CN103987105A

CN103987105A - Method for transmitting cellular-network load information and related devices

Info

Publication number: CN103987105A
Application number: CN201310050575.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张兴新; 贺宁; 沈文学
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-08
Filing date: 2013-02-08
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Also published as: WO2014121599A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a method for transmitting cellular-network load information and related devices. The method for transmitting the cellular-network load information includes the following steps: UE receives cellular-network load information issued by a network side device; and the UE stores the cellular-network load information. The technical scheme is beneficial to support providing to reasonable network selection of the UE.

Description

Method and related apparatus for communicating cellular network load information

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and a related device for transferring cellular network load information.

Background

Currently, as the demand for Wireless communication services increases, more and more Wireless communication technologies have been or are being put into practical use, such as various Cellular (Cellular) networks and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) that have been widely used. The intelligent terminal is gradually popularized, the requirement of a user for data communication is increased, so that the data load borne by the cellular network is larger and larger, and the WLAN is relatively simple in network establishment and low in cost, so that the WLAN can be used as a supplement of the cellular network, share part of data service of the cellular network and reduce the data load of the cellular network.

Currently, the convergence of cellular networks and WLAN networks is a trend of network expansion and network establishment for vast cellular operators. With the advent of multimode terminals, User Equipment (UE) may be handed over between cellular networks and WLANs, and more UEs will support dual network concurrency, a UE may associate with both a cellular network and a WLAN. When the UE initiates traffic, either the cellular network or the WLAN may be selected for transmitting the traffic. The prior art does not provide support for reasonable network selection by the UE.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a method for transmitting cellular network load information and related equipment, which are expected to provide support for UE to reasonably select a network.

One aspect of the present invention provides a method for transferring cellular network load information, including:

the user equipment receives cellular network load information issued by the network side equipment;

the user equipment stores the cellular network load information.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the receiving load information of a cellular network sent by a network side device includes:

receiving a system message which is broadcasted by network side equipment of a cellular network and carries cellular network load information;

or receiving a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information unicast by network side equipment of the cellular network;

or receiving an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information issued by network side equipment of the cellular network;

or receiving a management message carrying cellular network load information issued by a network side device of the wireless local area network.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the receiving a system message carrying cellular network load information and broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network includes:

after receiving a paging message which is sent by a network side device of a cellular network and used for indicating that cellular network load information changes, receiving a system message which is broadcasted by the network side device of the cellular network and carries the cellular network load information, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message;

or receiving a system message carrying cellular network load information periodically broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the receiving a radio resource control message that carries cellular network load information and is unicast by a network side device of a cellular network includes:

receiving a downlink information transmission message which carries cellular network load information and is unicast by a network side device of a cellular network, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message, and the downlink information transmission message is actively issued by the network side device or is sent by the network side device after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state;

or,

receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information unicast by a network side device of a cellular network, wherein the radio resource control connection reestablishment message is sent by the network side device after receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment request message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state;

or,

receiving a radio resource control connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information unicast by a network side device of a cellular network, wherein the radio resource control connection establishment message is sent by the network side device after receiving a radio resource control connection request message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control idle state.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, before the receiving, by the ue, an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information sent by a network side device of a cellular network, the method further includes: and the user equipment sends associated network information to network side equipment of the cellular network, wherein the associated network information comprises a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the management message is carried in a beacon frame, where the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network; or the management message is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, the management message carrying load information of one or more cells of the cellular network.

With reference to the first aspect, or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or the fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the cellular network load information includes load information of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is attached.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for transferring cellular network load information, comprising:

network side equipment acquires cellular network load information;

and the network side equipment transmits the cellular network load information to the user equipment.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the issuing, by the network side device, the cellular network load information to a user equipment includes:

a network side device of a cellular network broadcasts a system message carrying cellular network load information to a user device;

or, the network side device of the cellular network unicasts the radio resource control message carrying the cellular network load information to the user equipment;

or the network side equipment of the cellular network sends an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment;

or the network side equipment of the wireless local area network sends the management message carrying the cellular network load information to the user equipment.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the broadcasting a system message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment includes:

the system information carrying cellular network load information is periodically broadcasted to user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system information blocks in the system information;

or after a paging message for indicating that the cellular network load information changes is issued to the user equipment, broadcasting a system message carrying the cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the unicasting a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment includes:

unicast a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message;

or,

after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by user equipment in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message;

or,

after receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment request message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a radio resource control connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment;

or,

and after receiving a radio resource control connection request message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control idle state, unicasting a radio resource control connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the issuing, to the ue, an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information includes:

after receiving associated network information sent by user equipment, sending an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the associated network information comprises a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the management message is carried in a beacon frame, and the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network; or the management message is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, wherein the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network.

With reference to the second aspect, or the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, or the fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the cellular network load information includes load information of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is attached.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a user equipment, comprising:

the receiver is used for receiving cellular network load information issued by network side equipment;

a memory for storing the cellular network load information.

With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible embodiment,

the receiver is specifically configured to receive a system message carrying cellular network load information, which is broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network; or receiving a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information unicast by network side equipment of the cellular network; or receiving an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information issued by network side equipment of the cellular network; or receiving a management message carrying cellular network load information issued by a network side device of the wireless local area network.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the receiver is specifically configured to receive a system message carrying cellular network load information, which is broadcasted by a network side device of a cellular network, after receiving a paging message sent by the network side device of the cellular network and used for indicating that cellular network load information changes, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or receiving a system message carrying cellular network load information periodically broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the receiver is specifically configured to receive a unicast downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information by a network side device of a cellular network, where the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message, where the downlink information transmission message is actively issued by the network side device or is sent by the network side device after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state;

or,

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the user equipment further includes: a transmitter, configured to send associated network information to a network side device of a cellular network before the receiver receives an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information and sent by the network side device of the cellular network, where the associated network information includes a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the management message received by the receiver is carried in a beacon frame, where the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network; or the management message received by the receiver is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, the management message carrying load information of one or more cells of a cellular network.

With reference to the third aspect, or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or the third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or the fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, or the fifth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the cellular network load information includes load information of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is attached.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a network-side device, including:

an obtaining unit, configured to obtain cellular network load information;

a transmitter for transmitting the cellular network load information to a user equipment.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the network side device is a network side device of a cellular network, and the transmitter is specifically configured to broadcast a system message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment; unicasting a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information to user equipment; sending an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to user equipment;

the network side device is a network side device of a wireless local area network, and the transmitter is specifically configured to issue a management message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the transmitter is specifically configured to periodically broadcast, to a user equipment, a system message carrying cellular network load information, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or after a paging message for indicating that the cellular network load information changes is issued to the user equipment, broadcasting a system message carrying the cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the transmitter is specifically configured to unicast a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment, where the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by a user equipment in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or after receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment request message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a radio resource control connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment; or after receiving the radio resource control connection request message sent by the user equipment in the radio resource control idle state, unicasting a radio resource control connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the transmitter is specifically configured to, after receiving associated network information sent by the user equipment, send an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment, where the associated network information includes a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the management message sent by the sender is carried in a beacon frame, and the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network; or the management message sent by the transmitter is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, wherein the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect or the fifth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the cellular network load information includes load information of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is attached.

It can be seen that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the network side device issues the cellular network load information to the UE, and the UE receives and stores the cellular network load information issued by the network side device, so that the UE can obtain the cellular network load information, and the UE can subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below, it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10-a is a schematic diagram of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10-b is a schematic diagram of another user equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention;

fig. 10-c is a schematic diagram of another user equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a network-side device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of another user equipment provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of another network-side device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical solutions of the present invention better understood, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The following are detailed below.

The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the description and in the claims, as well as in the drawings, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the data so used is interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not necessarily limited to those steps or elements expressly listed, but may include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

In one embodiment of the method for transferring cellular network load information of the present invention, the method for transferring cellular network load information may comprise: UE receives cellular network load information issued by network side equipment; the UE stores the cellular network load information.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for delivering cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

101. and the UE receives cellular network load information issued by the network side equipment.

The cellular network of embodiments of the present invention may be: a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) System, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network, or a Universal Mobile Telecommunications network (UMTS) network, although other cellular networks may be used.

The network side device mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention may be a core network device, or may be an access network device of a cellular network or a WLAN, for example, the network side device may be a base station, a base station controller, a radio connection controller, a mobility management network element, an access point, or other network side devices.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the cellular network load information may refer to load information of one or more cells of the cellular network, for example, the cellular network load information may include load information of a cell of the cellular network to which the UE is attached, of course, it may further include load information of a neighboring cell of the cellular network to which the UE is attached, and the like. The cellular network load information may be any information capable of indicating the cellular network load, among others. In some embodiments of the present invention, the cellular network load information may comprise duty cycle information of one or more cells of the cellular network, current number of access users of one or more cells of the cellular network, information of a ratio of the current number of access users of one or more cells of the cellular network to their maximum number of allowed access users, and/or other information capable of indicating the cellular network load.

102. The UE stores the received cellular network load information.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the UE may determine whether to perform traffic transmission on the cellular network according to the cellular network load information, for example, if the cellular network load information includes duty cycle information of one or more cells of the cellular network (where the one or more cells include a cell to which the UE is attached), the UE may determine to perform partial or full traffic transmission on the cellular network if the duty cycle of the cell to which the UE is attached is less than a first threshold, and the UE may determine not to perform traffic transmission on the cellular network if the duty cycle of the cell to which the UE is attached is greater than or equal to the first threshold. For another example, if the cellular network load information includes information of the current number of users accessing one or more cells of the cellular network (where the one or more cells include a cell to which the UE is attached), the UE may determine to perform partial or all service transmission on the cellular network if the current number of users accessing the cell to which the UE is attached is smaller than a second threshold, and may determine not to perform service transmission on the cellular network if the current number of users accessing the cell to which the UE is attached is larger than the second threshold, and so on.

In practical application, the network side device may issue the cellular network load information to the UE in multiple possible manners, and the UE may receive the cellular network load information issued by the network side device in corresponding multiple possible manners. For example, the network side device may issue the cellular network load information to the UE through a control plane and/or user plane message according to a request of the UE, or the network side device may also actively issue the cellular network load information to the UE through the control plane and/or user plane message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the UE, the load information of the cellular network sent by the network side device may include: the method comprises the steps that UE receives a system message which is broadcasted by network side equipment of a cellular network and carries cellular network load information; or, the UE receives a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information unicast by network side equipment of the cellular network; or, the UE receives an Internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information issued by network side equipment of the cellular network; or, the UE receives a management message carrying cellular network load information sent by a network side device of the wireless local area network.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the UE, the system message carrying cellular network load information broadcast by the network side device of the cellular network may include: the method comprises the steps that UE receives a system message which is periodically broadcasted by network side equipment of a cellular network and carries cellular network load information, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or, after receiving a paging message sent by a network side device of a cellular network and used for indicating that cellular network load information changes, the UE may receive a system message carrying cellular network load information and broadcasted by the network side device of the cellular network, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the UE, the radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information unicast by the network side device of the cellular network may include: the method includes that a UE receives a downlink Information transmission (DL Information Transfer) message carrying cellular network load Information unicast by a network side device of a cellular network, where the cellular network load Information may be carried in a non-access stratum (NAS) message element in the downlink Information Transfer message, for example, where the downlink Information Transfer message may be actively issued by the network side device or sent by the network side device after receiving an uplink Information Transfer (ul Information Transfer) message sent by the UE in a radio resource control CONNECTED (RRC _ CONNECTED) state; or, the UE may receive a radio resource control connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information unicast by a network side device of a cellular network, where the radio resource control connection reestablishment message is sent by the network side device after receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment request message (for example, sent before initiating a service) sent by the UE in a radio resource control connection state; or, the UE may receive a radio resource control connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information unicast by a network side device of a cellular network, where the radio resource control connection establishment message is sent by the network side device after receiving a radio resource control connection request message (for example, sent before initiating a service) sent by the UE in a radio resource control IDLE (RRC _ IDLE) state.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the UE, an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet carrying cellular network load information sent by a network side device of a cellular network may include: an application client in the UE receives an Internet protocol data packet which carries cellular network load information and is issued by an application server in network side equipment of the cellular network. The application client in the UE can analyze the IP data packet to obtain the cellular network load information carried by the IP data packet

In some embodiments of the present invention, before receiving an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information sent by a network side device of a cellular network, the UE may further include: the UE (e.g., an application client in the UE) sends associated network information to a network side device of the cellular network, where the associated network information may include a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the UE is currently attached, and the associated network information may be generated by the application client in the UE.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the UE, a management message carrying cellular network load information and sent by a network side device of a wireless local area network may include: the method comprises the steps that UE receives a Beacon (Beacon) frame which is sent by network side equipment of a wireless local area network and carries management information, namely the management information is carried in the Beacon frame, wherein the management information carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network; or, the UE receives a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) frame carrying a management message sent by a network side device of the wlan, where the management message carries load information of one or more cells of the cellular network, that is, the management message is carried in a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) frame.

It is to be understood that the load information of one or more cells of the cellular network may be distinguished, for example, by cell identification of the cellular network.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the network side device issues the cellular network load information to the UE, and the UE receives and stores the cellular network load information issued by the network side device, such a mechanism enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load information, and the UE can subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

In another embodiment of the method for transferring cellular network load information of the present invention, the method for transferring cellular network load information may comprise: network side equipment acquires cellular network load information; the network side equipment transmits the cellular network load information to the user equipment.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for communicating cellular network load information according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to another embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

201. the network side equipment acquires the cellular network load information.

The network side device mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention may be a core network device, or may be an access network device of a cellular network or a WLAN, for example, the network side device may be a base station, a base station controller, a mobility management network element, an access point, or other network side devices.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the network side device may obtain the cellular network load information from itself or from other devices, for example, assuming that the network side device is a base station, it may obtain the cellular network load information from itself; assuming that the network side equipment is a base station controller, the network side equipment can acquire cellular network load information from a base station; assuming that the network side device is a mobility management network element, it may obtain cellular network load information from a base station or a base station controller, and assuming that the network side device is an access point, it may obtain cellular network load information from the base station or the base station controller.

202. And the network side equipment issues the cellular network load information to the UE.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the UE may determine whether to perform traffic transmission on the cellular network according to the cellular network load information, for example, if the cellular network load information includes duty cycle information of one or more cells of the cellular network (where the one or more cells include a cell to which the UE is attached), the UE may determine to perform partial or full traffic transmission on the cellular network if the duty cycle of the cell to which the UE is attached is less than a first threshold, and may determine not to perform traffic transmission on the cellular network if the duty cycle of the cell to which the UE is attached is greater than or equal to the first threshold. For another example, if the cellular network load information includes information of the current number of users accessing one or more cells of the cellular network (where the one or more cells include a cell to which the UE is attached), the UE may determine to perform partial or all service transmission on the cellular network if the current number of users accessing the cell to which the UE is attached is smaller than a second threshold, and may determine not to perform service transmission on the cellular network if the current number of users accessing the cell to which the UE is attached is larger than the second threshold, and so on.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the issuing, by the network side device, the cellular network load information to the UE may include: a network side device of a cellular network broadcasts a system message carrying cellular network load information to a UE; or, the network side equipment of the cellular network unicasts a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information to the UE; or, the network side equipment of the cellular network sends an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the UE; or the network side equipment of the wireless local area network sends the management message carrying the cellular network load information to the UE.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the broadcasting, by a network side device of a cellular network, a system message carrying cellular network load information to a UE may include: a network side device of a cellular network periodically broadcasts a system message carrying cellular network load information to a UE, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or after issuing a paging message for indicating that the cellular network load information changes to the UE, the network side device of the cellular network broadcasts a system message carrying the cellular network load information to the UE, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a network side device of a cellular network unicasts a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information to a UE, including: unicast a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to the UE, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by a UE in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to the UE, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or after receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment request message sent by the UE in a radio resource control connection state before service initiation, unicasting a radio resource control connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information to the UE; or after receiving a radio resource control connection request message sent by the UE in a radio resource control idle state before initiating a service, unicasting a radio resource control connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information to the UE.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the issuing, by a network side device of a cellular network, an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to a UE may include: the network side equipment of the cellular network issues an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the UE through an application server (wherein the application server is installed in the network side equipment).

In some embodiments of the present invention, the issuing, by a network side device of a cellular network, an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to a UE through an application server may include: after receiving associated network information sent by an application client in the UE (wherein the application client is installed in the UE), an application server in network-side equipment of the cellular network issues an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the UE, wherein the associated network information includes a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the UE is currently attached, and the associated network information may be generated by the application client in the UE.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the issuing, by a network side device of a wireless local area network, a management message carrying cellular network load information to a UE may include: a network side device of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) issues a beacon frame carrying a management message to a User Equipment (UE), wherein the management message can be carried in the beacon frame, and the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network; or the network side device of the wlan may issue a generic advertisement service frame carrying a management message to the UE, that is, the management message may be carried in the generic advertisement service frame, where the management message carries load information of one or more cells of the cellular network.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the network side device acquires and sends the cellular network load information to the UE, and the UE receives the cellular network load information sent by the network side device, this mechanism enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load information, and the UE can subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

To facilitate a better understanding and implementation of the above-described aspects of embodiments of the present invention, several application scenarios are described below.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 3, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

301. a base station of the cellular network generates a System message (System information).

Wherein, the System Information carries the load Information of the cellular network cell served by the base station.

302. The base station of the cellular network broadcasts the generated System Information.

The UE receives System Information transmitted by the cellular base station. The System Information is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message that is broadcast, and is generally used for broadcasting System Information of a cell.

The System Information can be roughly divided into 3 sections:

MIB（Master information block）、

SI（S cheduling information）、

a System Information Block (SIB).

Wherein, each system message contains MIB; the SI is used to indicate which SIBs exist, and not all SIBs are carried in the system message sent each time; the SIB is divided into many blocks (types) for indicating different system information, respectively. Such as SIB7 (System Information Block Type 7) in UMTS, is used to indicate fast changing parameters such as uplink interference and dynamic persistence values.

The System Information sent by the base station of the current cellular network does not include the load Information of the cell of the cellular network, and in order to carry the load Information, a new Information Element (IE) may be defined to carry the load Information of the cell, and the IE may be added to the MIB or some existing SIB (for example, SIB7 of UMTS or SIB2 of LTE) or a newly defined SIB to be sent to the UE through systemlnformation.

The UE may receive the system message periodically sent by the base station of the cellular network, or the UE may receive the system message sent by the cellular base station after receiving the paging message sent by the base station of the cellular network and indicating that the cellular network load information changes.

When the UE has a service, the UE may decide whether to initiate a service on the cellular network according to the latest load information (possibly referring to loads of other networks as well, which is not limited in the present invention). For example, the UE has a download service, and initiates the download service on the cellular network when the load of the cellular network is lower than a certain threshold, otherwise initiates the download service on the WLAN.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the base station of the cellular network acquires and issues the system message carrying the cellular network load information to the UE, and the UE receives the system message carrying the cellular network load information issued by the network side device, which enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load information, and the UE may subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information, but the UE in the prior art cannot obtain the cellular network load information, which makes it difficult for the UE in the prior art to scientifically and reasonably select a network. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 4, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

401. when the UE in a radio resource control IDLE (RRC _ IDLE) state has traffic, the UE sends an RRC CONNECTION REQUEST (CONNECTION REQUEST) message to a cellular base station to REQUEST establishment of an RRC CONNECTION;

402. the cellular base station sends an RRC CONNECTION SETUP (RRC CONNECTION SETUP) message to the UE to indicate acceptance of the UE's RRC CONNECTION SETUP request.

Wherein an IE may be newly defined for carrying the load information of the cellular network, the IE being carried in the RRCCONNECTION SETUP message. The UE may determine whether to initiate a service in the cellular network according to the load information of the cellular network (of course, reference may also be made to the load of other networks, which is not limited in the present invention).

It should be noted that each RRC CONNECTION SETUP may carry load information of the cellular network, or under condition triggering, some RRC CONNECTION SETUPs may carry load information of the cellular network, for example, only send the load information to a UE with load information identification capability, or the UE carries 1 load information query IE (a load information query IE may be newly defined) in an RRC CONNECTION REQUEST, and the IE triggers the cellular base station to send the cellular network load information to the UE.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the base station of the cellular network acquires and issues the RRC message carrying the cellular network load information to the UE, and the UE receives the RRC message carrying the cellular network load information issued by the network side device, which enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load information, and the UE may subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 5, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

501. when the UE in the RRC CONNECTED (RRC _ CONNECTED) state has traffic, the UE sends an RRC connection reestablishment REQUEST (RRC connection-established REQUEST) message to a base station of the cellular network to inquire about the cellular network load.

502. A base station of a cellular network sends an RRC connection-reestablishment (RRC CONNECTION-ESTABLISHMENT) message to a UE, wherein the RRC CONNECTION-ESTABLISHMENT message carries cellular network load information.

For example, an IE for carrying cellular network load information may be newly defined, and the IE is carried in the RRC CONNECTION RE-ESTABLISHMENT context.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the UE may query the cellular network load, or may query whether the cellular network load reaches a certain threshold; correspondingly, the cellular network load information issued by the base station of the cellular network may be the specific load of the cellular network, or may be a comparison result between the cellular network load and the UE query threshold.

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

601. a base station of a cellular network obtains NAS message elements carrying cellular network load information.

602. And the cellular base station issues a DL Information Transfer message to the UE, wherein the DL Information Transfer carries the NAS message element.

It should be noted that, generally, the NAS message element is generated by a mobility management entity or other core network elements, and the cellular base station performs transparent transmission after acquiring the NAS message. The existing cellular base station can be utilized to the maximum extent by carrying the load message of the cellular network in the NAS message element, the network distribution overhead of an operator is saved, and the UE upgrading is simpler. In addition, the mobility management entity or other core network elements may actively generate the NAS message element, or the mobility management entity or other core network elements may generate the NAS message element after receiving the NAS message element carried by the UE through the UL Information Transfer message.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the base station of the cellular network acquires and issues the DL Information Transfer message carrying the cellular network load Information to the UE, and the UE receives the DL Information Transfer message carrying the cellular network load Information issued by the network side device, which enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load Information, and the UE may subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load Information, but the UE in the prior art cannot obtain the cellular network load Information, which makes it difficult for the UE in the prior art to scientifically and reasonably select a network. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

Referring to fig. 7, fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 7, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

701. an application Server (APP Server) in the network side equipment generates an IP data packet;

702. and the application server side in the network side equipment sends the IP data packet to the UE.

Wherein the IP packet carries cellular network load information.

It can be understood that the network side device issues the cellular network load message in the form of the IP data packet, which can avoid the modification of the air interface message and is beneficial to implementing the cellular network load message issue in the existing network. An application Client (APP Client) can be installed and deployed in the UE, and cellular network load information can be acquired through interaction between the APP Client and the APP Server. In some embodiments of the present invention, the APP Server may be deployed on a base station management network element (e.g., a base station controller/radio connection controller/mobility management network element), and the UE may obtain the cellular network load information through the base station management network element.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the IP packet carrying the cellular network load information may be sent periodically by the APPServer, may also be sent when the network load changes, and may also be triggered and sent when the network association message of the UE is received, where the UE may carry a Cell identifier (Cell ID) of a cellular network Cell to which the UE is attached in the network association message, and of course, the cellular network load information carried by the IP packet delivered by the APP Server includes the load information of the cellular network Cell to which the UE is attached.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the network side device acquires and issues the IP data packet carrying the cellular network load information to the UE, and the UE receives the IP data packet carrying the cellular network load information issued by the network side device, which enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load information, and the UE may subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information, whereas the UE in the prior art cannot obtain the cellular network load information, which makes it difficult for the UE in the prior art to scientifically and reasonably select a network. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 8, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

801. a WLAN Access Point (AP) obtains cellular network load information from a base station of a cellular network;

wherein the WLAN AP may obtain cellular network load information from a base station or base station manager of the cellular network with which it is associated.

802. The WLAN AP sends a Beacon (Beacon) frame to the UE, wherein the Beacon frame carries cellular network load information.

Wherein, an IE for carrying cellular network load information can be newly defined, and the IE is carried in the Beacon frame for broadcasting.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the WLAN AP may carry CellID in IE carrying cellular load, the UE may identify the load information of the cellular network Cell by the CellID, and the WLAN AP may issue the load information of one or more cellular network cells associated therewith at a time.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the network side device acquires and issues the Beacon frame carrying the cellular network load information to the UE, and the UE receives the Beacon frame issued by the network side device, which enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load information, and the UE can subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another method for communicating cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 9, a method for transferring cellular network load information according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following steps:

901. the UE sending a Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) Initial Request (Initial Request) message to the WLAN AP to query the WLAN AP for cellular network load information;

902. the WLAN AP sends a generic advertisement service Initial Response (GAS Initial Response) message to the UE, which carries cellular network load information.

Wherein the wlan ap obtains cellular network load information from a base station or base station controller of the cellular network.

For example, the WLAN AP may carry cellular Network load information in a third generation partnership Project (3 GPP) cellular Network Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) element, or define a new element to carry cellular Network load information. Wherein the 3GPP Cellular network qp-element may carry a Cell ID in order to distinguish between the loads of different Cellular network cells.

The GAS mechanism facilitates querying between the UE and the WLAN AP about network information, such as which operator users are supported by the WLAN AP for access, what Backhaul (Backhaul) configuration of the WLAN is, and here, the GAS message is used to transfer cellular network load information associated with the WLAN. In the IEEE902.11 protocol, GAS queries are generally classified into several categories, ANQP is one of the categories, different Information Elements (IEs) are defined for different Information under the ANQP, and the content of the existing IEs can be extended or new IEs can be defined to carry cellular network load Information.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, the network side device acquires and issues the GAS message carrying the cellular network load information to the UE, and the UE receives the GAS message issued by the network side device, which enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load information, and the UE can subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

To facilitate a better implementation of the above-described aspects of embodiments of the present invention, the following also provides relevant means for implementing the above-described aspects.

Referring to fig. 10-a, an embodiment of the present invention provides a user equipment 1000, which may include:

a receiver 1010, configured to receive cellular network load information sent by a network side device;

a memory 1020 for storing the cellular network load information received by the receiver 1010.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiver 1010 is specifically configured to receive a system message carrying cellular network load information, which is broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network; or receiving a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information unicast by network side equipment of the cellular network; or receiving an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information issued by network side equipment of the cellular network; or receiving a management message carrying cellular network load information issued by network side equipment of the wireless local area network.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiver 1010 is specifically configured to, after receiving a paging message sent by a network side device of a cellular network and used for indicating that cellular network load information changes, receive a system message carrying cellular network load information and broadcast by the network side device of the cellular network, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or receiving a system message carrying cellular network load information periodically broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiver 1010 is specifically configured to receive a unicast downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information from a network side device of a cellular network, where the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message, where the downlink information transmission message is actively issued by the network side device or is sent by the network side device after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state;

or,

Referring to fig. 10-b, in some embodiments of the invention, the user equipment 1000 may further comprise:

a transmitter 1030, configured to send associated network information to a network side device of a cellular network before the receiver 1010 receives an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information and sent by the network side device of the cellular network, where the associated network information includes a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the management message received by the receiver 1010 is carried in a beacon frame, wherein the management message carries load information of one or more cells of the cellular network; or the management message received by the receiver 1010, which carries load information of one or more cells of the cellular network, is carried in a generic advertisement service frame.

Referring to fig. 10-c, in some embodiments of the invention, the user equipment 1000 may further comprise:

a controller 1040, configured to determine whether to perform traffic transmission on the cellular network according to the cellular network load information received by the receiver 1010, for example, if the cellular network load information includes duty cycle information of one or more cells of the cellular network (where the one or more cells include a cell to which the UE is attached), the controller 1040 may determine to perform partial or full traffic transmission on the cellular network if the duty cycle of the cell to which the UE is attached is smaller than a first threshold, and if the duty cycle of the cell to which the UE is attached is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the controller 1040 may determine not to perform traffic transmission on the cellular network. For another example, if the cellular network load information includes information of the current number of users accessing one or more cells of the cellular network (where the one or more cells include a cell to which the UE is attached), the controller 1040 may determine to perform partial or full service transmission on the cellular network if the current number of users accessing the cell to which the UE is attached is smaller than the second threshold, and if the current number of users accessing the cell to which the UE is attached is larger than the second threshold, the controller 1040 may determine not to perform service transmission on the cellular network, and so on.

It can be understood that the functions of the functional modules of the user equipment 1000 in this embodiment may be specifically implemented according to the method in the foregoing method embodiment, and the specific implementation process may refer to the relevant description of the foregoing method embodiment, which is not described herein again.

It can be seen that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the network side device issues the cellular network load information to the UE, and the user equipment 1000 receives and stores the cellular network load information issued by the network side device, such a mechanism enables the UE to obtain the cellular network load information, and the user equipment 1000 may subsequently reasonably select a network based on the cellular network load information, whereas the UE in the prior art cannot obtain the cellular network load information, which makes it difficult for the UE in the prior art to scientifically and reasonably select a network. The mechanism of the invention provides support for UE to reasonably select the network, which is beneficial to optimizing the service network selection of the UE and further improves the user experience.

Referring to fig. 11, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network side device 1100, including: an acquisition unit 1110 and a transmitter 1120.

An obtaining unit 1110, configured to obtain cellular network load information;

the transmitter 1120 is configured to send the cellular network load information to the ue.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the network-side device 1100 is a network-side device of a cellular network, and the transmitter 1120 is specifically configured to broadcast a system message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment; unicasting a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information to user equipment; sending an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to user equipment;

in some embodiments of the present invention, the network-side device 1100 is a network-side device of a wireless local area network, and the transmitter 1120 is specifically configured to send a management message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the transmitter 1120 is specifically configured to periodically broadcast, to the ue, a system message carrying cellular network load information, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or after sending a paging message for indicating that the cellular network load information changes to the user equipment, broadcasting a system message carrying the cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the transmitter 1120 is specifically configured to unicast, to the ue, a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information, where the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by a user equipment in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or after receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment request message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a radio resource control connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment; or after receiving the radio resource control connection request message sent by the user equipment in the radio resource control idle state, unicasting a radio resource control connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the transmitter 1120 is specifically configured to, after receiving associated network information sent by the user equipment, send an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment, where the associated network information includes a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the management message sent by the transmitter 1120 is carried in a beacon frame, and the management message carries load information of one or more cells of the cellular network; or the above-mentioned management message sent by the transmitter 1120 is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, wherein the management message carries load information of one or more cells of the cellular network.

It is to be understood that the network-side device 1100 in this embodiment may be a core network device, or may be an access network device of a cellular network or a WLAN, for example, the network-side device 1100 may be a base station, a base station controller, a radio connection controller, a mobility management network element, an access point, or other network-side devices.

It can be understood that the functions of the functional modules of the network-side device 1100 in this embodiment may be specifically implemented according to the method in the foregoing method embodiment, and the specific implementation process may refer to the relevant description of the foregoing method embodiment, which is not described herein again.

Fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 12, the user equipment according to the embodiment includes at least one bus 1201, at least one processor 1202 connected to the bus 1201, and at least one memory 1203 connected to the bus 1201, where the processor 1202 calls a code stored in the memory 1203 through the bus 1201, so as to receive cellular network load information sent by a network side device; and storing the cellular network load information.

In some embodiments of the present invention, processor 1202 may determine whether to perform traffic transmission on the cellular network, for example, based on the cellular network load information, for example, if the cellular network load information includes duty cycle information of one or more cells of the cellular network (where the 1 or more cells include a cell to which the UE is attached), the UE may determine to perform some or all of the traffic transmission on the cellular network if the duty cycle of the cell to which the UE is attached is less than a first threshold, and may determine not to perform the traffic transmission on the cellular network if the duty cycle of the cell to which the UE is attached is greater than or equal to the first threshold. For another example, if the cellular network load information includes information of the number of currently accessed users of one or more cells of the cellular network (where the one or more cells include a cell to which the UE is attached), the processor 1202 may determine to perform some or all of the service transmission on the cellular network if the number of currently accessed users of the cell to which the UE is attached is smaller than a second threshold, and if the number of currently accessed users of the cell to which the UE is attached is larger than the second threshold, the processor 1202 may determine not to perform the service transmission on the cellular network, and so on.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the processor 1202, the load information of the cellular network sent by the network side device may include: the processor 1202 receives a system message carrying cellular network load information broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network; or, the processor 1202 receives a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information unicast by a network side device of the cellular network; or, the processor 1202 receives an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information issued by a network side device of the cellular network; or the processor 1202 receives a management message carrying cellular network load information sent by a network side device of the wireless local area network.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the processor 1202, the system message carrying cellular network load information broadcast by the network side device of the cellular network may include: the processor 1202 receives a system message carrying cellular network load information, which is periodically broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or the processor 1202 may receive a system message carrying cellular network load information broadcasted by a network side device of the cellular network after receiving a paging message sent by the network side device of the cellular network and used for indicating that the cellular network load information changes, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the processor 1202 receiving the radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information unicast by the network side device of the cellular network may include: the processor 1202 receives a unicast DL Information Transfer message carrying cellular network load Information, which is sent by a network side device of a cellular network, where the cellular network load Information may be carried in an NAS message element in a downlink Information transmission message, where the downlink Information transmission message may be actively issued by the network side device or sent by the network side device after receiving an uplink Information transmission message sent by the UE in a radio resource control connection state; or, the processor 1202 may receive a radio resource control connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information unicast by a network side device of a cellular network, where the radio resource control connection reestablishment message is sent by the network side device after receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment request message (for example, sent before initiating a service) sent by the UE in a radio resource control connection state; alternatively, the processor 1202 may receive a radio resource control connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information unicast by a network side device of a cellular network, where the radio resource control connection establishment message is sent by the network side device after receiving a radio resource control connection request message (for example, sent before initiating a service) sent by the UE in a radio resource control idle state.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the UE, an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information and sent by a network side device of a cellular network may include: an application client in the UE receives an Internet protocol data packet which carries cellular network load information and is issued by an application server in network side equipment of the cellular network. The application client in the UE may parse the IP packet to obtain the cellular network load information carried by the IP packet.

In some embodiments of the present invention, before the processor 1202 receives an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information sent by a network side device of a cellular network, the method may further include: the processor 1202 sends associated network information to the network side device of the cellular network, where the associated network information may include a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the UE is currently attached.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving, by the processor 1202, the management message carrying cellular network load information sent by the network side device of the wireless local area network may include: the processor 1202 receives a beacon frame carrying a management message sent by a network side device of the wireless local area network, that is, the management message is carried in the beacon frame, where the management message carries load information of one or more cells of the cellular network; or the processor 1202 receives a general advertisement service frame carrying a management message sent by a network side device of the wireless local area network, that is, the management message is carried in the general advertisement service frame, where the management message carries load information of one or more cells of the cellular network.

Fig. 12 is only a schematic diagram of the structure of the ue provided in the present invention, and the specific structure can be adjusted according to the actual situation.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a network-side device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 13, a user device according to this embodiment includes at least one bus 1301, at least one processor 1302 connected to the bus 1301, and at least one memory 1303 connected to the bus 1301, wherein,

the processor 1302 invokes the code stored in the memory 1303 to obtain the cellular network load information through the bus 1301; and transmitting the cellular network load information to the user equipment.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the network-side device 1300 may obtain the cellular network load information from itself or from other devices, for example, assuming that the network-side device 1300 is a base station, it may obtain the cellular network load information from itself; assuming that network side device 1300 is a base station controller, it may obtain cellular network load information from the base station; assuming that the network side device 1300 is a mobility management network element, it may obtain cellular network load information from a base station or a base station controller, and assuming that the network side device 1300 is an access point, it may obtain cellular network load information from a base station or a base station controller.

In practical applications, the processor 1302 may issue the cellular network load information to the UE in multiple possible manners, and the UE may receive the cellular network load information issued by the network side device in corresponding multiple possible manners. For example, the network side device may issue the cellular network load information to the UE through a control plane and/or user plane message according to a request of the UE, or the network side device may also actively issue the cellular network load information to the UE through the control plane and/or user plane message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the sending, by the processor 1302, the cellular network load information to the UE may include: broadcasting a system message carrying cellular network load information to the UE; or, unicast the radio resource control message carrying the cellular network load information to the UE; or, an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information is issued to the UE; or, a management message carrying cellular network load information is issued to the UE.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the broadcasting, by the processor 1302, a system message carrying cellular network load information to the UE may include: the processor 1302 periodically broadcasts, to the UE, a system message carrying cellular network load information, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or, after issuing a paging message for indicating that the cellular network load information changes to the UE, the processor 1302 broadcasts a system message carrying the cellular network load information to the UE, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the processor 1302 unicasts a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information to the UE, including: the processor 1302 unicasts a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to the UE, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or, after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by a UE in a radio resource control connected state, the processor 1302 unicasts a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to the UE, where the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or, after receiving a rrc connection reestablishment request message sent by the UE in an rrc connection state before initiating a service, the processor 1302 unicasts an rrc connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information to the UE; or, after receiving the rrc connection request message sent by the UE in the rrc idle state before initiating the service, the processor 1302 unicasts an rrc connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information to the UE.

In some embodiments of the present invention, after receiving the associated network information sent by the UE, the processor 1302 issues an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the UE, where the associated network information includes a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the UE is currently attached.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the issuing, by the processor 1302, the management message carrying the cellular network load information to the UE may include: the processor 1302 issues a beacon frame carrying a management message to the UE, that is, the management message may be carried in the beacon frame, wherein the management message carries load information of 1 or more cells of the cellular network; or the processor 1302 may issue a generic advertisement service frame to the UE carrying a management message carrying load information of one or more cells of the cellular network, i.e. the management message may be carried in the generic advertisement service frame.

Fig. 13 is only a schematic diagram of the structure of the network-side device provided by the present invention, and the specific structure can be adjusted according to the actual situation.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer storage medium, where the computer storage medium may store a program, and the program includes, when executed, some or all of the steps of transferring cellular network load information described in the above method embodiments.

It should be noted that, for simplicity of description, the above-mentioned method embodiments are described as a series of acts or combination of acts, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited by the order of acts, as some steps may occur in other orders or concurrently in accordance with the invention. Further, those skilled in the art should also appreciate that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments and that the acts and modules referred to are not necessarily required by the invention.

In the foregoing embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have respective emphasis, and for parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference may be made to related descriptions of other embodiments.

In the embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus may be implemented in other manners. For example, the above-described embodiments of the apparatus are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one type of division of logical functions, and there may be other divisions when actually implementing, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or may be integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not implemented. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection of some interfaces, devices or units, and may be an electric or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present invention may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present invention. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a removable hard disk, a magnetic or optical disk, and other various media capable of storing program codes.

The above-mentioned embodiments are only used for illustrating the technical solutions of the present invention, and not for limiting the same; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some technical features may be equivalently replaced; and such modifications or substitutions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the corresponding technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of communicating cellular network load information, comprising:

the user equipment stores the cellular network load information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the load information of the cellular network sent by the network-side device includes:

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the receiving the system message carrying cellular network load information broadcast by the network side device of the cellular network comprises:

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the receiving the radio resource control message with cellular network load information unicast by the network side device of the cellular network comprises:

or,

5. The method of claim 2,

before receiving an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information issued by a network side device of a cellular network, the user equipment further comprises: and the user equipment sends associated network information to network side equipment of the cellular network, wherein the associated network information comprises a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the management message is carried in a beacon frame, wherein the management message carries loading information for one or more cells of a cellular network; or the management message is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, the management message carrying load information of one or more cells of the cellular network.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cellular network load information comprises load information of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is attached.

8. A method of communicating cellular network load information, comprising:

network side equipment acquires cellular network load information;

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the network side device issues the cellular network load information to a user equipment, and the method comprises:

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the broadcasting a system message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment comprises:

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the unicasting the rrc message carrying the cellular network load information to the ue comprises:

or,

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the sending down the ip packet carrying cellular network loading information to the ue comprises:

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the management message is carried in a beacon frame, wherein the management message carries loading information for one or more cells of a cellular network; or the management message is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, wherein the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network.

14. The method according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the cellular network load information comprises load information of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is attached.

15. A user device, comprising:

a memory for storing the cellular network load information.

16. The user equipment of claim 15,

17. The user equipment of claim 16,

the receiver is specifically configured to receive a system message carrying cellular network load information, which is broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network, after receiving a paging message sent by the network side device of the cellular network and used for indicating that the cellular network load information changes, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or receiving a system message carrying cellular network load information periodically broadcast by a network side device of a cellular network, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

18. The user equipment of claim 16,

the receiver is specifically configured to receive a unicast downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information from a network side device of a cellular network, where the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message, where the downlink information transmission message is actively issued by the network side device or is sent by the network side device after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state;

or,

19. The user equipment of claim 16,

the user equipment further comprises: a transmitter, configured to send associated network information to a network side device of a cellular network before the receiver receives an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information and sent by the network side device of the cellular network, where the associated network information includes a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

20. The UE of claim 16, wherein the management message received by the receiver is carried in a beacon frame, wherein the management message carries loading information of one or more cells of a cellular network; or the management message received by the receiver is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, the management message carrying load information of one or more cells of a cellular network.

21. A network-side device, comprising:

an obtaining unit, configured to obtain cellular network load information;

22. The network-side device of claim 21,

the network side equipment is the network side equipment of the cellular network, and the transmitter is specifically used for broadcasting the system message carrying the cellular network load information to the user equipment; unicasting a radio resource control message carrying cellular network load information to user equipment; sending an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to user equipment;

23. The network-side device of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is specifically configured to periodically broadcast a system message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment, where the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message; or after a paging message for indicating that the cellular network load information changes is issued to the user equipment, broadcasting a system message carrying the cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in one or more system message blocks in the system message.

24. The network-side device of claim 22,

the transmitter is specifically configured to unicast a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to a user equipment, where the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or after receiving an uplink information transmission message sent by a user equipment in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a downlink information transmission message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment, wherein the cellular network load information is carried in a non-access stratum message element in the downlink information transmission message; or after receiving a radio resource control connection reestablishment request message sent by the user equipment in a radio resource control connection state, unicasting a radio resource control connection reestablishment message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment; or after receiving the radio resource control connection request message sent by the user equipment in the radio resource control idle state, unicasting a radio resource control connection establishment message carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment.

25. The network-side device of claim 22,

the transmitter is specifically configured to, after receiving associated network information sent by the user equipment, send an internet protocol data packet carrying cellular network load information to the user equipment, where the associated network information includes a cell identifier of a cellular network cell to which the user equipment is currently attached.

26. The network-side device of claim 22,

the management message sent by the sender is carried in a beacon frame, and the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network; or the management message sent by the transmitter is carried in a generic advertisement service frame, wherein the management message carries load information of one or more cells of a cellular network.