Method of implementing fast recovery of public warning systems

A method of implementing fast recovery of public warning systems (PWSs) is provided. The method includes receiving, by a mobility management entity (MME), a first restart indication message transmitted by a home evolved nodeB (HeNB) gateway (GW), transmitting, by the MME, a second restart indication message to a cell broadcast center (CBC), the second message including an index of the HeNB and/or an index of the HeNB GW, receiving, by the MME, a warning request transmitted by the CBC, the warning request including the index of the HeNB and/or the index of the HeNB GW, and transmitting, by the MME, the warning request which is destined for the HeNB to the HeNB GW.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Chinese patent application filed on Feb. 28, 2014 in the State Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial number 201410073429.3, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method of implementing fast recovery of public warning systems (PWSs).

BACKGROUND

Public warning systems (PWSs) are mainly for forecasting events, e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, and the like, to the public by distributing warning messages. PWSs transmit to base stations warning messages, warning areas, and conditions of transmitting the warning messages to make the base stations schedule and broadcast the warning messages in the warning areas specified by the PWSs.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to the related art.

Referring toFIG. 1, an evolved nodeB (eNB)101schedules and broadcasts warning messages from a cell broadcast center (CBC)105. The warning messages are transmitted by the CBC105to base stations via a mobility management entity (MME)104. A home evolved nodeB (HeNB)102is connected to a core network directly or via an HeNB gateway (GW). When the HeNB102is connected to the core network via an HeNB GW103, the MME104transmits warning requests transmitted by the CBC105to the HeNB GW103connected to the HeNB102, and the HeNB GW forwards the warning requests to the HeNB102. The process of the HeNB102handling the warning messages is similar to that of the eNB101. The HeNB GW103forwards messages from the core network to the HeNB102, and transmits messages from the HeNB102to the core network. The MME104maintains mobility context, session context and security information of UEs, routes messages from the CBC105in the PWS to base stations specified in the messages, and routes messages from the base stations to the CBC105. The CBC105maintains configurations of warning messages in the PWS, e.g., configurations regarding warning contents, warning areas, warning conditions, and the like, and selects an MME based on the warning areas to transmit messages to the base stations.

Since a base station or some or all cells of the base station may fail and restart, or the PWS service in some or all cells of base station is restarted, the CBC needs to obtain information of the restated cell(s) or of the restarted base station or the cell(s) or the base station where the PWS service is restarted to avoid warning messages being lost. The affected warning messages due to the restarted cell(s) or of the restated base station or restarted PWS service may be recovered by the CBC. The CBC may reload the warning messages to the restarted base station or the base station of the restarted cell(s) via the MME and inform the MME of the identity of the base station so that the MME can forward the warning messages to the specified base station based on the identity of the base station.

At present, the following difficulties are met with by an MME routing warning requests to base stations: when the base station is an HeNB and connects to the core network via an HeNB GW, the MME only knows the identity of the HeNB GW rather than the identity of the HeNB, thus it cannot identify the HeNB or the HeNB GW connected by the HeNB according to an index of the HeNB in the receiving a warning request.

Therefore, a need exists for a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a method of implementing fast recovery of public warning systems (PWSs).

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for implementing fast recovery of PWSs is provided. The method includes receiving, by a mobility management entity (MME), a first restart indication message transmitted by a home evolved nodeB gateway (HeNB GW), transmitting, by the MME, a second restart indication message to a cell broadcast center (CBC), the second message including an index of the HeNB and/or an index of the HeNB GW, receiving, by the MME, a warning request transmitted by the CBC, the warning request including the index of the HeNB and/or the index of the HeNB GW, and transmitting, by the MME, the warning request which is destined for the HeNB to the HeNB GW.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the index of the HeNB is an identity of the HeNB or a tracking area identity (TAI) supported by the HeNB and the index of the HeNB GW is an identity of the HeNB GW or a TAI supported by the HeNB GW.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the procedure of the MME transmitting the second restart indication message may include adding, by the MME, the index of the HeNB GW into the first restart indication message or replacing the index of the HeNB in the first restart indication message with the index of the HeNB GW, and transmitting the modified first restart indication message to the CBC as the second restart indication message.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first restart indication message received by the MME from the HeNB GW may include the identity of the HeNB or the TAI supported by the HeNB, and the MME may store a relation which associates the HeNB with the HeNB GW.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the warning request received by the MME from the CBC may include the identity of the HeNB or the TAI supported by the HeNB, and the MME transmits the warning request to the HeNB GW corresponding to the HeNB based on the relation which associates the HeNB with the HeNB GW.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the warning request transmitted by the MME to the HeNB GW may include the index of the HeNB, and the HeNB GW may transmit the warning request to the HeNB identified by the index.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs is provided. The method includes transmitting, by an HeNB GW, an HeNB restart indication to an MME, the HeNB restart indication including an index of the HeNB and/or an index of the HeNB GW, receiving, by the HeNB GW, a warning request transmitted by the MME, and transmitting, by the HeNB GW, the warning request to the HeNB.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the index of the HeNB is an identity of the HeNB or a TAI supported by the HeNB and the index of the HeNB GW is an identity of the HeNB GW or a TAI supported by the HeNB GW.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the procedure of the HeNB GW transmitting an HeNB restart indication may include generating, by the HeNB GW, the HeNB restart indication based on a re-established S1 interface between the HeNB and the HeNB GW and transmitting the HeNB restart indication to the MME, or transmitting, by the HeNB GW, the HeNB restart indication to the MME after receiving a restart indication from the HeNB.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the procedure of the HeNB GW transmitting an HeNB restart indication may include adding, by the HeNB GW, an index of the HeNB GW into a restart indication transmitted by the HeNB, or replacing an index of the HeNB in the restart indication transmitted by the HeNB with the index of the HeNB GW, and transmitting the modified restart indication to the MME as the HeNB restart indication.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the warning request received by the HeNB GW from the MME may include an index of the HeNB, and the HeNB GW transmits the warning request to the HeNB identified by the index of the HeNB.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs is provided. The method includes transmitting, by an HeNB, a first restart indication to an HeNB GW, the first restart indication including an index of the HeNB and/or an index of the HeNB GW, transmitting, by the HeNB GW, a second restart indication to an MME, the second restart indication including the index of the HeNB and/or the index of the HeNB GW, transmitting, by the MME, a third restart indication to a CBC, the third restart indication including the index of the HeNB and/or the index of the HeNB GW, transmitting, by the CBC, a first warning request to the MME, the first warning request including the index of the HeNB and/or the index of the HeNB GW, transmitting, by the MME, a second warning request to the HeNB GW, and transmitting, by the HeNB GW, a third warning request to the HeNB.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the restart indication transmitted by the HeNB includes the index of the HeNB GW, the index of the HeNB GW is transmitted to the CBC via the HeNB GW and the MME.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the restart indication received by the HeNB GW includes the index of the HeNB, the first restart indication transmitted by the HeNB GW to the MME includes the index of the HeNB GW.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the first restart indication received by the MME includes the index of the HeNB, the second restart indication transmitted by the MME to the CBC includes the index of the HeNB GW.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the second restart indication received by the MME includes the index of the HeNB, the MME may store a relation which associates the HeNB with the HeNB GW, and the index of the HeNB is included in the third restart indication transmitted by the MME to the CBC.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the index of the HeNB is an identity of the HeNB or a TAI supported by the HeNB and the index of the HeNB GW is an identity of the HeNB GW or a TAI supported by the HeNB GW.

It can be seen from the above technical mechanism that the method is applicable to situations where a core network transmits warning requests to a specified base station, and particularly applicable to a situation where base stations accesses the core network via gateways. The various embodiments of the present disclosure provide multiple solutions for routing downlink signaling of warning messages that can satisfy demands of communications services designed for public security purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of public warning systems (PWSs) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 2, at operation201, a home evolved nodeB (HeNB) transmits a restart indication (e.g., a PWS Restart Indication) to an HeNB GW. The PWS Restart Indication includes an identity of the HeNB GW connected by the HeNB or a tracking area identity (TAI) supported by the HeNB GW.

The PWS Restart Indication may include an eNB identity. When the HeNB is connected to the mobility management entity (MME) via the HeNB GW, the HeNB sets the eNB identity to be the identity of the HeNB GW connected to the HeNB.

At operation202, the HeNB GW transmits the PWS Restart Indication from the HeNB to the MME.

At operation203, the MME transmits the received PWS Restart Indication to a cell broadcast center (CBC).

At operation204, after receiving the PWS Restart Indication, the CBC decides to recover a warning message destined for the restarting cell or base station. The CBC transmits a warning request (e.g., a write-replace warning request) to the MME. The write-replace warning request may include an eNB identity or a TAI in the received PWS Restart Indication to instruct the MME to transmit the write-replace warning request to a base station identified by the eNB identity or the TAI. When the HeNB accesses the MME via the HeNB GW, the eNB identity is the identity of the HeNB GW connected by the HeNB.

At operation205, the MME receives a write-replace warning request transmitted by the CBC. The write-replace warning request includes an eNB identity or a TAI. The MME transmits the write-replace warning request to an HeNB GW or an eNB based on the eNB identity or the TAI. When the HeNB accesses the MME via the HeNB GW, the eNB identity is the identity of the HeNB GW connected by the HeNB. The MME may identify the HeNB by using the identity of the HeNB GW.

At operation206, after receiving the write-replace warning request, the HeNB GW transmits the write-replace warning request to an HeNB corresponding to the write-replace warning request.

The HeNB GW can identify the HeNB that is to receive the write-replace warning request by using three manners.

The HeNB GW may identify a warning area in the warning request, and transmits the warning request to an HeNB serving the warning area. For example, if the warning area is an evolved universal mobile telecommunications system (E-UTRAN) cell global identifier (ECGI), the HeNB GW may identify the HeNB by using the ECGI. If the warning area is a TAI, the HeNB GW may identify the HeNB based on the TAI. Alternatively, the HeNB GW may identify the HeNB based on an emergency area.

Alternatively, after receiving the warning request, the HeNB GW may transmit the warning request to all HeNBs connected to the HeNB GW, and each of the HeNBs may decide whether to accept the warning request and transmit the warning request within its cells according to whether the HeNB belongs to the warning area.

Alternatively, the MME may include the index of the HeNB (e.g., the identity of the HeNB or the TAI supported by the HeNB) in the warning request transmitted to the HeNB GW, to assist the HeNB GW to identify the HeNB and transmit the warning request to the identified HeNB. The MME may adopt the following manners to obtain the index of the HeNB.

According to manner one, the HeNB or the HeNB GW includes the index of the HeNB into the PWS Restart Indication and transmits the PWS Restart Indication to the MME. The MME stores the index of the HeNB. After receiving a warning request from the CBC, the MME includes the stored index of the HeNB into the warning request and transmits the warning request to the HeNB GW.

According to manner two, the HeNB or the HeNB GW includes the index of the HeNB into the PWS Restart Indication and transmits the PWS Restart Indication to the MME. The MME transmits the index of the HeNB to the CBC. The CBC includes the index of the HeNB into the warning request, and transmits the warning request to the MME. This method does not require the MME to parse and modify the PWS Restart Indication and the warning request.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 3, at operation301, an MME receives an HeNB PWS Restart Indication transmitted by an HeNB GW. The HeNB PWS Restart Indication includes an index of the HeNB (e.g., an identity of the HeNB or a TAI supported by the HeNB).

When the PWS Restart Indication includes an eNB identity, the eNB identity is the identity of the HeNB.

At operation302, the MME establishes and stores a relation which associates the HeNB with the HeNB GW, and transmits the HeNB PWS Restart Indication to a CBC.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the MME may obtain the index of the HeNB by using the index of the HeNB or an eNB identity Information Element (IE) (which is set to be the identity of the HeNB) in the PWS Restart Indication. The MME may obtain the index of the HeNB GW by using an eNB identity (which is the identity of the HeNB GW) or a TAI supported by the HeNB GW during a process of establishing an S1 interface connection between the MME and the HeNB GW. The MME establishes and stores the relation which associates the HeNB with the HeNB GW by using the index of the HeNB and the index of the HeNB GW.

At operation303, after receiving the PWS Restart Indication, the CBC decides to recover warning messages destined for the restarting cell or base station. The CBC may transmit a warning request to the MME. The warning request may include the eNB identity or the TAI in the received PWS Restart Indication to instruct the MME to transmit the warning request to the specified base station.

At operation304, the MME receives the write-replace warning request from the CBC. The warning request may include an eNB identity or a TAI. The MME transmits the warning request destined for the HeNB to the HeNB GW based on the relation which associates the HeNB with the HeNB GW.

The procedure in operation305is the same as operation206, which will not be further described herein.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 4, at operation401, an MME receives an HeNB PWS Restart Indication from an HeNB GW.

The MME may forward the PWS Restart Indication by using the following manners.

The MME adds a TAI supported by the HeNB GW into the PWS Restart Indication, and transmits the PWS Restart Indication to a CBC. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the MME may obtain the TAI supported by the HeNB GW by using a TAI supported by an eNB used during a process of establishing an S1 interface between the MME and the HeNB GW.

At operation402, the MME transmits the PWS Restart Indication to the CBC. The PWS Restart Indication may include the TAI supported by the HeNB GW. The TAI is used by the MME for transmitting the warning message to the HeNB GW connected by the HeNB when the CBC is recovering warning messages for the restarting HeNB cell or restarting HeNB.

At operation403, after receiving the PWS Restart Indication, the CBC decides to recover warning messages destined for the restarting cell or base station. The CBC may transmit a warning request to the MME. The warning request may include the TAI in the received PWS Restart Indication to instruct the MME to transmit the warning request to the specified base station.

At operation404, the MME receives a write-replace warning request transmitted by the CBC. The warning request includes the TAI. The MME transmits the warning request to the HeNB GW within the TA corresponding to the TAI.

The procedure in operation405is the same as operation206, which will not be further described herein.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 5, at operation501, an HeNB GW receives a PWS Restart Indication transmitted by an HeNB.

The HeNB GW may forward the PWS Restart Indication by using at least one of the following methods.

The HeNB GW adds an identity of the HeNB GW into the PWS Restart Indication, and transmits the PWS Restart Indication to an MME.

The HeNB GW replaces an identity of the HeNB in the PWS Restart Indication by an identity of the HeNB GW, and transmits the PWS Restart Indication to an MME.

The HeNB GW adds a TAI supported by the HeNB GW or a TAI supported by the HeNB into the PWS Restart Indication, and transmits the PWS Restart Indication to the MME.

At operation502, the HeNB GW transmits an HeNB PWS Restart Indication to the MME. The HeNB PWS Restart Indication includes the identity of the HeNB GW or the TAI supported by the HeNB GW or the TAI supported by the HeNB. When the HeNB PWS Restart Indication includes an eNB identity, the eNB identity is set to be the identity of the HeNB GW.

At operation503, the MME transmits the HeNB PWS Restart Indication from the HeNB GW to a CBC.

At operation504, after receiving the HeNB PWS Restart Indication, the CBC decides to recover warning messages destined for the restarting cell or base station. The CBC may transmit a warning request to the MME. The warning request may include the eNB identity or the TAI in the received HeNB PWS Restart Indication to instruct the MME to transmit the warning request to the specified base station. When the HeNB accesses the MME via the HeNB GW, the eNB identity is the identity of the HeNB GW connected to the HeNB.

At operation505, the MME receives a write-replace warning request transmitted by the CBC. The MME transmits the warning request to the HeNB GW based on the eNB identity or the TAI in the warning request.

The procedure in operation506is the same as operation206, which will not be further described herein.

FIG. 6is a flowchart illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 6, at operation601, an MME receives an HeNB PWS Restart Indication transmitted by an HeNB GW. The HeNB PWS Restart Indication may provide PWS information of some or all cells of an HeNB that are available for reloading from the CBC or indicating PWS service in some or all cells of the eNB is restarted.

The MME may forward the HeNB PWS Restart Indication by using at least one of the following methods.

The MME adds an identity of the HeNB GW into the HeNB PWS Restart Indication, and transmits the HeNB PWS Restart Indication to a CBC.

The MME replaces an identity of the HeNB in the HeNB PWS Restart Indication with an identity of the HeNB GW, and transmits the HeNB PWS Restart Indication to the CBC.

At operation602, the MME transmits the HeNB PWS Restart Indication to the CBC. The HeNB PWS Restart Indication may include an identity of the HeNB GW. The identity of the HeNB GW is used by the CBC for instructing the MME to transmit the warning message to the HeNB GW connected by the HeNB when the CBC is recovering warning messages for the restarting HeNB cell or restarting HeNB. When the HeNB PWS Restart Indication includes an eNB identity, the eNB identity is set to be the identity of the HeNB GW.

At operation603, after receiving the HeNB PWS Restart Indication, the CBC decides to recover warning messages destined for the restarting cell or base station. The CBC may transmit a warning request to the MME. The warning request may include an eNB identity in the received HeNB PWS Restart Indication to instruct the MME to transmit the warning request to the specified base station. When the HeNB accesses the MME via the HeNB GW, the eNB identity is the identity of the HeNB GW connected by the HeNB.

At operation604, the MME receives a write-replace warning request transmitted by the CBC, identifies a HeNB GW by using the eNB identity in the warning request, and transmits the warning request to the HeNB GW identified.

The procedure in operation605is the same as that in operation205, and will not be further described.

FIG. 7is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 7, when an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, the HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication which includes an identity of an HeNB GW. A CBC may use the identity of the HeNB GW to instruct an MME to transmit a warning message to the HeNB GW connected by the HeNB when the CBC is recovering warning messages destined for the HeNB cell or the HeNB that is restarting. The method may include the following procedures.

At operation701, an HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication to an HeNB GW. The PWS Restart Indication includes an identity of the HeNB GW.

The HeNB may deliver the identity of the HeNB GW using two methods.

The PWS Restart Indication may include an IE (Information Element) for the identity of the HeNB GW.

Alternatively, the PWS Restart Indication may include an IE of eNB identity, and the HeNB sets the eNB identity to be the identity of the HeNB GW.

At operation702, the HeNB GW transmits a second PWS Restart Indication to the MME. The second PWS Restart Indication has the same contents with the PWS Restart Indication in operation701.

At operation703, the MME transmits a third PWS Restart Indication to a CBC. The third PWS Restart Indication may include the identity of the HeNB GW.

At operation704, the CBC decides to recover warning messages for the restarting HeNB cell or the restarting HeNB, and transmits a warning request (e.g., a write-replace warning request) to the MME. The warning request may include the identity of the HeNB GW.

At operation705, the MME receives the warning request transmitted by the CBC, and transmits the warning request to the HeNB GW based on the identity of the HeNB GW in the warning request.

At operation706, after receiving the warning request, the HeNB GW transmits the warning request to the HeNB.

The HeNB GW may transmit the warning request to the HeNB through three manners.

The warning request includes the identity of the HeNB, and the HeNB GW transmits the warning request to the HeNB by using the identity of the HeNB specified.

Alternatively, the HeNB GW may identify the HeNB according to a warning area in the warning request, and transmits the warning request to an HeNB in the warning area.

Alternatively, after receiving the warning request, the HeNB GW may transmit the warning request to all of HeNBs connected to the HeNB GW, and each of the HeNBs may decide whether to accept the warning request according to whether the HeNB belongs to the warning area.

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 8, when an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, the HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication which includes a TAI supported by the HeNB or of an HeNB GW. The identity of the HeNB GW may be similar to that described in operation402. A CBC may use the TAI to instruct an MME to transmit a warning message to the HeNB GW connected to the HeNB when the CBC is recovering warning messages for the HeNB cell or the HeNB that is restarting. The method may include the following procedures.

At operation801, an HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication to an HeNB GW. The PWS Restart Indication includes a TAI supported by the HeNB.

At operation802, the HeNB GW transmits a second PWS Restart Indication to an MME. The second PWS Restart Indication includes the TAI.

At operation803, the MME transmits a third PWS Restart Indication to a CBC. The third PWS Restart Indication includes the TAI.

At operation804, the CBC decides to recover warning messages for the restarting HeNB cell or the restarting HeNB, and transmits a warning request (e.g., a write-replace warning request) to the MME. The warning request may include the TAI.

At operation805, the MME receives the warning request transmitted by the CBC, and transmits the warning request to the HeNB GW based on the TAI in the warning request.

The procedure in operation806is the same as operation706, which will not be further described herein.

FIG. 9is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 9, if an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, when an HeNB GW transmits a PWS Restart Indication of the HeNB, the HeNB GW may add an identity of the HeNB GW into a PWS Restart Indication transmitted by the HeNB, or replace an identity of the HeNB in the PWS Restart Indication transmitted by the HeNB by the identity of the HeNB GW, or the HeNB may directly generate the HeNB PWS Restart Indication that includes the identity of the HeNB GW. The method may include the following procedures.

When an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, two mechanisms, described respectively in operations901and902, may be adopted to trigger the HeNB GW to transmit an HeNB PWS Restart Indication to an MME.

At operation901, an HeNB restarts, the HeNB re-establishes an S1 interface with an HeNB GW. The HeNB GW generates a PWS Restart Indication for the HeNB. The PWS Restart Indication includes an identity of the HeNB GW.

At operation902, an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, the HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication to an HeNB GW. The HeNB GW adds an identity of the HeNB GW into the PWS Restart Indication or replaces an identity of the HeNB in the PWS Restart Indication with the identity of the HeNB GW, and transmits the modified PWS Restart Indication to an MME.

The HeNB GW may deliver the identity of the HeNB GW using two methods.

The PWS Restart Indication may include n IE for the identity of the HeNB GW.

Alternatively, the PWS Restart Indication may include an IE of eNB identity, and the HeNB GW sets the eNB identity to be the identity of the HeNB GW.

Procedures in operations903to907are the same as those in operations702to706, and will not be further described.

FIG. 10is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 10, when an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts and the HeNB GW transmits an HeNB PWS Restart Indication, the HeNB GW may add a TAI supported by the HeNB or of the HeNB GW in a PWS Restart Indication transmitted by the HeNB, or directly generates the HeNB PWS Restart Indication that includes the TAI supported by the HeNB or of the HeNB GW. The TAI may be as described in operation402. The method may include the following procedures.

When an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, two mechanisms, described respectively in operations1001and1002, may be adopted to trigger the HeNB GW to transmit an HeNB PWS Restart Indication to an MME.

At operation1001, an HeNB restarts, the HeNB re-establishes an S1 interface with an HeNB GW. The HeNB GW generates a PWS Restart Indication for the HeNB. The PWS Restart Indication includes a TAI supported by the HeNB GW or of the HeNB.

At operation1002, an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, the HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication to an HeNB GW. The HeNB GW adds a TAI supported by the HeNB GW or of the HeNB into the PWS Restart Indication, and transmits the modified PWS Restart Indication to an MME.

Procedures in operations1003to1007are the same as those in operations802to806, and will not be further described.

FIG. 11is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 11, after receiving a PWS Restart Indication for a restarting HeNB cell or a restarting HeNB, an MME adds an identity of an HeNB GW into the PWS Restart Indication or replaces an identity of the HeNB in the PWS Restart Indication with an identity of an HeNB GW, and transmits the modified PWS Restart Indication to a CBC. The method may include the following procedures.

At operation1101, an HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication to an HeNB GW.

At operation1102, the HeNB GW transmits an HeNB PWS Restart Indication to the MME. The MME adds an identity of the HeNB GW into the received HeNB PWS Restart Indication, or replaces an identity of the HeNB in the received HeNB PWS Restart Indication with an identity of the HeNB GW, and transmits the modified HeNB PWS Restart Indication to the CBC.

The MME may deliver the identity of the HeNB GW to the CBC using two methods.

The HeNB PWS Restart Indication may include an IE for the identity of the HeNB GW.

Alternatively, the HeNB PWS Restart Indication may include an IE of an eNB identity, and the HeNB sets the eNB identity to be the identity of the HeNB GW.

Procedures in operations1103to1106are the same as those in operations703to706, and will not be further described.

FIG. 12is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 12, after receiving a PWS Restart Indication for an HeNB cell or an HeNB transmitted by the HeNB, an MME adds a TAI supported by an HeNB GW into the received PWS Restart Indication, and transmits the modified PWS Restart Indication to a CBC. The TAI may be as described in operation402. The method may include the following procedures.

At operation1201, an HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication to an HeNB GW.

At operation1202, the HeNB GW transmits an HeNB PWS Restart Indication to the MME. The MME adds the TAI supported by the HeNB GW into the received HeNB PWS Restart Indication, and transmits the HeNB PWS Restart Indication to a CBC.

Procedures in operations1203to1206are the same as those in operations803to806, and will not be further described.

FIG. 13is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of implementing fast recovery of PWSs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 13, after receiving a PWS Restart Indication for an HeNB cell or an HeNB transmitted by the HeNB, an MME stores a relation which associates the HeNB with an HeNB GW, and transmits a warning request destined for the HeNB to the HeNB GW based on the relation. The relation may be as described in operation302. The method may include the following procedures.

When an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, three mechanisms, described respectively in operations1301,1302and1303, may be adopted to trigger the HeNB GW to transmit an HeNB PWS Restart Indication to an MME.

At operation1301, an HeNB restarts, the HeNB re-establishes an S1 interface with an HeNB GW. The HeNB GW generates a PWS Restart Indication for the HeNB. The PWS Restart Indication includes an identity of the HeNB.

At operation1302, an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, the HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication to an HeNB GW. The HeNB GW adds an identity of the HeNB into the PWS Restart Indication, and transmits the modified PWS Restart Indication to an MME.

At operation1303, an HeNB cell or an HeNB restarts, the HeNB transmits a PWS Restart Indication to an HeNB GW. The PWS Restart Indication includes an identity of the HeNB. The HeNB GW directly forwards the PWS Restart Indication from the HeNB to an MME.

At operation1304, the HeNB GW transmits the PWS Restart Indication to the MME. The PWS Restart Indication includes the identity of the HeNB.

At operation1305, the MME receives a PWS Restart Indication for the HeNB from the HeNB GW, stores a relation which associates the HeNB with the HeNB GW, and transmits the PWS Restart Indication from the HeNB to a CBC.

At operation1306, the CBC decides to recover warning messages for the restarting HeNB cell or the restarting HeNB after receiving the PWS Restart Indication for the HeNB, and transmits a warning request (e.g., a write-replace warning request) to the MME. The warning request includes the identity of the HeNB.

At operation1307, the MME receives the write-replace warning request transmitted by the CBC, and transmits the write-replace warning request to the HeNB GW based on the relation which associates the HeNB GW with the HeNB identified by the identity of the HeNB in the write-replace warning request.

The procedure in operation1308is the same as operation706, which will not be further described herein.

It can be seen from the above technical mechanism that the method is applicable to situations where a core network transmits warning requests to a specified base station, and particularly applicable to a situation where base stations access the core network via gateways. The various embodiments of the present disclosure provide multiple solutions for routing downlink signaling of warning messages that can satisfy demands of communications services designed for public security purposes.