CN101426252A

CN101426252A - Path switching processing method, system and apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN101426252A
Application number: CNA200710166087XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吴问付
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-02
Filing date: 2007-11-02
Publication date: 2009-05-06

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for processing path switching, wherein the method comprises the following procedures: receiving path switching processing style information transmitted by target access network element by user surface anchor point network element; and processing by the user surface anchor point network element according to the path switching processing style information. Through the embodiment of the invention, the user surface anchor point network element processes the user surface path according to the path switching processing style information. The resource of source access network is reserved when the descending user surface path is switched to the target access network by the user surface anchor point network element to a preset path switching processing style. Thereby the user surface anchor point network element can continuously process the ascending data of source access network when the UE is not successfully switched into the target access network. The ascending data of UE is protected from losing and the service continuity in failure of UE switching is guaranteed.

Description

Method, system and device for processing path switching

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of network communication technologies, and in particular, to a method, a system, and an apparatus for processing path switching.

Background

3GPP (the 3rd Generation Partner Project, third Generation partnership Project) in order to enhance the competitive power of future networks, a completely new Evolved Network is being researched, the system architecture diagram of which is shown in FIG. 1, and the new Evolved Network includes an E-UTRAN (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) for implementing all functions related to the Radio of the Evolved Network; an MME (Mobility Management Entity) responsible for Mobility Management of a control plane, including user context and Mobility state Management, allocating user temporary identity identifiers, and the like; serving GW (Serving Gateway) entity, which is a user plane anchor point between 3GPP access networks, terminates the interface of E-UTRAN; a PDN GW (Packet Data Network Gateway) entity is a user plane anchor between a 3GPP access Network and a non-3 GPP access Network, terminating an interface with an external PDN (Packet Data Network). A PCRF (Policy and charging Rule Function) entity is used for the Policy control decision and flow charging control functions. The HSS (Home Subscriber Server) is used to store Subscriber subscription information.

UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network ), GERAN (GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network, GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network), are used to implement all functions related to Radio in the existing GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)/UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Network. SGSN (Serving GPRS Supporting Node) is used to implement functions such as path forwarding, mobility management, session management, and user information storage in GPRS/UMTS network.

The non-3 GPP IP Access Network is mainly an Access Network defined by some non-3 GPP organizations, such as a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), a Wimax (worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access), a CDMA (code division Multiple Access), and so on.

The AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) server is used to perform access Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting functions on a UE (User Equipment).

Fig. 2 is a system architecture diagram of an HRPD (High Rate Packet Data) access network optimized handover in 3GPP and CDMA networks. AN S101 interface is added between the MME and the HRPD AN (HRPD access network), and is used for transferring signaling between the MME and the HRPD AN. The HRPD AN is responsible for handling mobility management, radio resource management, etc. in the HRPD network. The PDSN (Packet Data Serving Node) is a user plane processing network element in the HRPD network, and performs user plane processing of the HRPD network.

Currently, an Early path switch (Early path switch) mechanism is proposed for optimized handover between an HRPD network and an E-UTRAN network, i.e. when a UE has not been handed over to a target access network (the UE is also in a source access network), a user plane path is first handed over to the target access network. As shown in fig. 3, an optimized handover procedure for a pre-path handover from an HRPD access network to an E-UTRAN access network in an active state is shown:

s301, the UE accesses to the HRPD network.

S302, the UE or the HRPD AN decides to switch to the E-UTRAN network.

S303, the UE sends an Attach request message to the MME through the HRPD network.

S304, an authentication procedure is executed.

S305, the MME sends an Update Location message to the HSS to acquire the subscription data of the UE. And the HSS returns the subscription data of the UE, including the address information of the PDN GW used by the UE.

S306, the MME selects a Serving GW and sends a Create Default Bearer request message to the Serving GW.

S307, the Serving GW initiates a pre-path switching process. And if the interface protocol between the Serving GW and the PDN GW is GTP, the Serving GW sends a Create Default Bearer request message to the PDN GW.

If the interface Protocol between the Serving GW and the PDN GW is PMIP (Proxy mobile internet Protocol), the Serving GW sends a Proxy BU (binding update) message to the PDN GW.

After receiving the above message, the PDN GW switches the path of the user plane to the Serving GW, that is, the PDN GW receives downlink data and sends the downlink data to the Serving GW. And meanwhile, the PDN GW does not send downlink data packets to the PDSN any more.

S308, the Serving GW replies a Create Default Bearer response message to the MME.

S309, MME sends Relocation request message to eNodeB to request eNodeB to establish wireless side resource. And after finishing the establishment of the wireless side resources, the eNodeB replies a Relocation request confirmation message to the MME.

S310, MME sends Update Bearer request message to Serving GW to Update the downlink user plane path of Serving GW to eNodeB. The Serving GW replies an Update Bearer response message to the MME.

S311, MME sends S101 HO command message to HRPD AN, the message includes Attach accept message and HO command message.

S312, HRPD AN sends HRPD AN L2 message to UE, the message includes Attach accept message and HO command message.

S313, the UE switches to the E-UTRAN network and sends a HO complete message to the eNodeB.

S314, the eNodeB sends a Relocation complete message to the MME to inform the MME that the UE has been switched to the E-UTRAN network.

The inventor finds in the invention that for HRPD network and E-UTRAN network handover, the UE may be handed over in two states: an idle state and an active state. For the pre-handover mechanism, when the UE fails to handover, the PDN GW needs to be notified to switch the downlink path back to the source access network. The pre-handoff mechanism increases the complexity of the system. This mechanism has to be employed only in the active state in order to reduce the loss of data. The pre-path switching mechanism is not necessary for the handover of the UE to occur in the idle state. Therefore, in order to optimize the processing of the network, a mechanism is needed to distinguish the path switching mechanism in the active state from the path switching mechanism in the idle state.

For the existing handover from 3GPP network to non-3 GPP, after receiving the user plane path switching message (i.e. the message described in S307) of the target access network, the PDN GW releases the resources of the source side network. This mechanism is not suitable for the pre-path switching mechanism. For the pre-path switching mechanism, when the PDN GW receives a user plane path switching (which may also be referred to as final path switching) message, the UE is still in the source network, and if the source side resource is released at this time, the uplink data of the UE cannot be processed, resulting in loss of the uplink data of the UE. In addition, when the UE returns to the source access network after the handover failure, the service of the UE cannot be processed because the resource in the source access network is released, and the service of the UE is interrupted, which affects the experience of the user.

Therefore, the disadvantages of the prior art are: in the existing switching mechanism from the 3GPP network to the non-3 GPP network, after the PDN GW receives the user plane path switching message of the target access network, the source side network resource is released, which may cause uplink data loss of the UE and UE service interruption due to UE switching failure.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a method, a system and a device for processing path switching, which are used for realizing the differentiated processing of the path switching by a network element of an anchor point on a user plane according to the processing type information of the path switching.

To achieve the above object, an aspect of the embodiments of the present invention provides a method for processing path switching, including the following steps: a user plane anchor point network element receives path switching processing type information sent by a target access network element; and the user plane anchor point network element processes according to the path switching processing type information.

On the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing system for path switching, including: the user plane anchor point network element is used for receiving the path switching processing type information and processing according to the path switching processing type information; and the target access network element is connected with the user plane anchor point network element and is used for sending the path switching processing type information to the user plane anchor point network element.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a bearer entity, configured to bear user data, where the bearer entity includes: the receiving unit is used for receiving a switching instruction when the user equipment is switched from the source network to the heterogeneous target network and informing the switching unit; a switching unit, configured to switch a bearer path from a source network to a heterogeneous target network after receiving the notification of the receiving unit; and the bearing unit is used for reserving the bearing resource of the source network before the switching unit is switched to the target network.

Compared with the prior art, the embodiment of the invention has the following advantages: according to the embodiment of the invention, the user plane anchor point network element processes the path switching by adopting different processing modes according to the path switching processing type information, so that when the UE is not successfully switched to the target access network, the user plane anchor point network element can also continuously process the uplink data of the source access network, thereby avoiding the uplink data loss of the UE and the UE service interruption caused by the UE switching failure.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a system architecture diagram of a 3GPP evolved network of the prior art;

fig. 2 is a system architecture diagram of HRPD access network optimized handoff in prior art 3GPP and CDMA networks;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a prior art HRPD access network to E-UTRAN access network pre-path handover of a UE in an active state;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a processing method for path switching according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a method for processing a path switch;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a method for processing a path switch;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a third embodiment of a processing method for path switching;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth method of processing path switch according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of a processing method for switching paths according to the present invention;

fig. 10 is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of a processing method for path switching according to the present invention;

fig. 11 is a structural diagram of a bearer entity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The embodiment of the invention provides a processing method for path switching, wherein a network element of a target access network determines a path switching processing type, and then informs a related network element of the path switching processing type information, such as a Serving GW network element in an E-UTRAN network. By this means, the relevant network elements can distinguish the path processing modes.

In the process of pre-path switching, the network element of the target access network informs the user plane anchor point network element that is the pre-path switching processing type information, and after receiving the information, the user plane anchor point network element only modifies the downlink path of the user plane to the target access network element without releasing the resource of the source access network. And when the UE is switched to the target access network, informing the user plane anchor point network element or the source access network element to release the resource of the source access network. By the method, the source access network can also process the uplink data of the UE under the condition of path switching in advance, and meanwhile, when the UE fails to switch back to the source access network, the service of the user is not interrupted because the resource of the source access network is not released, so that the experience degree of the user is improved.

As shown in fig. 4, a flowchart of a processing method for path switching according to an embodiment of the present invention specifically includes the following steps:

step S401, the user plane anchor point network element receives the path switching processing type information sent by the target access network element. The path switching processing type is determined by the target access network element, and comprises the following steps: a pre-path switching processing type, a final path switching processing type and a path non-switching processing type. After the path switching processing type is determined, the target access network element sends the path switching processing type information to the user plane anchor point network element. The path switching processing type information includes: pre-processing type information of path switching, and finally processing type information of path switching and processing type information of path non-switching.

Step S402, the user plane anchor point network element processes according to the path switching processing type information. For example: and when the path switching processing type is the pre-path switching processing type, the user plane anchor point network element switches the downlink user plane path to the target access network element according to the pre-path switching processing type information and reserves the resource of the source access network. After the user plane anchor network element switches the downlink user plane path to the target access network element according to the pre-path switching processing type information, the user plane anchor network element or the source access network element receives UE switching success indication information or final path switching processing type information sent by the target access network element, and then resources of the source access network are released.

In addition, after the user plane anchor network element receives the pre-path switching processing type information sent by the target access network element, the user plane anchor network element sets a monitoring timer, and if the monitoring timer is overtime, the user plane anchor network element does not receive the UE switching success indication information or the final path switching processing type information, the user plane anchor network element may perform the following processing:

(1) the PDN GW switches the downlink user plane path back to the source access network and deletes the resources of the target access network;

(2) and the PDN GW deletes the resource of the source access network.

And when the path switching processing type is the final path switching processing type, the user plane anchor point network element switches the uplink and downlink user plane paths to the target access network element.

And when the path switching processing type is the path non-switching processing type, the user plane anchor point network element does not modify the uplink and downlink user plane paths.

According to the processing method for the path switching, the user plane anchor point network element processes the path switching in different processing modes according to the path switching processing type information, after a downlink user plane path is switched to a target access network according to the pre-path switching processing type information, resources of a source access network are reserved, and after UE switching success indication information or final path switching processing type information is received, the resources of the source access network are released. Therefore, when the UE is not successfully switched to the target access network, the user plane anchor point network element can continuously process the uplink data of the source access network, so that the uplink data of the UE cannot be lost, and the service continuity when the UE is failed to be switched is also ensured.

As shown in fig. 5, which is a flowchart of a first processing method for path switching according to the present invention, in a handover process from an HRPD access network to an E-UTRAN access network in an active state of a UE, a PDN GW releases resources of a source access network, which specifically includes the following steps:

step S501, the UE accesses to the HRPD network.

In step S502, the UE or HRPD AN decides to handover to the 3GPP network.

In step S503, the UE sends an Attach request message to the MME through the HRPD network.

In step S504, an authentication procedure is performed.

Step S505, the MME sends an Update Location message to the HSS, and acquires subscription data of the UE. And the HSS returns subscription data of the UE, including PDN GW address information used by the UE.

Step S506, the MME selects a Serving GW and sends a default bearer creation request message to the Serving GW. If the MME finds that the Attach request message of the UE is received from the S101 interface, that is, if the MME finds that the registration request of the UE is caused by the UE being switched from HRPD to E-UTRAN, the MME informs the Serving GW through a default bearer creation request message that the default bearer creation request is caused by the switching from HRPD to E-UTRAN, or requires the Serving GW to perform a pre-path switching operation, there may be the following processing methods:

(1) the MME adds a pre-path switching indication bit in the default bearer creation request message, and the MME indicates the Serving GW to perform pre-path switching operation through the indication bit;

(2) MME adds path switching type information element in the default load creating request message, MME sets the information element to a specific value to instruct Serving GW to carry out the pre-path switching operation. The path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The MME adds a path switching reason information element, such as a Cause information element, in a default bearer creating request message, and the MME sets the information element as a reason value of HRPD to E-UTRAN switching or pre-path switching.

Step S507, after receiving the default load creating request message, if the message is caused by switching from HRPD to E-UTRAN or the message requires the Serving GW to perform the pre-path switching operation, the Serving GW initiates the pre-path switching process.

And if the interface protocol between the Serving GW and the PDN GW is GTP, the Serving GW sends a default bearer creation request message to the PDN GW. The Serving GW informs the PDN GW through a default bearer creation request message that this default bearer creation request is due to a "HRPD to E-UTRAN handover", or that the PDN GW is required to perform a pre-path handover operation, there may be the following processing method:

(1) the Serving GW adds a pre-path switching indication bit in the default bearer creation request message, and the Serving GW indicates the PDN GW to perform pre-path switching operation through the indication bit;

(2) the Serving GW adds a path switching type cell in the default bearer creation request message, and the Serving GW sets the cell to a specific value to instruct the PDN GW to perform a pre-path switching operation. The path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The Serving GW adds a path switch reason cell, such as a 'Cause' cell, in the default bearer creation request message, and sets the cell to a Cause value of 'HRPD-to-E-UTRAN handover' or 'pre-path handover'.

If the interface protocol between Serving GW and PDN GW is PMIP, Serving GW sends Proxy BU message to PDN GW. The Serving GW informs the PDN GW that the binding update is caused by HRPD to E-UTRAN handover or the Serving GW requires the PDN GW to perform a pre-path handover operation through a Proxy BU message, which may be as follows:

(1) the Serving GW adds a pre-path switching flag bit in the Proxy BU message, and the Serving GW indicates the PDN GW to perform pre-path switching operation through the flag bit;

(2) the Serving GW adds a path switching type cell in the Proxy BU message, and the Serving GW sets the cell to a specific value to instruct the PDN GW to perform a pre-path switching operation. The path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The Serving GW adds a path switching reason cell, such as a 'Cause' cell, in the Proxy BU message, and sets the cell as a Cause value of 'HRPD to E-UTRAN switching' or 'pre-path switching'.

After receiving the above message, the PDN GW switches the downlink user plane path to the Serving GW, that is, the PDN GW receives the downlink data and then sends the downlink data to the Serving GW. And meanwhile, the PDN GW reserves the resources of the source HRPD side, the uplink user plane path is still reserved at the source HRPD side, and the PDN GW continues to process the uplink data sent by the source HRPD side.

A monitoring timer is set in the PDN GW, and if the PDN GW has not received the UE handover success indication information or the final path switching processing type information after the monitoring timer expires, the PDN GW may perform the following processing:

(1) and the PDN GW switches the downlink user plane path back to the source HRPD network, and simultaneously can delete the resources of the target E-UTRAN access network.

(2) The PDN GW deletes the resources of the source HRPD access network.

The PDN GW will stop the monitoring timer after receiving the UE handover success indication information.

Step S508, the Serving GW replies a default bearer creation response message to the MME.

In step S509, the MME sends a Relocation request message to the eNodeB to request the eNodeB to establish a radio side resource. And after finishing the establishment of the wireless side resources, the eNodeB replies a Relocation request confirmation message to the MME.

Step S510, MME sends a load updating request message to Serving GW to update the downlink user plane path of Serving GW to eNodeB. And the Serving GW replies a bearer update response message to the MME.

In step S511, the MME sends S101 HO command message to the HRPD AN, wherein the message contains Attach accept message and HO command message.

Step S512, HRPD AN sends HRPD AN L2 message to UE, the message includes Attach accept message and HO command message.

Step S513, the UE switches to the E-UTRAN network and sends the HO complete message to the eNodeB.

Step S514, the eNodeB sends a Relocation complete message to the MME to inform the MME that the UE has been switched to the E-UTRAN network.

Step S515, if the MME finds that the pre-path switching mechanism is used, the MME sends a bearer update request message to the Serving GW. The MME informs the Serving GW that "the UE has switched to the target network" or requires the Serving GW to perform "user plane path switching (which may also be referred to as final path switching)" in the bearer update request message. The MME may perform the following processing on the bearer update request message so that it carries the UE handover success indication information or the final path handover processing type information:

(1) the MME adds a final path switching indication bit or a user plane path switching indication bit in the bearing updating request message, and the MME indicates the Serving GW to carry out user plane path switching operation through the indication bit;

(2) the MME adds a path switch type cell in the bearer update request message, and the MME sets the cell to a specific value, such as 1, to instruct the Serving GW to perform the final path switch operation. The path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The MME adds a path switching Cause cell, such as a "Cause" cell, to the bearer update request message, and the MME sets the cell to a "UE switches to a target network" or a "user plane path switching" Cause value.

(4) The MME does not carry an indication bit or a Cause cell in the bearer update request message, i.e., does not carry UE handover success indication information or final path handover processing type information, and the Serving GW defaults to assume that the message is caused by the UE having been handed over to the target access network.

Step S516, the Serving GW receives the bearer update request message sent by the MME, and if it is found that the message requires user plane path switching, the Serving GW notifies the PDN GW that the UE has switched to the target access network or requires the PDN GW to perform user plane path switching (which may also be referred to as final path switching) operation.

And if the interface protocol between the Serving GW and the PDN GW is GTP, the Serving GW sends a bearer update request message to the PDN GW. The Serving GW informs the PDN GWUE that the PDN GWUE has been switched to the target network through the bearer update request message, or requires the PDN GW to perform a user plane path switching (which may also be referred to as final path switching) operation, and there may be the following processing methods:

(1) the Serving GW adds a final path switching indication bit or a user plane path switching indication bit in the bearer update request message, and the Serving GW indicates the PDN GW to perform user plane path switching (also called final path switching) operation through the indication bit;

(2) the Serving GW adds a path switching type cell to the bearer update request message, and the Serving GW sets this cell to a specific value, such as 1, to instruct the PDN GW to perform the user plane path switching operation. The path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The Serving GW adds a path switching reason cell, such as a "Cause" cell, to the bearer update request message, and the Serving GW sets the cell as a "UE switches to the target network" or a "user plane path switching" reason value.

(4) The Serving GW does not carry an indication bit or a Cause cell in the bearer update request message, i.e., does not carry UE handover success indication information or final path handover processing type information, and the PDN GW defaults that the message is caused by the UE having been handed over to the target access network.

If the interface protocol between Serving GW and PDN GW is PMIP, Serving GW sends Proxy BU message to PDN GW. The Serving GW informs the PDN GW UE that the UE has switched to the target network or requires the PDN GW to perform a user plane path switching (which may also be referred to as final path switching) operation through a Proxy BU message, and there may be the following processing method:

(1) the Serving GW adds a final path switching indication bit or a user plane path switching indication bit in the Proxy BU message, and the Serving GW indicates the PDN GW to perform user plane path switching (also called final path switching) operation through the indication bit;

(2) the Serving GW adds a path switching type cell to the Proxy BU message, and the Serving GW sets this cell to a specific value, such as 1, to instruct the PDN GW to perform a user plane path switching operation. The path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The Serving GW adds a path switching reason cell, such as a "Cause" cell, to the Proxy BU message, and the Serving GW sets the cell as a "UE switches to the target network" or a "user plane path switching" reason value.

(4) The Serving GW does not carry an indication bit or a Cause cell in the Proxy BU message, that is, does not carry UE handover success indication information or final path handover processing type information, and the PDN GW defaults that the message is caused by the UE having been handed over to the target access network.

And after receiving the message, the PDN GW switches the uplink user plane path and the downlink user plane path of the UE to a Serving GW network element of the target access network.

Step S517, the Serving GW replies a bearer update response message to the MME.

Step S518, the PDN GW initiates a release processing procedure of the source HRPD network resource after receiving the bearer update request message or the Proxy BU message sent by the Serving GW in step S616, and simultaneously stops the monitoring timer started by the PDN GW.

The mechanism can also be applied to the optimized handover processing of a non-3 GPP network, such as a Wimax network, a WLAN network and the like, to a 3GPP network, such as a Wimax network to UTRAN network. At this time, the HRPD access Network is replaced with a Wimax access Network, the MME Network element is replaced with an SGSN Network element in the UTRAN Network, and the eNodeB Network element is replaced with an RNC (Radio Network Controller) Network element in the UTRAN Network, and other processing flows and mechanisms are the same as those in the above embodiment, and are not described herein again.

As shown in fig. 6, which is a flowchart of a second processing method for path handover according to the present invention, in a handover process from an HRPD access network to an E-UTRAN access network in an activated state of a UE, a HRPD access network entity releases resources of a source access network, which specifically includes the following steps:

step S601, UE accesses to HRPD network.

In step S602, the UE or HRPD AN decides to handover to the 3GPP network.

Step S603, the UE sends an Attach request message to the MME through the HRPD network.

In step S604, an authentication procedure is performed.

Step S605, the MME sends an Update Location message to the HSS, and acquires subscription data of the UE. And the HSS returns subscription data of the UE, including PDN GW address information used by the UE.

Step S606, MME selects Serving GW, and sends default load creating request message to Serving GW. If the MME finds that the Attach request message of the UE is received from the S101 interface, that is, if the MME finds that the registration request of the UE is caused by the UE being switched from HRPD to E-UTRAN, the MME informs the Serving GW through a default bearer creation request message that the default bearer creation request is caused by the switching from HRPD to E-UTRAN, or requires the Serving GW to perform a pre-path switching operation, there may be the following processing methods:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

Step S607, after the Serving GW receives the default bearer creation request message, if the message is found to be caused by the HRPD to E-UTRAN switching or the message requires the Serving GW to perform the pre-path switching operation, the Serving GW initiates the pre-path switching process.

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch.

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(2) The PDN GW deletes the resources of the source HRPD access network.

Step S608, the Serving GW replies a default bearer creation response message to the MME.

Step S609, the MME sends a Relocation request message to the eNodeB to request the eNodeB to establish wireless side resources. And after finishing the establishment of the wireless side resources, the eNodeB replies a Relocation request confirmation message to the MME.

Step S610, MME sends a load updating request message to Serving GW to update the downlink user plane path of Serving GW to eNodeB. And the Serving GW replies a bearer update response message to the MME.

In step S611, MME sends S101 HO Command message to HRPD AN, the message contains Attach accept message and HO Command message.

Step S612, HRPD AN sends HRPD AN L2 message to UE, the message includes Attach accept message and HO command message.

Step S613, the UE switches to the E-UTRAN network and sends a HO complete message to the eNodeB.

Step S614, the eNodeB sends a Relocation complete message to the MME to inform the MME that the UE has been switched to the E-UTRAN network.

Step S615, MME sends HO complete message to HRPD AN to inform HRPD AN UE that the switch is completed.

Step S616, the HRPD AN initiates a resource release process flow of the source HRPD access network. Hrpda sends an a11 registration request message to the PDSN. The HRPD AN sets the "Lifetime" information element in the a11 registration request message to 0 or "False" to inform the PDSN to release resources.

In step S617, the PDSN sends a Proxy BU message to the PDN GW. The PDSN sets the "Lifetime" cell in the Proxy BU message to 0 or "False" to inform the PDN GW to release resources. After receiving Proxy BU message, PDN GW releases the source HRPD access network resource and replies Proxy acknowledgement (Binding acknowledgement) message to PDSN.

At step S618, the PDSN replies with AN a11 registration reply message to the HRPD AN.

The mechanism can also be applied to the optimized handover processing process from a non-3 GPP network, such as a Wimax network, a WLAN network and the like, to a 3GPP network, such as the processing from the Wimax network to the UTRAN network. At this time, the HRPD access network is replaced with a Wimax access network, the MME network element is replaced with an SGSN network element in the UTRAN network, and the eNodeB network element is replaced with an RNC network element in the UTRAN network, and other processing flows and mechanisms are the same as those in the above embodiment, and are not described here again.

As shown in fig. 7, which is a flowchart of a third embodiment of the method for processing path handover in the present invention, in a handover process from an E-UTRAN access network to an HRPD access network of a UE in an active state, a PDN GW releases resources of a source access network, which specifically includes the following steps:

step S701, the UE accesses to the E-UTRAN network.

In step S702, the UE or eNodeB decides to pre-register to the HRPD network.

Step S703, the UE executes specific procedures in the HRPD access network and the PDSN to establish IP service connection, authentication in the HRPD access network, and other procedures.

In step S704, the UE or eNodeB decides to perform a handover operation to handover to HRPD.

Step S705, the eNodeB sends a Relocation indication message to the UE to notify the UE to perform handover.

Step S706, the UE sends AN HRPD connection request message to the HRPD AN. The HRPD AN allocates radio resources and triggers the PDSN session state from a dormant state to AN active state.

At step S707, the HRPD AN sends AN a11 registration request message to the PDSN. If the HRPD AN finds that the HRPD connection request message of the UE is received from the S101 interface, that is, if the HRPD AN finds that the HRPD connection request initiated by the UE is due to the handover of the UE from E-UTRAN to HRPD, the HRPD AN informs the PDSN through AN a11 registration request message that this request is due to the handover of E-UTRAN to HRPD or that the HRPD AN requires the PDSN to perform a pre-path handover operation, there may be the following processing methods:

(1) HRPD AN adds a pre-path switching indication bit in the A11 registration request message, HRPDAN indicates PDSN to perform pre-path switching operation through the indication bit;

(2) the HRPD AN adds a path switch type cell to the a11 registration request message, and sets the cell to a specific value, such as 0, to instruct the PDSN to perform a pre-path switch operation, where the path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The HRPD AN adds a path switch reason information element to the a11 registration request message, for example: a "Cause" cell, which the HRPD AN sets to the Cause value of "E-UTRAN to HRPD handover" or "Pre-Path Handover".

Step S708, after receiving the A11 registration request message, if the message is caused by the handover from E-UTRAN to HRPD or the A11 registration request message requests the PDSN to perform the pre-path handover operation, the PDSN initiates the pre-path handover procedure.

The PDSN sends a Proxy BU message to the PDN GW. The PDSN indicates the PDN GW through the Proxy BU message that the binding update is caused by the handover from E-UTRAN to HRPD or the PDSN requires the PDN GW to perform a pre-path handover operation, and there may be the following processing method:

(1) the PDSN adds a pre-path switching indicating bit in the Proxy BU message, and the PDSN indicates the PDN GW to perform pre-path switching operation through the indicating bit;

(2) the PDSN adds a path switching type cell in the Proxy BU message, and sets the cell to a specific value, such as 0, to indicate the PDN GW to perform a pre-path switching operation, where the path switching type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The PDSN adds a path switch reason cell in the Proxy BU message, for example: the "Cause" cell, which the PDSN sets to the Cause value of the "E-UTRAN to HRPD handover" or "Pre-Path Handover".

After receiving the above message, the PDN GW switches the downlink user plane path to the PDSN, that is, after receiving the downlink data, the PDN GW sends the downlink data to the PDSN. And meanwhile, the PDN GW reserves the resources of the source E-UTRAN access network side, the uplink user plane path is still reserved at the source E-UTRAN side, and the uplink data sent by the source E-UTRAN access network side are continuously processed.

(1) the PDN GW switches the downlink user plane path back to the source E-UTRAN network, and meanwhile, the PDN GW can delete the resources of the target HRPD access network.

(2) The PDN GW deletes the resources of the source E-UTRAN access network.

The PDN GW will stop the monitoring timer after receiving the UE handover success indication information or the user plane path handover.

In step S709, the PDSN replies AN a11 registration reply message to the HRPD AN.

Step S710, HRPD AN sends S101 HO command message, for example: HRPD TCA (terminal control Area) message to MME.

Step S711, the MME sends an S1-AP message Relocation command, for example: HRPD TCA to eNodeB.

Step S712, after receiving the specific message, the eNodeB sends an HO command message to the UE to notify the UE to perform handover. The HO command message carries an HRPD TCA message.

Step S713, the UE switches to the HRPD access network and executes the traffic channel acquisition program.

In step S714, the UE sends AN HRPD TCC (transport Channel Complete) message to the HRPD AN.

In step S715, if the HRPD AN finds that the pre-path switching mechanism is used, the HRPD AN sends AN a11 registration request message to the PDSN. The HRPD AN informs the PDSN of the registration request caused by the UE being handed over to the target network or requiring the PDSN to perform a user plane path switch (which may also be referred to as a final path switch) operation through AN a11 registration request message, and may have the following processing method:

(1) the HRPD AN adds a final path switching indication bit or a user plane path switching indication bit in the A11 registration request message, and the HRPD AN indicates the PDSN to carry out user plane path switching (also called final path switching) operation through the indication bit;

(2) the HRPD AN adds a path switch type cell to the a11 registration request message, and sets the cell to a specific value, such as 1, to instruct the PDSN to perform a user plane path switch operation, where the path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The HRPD AN adds a path switch reason information element to the a11 registration request message, for example: the Cause value of the UE switching to the target network or the user plane path switching is set as the cell by the hrpda.

(4) The HRPD AN does not carry AN indication bit or Cause cell in the a11 registration request message, i.e. does not carry UE handover success indication information or final path processing type information, then the PDSN defaults to think that the a11 registration request message is caused by the UE having been handed over to the target access network.

Step S716, after receiving the a11 registration request message, if the PDSN finds that the message is caused by UE switching to HRPD or requires to perform a user plane path switching operation, the PDSN sends a Proxy BU message to the PDN GW. The PDSN informs the PDN GW that "the UE has switched to the target network" through a Proxy BU message, or requires the PDN GW to perform a user plane path switching (which may also be referred to as final path switching) operation, and may have the following processing methods:

(1) the PDSN adds a final path switching indication bit or a user plane path switching indication bit in the Proxy BU message, and the PDSN indicates the PDN GW to carry out user plane path switching (also called final path switching) operation through the indication bit;

(2) the PDSN adds a path switching type cell in the Proxy BU message, and sets the cell to a specific value, such as 1, to instruct the PDN GW to perform a user plane path switching operation, where the path switching type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The PDSN adds a path switch reason cell in the Proxy BU message, for example: and the PDSN sets the cell as the reason value of 'UE switching to the target network' or 'user plane path switching'.

(4) The PDSN does not carry an indication bit or a Cause cell in the Proxy BU message, i.e., does not carry UE handover success indication information or final path handover processing type information, and the PDN GW defaults that the Proxy BU message is caused by the UE being handed over to the target access network.

In step S717, the PDSN replies with AN a11 registration reply message to the HRPD AN.

Step S718, the PDN GW releases the resource of the source 3GPP access network side after receiving the message sent by the PDSN in step S716, and simultaneously stops the monitoring timer started in the PDN GW.

This mechanism can also be applied to optimized handover processing from 3GPP networks to non-3 GPP networks, such as UTRAN to Wimax networks. At this time, the HRPD access network is replaced with a Wimax access network, the MME network element is replaced with an SGSN network element in the UTRAN network, and the eNodeB network element is replaced with an RNC network element in the UTRAN network, and other processing flows and mechanisms are the same as those in the above embodiment, and are not described here again.

As shown in fig. 8, which is a flowchart of a fourth processing method for path handover according to the present invention, in a handover process from an E-UTRAN access network to an HRPD access network of a UE in an active state, an MME releasing resources of a source access network specifically includes the following steps:

step S801, the UE accesses to the E-UTRAN network.

In step S802, the UE or eNodeB decides to pre-register to the HRPD network.

Step S803, the UE executes specific procedures in the HRPD access network and the PDSN to establish IP service connection, authentication in the HRPD access network, and other procedures.

In step S804, the UE or eNodeB determines to perform a handover operation to handover to HRPD.

Step S805, the eNodeB sends a Relocation indication message to the UE to inform the UE of switching.

In step S806, the UE sends AN HRPD connection request message to the HRPD AN. The HRPD AN allocates radio resources and triggers the PDSN session state from a dormant state to AN active state.

At step S807, the HRPD AN sends AN a11 registration request message to the PDSN. If the HRPD AN finds that the HRPD connection request message of the UE is received from the S101 interface, that is, if the HRPD AN finds that the HRPD connection request initiated by the UE is due to the handover of the UE from E-UTRAN to HRPD, the HRPD AN informs the PDSN through AN a11 registration request message that this request is due to the handover of E-UTRAN to HRPD or that the HRPD AN requires the PDSN to perform a pre-path handover operation, there may be the following processing methods:

(2) the hrpda adds a path switch type cell to the a11 registration request message, and the hrpda sets the cell to a specific value, such as 0, to indicate the PDSN to perform a pre-path switch operation, and the path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

Step S808, after receiving the a11 registration request message, if the PDSN finds that the message is caused by handover from E-UTRAN to HRPD or that the a11 registration request message requests the PDSN to perform a pre-path handover operation, the PDSN initiates a pre-path handover procedure.

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

A monitoring timer is set in the PDN GW, and if the PDN GW has not received the UE handover success indication information after the monitoring timer expires, the PDN GW may perform the following processing:

(2) The PDN GW deletes the resources of the source E-UTRAN access network.

The PDN GW stops the monitoring timer after receiving the UE handover success indication information or the user plane path handover indication information.

In step S809, the PDSN replies with AN a11 registration reply message to the HRPD AN.

Step S810, HRPD AN sends S101 HO command message, for example: HRPD TCA (terminal control Area) message to MME.

In step S811, the MME sends an S1-AP message Relocation command, for example: HRPD TCA to eNodeB.

Step S812, after receiving the specific message, the eNodeB sends an HO command message to the UE to notify the UE to perform handover. The HO command message carries an HRPD TCA message.

Step S813, the UE switches to the HRPD access network and executes a traffic channel acquisition procedure.

In step S814, the UE sends AN HRPD TCC (transport Channel Complete) message to the HRPD AN.

Step S815, the HRPD AN sends HO Complete message to MME to inform MME that UE has been switched to target network.

Step S816, the MME sends out resource release processing from the E-UTRAN access network. The MME sends a bearer deletion request message to the Serving GW to inform the Serving GW to release the resources of the source access network.

Step S817, if the GTP protocol is used by the interface between the Serving GW and the PDN GW, the Serving GW sends a bearer deletion request message to the PDN GW to inform the PDN GW to release the resource of the source E-UTRAN access network side. And the PDN GW releases the resources of the source E-UTRAN access network side and replies a bearer deletion response message to the Serving GW.

If the interface between Serving GW and PDN GW uses PMIP protocol, Serving GW sends Proxy BU message to PDN GW. The Serving GW sets the 'Life time' information element in the Proxy BU message to 0 or 'False' to inform the PDN GW to release the resources of the source E-UTRAN access network side. PDN GW releases the source E-UTRAN accessing network side resource and replies Proxy BA message to Serving GW.

Step S818, the Serving GW replies the bearer deletion response message to the MME.

This mechanism can also be applied to optimized handover processing from 3GPP networks to non-3 GPP networks, such as UTRAN to Wimax networks. At this time, the HRPD access network needs to be replaced by a Wimax access network, the MME network element needs to be replaced by an SGSN network element in the UTRAN network, and the eNodeB network element needs to be replaced by an RNC network element in the UTRAN network.

As shown in fig. 9, which is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of the method for processing path handover in the present invention, a handover procedure from an HRPD access network to an E-UTRAN access network of a UE in an idle state specifically includes the following steps:

step S901, the UE accesses to the HRPD network.

In step S902, the UE decides to perform cell reselection to the E-UTRAN network.

Step S903, the UE sends an Attach Request message to the MME through the HRPD network.

In step S904, the authentication procedure is executed.

Step S905, MME sends Update Location message to HSS, and acquires the subscription data of UE. And the HSS returns subscription data of the UE, including PDN GW address information used by the UE.

Step S906, the MME selects a Serving GW and sends a default bearer creation request message to the Serving GW. The MME informs the Serving GW that the user plane path does not switch operation through a default bearer creation request message, and may have the following processing method:

(1) the MME adds a path non-switching indication bit in the default bearer creation request message, and the MME indicates the Serving GW not to perform the user plane path switching operation through the indication bit;

(2) the MME adds a path switch type cell in the default bearer creation request message, and the MME sets the cell to a specific value, such as 2, to indicate that the Serving GW does not perform the user plane path switch operation. The path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The MME adds a path switch Cause information element, such as a "Cause" information element, to the default bearer creation request message, and the MME sets the information element to a Cause value of "path not switched".

Step S907, if the interface protocol between the Serving GW and the PDN GW is GTP, the Serving GW sends a default bearer creation request message to the PDN GW. The Serving GW informs the PDN GW that the user plane path is not switched through the default bearer creation request message, and there may be the following processing method:

(1) the Serving GW adds a path non-switching indication bit in the default bearer creation request message, and the Serving GW indicates the PDN GW not to perform the user plane path switching operation through the indication bit;

(2) the Serving GW adds a path switching type cell to the default bearer creation request message, and the Serving GW sets the cell to a specific value (e.g., 2) to indicate that the PDN GW is not performing the user plane path switching operation. The path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The Serving GW adds a path switching reason cell, such as a "Cause" cell, to the default bearer creation request message, and the Serving GW sets the cell to a Cause value of "path not switched".

And the PDN GW does not switch the uplink and downlink user plane paths after receiving the message.

Step S908, the Serving GW returns a Create Default Bearer Response message to the MME.

In step S909, the MME sends Attach Accept message to the UE through the HRPD network.

Step S910, the UE switches to the E-UTRAN network, and then the UE sends the TAU Request message to the MME.

Step S911, MME sends Update Bearer Request message to Serving GW. The MME adds an indication bit in an Update Bearer Request message to indicate a Serving GW to inform the PDN GW to switch the user plane path. The processing method is the same as that in the above embodiment, and will not be described here.

Step S912, the Serving GW notifies the PDN GW to switch the user plane path. The processing method is the same as that in the above embodiment, and will not be described here.

Step S913, the Serving GW returns an Update Bearer Response message to the MME.

In step S914, the MME returns a TAU Accept message to the UE.

This mechanism can also be applied to optimized handover processing from non-3 GPP networks to 3GPP networks, such as Wimax to UTRAN networks. At this time, the HRPD access network needs to be replaced by a Wimax access network, the MME network element needs to be replaced by an SGSN network element in the UTRAN network, and the eNodeB network element needs to be replaced by an RNC network element in the UTRAN network.

As shown in fig. 10, which is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of the method for processing path handover in the present invention, a handover procedure from an E-UTRAN access network to an HRPD access network of a UE in an idle state specifically includes the following steps:

step S1001, the UE accesses to the E-UTRAN network.

In step S1002, the UE decides to pre-register to the HRPD network.

Step S1003, UE executes specific program in HRPD access network and PDSN to establish IP service connection and authentication in HRPD access network.

In step S1004, the UE determines to perform a handover operation to the HRPD.

In step S1005, the UE transmits AN HRPD connection request message to the HRPD AN. The HRPD AN allocates radio resources and triggers the PDSN session state from a dormant state to AN active state.

At step S1006, the HRPD AN sends AN a11 registration request message to the PDSN. The HRPD AN informs the PDSN not to perform the user plane path switching operation through the a11 registration request message, and there may be the following processing method:

(1) the HRPD AN adds a path non-switching indicating bit in the A11 registration request message, and the HRPD AN indicates the PDSN not to perform the user plane path switching operation through the indicating bit;

(2) the HRPD AN adds a path switch type cell to the a11 registration request message, and sets the cell to a specific value, such as 2, to indicate that the PDSN does not perform the user plane path switch operation, and the path switch type cell may have the following values:

0: indicating a pre-path switch;

1: indicating a final path switch;

2: indicating that the path is not switched.

(3) The HRPD AN adds a path switch reason information element to the a11 registration request message, for example: and a Cause cell, which is set by the HRPD AN to be a Cause value of 'no path switching'.

After receiving the message, the PDSN does not inform the PDN GW to carry out path switching.

Step S1007, the HRPD AN sends HRPD TCA message to UE through E-UTRAN network.

Step S1008, the UE switches to the HRPD access network, and executes a traffic channel acquisition procedure.

In step S1009, the UE transmits AN HRPD TCC (transport Channel Complete) message to the HRPD AN.

At step S1010, the HRPD AN sends AN a11 registration request message to the PDSN. The HRPD AN informs the PDSN through AN a11 registration request message that the registration request is caused by the UE handing over to the target network or that the PDSN is required for a user plane path switch (also referred to as a final path switch) operation. The processing method is the same as that of the above embodiment and will not be described here.

In step S1011, after receiving the a11 registration request message, if the PDSN finds that the message is caused by UE switching to HRPD or requires a user plane path switching operation, the PDSN sends a Proxy BU message to the PDN GW. The PDSN informs the PDN GW that "the UE has switched to the target network" through a Proxy BU message, or requires the PDN GW to perform a user plane path switching (which may also be referred to as final path switching) operation. The processing method is the same as that of the above embodiment and will not be described here.

At step S1012, the PDSN replies with AN a11 registration reply message to the HRPD AN.

As shown in fig. 11, which is a structural diagram of a bearer entity in the embodiment of the present invention, the bearer entity may be a PDNGW, and the bearer entity is configured to carry user data, and includes:

a receiving unit 1, configured to receive a handover instruction when a user equipment is handed over from a source network to a heterogeneous target network, and notify a handover unit;

a switching unit 2, configured to switch the bearer path from the source network to a heterogeneous target network after receiving the notification of the receiving unit 1;

and the bearing unit 3 is configured to reserve the bearing resource of the source network before the handover unit 2 is handed over to the target network.

Wherein, this bears entity still includes: a releasing unit 4, configured to release the bearer resource after the ue has been handed over to the target network.

Wherein, this bears entity still includes: and the timer 5 is used for monitoring the time of the switching process.

Wherein, this bears entity still includes: and the processing unit 6 is configured to delete the bearer resource of the source network or the target network after the timer 5 indicates timeout.

Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the present invention may be implemented by software plus a necessary general hardware platform, and certainly may also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases, the former is a better embodiment. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the present invention may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute the methods according to the embodiments of the present invention.

The above disclosure is only for a few specific embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and any variations that can be made by those skilled in the art are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A processing method for switching paths is characterized by comprising the following steps:

when the user equipment is switched between a heterogeneous source network and a target network, the user plane anchor point network element receives path switching processing type information sent by a target access network element;

and the user plane anchor point network element processes according to the path switching processing type information.

2. The path switch processing method of claim 1, wherein the path switch processing type is determined by the target access network element.

3. The method for processing path switch of claim 1, wherein the path switch processing type includes a pre-path switch processing type,

the processing by the user plane anchor point network element according to the path switching processing type information specifically includes: and the user plane anchor point network element switches the downlink user plane path to the target access network element according to the pre-path switching processing type information and reserves the resources of the source access network.

4. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein after the user plane anchor point network element switches the downlink user plane path to the target access network element according to the pre-path switch processing type information and reserves the resource of the source access network, the method further comprises:

the user plane anchor point network element or the source access network element receives user equipment UE switching success indication information or final path switching processing type information sent by the target access network element;

and the user plane anchor point network element or the source access network element releases the resources of the source access network.

5. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 3, wherein after the receiving, by the user plane anchor point network element, the pre-path switch processing type information sent by the target access network element, the method further comprises:

the user plane anchor point network element sets a monitoring timer;

if the user plane anchor point network element does not receive the UE switching success indication information or the final path switching processing type information after the monitoring timer is overtime, the user plane anchor point network element switches the downlink user plane path back to the source access network and deletes the resource of the target access network; or,

and the user plane anchor point network element deletes the resource of the source access network.

6. The path switching processing method according to claim 1, wherein the path switching processing type includes a path non-switching processing type,

the processing by the user plane anchor point network element according to the path switching processing type information specifically includes: and the user plane anchor point network element does not switch the path of the downlink user plane according to the path non-switching processing type information.

7. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target access network element comprises: the Serving gateway Serving GW, the user plane anchor point network element includes: a packet data network gateway PDN GW that is,

the path switching processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a default bearer creation request message or a Proxy binding update Proxy BU message sent by the Serving GW.

8. The method for processing path switch of claim 7, wherein the pre-path switch processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a bearer update request message or a Proxy BU message sent by the Serving GW.

9. The method for processing path switch of claim 7, wherein the indication information of UE switch success or the final path switch processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a bearer update request message or a Proxy BU message sent by the Serving GW.

10. The method for processing path switch of claim 7, wherein the path non-switch processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a bearer update request message or a Proxy BU message sent by the Serving GW.

11. The processing method of path switching according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the pre-path switching processing type information, the UE switching success indication information or the final path switching processing type information, the path non-switching processing type information sent by the Serving GW are obtained through a message sent by a mobility management network element MME.

12. The method for processing path switch according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the pre-path switch processing type information, the UE switch success indication information, or the final path switch processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a default bearer creation request message, a bearer update request message, or a Proxy BU message, and includes:

the target access network element adds a pre-path switching indication bit, or a final path switching indication bit, or a user plane path switching indication bit, or a path non-switching indication bit in the message; or,

the target access network element adds a path switching type cell in the message; or,

and the target access network element adds a path switching reason information element in the message.

13. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 12, wherein the UE switch success indication information or the final path switch processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a bearer update request message or a Proxy BU message, further comprising: the target access network element does not carry the UE switching success indication information or the final path switching processing type information in the bearer update request message or the Proxy BU message to indicate that the UE is successfully switched.

14. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target access network element comprises: a packet data serving node PDSN, wherein the user plane anchor network element comprises: the PDNGW is used for the data transmission,

the path switching processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a Proxy BU message sent by the PDSN.

15. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pre-path switch processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a Proxy BU message sent by the PDSN.

16. The method for processing path switch of claim 14, wherein the UE switch success indication information or the final path switch processing type information sent by the target access network element is carried by a Proxy BU message sent by the PDSN.

17. The method for processing path switch of claim 14, wherein the type information of path non-switch processing sent by the target access network element is carried by a Proxy BU message sent by the PDSN.

18. The method for processing path switch according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the pre-path switch processing type information, the UE switch success indication information or the final path switch processing type information, the path non-switch processing type information sent by the PDSN are obtained by a registration request message sent by an HRPD access network entity.

19. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pre-path switch indication information, UE switch success indication information or final path switch processing type information and path non-switch processing type information sent by the PDSN are obtained by a registration request message sent by a high rate packet data HRPD access network entity, and include:

the HRPD access network entity adds a pre-path switching indication bit, or a final path switching indication bit, or a user plane path switching indication bit, or a path non-switching indication bit in the registration request message; or,

the HRPD access network entity adds a path switching type cell in the registration request message; or,

and the HRPD access network entity adds a path switching reason information element in the registration request message.

20. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 19, wherein the UE switch success indication information or the final path switch processing type information sent by the PDSN is obtained through a registration request message sent by a high rate packet data HRPD access network entity, further comprising: and the HRPD access network entity does not carry the UE switching success indication information or the final path switching processing type information in the registration request message so as to indicate that the UE is successfully switched.

21. The method for processing path switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein the releasing, by the source access network element, the resource of the source access network specifically comprises:

a user plane processing entity of the source access network receives a resource release message sent by a network element of the source access network;

and the user plane processing entity sends a resource release message to the user plane anchor point network element so as to inform the user plane anchor point network element to release the resource of the source access network.

22. The method for processing path switch of claim 21, wherein the resource release message is carried by the registration request message when the source access network element is an HRPD access network entity, and is carried by the bearer deletion request message or a Proxy BU message when the source access network element is an MME.

23. A bearer entity for carrying user data, comprising:

the receiving unit is used for receiving a switching instruction when the user equipment is switched from the source network to the heterogeneous target network and informing the switching unit;

a switching unit, configured to switch a bearer path from a source network to a heterogeneous target network after receiving the notification of the receiving unit;

and the bearing unit is used for reserving the bearing resource of the source network before the switching unit is switched to the target network.

24. The bearer entity of claim 23, further comprising: and the releasing unit is used for releasing the bearing resources after the user equipment is switched to the target network.

25. The bearer entity of claim 23, further comprising: and the timer is used for monitoring the time of the switching process.

26. The bearer entity of claim 25, further comprising: and the processing unit is used for deleting the bearing resources of the source network or the target network after the indication of the timer is overtime.