阅读说明：本技术 在一个或多个无线电通信系统中管理向多个网络的双重注册的方法和装置 (Method and apparatus for managing dual registration with multiple networks in one or more radio communication systems ) 是由 普拉泰克·巴苏马利克 约阿希姆·洛尔 哥纳季·韦列夫 拉维·库奇波特拉 亚历山大·戈利切克埃 于 2018-09-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：方法和装置提供在一个或多个无线电通信系统中管理双重注册。一个或多个无线电通信系统包括多个网络,每一个支持不同的无线电接入技术。在用户设备与多个网络中的第一网络之间建立(802)通信连接。经由多个网络中的第一网络在用户设备与多个网络中的第二网络之间建立(804)进一步的通信连接,同时维持用户设备与多个网络中的第一网络之间的通信连接。当经由相应的通信连接将一个或多个数据分组路由到多个网络中的第一网络和第二网络中的任何一个时,数据分组被发送到多个网络中的第一网络,在此做出关于数据分组的预定目的地的确定(806),当数据分组的预定目的地被确定为多个网络中的第二网络时,数据分组然后被路由到多个网络中的第二网络。(Methods and apparatus provide for managing dual registration in one or more radio communication systems. One or more radio communication systems include multiple networks, each supporting a different radio access technology. A communication connection is established (802) between a user equipment and a first network of a plurality of networks. A further communication connection is established (804) between the user equipment and a second network of the plurality of networks via the first network of the plurality of networks while maintaining the communication connection between the user equipment and the first network of the plurality of networks. When one or more data packets are routed to any of a first network and a second network of the plurality of networks via the respective communication connection, the data packets are transmitted to the first network of the plurality of networks, where a determination is made as to an intended destination of the data packets (806), and when the intended destination of the data packets is determined to be the second network of the plurality of networks, the data packets are then routed to the second network of the plurality of networks.)

1. A method in a user equipment for managing dual registration in one or more radio communication systems comprising a plurality of networks each supporting a different radio access technology, the method comprising:

establishing a communication connection between the user equipment and a first network of the plurality of networks; and

establishing a communication connection between the user equipment and a second network of the plurality of networks via the first network of the plurality of networks while maintaining the communication connection between the user equipment and the first network of the plurality of networks;

wherein one or more data packets are sent to the first one of the plurality of networks when routed to either of the first and second ones of the plurality of networks via respective communication connections, wherein a determination is made as to an intended destination of the data packets, which are then routed to the second one of the plurality of networks when the intended destination of the data packets is determined to be the second one of the plurality of networks.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user equipment is coupled to the plurality of networks via a base transceiver station associated with the first network of the plurality of networks.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the base transceiver station is coupled to a respective primary signaling node of each of the first and second networks of the plurality of networks.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the base transceiver station is coupled to the primary signaling node of the second one of the plurality of networks via the primary signaling node of the first one of the plurality of networks.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the base transceiver station is coupled to each respective one of the first and second ones of the plurality of networks via a respective coupling path that is separate from the master signaling node of the other one of the first and second ones of the plurality of networks.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the respective primary signaling nodes of the first and second networks of the plurality of networks comprise an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined destination of a particular data packet of the one or more data packets is determined by reading a registration identity value of a target entity from an associated network of the plurality of networks, included as part of the data packet.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the registered identity value of the target entity comprises an associated address value.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively set flag associated with the data packet identifies the predetermined destination as one of the plurality of networks.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein information included within the data packet is probed to identify the predetermined destination.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the information included within the data packet that is detected comprises: one or more of a core network type address, a user equipment address, or a protocol message.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein data radio bearers for each of the plurality of networks are maintained in parallel.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein using the communication connection of the particular network of the plurality of networks comprises: using security keys and algorithms of a particular network of the plurality of networks being used.

14. A user equipment for managing dual registration in one or more radio communication systems comprising a plurality of networks each supporting a different radio access technology, the user equipment comprising:

a transceiver that establishes a communication connection between the user device and a first network of the plurality of networks and establishes a communication connection between the user device and a second network of the plurality of networks via the first network of the plurality of networks while maintaining the communication connection between the user device and the first network of the plurality of networks; and

a controller, wherein, when routing one or more data packets to any of the first and second ones of the plurality of networks via respective communication connections, the controller sends the data packet to the first one of the plurality of networks via the transceiver, wherein a determination is made as to an intended destination of the data packet, the data packet then being routed by the controller to the second one of the plurality of networks via the transceiver when the intended destination of the data packet is determined to be the second one of the plurality of networks.

15. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein the user equipment is coupled to the plurality of networks via a base transceiver station associated with the first network of the plurality of networks.

16. The user equipment of claim 15, wherein the base transceiver station is coupled to a respective primary signaling node of each of the first and second networks of the plurality of networks.

17. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein the base transceiver station is coupled to the primary signaling node of the second one of the plurality of networks via the primary signaling node of the first one of the plurality of networks.

18. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein the base transceiver station is coupled to each respective one of the first and second ones of the plurality of networks via a respective coupling path that is separate from the master signaling node of the other one of the first and second ones of the plurality of networks.

19. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein the respective primary signaling nodes of the first and second ones of the plurality of networks comprise an access and mobility management function (AMF) and a Mobility Management Entity (MME).

20. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein a data radio bearer for each of the plurality of networks is maintained in parallel by the controller.

Technical Field

The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for managing dual registration in one or more radio communication systems including a plurality of networks, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for managing concurrent user equipment activities with respect to established communication connections between the user equipment and the plurality of networks, wherein each network supports a different radio access technology.

Background

Currently, user equipment (such as wireless communication devices) communicate with other communication devices using wireless signals, for example, within a network environment, which may include one or more cells within which various communication connections may be supported with a network and other devices operating within the network. Network environments often involve one or more sets of standards that each define various aspects of any communication connection made when the corresponding standard is used within the network environment. Examples of evolving and/or existing standards include new radio access technology (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), and/or Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE).

The manner in which information is processed and/or the types of entities available within a network to process information may be different in each type of network. Thus, there may be situations where the type of service or application associated with a particular wireless communication device will be more suitable for a particular one of a number of different network environments. Which network is more suitable may be different for different services or applications. Thus, there may be situations where it may be desirable for a wireless communication device to maintain an active association with multiple networks, which may be referred to at least sometimes as dual registration.

The present inventors have recognized that, where dual registration is utilized, managing multiple communication connections established with multiple networks and information flow therethrough may be facilitated by sharing a common control element, which may facilitate concurrent user equipment activity in at least a first network and a second network of the multiple networks and corresponding routing of information to be communicated as part of the concurrent activity.

Disclosure of Invention

Currently, user equipment (such as wireless communication devices) communicate with other communication devices using wireless signals. According to a possible embodiment, a method in a user equipment for managing dual registration in one or more radio communication systems is provided. The one or more radio communication systems include a plurality of networks, each of the plurality of networks supporting a different radio access technology. The method includes establishing a communication connection between the user equipment and a first network of the plurality of networks. The method also includes establishing a communication connection between the user device and a second network of the plurality of networks via a first network of the plurality of networks while maintaining the communication connection between the user device and the first network of the plurality of networks. When one or more data packets are routed to any of a first network and a second network of the plurality of networks via respective communication connections, the data packets are sent to the first network of the plurality of networks, wherein a determination is made as to an intended destination of the data packets, the data packets then being routed to the second network of the plurality of networks when the intended destination of the data packets is determined to be the second network of the plurality of networks.

According to another possible embodiment, a user equipment for managing dual registration in one or more radio communication systems is provided. The one or more radio communication systems include a plurality of networks each supporting a different radio access technology. The user device includes a transceiver that establishes a communication connection between the user device and a first network of the plurality of networks and establishes a communication connection between the user device and a second network of the plurality of networks via the first network of the plurality of networks while maintaining the communication connection between the user device and the first network of the plurality of networks. The user equipment also includes a controller, wherein, when one or more data packets are routed to any one of a first network and a second network of the plurality of networks via respective communication connections, the controller transmits the data packets to the first network of the plurality of networks via the transceiver, wherein a determination is made as to an intended destination of the data packets. When the intended destination of the data packet is determined to be a second network of the plurality of networks, the data packet is then routed by the controller to the second network of the plurality of networks via the transceiver.

According to another possible embodiment, a method in a network entity of a first network of a plurality of networks is provided. Each of the plurality of networks supports a different radio access technology. The method comprises establishing a communication connection between the network entity and the user equipment while the user equipment has established and is maintaining an alternative communication connection with a second network of the plurality of networks. Wherein, when routing one or more data packets to any of a first network and a second network of the plurality of networks, the data packets are received by a network entity of the first network of the plurality of networks, wherein a determination is made as to an intended destination of the data packets. When the intended destination of the data packet is determined by the network entity to be a second network of the plurality of networks, the data packet is then routed to the second network of the plurality of networks.

According to another possible embodiment, a network entity is provided. The network entity includes a transceiver that establishes a communication connection between the network entity and the user equipment while the user equipment has established and is maintaining an alternative communication connection with another network entity associated with a second network of the plurality of networks, wherein the plurality of networks each support a different radio access technology. The network entity further includes a controller, wherein, when one or more data packets are routed to any one of a first network and a second network of the plurality of networks via the respective communication connections, the data packets are received by the network entity via the transceiver, wherein a determination is made as to an intended destination of the data packets. When the intended destination of the data packet is determined to be a second network of the plurality of networks, the data packet is then routed by the transceiver to the second network of the plurality of networks.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an overview of an exemplary network environment in which the present invention is suitable for operation.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an example of one possible form of coupling of user equipment with respect to multiple networks.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of another possible form of coupling of a user device with respect to multiple networks;

FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart between a user equipment and a network for managing dual registration with multiple networks;

FIG. 5 is a message sequence chart between a user equipment and multiple networks for managing dual registration;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of a method in a user equipment for managing dual registration with multiple networks;

fig. 7 is a flow diagram of a method in a network entity for managing a communication connection with a user equipment as part of a dual registration including multiple communication connections of the user equipment with multiple networks;

fig. 8 is a flow chart of a method in a user equipment for managing dual registration with multiple networks;

fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a method in a network entity for supporting routing of messages received from a user equipment between multiple networks as part of a dual registration; and

fig. 10 is an example block diagram of an apparatus according to a possible embodiment.

Detailed Description

While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.