Background technology
Along with the development of mobile communication technology, up till now UMTS system again from GSM to GPRS especially, professional application is more and more.In the 2G epoch, have only voice service, as long as guarantee not call drop of voice, the imperceptible tangible speech pause of user is just passable in the time of switching.And arrived the 2.5G epoch, and the 3G epoch afterwards, the introducing of Packet Service has caused the different demands to switching.Generally speaking, for voice service, we require when portable terminal switches, realize seamless switching (seamless handover), for the user, do not feel the pause of conversation significantly; For Packet Service, when we require portable terminal to switch, realize harmless switch (lossless handover), for the user, there is not packet data package to be dropped exactly.
In 3G system and later system, a portable terminal carries out a plurality of business simultaneously and certainly exists.For example, certain user file of carrying out the backstage when receiving calls is downloaded or the like behavior.And if portable terminal switches, be that preferential conversation or the preferential file that guarantees of guaranteeing downloaded so this moment, perhaps guarantee simultaneously? must involve a problem that guarantees decision-making.
The realization of switching flow in the following evolvement mobile network is being studied by at present a lot of producers.A lot of implementation methods based on the heterogeneous networks framework have been proposed.And these methods all or be certain flow process that designs at realizing seamless switching, or are at realizing harmless the switching certain flow process of design.Or a kind of general flow has been proposed, not only realize harmless but also realize seamless.And for the third solution, not good at present realization mechanism.General meaning, at seamless switching, most of producers propose a kind of two switching flow of broadcasting (bi-casting); Switch for harmless, most of producers have proposed a kind of preceding switching flow that changes (forwarding); And for comprehensive solution, some producers soft two broadcasting and two kinds of methods of preceding commentaries on classics in ground of not making any distinction between.
3GPP considers the competitiveness of future network, considering that at present network is in this how evolution in future, have a variety of evolution schemes to launch discussion at 3GPP, the purpose of network evolution is to be desirable to provide a kind of low time delay, high data rate, high power system capacity and covering, low cost, complete IP-based network.
Network evolution has multiple candidate scheme, and wherein popular have a two-layer node framework, as shown in Figure 1.Under this framework, ERS (wireless station, border, Edge Radio Station) is node (Node) B after the evolution, the function of most RNC (radio network controller) before having, and take new physical-layer techniques (as OFDM), IAGW (I P IAD) to have the function of part SGSN and the function of former GGSN.
Based on such framework, a lot of manufacturers have carried out design and the improvement on the flow process to harmless and seamless service.Enumerate a kind of more typical switching flow below.Fig. 2 be a kind of prior art based on seamless/harmless switching flow.In Fig. 2, SAE-MME represents the mobile management module in the core net CN, is equivalent to the chain of command part of the SGSN in the present core net; ASGW is equivalent to the user's face portion of the SGSN in the present core net, and these two parts all are the core stratum reticulares (IAGW) in 2 layer architectures.S-eNodeB and T-eNodeB insert stratum reticulare, are equivalent to present UTRAN (UMTS land wireless access) network, in the two-tier system figure in this article, are equivalent to ERS.As shown in Figure 2, switching flow comprises:
1) S-eNodeB initiates the SRNS re-positioning request to SAE-MME;
2) SAE-MME sends the SRNS re-positioning request to T-eNodeB;
3) T-eNodeB and ASGW set up new user's face; And time SRNS relocation commit message of SAE-MME.ASGW begins two line data of sowing to T-eNodeB.
4) SAE MME sends the reorientation order to S-eNodeB;
5) S-eNodeB can begin the forwarding data to T-eNodeB;
6) UE detects the data that ASGW issues to T-eNodeB;
7) T-eNodeB sends reorientation to SAE-MME and finishes message; User's face deletion of S-eNodeB side.
There is following shortcoming in the handover scheme of the prior art.
Shortcoming 1: do not add differentiation for business, the 3rd step, directly adopt two mechanism of broadcasting, carry out two flow processs of broadcasting for harmless business at high level.
Shortcoming 2: in the 5th step, data forwarding becomes two broadcast a kind of additional.In fact, for seamless service, can not need data forwarding.
Embodiment
At present, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) has defined four kinds of other business of QoS level: talk class business, the continuous class business of stream, interaction service, background class traffic.See table:
|
The talk class |
The continuous class of stream |
Interactive class |
Background class |
Transmission delay |
80ms- |
250ms- |
- |
- |
Guarantee bit rate |
Up to 2Mbit/s |
Up to 2Mbit/s |
- |
- |
The major different of these four kinds of classs of service just is professional sensitiveness and packet loss to time delay.The sensitiveness of time delay and packet loss are two kinds of important qos parameters.Do not repel the definition classification that to introduce some other business in the future evolution network.Because different business has different requirements to time delay and packet loss, so, also should treat with a certain discrimination switching flow.It is generally acknowledged that talk class, the continuous class of stream belong to real time business, two (even multicast (multi-casting)) switching modes of broadcasting are adopted in suggestion; Interactive class, background class belong to non-real-time service, can adopt data forwarding switching mode (can walk interface between the ERS, also can pass through the iAGW transfer); To the harmless business (such as some online game) when realistic again of both requiring of may occurring future, two broadcasting and the data forwarding mode adopted in suggestion simultaneously in addition.These all need a QoS according to customer service and make place and the opportunity that corresponding switching mode is selected.
Specifically, can do following division to type of service, and then make the decision-making (not getting rid of the selection of further expansion) of switching type decision-making foundation according to the QoS index.
First kind of type of service is conversation type (such as VoIP, meeting video), and requiring has minimum fixed delay, no buffer memory, and balanced transmission guarantees bit rate etc.If Internet resources permission at this moment should be adopted two switching modes of broadcasting.In addition, it is nonsensical at this moment this class business being done metadata cache, only can bring counter productive.And, generally do not need to do preceding commentaries on classics, because this means that source ERS when switch carrying out will clearly interrupt with the communication of UE so that give target ERS (and the mechanism of the actual employing of UMTS at present is needn't clear and definite interrupting service, can continue transmission and interrupt automatically until business) data forwarding that does not distribute.
Second kind of type of service is stream type (such as real-time video, online streaming media playing), requires that minimum variable delay is arranged, allows buffer memory, the lack of balance transmission, guarantees bit rate.If Internet resources permission at this moment should allow to adopt and twoly broadcast switching mode, in addition, can do suitable metadata cache: do suitable buffer memory to reduce source ERS data volume (bag that abandons during switching just lacks naturally) at iAGW by flow control to this class business; Perhaps on target ERS, do buffer memory (waiting UE and target ERS to lead to issues again) by data forwarding.
The third type of service is mutual, backstage type, and they all need not to guarantee bit rate and allow suitable even bigger variable delay.So can adopt: data forwarding mode (do not obtain the data that UE confirms after source ERS do not distributed or issue and forward buffer memory among the target ERS to, wait and continue to issue after being communicated with UE); Also can do buffer memory at iAGW, the ERS data all distribute (perhaps the data that do not distribute being returned to iAGW) up to the source, after target ERS such as iAGW were connected with UE, again data all being given to the such benefit of target ERS--had two: the one, when source ERS and target ERS do not have direct interface (need from the iAGW transfer); The 2nd, in case target ERS and UE do not connect, in the time of also will reselecting target ERS, do not need to migrate out data (this is that iAGW concentrates the benefit of doing metadata cache) from the target ERS that fails again.
Because the difference of service attribute, the UMTS network has been introduced the differentiation scheme of QoS.For the different RAB of different traffic assignments (RAB) pipeline.For a business, user's bread contains two sections, and one section is the radio bearer (RAB) of air interface, and one section is the carrying between Access Network and the core net.Can hold consultation to the attribute of user's face setting up in the process of user's face.After user's face was set up, the attribute of user's face was retained among relevant user's face context.Like this, we just can extract the attribute of user's face that will switch in handoff procedure, determine this user's face corresponding service, and its qos requirement, thereby decision is to adopt two broadcasting or preceding commentaries on classics, or the mode that dual mode all adopts is switched.
It is as follows to carry out decision methods:
When the user only carried out a business, it was very simple to make a strategic decision.When this business need seamless (generally at real time business) time, then adopt two switching flows of broadcasting.When this business need can't harm (referring generally to non-real-time service), change switching flow before then adopting, perhaps do the mode of buffer memory at iAGW; When this business to seamless and harmless when all requirement being arranged, and resource is when enough, when user's CAMEL-Subscription-Information enough used multiple switching mode simultaneously, then two modes of doing buffer memory with preceding commentaries on classics mode and iAGW of broadcasting can adopt simultaneously.
When the user carries out a plurality of business, then there is the process of an arbitration.In a preferred embodiment, generally speaking, real time business priority higher (such as voice) is because non-real-time service often can guarantee (such as based on web page browsing of TCP etc.) by the re-transmission of upper-layer protocol.Generally speaking, when having seamless service (real time business), when can't harm require professional, can only adopt two switching flows of broadcasting so; When there not being real time business, but exist harmlessly when professional, then adopt data forwarding to switch or the flow process of iAGW cache way; When existing real time business, also the harmless business of requirement arranged, perhaps these business are to seamless and harmless when all requirement being arranged, and when resource is enough, when user's CAMEL-Subscription-Information enough uses multiple switching mode simultaneously, then can to these business adopt respectively be selected from two broadcast, the different switching modes or the switching mode combination of preceding commentaries on classics mode and iAGW cache way, also can adopt simultaneously be selected from twoly broadcast, the identical switching mode or the switching mode combination of preceding commentaries on classics mode and iAGW cache way.
But, work as resource-constrained, the perhaps restriction of user signing contract information etc. makes that following default judgement can be done by system: pay the utmost attention to two broadcast modes when real time business is arranged in the time of can only selecting a kind of switching type simultaneously; Then do not adopt data forwarding; If there is not physical interface between the ERS, then adopt the IAGW cache way.In addition, except the selection of system default, should allow the user also to make certain selection: the user may real-time voice (such as, conversation class) communication the time also do an important transaction (such as, interactive class) or send out the important mail of an envelope (such as, background class), the quality of perhaps not minding user at this moment voice how.So, should allow the user to make some priority settings fully, thus the harmless switching mode of preferential selection.
The execution of decision-making can be at source ERS place, also can be at purpose ERS or IAGW place.
Fig. 3 is the schematic flow sheet that the first embodiment switching flow trade-off decision according to the present invention is placed on purpose ERS.
In the 1st step, UE sends measurement report.
In the 2nd step, source ERS is according to measurement report and handoff threshold, and decision UE switches to target ERS.
In the 3rd step, source ERS sends context (context) to target ERS.Context can comprise that necessary resource sets up the business information and the Qos information of user's face of information, source ERS.
In the 4th step, after target ERS carries out the preparation of meeting switching, send context and pass on response message.Simultaneously, target ERS determines the present business of carrying out of this user according to the context that receives.In the context of UE, comprise each professional RAB information, and comprised each professional QoS information in the RAB information, wherein can judge professional priority.According to the decision-making technique of above introducing, determine switching flow.If determine to adopt the data forwarding switching flow, change indication information before then can in context passes on response message, comprising.Certainly, it also is feasible changeing indication before adopting other message to transmit.
In the 5th step, synchronous with step 4, target ERS and IAGW set up high-rise user plane bearer.
In the 6th step, step 4,5 finish, if two broadcast modes are adopted in target ERS decision when carrying out the switching flow decision-making, then send two Indication messages of broadcasting.At this moment, IAGW can send the downlink data of real time business to source and target ERS.Twoly broadcast user's face that indication information also can be placed in the 5th step and set up in the message, and do not need an independent signaling.
In the 7th step, target ERS receives the data that turn over before the ERS of source, and/or two data of broadcasting.For harmless professional, with the data of two sources (target and the source ERS) storage of sorting respectively, for the data that might repeat, reservation portion only; For seamless service, do not store forwarding, directly issue.
In the 8th step,, send switching command respectively and switch indication to UE and target ERS at source ERS.
In the 9th step, after UE inserts target ERS, send acknowledge message.After target ERS receives the confirmation message, if there is data in buffer then to issue.Notify simultaneously IAGW stop two broadcasting and/or carry out the path switch (path switch).
In the 10th step, IAGW source of release ERS user face resource.
Fig. 4 is the schematic flow sheet that the second embodiment switching flow trade-off decision according to the present invention is placed on source ERS;
In the 1st step, UE sends measurement report.
In the 2nd step, source ERS is according to measurement report and handoff threshold, and decision UE switches to target ERS; Determine the present business of carrying out of this user; According to the decision-making technique of above introducing, determine switching flow.
In the 3rd step, source ERS sends context to target ERS, comprises that the resource of necessity is set up information, the business information of user's face of source ERS, Qos information, and the switching mode of selecting.If determine to adopt the data forwarding switching mode, change indication before then can in the context transferring messages, comprising.Certainly, it also is feasible changeing indication before adopting other message to transmit.
In the 4th step, after target ERS carried out the preparation of meeting switching, target ERS and IAGW set up high-rise user plane bearer.
In the 5th step, target ERS sends context and passes on response message.
In the 6th step, with step 5 while, if the two broadcast modes of decision employing, the then two Indication messages of broadcasting of target ERS transmission.IAGW can send the downlink data of real time business this moment to source and target ERS.Twoly broadcast user's face that indication information also can be placed on for the 4th step and set up in the message, and do not need an independent signaling.
In the 7th step, target ERS receives the data that turn over before the ERS of source, and/or two data of broadcasting.For harmless professional,,, only keep portion for the data that might repeat with the storage of sorting respectively of the data in two sources; For seamless service, do not store forwarding, directly issue.
In the 8th step,, send switching command respectively and switch indication at source ERS.
In the 9th step, after UE inserts target ERS, send acknowledge message.After target ERS receives the confirmation message, if there is data in buffer then to issue.Notify simultaneously IAGW stop two broadcasting and/or carry out the path switch.
In the 10th step, IAGW source of release ERS user face resource.
Fig. 5 is the schematic flow sheet that the 3rd embodiment switching flow trade-off decision according to the present invention is placed on IAGW;
In the 1st step, UE sends measurement report.
In the 2nd step, source ERS is according to measurement report and handoff threshold, and decision UE switches to target ERS.
In the 3rd step, source ERS sends context to IAGW, comprises that the resource of necessity is set up information, the business information of user's face of source ERS, Qos information.IAGW determines the present business of carrying out of this user; According to the decision-making technique of above introducing, determine switching flow.
In the 4th step, IAGW sends UE context, the business information of user's face of source ERS, Qos information to target ERS.
In the 5th step, after target ERS carried out the preparation of meeting switching, target ERS and IAGW set up high-rise user plane bearer.
In the 6th step, target ERS sends context and passes on response message.
In the 7th step, IAGW sends context to source ERS and passes on response message.If two broadcast modes are adopted in decision, then IAGW can send the downlink data of real time business this moment to source and target ERS.If determine to adopt the data forwarding switching mode, change indication before then can in context passes on response message, comprising.Certainly, it also is feasible changeing indication before adopting other message to transmit.
In the 8th step,, send switching command and switch indication at source ERS.Send related synchronization information for target ERS.To harmless professional, interrupt issuing of data, seamless service can continue to issue data.
In the 9th step, after UE inserts target ERS, send acknowledge message.After target ERS receives the confirmation message, if there is data in buffer then to issue.Notify simultaneously IAGW stop two broadcasting and/or carry out the path switch.
In the 10th step, source of release ERS user face resource.
It may be noted that two broadcasting not only comprises from iAGW and send the situation of identical data simultaneously to two ERS, also comprise such a case, promptly send identical data simultaneously to UE (air interface) and target ERS from source ERS.Back one situation generally adopts at real time business, can continue to receive some data from source ERS before UE switches because be like this.Adopt following strategy at real time business such as voice at present, promptly continue to issue, but do not do two broadcasting.
If at certain professional strategy of broadcasting from source ERS pair that adopt, then before UE switches to target ERS, can have any mutual by different iAGW.This also is a benefit.But after UE switches to target ERS, need the iAGW path that tries again to switch, promptly turn to target ERS from source ERS.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a kind of network equipment that in mobile communication system at least one business of user terminal is switched is provided, the described network equipment comprises the device that extracts quality of service information based on described at least one professional context, with the device of from comprise two switching modes of broadcasting with data forwarding, selecting switching mode according to quality of service information, so that at least one business is switched.
Preferably, the described network equipment is wireless station, border, source, described mobile communication system comprises user terminal, wireless station, border, described source, the wireless station of object boundary and the IP IAD that links to each other by network, and described user terminal is intended switching to the wireless station of described object boundary from wireless station, border, described source; Wireless station, border, described source also comprises the device of the selected switching mode of transmission to wireless station, second border.This network equipment can also be included in selects two broadcasting under the situation of switching mode, and this is selected the device at wireless station, notification target border, so that the wireless station of object boundary sends two indications of broadcasting to the IP IAD.
Preferably, the described network equipment is the wireless station of object boundary, described mobile communication system comprises user terminal, the wireless station of described object boundary, wireless station, border, source and the IP IAD that links to each other by network, described user terminal is intended switching to the wireless station of described object boundary from wireless station, border, described source, and the wireless station of described object boundary comprises the contextual device of described at least one business of wireless station reception from the border, source.This network equipment can be included in selects two broadcasting under the situation of switching mode, sends two devices of broadcasting indication to the IP IAD; Also can be included under the situation of selecting the data forwarding switching mode, send the device that data forwarding switches indication to wireless station, border, source.
Preferably, the described network equipment is the IP IAD, described mobile communication system comprises user terminal, wireless station, border, source, the wireless station of object boundary and the described IP IAD that links to each other by network, described user terminal is intended switching to the wireless station of described object boundary from wireless station, border, described source, and described IP IAD comprises the contextual device of described at least one business of wireless station reception from border, described source.The described network equipment can be included in selects two broadcasting under the situation of switching mode, with the two devices of broadcasting to wireless station, border, described source and the wireless station of object boundary of data; Also can be included under the situation of selecting the data forwarding switching mode, send the device that data forwarding switches indication to wireless station, border, described source.
Obviously, the present invention described here can have many variations, and this variation can not be thought and departs from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Therefore, the change that all it will be apparent to those skilled in the art all is included within the covering scope of appended claim book.