CN102457808B - Device for supplying MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) in heterogeneous network and corresponding heterogeneous network as well switching method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a device for supplying a MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) in a heterogeneous network, the heterogeneous network adopting the device as well a switching method for a user terminal accepting the MBMS in the heterogeneous network. The heterogeneous network comprises multiple networks which are provided with different network structures and adopt different communication protocols. The device for supplying the MBMS comprises a signaling receiving unit, a signaling generating and transmitting unit and a MBMS data supplying unit, wherein the signaling receiving unit is used for receiving a MBMS carrying establishing request from a gateway of the network to which the user terminal is switched, the signaling generating and transmitting unit is used for generating and transmitting control signaling which is used for establishing the MBMS carrying between the device and the gateway; and the MBMS data supplying unit is used for supplying synchronous MBMS data on the established MBMS carrying.

Description

Translated fromChinese

在异构网中提供MBMS服务的装置、相应的异构网和切换方法Device for providing MBMS service in heterogeneous network, corresponding heterogeneous network and switching method

技术领域technical field

本发明涉及无线通信技术领域，具体涉及一种用于提供多媒体广播多播业务(MBMS，Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service)的装置、采用该装置的异构网、以及接受MBMS服务的用户终端在异构网中切换的方法。The present invention relates to the technical field of wireless communication, in particular to a device for providing Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS, Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service), a heterogeneous network using the device, and a user terminal receiving MBMS service in the heterogeneous network method of switching.

背景技术Background technique

随着人类对无线通信需求的日益增加，以无线通信方式提供多媒体服务越来越受到关注，手机电视以及可视电话会议等应用将在未来几年得到普及。With the increasing demand for wireless communication, the provision of multimedia services by wireless communication has attracted more and more attention. Applications such as mobile TV and video conference calls will be popularized in the next few years.

对于高速率和高服务质量的多媒体传输，单播已经不能满足要求。在这种情况下，多播与广播被认为是提高频谱利用率的最有效的方式。为此，3GPP与3GPP2均定义了多媒体广播多播服务，分别命名为MBMS和BCMCS(Broadcast Multicast Service，广播多播业务)。两者都在各自组织中得到了广泛讨论，并处于不断演进的过程中。For high-speed and high-quality-of-service multimedia transmission, unicast can no longer meet the requirements. In this case, multicasting and broadcasting are considered to be the most effective ways to improve spectrum utilization. For this reason, both 3GPP and 3GPP2 have defined multimedia broadcast multicast services, named MBMS and BCMCS (Broadcast Multicast Service, broadcast multicast service) respectively. Both are widely discussed in their respective organizations and are in a constant evolution process.

此外，多种网络并存发展的情况是目前无线通信领域的一大特点，于是异构网中的切换就成为了一个不可避免的问题。对于3GPP接入网与非3GPP接入网间的单播切换，已经在非专利参考文献1(3GPP TS23.402，“Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects；3GPPSystem Architecture Evolution：Architecture enhancements for non-3GPPaccesses”)以及非专利参考文献2(3GPP TS 23.234，“TechnicalSpecification Group Services and System Aspects；WLAN Subsystem；System Description”)中得到了广泛讨论，而多播切换问题目前并没有受到太多的关注和研究。然而，随着多媒体业务的飞速发展，MBMS服务必然也需要类似的多播切换。因此，讨论在异构网中提供MBMS及其切换有着十分重要的意义。In addition, the coexistence and development of multiple networks is a major feature of the current wireless communication field, so handover in heterogeneous networks has become an inevitable problem. For the unicast handover between the 3GPP access network and the non-3GPP access network, it has been described in the non-patent reference 1 (3GPP TS23.402, "Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; 3GPP System Architecture Evolution: Architecture enhancements for non-3GPP accesses" ) and non-patent reference 2 (3GPP TS 23.234, "Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; WLAN Subsystem; System Description") have been widely discussed, while the issue of multicast handover has not received much attention and research. However, with the rapid development of multimedia services, MBMS services must also require similar multicast switching. Therefore, it is of great significance to discuss the provision of MBMS and its switching in heterogeneous networks.

发明内容Contents of the invention

本发明的目的是，提供一种用于在异构网中提供MBMS服务的装置，采用该装置的异构网、以及接受MBMS服务的用户终端在异构网中切换的方法。The object of the present invention is to provide a device for providing MBMS service in a heterogeneous network, a heterogeneous network using the device, and a method for switching a user terminal receiving MBMS service in the heterogeneous network.

为此，根据本发明的第一方面，提出了一种用于在异构网中提供多媒体广播多播服务的装置，所述异构网包括具有不同网络结构、采用不同通信协议的多个网络，所述装置包括：信令接收单元，用于接收来自用户终端所要切换至的网络的网关的多媒体广播多播服务承载建立请求；信令产生和发送单元，用于产生和发送控制信令，所述控制信令用于在所述装置与所述网关间建立多媒体广播多播服务承载；以及多媒体广播多播业务数据提供单元，用于在所建立的多媒体广播多播服务承载上提供同步的多媒体广播多播业务数据。Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a device for providing multimedia broadcast multicast services in a heterogeneous network including multiple networks with different network structures and using different communication protocols is proposed , the device includes: a signaling receiving unit, configured to receive a multimedia broadcast multicast service bearer establishment request from a gateway of a network to which the user terminal is to be switched; a signaling generating and sending unit, configured to generate and send control signaling, The control signaling is used to establish a MBMS service bearer between the device and the gateway; and a MBMS service data providing unit is used to provide synchronous information on the established MBMS bearer Multimedia broadcast multicast service data.

优选地，所述装置还可以包括：鉴权认证单元，用于对异构网中的用户终端进行鉴权认证。此外，所述装置还可以包括：计费单元，用于对用户终端所接受的多媒体广播多播服务。Preferably, the device may further include: an authentication and authentication unit, configured to authenticate and authenticate the user terminal in the heterogeneous network. In addition, the device may further include: a charging unit, configured to charge the multimedia broadcast multicast service received by the user terminal.

优选地，所述装置可以是通过对现有3GPP网络中的广播多播服务中心(BM-SC，Broadcast Multicast Service Center)进行升级得到的。Preferably, the device may be obtained by upgrading a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC, Broadcast Multicast Service Center) in an existing 3GPP network.

优选地，如果接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端接入可信非3GPP网络，所述装置与广播服务节点(BSN，Broadcast Service Node)直接建立控制面和用户面的连接。特别地，在所述装置与BSN间定义参考点：SG-bcmcs和SGi-bcmcs，SG-bcmcs提供控制面上的信令交互，SGi-bcmcs提供用户面的数据传输。Preferably, if the user terminal receiving the multimedia broadcast multicast service accesses a trusted non-3GPP network, the device directly establishes a connection between a control plane and a user plane with a broadcast service node (BSN, Broadcast Service Node). In particular, a reference point is defined between the device and the BSN: SG-bcmcs and SGi-bcmcs, the SG-bcmcs provides signaling interaction on the control plane, and the SGi-bcmcs provides data transmission on the user plane.

优选地，如果多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端接入非可信非3GPP网络，所述装置与演进分组数据网关(ePDG，Evolved Packet DataGateway)直接建立控制面和用户面的连接。在这种情况下，所述ePDG适于从所述装置接收多媒体广播多播服务数据和控制信令，并负责MBMS业务在非可信非3GPP接入网中的传输和管理。特别地，在所述装置与ePDG间定义参考点：Gi和Gmb，Gmb提供控制面上的信令交互，Gi提供用户面的数据传输。Preferably, if the user terminal of the multimedia broadcast multicast service accesses an untrusted non-3GPP network, the device directly establishes a connection between a control plane and a user plane with an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG, Evolved Packet Data Gateway). In this case, the ePDG is adapted to receive MBMS service data and control signaling from the device, and is responsible for the transmission and management of MBMS services in the non-trusted non-3GPP access network. In particular, reference points are defined between the device and the ePDG: Gi and Gmb, Gmb provides signaling interaction on the control plane, and Gi provides data transmission on the user plane.

优选地，在所述装置、所述装置的下游节点和用户终端中存储多媒体广播多播用户上下文，在所述装置和所述装置的下游节点中存储多媒体广播多播承载上下文。其中，所述多媒体广播多播用户上下文包括：网络标识符、同一服务内容在不同网络中的标识符、IP(Internet Protocol)多播地址以及所述装置或ePDG的IP地址；所述多媒体广播多播承载上下文包括：所述装置在不同网络的接入网中的下游节点的列表。Preferably, the multimedia broadcast multicast user context is stored in the device, the downstream node of the device and the user terminal, and the multimedia broadcast multicast bearer context is stored in the device and the downstream node of the device. Wherein, the MBMS user context includes: a network identifier, an identifier of the same service content in different networks, an IP (Internet Protocol) multicast address, and the IP address of the device or ePDG; The broadcast bearer context includes: a list of downstream nodes of the device in access networks of different networks.

根据本发明的第二方面，提出了一种异构网，包括：多个网络，具有不同的网络结构，采用不同的通信协议；以及前述用于在异构网中提供多媒体广播多播服务的装置。According to the second aspect of the present invention, a heterogeneous network is proposed, including: multiple networks with different network structures and using different communication protocols; and the aforementioned method for providing multimedia broadcast multicast services in the heterogeneous network device.

根据本发明的第三方面，提出了一种接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端在异构网中切换的方法，所述异构网包括具有不同网络结构、采用不同通信协议的多个网络，还包括用于提供多媒体广播多播服务的装置，所述方法包括：用户终端经由所要切换至的、与原服务网络不同的网络的网关，向所述装置请求多媒体广播多播服务；所述装置经由所述网关对用户终端的服务请求予以响应，表示接受用户终端的服务请求；在所述装置与所述网关间建立多媒体广播多播服务承载；在用户终端和所述网关间建立用于传输多媒体广播多播服务的通信连接；以及释放原服务网络中用于向用户终端提供多媒体广播多播服务的资源。According to the third aspect of the present invention, a method for switching a user terminal receiving multimedia broadcast multicast service in a heterogeneous network is proposed, the heterogeneous network includes multiple networks with different network structures and using different communication protocols, It also includes a device for providing a multimedia broadcast multicast service. The method includes: the user terminal requests the multimedia broadcast multicast service from the device via a gateway of a network different from the original service network to be switched to; the device Respond to the service request of the user terminal via the gateway, indicating acceptance of the service request of the user terminal; establish a multimedia broadcast multicast service bearer between the device and the gateway; establish a service bearer between the user terminal and the gateway for transmission The communication connection of the multimedia broadcast multicast service; and the release of resources in the original service network for providing the multimedia broadcast multicast service to the user terminal.

优选地，所述方法包括：由所述装置对用户终端进行鉴权认证。Preferably, the method includes: performing authentication on the user terminal by the device.

附图说明Description of drawings

通过下面结合附图说明本发明的优选实施例，将使本发明的上述及其它目的、特征和优点更加清楚，其中：The above-mentioned and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer by illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings below, wherein:

图1是示出了以根据本发明的BM-SC为锚点的根据本发明的异构网构架的示意图；Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a heterogeneous network architecture according to the present invention with a BM-SC according to the present invention as an anchor point;

图2是根据本发明的BM-SC的功能框图；Fig. 2 is the functional block diagram of BM-SC according to the present invention;

图3是示出了根据本发明的、接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端在异构网中切换的一般方法的流程图；FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a general method for handover of a user terminal receiving MBMS service in a heterogeneous network according to the present invention;

图4是示出了接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端从3GPP网络切换至可信非3GPP网络的示例性顺序图；FIG. 4 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating handover of a user terminal accepting MBMS services from a 3GPP network to a trusted non-3GPP network;

图5是示出了接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端从3GPP网络切换至非可信非3GPP网络的示例性顺序图；以及FIG. 5 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating handover of a user terminal accepting MBMS services from a 3GPP network to a non-trusted non-3GPP network; and

图6是示出了接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端从非3GPP网络切换回3GPP网络的示例性顺序图。FIG. 6 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating handover of a user terminal receiving MBMS service from a non-3GPP network back to a 3GPP network.

具体实施方式Detailed ways

为了清楚详细地阐述本发明的实现步骤，下面给出了一些本发明的具体实施例。在这些具体实施例中，假设多播服务是在3GPP网络中定义的MBMS服务，提供多媒体广播多播服务的装置是对现有3GPP网络中的广播多播服务中心(BM-SC)进行升级得到的。然而，需要说明的是，这仅仅是作为示例给出的，本发明的应用不限于该情形，而还可适用于多播服务是在3GPP2网络中定义的BCMCS服务或多播服务是在其他非3GPP网络(如WiMAX网络)中定义的相应服务的情形。从而使得用户终端在非3GPP2网络中也能够接收在3GPP2中定义的BCMCS服务，或在非WiMAX网络中也能够接收在WiMAX网络中定义的多播服务。In order to illustrate the implementation steps of the present invention clearly and in detail, some specific embodiments of the present invention are given below. In these specific embodiments, it is assumed that the multicast service is the MBMS service defined in the 3GPP network, and the device for providing the multimedia broadcast multicast service is obtained by upgrading the broadcast and multicast service center (BM-SC) in the existing 3GPP network of. However, it should be noted that this is only given as an example, and the application of the present invention is not limited to this situation, but is also applicable to the BCMCS service defined in the 3GPP2 network or the multicast service in other non- The situation of the corresponding service defined in the 3GPP network (such as the WiMAX network). Therefore, the user terminal can also receive the BCMCS service defined in 3GPP2 in the non-3GPP2 network, or can also receive the multicast service defined in the WiMAX network in the non-WiMAX network.

下面参照附图对本发明的优选实施例进行详细说明，在描述过程中省略了对于本发明来说是不必要的细节和功能，以防止对本发明的理解造成混淆。The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and unnecessary details and functions for the present invention will be omitted during the description to avoid confusing the understanding of the present invention.

图1示出了以根据本发明的BM-SC为锚点的根据本发明的异构网构架的示意图。如图1所示，该异构网由3GPP网络、可信非3GPP网络(CDMA2000)和非可信的非3GPP网络(如无线局域网、WiMAX网络)异构而成，并以根据本发明的BM-SC作为锚点。所述BM-SC不仅能够与3GPP网络网关之间直接建立控制面和用户面的连接，还能够与非3GPP网络网关之间直接建立控制面和用户面的连接。Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a heterogeneous network architecture according to the present invention with a BM-SC according to the present invention as an anchor point. As shown in Figure 1, the heterogeneous network is formed by 3GPP network, trusted non-3GPP network (CDMA2000) and non-trusted non-3GPP network (such as wireless local area network, WiMAX network), and according to the BM of the present invention -SC as anchor. The BM-SC can not only directly establish a connection between a control plane and a user plane with a 3GPP network gateway, but also directly establish a connection between a control plane and a user plane with a non-3GPP network gateway.

如图1所示，考虑到3GPP网络的逐步演进过程，3GPP网络接入网既包括GSM EDGE无线接入网(GERAN，GSM EDGE Radio AccessNetwork)又包括通用陆地无线接入网络(UTRAN，Universal TerrestrialRadio Access Network)和演进的通用陆地无线接入网络(E-UTRAN，Evolved UTRAN)。GERAN与网关GPRS支持节点(GGSN，GatewayGPRS Support Node)连接，E-UTRAN与MBMS网关连接，UTRAN既可与GGSN连接也可与MBMS网关连接。GGSN与BM-SC间具有两个参考点：Gmb和Gi，分别提供控制面上的信令交互和用户面的数据传输。E-UTRAN与BM-SC间也具有两个参考点：SGmb和SGi-mb，分别提供控制面上的信令交互和用户面的数据传输。As shown in Figure 1, considering the gradual evolution of the 3GPP network, the 3GPP network access network includes both the GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN, GSM EDGE Radio Access Network) and the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network). Network) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN, Evolved UTRAN). GERAN is connected with Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN, GatewayGPRS Support Node), E-UTRAN is connected with MBMS Gateway, and UTRAN can be connected with GGSN or MBMS Gateway. There are two reference points between GGSN and BM-SC: Gmb and Gi, which respectively provide signaling interaction on the control plane and data transmission on the user plane. There are also two reference points between E-UTRAN and BM-SC: SGmb and SGi-mb, which respectively provide signaling interaction on the control plane and data transmission on the user plane.

为了在可信非3GPP接入网中实现MBMS服务的提供，根据3GPP网络和3GPP2网络的相似性，本发明的异构网构架在BM-SC与3GPP2网络中广播服务节点(BSN)之间定义了两个参考点：SG-bcmcs和SGi-bcmcs，SG-bcmcs提供控制面上的信令交互，SGi-bcmcs提供用户面的数据传输。In order to realize the provision of MBMS service in the trusted non-3GPP access network, according to the similarity between the 3GPP network and the 3GPP2 network, the heterogeneous network framework of the present invention is defined between the broadcast service node (BSN) in the BM-SC and the 3GPP2 network There are two reference points: SG-bcmcs and SGi-bcmcs. SG-bcmcs provides signaling interaction on the control plane, and SGi-bcmcs provides data transmission on the user plane.

SG-bcmcs上传输的信令可以包括：BSN发出的控制请求(如注册请求)、BM-SC指导BSN进行承载建立的控制信息、相应服务的信息(如数据流标识符和密钥等)以及用于鉴权认证的信息。The signaling transmitted on the SG-bcmcs may include: control requests issued by the BSN (such as registration requests), control information for the BM-SC to guide the BSN to establish bearers, information about corresponding services (such as data flow identifiers and keys, etc.), and Information used for authentication and authentication.

SGi-bcmcs的作用在于提供从BM-SC到BSN的多媒体数据传输通道。通过SGi-bcmcs传输的多媒体数据的内容虽然和3GPP网络中相同，但需要在BM-SC中完成数据格式和协议的修改，使修改后的数据格式和协议能被BSN接受。当数据传输开始时，BM-SC通过用户成员功能实体提供的信息进行计费。The role of SGi-bcmcs is to provide a multimedia data transmission channel from BM-SC to BSN. Although the content of the multimedia data transmitted through SGi-bcmcs is the same as that in the 3GPP network, the modification of the data format and protocol needs to be completed in the BM-SC so that the modified data format and protocol can be accepted by the BSN. When the data transmission starts, the BM-SC performs charging through the information provided by the user member functional entity.

另外，对3GPP中已定义的3GPP网络/非可信非3GPP网络交互构架进行改进和强化，以在非可信非3GPP接入网中实现MBMS服务的提供。具体而言，在BM-SC与演进分组数据网关(ePDG)之间引入了和3GPP接入网中同样的参考点：Gmb和Gi，Gmb提供控制面上的信令交互，Gi提供用户面的数据传输。此外，对ePDG进行相应的适配，使其一方面向上与BM-SC兼容，具备MBMS网关/GGSN的对应功能；另一方面向下管理非可信非3GPP接入网。而BM-SC被适配为能够根据网络标识和正确的ePDG地址和非可信非3GPP接入网建立信令和承载的连接。In addition, the 3GPP network/untrusted non-3GPP network interaction framework defined in 3GPP is improved and strengthened to realize the provision of MBMS services in the untrusted non-3GPP access network. Specifically, the same reference points as in the 3GPP access network are introduced between the BM-SC and the Evolved Packet Data Gateway (ePDG): Gmb and Gi, Gmb provides signaling interaction on the control plane, Gi provides user plane data transmission. In addition, the ePDG is adapted accordingly so that it is upwardly compatible with the BM-SC and has the corresponding functions of the MBMS gateway/GGSN; on the other hand, it manages the non-trusted non-3GPP access network downward. The BM-SC is adapted to be able to establish signaling and bearer connections with the non-trusted non-3GPP access network according to the network identifier and the correct ePDG address.

由图1可见，根据本发明的BM-SC是实现在异构网中提供和管理MBMS服务的关键。与同构网中的传统BM-SC一样，异构网中的BM-SC也是负责内容发起和管理以及鉴权计费等功能的功能单元形成的大的服务中心，所有的MBMS业务都通过该服务中心来实现；但与同构网中的BM-SC相比，异构网中的BM-SC还具有支持MBMS服务的在异构网中切换的特点。以下参考图2，从功能结构上对根据本发明的BM-SC进行详细描述。It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the BM-SC according to the present invention is the key to realize the provision and management of MBMS services in heterogeneous networks. Like the traditional BM-SC in the homogeneous network, the BM-SC in the heterogeneous network is also a large service center formed by functional units responsible for content initiation and management, authentication and billing, and all MBMS services pass through the However, compared with the BM-SC in the homogeneous network, the BM-SC in the heterogeneous network also has the feature of supporting MBMS service switching in the heterogeneous network. Referring to Fig. 2, the BM-SC according to the present invention will be described in detail in terms of functional structure.

图2是根据本发明的BM-SC 200的功能框图。如图2所示，为了支持接受MBMS服务的用户终端在异构网中的切换，需要对现有BM-SC进行升级，使其至少包括：信令接收单元201、信令产生和发送单元202、多媒体广播多播业务数据提供单元203。此外，为了兼容传统BM-SC已有的鉴权认证和计费功能，BM-SC 200可以包括鉴权认证单元204和计费单元205。在图2中，以虚线框和虚线连接表示鉴权认证单元204和计费单元205是兼容传统BM-SC的功能。各功能单元所实现的主要功能如下：FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a BM-SC 200 according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, in order to support the handover of user terminals receiving MBMS services in heterogeneous networks, the existing BM-SC needs to be upgraded to at least include: asignaling receiving unit 201, a signaling generating and sending unit 202 . The multimedia broadcast multicast service data providing unit 203 . In addition, in order to be compatible with the existing authentication and accounting functions of the traditional BM-SC, the BM-SC 200 may include an authentication unit 204 and anaccounting unit 205. In FIG. 2 , the dotted line box and the dotted line connection indicate that the authentication unit 204 and thecharging unit 205 are functions compatible with the traditional BM-SC. The main functions realized by each functional unit are as follows:

信令接收单元201用于接收来自用户终端所要切换至的网络的网关的多媒体广播多播服务承载建立请求；Thesignaling receiving unit 201 is configured to receive a multimedia broadcast multicast service bearer establishment request from a gateway of a network to which the user terminal is to be switched;

信令产生和发送单元202用于产生和发送控制信令，所述控制信令用于在所述装置与所述网关间建立多媒体广播多播服务承载；The signaling generating and sending unit 202 is configured to generate and send control signaling, where the control signaling is used to establish a multimedia broadcast multicast service bearer between the device and the gateway;

多媒体广播多播业务数据提供单元203用于在所建立的多媒体广播多播服务承载上提供同步的多媒体广播多播业务数据；The MBMS service data providing unit 203 is configured to provide synchronized MBMS service data on the established MBMS service bearer;

鉴权认证单元204用于对异构网中的用户终端进行鉴权认证；以及The authentication unit 204 is configured to perform authentication on the user terminal in the heterogeneous network; and

计费单元205用于对用户终端所接受的多媒体广播多播服务。Thebilling unit 205 is used for the multimedia broadcast multicast service received by the user terminal.

此外，为了支持鉴权、认证和计费功能和某些管理功能，除了处理用于发起和建立多媒体广播多播服务承载的信令，信令接收单元201、信令产生和发送单元202也可以处理用于实施管理的信令以及用于进行鉴权、认证和计费的信令。In addition, in order to support authentication, authentication and accounting functions and certain management functions, in addition to processing signaling for initiating and establishing MBMS service bearers, thesignaling receiving unit 201 and the signaling generating and sending unit 202 can also Handles signaling for administration and signaling for authentication, authentication and billing.

为方便相关处理，还对MBMS用户上下文(MBMS UE CONTEXT)和MBMS承载上下文(MBMS BEARER CONTEXT)进行补充。具体而言，在BM-SC中以及下游节点和用户终端中存放的MBMS用户上下文需要添加网络标识符、同一服务内容在不同网络中的标识符、IP多播地址、对应BM-SC或ePDG的IP地址。用户终端所处网络标识符可让BM-SC实现根据不同网络的区别收费。同一服务内容在相应异构网的标识符可以让用户终端识别其需要接受的MBMS服务。对应BM-SC或ePDG的IP地址可以帮助用户终端找到对应的上游节点从而可以建立信令交互和数据承载路径。IP多播地址可以帮助用户终端加入对应的多播组。In order to facilitate related processing, MBMS user context (MBMS UE CONTEXT) and MBMS bearer context (MBMS BEARER CONTEXT) are supplemented. Specifically, the MBMS user context stored in the BM-SC and downstream nodes and user terminals needs to add network identifiers, identifiers of the same service content in different networks, IP multicast addresses, corresponding BM-SC or ePDG IP address. The identifier of the network where the user terminal is located allows the BM-SC to implement different charging according to different networks. The identifier of the same service content in the corresponding heterogeneous network can allow the user terminal to identify the MBMS service it needs to accept. The IP address corresponding to the BM-SC or ePDG can help the user terminal find the corresponding upstream node so as to establish signaling interaction and data bearing path. The IP multicast address can help the user terminal join the corresponding multicast group.

在BM-SC和下游节点中存放的MBMS承载上下文也需要有内容添加。对于每一个接入网，接入网的下游节点列表都必须保存下来以实现对承载建立的管理。The MBMS bearer context stored in the BM-SC and downstream nodes also needs to have content added. For each access network, the downstream node list of the access network must be saved to implement the management of bearer establishment.

以上描述的根据本发明的BM-SC和采用该BM-SC的异构网同时支持广播和多播模式。The BM-SC according to the present invention described above and the heterogeneous network using the BM-SC support both broadcast and multicast modes.

广播模式相对比较简单，不需要BM-SC与每个用户终端有直接的信令交互，用户上下文在该模式下不需要保存。BM-SC在为异构网提供MBMS服务时，流程如下：The broadcast mode is relatively simple, and does not require direct signaling interaction between the BM-SC and each user terminal, and the user context does not need to be saved in this mode. When BM-SC provides MBMS service for heterogeneous network, the process is as follows:

(1)广播服务开始阶段，BM-SC发送服务开始请求(网络标识符可以对接入网进行区分)给ePDG和BSN。ePDG和BSN将建立MBMS承载上下文，同时获得下游节点(无线局域网中的路由，CDMA2000网络中的BSC/PCF(Base Station Controller/Packet Control Funtion))列表。(1) In the broadcast service start phase, the BM-SC sends a service start request (the network identifier can distinguish the access network) to the ePDG and BSN. The ePDG and BSN will establish the MBMS bearer context, and at the same time obtain the list of downstream nodes (routes in the wireless LAN, BSC/PCF (Base Station Controller/Packet Control Function) in the CDMA2000 network).

(2)根据该列表，ePDG/BSN开始向下建立承载，然后发送服务开始响应信令给BM-SC表示激活成功。(2) According to the list, the ePDG/BSN starts to establish the bearer downward, and then sends a service start response signaling to the BM-SC to indicate that the activation is successful.

如果要终止广播服务，BM-SC发送服务终止请求给ePDG和BSN。ePDG和BSN将移除MBMS承载上下文，同时释放承载，然后发送服务终止响应信令给BM-SC表示终止成功。If the broadcast service is to be terminated, the BM-SC sends a service termination request to the ePDG and BSN. The ePDG and BSN will remove the MBMS bearer context, release the bearer at the same time, and then send a service termination response signaling to the BM-SC to indicate successful termination.

而多播模式下的切换要复杂很多，BM-SC需要和每个用户终端有直接的信令联系。图3示出了根据本发明的、接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端在异构网中切换的一般方法300的流程图。所述异构网包括具有不同网络结构、采用不同通信协议的多个网络，还包括根据本发明的、作为所述多个网络的锚点的、用于提供多媒体广播多播服务的装置。如图3所示，在步骤S301中，用户终端经由所要切换至的、与原服务网络不同的网络的网关，向所述装置请求多媒体广播多播服务。在步骤S302中，所述装置经由所述网关对用户终端的服务请求予以响应，表示接受用户终端的服务请求。在步骤S303中，在所述装置与用户终端所要接入的网络的网关间建立多媒体广播多播服务承载。在步骤S304中，在用户终端和用户终端所要接入的网络的网关间建立用于传输多媒体广播多播服务的通信连接。在步骤S305中，释放原服务网络中用于向用户终端提供多媒体广播多播服务的资源。可选地，切换方法还包括由所述装置对用户终端进行鉴权认证的步骤。However, the handover in the multicast mode is much more complicated, and the BM-SC needs to have a direct signaling connection with each user terminal. FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a general method 300 for handover of a user terminal receiving MBMS service in a heterogeneous network according to the present invention. The heterogeneous network includes multiple networks with different network structures and different communication protocols, and also includes the device for providing multimedia broadcast multicast services as the anchor point of the multiple networks according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , in step S301 , the user terminal requests a MBMS service from the device via a gateway of a network different from the original service network to be handed over to. In step S302, the device responds to the service request of the user terminal via the gateway, indicating acceptance of the service request of the user terminal. In step S303, a MBMS service bearer is established between the device and the gateway of the network to be accessed by the user terminal. In step S304, a communication connection for transmitting MBMS services is established between the user terminal and the gateway of the network to which the user terminal is to access. In step S305, resources in the original service network for providing MBMS services to user terminals are released. Optionally, the handover method further includes the step of performing authentication on the user terminal by the device.

以下，参照图4、5和6具体描述了接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端从3GPP网络切换至可信非3GPP网络、从3GPP网络切换至非可信非3GPP网络以及从非3GPP网络切换回3GPP网络的信令和数据交互过程。在图4、5和6中，将根据本发明的、作为所述多个网络的锚点的、用于提供多媒体广播多播服务的装置示为BM-SC，并且示出了当BM-SC对用户终端进行鉴权认证时的信令交互。但正如前面在对根据本发明的用于提供多媒体广播多播服务的装置进行描述时所指出的一样，鉴权认证功能可由该装置兼容执行，也可由其他装置来实现。相应地，所属领域技术人员将意识到，图4、5和6中在BM-SC和用户终端之间的用于进行鉴权认证的信令交互也是可选的，而不一定是必须的。Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, it is specifically described that a user terminal receiving a multimedia broadcast multicast service is handed over from a 3GPP network to a trusted non-3GPP network, from a 3GPP network to an untrusted non-3GPP network, and from a non-3GPP network. The signaling and data interaction process of the 3GPP network. In Figures 4, 5 and 6, the apparatus for providing multimedia broadcast multicast services as the anchor point of the plurality of networks according to the present invention is shown as BM-SC, and it is shown that when BM-SC Signaling interaction when performing authentication on the user terminal. However, as pointed out in the description of the device for providing multimedia broadcast multicast service according to the present invention, the authentication and authentication function can be compatibly executed by the device, and can also be realized by other devices. Correspondingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the signaling interaction between the BM-SC and the user terminal in Figures 4, 5 and 6 for authentication and authentication is also optional, but not necessarily necessary.

图4是示出了接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端从3GPP网络切换至可信非3GPP网络的示例性顺序图。如图4所示，用户终端从3GPP网络切换至可信非3GPP网络一般采用的流程如下：FIG. 4 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating handover of a user terminal receiving MBMS service from a 3GPP network to a trusted non-3GPP network. As shown in Figure 4, the general procedure for a user terminal to switch from a 3GPP network to a trusted non-3GPP network is as follows:

(1)用户终端通过3GPP网络接收MBMS服务。(1) The user terminal receives the MBMS service through the 3GPP network.

(2)用户终端发现可用的可信非3GPP网络，并通过某种判决策略决定接入到该网络中，随之开始切换。(2) The user terminal discovers an available trusted non-3GPP network, decides to access the network through a certain decision strategy, and then starts handover.

(3)用户终端通过上下文可以知道所要求的服务在该可信非3GPP网络中的服务数据流标识以及IP地址，从而开始发起该特定业务的注册请求。(3) The user terminal can know the service data flow identifier and IP address of the required service in the trusted non-3GPP network through the context, so as to initiate the registration request of the specific service.

(4)用户终端所要附着的非3GPP接入网向对应BM-SC发出请求信令，该信令包括服务数据流标识、鉴权参数。BM-SC的IP地址在用户上下文中。(4) The non-3GPP access network to which the user terminal is to attach sends a request signaling to the corresponding BM-SC, and the signaling includes service data flow identifiers and authentication parameters. The IP address of the BM-SC is in the user context.

(5)升级后的BM-SC可以处理由非3GPP网络发出的请求信令，并对之进行鉴权认证。随后，BM-SC向相应的非3GPP接入网发送接入网请求接受信令，该信令中包含服务内容信息和承载建立相关参数。(5) The upgraded BM-SC can process the request signaling sent by the non-3GPP network and perform authentication on it. Subsequently, the BM-SC sends an access network request acceptance signaling to the corresponding non-3GPP access network, and the signaling includes service content information and parameters related to bearer establishment.

(6)接入网向用户终端发送注册接受信令。(6) The access network sends a registration acceptance signaling to the user terminal.

(7)非3GPP网络与BM-SC之间建立相应承载。(7) A corresponding bearer is established between the non-3GPP network and the BM-SC.

(8)非3GPP网络为切换用户终端建立必要的无线接入网资源，以便传输随后得到MBMS数据。(8) The non-3GPP network establishes necessary radio access network resources for the handover user terminal, so as to transmit and then obtain MBMS data.

(9)BM-SC开始向切换至该非3GPP网络的用户终端提供所需的MBMS业务数据。该业务与用户终端原本在3GPP网络中的服务内容相同且同步，使得用户终端在切换前后能够接收到连贯一致服务数据。(9) The BM-SC starts to provide the required MBMS service data to the UE handed over to the non-3GPP network. This service is the same and synchronized with the original service content of the user terminal in the 3GPP network, so that the user terminal can receive consistent service data before and after handover.

(10)如果用户终端完成切换后，原3GPP接入网中已经没有用户终端再接收该服务，则触发3GPP网络资源的释放。(10) If no user terminal in the original 3GPP access network receives the service after the user terminal completes the handover, the release of 3GPP network resources is triggered.

图5是示出了接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端从3GPP网络切换至非可信非3GPP网络的示例性顺序图。如图5所示，用户终端从3GPP网络切换至非可信非3GPP网络一般采用的流程如下：FIG. 5 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating handover of a user terminal receiving MBMS service from a 3GPP network to an untrusted non-3GPP network. As shown in Figure 5, the general procedure for a user terminal to switch from a 3GPP network to an untrusted, non-3GPP network is as follows:

(1)用户终端通过3GPP网络接收MBMS服务。(1) The user terminal receives the MBMS service through the 3GPP network.

(2)用户终端发现可用的非可信非3GPP网络，并通过某种判决策略决定接入到该网络中，随之开始切换。(2) The user terminal discovers an available non-trusted non-3GPP network, decides to access the network through a decision strategy, and then starts handover.

(3)用户终端通过上下文可以知道其需要建立连接的ePDG的IP地址，从而与其建立联系。ePDG与BM-SC进行信令交互，从而对用户终端进行鉴权认证。(3) Through the context, the user terminal can know the IP address of the ePDG to which it needs to establish a connection, so as to establish a connection with it. The ePDG performs signaling interaction with the BM-SC, thereby performing authentication on the user terminal.

(4)当用户终端被授权后，ePDG发送一个IP地址给用户终端，同时在用户终端和ePDG之间建立IPsec隧道，该隧道用于信令交互。(4) After the user terminal is authorized, the ePDG sends an IP address to the user terminal, and at the same time establishes an IPsec tunnel between the user terminal and the ePDG, and the tunnel is used for signaling interaction.

(5)用户终端向ePDG发送激活请求以加入多播组。(5) The user terminal sends an activation request to the ePDG to join the multicast group.

(6)如果ePDG还未建立承载信息则向BM-SC发送注册请求，以建立承载。(6) If the ePDG has not established the bearer information, it sends a registration request to the BM-SC to establish the bearer.

(7)BM-SC更新MBMS承载上下文，同时将与承载建立相关的信息通过注册响应发送给ePDG。(7) The BM-SC updates the MBMS bearer context, and at the same time sends information related to bearer establishment to the ePDG through a registration response.

(8)ePDG通过激活响应信令告知用户终端其成功加入多播组并提供承载相关信息。(8) The ePDG informs the user terminal that it has successfully joined the multicast group and provides bearer related information through the activation response signaling.

(9)完成承载建立。(9) Complete bearer establishment.

(10)BM-SC开始传输MBMS数据。(10) BM-SC starts to transmit MBMS data.

(11)如果用户终端完成切换后，原3GPP接入网中已经没有用户终端再接收该服务，则触发3GPP网络资源的释放。(11) If there is no user terminal in the original 3GPP access network to receive the service after the user terminal completes the handover, the release of 3GPP network resources is triggered.

图6是示出了接受多媒体广播多播服务的用户终端从非3GPP网络切换回3GPP网络的示例性顺序图。如图6所示，用户终端从非3GPP网络切换至3GPP网络一般采用的流程如下：FIG. 6 is an exemplary sequence diagram illustrating handover of a user terminal receiving MBMS service from a non-3GPP network back to a 3GPP network. As shown in Figure 6, the general procedure for a user terminal to switch from a non-3GPP network to a 3GPP network is as follows:

(1)用户终端在通过非3GPP网络接收MBMS服务。(1) The user terminal is receiving the MBMS service through a non-3GPP network.

(2)用户终端发现可用的3GPP通用陆地无线接入网络(UTRAN)或GSM EDGE无线接入网(GERAN)，并通过某种判决策略决定接入到该网络中，随之开始切换。(2) The user terminal discovers the available 3GPP Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), and decides to access the network through a certain decision strategy, and then starts handover.

(3)用户终端发送附着请求给GPRS服务支持节点(SGSN)。(3) The user terminal sends an attach request to the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN).

(4)SGSN通过网关GPRS支持节点(GGSN)与BM-SC进行信令交互，BM-SC对用户终端进行鉴权。(4) The SGSN performs signaling interaction with the BM-SC through the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), and the BM-SC performs authentication on the user terminal.

(5)成功鉴权后，SGSN将执行位置更新程序。如果该用户终端是特定多播组中第一个进入该UTRAN网络的用户终端，则无线资源和接入网资源将会按照非专利参考文献3(3GPP TS 23.246，“TechnicalSpecification Group Services and System Aspects；MultimediaBroadcast/Multicast Service(MBMS)；Architecture and functionaldescription”)中所定义的流程进行建立，而如果用户终端不是多播组中第一个进入该UTRAN网络的用户终端，则由于承载本身已经建立好无需再次建立。(5) After successful authentication, SGSN will execute the location update procedure. If the user terminal is the first user terminal to enter the UTRAN network in a specific multicast group, the radio resources and access network resources will be in accordance with non-patent reference 3 (3GPP TS 23.246, "Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Multicast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Architecture and functional description") to establish the process, and if the user terminal is not the first user terminal in the multicast group to enter the UTRAN network, since the bearer itself has already been established, there is no need to Establish.

(6)用户终端通过UTRAN系统接收MBMS数据。(6) The user terminal receives MBMS data through the UTRAN system.

(7)如果原非3GPP网络中已经没有接收同样服务的用户终端则释放其资源。(7) If there is no user terminal receiving the same service in the original non-3GPP network, release its resources.

在以上的描述中，针对各个步骤，列举了多个实例，虽然发明人尽可能地标示出彼此关联的实例，但这并不意味着这些实例必然按照相应的标号存在对应关系。只要所选择的实例所给定的条件间不存在矛盾，可以在不同的步骤中，选择标号并不对应的实例来构成相应的技术方案，这样的技术方案也应视为被包含在本发明的范围内。In the above description, multiple examples are listed for each step. Although the inventors try to mark the examples that are related to each other as much as possible, this does not mean that these examples necessarily have a corresponding relationship according to the corresponding labels. As long as there is no contradiction between the conditions given by the selected examples, in different steps, examples with non-corresponding labels can be selected to form corresponding technical solutions, and such technical solutions should also be regarded as being included in the scope of the present invention. within range.

应当注意的是，在以上的描述中，仅以示例的方式，示出了本发明的技术方案，但并不意味着本发明局限于上述步骤和单元结构。在可能的情形下，可以根据需要对步骤和单元结构进行调整和取舍。因此，某些步骤和单元并非实施本发明的总体发明思想所必需的元素。因此，本发明所必需的技术特征仅受限于能够实现本发明的总体发明思想的最低要求，而不受以上具体实例的限制。It should be noted that, in the above description, the technical solution of the present invention is shown by way of example only, but it does not mean that the present invention is limited to the above steps and unit structures. Where possible, adjustments and trade-offs can be made to the steps and unit structures as needed. Therefore, certain steps and units are not essential elements for implementing the general inventive idea of the present invention. Therefore, the necessary technical features of the present invention are only limited to the minimum requirements capable of realizing the general inventive concept of the present invention, and are not limited by the above specific examples.

至此已经结合优选实施例对本发明进行了描述。应该理解，本领域技术人员在不脱离本发明的精神和范围的情况下，可以进行各种其它的改变、替换和添加。因此，本发明的范围不局限于上述特定实施例，而应由所附权利要求所限定。So far the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It should be understood that various other changes, substitutions and additions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. for provide a device for multicast broadcast multimedia service, described heterogeneous network to comprise at heterogeneous network, have heterogeneous networks structure, adopt a plurality of networks of different communication protocol, described device comprises:

Signaling receiving element, sets up request for receiving the multicast broadcast multimedia service carrying of the gateway of the network that will switch to from user terminal;

Signaling produces and transmitting element, for generation of with send control signaling, described control signal carries for set up multicast broadcast multimedia service between described device and described gateway; And

Multimedia broadcast multi-cast service data provides unit, for providing synchronous multimedia broadcast multi-cast service data in the multicast broadcast multimedia service carrying set up,

Wherein, in the downstream node of described device, described device and user terminal, store multimedia broadcast multicast user's context, in the downstream node of described device and described device, store multimedia broadcast multicast bearer context, and

Described multimedia broadcast multicast user's context comprises: the IP address of network identifier, same service content identifier, ip multicast address and described device or the ePDG in heterogeneous networks; Described multimedia broadcast multicast bearer context comprises: the list of the downstream node of described device in the Access Network of heterogeneous networks.

2. device according to claim 1, also comprises: authentication unit, and for the user terminal of heterogeneous network is carried out to authentication.

3. device according to claim 2, also comprises: Charging Detail Record unit, and for the multicast broadcast multimedia service that user terminal is accepted.

4. device according to claim 1, is characterized in that: if accept the user terminal access 3GPP network of multicast broadcast multimedia service, described device is directly set up being connected of chain of command and user's face with MBMS gateway or GGSN.

5. device according to claim 4 wherein, defines reference point: SGmb and SGi-mb between described device and MBMS gateway, and SGmb provides the Signalling exchange on chain of command, and SGi-mb provides the transfer of data of user's face; Between described device and GGSN, define reference point: Gmb and Gi, Gmb provides the Signalling exchange on chain of command, and Gi provides the transfer of data of user's face.

6. device according to claim 1, is characterized in that: if accept the user terminal access reliable non-3 GPP network of multicast broadcast multimedia service, described device is directly set up being connected of chain of command and user's face with broadcast service Node B SN.

7. device according to claim 6 wherein, defines reference point: SG-bcmcs and SGi-bcmcs between described device and BSN, and SG-bcmcs provides the Signalling exchange on chain of command, and SGi-bcmcs provides the transfer of data of user's face.

8. device according to claim 1, is characterized in that: if the non-3GPP network of the user terminal of multicast broadcast multimedia service access untrusted, described device is directly set up being connected of chain of command and user's face with evolution packet data gateway ePDG.

9. device according to claim 8, wherein, described ePDG is suitable for from described device receiving multimedia broadcast multicast service data and control signal, and transmission and the management of responsible MBMS business in untrusted non-3 GPP access network.

10. device according to claim 9 wherein, defines reference point: Gi and Gmb between described device and ePDG, and Gmb provides the Signalling exchange on chain of command, and Gi provides the transfer of data of user's face.

11. 1 kinds of heterogeneous networks, comprising:

A plurality of networks, have different network configurations, adopt different communication protocol; And

According to described in any one in claim 1 to 10, for the device of multicast broadcast multimedia service is provided at heterogeneous network.

12. 1 kinds of methods that the user terminal of accepting multicast broadcast multimedia service switches in heterogeneous network, described heterogeneous network comprises a plurality of networks that have heterogeneous networks structure, adopt different communication protocol, also comprise that described method comprises for the device of multicast broadcast multimedia service is provided:

User terminal is via the gateway of that will switch to, different from former service network network, to described device request multicast broadcast multimedia service;

Described device is responded the service request of user terminal via described gateway, represents to accept the service request of user terminal;

Between described device and described gateway, set up multicast broadcast multimedia service carrying;

Between user terminal and described gateway, set up the communication connection for transmitting multimedia broadcast multicast service; And

Discharge in former service network for the resource of multicast broadcast multimedia service is provided to user terminal,

Wherein, in the downstream node of described device, described device and user terminal, store multimedia broadcast multicast user's context, in the downstream node of described device and described device, store multimedia broadcast multicast bearer context, and

Described multimedia broadcast multicast user's context comprises: the IP address of network identifier, same service content identifier, ip multicast address and described device or the ePDG in heterogeneous networks; Described multimedia broadcast multicast bearer context comprises: the list of the downstream node of described device in the Access Network of heterogeneous networks.

13. methods according to claim 12, also comprise: by described device, user terminal is carried out to authentication.

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