Method for processing service and apparatus

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for processing service and apparatus, relating to the field of communication technologies, and invented for effectively reducing signaling interactions and optimizing the performance of a communication system. The method for processing service includes: receiving a packet data protocol PDP deactivation request message or a signaling connection release indication SCRI message sent from a user equipment; and maintaining a bearer corresponding to the user equipment. The present invention may be used in global systems for mobile communications and long term evolution communication systems.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for processing service and apparatus.

BACKGROUND

With more smart phone handsets, service applications of smart phone handsets become richer. For some packet switched (PS, Packet Switched) services of the service applications of smart phone handsets, to maintain a connection with a network application server, a smart phone sends a heartbeat packet to the network application server. However, different services have different sending frequencies, with the frequency ranging from several seconds to more than ten minutes. After sending the heartbeat packet, if no other service data packets are sent, some smart phone handsets initiate a deactivation process of a packet data protocol (PDP, packet data protocol) or a fast dormancy request process, and the network releases bearers and connections of these smart phone handsets, and the smart phone handsets return to an idle mode or a specific power saving mode. However, after these smart phone handsets enter the idle mode or the specific power-saving mode, when re-initiating services such as a heartbeat packet, the smart phone handsets need to re-initiate a connection setup process and a radio access bearer (RAB, Radio Access Bearer) setup process to the network.

In this way, when the smart phone handsets implement frequent packet services such as heartbeat packets, there are too many air interface signalings and Iu interface signalings and there are too many signaling interactions between the air interfaces and between Iu interfaces, which causes adverse impacts on the performance of the network communication system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Multiple aspects of the present invention provide a method for processing service and apparatus to reduce signaling interactions effectively and optimize the performance of a communication system.

One aspect of the present invention provides a method for processing service, including: receiving a packet data protocol PDP deactivation request message sent from a user equipment (UE); and maintaining a bearer corresponding to the UE.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a service processing apparatus, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive a packet data protocol (PDP) deactivation request message or a signaling connection release indication (CSRI, signaling connection release indication) message sent from a user equipment; and a processing unit, configured to maintain a bearer corresponding to the user equipment.

After the foregoing technical solutions are used, the method for processing service and apparatus provided in embodiments of the present invention can effectively prevent the UE from initiating a connection setup process and a radio access bearer setup process to the network frequently and repeatedly. Therefore, signaling interactions between the UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for processing service and apparatus to reduce signaling interactions effectively and optimize the performance of a communication system.

In addition, terms “system” and “network” in the specification can often be used interchangeably. In the specification, the term “and/or” merely describes an association relationship between associating objects, indicating that three types of relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may indicate the following three cases: A exists independently, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists independently. In addition, the character “/” in the specification generally indicates an “or” relationship between associating objects.

One aspect of the present invention discloses a method for processing service. The method includes: receiving a packet data protocol PDP deactivation request message or a signaling connection release indication SCRI message sent from a UE; and maintaining a bearer corresponding to the UE.

The method may be implemented by different network entities, for example, a core network entity or an access network entity. The core network entity receives a PDP deactivation request message sent from the UE, for example, an SGSN of a core network, and the access network entity receives a signaling connection release indication SCRI message sent from the user equipment, for example, an RNC of an access network.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the maintaining a bearer corresponding to the UE includes: maintaining a bearer corresponding to the UE in a specific maintaining duration; and when the specific maintaining duration expires, releasing the bearer corresponding to the UE.

The bearer corresponding to the UE includes an RAB or an Iu connection. In an embodiment of the present invention, when the Iu connection corresponding to the user equipment is maintained, the method of the present invention further includes: releasing the RAB corresponding to the UE.

As shown inFIG. 1, a method for processing service according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment is based on a core network entity SGSN (serving GPRS support node, serving GPRS support Node), which may be described as follows.

101. An SGSN receives a packet data protocol PDP deactivation request message sent from a user equipment.

102. The SGSN maintains a radio access bearer RAB corresponding to the UE.

In this way, when the UE re-initiates a service, the SGSN does not need to re-initiate an RAB assignment process and a security mode command (SMC, security mode command) process, but can re-initiate a service by using the maintained RAB. Therefore, signaling interactions between the UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

In102, the SGSN may maintain the RAB corresponding to the UE permanently. To further effectively improve the performance of the communication system, preferentially, the SGSN maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE in a specific maintaining duration; when the specific maintaining duration expires, the SGSN releases the RAB corresponding to the UE. The specific maintaining duration may be set by the SGSN according to an empirical value or may be set manually, or may be set according to performance requirements of a core network and between the core network and an access network, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment. For example, a timer for detecting data transmission of the UE may be set in the SGSN, and a timing duration of the timer is the specific maintaining duration. When the timer expires, the SGSN releases the RAB corresponding to the UE.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method for processing service may further include: sending, by an SGSN, a bearer instruction message to an access network, where the bearer instruction message includes instruction information used to instruct the access network to maintain an RAB corresponding to a UE, so that an access network entity can maintain the RAB corresponding to the UE.

For example, the SGSN may send a bearer instruction message to the access network after101and before102, which is not limited herein. For example, when the SGSN receives a PDP activation message or a PDP deactivation request message sent from the UE, the SGSN sends a bearer instruction message to the access network. For another example, when determining that the UE uses a frequent packet service such as a heartbeat packet, the SGSN sends a bearer instruction message to the access network. For another example, when determining that signaling overload occurs on a core network, the SGSN sends a bearer instruction message to the access network. For another example, when determining that the UE is a smart phone UE, the SGSN sends a bearer instruction message to the access network. The SGSN may send the foregoing bearer instruction message to other network entities by using a dedicated radio access network application art RANAP (radio access network application part) message or a public RANAP message.

The bearer instruction message may further include a reference maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB, so that the access network can determine, according to the reference maintaining duration, a specific maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE.

It should be noted that the bearer instruction message may be determined by an access network entity and sent by the access network entity to the SGSN. Therefore, before101, the method for processing service according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include: receiving, by the SGSN, a bearer instruction message sent from an access network, where the bearer instruction message includes instruction information used to instruct a core network to maintain an RAB corresponding to the UE.

In this case, in102, the SGSN maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE according to the instruction of the received bearer instruction message.

In addition, the bearer instruction message received by the SGSN may further include a reference maintaining duration where the core network maintains the RAB; the SGSN can determine, according to the reference maintaining duration, a specific maintaining duration where the core network maintains an RAB corresponding to the UE. In this case, in102, the SGSN maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE in the specific maintaining duration determined according to the reference maintaining duration; and when the specific maintaining duration expires, the SGSN releases the RAB corresponding to the UE.

As shown inFIG. 2, a method for processing service according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment is based on an access network entity RNC, which may be described as follows.

201. An RNC receives a signaling connection release indication SCRI message sent from a user equipment.

202. The RNC maintains an RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

In this way, when the UE re-initiates a service, an RAB assignment process and an SMC process do not need to be re-initiated, but the transmission of the service can be re-initiated by using the maintained RAB directly. Therefore, signaling interactions between the UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

For example, in202, the RNC controls the user equipment to enter a power-saving connection state and maintains an RAB corresponding to the user equipment in the power-saving connection state in a specific maintaining duration; and when the specific maintaining duration expires, the RNC releases the RAB corresponding to the user equipment. The specific maintaining duration may be set by the RNC according to an empirical value or may be set manually, or may be set by the RNC according to performance requirements of an access network and between the access network and a core network, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment. For example, a timer for detecting data transmission of the UE may be set in the RNC, and a timing duration of the timer is the specific maintaining duration; and when the timer expires, the RNC releases the RAB corresponding to the UE. The power-saving connection state includes a cell_paging channel (CELL_PCH) state or a cell_forward access channel (CELL_FACH) state.

Further, before201, the method for processing service according to this embodiment may further include: receiving, by the RNC, a bearer instruction message sent from a core network, where the bearer instruction message includes instruction information used to instruct an access network to maintain an RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

In this case, in202, the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE according to the instruction of the received bearer instruction message.

In addition, the bearer instruction message received by the RNC may further include a reference maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB; the RNC can determine, according to the reference maintaining duration, a specific maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment. In this case, in202, the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment in the specific maintaining duration determined according to the reference maintaining duration. For example, the RNC may select a larger value between the reference maintaining duration and a maintaining duration, which is stored on the access network, as a specific maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment. When the specific maintaining duration expires, the RNC releases the RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

It should be noted that when the RNC is capable of determining a bearer instruction message, the RNC may also determine a bearer instruction message actively and send the bearer instruction message to the core network. Therefore, the method for processing service according to this embodiment may further include: sending, by the RNC, a bearer instruction message to a core network, where the bearer instruction message includes instruction information used to instruct the core network to maintain the RAB corresponding to the UE.

The bearer instruction message may further include a reference maintaining duration where the core network maintains the RAB, so that the core network can determine, according to the reference maintaining duration, a specific maintaining duration where the core network maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

The following specifically describes a method for processing service according to an embodiment of the present invention based on an application scenario of PDP deactivation. As shown inFIG. 3, this embodiment may be described as follows.

301. An SGSN receives a PDP activation request message sent from a user equipment.

302. The SGSN detects at least one of a terminal type of the UE, a service type of the UE, and a signaling load state of a core network.

In this step, the SGSN optionally detects the terminal type of the UE, and/or whether a PS service type of the UE is a frequent packet service, for example, a heartbeat packet service, and/or the signaling load state of the core network.

For the terminal type of the UE, whether the UE is a smart phone according to a field in the international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) may be determined or the terminal type of the UE may be determined by interactions with other network entities.

The service type of the UE may be determined after the core network parses a data packet, or may be determined by the interaction with a policy and charging rule function (PCRF), or may be determined by a report from the UE.

303. When determining that the UE is a smart phone and/or the PS service type is a frequent packet service and/or signaling overload occurs on the core network, the SGSN delivers a bearer instruction message to an RNC corresponding to the UE by using an RANAP message.

For example, the bearer instruction message includes an instruction message used to instruct the RNC to maintain an RAB. In another embodiment of the present invention, the bearer instruction message may further include a reference maintaining duration where the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE, where the reference maintaining duration is suggested by the SGSN for the RNC; and may further include information such as a reason of maintaining the RAB.

304. The RNC receives the bearer instruction message sent from the SGSN, and learns that the RNC needs to maintain the UE in a connected state and maintain the RAB. In addition, the RNC determines, according to the bearer instruction message, a maintaining duration where the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE.

For example, the RNC may select a larger value between the reference maintaining duration in the bearer instruction message and a maintaining duration set or stored on the RNC, and sets the larger value as a maintaining duration where the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE. When the bearer instruction message does not include a specific maintaining duration, the RNC may set a specific maintaining duration according to an empirical value or a largest value of a currently known sending period of a heartbeat packet service. When the maintaining duration of the RNC expires, the RNC releases the RAB corresponding to the UE. Preferentially, the maintaining duration of the RNC should be smaller than the specific maintaining duration of the SGSN, that is, the SGSN has a specific delay relative to the RNC to ensure that the SGSN does not trigger an RAB release process before the RNC does.

305. The SGSN sends a PDP activation accept message to the UE.

306. The SGSN receives a PDP deactivation request message sent from the UE.

307. The SGSN does not initiate a PDP context release process and an RAB release process. That is, the SGSN maintains the RAB and PDP context corresponding to the UE, and sends a deactivation accept message to the UE.

308. After determining that the UE has no data transmission within a period of time, the RNC switches the UE to a CELL_PCH state or a CELL_FACH state. For the UE in the CELL_PCH state or the CELL_FACH state, the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE in a specific maintaining duration; and when the specific maintaining duration expires, the RNC releases the RAB corresponding to the UE.

309. The UE re-initiates a PS service, and sends a service request (Service Request) and a PDP activation request to the SGSN.

310. The SGSN sends a PDP activation accept message to the UE, so that the UE can continue to transmit a service by using the RAB and the PDP context.

When the UE needs to re-send a service such as a heartbeat service, the SGSN does not need to initiate an RAB assignment process and an SMC process, but needs to send a PDP activation accept message to the UE, and the RNC optionally re-assigns an RAB to the UE. Therefore, signaling interactions are effectively reduced, and the performance of a system is optimized.

For example, the SGSN can detect the quality of service QoS of an activated PDP; if the QoS of the activated PDP remains unchanged, the SGSN does not need to initiate an RAB assignment process and an SMC process, but only needs to send a PDP activation accept message to the UE to transmit a PS service such as heartbeat data. If the QoS is changed, the SGSN needs to implement an RAB assignment process to modify a bearer.

The following specifically describes a method for processing service according to an embodiment of the present invention based on an application scenario of PDP deactivation. As shown inFIG. 4, this embodiment may be described as follows.

401. An RNC detects at least one of a terminal type of a UE, a service type of the UE, and a signaling load state of a core network.

402. When determining that the UE is a smart phone and/or a PS service type is a frequent packet service and/or signaling overload occurs on the core network, the RNC delivers a bearer instruction message to a core network entity SGSN by using an RANAP message.

For example, the bearer instruction message includes information used to instruct the SGSN to maintain an RAB of the UE or an RAB and a PDP context of the UE when the SGSN receives a PDP deactivation request, or instruct the SGSN not to actively initiate RAB release when the SGSN detects that the UE has not data transmission. The bearer instruction message may further include a reference maintaining duration where the SGSN maintains an RAB corresponding to the UE and may further include information such as a reason of maintaining the RAB.

403. The SGSN receives a bearer instruction message sent from the RNC, and determines a maintaining duration where the SGSN maintains the RAB of the UE.

For example, the SGSN configures, according to the instruction in the bearer instruction message, a maintaining duration where the SGSN maintains the RAB. Preferentially, the maintaining duration of the SGSN should be greater than a specific maintaining duration of the RNC, that is, the SGSN has a specific delay relative to the RCN.

404. The SGSN receives a PDP deactivation message sent from the UE.

405. The SGSN does not initiate a process of releasing the RAB and PDP context, that is, it maintains the RAB and the PDP context corresponding to the UE, and sends a deactivation accept message to the UE. The SGSN does not initiate RAB release in a specific maintaining duration. The specific maintaining duration may be an infinite value.

The following specifically describes a method for processing service according to an embodiment of the present invention based on an application scenario of fast dormancy. As shown inFIG. 5, this embodiment may be described as follows.

501. An SGSN detects at least one of a terminal type of a UE, a service type of the UE, and a signaling load state of a core network.

502. When determining that the UE is a smart phone and/or a PS service type is a frequent packet service and/or signaling overload occurs on the core network, the SGSN delivers a bearer instruction message to an RNC corresponding to the UE by using an RANAP message.

For example, the bearer instruction message includes an instruction message used to instruct the RNC to maintain an RAB; may further include a reference maintaining duration where the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE, where the reference maintaining duration is configured by the SGSN for the RNC; and may further include information such as a reason of maintaining the RAB.

503. The RNC receives the bearer instruction message sent from the SGSN, and learns that the RNC needs to maintain the UE in a connected state and maintain the RAB. In addition, the RNC determines, according to the bearer instruction message, a specific maintaining duration where the RNC maintains the RAB of the UE.

504. The RNC receives an SCRI message sent from the UE for a fast dormancy indication.

505. The RNC controls the UE to enter or maintain a CELL_PCH connection state or a CELL_FACH connection state. For the UE in the CELL_PCH connection state or the CELL_FACH connection state, the RNC does not initiate an RAB release process in a specific maintaining duration of the RNC, that is, it maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE.

The following specifically describes a method for processing service according to an embodiment of the present invention based on an application scenario of fast dormancy. As shown inFIG. 6, this embodiment may be described as follows.

601. An RNC detects at least one of a terminal type of a UE, a service type of the UE, and a signaling load state of a core network.

602. When determining that the UE is a smart phone and/or a PS service type is a frequent packet service and/or signaling overload occurs on the core network, the RNC delivers a bearer instruction message to a core network entity SGSN by using an RANAP message.

603. The RNC receives an SCRI message sent from the UE for a fast dormancy indication.

604. The RNC controls the UE to enter or maintain a CELL_PCH connection state or a CELL_FACH connection state. For the UE in the CELL_PCH connection state or the CELL_FACH connection state, the RNC does not initiate an RAB release process in a specific maintaining duration of the RNC, that is, it maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE.

The following specifically describes a method for processing service according to an embodiment of the present invention based on an application scenario of PDP deactivation. As shown inFIG. 7, this embodiment may be described as follows.

701. An SGSN receives a PDP deactivation request message sent from a user equipment.

702. The SGSN maintains an Iu connection corresponding to the UE.

By using the method for processing service provided in the embodiment of the present invention, signaling interactions between a UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

The following specifically describes a method for processing service according to an embodiment of the present invention based on an application scenario of fast dormancy. As shown inFIG. 8, this embodiment may be described as follows.

801. An RNC receives an SCRI message sent from a user equipment.

802. The RNC maintains an Iu connection corresponding to the UE.

By using the method for processing service provided in the embodiment of the present invention, signaling interactions between a UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

It should be noted that the difference between the method for processing services illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 8and the method for processing services in the foregoing embodiments lies in that: In the foregoing embodiments, during the processing, the SGSN or the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE; in the method for processing services illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the SGSN or the RNC may release the RAB corresponding to the UE, but maintains the Iu connection corresponding to the UE. The method for processing services illustrated inFIG. 7andFIG. 8are similar to those in the foregoing embodiments in terms of other processes. For details, reference may be made to the foregoing description, and details are not repeated herein.

Another aspect of the present invention corresponds to the foregoing method for processing service and discloses a service processing apparatus, including a receiving unit and a processing unit.

The receiving unit is configured to receive a packet data protocol PDP deactivation request message or a signaling connection release indication SCRI message sent from a user equipment.

The processing unit is configured to maintain a bearer corresponding to the UE.

The bearer corresponding to the UE includes an RAB or an Iu connection. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit further includes a first processing unit or a second processing unit.

The first processing unit is configured to maintain an RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

The second processing unit is configured to maintain an Iu connection corresponding to the user equipment.

Further, the second processing unit is further configured to release a radio access bearer RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

By using the service processing apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention, signaling interactions between a UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

The following specifically describes a service processing apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an SGSN. As shown inFIG. 9, the SGSN includes a receiving unit11and a first processing unit12.

The receiving unit11is configured to receive a packet data protocol PDP deactivation request message sent from a user equipment.

The first processing unit12is configured to maintain an RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

By using the SGSN provided in the embodiment of the present invention, signaling interactions between a UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

The first processing unit12is specifically configured to maintain the RAB corresponding to the user equipment in a specific maintaining duration, and release the RAB corresponding to the user equipment when the specific maintaining duration expires.

Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 10, the SGSN may further include a sending unit13.

The sending unit13is configured to send a bearer instruction message to an access network, where the bearer instruction message includes instruction information used to instruct the access network to maintain the RAB corresponding to the user equipment. The bearer instruction message may further include a reference maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB, so that the access network can determine, according to the reference maintaining duration, a specific maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

Further, in another embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit11may be further configured to receive a bearer instruction message sent from an access network, where the bearer instruction message includes instruction information used to instruct a core network to maintain an RAB corresponding to the user equipment. In this case, the first processing unit12is specifically configured to maintain the RAB corresponding to the user equipment according to the instruction of the bearer instruction message.

In addition, the bearer instruction message received by the receiving unit11may further include a reference maintaining duration where the core network maintains the RAB. In this case, the first processing unit12is specifically configured to determine, according to the reference maintaining duration, a specific maintaining duration where the core network maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment, maintain the RAB corresponding to the user equipment during the specific maintaining duration, and release the RAB corresponding to the user equipment when the specific maintaining duration expires.

As shown inFIG. 11, an embodiment of the present invention provides an RNC. The RNC includes a receiving unit21and a first processing unit22.

The receiving unit21is configured to receive a signaling connection release indication SCRI message sent from a user equipment.

The first processing unit22is configured to maintain an RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

By using the RNC provided in the embodiment of the present invention, signaling interactions between a UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

The first processing unit22is specifically configured to control the user equipment to enter a power-saving connection state, maintain an RAB corresponding to the user equipment in the power-saving connection state in a specific maintaining duration, and release the RAB corresponding to the user equipment when the specific maintaining duration expires.

Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit21is further configured to receive a bearer instruction message sent from a core network, where the bearer instruction message includes instruction information used to instruct an access network to maintain the RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

In this case, the first processing unit22is specifically configured to maintain the RAB corresponding to the user equipment according to the instruction of the bearer instruction information.

In addition, the bearer instruction message further includes a reference maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB. In this case, the first processing unit22of the processing unit is specifically configured to determine, according to the reference maintaining duration, a specific maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment. For example, the first processing unit22of the processing unit selects a larger value between the reference maintaining duration and a maintaining duration, which is stored on the access network, as a specific maintaining duration where the access network maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment. The first processing unit22of the processing unit is specifically configured to maintain the RAB corresponding to the user equipment in the specific maintaining duration, and release the RAB corresponding to the user equipment when the specific maintaining duration expires.

Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 12, the RNC may further include a sending unit23.

The sending unit23is configured to send a bearer instruction message to a core network, where the bearer instruction message includes instruction information used to instruct the core network to maintain an RAB corresponding to the user equipment. The bearer instruction message may further include a reference maintaining duration where the core network maintains the RAB, so that the core network can determine, according to the reference maintaining duration, a specific maintaining duration where the core network maintains the RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an SGSN. As shown inFIG. 13, the SGSN includes a receiving unit31and a second processing unit32.

The receiving unit31is configured to receive a packet data protocol PDP deactivation request message sent from a user equipment.

The second processing unit32is configured to maintain an Iu connection corresponding to the user equipment.

The second processing unit32is further configured to release a radio access bearer RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

By using the SGSN provided in the embodiment of the present invention, signaling interactions between a UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an RNC. As shown inFIG. 14, the RNC includes a receiving unit41and a second processing unit42.

The receiving unit41is configured to receive a signaling connection release indication SCRI message sent from a user equipment.

The second processing unit42is configured to maintain an Iu connection corresponding to the user equipment.

The second processing unit32is further configured to release the radio access bearer RAB corresponding to the user equipment.

By using the RNC provided in the embodiment of the present invention, signaling interactions between a UE and a network entity and between network layer entities are effectively reduced, thereby optimizing the performance of a communication system.

It should be noted that the difference between the service processing apparatuses illustrated inFIG. 13andFIG. 14are different from the service processing apparatuses in the foregoing embodiments lies in that: In the foregoing embodiments, during the processing, the SGSN or the RNC maintains the RAB corresponding to the UE; in the service processing apparatuses illustrated inFIG. 13andFIG. 14, the SGSN or the RNC may release the RAB corresponding to the UE, but maintains the Iu connection corresponding to the UE. The service processing apparatuses illustrated inFIG. 13andFIG. 14are similar to those in the foregoing embodiments in terms of other structures and functions. For details, reference may be made to the foregoing description, and the details are not repeated herein.

It can be clearly understood by persons skilled in the art that, for the purpose of convenient and brief description, division of the foregoing function modules is taken as an example for description, in actual implementation, the foregoing functions can be allocated to different modules and implemented according to the needs, that is, the inner structure of the apparatus is divided into different function modules to implement all or part of the foregoing functions. For a detailed working process of the foregoing system, apparatus and unit, reference may be made to the corresponding process in the method embodiments, and the details are not described herein again.

When the integrated unit are implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the integrated unit may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present invention essentially, or the part contributing to the prior art may be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present invention. The storage medium includes: any medium that can store program codes, such as a USB flash disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

The foregoing description is merely about specific embodiments of the present invention, but is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by persons skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.