frequency
band of the serving cell, and a E-UTRAN cell global identifier
(ECGI) of the serving cell. The information about the serving cell
and the verification information are used by the second radio
access network device to verify the terminal device.
Optionally, the second message further includes an identifier of
the first radio access network device. Therefore, the core network
device can determine a sender of the second message. After
receiving a return message, the core network device can accurately
send back the return message to the first radio access network
device.
The second message further includes the identifier of the second
radio access network device. The second message may include a
content part and a routing information part. The identifier of the
second radio access network device may be included in the routing
information part of the second message. Therefore, the core network
device may know a receiver of the second message without reading
the context identifier included in the second message.
An advantage of the foregoing actions is that the sender and/or the
receiver of the second message are/is directly marked, so that a
probability of a message forwarding failure is reduced.
It can be understood that the second message may alternatively not
include the identifier of the first radio access network device and
the identifier of the second radio access network device, and the
core network device determines the sender and the receiver. In this
way, when accuracy is ensured, message content can be simplified,
transmission efficiency can be improved, and network resources can
be saved.
Optionally, the first radio access network device determines, based
on the identifier of the second radio access network device,
whether an interface exists between the first radio access network
device and the second radio access network device. For example, the
first radio access network device may determine, based on an
internally stored radio access network device list, whether an
interface exists. Alternatively, the first radio access network
device determines availability of the interface between the first
radio access network device and the second radio access network
device based on an internally stored configuration parameter. When
the interface does not exist between the first radio access network
device and the second radio access network device, the first radio
access network device sends the second message to the core network
device.
S204. The core network device receives the second message, and
sends, to the second radio access network device, a third message
that includes the context identifier.
Optionally, the third message further includes the PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device and/or the
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device. The PLMN information corresponding to the second radio
access network device and/or the area identifier corresponding to
the second radio access network device may be included in the
context identifier, or may be included in the second message and
carried in the third message in a manner of being independent of
the context identifier.
Optionally, the third message further includes at least one of the
identifier of the first radio access network device, PLMN
information corresponding to the first radio access network device,
and the area identifier corresponding to the first radio access
network device. The foregoing information is used by the core
network device to determine the first radio access network device
when sending a return message.
Optionally, the method may further include step S2041, to be
specific, the core network device sends, to the second radio access
network device, the verification information of the terminal device
and the information about the serving cell in which the first radio
access network device serves the terminal device. The foregoing
information may be included in the third message for sending, or
may be sent in a manner of being independent of the third
message.
S205. The second radio access network device sends context
information of the terminal device to the core network device based
on the third message that includes the context identifier.
The context information of the terminal device is associated with
the identifier of the terminal device.
The context information may further include an acknowledgement
message, and the acknowledgement message is used to feed back, to
the first radio access network device, information that the second
radio access network device has learned of a current location of
the terminal device.
The context information may further include a connection
configuration parameter used for establishing an RRC connection
between the terminal device and the first radio access network
device.
Optionally, the second radio access network device further receives
the verification information and the information about the serving
cell in which the first radio access network device serves the
terminal device, and verifies the terminal device based on the
verification information and the information about the serving
cell, where the verification information and the information about
the serving cell are sent by the core network device.
S206. The core network device sends the context information to the
first radio access network device.
Optionally, the first radio access network device determines, based
on the context information, that the second radio access network
device has learned of the current location of the terminal
device.
Optionally, the first radio access network device establishes the
RRC connection to the terminal device by using the context
information, and provides a data transmission service for the
terminal device.
It should be noted that steps S205 and S206 are optional steps.
In this embodiment of the present disclosure, when no available
interface exists between the first radio access network device and
the second radio access network device, communication between the
radio access network devices can still be implemented by using the
core network device as a message transfer medium, thereby improving
working efficiency of a system.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication method in a
wireless network according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first
radio access network device and the second radio access network
device are respectively controlled by different core network
devices. In this embodiment, the first radio access network device
is controlled by a first core network device, and the second radio
access network device is controlled by a second core network
device. The method provided in this embodiment is described in
detail below from a perspective of interaction with reference to
FIG. 3.
S301. The second radio access network device sends a context
identifier to a terminal device.
S302. The terminal device receives the context identifier from the
second radio access network device, and sends, to a first radio
access network device, a first message that includes the context
identifier.
Optionally, the first message includes indication information. The
indication information is used to indicate whether an area
identifier corresponding to the first radio access network device
is the same as an area identifier corresponding to the second radio
access network device. In this embodiment, the indication
information indicates that the area identifier corresponding to the
first radio access network device is different from the area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network device.
For example, the area identifier corresponding to the second radio
access network device is 1236, and the area identifier
corresponding to the first radio access network device is 1235. In
this case, the terminal device sets a value of the indication
information to "different", and sends the indication information to
the first radio access network device.
S303. The first radio access network device receives the first
message sent by the terminal device, and sends a second message to
the first core network device, where the second message includes
the context identifier.
After receiving the first message, the first radio access network
device decodes the first message, to obtain information carried in
the first message.
Optionally, the first radio access network device determines, based
on the indication information included in the first message, that
the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device is different from the area identifier corresponding
to the first radio access network device. In this case, the first
radio access network device needs to learn of the complete area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network device.
Therefore, the first radio access network device performs the
following steps.
S3021. The first radio access network device sends an area
identifier request message to the terminal device.
S3022. The terminal device receives the area identifier request
message, and sends, to the first radio access network device, an
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device.
Therefore, the first radio access network device obtains, by using
the foregoing process, the area identifier corresponding to the
second radio access network device, and adds the area identifier to
the second message.
S304. The first core network device receives the second message,
and sends, to a second core network device, a fourth message that
includes the context identifier.
Optionally, the fourth message further includes PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device and/or the
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device. The PLMN information corresponding to the second radio
access network device and/or the area identifier corresponding to
the second radio access network device are/is included in the
context identifier, or are/is included in the second message and
carried in the fourth message in a manner of being independent of
the context identifier.
The fourth message may further include an identifier of the first
radio access network device. Therefore, after receiving a return
message, the first core network device and the second core network
device can accurately send back the return message to the first
radio access network device.
Optionally, the fourth message further includes verification
information and information about a serving cell in which the first
radio access network device serves the terminal device.
S305. The second core network device receives the fourth message,
and sends, to the second radio access network device, a message
that includes the context identifier.
S306. The second radio access network device sends context
information of the terminal device to the second core network
device based on the message that includes the context
identifier.
S307. The second core network device sends the context information
to the first core network device.
S308. The first core network device sends the context information
to the first radio access network device.
It should be noted that for related content that is not described
in detail in steps S301 to S308, refer to a corresponding part in
steps S201 to S206 in the method shown in FIG. 2. Details are not
described herein again. Steps S306 to S308 are optional steps.
In this embodiment of the present disclosure, when no available
interface exists between the first radio access network device and
the second radio access network device, communication between the
radio access network devices can still be implemented by using
respective core network devices as message transfer media, thereby
improving working efficiency of a system.
The foregoing mainly describes the solutions provided in the
embodiments of the present disclosure from a perspective of
interaction between devices. It can be understood that, to
implement the foregoing functions, each device such as the terminal
device, the access network device, and the core network device
includes corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules
for executing functions. A person skilled in the art should be
readily aware that, in combination with the examples described in
the embodiments disclosed in this specification, units and
algorithms steps can be implemented by hardware or a combination of
hardware and computer software in the present disclosure. Whether a
function is performed by hardware or computer software driving
hardware depends on particular applications and design constraints
of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may use
different methods to implement the described functions for each
particular application, but it should not be considered that the
implementation goes beyond the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a possible schematic structural diagram of the radio
access network device in the foregoing embodiments. It should be
noted that the radio access network device can perform the methods
in the foregoing embodiments. Therefore, for specific details of
the radio access network device, refer to the descriptions in the
foregoing embodiments. For brevity, same content is not described
again below. The radio access network device may be the radio
access network device 10 shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B. The radio
access network device is a first radio access network device that
serves a terminal device. The radio access network device includes
a receiving unit 401, a processing unit 402, and a sending unit
403.
The receiving unit 401 is configured to receive, from a terminal
device, a first message that includes a context identifier.
The processing unit 402 is configured to decode the first message
that includes the context identifier. The context identifier
includes an identifier of a second radio access network device and
an identifier of the terminal device that is allocated by the
second radio access network device.
The sending unit 403 is configured to send a second message to a
core network device. The second message includes the context
identifier.
The receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive context
information of the terminal device from the core network device.
The context information of the terminal device is associated with
the identifier of the terminal device.
The terminal device is configured to: truncate the context
identifier based on an instruction of the radio access network
device, and send only a part that is of the context identifier and
that is obtained after the truncation.
Optionally, the processing unit 402 is further configured to decode
the context identifier, to obtain PLMN information corresponding to
the second radio access network device and/or an area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device that are/is
included in the context identifier. The area identifier may be a
TAC, an RAC, or an LAC.
The processing unit 402 may be further configured to decode the
first message, to obtain the PLMN information corresponding to the
second radio access network device and/or the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device that are/is
included in the first message. Same as that described in step S202
shown in FIG. 2, the PLMN information corresponding to the second
radio access network device and/or the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device may be
carried in the first message in a manner of being included in the
context identifier, or may be carried in the first message in a
manner of being independent of the context identifier.
Optionally, the processing unit 402 is further configured to
obtain, by decoding the first message, the PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device.
Specifically, the processing unit 402 may obtain, by using the
method described in step S202 shown in FIG. 2, a PLMN corresponding
to the second radio access network device. Details are not
described herein again.
Optionally, the processing unit 402 is further configured to obtain
indication information by decoding the first message. The
indication information indicates whether an area identifier
corresponding to the first radio access network device is the same
as the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device. If the indication information indicates that the
area identifier corresponding to the first radio access network
device is the same as the area identifier corresponding to the
second radio access network device, the processing unit 402
determines that the area identifier corresponding to the second
radio access network device is an area identifier corresponding to
a current radio access network device. If the indication
information indicates that the area identifier corresponding to the
first radio access network device is different from the area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network device,
the processing unit 402 may control execution of the following
operations by using the method described in step S303 shown in FIG.
3, to obtain the complete area identifier corresponding to the
second radio access network device: The sending unit 403 is further
configured to send an area identifier request message to the
terminal device, and the receiving unit 401 is further configured
to receive, from the terminal device, the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device.
Optionally, the processing unit 402 is further configured to
determine, based on the context identifier, whether the radio
access network device needs to request the terminal device to send
additional information. The additional information includes at
least one of the area identifier corresponding to the second radio
access network device, the PLMN information corresponding to the
second radio access network device, and another remaining part of
the context identifier obtained after the truncation. For example,
the processing unit 402 may determine, by determining whether the
area identifier and/or the PLMN information corresponding to the
second radio access network device are/is stored, whether the
additional information needs to be obtained.
If the processing unit 402 determines that the additional
information needs to be obtained, the processing unit 402 may
control execution of the following operations by using the method
described in step S203 shown in FIG. 2.
The sending unit 403 is further configured to send an
additional-information request message to the terminal device. The
sending unit 403 may send the additional-information request
message through a common control channel. The processing unit 402
may further add preamble allocation information of the terminal
device to the additional-information request message. The preamble
allocation information indicates a preamble allocated by the
processing unit 402 to the terminal device. The processing unit 402
may further add indication information to the
additional-information request message. The indication information
includes at least one of PLMN request information, area identifier
request information, and request information of the another
remaining part of the context identifier obtained after the
truncation.
The receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive, from the
terminal device, a message that includes the additional
information. Optionally, the receiving unit 401 is further
configured to receive the preamble sent by the terminal device. The
processing unit 402 is further configured to: allocate a
transmission resource to the terminal device based on the preamble,
and control the sending unit 403 to send information about the
transmission resource to the terminal device. The receiving unit
401 is further configured to receive the additional information
from the terminal device.
The processing unit 402 is further configured to: combine, into the
complete context identifier, the part of the context identifier
that is obtained after the truncation and that is included in the
first message, and the another remaining part of the context
identifier that is obtained after the truncation and that is
obtained by using the additional information, and add the complete
context identifier to the second message.
The processing unit 402 may be further configured to add, to the
second message, the PLMN information corresponding to the second
radio access network device and/or the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device, and the
sending unit 403 sends the second message to the core network
device.
Optionally, the processing unit 402 is further configured to add,
to the second message, the stored PLMN information corresponding to
the second radio access network device and/or the stored area
identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device.
Optionally, the processing unit 402 is further configured to add an
identifier of the radio access network device to the second
message.
Optionally, the processing unit 402 is further configured to add
the identifier of the second radio access network device to a
routing information part of the second message.
The receiving unit 401 is further configured to receive
verification information from the terminal device, and the
processing unit 402 is further configured to add, to the second
message, the verification information and information about a
serving cell in which the radio access network device serves the
terminal device. The information about the serving cell includes at
least one of a physical cell identifier of the serving cell, a
frequency band of the serving cell, and a cell global identifier of
the serving cell.
Optionally, the processing unit 402 is further configured to
determine, based on the identifier of the second radio access
network device, whether an interface exists between the radio
access network device and the second radio access network device.
If the interface does not exist, the processing unit 402 controls
the sending unit 403 to send the second message to the core network
device.
The processing unit 402 may be further configured to decode the
context information of the terminal device that is received from
the core network device. The processing unit 402 may obtain an
acknowledgement message from the context information. The
acknowledgement message is used to feed back information that the
second radio access network device has learned of a current
location of the terminal device. Alternatively, the processing unit
402 may obtain, from the context information, a connection
configuration parameter used to establish an RRC connection to the
terminal device, so that the radio access network device can
provide a data transmission service for the terminal device.
Other implementable functions of the foregoing units not described
in detail are the same as related functions in the communication
methods in a wireless network shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Details
are not described herein again. Through collaborative cooperation
between the foregoing units, when no available interface exists
between the radio access network device and the second radio access
network device, timely and effective communication can still be
implemented by using the core network device as a message transfer
medium, thereby improving working efficiency.
Functions of the units in the radio access network device may be
implemented by using hardware, or may be implemented by executing
corresponding software by hardware. For example, the foregoing
units may be hardware that has a function of executing various
modules, or may be another hardware device that can execute a
corresponding computer program to complete the foregoing
functions.
FIG. 5 is a possible schematic structural diagram of the radio
access network device in the foregoing embodiments. The radio
access network device includes a receiver 501, a processor 502, and
a transmitter 503. The processing unit 402 described in FIG. 4 may
be implemented by using the processor 502, the receiving unit 401
and the sending unit 403 may be respectively implemented by using
the receiver 501 and the transmitter 503, and the receiver 501 and
the transmitter 503 may be configured to support the radio access
network device in receiving data from and sending data to the
terminal device and the core network device in the foregoing
embodiments. The radio access network device may further include a
memory 504 that may be configured to store program code and data of
the radio access network device. Components in the radio access
network device are coupled together, and are configured to support
various functions of the radio access network device in the
communication methods in the embodiments described in FIG. 2 and
FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is another possible schematic structural diagram of the
radio access network device in the foregoing embodiments. It should
be noted that the radio access network device can perform the
methods in the foregoing embodiments. Therefore, for specific
details of the radio access network device, refer to the
descriptions in the foregoing embodiments. For brevity, same
content is not described again below. The radio access network
device may be the radio access network device 20 shown in FIG. 1A
or FIG. 1B. The radio access network device may be a radio access
network device that instructs a terminal device to enter a light
connection mode. The radio access network device includes a
processing unit 601, a sending unit 602, and a receiving unit
603.
The processing unit 601 is configured to allocate an identifier of
a terminal device to the terminal device.
The sending unit 602 is configured to send a context identifier to
the terminal device. The context identifier includes an identifier
of the radio access network device and the identifier of the
terminal device.
The receiving unit 603 is configured to receive, from a core
network device, a message that includes the context identifier.
The processing unit 601 is further configured to determine context
information of the terminal device in response to the message that
includes the context identifier. The context information of the
terminal device is associated with the identifier of the terminal
device.
The sending unit 602 is further configured to send the context
information of the terminal device to the core network device.
The processing unit 601 may be configured to combine, by using the
method described in step S201 in FIG. 2, the identifier of the
radio access network device and the identifier of the terminal
device into continuous character strings, to form the context
identifier. The processing unit 601 may be alternatively configured
to combine the identifier of the radio access network device and
the identifier of the terminal device into discontinuous character
strings, to form the context identifier.
Optionally, the processing unit 601 is further configured to add,
to the context identifier by using the method described in step
S201 in FIG. 2, PLMN information corresponding to the radio access
network device and/or an area identifier corresponding to the radio
access network device.
The processing unit 601 may be further configured to decode the
message that includes the context identifier and that is received
by the receiving unit 603 from the core network device. The message
further includes the PLMN information corresponding to the radio
access network device and/or the area identifier corresponding to
the radio access network device.
The processing unit 601 may be further configured to decode the
message that includes the context identifier and that is received
by the receiving unit 603 from the core network device. The message
further includes at least one of an identifier of a first radio
access network device, PLMN information corresponding to the first
radio access network device, and an area identifier corresponding
to the first radio access network device. The first radio access
network device is a radio access network device that serves the
terminal device.
The receiving unit 603 may be further configured to receive, from
the core network device, verification information of the terminal
device and information about a serving cell in which the first
radio access network device serves the terminal device. The
information about the serving cell includes at least one of a
physical cell identifier of the serving cell, a frequency band of
the serving cell, and a cell global identifier of the serving
cell.
The processing unit 601 may be further configured to verify the
terminal device based on the verification information and the
information about the serving cell that are received by the
receiving unit 603.
Optionally, before the receiving unit 603 receives, from the core
network device, the message that includes the context identifier,
the sending unit 602 is further configured to send control
information to the terminal device. The control information is used
to instruct the terminal device to enter a light connection
mode.
Functions of the units in the radio access network device may be
implemented by using hardware, or may be implemented by executing
corresponding software by hardware. For example, the foregoing
units may be hardware that has a function of executing various
modules, or may be another hardware device that can execute a
corresponding computer program to complete the foregoing
functions.
FIG. 7 is another possible schematic structural diagram of the
radio access network device in the foregoing embodiments. The radio
access network device includes a processor 701, a transmitter 702,
and a receiver 703. The processing unit 601 described in FIG. 6 may
be implemented by using the processor 701, the sending unit 602 and
the receiving unit 603 may be respectively implemented by using the
transmitter 702 and the receiver 703, and the transmitter 702 and
the receiver 703 may be configured to support the radio access
network device in receiving data from and sending data to the
terminal device and the core network device in the foregoing
embodiments. The radio access network device may further include a
memory 704 that may be configured to store program code and data of
the radio access network device. Components in the radio access
network device are coupled together, and are configured to support
various functions of the radio access network device in the
communication methods in the embodiments described in FIG. 2 and
FIG. 3.
It may be understood that FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 show only simplified
designs of the radio access network devices. In actual application,
the radio access network device may include any quantity of
transmitters, receivers, processors, memories, and the like, and
all radio access network devices that can implement the embodiments
of the present disclosure fall within the protection scope of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a possible schematic structural diagram of the terminal
device in the foregoing embodiments. It should be noted that the
terminal device can perform the methods in the foregoing
embodiments. Therefore, for specific details of the terminal
device, refer to the descriptions in the foregoing embodiments. For
brevity, same content is not described again below. The terminal
device may be the terminal device 30 shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B.
The terminal device includes a receiving unit 801, a processing
unit 802, and a sending unit 803.
The receiving unit 801 is configured to receive a context
identifier from a second radio access network device.
The processing unit 802 is configured to decode the context
identifier. The context identifier includes an identifier of the
second radio access network device and an identifier of the
terminal device that is allocated by the second radio access
network device.
The sending unit 803 is configured to send a first message to a
first radio access network device. The first message includes the
context identifier.
Optionally, the processing unit 802 is further configured to
truncate the context identifier according to an instruction of the
first radio access network device by using the method described in
step S202 shown in FIG. 2, to control the sending unit 803 to send
only a part of the context identifier obtained after the
truncation.
The processing unit 802 may be further configured to add, to the
first message, PLMN information corresponding to the second radio
access network device and/or an area identifier corresponding to
the second radio access network device. Same as that described in
step S202 shown in FIG. 2, the PLMN information corresponding to
the second radio access network device and/or the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device may be
carried in the first message in a manner of being included in the
context identifier, or may be carried in the first message in a
manner of being independent of the context identifier.
Optionally, the processing unit 802 is further configured to
determine, by using the method described in step S202 in the method
shown in FIG. 2, the PLMN information of the second radio access
network device that is carried in the first message. Specifically,
the processing unit 802 determines, based on a recorded PLMN
corresponding to the second radio access network device and a PLMN
that is broadcast in a cell in which the first radio access network
device provides a service and that is received by the receiving
unit 801, the PLMN information corresponding to the second radio
access network device.
Optionally, before the sending unit 803 sends the first message,
the receiving unit 801 is further configured to receive the second
area identifier of the second radio access network device and a
first area identifier of the first radio access network device. The
processing unit 802 is further configured to: determine whether the
second area identifier is the same as the first area identifier,
and add, to the first message, area identifier indication
information that indicates whether the first area identifier is the
same as the second area identifier.
Optionally, as described in the methods shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3,
if the processing unit 802 determines that the second area
identifier is different from the first area identifier, the
receiving unit 801 is further configured to receive an area
identifier request message from the first radio access network
device. The processing unit 802 is further configured to: respond
to the area identifier request message, and control the sending
unit 803 to send the second area identifier to the first radio
access network device.
Optionally, as described in the method in FIG. 2, the receiving
unit 801 is further configured to receive an additional-information
request message sent by the first radio access network device. The
processing unit 802 is further configured to decode the
additional-information request message, to obtain preamble
allocation information carried in the additional-information
request message. The processing unit 802 is further configured to
obtain indication information included in the
additional-information request message. The indication information
includes at least one of PLMN request information, area identifier
request information, and request information of the remaining part
of the context identifier obtained after the truncation. The
processing unit 802 is further configured to determine, based on
the indication information, information that needs to be sent.
The sending unit 803 may be further configured to send a preamble
to the first radio access network device based on the preamble
allocation information. The receiving unit 801 is further
configured to receive, from the first radio access network device,
information about an allocated transmission resource. The sending
unit 803 is further configured to send additional information to
the first radio access network device by using the transmission
resource. The sending unit 803 may send the additional information
through a common control channel.
The receiving unit 801 may be further configured to receive control
information from the second radio access network device. The
processing unit 802 is further configured to: respond to the
control information, and control the terminal device to enter a
light connection mode.
The sending unit 803 may be further configured to send verification
information of the terminal device to the first radio access
network device.
Other implementable functions of the foregoing units not described
in detail are the same as related functions in the communication
methods in a wireless network shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Details
are not described herein again. Through collaborative cooperation
between the foregoing units, the terminal device can send, to the
first radio access network device, the PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device and/or the
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device when occupying as few transmission resources as
possible.
Functions of the units in the terminal device may be implemented by
using hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding
software by hardware. For example, the foregoing units may be
hardware that has a function of executing various modules, or may
be another hardware device that can execute a corresponding
computer program to complete the foregoing functions.
FIG. 9 is a possible schematic structural diagram of the terminal
device in the foregoing embodiments. The terminal device includes a
receiver 901, a processor 902, and a transmitter 903. The receiving
unit 801 and the sending unit 803 described in FIG. 8 may be
implemented by using the receiver 901 and the transmitter 903, and
the processing unit 802 may be implemented by using the processor
902. The receiver 901 and the transmitter 903 may be configured to
support the terminal device in receiving data from and sending data
to the first radio access network device and the second radio
access network device in the foregoing embodiments. The terminal
device may further include a memory 904 that may be configured to
store program code and data of the terminal device. Components in
the terminal device are coupled together, and are configured to
support various functions of the terminal device in the
communication methods in the embodiments described in FIG. 2 and
FIG. 3.
It may be understood that FIG. 9 shows only a simplified design of
the terminal device. In actual application, the terminal device may
include any quantity of transmitters, receivers, processors,
memories, and the like, and all terminal devices that can implement
the embodiments of the present disclosure fall within the
protection scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a possible schematic structural diagram of the core
network device in the foregoing embodiments. It should be noted
that the core network device can perform the methods in the
foregoing embodiments. Therefore, for specific details of the core
network device, refer to the descriptions in the foregoing
embodiments. For brevity, same content is not described again
below. The core network device may be the core network device 1
shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B. The core network device includes a
receiving unit 1001, a processing unit 1002, and a sending unit
1003.
The receiving unit 1001 is configured to receive a second message
from a first radio access network device.
The processing unit 1002 is configured to decode the second
message. The second message includes a context identifier of a
terminal device, and the context identifier includes an identifier
of a second radio access network device and an identifier of the
terminal device that is allocated by the second radio access
network device.
The sending unit 1003 is configured to send a third message to a
second core network device or the second radio access network
device. The third message includes the context identifier.
The receiving unit 1001 is further configured to receive context
information of the terminal device from the second core network
device or the second radio access network device. The context
information is associated with the identifier of the terminal
device.
The sending unit 1001 is further configured to send the context
information to the first radio access network device.
Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is further configured to
obtain, by decoding the second message, PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device and/or an
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device that are/is carried in the second message. The PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device may be carried in the second message in a manner of
being included in the context identifier, or may be carried in the
second message in a manner of being independent of the context
identifier.
The processing unit 1002 may be further configured to obtain, by
decoding the second message, verification information and
information about a serving cell in which the first radio access
network device serves the terminal device, where the verification
information and the information about the serving cell are carried
in the second message. The information about the serving cell
includes at least one of a physical cell identifier of the serving
cell, a frequency band of the serving cell, and a cell global
identifier of the serving cell.
The processing unit 1002 may be further configured to obtain, by
decoding the second message, an identifier of the first radio
access network device that is carried in the second message.
Optionally, the processing unit 1002 is further configured to add,
to the third message, the PLMN information corresponding to the
second radio access network device and/or the area identifier
corresponding to the second radio access network device. The PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device may be carried in the third message in a manner of
being included in the context identifier, or may be carried in the
third message in a manner of being independent of the context
identifier.
The processing unit 1002 may be further configured to add, to the
third message, the verification information and the information
about the serving cell in which the first radio access network
device serves the terminal device.
The processing unit 1002 is further configured to add, to the third
message, at least one of the identifier of the first radio access
network device, PLMN information corresponding to the first radio
access network device, and an area identifier corresponding to the
first radio access network device.
Other implementable functions of the foregoing units not described
in detail are the same as related functions in the communication
methods in a wireless network shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Details
are not described herein again. Through collaborative cooperation
between the foregoing units, the core network device may be used as
a message transfer medium, to implement timely and effective
communication between the first radio access network device and the
second radio access network device, thereby improving working
efficiency.
Functions of the units in the core network device may be
implemented by using hardware, or may be implemented by executing
corresponding software by hardware. For example, the foregoing
units may be hardware that has a function of executing various
modules, or may be another hardware device that can execute a
corresponding computer program to complete the foregoing
functions.
FIG. 11 is a possible schematic structural diagram of the core
network device in the foregoing embodiments. The core network
device includes a receiver 1101, a processor 1102, and a
transmitter 1103. The processing unit 1002 described in FIG. 10 may
be implemented by using the processor 1102, the receiving unit 1001
and the sending unit 1003 may be respectively implemented by using
the receiver 1101 and the transmitter 1103, and the receiver 1101
and the transmitter 1103 may be configured to support the core
network device in receiving data from and sending data to the radio
access network devices in the foregoing embodiments. The core
network device may further include a memory 1104 that may be
configured to store program code and data of the core network
device. Components in the core network device are coupled together,
and are configured to support various functions of the core network
device in the communication methods in the embodiments described in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
FIG. 12 is another possible schematic structural diagram of the
core network device in the foregoing embodiments. It should be
noted that the core network device can perform the methods in the
foregoing embodiments. Therefore, for specific details of the core
network device, refer to the descriptions in the foregoing
embodiments. For brevity, same content is not described again
below. The core network device may be the core network device 2
shown in FIG. 1B. The core network device includes a receiving unit
1201, a processing unit 1202, and a sending unit 1203.
The receiving unit 1201 is configured to receive a fourth message
from a first radio access network device or a first core network
device.
The processing unit 1202 is configured to decode the fourth
message. The fourth message includes a context identifier of a
terminal device, and the context identifier includes an identifier
of a second radio access network device and an identifier of the
terminal device that is allocated by the second radio access
network device.
The sending unit 1203 is configured to send, to the second radio
access network device, a message that includes the context
identifier.
The receiving unit 1201 is further configured to receive context
information of the terminal device from the second radio access
network device. The context information of the terminal device is
associated with the identifier of the terminal device.
The sending unit 1203 is further configured to send the context
information to the first radio access network device or the first
core network device.
Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to
obtain, by decoding the fourth message, PLMN information
corresponding to the second radio access network device and/or an
area identifier corresponding to the second radio access network
device that are/is carried in the fourth message. The PLMN
information corresponding to the second radio access network device
and/or the area identifier corresponding to the second radio access
network device may be carried in the fourth message in a manner of
being included in the context identifier, or may be carried in the
fourth message in a manner of being independent of the context
identifier.
The processing unit 1202 may be further configured to obtain, by
decoding the fourth message, an identifier of the first radio
access network device that is carried in the fourth message.
The processing unit 1202 may be further configured to obtain, by
decoding the fourth message, verification information and
information about a serving cell in which the first radio access
network device serves the terminal device, where the verification
information and the information about the serving cell are carried
in the fourth message. The information about the serving cell
includes at least one of a physical cell identifier of the serving
cell, a frequency band of the serving cell, and a cell global
identifier of the serving cell.
Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to add,
to the message that includes the context identifier, at least one
of the identifier of the first radio access network device, PLMN
information corresponding to the first radio access network device,
and an area identifier corresponding to the first radio access
network device.
Optionally, the sending unit 1203 is further configured to send, to
the second radio access network device, the verification
information of the terminal device and the information about the
serving cell in which the first radio access network device serves
the terminal device.
Other implementable functions of the foregoing units not described
in detail are the same as related functions in the communication
methods in a wireless network shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Details
are not described herein again. Through collaborative cooperation
between the foregoing units, the core network device may be used as
a message transfer medium, to implement timely and effective
communication between the first radio access network device and the
second radio access network device, thereby improving working
efficiency.
Functions of the units in the core network device may be
implemented by using hardware, or may be implemented by executing
corresponding software by hardware. For example, the foregoing
units may be hardware that has a function of executing various
modules, or may be another hardware device that can execute a
corresponding computer program to complete the foregoing
functions.
FIG. 13 is a possible schematic structural diagram of the core
network device in the foregoing embodiments. The core network
device includes a receiver 1301, a processor 1302, and a
transmitter 1303. The processing unit 1202 described in FIG. 12 may
be implemented by using the processor 1302, the receiving unit 1201
and the sending unit 1203 may be respectively implemented by using
the receiver 1301 and the transmitter 1303, and the receiver 1301
and the transmitter 1303 may be configured to support the core
network device in receiving data from and sending data to the radio
access network devices in the foregoing embodiments. The core
network device may further include a memory 1304 that may be
configured to store program code and data of the core network
device. Components in the core network device are coupled together,
and are configured to support various functions of the core network
device in the communication methods in the embodiments described in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
It should be understood that FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 show only
simplified designs of the core network devices. In actual
application, the core network device may include any quantity of
transmitters, receivers, processors, memories, and the like, and
all core network devices that can implement the embodiments of the
present disclosure fall within the protection scope of the present
disclosure.
A person skilled in the art may further understand that various
illustrative logical blocks and steps that are listed in the
embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by using
electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof.
In order to clearly demonstrate interchangeability between the
hardware and the software, functions of the foregoing various
illustrative components and steps have been generally described.
Whether the functions are implemented by using hardware or software
depends on particular applications and a design requirement of the
entire system. A person of ordinary skill in the art may use
various methods to implement the described functions for each
particular application, but it should not be considered that the
implementation goes beyond the protection scope of the embodiments
of the present disclosure.
The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits
described in the embodiments of the present disclosure may
implement or operate the described functions by using a general
processing unit, a digital signal processing unit, an
application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field
programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logical
apparatus, a discrete gate or transistor logic, a discrete hardware
component, or a design of any combination thereof. The general
processing unit may be a microprocessing unit. Optionally, the
general processing unit may be any conventional processing unit,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processing unit
may be implemented by a computing apparatus combination, such as a
digital signal processing unit and a microprocessing unit, a
plurality of microprocessing units, one or more microprocessing
units with a digital signal processing unit core, or any other
similar configuration.
Steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of
the present disclosure may be directly embedded into hardware, a
software module executed by a processing unit, or a combination
thereof. The software module may be stored in a RAM memory, a flash
memory, a ROM memory, an EPROM memory, an EEPROM memory, a
register, a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a CD-ROM, or a
storage medium in any other form in the art. For example, the
storage medium may connect to a processing unit so that the
processing unit may read information from the storage medium and
write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage
medium may be integrated into a processing unit. The processing
unit and the storage medium may be configured in an ASIC, and the
ASIC may be configured in a user terminal. Optionally, the
processing unit and the storage medium may be configured in
different components of the user terminal.
In one or more example designs, the functions described in the
embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by using
hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If the
functions are implemented by software, these functions may be
stored in a computer-readable medium or are transmitted to the
computer-readable medium in a form of one or more instructions or
code. The computer-readable medium includes a computer storage
medium and a communications medium that allows a computer program
to move from one place to another. The storage medium may be an
available medium that can be accessed by any general-purpose or
special computer. For example, such a computer readable medium may
include but is not limited to a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, a CD-ROM or
another optical disc storage, a disk storage or another magnetic
storage apparatus, or any other medium that may be used to bear or
store program code, where the program code is in a form of an
instruction or a data structure or in a form that can be read by a
general-purpose or special computer or a general-purpose or special
processing unit. In addition, any connection may be appropriately
defined as a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is
transmitted from a website, a server, or another remote resource
through a coaxial cable, an optical fiber computer, a twisted pair,
a digital subscriber line (DSL), or in a wireless manner, such as
infrared, radio, or microwave, the software is included in the
defined computer-readable medium. The disk and the disc include a
compressed disk, a laser disk, an optical disc, a DVD, a floppy
disk, and a Blu-ray disc. The disk generally copies data by a
magnetic means, and the disc generally copies data optically by a
laser means. The foregoing combination may also be included in the
computer-readable medium.
According to the foregoing description of this specification in the
present disclosure, technologies in the art may use or implement
the content of the present disclosure. Any modification based on
the disclosed content shall be considered obvious in the art. The
basic principles described in the present disclosure may be applied
to other variations without departing from the essence and scope of
the present disclosure. Therefore, the content disclosed in the
present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and
designs but may also be extended to a maximum scope that is
consistent with the principles and disclosed new features of the
present disclosure.
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