CN111479299B

CN111479299B - Method and device for setting PSCell based on non-independent networking

Info

Publication number: CN111479299B
Application number: CN201910067554.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李淑玲
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-24
Filing date: 2019-01-24
Publication date: 2021-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-24
Also published as: CN111479299A

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of communication, in particular to a method and a device for setting a PSCell based on non-independent networking. The method is used for improving the utilization rate of 5G resources and ensuring the cell throughput. The method comprises the following steps: and presetting a corresponding alternative NR cell set for each SgNB, determining the SgNB with a cooperation relation with the S-MeNB by the T-MeNB based on the notification of the S-MeNB when the UE with the ED-DC established is switched between the main base stations, and selecting one NR cell from the preset alternative cell set corresponding to the SgNB to be set as the PSCell. Therefore, the T-MeNB can accurately add the PSCell of the SgNB after the UE is switched, so that the UE can continue to use the services provided by the MCG and the SCG after the UE is switched, the utilization rate of 5G resources is effectively improved, the cell throughput is ensured, and the resource load of the MeNB is reduced.

Description

Method and device for setting PSCell based on non-independent networking

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of communication, in particular to a method and a device for confirming PSCell setting based on non-independent networking.

Background

Currently, two networking schemes, Non-Stand Alone (NSA) and Stand Alone (SA), are introduced in the 5G standard. The non-independent networking is used as a transition scheme, the bandwidth of a hot spot area is mainly improved, and in the non-independent networking, the 5G base station has no independent signaling surface and works depending on the 4G base station and the 4G core network. And the independent networking can realize the new characteristics of all 5G, is beneficial to exerting the whole capability of the 5G, and is a 5G target scheme accepted in the industry.

However, in the initial stage of 5G network construction, due to practical problems such as technical capability and equipment cost, a non-independent networking scheme is temporarily adopted to erect the 5G network. The non-independent networking scheme may also be referred to as E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC), and the purpose of introducing the EN-DC technology is to: the 4G frequency band is relatively low, the construction time is long, a mature wide coverage network is formed, and good mobility is achieved; the 5G frequency band is relatively high, the coverage bandwidth of a cell is small in large range, and the problem of high throughput in a hot spot area is mainly solved, so that the construction can be carried out according to the telephone traffic demand, the coverage of the 5G network is improved and the mobility problem is solved by means of the control surface of the 4G network through the EN-DC technology, and the capacity demand and the coverage demand of a user can be met more easily.

Because of the current good coverage of Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, for the non-independent networking mode, the option3x networking mode is preferentially selected, i.e. the Core network adopts Evolved Packet Core (EPC).

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, in the deployment of the 5G base station, a long term evolution network base station (LTE eNB) is used as a control plane anchor point to access the EPC, and the UE has only one control plane connection with the core network. An LTE eNB is directly connected with an EPC through S1-C and S1-U, and a New Radio NodeB (gNB) is connected with the eNB through an X2 port to transmit control information and user information; as shown in fig. 2, the gNB also has S1-U connections with the EPC at the user plane.

However, the non-independent networking scheme has the following disadvantages:

for a UE with an EN-DC dual connection established, when the UE moves from a source main base station (S-MeNB) to a target main base station (T-MeNB), according to the protocol requirement, the UE needs to carry an auxiliary base station (SgNB) for switching, namely the UE needs to be switched from dual connection to the S-MeNB and the SgNB to dual connection to the T-MeNB and the SgNB. However, in the existing protocol, in the UE handover process, only the base station identification information of the SgNB is carried in the X2 handover request message sent by the S-MeNB to the T-MeNB, and a plurality of cells generally exist in the jurisdiction of one SgNB, so that the T-MeNB cannot accurately determine which Cell in the jurisdiction of the SgNB is used as the Master Cell Group (PSCell) in the Secondary Cell Group only based on the base station identification information of the SgNB, and thus it is impossible to implement that the Master Cell Group (MCG) and the source Secondary Cell Group (SCG) still provide service for the UE together after the UE handover, and thus, the functional characteristics of the MeNB handover with the PSCell being unchanged cannot be verified.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a method and a device for setting a PSCell based on a non-independent network, which are used for improving the utilization rate of 5G resources and ensuring the throughput of a cell.

The embodiment of the invention provides the following specific technical scheme:

a method for setting a primary cell PSCell in a secondary cell group based on non-independent networking comprises the following steps:

after user equipment UE (user equipment) with a new air interface base station dual-connection EN-DC (enhanced-mobility radio) is established moves from a source main base station S-MeNB to a target main base station T-MeNB, the T-MeNB receives a switching request message sent by the S-MeNB, and the switching request message carries base station identification information of an auxiliary base station SgNB;

the T-MeNB acquires a new alternative air interface NR cell set corresponding to the base station identification information;

and the T-MeNB selects one NR cell from the alternative NR cell set and sets the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, the new air interface NR cell candidate set is pre-negotiated and set between the main base stations.

Optionally, the selecting, by the T-MeNB, one NR cell from the candidate NR cell set to be the PSCell of the SgNB includes:

the T-MeNB determines a priority order of each NR cell contained in the alternative NR cell set;

and the T-MeNB selects an NR cell with the highest priority and sets the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, after the T-MeNB selects the NR cell with the highest priority, before setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the method further includes:

and the T-MeNB determines that the field intensity of the NR cell reaches a set threshold value.

Optionally, further comprising:

and if the T-MeNB determines that the field intensity of the NR cells does not reach a set threshold value, selecting one NR cell with the field intensity reaching the set threshold value from the alternative NR cell set by the T-MeNB, and setting the selected NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, the selecting, by the T-MeNB, one NR cell from the candidate NR cell set, and setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, further includes:

and the T-MeNB and the SgNB complete primary and secondary synchronization through the PSCell.

An apparatus for setting a primary cell PSCell in a secondary cell group based on non-independent networking, comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a handover request message sent by a source master base station S-MeNB after a user equipment UE that has established a new air interface base station dual-connectivity EN-DC moves from the device to the S-MeNB, where the handover request message carries base station identification information of an auxiliary base station SgNB;

an obtaining unit, configured to obtain a new candidate air interface NR cell set corresponding to the base station identifier information;

and the processing unit is used for selecting one NR cell from the alternative NR cell set and setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, the new air interface NR cell candidate set acquired by the acquiring unit is pre-negotiated and set between the main base stations.

Optionally, when one NR cell is selected from the candidate NR cell set and set as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processing unit is configured to:

determining a priority order of each NR cell contained in the alternative NR cell set;

and selecting an NR cell with the highest priority and setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, after selecting the NR cell with the highest priority and before setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processing unit is further configured to:

and determining that the field intensity of the NR cell reaches a set threshold value.

Optionally, the processing unit is further configured to:

and if the field intensity of the NR cell is determined not to reach the set threshold value, selecting one NR cell with the field intensity reaching the set threshold value from the alternative NR cell set, and setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, after the selecting selects one NR cell from the candidate NR cell set and sets the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processing unit is further configured to:

and completing primary and secondary synchronization through the PSCell and the SgNB.

A communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein,

the processor is used for reading the program saved in the memory and executing the following operations:

after user equipment UE (user equipment) with a new air interface base station dual-connection EN-DC (enhanced-direct current) is established moves to the communication device from a source main base station S-MeNB, receiving a switching request message sent by the S-MeNB, wherein the switching request message carries base station identification information of an auxiliary base station SgNB;

acquiring a new alternative air interface NR cell set corresponding to the base station identification information;

and selecting one NR cell from the alternative NR cell set, and setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, the new NR cell candidate set obtained by the processor is pre-negotiated and set between the primary base stations.

Optionally, when one NR cell is selected from the candidate NR cell set and set as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processor is configured to:

Optionally, after selecting the NR cell with the highest priority and before setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processor is further configured to:

Optionally, the processor is further configured to:

Optionally, after the selecting selects one NR cell from the candidate NR cell set and sets the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processor is further configured to:

A storage medium storing a program for implementing a method of setting a primary cell PSCell in a secondary cell group based on non-independent networking, the program, when executed by a processor, performing the steps of:

In the embodiment of the invention, the main base station side presets a corresponding alternative NR cell set for each SgNB, namely, a plurality of NR cells governed by each SgNB are respectively recorded, and when UE establishing ED-DC switches between main base stations, the T-MeNB can determine the SgNB having a cooperation relation with the S-MeNB based on the notification of the S-MeNB and select one NR cell from the preset alternative cell set corresponding to the SgNB to be set as the PSCell.

Therefore, the imperfect protocol is effectively compensated, the T-MeNB can accurately add the PSCell of the SgNB after the UE is switched, the UE can continue to use the services provided by the MCG and the SCG after the UE is switched, the service rate under the SCG scene is further ensured to be continuously used after the UE is switched, the user experience is improved, the utilization rate of 5G resources is effectively improved, the cell throughput is ensured, and the resource load of the MeNB is reduced.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an EN-DC control plane connection method in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an EN-DC control plane architecture in the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a prior art EN-DC user plane connection;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart of the PSCell setup by the T-MeNB according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a logical functional structure of the T-MeNB according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an entity functional structure of the T-MeNB in the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to fully utilize 5G resources and ensure cell throughput, in the embodiment of the present invention, the MeNB side needs to agree with the SgNB side in advance on a priority order of each New Radio, NR (NR) cell (i.e., 5G cell), so that, in the UE handover process, the T-MeNB may select the PSCell according to the preset agreed priority order.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For a UE that has established an EN-DC dual connection, when the UE moves from the jurisdiction of the S-MeNB to the scope of the T-MeNB, the S-MeNB carries the base station identification information of the SgNB in the handover request message, and the T-MeNB selects the PSCell from the corresponding cell list based on the base station identification information.

Specifically, referring to fig. 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, a detailed flow of setting the PSCell by the T-MeNB in the UE handover process is as follows:

step 400: after UE which has established EN-DC moves from S-MeNB to T-MeNB, the T-MeNB receives a Handover Request message (namely, Handover Request) sent by the S-MeNB, wherein the Handover Request message at least carries base station identification information of SgNB.

Step 410: is T-MeNB determined whether the received handover request message carries NR cell configuration information? If yes, go to step 420; otherwise, step 440 is performed.

Step 420: and the T-MeNB sets the PSCell of the SgNB according to the NR cell configuration information.

Under the existing protocol, the handover request message does not carry NR cell configuration information, but in a future version of the protocol, it may be specified that the handover request message may carry NR cell configuration information, so that the T-MeNB may select one cell to be set as the PSCell among multiple cells governed by the SgNB according to the indication of the NR cell configuration information, so that the SgNB may complete primary and secondary synchronization with the T-MeNB through the PSCell, and further continue to provide the UE with a service combining the 4G network and the 5G network.

Step 430: and the T-MeNB acquires a preset alternative NR cell set corresponding to the base station identification information.

In the embodiment of the present invention, an OM may respectively set corresponding alternative NR cell sets corresponding to base station identification information of each SgNB, where in an alternative NR cell set corresponding to one SgNB, all NR cells that the SgNB has authority to manage are recorded, and optionally, in the alternative NR cell set, a selection priority order of each NR cell is recorded at the same time, as specifically shown in table 1.

TABLE 1

NR cell ID	Priority order
		Cell A
	1
		Cell B	2
Cell C	3
		……	……

Optionally, the T-MeNB and the S-MeNB may negotiate the configuration mode and priority order of the alternative NR cell in advance, and are set in the background by Operation and Maintenance (OM).

Step 440: and the T-MeNB selects one NR cell from the alternative NR cell list to be set as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, in executing step 440, the T-MeNB may use, but is not limited to, the following:

step A: and the T-MeNB carries out field strength test on each NR cell in the alternative NR cell set.

And B: and the T-MeNB selects an NR cell with the highest priority as an NR cell to be selected according to the priority sequence set in the alternative NR cell set.

And C: the T-MeNB judges whether the field intensity of the NR cell to be selected reaches a set threshold value, if so, the step D is executed; otherwise, executing step E.

Step D: the T-MeNB sets the NR cell with the highest priority as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Step E: the T-MeNB selects one NR cell (which can be selected according to a priority order or randomly) from other NR cells with the field intensity reaching a set threshold value, and sets the selected NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Of course, the above process is only an example, and if the field strength of each NR cell is in a stable state and cannot be easily changed, the T-MeNB may select an NR cell with the highest priority as the to-be-first NR cell without performing the field strength test.

Based on the foregoing embodiments, referring to fig. 5, in an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus (i.e., T-MeNB) configured as a primary cell PSCell in a secondary cell group based on non-independent networking is provided, including a receiving unit 50, an obtaining unit 51, and a processing unit 52, wherein,

a receiving unit 50, configured to receive a handover request message sent by a source master base station S-MeNB after a user equipment UE that has established a new air interface base station dual-connectivity EN-DC moves from the device to the source master base station S-MeNB, where the handover request message carries base station identification information of an auxiliary base station SgNB;

an obtaining unit 51, configured to obtain a new candidate air interface NR cell set corresponding to the base station identifier information;

a processing unit 52, configured to select one NR cell from the candidate NR cell set, and set the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB.

Optionally, the new air interface NR cell candidate set acquired by the acquiring unit 51 is pre-negotiated and set between the main base stations.

Optionally, when one NR cell is selected from the candidate NR cell set and set as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processing unit 52 is configured to:

Optionally, after selecting the NR cell with the highest priority and before setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processing unit 52 is further configured to:

Optionally, the processing unit 52 is further configured to:

Optionally, after the selecting selects one NR cell from the candidate NR cell set and sets the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processing unit 52 is further configured to:

Based on the same inventive concept, referring to fig. 6, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication apparatus, including a processor 60 and a memory 61, wherein,

the processor 60 is configured to read the program stored in the memory 61, and perform the following operations:

Optionally, the new air interface NR cell candidate set obtained by the processor 60 is pre-negotiated and set between the main base stations.

Optionally, when one NR cell is selected from the candidate NR cell set and set as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processor 60 is configured to:

Optionally, after selecting the NR cell with the highest priority and before setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processor 60 is further configured to:

Optionally, the processor 60 is further configured to:

Optionally, after the selecting selects one NR cell from the candidate NR cell set and sets the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the processor 60 is further configured to:

Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a storage medium storing a program for implementing a method for setting a primary cell PSCell in a secondary cell group based on non-independent networking, where the program, when executed by a processor, performs the following steps:

In summary, in the embodiment of the present invention, the main base station side presets a corresponding set of alternative NR cells for each SgNB, that is, records a plurality of NR cells governed by each SgNB, respectively, and when the UE that has established the ED-DC switches between the main base stations, the T-MeNB may determine, based on the notification of the S-MeNB, the SgNB that has a cooperation relationship with the S-MeNB, and select one NR cell from the set of alternative cells preset corresponding to the SgNB to set as the PSCell.

Therefore, the imperfect protocol is effectively compensated, the T-MeNB can accurately add the PSCell of the SgNB after the UE is switched, so that the UE can continue to use the services provided by the Master Cell Group (MCG) and the source auxiliary Cell Group (SCG) after the UE is switched, the service rate under the SCG scene is further ensured to be continuously used after the UE is switched, the user experience is improved, the utilization rate of 5G resources is effectively improved, the Cell throughput is ensured, and the resource load of the MeNB is also reduced.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present invention is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including preferred embodiments and all such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the embodiments of the invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to encompass such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for setting a primary cell PSCell in a secondary cell group based on non-independent networking is characterized by comprising the following steps:

the T-MeNB carries out field intensity test on each NR cell in the alternative NR cell set, the T-MeNB selects an NR cell with the highest priority according to a priority sequence set in the alternative NR cell set, and if the T-MeNB determines that the field intensity of the NR cell reaches a set threshold value, the NR cell is set as a PSCell of the SgNB, wherein the configuration mode and the priority sequence of the alternative NR cell are pre-negotiated between the T-MeNB and the S-MeNB and are set in a background by operation and maintenance.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the T-MeNB selects one NR cell from the set of alternative NR cells, and after setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB, the method further comprises:

4. An apparatus for setting a primary cell PSCell in a secondary cell group based on dependent networking, comprising:

and the processing unit is used for carrying out field strength test on each NR cell in the alternative NR cell set, the T-MeNB selects an NR cell with the highest priority according to a priority sequence set in the alternative NR cell set, and if the T-MeNB determines that the field strength of the NR cell reaches a set threshold value, the NR cell is set as the PSCell of the SgNB, wherein the configuration mode and the priority sequence of the alternative NR cell are pre-negotiated by the T-MeNB and the S-MeNB and are set in the background by operation and maintenance.

5. A communication device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein,

and performing field strength test on each NR cell in the alternative NR cell set, selecting one NR cell with the highest priority by the T-MeNB according to a priority sequence set in the alternative NR cell set, and setting the NR cell as the PSCell of the SgNB if the T-MeNB determines that the field strength of the NR cell reaches a set threshold value, wherein the configuration mode and the priority sequence of the alternative NR cell are pre-negotiated between the T-MeNB and the S-MeNB and are set in a background by operation and maintenance.

6. A storage medium storing a program for implementing a method of setting a primary cell PSCell in a secondary cell group based on non-independent networking, the program, when executed by a processor, performing the steps of: