CN113613290B

CN113613290B - Method, device and terminal for transmitting downlink data stream

Info

Publication number: CN113613290B
Application number: CN202110926244.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张伦泳
Original assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-12
Filing date: 2021-08-12
Publication date: 2023-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2041-08-12
Also published as: CN113613290A

Abstract

The invention discloses a downstream data stream transmission method, which comprises the following steps: under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition, sending an adjustment message to the SMF so that the SMF modifies the current PDU session type, and enabling the terminal to establish a second link with the core network through a second access network; transmitting data by using the first link and the second link, wherein the bandwidth of the first link is fixed, and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable; the first link is a data link established between the terminal and the core network through the first access network. The method provides basic bandwidth from a first link and additional bandwidth from a second link that is free or relatively low cost, thereby providing better quality of service to the user. The invention also provides a downstream transmission device and a terminal.

Description

Method, device and terminal for transmitting downlink data stream

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a downlink data stream transmission method, device, and terminal.

Background

The terminal can use the data service through two access modes of a wireless access network and a local area network (such as WiFi). When the wireless access network is used for accessing the data service, the charging is required according to the data flow, and the local area network is used for accessing the data service for free. Therefore, when a user performs a data service consuming a large amount of data traffic, the user tends to provide the data service using the lan.

In practical applications, the user wishes to be able to obtain as much additional bandwidth as possible with little or no additional bandwidth usage costs given in the case of basic bandwidth guarantees. For example, a user may wish to ensure the smooth playback download rate of standard definition programs while obtaining the smooth playback download rate of higher definition programs for as little charge or as little charge as possible during the viewing of video programs. However, the network bandwidth for providing services to users is fixed, and even if the network environment is improved, the users cannot obtain better quality services.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, the invention provides a downlink data stream transmission method, a device and a terminal, which are used for solving the problem that users cannot obtain better quality service due to unreasonable bandwidth resource allocation in the prior art.

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a downstream transmission method, including:

sending an adjustment message to the SMF under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition, so that the SMF modifies the current PDU session type, and enabling the terminal to establish a second link with the core network through a second access network;

transmitting data by using a first link and a second link, wherein the bandwidth of the first link is fixed, and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable; the first link is a data link established between the terminal and the core network through a first access network.

The transmitting data using the first link and the second link includes:

and transmitting data on the first link according to a preset fixed bandwidth, and transmitting data which exceeds the preset fixed bandwidth to the second link.

Wherein, the preset conditions are as follows: the first data flow rate of the receiving opposite end is larger than the second data flow rate forwarded to the terminal; the terminal and the opposite terminal are opposite terminals for data interaction.

Wherein, the preset conditions are as follows: the data volume of the buffer memory space of the current PDU session data is larger than a preset data threshold value; the buffer space is a storage space of the first link for buffering data.

Wherein after the data is sent down by using the first link and the second link, the method further comprises:

periodically acquiring the buffer data volume of the buffer space;

transmitting data using the first link in a case where the amount of buffered data is less than or equal to the amount of transmitted data; the sending data volume is the data volume transmitted within a preset time threshold according to the fixed bandwidth of the first link;

and when the buffer data volume is larger than the transmission data volume, the data volume transmitted in the first link is the transmission data volume, and the data volume transmitted in the second link is the part of the buffer data volume exceeding the transmission data volume.

Wherein the establishing a second link with the core network through the second access network includes:

determining an alternative network based on the location information of the terminal;

and determining the second access network based on the historical downlink bandwidth information of the downlink data connection provided by the alternative network, wherein the second access network can meet the requirement of the terminal bandwidth.

The location information of the terminal comprises the geographic location of the terminal or the tracking area where the terminal is located.

Wherein the SMF modifying the current PDU session type comprises:

the SMF modifies the current PDU session into a MA PDU session, and sets an ATSSS mode adopted by the MA PDU session as a priority mode.

The first access network is a wireless access network, and the second access network is an N3IWF access network.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a downstream transmission method, including:

receiving a second link establishment message sent by the AMF, establishing a second link with the core network by using a second access network, and modifying the current PDU session type; the second link message is established as a message initiated by a UPF-based adjustment message, wherein the adjustment message is initiated by the UPF under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition;

The method for establishing a second link with the core network by using the second access network further includes:

and accessing the core network through the first access network, and establishing a PDU session.

Wherein, before the receiving the second link establishment message sent by the AMF and using the second access network to establish the second link with the core network, the method further comprises:

and sending a network environment message to the AMF so that the AMF can judge whether the terminal supports a second access network.

Wherein said transmitting data using the first link and the second link comprises:

transmitting data using the first link in the case where the amount of buffered data is less than or equal to the amount of transmitted data; the sending data volume is the data volume transmitted within a preset time threshold according to the fixed bandwidth of the first link;

when the buffer data amount is larger than the transmission data amount, the data amount transmitted in the first link is the transmission data amount, and the data amount transmitted in the second link is a part of the buffer data amount exceeding the transmission data amount;

The buffer data volume is the data volume stored in a buffer space, and the buffer space is the storage space of the first link for buffering data.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a downstream transport device, including:

the sending module is used for sending an adjustment message to the SMF under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition so that the SMF can modify the current PDU session type, and enabling the terminal to establish a second link with the core network through a second access network;

the data transmission module is used for transmitting data by utilizing a first link and the second link, the bandwidth of the first link is fixed, and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable; the first link is a data link established between the terminal and the core network through a first access network.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a terminal, comprising:

the receiving module is used for receiving a second link establishment message sent by the AMF; the second link message is established as a message initiated by a UPF-based adjustment message, wherein the adjustment message is initiated by the UPF under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition;

the link establishment module is used for establishing a second link with the core network by utilizing the second access network;

A session type modifying module for modifying the current PDU session type;

the data transmission module is used for transmitting data by utilizing a first link and the second link, the bandwidth of the first link is fixed, and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable; wherein the first link is a data link established with the core network through a first access network.

The invention has the following advantages:

in the downlink data stream transmission method provided by the embodiment of the invention, under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition, an adjustment message is sent to the SMF so that the SMF modifies the current PDU session type, a second link is established between the terminal and the core network through the second access network, the first link and the second link are utilized to send data, namely, the first link and the second link simultaneously provide services for the terminal, the first link provides basic bandwidth, and the second link with free or relatively low cost provides additional bandwidth, so that higher-quality services are provided for users.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the invention and together with the description serve to explain, without limitation, the invention.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a flowchart of a downlink GBR service flow transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of a second link establishment between a core network and a second access network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a downlink GBR service flow transmitting method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a downlink GBR service flow transmitting method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a downstream transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The following describes specific embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating and illustrating the invention, are not intended to limit the invention.

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

When the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" are used in this specification, they specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present invention and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, the application scenario includes a terminal 110, a core network 120, and a UPF130, where the terminal 110 may be connected to the core network 120 through a radio access network 140 and/or an N3IWF access network 150, e.g., the terminal 110 may be connected to the core network 120 through a fifth generation mobile communication network (5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology,5G); or to core network 120 via a network defined by non-3 GPP, such as terminal 110 to core network 120 via WiFi.

The terminal 110 may be a device capable of session service such as a mobile phone or ipad, and the terminal 110 has access to a core network by a third generation partnership project (3rd Generation Partnership Project,3GPP) method and a non-3GPP method. The core network 120 is a core component in a mobile communication network.

Under the 5G network, the terminal can access to the 5GC through a wireless access network while being connected to a 5G core network (5GCore Network,5GC) through a non-3GPP mode, namely, not through a wireless access network defined by 3 GPP. For this purpose, 3GPP defines a functional entity dedicated to this access scheme, namely a Non-3GPP interworking functional entity (Non-3GPP InterWorking Function,N3IWF). The terminal firstly establishes tunnel connection with the N3IWF through any network (such as a 3GPP network), then encapsulates the protocol data interacted with the 5GC in the tunnel, sends the tunnel to the N3IWF, and the N3IWF decapsulates the encapsulated protocol data and forwards the protocol data from the terminal to the 5GC, thereby completing interaction with the 5GC and enabling the terminal to be accessed into the 5GC.

For 5G networks, the method has the characteristics of ats ss, that is, access Traffic Steering (Access Traffic), switching (forwarding), splitting (Splitting), and the like, and provides four modes of operation, including:

First, active-Standby mode (Active-Standby): when the primary access network is not available, the data flow is automatically switched to the standby access network, but the two access networks do not simultaneously carry the data flow.

Second, minimum Delay mode (Smallest Delay): the data stream is automatically switched to an access network with a relatively small transmission delay, but the two access networks do not carry the data stream at the same time.

Third, load-Balancing mode (Load-Balancing): and distributing data traffic between the two access networks according to a fixed distribution proportion.

Fourth, priority-based (Priority-based): the data flow is carried on the access network with high priority by default, and when congestion is detected to be generated in the access network with high priority, a part of the data flow is switched to the access network with low priority for transmission.

For terminal 110, there are two modes to support the ats function, one is an underlying ats (ats Low-Layer, ats-LL) mode and the other is a multipath TCP protocol (Multi-Path TCP Protocol, MPTCP) mode. Both modes of operation of terminal 110 may be combined with the four modes of operation described above.

In the ats s-LL mode, two paths of data connection are established between the terminal 110 and the user plane function entity (User Plane Function, UPF) through a 5G radio access network (hereinafter, referred to as a radio access network for convenience of description) and an N3IWF, respectively. In the MPTCP mode, the terminal 110 and the user plane function entity (User Plane Function, UPF) establish two paths of data connection through the MPTCP proxy server, where one path is a 5G radio access network and the other path is an N3IWF.

The 5G network includes, but is not limited to, the following functional modules, session management functional entities (Session Management Function, SMF) for mainly responsible for interacting with separate data planes, creating, updating and deleting PDU sessions, and managing the session context with the UPF.

The user plane functional entity (User Plane Function, UPF) is used for responding to the SMF request, and is responsible for completing the processing of the network user plane such as the encapsulation and decapsulation of the GTP-U protocol, the packet routing and forwarding, the data packet inspection, the weight traffic mapping and the like on the user plane, completing the real-time of the user plane gating, the redirection and the traffic steering lamp policy rules, and simultaneously providing a user traffic collection interface and a traffic usage report for charging and legal interception.

The access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF) is responsible for registration management, connection management, mobility management, access identity authentication, access authorization, SM messaging between the UE and the SMF providing transport, location services management of the policing services.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a downstream GBR service flow transmitting method, where the method is applied to UPF, so that a terminal obtains a basic bandwidth and obtains an additional bandwidth with free or relatively low cost, thereby increasing the bandwidth and reducing the use cost of the bandwidth as much as possible, so as to provide a better service for a user.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a downlink GBR service flow transmitting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, the downlink GBR traffic flow transmitting method includes:

step S201, when the data forwarding meets the preset condition, an adjustment message is sent to the SMF, so that the SMF can modify the current PDU session type, and the terminal can establish a second link with the core network through the second access network.

In step S201, the UPF determines whether the data forwarding satisfies a preset condition, and sends an adjustment message to the session management function entity (Session Management Function, SMF) when the preset condition is satisfied.

Wherein the adjustment message is a message in which the UPF instructs the SMF to adjust the bandwidth of the PDU session of the terminal.

In some embodiments, the preset condition may be determined according to the forwarded data flow rate, for example, when the first data flow rate of the receiving peer is greater than the second data flow rate forwarded to the terminal, it is determined that the extended network bandwidth condition is satisfied. The terminal and the opposite terminal are two opposite terminals for data interaction.

The UPF may attempt to establish the second connection if it finds that the arrival rate of the data stream from the communication peer is greater than the transmission rate of the data stream to the terminal during the transmission of the data stream from the peer to the terminal.

In some embodiments, the preset condition is that the amount of data in the buffer space of the current PDU session data is greater than a preset data threshold. Wherein the buffer space is a storage space of the first link for buffering data. The preset data threshold value can be set by a user, and can be summarized according to historical data.

When the SMF receives the adjustment message of the UPF, the adjustment message can know that the data flow rate is higher than the PDU session guarantee bandwidth, wherein the PDU session guarantee bandwidth is the downlink guarantee bit rate when the terminal performs the PDU session.

It should be noted that, although the present embodiment provides two preset conditions, this does not mean that the present invention can only use these two preset conditions, and in fact, other preset conditions may be set according to circumstances in the present embodiment.

Step S202, data is transmitted by using the first link and the second link, and the bandwidth of the first link is fixed and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable.

The first link is a data link established between the terminal and the core network through the first access network. The second link is a data link established by the terminal with the core network through the second access network. The bandwidth of the second link being adjustable means that the second link transmits data in a best effort or adaptive manner.

It should be noted that, although the terminal may access the core network through the first link and the second link, both access links are used to provide access and mobility management services for the terminal by the same AMF.

In some embodiments, the first access network is a wireless access network and the second access network is an N3IWF access network.

The terminal is connected with the core network through the wireless access network at first, and under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition, the terminal is connected with the core network through the N3IWF access network, the wireless access network provides basic bandwidth, and the N3IWF access network increases the bandwidth requirement of the terminal, so that the terminal not only increases the bandwidth of the terminal, but also obtains extra bandwidth through the N3IWF access network free or with relatively low cost under the condition that the terminal obtains the basic bandwidth through the wireless access network, thereby providing higher quality service for users.

In some embodiments, transmitting data using the first link and the second link includes: and transmitting data on the first link according to the preset fixed bandwidth, and transmitting data which exceeds the preset fixed bandwidth to the second link.

For example, after the terminal accesses the core network, a PDU session of a downlink GBR is established, where the bandwidth corresponding to the GBR is B. In the process that the UPF transmits the data stream from the opposite terminal to the terminal, if the data forwarding meets the preset condition and a second link is established, if the arrival rate of the data stream from the opposite terminal is greater than the transmission rate of the data stream forwarded to the terminal, the PDU session is modified into the MA PDU session, meanwhile, the data stream of the terminal is forwarded according to the basic bandwidth B, and the part exceeding the basic bandwidth is transmitted in the second link.

In some embodiments, the SMF modifying the current PDU session type comprises: the SMF modifies the current PDU session to a MA PDU session and sets the ATSSS mode employed by the MA PDU session to a priority mode.

In order to ensure that the data flow of the established PDU session is not interrupted, the MPTCP mode cannot be adopted when the PDU session type is modified. Because TCP is connection-oriented and requires the addition of an MPTCP proxy server, this can result in an interruption of the original data connection. Accordingly, the ats mode employed by the MA PDU session is set as the priority mode.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a second link establishment with a core network through a second access network in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 3, the terminal establishes a second link with the core network through a second access network, including:

step S301, determining an alternative network based on the location information of the terminal.

For example, the AMF requests a full domain name (Fully Qualified Domain Name, FQDN) of the second access network from an access network discovery and selection function (Access Network Discovery and Selection Function, ANDSF) based on the current location information of the terminal, obtains an alternative network that can serve the tracking area, and returns the selected alternative network to the AMF.

Step S302, determining a second access network based on historical downlink bandwidth information of the alternative network providing the downlink data connection.

The second access network can meet the requirement of terminal bandwidth.

And selecting a second access network capable of meeting GBR requirements requested by the terminal according to historical downlink bandwidth records of downlink data connection provided by the alternative network pre-stored by a unified data storage functional entity (Unified Data Repository, UDR) or pre-stored by the ANDSF.

In some embodiments, before step S301, further comprising: the AMF knows whether the terminal supports connection to the second access network by information stored in the first access network, by querying the terminal or by information actively submitted by the terminal. If the terminal does not support the second access network, the process ends. If the terminal supports the second access network, continuing the subsequent steps.

In some embodiments, the location information of the terminal includes the geographic location of the terminal or the tracking area in which the terminal is located.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a downlink GBR service flow transmitting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 4, the downlink GBR traffic flow transmitting method includes:

step S401, when the data forwarding meets the preset condition, sending an adjustment message to the SMF to enable the SMF to modify the current PDU session type, and enabling the terminal to establish a second link with the core network through the second access network.

In step S402, data is transmitted by using the first link and the second link, and the bandwidth of the first link is fixed and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable.

Wherein the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable means that the second link transmits data in a best effort or adaptive manner.

Step S403, periodically acquiring the buffer data amount of the buffer space.

In step S404, in the case where the amount of buffered data is less than or equal to the amount of transmitted data, data is transmitted using the first link.

The transmission data amount is the data amount transmitted within a preset time threshold according to the fixed bandwidth transmission of the first link.

In step S405, in the case where the buffered data amount is greater than the preset transmission data amount, the data amount transmitted in the first link is the transmission data amount, and the data amount transmitted in the second link is the portion of the buffered data amount that exceeds the transmission data amount.

Step S401 and step S402 are the same as step S201 and step S202, and are not described herein.

In step S403, the UPF calculates a transmission data amount S, s=t×b, according to a preset time threshold T and a fixed bandwidth B in the process of transmitting the downlink data.

In step S404, when the amount of buffered data is less than or equal to the amount of transmitted data, data is transmitted using the first link. That is, when the buffer data amount C is less than or equal to the transmission data amount S, all the data in the buffer area is transmitted onto the first link corresponding to the first network.

In step S405, when the buffered data amount C is greater than the transmitted data amount S, the data amount of C-S is transmitted onto the second link corresponding to the second access network in such a manner that the bandwidth is not limited.

Establishing a second link with the core network through a second access network, comprising: determining an alternative network based on the location information of the terminal; and determining a second access network based on the historical downlink bandwidth information of the downlink data connection provided by the alternative network, wherein the second access network can meet the requirement of the terminal bandwidth.

In some embodiments, when the first access network is a wireless access network and the second access network is an N3IWF access network, the terminal accesses the core network through the N3IWF access network, and if a best effort quality of service guarantee method is adopted, the additional bandwidth is unstable. The cause analysis is as follows:

between the terminal and the peer, there is a procedure of traffic adaptation, which is a function implemented to adapt to the best effort quality of service guarantee method common to the internet. For example, the terminal accesses the internet through a broadband access mode of a fixed network. Such as an access bandwidth of 100Mbps. If a user plays a video program from a video service network site, it is assumed that the network bandwidth from the access device of the fixed network to the video server is unlimited. The bandwidth bottleneck for a user to request a video program comes only from the access bandwidth of 100Mbps (megabits per second). It is also assumed that the signaling and data packets are encapsulated during network transmission. At this time, if the user requests a video program with a coding rate exceeding 12.5MB/S (megabytes), smooth playback will not be possible. The video server can recognize that the current bandwidth is insufficient according to the ACK message from the terminal, and then replace (the same video program) a version with a lower coding rate (e.g. 8 MB/S), and send the video stream to the user, so that the user can smoothly play.

In practical applications, the actual size of the data volume C-S in the UPF buffer beyond the portion of the transmitted data volume S is determined by the actual bandwidth between the peer-to-peer (via the N3IWF access network) in a best effort service guarantee manner.

When the actual bandwidth is large, the value of C-S will be relatively large, because the server will send data at a relatively fast rate, and in view of the characteristics of the internet, there will be relatively many packets that need to be buffered. When the actual bandwidth is small, the value of C-S will be relatively small.

The end-to-end bandwidth can be divided into three segments, namely a server-to-UPF segment, a UPF-to-N3 IWF access network segment, and an N3IWF access network-to-end segment.

The UPF to N3IWF access network belongs to the 5G core network range, and the bandwidth can be reliably ensured. The server-to-UPF section and the N3IWF access network-to-terminal section belong to the Internet range, and a best effort service quality assurance mode is adopted. The smaller bandwidth of the server-to-UPF segment and the N3IWF access network-to-terminal segment will result in a smaller overall link bandwidth.

It should be noted that if the bandwidth from the server to the UPF segment is less than the fixed bandwidth B, then all data will be sent over the fixed bandwidth. Because the UPF always has enough bandwidth to send all data to the terminal over the wireless access network. The method provided by the embodiment of the invention is not invalid, because the reason for the problem is not from the transmission network, but from the fact that enough data is not sent originally.

The above steps of the methods are divided, for clarity of description, and may be combined into one step or split into multiple steps when implemented, so long as they include the same logic relationship, and they are all within the protection scope of this patent; it is within the scope of this patent to add insignificant modifications to the algorithm or flow or introduce insignificant designs, but not to alter the core design of its algorithm and flow.

In the downlink data stream transmission method provided by the embodiment of the invention, under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition, the adjustment message is sent to the SMF so that the SMF modifies the current PDU session type, the terminal establishes a second link with the core network through the second access network, and the first link and the second link are utilized to send data, namely, the first link and the second link simultaneously provide services for the terminal, the first link provides basic bandwidth, and the second link free or with relatively low cost provides additional bandwidth, thereby providing better quality services for users.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a downlink GBR service flow transmitting method, which is applied to a terminal, where the method can enable the terminal to obtain a basic bandwidth and obtain an additional bandwidth with free or relatively low cost, thereby increasing the bandwidth and reducing the use cost of the bandwidth as much as possible, so as to provide a better quality service for a user.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a downlink GBR service flow transmitting method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 5, the downlink GBR traffic flow transmitting method includes:

step S501, receiving a second link establishment message sent by the AMF, establishing a second link with the core network using the second access network, and modifying the current PDU session type.

The second link message is a message initiated based on an adjustment message of the UPF, and the adjustment message is a message initiated by the UPF when the data forwarding meets the preset condition.

In some embodiments, when the UPF determines that the data forwarding meets the preset condition, the arrival rate of the data stream sent to the SMF is higher than the PDU session guarantee bandwidth, the SMF notifies the AMF to establish the second link, and the AMF instructs the terminal to connect to the designated second access network, and prompts that the second access network is connected to acquire additional network resources. If the terminal refuses to connect to the appointed second access network, the establishment of the second link is interrupted.

The UPF may attempt to establish the second connection during transmission of the data stream from the peer to the terminal if the arrival rate of the data stream from the communication peer is found to be greater than the transmission rate of the data stream to the terminal.

In step S502, data is transmitted by using the first link and the second link, and the bandwidth of the first link is fixed and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, before receiving a second link establishment message sent by the AMF and establishing a second link with the core network using the second access network: and accessing the core network through the first access network, and establishing the PDU session.

After the terminal accesses the core network through the first access network, a downlink GBR PDU session is established, and the bandwidth corresponding to the GBR is a fixed bandwidth value.

In some embodiments, the method further includes, before receiving a second link establishment message sent by the AMF and establishing a second link with the core network using the second access network: and sending a network environment message to the AMF so that the AMF can judge whether the terminal supports the second access network.

In some embodiments, the AMF knows from information stored in the first access network, from information queried by the terminal or actively submitted by the terminal whether the terminal supports connection to the second access network. If the terminal does not support the second access network, the process ends. If the terminal supports the second access network, continuing the subsequent steps.

In some embodiments, transmitting data using the first link and the second link includes:

in the case where the amount of buffered data is less than or equal to the amount of transmitted data, the data is transmitted using the first link. The transmission data amount is the data amount transmitted within a preset time threshold according to the fixed bandwidth transmission of the first link.

When the amount of buffered data is less than or equal to the amount of transmitted data, the data is transmitted using the first link. That is, when the buffer data amount C is less than or equal to the transmission data amount S, all the data in the buffer area is transmitted onto the first link corresponding to the first network.

And under the condition that the data volume in the buffer space is larger than the preset transmission data volume, the data volume transmitted in the first link is the transmission data volume, and the data volume transmitted in the second link is the part exceeding the transmission data volume in the buffer data volume. The buffer data volume is the data volume stored in the buffer space, and the buffer space is the storage space of the first link for buffering data.

In some embodiments, data is transmitted on a first link at a preset fixed bandwidth, and data transmitted beyond the preset fixed bandwidth is transmitted on a second link.

In some embodiments, when the first access network is a wireless access network and the second access network is an N3IWF access network, the terminal accesses the core network through the N3IWF access network, and if a best effort quality of service guarantee method is employed, the additional bandwidth is unstable. Specifically:

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a downstream transport device, where the device may be applied to UPF, so that a terminal obtains a basic bandwidth and obtains additional bandwidth with free or relatively low cost, thereby increasing the bandwidth and reducing the cost of using the bandwidth as much as possible, so as to provide a better service for a user.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a downstream transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, the downstream transmission apparatus 600 includes:

and the sending module 601 is configured to send an adjustment message to the SMF to enable the SMF to modify the current PDU session type and enable the terminal to establish a second link with the core network through the second access network when the data forwarding meets a preset condition.

The data issuing module 602 is configured to issue data using the first link and the second link, where the bandwidth of the first link is fixed and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable.

The first link is a data link established between the terminal and the core network through the first access network.

The downlink GBR service flow transmitting device provided by the embodiment of the present invention may be used to execute the downlink GBR service flow transmitting method provided by the first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, each module is a logic module, and in practical application, one logic unit may be one physical unit, or may be a part of one physical unit, or may be implemented by a combination of a plurality of physical units. In addition, in order to highlight the innovative part of the present invention, units that are not so close to solving the technical problem presented by the present invention are not introduced in the present embodiment, but this does not indicate that other units are not present in the present embodiment.

In the downlink data stream transmitting device provided by the embodiment of the invention, the transmitting module transmits the adjustment message to the SMF under the condition that the data forwarding meets the preset condition so that the SMF modifies the current PDU session type, and the terminal establishes a second link with the core network through the second access network, and the data transmitting module transmits the data by using the first link and the second link, namely, the first link and the second link simultaneously provide services for the terminal, the first link provides basic bandwidth, and the second link which is free or has relatively low cost provides additional bandwidth, thereby providing better quality services for users.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal. Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in fig. 7, the terminal 700 includes:

a receiving module 701, configured to receive a second link establishment message sent by the AMF.

In some embodiments, the preset condition is that the amount of data in the buffer space of the current PDU session data is greater than a preset data threshold. Wherein the buffer space is a storage space of the first link for buffering data.

A link establishment module 702 is configured to establish a second link with the core network using the second access network.

The first link is a data link established between the terminal and the core network through the first access network. The second link is a data link established by the terminal with the core network through the second access network.

A session type modification module 703, configured to modify a current PDU session type.

In some embodiments, the SMF modifies the current PDU session to a MA PDU session and sets the ats mode employed by the MA PDU session to a priority mode.

And a data transmission module 704, configured to transmit data using the first link and the second link.

Wherein the first link is a data link established with the core network through the first access network.

The terminal provided in this embodiment may be configured to perform the downlink GBR service flow transmitting method provided in the second aspect of the present invention.

The terminal provided by the embodiment of the invention is used for receiving the second link establishment message sent by the AMF, the link establishment module is used for establishing a second link with the core network by utilizing the second access network, the session type modification module is used for modifying the current PDU session type, the data transmission module is used for transmitting data by utilizing the first link and the second link, namely, the first link and the second link simultaneously provide services for the terminal, the first link provides basic bandwidth, and the second link which is free or has relatively low cost provides additional bandwidth, so that higher-quality services are provided for users.

In order to more conveniently understand the method and apparatus of the present invention, a downstream transmission method will be described in detail with reference to a downstream transmission apparatus and a terminal. In the following embodiment, the first access network is a wireless access network, the second access network is an N3IWF access network, and the core network is a 5G core network.

The downstream data stream transmission method comprises the following steps:

step S801, a terminal accesses a 5G core network through a wireless access network.

Step S802, a terminal establishes a downlink GBR PDU session and sets a fixed bandwidth corresponding to GBR.

In step S803, the UPF forwards and detects the data streams from the peer and the terminal, and sends an adjustment message to the SMF when the arrival rate of the data stream at the peer is greater than the sending rate of the data stream forwarded to the terminal.

In step S803, the UPF detects data streams from the peer and the terminal in the process of transmitting the data streams from the peer to the terminal, and if the arrival rate of the data stream from the peer is found to be greater than the transmission rate of the data stream to be forwarded to the terminal, transmits an adjustment message to the SMF.

In step S804, the SMF sends a message to the AMF to establish the second link.

In step S805, the AMF instructs the terminal to connect to the designated N3IWF access network to establish the second link, and prompts the N3IWF access network to be connected to acquire additional network resources.

And the AMF requests the FQDN of the second access network from the ANDSF according to the current position information of the terminal, obtains an alternative network which can provide service for the tracking area, and returns the selected alternative network to the AMF. The alternative network pre-stored by the UDR or pre-stored by the ANDSF provides a historical downlink bandwidth record of downlink data connection, and a second access network capable of meeting GBR requirements requested by the terminal is selected.

The UPF may also inform the terminal of tariff criteria to assist the terminal in making decisions in step S805. The tariff criteria may be preset or announced in advance. Such as posting the labeling tariffs on the operator's website.

In step S806, after receiving the AMF indication, the terminal establishes a connection with the 5G core network through the N3IWF access network, i.e. establishes a second link between the terminal and the 5G core network.

It should be noted that, the terminal establishes a first link with the core network through the wireless access network, establishes a second link with the core network through the N3IWF access network, and both the first link and the second link provide access and mobility management services for the terminal through the same AMF.

In step S807, the AMF instructs the terminal to modify the PDU session to a MA PDU session.

In step S807, the SMF modifies the current PDU session to a MA PDU session, and sets the ats mode employed by the MA PDU session to the priority mode.

In step S808, the SMF instructs the UPF to forward data in the first link according to the fixed bandwidth, and to transmit data exceeding the fixed bandwidth in the second link.

In step S808, if the UPF transmits data only according to a fixed bandwidth, the buffer may exceed a preset capacity limit.

In step S809, the UPF calculates the amount of data transmitted according to the fixed bandwidth within the preset time threshold, and periodically calculates the amount of buffered data in the buffer space.

In case the amount of buffered data is less than or equal to the amount of transmitted data, the data is transmitted using the first link, i.e. only the data link corresponding to the radio access network.

And under the condition that the buffer data volume is larger than the preset transmission data volume, the data volume transmitted in the first link is the transmission data volume, and the data volume transmitted in the second link is the part exceeding the transmission data volume in the buffer data volume.

Referring to fig. 8, an embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic device including:

one or more processors 801;

a memory 802 having one or more programs stored thereon, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the downstream transport method of any of the above;

One or more I/O interfaces 803, coupled between the processor and the memory, are configured to enable information interaction of the processor with the memory.

Wherein the processor 801 is a device having data processing capabilities including, but not limited to, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or the like; memory 802 is a device having data storage capability including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM, more specifically SDRAM, DDR, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), electrically charged erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory (FLASH); an I/O interface 803 is coupled between the processor 801 and the memory 802 to enable information interaction between the processor 801 and the memory 802, including, but not limited to, a data Bus (Bus), etc.

In some embodiments, processor 801, memory 802, and I/O interface 803 are interconnected by a bus, which in turn is connected to other components of a computing device.

The present embodiment also provides a computer readable medium, on which a computer program is stored, which when executed by a processor, implements the downstream transmission method provided in the present embodiment, and in order to avoid repetitive description, specific steps of the downstream transmission method are not described herein.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that all or some of the steps, systems, functional modules/units in the apparatus, and methods of the invention described above may be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and suitable combinations thereof. In a hardware implementation, the division between the functional modules/units mentioned in the above description does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, one physical component may have multiple functions, or one function or step may be performed cooperatively by several physical components. Some or all of the physical components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit, digital signal processor, or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit. Such software may be distributed on computer readable media, which may include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transitory media). The term computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data, as known to those skilled in the art. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media.

It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one … …" does not exclude the presence of other like elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that while some embodiments described herein include some features but not others included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the embodiments and form different embodiments.

It is to be understood that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention, but not in limitation thereof. Various modifications and improvements may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and substance of the invention, and are also considered to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A downstream transport method, applied to UPF, comprising:

transmitting data by using a first link and a second link, wherein the bandwidth of the first link is fixed, and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable; the first link is a data link established between the terminal and the core network through a first access network;

the first access network is a wireless access network, and the second access network is an N3IWF access network;

the transmitting data using the first link and the second link includes:

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the preset conditions are: the first data flow rate of the receiving opposite end is larger than the second data flow rate forwarded to the terminal; the terminal and the opposite terminal are opposite terminals for data interaction.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the preset conditions are: the data volume of the buffer memory space of the current PDU session data is larger than a preset data threshold value; the buffer space is a storage space of the first link for buffering data.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising, after said transmitting data using the first link and the second link:

periodically acquiring the buffer data volume of the buffer space;

5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein said establishing a second link with the core network via the second access network comprises:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the location information of the terminal comprises a geographic location of the terminal or a tracking area in which the terminal is located.

7. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the SMF modifying a current PDU session type comprises:

8. A downstream transport method, applied to a UE, comprising:

the transmitting data using the first link and the second link includes:

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving the second link establishment message from the AMF, before establishing the second link with the core network using the second access network, further comprises:

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving the second link establishment message from the AMF, before establishing the second link with the core network using the second access network, further comprises:

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, wherein said transmitting data using the first link and the second link comprises:

12. A downstream transport device, comprising:

the data transmission module is used for transmitting data by utilizing a first link and the second link, the bandwidth of the first link is fixed, and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable; the first link is a data link established between the terminal and the core network through a first access network;

the transmitting data using the first link and the second link includes:

13. A terminal, comprising:

a session type modifying module for modifying the current PDU session type;

the data transmission module is used for transmitting data by utilizing a first link and the second link, the bandwidth of the first link is fixed, and the bandwidth of the second link is adjustable; wherein the first link is a data link established with the core network through a first access network;

the transmitting data using the first link and the second link includes: