CN105813052A - User plane path updating method, device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a user plane path update method, device and system, wherein the method includes: a first secondary base station receives UE identification information from a primary base station; the first secondary base station sends a path update request to a control node, wherein, The path update request carries identification information. The present invention solves the problem of how to update the S1 user plane data path after the UE replaces the base station under the same control node as the SeNB under the dual connection architecture in the related art, and fills the gap in the related art.

Description

Method, device and system for updating user plane path

technical field

The present invention relates to the communication field, in particular, to a method, device and system for updating user plane paths.

Background technique

With the development of wireless multimedia services, people's demand for high data rate and user experience is increasing, which puts forward higher requirements on the system capacity and coverage of traditional cellular networks. In a traditional LTE cellular network, the macro base station serves as the only network element on the access side to provide access services for UEs. In order to meet users' demand for higher data rates and improve the spectral efficiency of cellular networks, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3rd Generation Partnership Project, referred to as 3GPP) introduced low power nodes (LowPowerNode, referred to as LPN) as a supplement to macro base stations for user equipment ( UserEquipment (referred to as UE for short) provides access services. LPN has the characteristics of low cost, low power, and easy deployment. It usually has two deployment scenarios: hotspot deployment and enhanced coverage. It can effectively increase the data rate of high-speed data services in indoor or outdoor hotspot areas, and improve coverage in remote areas or cell edges. Generally, LPNs can also be called small base stations, including home base stations (HeNB for HomeNodeB), pico base stations (pico), remote radio units/heads (RemoteRadioUnit for RRU/RadioRemoteHead for RRH for short), relay nodes (RelayNode for short). RN) and so on. In the hotspot deployment scenario, in order to achieve high data rate and spectrum efficiency, it is necessary to deploy a large number of small base stations densely in the area. However, due to the small coverage of a small cell (small cell) under the small base station, the probability of handover failure increases when a medium-to-high-speed mobile UE passes through the small base station, which affects UE service continuity. In order to improve the mobile performance of UE after the introduction of smallcell, the industry proposes that a base station (such as a macro base station) guarantee basic coverage, and UE always maintains a radio resource control (RadioResourceControl, RRC) connection with the base station, while smallcell is only used for transmission Node (transmissionpoint referred to as TP) to provide a higher data rate and meet the user's power saving needs. Under this system architecture, the UE maintains connections with at least two base stations and uses wireless resources under the two base stations, which can realize cross-node wireless resource aggregation. This architecture is usually called a dual connectivity architecture. Figure 1 is based on the The block diagram of the dual connection architecture is shown in Figure 1. Among the two base stations connected to the UE, the one with certain management and control capabilities is usually called the master base station (mastereNB, MeNB for short), and the other base station is called the secondary base station (SecondaryeNB for short). SeNB). After the UE accesses the MeNB, the dual connection can be realized through the SeNB addition process. After the SeNB is successfully added, a series of management can be performed on the SeNB, such as SeNB modification, SeNB deletion, and SeNB change.

There are two possible architectures for the user plane under the dual connection architecture, namely the 1A architecture in architecture option1, or the 3C architecture in architecture option3, where S1-U in architecture option1 terminates at MeNB and SeNB; for example, different user planes of UE Bearer data can be delivered by SGW to MeNB and SeNB respectively, and then sent to UE. In architecture option 3, S1-U is terminated at MeNB, and there is bearer separation on the Residential Access Network (RAN) side. Part of the data is separated to the SeNB, and then sent to the UE by the SeNB. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the dual connection architecture according to the related technology. The left diagram in Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture option1, and the right diagram in Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture option1A protocol stack, that is, the architecture option1 is adopted, and the user plane protocol stack on the SeNB There is an independent packet data convergence protocol (PacketDataConvergenceProtoco referred to as PDCP1) and the following protocol layers, and there is no bearer separation.

On the other hand, under the dual connectivity architecture, it is possible to deploy HeNB as SeNB (or MeNB). A home base station in a Long Term Evolution (Long Term Evolution for short) system is called a HeNB (homeeNB). The functions supported by the HeNB are basically the same as those of the eNB, and the process between the HeNB and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC for short) is basically the same as that between the eNB and the EPC. Since the deployment of the HeNB usually does not go through the network planning of the mobile operator, the coverage area is small and the number is large. In order to facilitate management and support a larger number of HeNBs, under the E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN) architecture, a new network element femtocell gateway is introduced between the S1 connection between the HeNB and the EPC HeNBGW (HomeeNBGateway). The HeNB may connect to a mobility management entity (Mobility Management Entity, MME for short) through the HeNBGW as an S1 proxy. The S1 data between HeNB and SGW is optionally terminated at HeNBGW. There is an X2 direct interface between HeNBs, which can perform load balancing, handover optimization, information exchange, etc.

In the case of adopting the dual connection user plane architecture 1A, the MeNB needs to add a new SeNB for the UE, or replace the SeNB serving the UE during the UE's moving process. Since the S1 user plane data is sent by the SGW to the MeNB and SeNB respectively, if the mobility anchor of the S1 user plane is located in the core network element SGW, in the process of adding or changing the SeNB, the MeNB needs to initiate a pathupdate process to update the S1 bearer information of the SGW. Usually SeNB is a small base station, and the coverage of small base stations is small and densely deployed in hotspot areas. In the scenario where UE moves in such a large number of densely deployed areas of small base stations, if the process of adding/changing SeNB needs to be performed by the core network element Participating in the interaction will lead to a large core network signaling load and cause delays in the SeNB management process. In the scenario where the SeNB is connected to the SGW through the control node, if the UE moves between HeNBs (as SeNBs) under the same control node (for example, HeNBGW, or mobility anchor MA), the mobility anchor of the UE's S1 user plane can be located at A control node (such as HeNBGW or MA), which can save some core network S1 signaling interaction for UE user plane path update. However, in the related art, under the dual connection architecture, there is no method for how to update the S1 user plane data path after the UE replaces the HeNB under the same control node as the SeNB.

Aiming at the problem of how to update the S1 user plane data path after the UE replaces the base station under the same control node as the SeNB under the dual connection architecture in the related art, no effective solution has been proposed yet.

Contents of the invention

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a user plane path update method, device and system, so as to at least solve the problem of how to update the S1 user plane after the UE replaces the HeNB under the same control node as the SeNB under the dual connection architecture in the related art. Data path issues.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for updating user plane paths, which is applied to the dual connectivity architecture of the base station, including: the first secondary base station receives the identification information of the UE from the primary base station; the first secondary base station sends The control node sends a path update request, where the path update request carries the identification information.

Further, the receiving by the first secondary base station of the UE identification information from the primary base station includes: the first secondary base station receiving a request message for requesting to add a secondary base station or a secondary base station reconfiguration complete message sent from the primary base station. The identification information of .

Further, the identification information is allocated to the UE by a mobility management entity MME or allocated to the UE by a control node.

Further, receiving the identification information of the UE from the primary base station by the first secondary base station includes: receiving, by the first secondary base station, the identification information acquired by the primary base station from a second secondary base station, wherein the second secondary base station The base station and the first secondary base station are connected to the same control node.

Further, the second secondary base station obtains the identification information in one of the following ways: the second secondary base station obtains the identification information from the control node; the second secondary base station obtains the identification information from a mobility management entity MME The identification information; the second secondary base station acquires the UE identification information from the primary base station.

Further, the second secondary base station sends UE identity information to the master base station: the second secondary base station sends the identity information to the master base station through an X2 interface.

Further, the primary base station, the first secondary base station, and the second secondary base station are one of the following: a macro base station, a home base station, a micro base station, or a pico base station; the control node is one of the following: a home base station gateway, or Move the anchor point or add a control NE.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for updating a user plane path is provided, which is applied in a dual connectivity architecture of a base station, comprising: a control node receiving identification information of a user equipment UE sent by a first secondary base station; the control node Judging whether to update the information about the user plane path performed by the UE according to the identification information.

Further, the control node judging whether to update the UE to perform user plane path according to the identification information includes: the control node judging whether there is a local context of the UE corresponding to the identification information according to the identification information information; when the judgment result is yes, the control node updates the UE user plane downlink path according to the context information; when the judgment result is no, the control node saves the identification information.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for updating user plane paths, which is applied to the side of the first secondary base station in the dual connectivity architecture of the base station, and includes: a first receiving module, configured to receive the identity of the UE from the primary base station Information; a sending module, configured to send a path update request to the control node, wherein the path update request carries the identification information.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for updating a user plane path, which is applied to the dual connectivity architecture control node side of the base station, and includes: a second receiving module, configured to receive the user equipment UE sent by the first secondary base station Identification information; a judging module, configured to judge whether to update the information of the user plane path performed by the UE according to the identification information.

Further, the judging module is further configured to judge, according to the identification information, whether there is context information of the UE corresponding to the identification information locally; if the judgment result is yes, update the UE according to the context information User plane downlink path; when the judgment result is no, save the identification information.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a system for updating user plane paths is provided, which is applied to a dual connection structure of base stations. The system includes: a control node, a first secondary base station, and a master base station; the master base station sends The first secondary base station sends identification information of the user equipment UE; the first secondary base station is configured to send a path update request message to the control node, where the path update request message carries the identification information; The control node is configured to judge whether to update the path information of the user plane of the UE according to the identification information.

Further, the control node is further configured to judge whether there is context information of the UE corresponding to the identification information locally; if the judgment result is yes, the control node updates the UE user information according to the identification information The downlink path information on the surface, and if the judgment result is negative, the control node saves the identification information.

Further, the system further includes: a second secondary base station, wherein, the second secondary base station and the first secondary base station are connected to the same control node; the second secondary base station is used to obtain the Identification information; the second secondary base station is used to send the identification information to the primary base station.

Further, the second secondary base station is configured to obtain the identification information from the control node; or, the second secondary base station is configured to obtain the identification information from a mobility management entity MME; or, the second secondary base station is configured to obtain the identification information from a mobility management entity MME; The second secondary base station is configured to acquire the UE identity information from the primary base station.

Further, the second secondary base station sends the identification information to the primary base station through a message for an X2 interface.

In the present invention, when the user equipment UE moves from the second SeNB to the first SeNB, in order to realize the handover of the user plane path information of the UE from the second SeNB to the first SeNB, the first SeNB receives information from The identification information of the UE of the primary base station, and send the identification information to the control node, and the identification information is the basis for the control node to judge whether to update the UE user plane downlink path, so that when switching between secondary base stations, the UE user plane path information switch. This embodiment solves the problem of how to update the S1 user plane data path after the UE replaces the base station under the same control node as the SeNB in the dual connection architecture in the related art, and fills in the gap in the related art.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings described here are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the application. The schematic embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations to the present invention. In the attached picture:

Fig. 1 is a structural block diagram according to the dual-connection architecture in the related art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a dual-connection architecture according to the related art;

FIG. 3 is a first flow chart of a method for updating a user plane path according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a second flowchart of a method for updating a user plane path according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a first structural diagram of an apparatus for updating user plane paths according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a second structural block diagram of an apparatus for updating user plane paths according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a structural block diagram of a system for updating user plane paths according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of user plane path update according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a first flowchart of a user plane path update method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a second flow chart of a user plane path update method according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of UE updating user plane paths between SeNBs according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a first flow chart of a method for updating a user plane path between SeNBs by a UE according to an optional embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a second flowchart of a method for updating a user plane path between SeNBs by a UE according to an optional embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

It should be noted that, in the case of no conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

This embodiment provides a method for updating a user plane path. FIG. 3 is a flow chart 1 of a method for updating a user plane path according to an embodiment of the present invention. This method is applied to a dual connection architecture with a base station, as shown in FIG. 3 , The steps of the method include:

Step S302: the first secondary base station receives the identification information of the UE from the primary base station;

Wherein, the second secondary base station and the first secondary base station correspond to the same control node;

Step S304: the first secondary base station sends a path update request to the control node, wherein the path update request carries identification information;

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first secondary base station is used to receive the identification information of the UE from the primary base station, and send the identification information to the control node, and the identification information is the basis for the control node to judge whether to update the UE user plane downlink path, so that The update of the user plane path of the secondary base station is realized; through this embodiment, the problem of how to update the S1 user plane data path after the UE has not replaced the base station under the same control node as the SeNB under the dual connection architecture in the related art is solved .

The manner in which the first secondary base station receives the identification information of the UE from the primary base station involved in this embodiment may be implemented in the following manner in an optional implementation manner:

Mode 1: The first SeNB receives the identification information through a request message for requesting to add a SeNB

Manner 2: The first SeNB receives the identification information through a message for SeNB reconfiguration complete.

It should be noted that, based on Figure 2, in the dual connection structure of the base station, the HeNB with the identity of MeNB or SeNB can be connected to the MME through the HeNBGW, and the S1 message exchanged between the MME and the MeNB/SeNB is forwarded through the HeNBGW; The HeNB with the SeNB identity can be connected to other base stations through the X2GW, then the X2 message exchanged between the MeNB/SeNB and other base stations, and the X2 message exchanged between the MeNB and the SeNB can be forwarded through the X2GW.

That is to say, SeNB can be HeNB, and there is an S1 interface between SeNB and HeNBGW, the interface includes: user plane and control plane, the S1-C interface is mainly used for S1 user plane path update of UE, and the connection between HeNBGW and MME There is no UE-related S1 connection between the HeNBGW and the SGW, and there is an S1 user plane interface between the HeNBGW and the SGW.

Therefore, due to the structural relationship of the dual connectivity structure of the base station, when the identification information is allocated to the UE by the mobility management entity MME, the above method 1 is adopted; and when the identification information is allocated to the UE by the control node, the above method 2 is adopted.

Optionally, the first secondary base station in this embodiment receives the identification information obtained by the primary base station from the second secondary base station, where the second secondary base station and the first secondary base station are connected to the same control node

However, the identification information involved in this embodiment may be MMEUES1APID. Of course, the identification information is only used for illustration, and those skilled in the art can redefine the identification information involved in the present invention as needed to obtain new identification information, that is to say, the identification information in this embodiment has a significant impact on the present invention. It is not limited enough, as long as the information used to uniquely identify the UE on the control node or the information used to uniquely identify the UE on the MME is within the protection scope of the present invention.

For the identification information in this embodiment, in an optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the second secondary base station sends the identification information to the main base station after obtaining the identification information; and for the manner in which the second secondary base station obtains the identification information, in There can be multiple types in this embodiment, such as:

Mode 1: the second secondary base station acquires identification information from the control node;

Mode 2: the second secondary base station obtains the identification information from the mobility management entity MME;

Mode 3: the second secondary base station acquires UE identity information from the primary base station.

As for the way that the second secondary base station sends UE identification information to the primary base station, there may be multiple ways in this embodiment, and in an optional implementation manner in this optional embodiment, it may be completed in the following manner: The second secondary base station sends identification information to the primary base station through the X2 interface.

In addition, the primary base station, the first secondary base station, and the second secondary base station involved in this embodiment may be one of the following: macro base station, home base station, micro base station, or pico base station; the control node may be one of the following: home base station Gateway, or mobile anchor point or newly added control network element. .

Fig. 4 is a flow chart 2 of a method for updating a user plane path according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to a dual connection architecture of a base station. As shown in Fig. 4 , the steps of the method include:

Step S402: the control node receives the identification information of the user equipment UE sent by the first secondary base station;

Step S404: the control node judges whether to update the UE's information on the user plane path according to the identification information;

However, in an optional implementation manner of this embodiment, the manner in which the control node judges whether to update the UE to perform the user plane path according to the identification information may be implemented in the following manner:

Step S11: the control node determines whether there is context information of the UE corresponding to the identification information locally according to the identification information;

Step S12: when the judgment result is yes, the control node updates the UE user plane downlink path according to the context information;

Step S13: when the judgment result is negative, the control node saves the identification information.

Wherein, by saving the identification information, the context information of the UE can be found later through the UE identification information.

In this embodiment, structural block diagrams 1 and 2 of an apparatus for updating user plane paths are also provided. The apparatus is used to implement the foregoing embodiments and optional implementation manners, and those that have already been described will not be repeated. As used below, the terms "module" and "unit" may be a combination of software and/or hardware that realizes a predetermined function. Although the devices described in the following embodiments are preferably implemented in software, implementations in hardware, or a combination of software and hardware are also possible and contemplated.

Fig. 5 is a structural diagram of an apparatus for updating a user plane path according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the side of the first secondary base station in the dual connectivity architecture of the base station. In the process of moving from the second secondary base station to the first secondary base station, receiving identification information of the UE from the primary secondary base station, where the second secondary base station and the first secondary base station correspond to the same control node; the sending module 54 is coupled to the first receiving module The connection is used to send a path update request to the control node, where the path update request carries identification information; where the identification information is the basis for the control node to judge whether to update the UE user plane downlink path.

Fig. 6 is a structural block diagram 2 of a device for updating a user plane path according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the control node side of the dual connection architecture of the base station. As shown in Fig. 6, the device includes: a second receiving module 62 for receiving the second The identity information of the user equipment UE sent by a secondary base station; the judging module 64 is coupled to the second receiving module 64, and is used to judge whether to update the information of the UE performing a user plane path according to the identity information.

Optionally, the judging module 64 is also used to judge whether there is context information of the UE corresponding to the identity information locally according to the identification information; when the judgment result is yes, update the UE user plane downlink path according to the context information; when the judgment result is no , save the identification information.

FIG. 7 is a structural block diagram of a user plane path update system according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to a dual connection structure of a base station. As shown in FIG. 7, the system includes: a control node 72, a first secondary base station 74, and a primary base station 76 and the second secondary base station 78;

The main base station 72 is configured to send the identification information of the user equipment UE to the first secondary base station 74 during the movement of the user equipment UE from the second secondary base station 78 to the first secondary base station 74;

The first secondary base station 74 is configured to send a path update request message to the control node 76, where the path update request message carries identification information;

The control node 76 is configured to judge whether to update the path information of the user plane of the UE according to the identification information.

Optionally, the control node 76 is also used to judge whether there is UE context information corresponding to the identification information locally; when the judgment result is yes, the control node updates the downlink path information of the UE user plane according to the identification information, and if the judgment result is If not, the control node saves the identification information.

For the system in FIG. 7, the system may further include: a second secondary base station 78;

The second secondary base station 78 may be used for acquiring identification information; and for sending the identification information to the primary base station.

The manner in which the second secondary base station obtains the identification information in this embodiment may be as follows:

Method 1: Obtain identification information from the control node;

Method 2: Obtain identification information from the mobility management entity MME;

Mode 3: Obtain UE identification information from the primary base station.

However, in this embodiment, the manner in which the second SeNB sends the identification information to the MeNB may be implemented in the following manner: the second SeNB sends the identification information to the MeNB through an X2 interface message.

The present invention is illustrated below in conjunction with optional embodiments of the present invention;

This optional embodiment is applied to the dual connectivity user plane architecture 1A. In this optional embodiment, the control node is described by taking a home base station gateway (HeNBGW) as an example. The HeNB with the identity of the MeNB or the SeNB can be connected to the MME through the HeNBGW, and the S1 message exchanged between the MME and the MeNB/SeNB is forwarded through the HeNBGW. If the MeNB or SeNB is an HeNB, an X2 connection can be established through the X2GW, and the X2 messages exchanged between the MeNB/SeNB and other base stations, and the X2 messages exchanged between the MeNB and the SeNB can be forwarded through the X2GW. This optional embodiment will be described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the optional embodiment.

This optional embodiment will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the accompanying drawings of this optional embodiment;

Optional embodiment one

This optional embodiment describes the first method in which the MeNB adds the first SeNB scene to the UE. In this method, the HeNBGW retrieves the context of the UE by assigning identification information to the UE itself. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario of user plane path update according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 8, SeNB is HeNB, and there is an S1 interface between SeNB and HeNBGW, including a user plane and a control plane, and the S1-C The interface is mainly used for S1 user plane path update of UE. However, there is no UE-related S1 connection between the HeNBGW and the MME, and there is an S1 user plane interface between the HeNBGW and the SGW. Fig. 9 is a first flowchart of a method for updating a user plane path according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 9, the steps of the method in this optional embodiment include:

In step S901, the UE connects to the network through the MeNB. During the movement of the UE, if the UE moves within the range of the SeNB and detects a cell of the SeNB, it reports a measurement report to the MeNB, and the MeNB determines to perform the SeNB addition process for the UE according to the measurement report. The MeNB sends a SeNB addition request message to the SeNB, which includes GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GPRS Tunneling Protocol GTP for short) information allocated by the SGW that needs to be established on the SeNB.

In step S902, the SeNB sends a path update request message to the HeNBGW. The path update request message includes the GTP information allocated by itself and the bearer to be established on the SeNB, and the received GTP information allocated by the SGW to be established on the SeNB. The path update request message may be an S1 interface E-RAB modification indication message or an S1 interface path transfer, or other S1 interface messages. Optionally, the path update request message includes an identifier allocated by the SeNB for the SeNB-HeNBGW inter-connection of the UE, such as EnbUES1APID. Of course, the identifier is only one manner in this optional embodiment. In addition, the identifier can also be redefined as needed to obtain a new UE identifier.

In step S903, the HeNBGW replies a path update confirmation message to the SeNB. The path update confirmation message includes the identifier allocated by the HeNBGW for the SeNB-HeNBGW connection of the UE, such as MMEUES1APID. Of course, this identity can also be redefined as required to obtain a newly defined UE identity. In addition, the message includes the GTP information of the bearers allocated by the HeNBGW to the SeNB and the SGW to be established on the SeNB respectively. The path update confirmation message may be an S1 interface E-RAB modification confirmation message or an S1 interface path transfer request confirmation message, or other S1 interface messages.

In step S904, the SeNB replies a SeNB addition request confirmation message to the MeNB. The SeNB addition request acknowledgment message includes identification information allocated by the HeNBGW for the UE, such as MMEUES1APID or a newly defined identification. In addition, the message also includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by the HeNBGW to the SGW and needs to be established on the SeNB. The MeNB saves the information in the context of the corresponding UE after receiving it.

In step S905, the MeNB initiates an RRC reconfiguration message process to the UE. After the UE reconfiguration is completed, the MeNB sends a SeNB reconfiguration complete message to the SeNB.

In step S906, the MeNB sends a path update request message to the MME, and the path update request message includes the received GTP information of the bearer allocated by the HeNBGW to the SGW to be established on the SeNB. The path update request message is an S1 interface E-RAB modification indication message or an S1 interface path transfer, or other S1 interface messages.

Optional embodiment two

This optional embodiment describes the second method in which the MeNB adds the first SeNB scene to the UE. In this method, the HeNBGW assigns identification information to the UE through the MME to retrieve the context of the UE. As shown in Figure 8, the SeNB is a HeNB, and there is an S1 interface between the SeNB and the HeNBGW, including a user plane and a control plane, and the S1-C interface is mainly used for S1 user plane path update of the UE. However, there is no UE-related S1 connection between the HeNBGW and the MME, and there is an S1 user plane interface between the HeNBGW and the SGW. Fig. 10 is a second flowchart of a user plane path update method according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 10, the steps of the method in this optional embodiment include:

In step S1001, the UE connects to the network through the MeNB. During the movement of the UE, if the UE moves within the range of the SeNB and detects a cell of the SeNB, it reports a measurement report to the MeNB, and the MeNB determines to perform the SeNB addition procedure for the UE according to the measurement report. The MeNB sends a SeNB addition request message to the SeNB, and the message includes the MMEUES1APID allocated by the MME for the S1 connection of the UE. The message also includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by the SGW to be established on the SeNB.

In step S1002, the SeNB sends a path update request message to the HeNBGW. The path update request message includes the MMEUES1APID of the UE allocated by the MME received by the SeNB from the MeNB. The message also includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by itself and the bearer to be established on the SeNB, and the received GTP information of the bearer allocated by the SGW to be established on the SeNB. The path update request message may be an S1 interface E-RAB modification indication message or an S1 interface path transfer, or other S1 interface messages. Optionally, the path update request message includes an identifier allocated by the SeNB for the SeNB-HeNBGW inter-connection of the UE, such as EnbUES1APID. In addition, the identity may also be a new UE identity obtained by redefining as needed. The HeNBGW saves the information as the UE context after receiving it, and in addition, the HeNBGW can subsequently retrieve the UE context through the MMEUES1APID of the UE allocated by the MME.

In step S1003, the HeNBGW replies a path update confirmation message to the SeNB. Optionally, the path update confirmation message includes an identifier allocated by the HeNBGW for the SeNB-HeNBGW inter-connection of the UE, such as MMEUES1APID. In addition, this identity may also be a newly defined UE identity. In addition, the message includes the GTP information of the bearers allocated by the HeNBGW to the SeNB and the SGW to be established on the SeNB respectively. The path update confirmation message may be an S1 interface E-RAB modification confirmation message or an S1 interface path transfer request confirmation message, or other S1 interface messages.

In step S1004, the SeNB replies a SeNB addition request confirmation message to the MeNB. The SeNB addition request acknowledgment message includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by the HeNBGW to the SGW and needs to be established on the SeNB. The MeNB saves the information in the context of the corresponding UE after receiving it.

In step S1005, the MeNB initiates an RRC reconfiguration message process to the UE. After the UE reconfiguration is completed, the MeNB sends a SeNB reconfiguration complete message to the SeNB.

In step S1006, the MeNB sends a path update request message to the MME, and the path update request message includes the received GTP information of the bearer allocated by the HeNBGW to the SGW to be established on the SeNB. The path update request message is an S1 interface E-RAB modification indication message or an S1 interface path transfer, or other S1 interface messages.

Optional embodiment three

This optional embodiment describes the first user plane path update method in a scenario where the UE's MeNB remains unchanged and the UE moves between SeNBs. In this optional embodiment, the HeNBGW retrieves the context of the UE by assigning identification information to the UE itself. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of UE updating user plane paths between SeNBs according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11, SeNB1 and SeNB2 are HeNBs, and the UE moves from the coverage area of SeNB1 to the coverage area of SeNB2, SeNB1/SeNB2 There is an S1 interface between SeNB2 and HeNBGW, the structure includes: user plane and control plane, the S1-C interface is mainly used for S1 user plane path update of UE. However, there is no UE-related S1 connection between the HeNBGW and the MME, and there is an S1 user plane interface between the HeNBGW and the SGW. Fig. 12 is a first flowchart of a method for updating a user plane path between SeNBs by a UE according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 12, the steps of the method of this embodiment include:

Step S1201, during the moving process of the UE, if the UE moves from SeNB1 to the range of SeNB2 and detects the SeNB2 cell, it reports a measurement report to the MeNB, and the MeNB determines to perform the SeNB change procedure for the UE according to the measurement report, so as to add a new SeNB2 and Delete the old SeNB1. MeNB sends a SeNB addition request message to SeNB2, assuming that MeNB has obtained the identity information allocated by HeNBGW for the UE when the UE accesses through SeNB1 at this time, such as MMEUES1APID or a newly defined identity. The message includes the identification information allocated by the HeNBGW for the UE when the UE accesses through the SeNB1. In addition, the message includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by the SGW to be established on the SeNB2.

In step S1202, SeNB2 replies a SeNB addition request confirmation message to MeNB.

In step S1203, the MeNB initiates an RRC reconfiguration message process to the UE. After the UE reconfiguration is completed, the MeNB sends a SeNB reconfiguration complete message to SeNB2.

Step S1204, SeNB2 receives the SeNB reconfiguration complete message sent by MeNB, and after the UE has accessed SeNB2, SeNB2 sends a path update request message to HeNBGW, the path update request message contains the HeNBGW received from MeNB when the UE accesses through SeNB1 Identification information allocated for the UE. The message also includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by itself and needs to be established on SeNB2. The path update request message is an S1 interface E-RAB modification indication message or an S1 interface path transfer, or other S1 interface messages.

In step S1205, after the HeNBGW receives the path update request message, it retrieves the context of the UE through the identification information allocated by the HeNBGW for the UE when the UE accesses through the SeNB1. After successfully executing the path update, the HeNBGW replies a path update confirmation message to SeNB2. The path update acknowledgment message includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by the HeNBGW to the SeNB2 and needs to be established on the SeNB. The path update confirmation message is an S1 interface E-RAB modification confirmation message or an S1 interface path transfer request response message, or other S1 interface messages. Optionally, if the HeNBGW allocates new identification information for the SeNB-HeNBGW inter-connection of the UE, the message carries the new UE identification information allocated by it, such as MMEUES1APID or a newly defined identification.

Step S1206, if SeNB2 receives new UE identity information sent by HeNBGW, such as MMEUES1APID or a newly defined identity, it can send the new UE identity information to MeNB. For example, the request message may be modified by the SeNB.

Optional Embodiment Four

This optional embodiment describes the second user plane path update method in the scenario where the UE's MeNB remains unchanged and the UE moves between SeNBs. In this optional embodiment, the HeNBGW assigns identification information to the UE through the MME to retrieve the context of the UE. As shown in Figure 6, SeNB1 and SeNB2 are HeNBs. UE moves from the coverage area of SeNB1 to the coverage area of SeNB2. There is an S1 interface between SeNB1/SeNB2 and HeNBGW, including the user plane and the control plane. The S1-C interface is mainly used for The S1 user plane path of the UE is updated. However, there is no UE-related S1 connection between the HeNBGW and the MME, and there is an S1 user plane interface between the HeNBGW and the SGW. FIG. 13 is a second flow chart of a method for updating a user plane path between SeNBs between UEs according to an optional embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13 , the steps of the method in this optional embodiment include:

Step S1301, during the moving process of the UE, if the UE moves from SeNB1 to the range of SeNB2 and detects the SeNB2 cell, it reports a measurement report to the MeNB, and the MeNB determines to perform the SeNB change procedure for the UE according to the measurement report, so as to add a new SeNB2 and Delete the old SeNB1. The MeNB sends a SeNB addition request message to SeNB2, and the message includes the identification information allocated by the MME for the S1 connection of the UE, such as MMEUES1APID. In addition, the message includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by the SGW to be established on the SeNB2.

In step S1302, SeNB2 replies a SeNB addition request confirmation message to MeNB.

In step S1303, the MeNB initiates an RRC reconfiguration message process to the UE, and after the UE reconfiguration is completed, the MeNB sends a SeNB reconfiguration complete message to SeNB2.

Step S1304, SeNB2 receives the SeNB reconfiguration complete message sent by MeNB, and after the UE has connected to SeNB2, SeNB2 sends a path update request message to HeNBGW, the path update request message contains the identifier assigned to the UE by the MME it received from MeNB information. The message also includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by itself and needs to be established on SeNB2. The path update request message is an S1 interface E-RAB modification indication message or an S1 interface path transfer, or other S1 interface messages.

In step S1305, after receiving the path update request message, the HeNBGW retrieves the context of the UE through the identification information assigned to the UE by the MME therein. After successfully executing the path update, the HeNBGW replies a path update confirmation message to SeNB2. The path update acknowledgment message includes the GTP information of the bearer allocated by the HeNBGW to the SeNB2 and needs to be established on the SeNB. The path update confirmation message is an S1 interface E-RAB modification confirmation message or an S1 interface path transfer request response message, or other S1 interface messages.

It should be noted that the path update request message in the above optional embodiments 1 to 4 can update the path request through the E-RABModificationIndication message. Of course, this is just an example, and other messages that can update the path request can also be used in this optional embodiment. of.

It can be known from the specific embodiment of this optional embodiment above that how to update the S1 user plane data path after the HeNB under the same HeNBGW serves as the SeNB is implemented, which fills in the blank of the related technology.

The above is only an optional embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (17)

1. A method for updating a user plane path, applied in a dual connection architecture of a base station, characterized in that it comprises: The first secondary base station receives the identification information of the UE from the primary base station; The first secondary base station sends a path update request to the control node, where the path update request carries the identification information. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving, by the first secondary base station, the identification information of the UE from the primary base station comprises: The first SeNB receives the identification information sent by the MeNB through a request message for requesting to add a SeNB or a SeNB reconfiguration complete message. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is allocated to the UE by a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or allocated to the UE by a control node. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first secondary base station receiving the identification information of the UE from the primary base station comprises: The first secondary base station receives the identification information obtained by the primary base station from a second secondary base station, where the second secondary base station and the first secondary base station are connected to the same control node. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second secondary base station obtains the identification information in one of the following ways: obtaining, by the second secondary base station, the identification information from the control node; The second secondary base station acquires the identification information from a mobility management entity MME; The second secondary base station acquires the UE identity information from the primary base station. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the UE identity sent by the second secondary base station to the primary base station includes information: The second secondary base station sends the identification information to the primary base station through an X2 interface. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The primary base station, the first secondary base station, and the second secondary base station are one of the following: a macro base station, a home base station, a micro base station, or a pico base station; The control node is one of the following: a home base station gateway, or a mobility anchor point, or a newly added control network element. 8. A method for updating a user plane path, applied to a dual connection architecture of a base station, characterized in that it comprises: The control node receives the identification information of the user equipment UE sent by the first secondary base station; The control node judges whether to update the information about the user plane path performed by the UE according to the identification information. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the control node determines whether to update the UE to perform user plane path according to the identification information: The control node determines whether context information of the UE corresponding to the identification information exists locally according to the identification information; When the judgment result is yes, the control node updates the UE user plane downlink path according to the context information; When the judgment result is no, the control node saves the identification information. 10. A device for updating user plane paths, applied to the side of the first secondary base station in the dual connectivity architecture of the base station, characterized in that it includes: A first receiving module, configured to receive identification information of UE from the primary base station; A sending module, configured to send a path update request to the control node, wherein the path update request carries the identification information. 11. A device for updating user plane paths, applied to the dual connection architecture control node side of the base station, characterized in that it includes: The second receiving module is configured to receive the identification information of the user equipment UE sent by the first secondary base station; A judging module, configured to judge whether to update the information about the user plane path performed by the UE according to the identification information. 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the judging module is further configured to judge whether there is context information of the UE corresponding to the identity information locally according to the identity information; when the judgment result is If yes, update the UE user plane downlink path according to the context information; if the judgment result is no, save the identification information. 13. A system for updating user plane paths, which is applied to a dual connection structure of a base station, wherein the system includes: a control node, a first secondary base station, and a primary base station; The primary base station, sending the identity information of the user equipment UE to the first secondary base station; The first secondary base station is configured to send a path update request message to the control node, where the path update request message carries the identification information; The control node is configured to judge whether to update the path information of the user plane of the UE according to the identification information. 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the control node is further configured to judge whether there is context information of the UE corresponding to the identification information locally; when the judgment result is yes, the The control node updates the downlink path information of the user plane of the UE according to the identification information, and if the judgment result is negative, the control node saves the identification information. 15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising: a second secondary base station, wherein the second secondary base station and the first secondary base station are connected to the same control node ; The second secondary base station is used to acquire the identification information; The second secondary base station is configured to send the identification information to the primary base station. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein: The second secondary base station is configured to obtain the identification information from the control node; or, The second secondary base station is configured to obtain the identification information from a mobility management entity MME; or, The second secondary base station is configured to obtain the UE identity information from the primary base station. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein: The second secondary base station sends the identification information to the primary base station through an X2 interface message.