Patent Description:
In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) consists of a plurality of Evolved Node Bs (eNodeBs). The eNodeB is connected to an Evolved Packet Core Network (EPC) through an S1 interface, and the eNodeBs are connected to each other through an X2 interface. In order to support higher data throughput, Dual Connectivity (DC) may be achieved for a User Equipment (UE) through two eNodeBs. In a <NUM>th-Generation (<NUM>) system, similar to the DC in the LTE system, Multi-Radio Access Technology (RAT) Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) between the eNodeB and a New Radio (NR) Node B (gNB) as well as DC between two gNBs are supported.

In a handover process, for the UE, the DC may be changed to single connectivity, or from the single connectivity to the DC. In the related art, direct or indirect data forwarding is supported in the handover process, and each node may decide individually whether the direct or indirect data forwarding is to be performed in the handover process. However, a standard in the related art only supports that a Master Node (MN) notifies a Core Network (CN) whether the direct data forwarding is to be supported in an S1/Next Generation (NG) handover process, while it is impossible to perform the direct data forwarding between a Secondary Node (SN) and a target node. At this time, system perform is deteriorated in the handover process.

3GPP RAN WG3 draft contribution by <NPL>", discloses some potential issue for direct data forwarding between source SN and target <NPL>", discloses secondary node modification and secondary node change.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing method, an information processing device, an apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium, so as to prevent the deterioration of the system performance in the handover process.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information indicating whether the SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node is obtained, and then the corresponding handover processing is performed. As a result, it is able to support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node in the handover scenario, thereby to improve the system performance in the handover process.

In order to illustrate the technical solutions of the present disclosure in a clearer manner, the drawings desired for the present disclosure will be described hereinafter briefly. Obviously, the following drawings merely relate to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and based on these drawings, a person skilled in the art may obtain the other drawings without any creative effort.

The present invention is defined by the attached independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the attached dependent claims. In order to make the objects, the technical solutions and the advantages of the present disclosure more apparent, the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in a clear and thoroughly manner in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. Obviously, the following embodiments merely relate to a part of, rather than all of, the embodiments of the present disclosure, and based on these embodiments, a person skilled in the art may, without any creative effort, obtain the other embodiments, which also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure provides in some embodiments an information processing method for an MN which, as shown in <FIG>, includes the following steps.

Step <NUM>: obtaining first information in the case that a handover process has been initiated for a UE in a DC state, the first information being used to indicate whether an SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the MN transmits a first request message to the SN, and the first request message includes information of the target node. Then, the MN receives a first response message, the first response message being transmitted by the SN in accordance with the information of the target node, and the first response message includes the first information.

Step <NUM>: performing corresponding handover processing in accordance with the first information.

The direct data forwarding is achieved between the SN and the target node through the handover processing. In this step, in order to meet the requirements on different handover scenarios, different handover processing modes are provided in different scenarios, so as to further improve handover performance of a system.

For example, in an inter-system handover scenario, the MN transmits an indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available to a CN in the case that a first condition has been met, and obtains an address of the direct data forwarding transmitted by the CN. Then, in the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN transmits the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN allocates an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmits the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN. The first condition includes at least one of the followings: that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node; that the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node; that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN does not support the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node, and there is no bearer for the MN; and that the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, and the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node.

For example, in an X2/Xn-based handover scenario, the MN obtains the address of the direct data forwarding from the target node. In the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN transmits the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN allocates an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmits the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN.

For example, in an S <NUM>-based handover scenario or a NG-based handover scenario, the MN transmits the indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available to the CN in the case that a second condition has been met, and obtains the address of the direct data forwarding from the CN.

In the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN transmits the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN allocates the address of the indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmits the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN. The second condition includes at least one of the followings: that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node; that the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node; that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN does not support the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node, and there is no bearer for the MN; and that the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, and the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information being used to indicate whether the SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node is obtained, and then the corresponding handover processing is performed. As a result, it is able to support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node in the handover scenario, thereby to improve the system performance in the handover process.

The present disclosure further provides in some embodiments an information processing method for an SN which, as shown in <FIG>, includes Step <NUM> of transmitting first information to an MN in the case that the MN has initiated a handover process for a UE in a DC state, and the first information is used to indicate whether the SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node.

Specifically, in Step <NUM>, the SN receives a first request message transmitted by the MN, and the first request message includes information of the target node. Then, the SN transmits a first response message to the MN in accordance with the information of the target node, and the first response message includes the first information.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the information processing method further includes receiving, by the SN, an address of the direct data forwarding or an address of indirect data forwarding transmitted by the MN, and transmitting data in accordance with the address of the direct data forwarding or the address of the indirect data forwarding.

<FIG> is a schematic view showing DC architecture. In the DC architecture, there may be one MN and one or more SNs. Both the MN and the SN may be base station nodes supporting LTE/Evolved LTE (e-LTE)/New Radio (NR). The DC indicates that there are one MN and one SN.

The UE is simultaneously connected to the MN and the SN through an air interface. The MN and the SN are connected to each other through an Xn interface (for <NUM> Core Network (5GC)) or an X2-C interface (for Evolved Packet Core (EPC) core network). The MN is connected to the CN through an NG interface (for 5GC) or an S1 interface (for EPC core network). Through the dual (multiple) connectivity data transmission, it is able to improve data volume/throughput of the UE, thereby to meet a high-rate service transmission requirement.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide the information processing method to support direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node in the handover process in a DC/MR-DC scenario, and the implementation thereof will be described in conjunction with different scenarios hereinafter.

As shown in <FIG>, the UE operates in NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC), and a macro evolved nodeB (MeNB) (a source MN (S-MN) in <FIG>) initiates an inter-rat handover process to an NG-RAN node in accordance with a measurement result.

Step <NUM>: the S-MN determines to switch the UE to <NUM> (based on such information as the measurement result). The S-MN transmits a secondary gNB (SgNB) modification request message to the SN (SgNB) so as to request the SN to determine whether the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and a target <NUM> node, and the SgNB modification request message carries an Identifier (ID) of the target <NUM> node.

Step <NUM>: the SN carries information indicating whether the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target <NUM> node in a SgNB modification response message.

Step <NUM>: the S-MN initiates the handover process (handover initiation).

Step <NUM>: the S-MN transmits a handover required message to a Mobility Management Entity (MME). The S-MN determines whether to carry an indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available in the handover required message in accordance with a feedback from the SN and the whether the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node.

Step <NUM>: the MME transmits a forward relocation request to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

Step <NUM> to Step <NUM>: in the CN, an Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer context at an MME side is converted into a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session context adapted to a <NUM> System (5GS) after handshaking among a series of network elements of an EPS and the 5GC.

In Step <NUM>, the AMF transmits Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request to a Session Management Function (SMF). In Step <NUM>, the SMF and a home Policy Control Function (h-PCF) perform SMF initiated SM policy association modification. In Step <NUM>, the SMF and a User Plane Function (UPF) perform N4 session modification. In Step <NUM>, the SMF transmits Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Response to the AMF. In Step <NUM>, N4 session establishment is performed between visited SMF (v-SMF) and visited UPF (v-UPF).

Step <NUM>: the AMF transmits a handover request message to a target NG-Radio Access Network (RAN) node, and the handover request message includes a source to target transparent container, Quality of Service (QoS) information corresponding to a resultant PDU session ID obtained through converting an EPS bearer, and whether the data forwarding is supported.

Step <NUM>: the target NG-RAN node transmits a handover request acknowledge to the AMF, and the handover request acknowledge carries a target to source transparent container, an accepted PDU session, information of a QoS flow, and tunnel information allocated by the target NG-RAN node for the data forwarding.

Step <NUM> to Step <NUM>: after handshaking among a series of network elements of the EPS and the 5GC, the address of the data forwarding allocated by the CN is transmitted to the MME.

In Step <NUM>, the AMF transmits Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext request to the SMF. In Step <NUM>, N4 session modification is performed between the SMF and the UPF. In Step <NUM>, the SMF transmits Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response to the AMF. In Step <NUM>, the AMF transmits a forward relocation response to the MME.

Step <NUM>: the MME transmits an address of the data forwarding to the S-MN through a handover command.

Step <NUM>: when the S-MN initiates a release process to the SN, the source MN notifies an address of the data forwarding to the SN. If the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the S-MN directly forwards the address of the data forwarding received in the handover command to the SN; otherwise, the MN forwards the address of the data forwarding allocated by itself to the SN.

Then, the SN transmits data in accordance with the received address.

As shown in <FIG>, the UE operates in EN-DC, and the MeNB (the S-MN in <FIG>) initiates an X2-based handover process to a target eNB (T-eNB) in accordance with a measurement result.

Step <NUM>: the S-MN transmits a SgNB Modification request message to a source SN (S-SN) so as to request the S-SN to determine whether it supports the direct data forwarding between the S-SN and the T-eNB, and the message carries an ID of the T-eNB node.

Step <NUM>: the S-SN carries information indicating whether the S-SN supports the direct data forwarding between the S-SN and the T-eNB node in a SgNB modification response message.

Step <NUM> and Step <NUM>: the S-MN initiates a handover process to the T-eNB through transmitting a handover request message. In a handover request acknowledge, the T-eNB provides an address of the data forwarding.

Step 505a and Step 505b: the S-MN initiates a SgNB release process to the S-SN. The S-MN provides an address of the data forwarding for an SN-terminated Evolved Radio Access Bearer (E-RAB) in this process.

In Step 505a, the S-MN transmits a SgNB Release Request to the S-SN, and in Step 505b, the S-SN transmits a SgNB Release Request Acknowledge to the S-MN.

If the S-MN determines in Step <NUM> that the S-SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the S-SN and the T-eNB, the S-MN allocates and transmits an intermediate tunnel to the S-SN, and if the S-MN determines in Step <NUM> that the S-SN supports the direct data forwarding between the S-SN and the T-eNB, the S-MN directly transmits a tunnel allocated by the T-eNB to the S-SN.

Step <NUM>: the S-MN transmits a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reconfiguration message (RRCConnectionReconfiguration) to the UE.

Step <NUM> and Step <NUM>: the UE is synchronized with the T-eNB.

In Step <NUM>, the UE and the T-eNB perform a random access procedure, and in Step <NUM>, the UE transmits RCConnectionReconfigurationComplete to the T-eNB.

Step 509a and Step 509b: for the SN-terminated E-RAB, SN Status Transfer is forwarded by the S-SN to the S-MN, and then forwarded by the S-MN to the T-eNB.

Step <NUM>: the S-SN performs the data forwarding.

Step 511a and Step 511b: the S-SN transmits a secondary data report (data report about second RAT) to the S-MN, and then the secondary data report is reported by the S-MN to the CN (MME).

Step <NUM> to Step <NUM>: the T-eNB initiates a path switch process.

In Step <NUM>, the T-eNB transmits a Path Switch Request to the CN; in Step <NUM>, the MME and a Serving Gateway (S-GW) perform Bearer Modification; in Step <NUM>, an End Marker Packet is executed between the S-GW and the T-eNB; in Step <NUM>, the S-GW establishes a new path; and in Step <NUM>, the MME transmits a Path Switch Request Acknowledge to the S-GW.

Step <NUM> and Step <NUM>: the T-eNB initiates a UE Context Release process to the S-MN, the S-MN initiates a UE Context Release process to the S-SN, and the UE Context is determined at a source side.

As shown in <FIG>, the UE operates in EN-DC, and a Source MeNB (the S-MN in <FIG>) initiates an S1-based handover process to the T-eNB in accordance with a measurement result.

Step <NUM>: the S-MN transmits a SgNB Modification request message to the SN (SgNB) so as to request the SN to determine whether it supports the direct data forwarding between the S-SN and the T-eNB, and the message carries an ID of the T-eNB.

Step <NUM>: the SN carries information indicating whether the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the S-SN and the T-eNB in the SgNB modification response message.

Step <NUM>: the S-MN initiates a handover process to a source MME through transmitting a handover required message, and in a handover request acknowledge, the S-MN notifies the MME whether the direct data forwarding is supported in the handover process in accordance with whether the S-MN supports the direct data forwarding with the T-eNb.

Step <NUM>: the source MME transmits a Forward Relocation Request message to a target MME.

Step <NUM> and Step <NUM>: the target MME transmits a handover request to the target MeNB, and the target MeNB transmits a handover request acknowledge to the target MME. The T-eNB returns the address of the data forwarding allocated by itself in a handover request response.

Step <NUM>: the target MME transmits a forward relocation response message to the source MME.

Step <NUM>: the source MME transmits a handover command message to the S-MN, and the message carries the address of the data forwarding.

Step <NUM> and Step <NUM>: the S-MN initiates a SgNB release process to the SN. If the S-MN determines in Step <NUM> that the S-SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the S-SN and the T-eNB, an intermediate tunnel is allocated and transmitted to the SN, and if the S-MN determines in Step <NUM> that the S-SN supports the direct data forwarding between the S-SN and the T-eNB, the address of the data forwarding forwarded by the target MME is directly transmitted to the S-SN.

The present disclosure further provides in some embodiments an information processing device for an MN, as shown in <FIG>. A principle of the information processing device for solving the problem is similar to that of the above-mentioned information processing method, so the implementation of the information processing device may refer to that of the information processing method and will thus not be further particularly defined herein.

As shown in <FIG>, the information processing device includes: an obtaining module <NUM> configured to obtain first information in the case that a handover has been initiated for a UE in a DC state, the first information being used to indicate whether an SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node; and a processing module <NUM> configured to perform corresponding handover processing in accordance with the first information.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the obtaining module <NUM> includes: a transmission sub-module configured to transmit a first request message to the SN, the first request message including information of the target node; and a reception sub-module configured to receive a first response message, the first response message being transmitted by the SN in accordance with the information of the target node, the first response message including the first information.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing module <NUM> includes: a first transmission sub-module configured to, in an inter-system handover scenario, transmit an indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available to a CN in the case that a first condition has been met; a first obtaining sub-module configured to obtain an address of the direct data forwarding transmitted by the CN; and a first processing sub-module configured to, in the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmit the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocate an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmit the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN. The first condition includes at least one of the followings: that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node; that the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node; that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN does not support the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node, and there is no bearer for the MN; and that the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, and the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing module <NUM> includes: a second obtaining sub-module configured to, in an X2/Xn-based handover scenario, obtain an address of the direct data forwarding from the target node; and a second processing sub-module configured to, in the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmit the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocate an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmit the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing module <NUM> includes: a second transmission sub-module configured to, in an S1-based handover scenario or a NG-based handover scenario, transmit an indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available to the CN in the case that a second condition has been met; a third obtaining sub-module configured to obtain an address of the direct data forwarding transmitted by the CN; and a third processing sub-module configured to, in the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmit the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocate an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmit the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN. The second condition includes at least one of the followings: that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node; that the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node; that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN does not support the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node, and there is no bearer for the MN; and that the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, and the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node.

The device in the embodiments of the present disclosure is used to implement the above-mentioned information processing method with a similar principle and a similar technical effect, which will thus not be further particularly defined herein.

The present disclosure further provides in some embodiments an information processing device for an SN, as shown in <FIG>. A principle of the information processing device for solving the problem is similar to that of the above-mentioned information processing method, so the implementation of the information processing device may refer to that of the information processing method and will thus not be further particularly defined herein.

As shown in <FIG>, the information processing device includes a processing module <NUM> configured to transmit first information to an MN in the case that the MN has initiated a handover process for a UE in a DC state, and the first information is used to indicate whether the SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing module <NUM> includes: a reception sub-module configured to receive a first request message transmitted by the MN, the first request message including information of the target node; and a transmission sub-module configured to transmit a first response message to the MN in accordance with the information of the target node, the first response message including the first information.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the device further includes: a reception module configured to receive an address of the direct data forwarding or an address of the indirect data forwarding transmitted by the MN; and a transmission module configured to transmit data in accordance with the address of the direct data forwarding or the address of the indirect data forwarding.

As shown in <FIG>, the present disclosure further provides in some embodiments a communication apparatus for an MN which includes a processor <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is configured to read a computer program stored in the memory <NUM> so as to: obtain first information in the case that a handover process has been initiated for a UE in a DC state, the first information being used to indicate whether an SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node; and perform corresponding handover processing in accordance with the first information. The transceiver <NUM> is configured to receive and transmit data under the control of the processor <NUM>.

In <FIG>, bus architecture may include a number of buses and bridges connected to each other, so as to connect various circuits for one or more processors <NUM> and one or more memories <NUM>. In addition, as is known in the art, the bus architecture may be used to connect any other circuits, such as a circuit for a peripheral device, a circuit for a voltage stabilizer and a power management circuit. A bus interface may be provided, and the transceiver <NUM> may consist of a plurality of elements, i.e., a transmitter and a receiver for communication with any other devices over a transmission medium. The processor <NUM> may take charge of managing the bus architecture as well as general processings. The memory <NUM> may store therein data for the operation of the processor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may take charge of managing the bus architecture as well as general processings. The memory <NUM> may store therein data for the operation of the processor <NUM>.

The transceiver <NUM> is further configured to: transmit a first request message to the SN, the first request message including information of the target node; and receive a first response message, the first response message being transmitted by the SN in accordance with the information of the target node, the first response message including the first information.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to read a computer program stored in the memory to: in an inter-system handover scenario, transmit an indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available to a CN in the case that a first condition has been met; obtain an address of the direct data forwarding transmitted by the CN; in the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmit the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocate an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmit the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN. The first condition includes at least one of the followings: that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node; that the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node; that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN does not support the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node, and there is no bearer for the MN; and that the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, and the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to read the computer program stored in the memory to: in an X2/Xn-based handover scenario, obtain an address of the direct data forwarding from the target node; and in the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmit the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocate an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmit the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to read the computer program stored in the memory to: in an S <NUM>-based handover scenario or a NG-based handover scenario, transmit the indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available to the CN in the case that a second condition has been met; obtain an address of the direct data forwarding transmitted by the CN; and in the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmit the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocate an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmit the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN. The second condition includes at least one of the followings: that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node; that the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node; that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN does not support the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node, and there is no bearer for the MN; and that the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, and the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node.

As shown in <FIG>, the present disclosure further provides in some embodiments a communication apparatus for an SN which includes a processor <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is configured to read a computer program stored in the memory <NUM> so as to transmit first information to an MN in the case that the MN has initiated a handover process for a UE in a DC state, and the first information is used to indicate whether the SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node. The transceiver <NUM> is configured to receive and transmit data under the control of the processor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to read a computer program stored in the memory to: receive a first request message transmitted by the MN, the first request message including information of the target node; and transmit a first response message to the MN in accordance with the information of the target node, the first response message including the first information.

The processor <NUM> is further configured to read the computer program stored in the memory to: receive an address of the direct data forwarding or an address of indirect data forwarding transmitted by the MN; and transmit data in accordance with the address of the direct data forwarding or the address of the indirect data forwarding.

The present disclosure further provides in some embodiments a computer-readable storage medium storing therein a computer program. The computer program is executed by a processor, so as to: obtain first information in the case that a handover process has been initiated for a UE in a DC state, the first information being used to indicate whether an SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node; and perform a corresponding handover processing in accordance with the first information.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the obtaining the first information includes: transmitting a first request message to the SN, the first request message including information of the target node; and receiving a first response message, the first response message being transmitted by the SN in accordance with the information of the target node, the first response message including the first information.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the performing the corresponding handover processing in accordance with the first information includes: in an inter-system handover scenario, transmitting an indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available to a CN in the case that a first condition has been met; obtaining an address of the direct data forwarding transmitted by the CN; and in the case that a release process has been to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmitting the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocating an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmitting the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN. The first condition includes at least one of the followings: that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node; that the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node; that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN does not support the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node, and there is no bearer for the MN; and that the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, and the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the performing the corresponding handover processing in accordance with the first information further includes: in an X2/Xn-based handover scenario, obtaining an address of the direct data forwarding from the target node; and in the case that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmitting the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocating an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmitting the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the performing the corresponding handover processing in accordance with the first information further includes: in an S1-based handover scenario or a NG-based handover scenario, transmitting an indication indicating that the direct data forwarding is available to the CN in the case that a second condition has been met; obtaining an address of the direct data forwarding transmitted by the CN; and in the case of that a release process has been initiated to the SN, if the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, transmitting the address of the direct data forwarding to the SN; and if the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, allocating an address of indirect data forwarding for the SN, and transmitting the address of the indirect data forwarding to the SN. The second condition includes at least one of the followings: that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node; that the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node; that the first information indicates that the SN supports the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, the MN does not support the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node, and there is no bearer for the MN; and that the first information indicates that the SN does not support the direct data forwarding between the SN and the target node, and the MN supports the direct data forwarding between the MN and the target node.

The present disclosure further provides in some embodiments a computer-readable storage medium storing therein a computer program. The computer program is executed by a processor, so as to transmit first information to an MN in the case that the MN has initiated a handover process for a UE in a DC state, and the first information is used to indicate whether the SN supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmitting first information to the MN includes: receiving a first request message transmitted by the MN, the first request message including information of the target node; and transmitting a first response message to the MN in accordance with the information of the target node, the first response message including the first information.

In a possible embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes: receiving an address of the direct data forwarding or an address of indirect data forwarding transmitted by the MN; and transmitting data in accordance with the address of the direct data forwarding or the address of the indirect data forwarding.

It should be further appreciated that, the device and method may be implemented in any other ways. For example, the embodiments for the apparatus is merely for illustrative purposes, and the modules or units are provided merely on the basis of their logic functions. During the actual application, some modules or units may be combined together or integrated into another system. Alternatively, some functions of the module or units may be omitted or not executed. In addition, the coupling connection, direct coupling connection or communication connection between the modules or units may be implemented via interfaces, and the indirect coupling connection or communication connection between the modules or units may be implemented in an electrical or mechanical form or in any other form.

In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into a processing unit, or the functional units may exist independently, or two or more functional units may be combined together. These units may be implemented in the form of hardware, or hardware plus software.

The functional units implemented in a software form may be stored in a computer-readable medium. These software functional units may be stored in a storage medium and include several instructions so as to enable a computer device (a personal computer, a server or network device) to execute all or parts of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The storage medium includes any medium capable of storing therein computer program codes, e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) flash disk, a mobile hard disk (HD), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

It should be appreciated that, the units and the steps mentioned above may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware and software, depending on a specific application and a constraint condition. With respect to each specific application, different methods may be adopted so as to achieve the mentioned functions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

For convenience and clarification, the operational procedures of the system, device and units may refer to the above embodiments concerning the method, and thus will not be repeated herein.

It should be further appreciated that, the system, apparatus and method may be implemented in any other ways. For example, the embodiments for the apparatus is merely for illustrative purposes, and the units are provided merely on the basis of their logic functions. During the actual application, some units may be combined together or integrated into another system. Alternatively, some functions of the units may be omitted or not executed. In addition, the coupling connection, direct coupling connection or communication connection between the units may be implemented via interfaces, devices or units, and the indirect coupling connection or communication connection between the units may be implemented in an electrical or mechanical form or in any other form.

The units as separate components may be, or may not be, separated from each other physically, and the components may be, or may not be, physical units. They may be located at an identical position, or distributed over a plurality of network elements. All or parts of the components may be selected in accordance with the practical need so as to achieve the object of the present disclosure.

In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into a processing unit, or the functional units may exist independently, or two or more functional units may be combined together. The integrated functional units may be implemented in a hardware or software form.

In the case that the integrated functional units are implemented in a software form and sold or used as a separate product, they may be stored in a computer-readable medium. Based on this, the technical solutions of the present disclosure, partial or full, or parts of the technical solutions of the present disclosure contributing to the related art, may appear in the form of software products, which may be stored in a storage medium (a universal serial bus (USB) flash disk, a mobile hard disk (HD), a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk) and include several instructions so as to enable a computer equipment (a personal computer, a server or network equipment) to execute all or parts of the steps of the methods according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated that, all or parts of the steps in the method may be implemented by related hardware under the control of a computer program. The computer program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and it may be executed so as to implement the steps in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The storage medium may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, an ROM or an RAM.

It should be appreciated that, the embodiments of the present disclosure are implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode or a combination thereof. For the hardware implementation, the processor includes one or more of an Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a DSP device (DSPD), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a general-purpose processor, a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, any other electronic unit capable of achieving the functions in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof.

Claim 1:
An information processing method performed by a Master Node, MN, comprising:
obtaining (<NUM>) first information in the case that a handover process has been initiated for a User Equipment, UE, in a Dual Connectivity, DC, state, the first information being used to indicate whether a Secondary Node, SN, supports direct data forwarding between the SN and a target node; and
performing (<NUM>) corresponding handover processing in accordance with the first information,
characterized in that the obtaining the first information comprises:
transmitting a first request message to the SN, the first request message comprising information of the target node; and
receiving a first response message, the first response message being transmitted by the SN in accordance with the information of the target node, the first response message comprising the first information.