CN113163337B

CN113163337B - Transmission mode modification method, device, system, equipment and medium

Info

Publication number: CN113163337B
Application number: CN202010015611.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 侯云静; 王胡成; 邓强
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-07
Filing date: 2020-01-07
Publication date: 2023-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-07
Also published as: CN113163337A

Abstract

The invention discloses a method, a device, a system, equipment and a medium for modifying a transmission mode, which are used for solving the problem that the transmission mode of multicast data cannot be changed in the existing 5G system. In the embodiment of the invention, the SMF entity receives the request for modifying the transmission mode, wherein the request carries the multicast information and the modified transmission mode information; the SMF entity establishes a transmission path of a transmission mode of multicast data of the multicast information, thereby realizing the change of the transmission mode of the multicast data in the 5G system and saving bandwidth resources.

Description

Transmission mode modification method, device, system, equipment and medium

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, a system, a device, and a medium for modifying a transmission mode.

Background

With the rapid development of communication technology, the 5th generation mobile communication technology (5g) has been introduced into people's lives. The new technology brings many nice changes, so that the data transmission speed is faster and faster, but the requirement of people on the data transmission mode is higher and higher.

Currently, the existing data transmission modes include unicast transmission, broadcast transmission and multicast transmission. The unicast transmission is one-to-one transmission performed between one sending device and one target receiving device; broadcast transmission is the propagation between a sending device and all receiving devices in the network; and multicast transmission is the propagation between one sending device and a plurality of target receiving devices.

In the prior art, in the process of data transmission, if it is determined that multicast data is transmitted in a multicast transmission manner, a 5G system architecture can only perform multicast transmission on the multicast data; if the multicast data is determined to be transmitted in unicast transmission mode, the multicast data can be transmitted in unicast only. The transmission mode of the multicast data can cause that the multicast data which does not need multicast transmission can only be subjected to multicast transmission, and bandwidth resources are occupied; it also causes that the multicast data needing multicast transmission can only be unicast transmitted, the bandwidth resource is wasted by sending multiple repeated multicast data, and the load of the sending equipment is increased by duplicating multiple repeated multicast data.

Therefore, how to change the transmission mode of multicast data in the 5G system is an urgent problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a method, a device, a system, equipment and a medium for modifying a transmission mode, which are used for solving the problem that the transmission mode of multicast data cannot be changed in the existing 5G system.

The embodiment of the invention provides a method for modifying a transmission mode, which comprises the following steps:

a Session Management Function (SMF) entity receives a request for modifying a transmission mode, wherein the request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information;

and the SMF entity establishes a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information.

and the mobile management function AMF entity sends a request for modifying the transmission mode to the session management function SMF entity, wherein the request carries multicast information and the modified transmission mode information.

and the wireless access network node sends third N2 session management information to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and modified information of a transmission mode.

and the UE sends a PDU session modification request to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and the modified transmission mode information of the UE.

and the policy control function PCF entity sends a session management policy association update message to the session management function SMF entity, wherein the session management policy association update message carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information.

The embodiment of the invention provides a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, which comprises: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: receiving a request for modifying a transmission mode, wherein the request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information; and establishing a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information.

The embodiment of the invention provides a mobile management function (AMF) entity, which comprises: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: and sending a request for modifying the transmission mode to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the request carries multicast information and the modified transmission mode information.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a wireless access network node, where the wireless access network node includes: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: and sending third N2 session management information to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal, where the terminal includes: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: and sending a PDU session modification request to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information of a terminal.

The embodiment of the invention provides a policy control function PCF entity, which comprises: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: and sending a session management strategy association updating message to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the session management strategy association updating message carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information.

The embodiment of the invention provides a modification device of a transmission mode, which is applied to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, and comprises the following components:

a receiving and sending unit, configured to receive a request for modifying a transmission mode, where the request carries multicast information and information of the modified transmission mode;

and the processing unit is used for establishing the transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information.

The embodiment of the invention provides a transmission mode modification device, which is applied to a mobility management function (AMF) entity and comprises the following components:

a generating unit, configured to generate a request for modifying a transmission mode, where the request carries multicast information and information of the modified transmission mode;

a transceiver unit, configured to send a request for modifying a transmission mode to a session management function SMF entity, where the request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information.

The embodiment of the invention provides a transmission mode modifying device, which is applied to a wireless access network node, and comprises the following components:

a generating unit, configured to generate third N2 session management information, where the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode;

and the transceiver unit is used for sending third N2 session management information to the SMF entity, wherein the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information.

The embodiment of the invention provides a modification device of a transmission mode, which is applied to a terminal and comprises the following components:

a generating unit, configured to generate a PDU session modification request, where the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode of a terminal;

a receiving and sending unit, configured to send a PDU session modification request to a session management function SMF entity, where the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode of a terminal.

The embodiment of the invention provides a transmission mode modifying device, which is applied to a policy control function PCF entity, and comprises the following components:

a generating unit, configured to generate a session management policy association update message, where the session management policy association update message carries multicast information and modified information of a transmission mode;

and the receiving and sending unit is used for sending a session management policy association update message to the SMF entity, wherein the session management policy association update message carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information.

The embodiment of the invention provides a system for modifying a transmission mode, which comprises: executing any step applied to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, executing any step applied to a mobility management function (AMF) entity, executing any step applied to a wireless access network node, executing any step applied to a terminal, and executing any step applied to a Policy Control Function (PCF) entity.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program executable by a processor, which, when running on the processor, causes a session management function, SMF, entity to perform any of the above-mentioned method steps, or causes a mobility management function, AMF, entity to perform any of the above-mentioned method steps, or causes a radio access network node to perform any of the above-mentioned method steps, or causes a terminal to perform any of the above-mentioned method steps, or causes a policy control function, PCF, entity to perform any of the above-mentioned method steps.

In the embodiment of the invention, the SMF entity receives the request for modifying the transmission mode, and the request carries the multicast information and the modified transmission mode information; the SMF entity establishes a transmission path of the modified transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast information, thereby realizing the change of the transmission mode of the multicast data in the 5G system and saving bandwidth resources.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below, and it is apparent that the drawings in the description below are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art that other drawings may be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional 5G system architecture;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a multicast transmission process of existing multicast data;

fig. 3 is a structural diagram of a transmission system of multicast data according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification process of a transmission scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification process of a transmission scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a transmission process of multicast data according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modification process of a transmission scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a transmission path establishment procedure of multicast transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a session management function SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a mobility management function AMF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a radio access network node according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a policy control function PCF entity according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a modification apparatus of a transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a modification apparatus of a transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a modification apparatus of a transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a modification apparatus of a transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a modification apparatus of a transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, 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.

In order to implement changing a transmission mode of multicast data in a 5G system, embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus, a system, a device, and a medium for modifying a transmission mode.

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a conventional 5G system architecture, and the main network functional entities in the 5G system are introduced with respect to fig. 1:

an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity is responsible for functions such as registration and connection Management.

A User Plane Function (UPF) entity is responsible for forwarding and routing packets.

Session Management Function (SMF) entity Session establishment, deletion, user plane selection and control, UE IP allocation, etc.

A Unified Data Management (UDM) entity is responsible for storing information of the UE, such as subscription information, information that a PDU session has been established.

A Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) entity is responsible for selecting Network slices.

An Authentication Server Function (AUSF) entity authenticates and authorizes the UE.

A Policy Control Function (PCF) entity is responsible for Policy and charging Control, and makes a mobility Control Policy, a session management Policy, and a Policy to be sent to the UE.

An Application Function (AF) entity is an Application Function, which may be a third-party Application, or an Application deployed by an operator.

A Data Network (DN) entity is an external Data Network, e.g., an application server of a third party is located within the DN.

A User Equipment (UE) is a terminal device.

The Radio Access Network (R) AN) is a Radio Access Network.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a multicast transmission process of existing multicast data, where the process includes:

1. the content provider sends a request message to the UE through the application layer, the message including at least a multicast address.

2. A request to establish a multicast transmission path is sent to the SMF entity.

The method comprises the following steps: sending a request for establishing a multicast transmission path to an SMF entity through user plane signaling, specifically comprising:

1a, UE sends signaling for joining the multicast group to a UPF entity.

1b, the UPF entity is a router supporting multicast. And the UPF entity sends a notice to the SMF entity after receiving the signaling which is sent by the UE and joins the multicast group.

The method 2 comprises the following steps: sending a request for establishing a multicast transmission path to an SMF entity through a control plane signaling, specifically including:

2a, the UE receives a request from a higher layer or detects that a lower layer joins a certain multicast group (IGMP or MLR is monitored), and the UE sends a PDU session establishment/modification request to the SMF entity, where the PDU session establishment/modification request carries multicast group information (e.g., multicast address) that the UE desires to join.

2b, the AMF entity calls Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context (session management context ID, N1 session management container (PDU session modification request)), and sends the received PDU session establishment/modification request to the SMF entity.

3. After receiving the request for establishing the multicast transmission path, the SMF entity checks whether context information of the multicast group exists, i.e., whether a UE has joined the multicast group. The multicast context includes information of UEs joining the multicast group and information of network elements serving the multicast group. If the context of the multicast group does not exist, the SMF entity creates a multicast group context.

4. The SMF entity requests the AMF entity to forward the N1N2 message, where the N1N2 message carries a multicast group identifier (e.g., a multicast address, or an identifier generated by the SMF entity and associated with a multicast group).

5. The AMF entity sends a session modification request to the (R) AN node so that the (R) AN node determines which UEs receive multicast data of the same multicast group using the multicast group identity.

6. The (R) AN node performs the necessary access network resource modification procedures, such as configuring broadcast bearers.

7. The (R) AN node returns a session modification reply, message this includes downstream tunneling information.

8. And the AMF entity calls the Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context and sends a session modification reply to the SMF entity.

9. The SMF entity sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF entity, wherein the N4 session modification request carries the tunnel information.

10. The UPF entity receives the multicast data according to the configuration of step 9.

11. The UPF entity sends multicast PDUs to the (R) AN node through AN N3/N9 tunnel.

12. (R) the AN node selects a radio bearer to send multicast PDUs to UEs joining the multicast group.

13. The (R) AN node transmits multicast data using the selected bearer.

Example 1:

in order to implement changing the transmission mode of multicast data in a 5G system, fig. 3 is a structural diagram of a transmission system of multicast data according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the system includes: a UE, AN (R) AN node connected with the UE, AN AMF entity, AN SMF entity, a UPF entity and a PCF entity.

The transmission mode for modifying the multicast data of the embodiment of the invention comprises the following steps: the SMF entity receives a request for modifying the transmission mode, wherein the request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information;

Wherein, the modified transmission path is a PDU session between the corresponding UE and the UPF entity.

The multicast information is a multicast address, or an ID of a PDU session, or a multicast application identifier.

The modified transmission mode is unicast transmission or multicast transmission.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the request for modifying the transmission mode received by the SMF entity may be sent by the AMF entity or sent by the PCF entity.

Specifically, the receiving, by the SMF entity, the request for modifying the transmission method includes:

the SMF entity receives a request for modifying a transmission mode sent by an AMF entity; and/or

The SMF entity receives a request for modifying the transmission mode sent by the PCF entity.

In order to determine the transmission mode of the multicast data, when the request for modifying the transmission mode received by the SMF entity is sent by the AMF entity, the receiving, by the SMF entity, the request for modifying the transmission mode sent by the AMF entity includes:

the SMF entity receives an Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context sent by the AMF entity; and/or

The SMF entity receives an event report sent by the AMF entity when determining that the UE enters or moves out of the set multicast service area.

In AN example, if the AMF entity sends AN Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context to the SMF entity, the Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context may carry a PDU session modification request sent by the UE, or may also carry (R) third N2 session management information sent by the AN node.

The triggering condition for the UE to send the PDU session modification request may include at least one of UE entering/moving out of the multicast service area, UE policy, or user requirement for using a certain transmission method. Specifically, the sending, by the UE, the PDU session modification request to the SMF entity includes at least one of:

the UE enters or moves out of a set multicast service area, and the UE sends a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity;

the current time or the position of the UE is in a parameter range corresponding to a preset modification transmission mode, and the UE sends a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity;

and the UE receives the modification operation of the transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast information by the user, and the UE sends a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity.

For example, the preset UE policy is a multicast transmission mode used by the UE in a time period from 18 to 20, and therefore, at 18.

Or, when the UE is moved out of the multicast service area, the UE sends a PDU session modification request to the AMF entity, where the PDU session modification request carries information of a multicast address and unicast transmission.

In the embodiment of the present invention, since the (R) AN node may detect the number of UEs receiving multicast data of multicast information, if the (R) AN node detects that the number of UEs receiving multicast data of multicast information is not within the threshold range, the (R) AN node sends the third N2 session management information to the SMF entity. Specifically, the sending, by the radio access network node, the third N2 session management information to the SMF entity includes:

and the wireless access network node determines that the number of the UE receiving the multicast data of the multicast information is not within a preset threshold range, and then sends third N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

Specifically, the (R) AN node determines the transmission mode corresponding to the multicast data of the multicast information according to whether the number of UEs receiving the multicast data of the multicast information is not within a preset threshold range, and the relationship between the number of UEs and AN upper threshold and a lower threshold of the threshold range. If the number of the UE is larger than the upper threshold of the threshold range, determining that the transmission mode corresponding to the multicast data of the multicast information is multicast transmission; and if the number of the UE is smaller than the lower threshold of the threshold range, determining that the transmission mode corresponding to the multicast data of the multicast information is unicast transmission.

Wherein the upper threshold is greater than the lower threshold.

For example, the preset threshold range is 20 to 30, and when the (R) AN node detects that the number of UEs receiving multicast data of multicast information is 8, which is not within the preset threshold range and is smaller than the lower threshold of the threshold range, (R) the AN node sends the third N2 session management information to the AMF entity, where the N2 message carries the ID of the PDU session and the information of unicast transmission.

Or, when the (R) AN node detects that the number of UEs receiving multicast data of the multicast information is 32 and is not within the preset threshold range and is greater than the upper threshold of the threshold range, (R) the AN node sends the third N2 session management information to the AMF entity, where the N2 message carries a multicast address and multicast transmission information.

The set threshold range may be pre-configured in the (R) AN node, or may be sent to the (R) AN node by the SMF entity. Specifically, when the threshold range is set, the threshold range may be flexibly set according to actual requirements, and is not specifically limited herein.

The following is to describe the context of the Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management, which carries the PDU session modification request and the third N2 session management information sent by the (R) AN node.

In a possible implementation manner, fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a modification process of a transmission manner provided in an embodiment of the present invention, where an Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context carries a PDU session modification request sent by a UE as an example, the process includes:

s401: and the UE sends a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity through the AMF entity, wherein the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and the modified transmission mode information of the UE.

S402: and after receiving the PDU session modification request, the AMF entity sends an Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context to the SMF entity.

The Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context carries a PDU session modification request sent by the UE, that is, carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode of the UE.

After receiving the session management context updated by the session _ PDU session _ update, the SMF entity determines the transmission mode of the UE after modification according to the session management context updated by the session _ PDU session _ update, and executes different steps according to different transmission modes.

S403: if the modified transmission mode is unicast transmission, the SMF entity establishes a unicast transmission path for the multicast data of the multicast information.

S404: and if the modified transmission mode is multicast transmission, the SMF entity establishes a transmission path of the multicast transmission for the multicast data of the multicast information.

In another possible implementation manner, fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a modification process of a transmission manner provided in AN embodiment of the present invention, where the Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context carries, as AN example, third N2 session management information sent by AN (R) AN node, which is described in detail:

s501: and (R) the AN node sends third N2 session management information to the SMF entity through the AMF entity according to whether the quantity of the UE receiving the multicast data of the multicast information is not in a preset threshold range or not, and the third N2 session management information carries the multicast information and the modified information of the transmission mode.

S502: and after receiving the third N2 session management information, the AMF entity sends an Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context to the SMF entity.

Wherein, the Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context carries the N2 message sent by (R) AN node, that is, carries the multicast information and the modified transmission mode information.

After receiving the Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context, the SMF entity determines a modified transmission mode according to the Nsmf _ PDU session _ update session management context, and executes different steps according to different modified transmission modes.

S503: if the modified transmission mode is unicast transmission, the SMF entity establishes a unicast transmission path for the multicast data of the multicast information.

S504: and if the modified transmission mode is multicast transmission, the SMF entity establishes a transmission path of the multicast transmission for the multicast data of the multicast information.

In addition, when modifying the transmission mode, the AMF entity may also send an event report when determining that the UE enters or moves out of the set multicast service area, and if the AMF entity detects that the UE enters or moves out of the set multicast service area, the AMF entity sends the event report to the SMF entity.

In order to detect the UE through the AMF entity, first, an event subscription needs to be performed, specifically, before the SMF entity receives an event report sent by the AMF entity when determining that the UE enters or moves out of the multicast service area, the SMF entity sends event subscription information to the AMF entity, where the event subscription information carries an identifier of the UE and an identifier of the multicast service area.

And after receiving the event subscription message, the AMF entity detects an event corresponding to the event subscription message. Specifically, the AMF entity detects whether the UE is located in a multicast service area, and when the UE enters or moves out of the multicast service area, the AMF entity sends an event report to the SMF entity to report an event related to the UE and the multicast service area. And the AMF entity sends an event report to the SMF entity, wherein the event report carries information of the UE entering the multicast service area or the UE moving out of the multicast service area.

If the UE enters the multicast service area, determining that the transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast address related to the multicast service area is multicast transmission, and if the UE moves out of the multicast service area, determining that the transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast address related to the multicast service area is unicast transmission.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a transmission process of multicast data according to an embodiment of the present invention, and details are described by taking an event report sent by an AMF entity as a request for modifying a transmission mode received by the SMF entity, where the event report carries information that a UE enters a multicast service area or the UE moves out of the multicast service area:

s601: and the SMF entity sends event subscription information to the AMF entity, wherein the event subscription information carries the identifier of the UE and the identifier of the multicast service area.

S602: when the AMF entity detects that the UE enters or moves out of the multicast service area, an event report carrying the information that the UE enters the multicast service area or moves out of the multicast service area is sent to the SMF entity.

The SMF entity can determine the multicast address corresponding to the UE and the modified transmission mode information of the UE according to the information that the UE enters the multicast service area or the UE moves out of the multicast service area, wherein the information is carried in the received event report.

After receiving the event subscription message and detecting that the UE moves out of the multicast service area, the AMF entity sends an event report carrying information of the UE moving out of the multicast service area to the SMF entity, and after receiving the event report, the SMF entity determines that a multicast address related to the multicast service area and a modified transmission mode are unicast transmission.

After receiving the event subscription message, the AMF entity detects that the UE enters a multicast service area, the AMF entity sends an event report carrying information of the UE entering the multicast service area to the SMF entity, after receiving the event report, the SMF entity determines that a multicast address related to the multicast service area and a modified transmission mode are multicast transmission, and establishes a transmission path of the multicast transmission for multicast data of the multicast information.

The SMF entity executes different steps according to different modified transmission modes.

S603: if the modified transmission mode is unicast transmission, the SMF entity establishes a unicast transmission path for the multicast data of the multicast information.

S604: and if the modified transmission mode is multicast transmission, the SMF entity establishes a transmission path of the multicast transmission for the multicast data of the multicast information.

In an example, the PCF entity may also send a session management policy association update message to the SMF entity, where the session management policy association update message carries multicast information and information of the modified transmission mode of the UE. Therefore, when the SMF entity receives the request for modifying the transmission scheme sent by the PCF entity, the request for modifying the transmission scheme is a session management policy association update message sent by the PCF entity.

The session management policy association update message carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode of the UE, and may also carry a UE identifier.

Specifically, the sending, by the PCF entity, the session management policy association update message to the SMF entity includes:

and the PCF entity receives modification information of the transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast information sent by the AF entity, and sends a session management strategy association updating message to the SMF entity.

The modification information sent by the AF entity may carry an identifier of the UE, that is, the AF entity requests the PCF entity to send multicast data to the UE receiving the AF entity data in a specific transmission manner.

In addition, the PCF entity may also determine whether to send a request for modifying the transmission means according to a pre-configured operator policy, such as: the operator configures in advance 18.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a transmission method modification process provided in an embodiment of the present invention, which describes in detail a session management policy association update message sent by a PCF entity by using a request for modifying a transmission method received by an SMF entity:

s701: the PCF entity sends a session management policy association update message to the SMF entity.

The session management policy association update message carries multicast information and a transmission mode, and can also carry an identifier of the UE. The PCF entity may send a request to the SMF entity to modify the transport based on the request of the AF entity.

The SMF entity receives the session management strategy correlation updating message initiated by the PCF entity and determines the transmission mode modified by the UE according to the session management strategy correlation updating message initiated by the PCF entity.

And the SMF entity determines the transmission mode of the multicast data according to the multicast information carried in the received session management strategy association update message and the modified transmission mode information of the UE. And according to different transmission modes, different steps are executed.

S702: if the modified transmission mode is unicast transmission, the SMF entity establishes a unicast transmission path for the multicast data of the multicast information.

S703: and if the modified transmission mode is multicast transmission, the SMF entity establishes a transmission path of the multicast transmission for the multicast data of the multicast information.

On the basis of the above embodiment, after the SMF entity receives the request for modifying the transmission mode, the modified transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast information is determined according to the multicast information and the modified transmission mode information carried in the request for modifying the transmission mode, and a transmission path of the modified transmission mode is established for the multicast data of the multicast information, that is, a PDU session or a multicast PDU session of the multicast data of the multicast information. Wherein, the modified transmission path is a PDU session of multicast data between the corresponding UE and the UPF entity.

Specifically, if the modified transmission mode is unicast transmission, the establishing, by the SMF entity, a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information includes:

the SMF entity sends a first request message to UE, wherein the first request message carries multicast information and unicast transmission, so that the UE initiates a PDU session establishment process through a PDU session request, and the PDU session request carries the multicast information; or

The SMF entity sends an N4 message to a UPF entity, wherein the N4 message carries a multicast address and a QoS flow identification, and sends a PDU session modification command to UE or a wireless access network node connected with the UE, and the PDU session modification command carries multicast information.

It should be noted that, the process of initiating the PDU session establishment through the PDU session request by the UE belongs to the prior art, and is not described herein again.

In another possible implementation, if the modified propagation manner is multicast transmission, first, the SMF entity determines whether a context of the multicast information exists, that is, whether the UE joins in a multicast group corresponding to the multicast information, and if the SMF entity determines that the context of the multicast information does not exist, the SMF entity creates the context of the multicast information to determine that the context of the multicast information exists.

The context created by the SMF entity for the multicast service includes a multicast address and shared N3 tunnel information.

After determining that the UE joins the multicast group, the SMF entity determines whether AN (R) AN connected to the UE can receive related multicast data, i.e., whether a shared N3 tunnel for transmitting multicast data to the (R) AN node and the UPF entity exists, and according to different determination results, behaviors of the SMF entity are different.

In the embodiment of the invention, the SMF entity pre-stores the shared N3 tunnel between the (R) AN node and the UPF entity, and the SMF entity judges whether the shared N3 tunnel exists between the (R) AN node and the UPF entity connected with the UE. When the SMF entity determines that there is a context of multicast information and there is a shared N3 tunnel between the radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity, the shared N3 tunnel may be reused to notify the radio access network node to send multicast data to the UE. Specifically, if the modified transmission mode is multicast transmission, the establishing, by the SMF entity, a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information includes:

and the SMF entity determines that the context of the multicast information exists, a shared N3 tunnel exists between the wireless access network node connected with the UE and the UPF entity, and informs the wireless access network node of sending multicast data to the UE.

Wherein, the shared N3 tunnel information includes tunnel information of the (R) AN node and tunnel information of the UPF entity.

In addition, if there is no shared N3 tunnel between the radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity, the method further includes:

the SMF entity sends first N2 session management information to the wireless access network node;

and the SMF entity receives second N2 session management information returned by the wireless access network node and sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF entity so that the UPF entity receives multicast data according to the tunnel information carried in the N4 session modification request and the multicast address.

When the SMF entity determines that the context of the multicast information exists but a shared N3 tunnel does not exist between the (R) AN node to which the UE is connected and the UPF entity, the SMF entity may establish a transmission path of the (R) AN node and the UPF entity. Specifically, in the method for modifying a transmission scheme by a radio access node, the method further includes:

the wireless access network node receives first N2 session management information sent by the SMF entity;

the wireless access network node modifies the access network resource between the corresponding UE into the access network resource corresponding to the modified transmission mode according to the multicast information and the modified transmission mode carried in the first N2 session management information;

the wireless access network node sends second N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

And the (R) AN node sends the second N2 session management information to the SMF entity, wherein the second N2 session management information carries downlink tunnel information.

Wherein, the first N2 session modification information carries multicast information. After receiving the first N2 session modification information, the (R) AN node may determine which UEs receive multicast data of the multicast information according to the multicast information carried in the first N2 session modification information, that is, determine which multicast group corresponding to which multicast information the session modification process is related to. (R) after the AN node executes the access network resource modification process, for example, configuring a broadcast bearer, returning second N2 session management information to the SMF entity through the AMF entity, wherein the second N2 session management information carries downlink tunnel information.

The following describes, with reference to a specific flowchart, a process of establishing a PDU session for multicast transmission of multicast data of multicast information if the modified transmission mode is multicast transmission.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a transmission path establishment procedure of multicast transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the procedure includes:

s801: the SMF entity determines whether there is a context of the multicast information, if so, performs S803, otherwise, performs S802.

S802: the SMF entity creates a context for the multicast information, and then executes S803.

The context for the SMF entity to create the multicast information belongs to the prior art, and is not described herein again.

S803: the SMF entity determines whether a shared N3 tunnel exists between AN (R) AN node to which the UE is connected and the UPF entity, if so, performs S804, otherwise, performs S805.

S804: the SMF entity informs (R) the AN node to send multicast data to the UE.

S805: the SMF entity sends first N2 session modification information to the (R) AN node through the AMF entity, wherein the first N2 session modification information carries multicast group information.

S806: and (R) the AN node modifies the access network resource between the corresponding UE into the access network resource corresponding to the modified transmission mode according to the multicast information carried in the first N2 session modification information and the modified transmission mode.

S807: and (R) the AN node sends second N2 session modification information to the SMF entity through the AMF entity, wherein the second N2 session modification information carries downlink tunnel information.

S808: after receiving the second N2 session modification information, the SMF entity sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF entity, where the N4 session modification request carries the tunnel information and the multicast address.

S809: and the UPF entity receives the multicast data according to the tunnel information and the multicast address carried in the N4 session modification request.

S810: the UPF entity sends the multicast data to the (R) AN node through the N3/N9 tunnel.

S811: and (R) the AN node selects a radio bearer to send the multicast data to the UE joining the multicast group.

Example 3:

fig. 9 is a session management function SMF entity provided in an embodiment of the present invention, where the SMF entity includes: a processor 900, a memory 901, a transceiver 903, and a bus interface.

The processor 900 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 901 may store data used by the processor 900 in performing operations. The transceiver 903 is used to receive and transmit data under the control of the processor 900.

The bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors, represented by processor 900, and various circuits, represented by memory 901, being linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 900 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 901 may store data used by the processor 900 in performing operations.

The processes disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be applied to the processor 900, or implemented by the processor 900. In implementation, the steps of the signal processing flow may be performed by instructions in the form of hardware, integrated logic circuits, or software in the processor 900. The processor 900 may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or the like that may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules may be located in ram, flash, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 901, and the processor 900 reads the information in the memory 901 and completes the steps of the signal processing flow in combination with the hardware thereof.

Specifically, the processor 900 is configured to read a program in the memory 901 and execute:

receiving a request for modifying a transmission mode, wherein the request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information;

and establishing a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information.

Further, the processor 900 is specifically configured to receive a request for modifying a transmission manner sent by an AMF entity; and/or receiving a request for transmission mode modification sent by the PCF entity.

Further, the processor 900 is specifically configured to send a first request message to the UE if the modified propagation manner is unicast transmission, where the first request message carries multicast information and unicast transmission, so that the UE initiates a PDU session establishment procedure through a PDU session request, and the PDU session request carries the multicast information; or sending an N4 message to a UPF entity, wherein the N4 message carries a multicast address and a QoS stream identifier, and sending a PDU session modification command to the UE or a wireless access network node connected with the UE, wherein the PDU session modification command carries multicast information.

Further, the processor 900 is specifically configured to determine that a context of the multicast information exists and a shared N3 tunnel exists between a radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity if the modified propagation manner is multicast transmission, and notify the radio access network node to send multicast data to the UE.

Further, the processor 900 is specifically configured to send first N2 session management information to the radio access network node if a shared N3 tunnel does not exist between the radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity; and receiving second N2 session management information returned by the wireless access network node, and sending an N4 session modification request to the UPF entity, so that the UPF entity receives multicast data according to the tunnel information carried in the N4 session modification request and the multicast address.

Example 4:

fig. 10 is an AMF entity with mobility management function according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the AMF entity includes: a processor 1000, a memory 1001, a transceiver 1003, and a bus interface.

The processor 1000 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1001 may store data used by the processor 1000 in performing operations. The transceiver 1003 is used for receiving and transmitting data under the control of the processor 1000.

The bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors represented by processor 1000 and various circuits of memory represented by memory 1001 being linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 1000 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1001 may store data used by the processor 1000 in performing operations.

The processes disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be applied to the processor 1000, or implemented by the processor 1000. In implementation, the steps of the signal processing flow may be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in the form of software in the processor 1000. The processor 1000 may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or the like that implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 1001, and the processor 1000 reads information in the memory 1001 and completes steps of the signal processing flow in combination with hardware thereof.

Specifically, the processor 1000 is configured to read a program in the memory 1001 and execute:

and sending a request for modifying the transmission mode to the SMF entity, wherein the request carries the multicast information and the modified transmission mode information.

Example 5:

fig. 11 is a radio access network node according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the radio access network node includes: a processor 1100, a memory 1101, a transceiver 1103, and a bus interface.

The processor 1100 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1101 may store data used by the processor 1100 in performing operations. The transceiver 1103 is used to receive and transmit data under the control of the processor 1100.

The bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with various circuits specifically represented by one or more of processor 1100 and memory represented by memory 1101 linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 1100 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1101 may store data used by the processor 1100 in performing operations.

The processes disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to the processor 1100, or implemented by the processor 1100. In implementation, the steps of the signal processing flow may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in the form of software in the processor 1100. The processor 1100 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or the like that implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 1101, and the processor 1100 reads information in the memory 1101, and completes the steps of the signal processing flow in combination with hardware thereof.

Specifically, the processor 1100 is configured to read a program in the memory 1101 and execute:

and sending third N2 session management information to the SMF entity, wherein the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information.

Further, the processor 1100 is further configured to receive first N2 session management information sent by the SMF entity; according to the multicast information and the modified transmission mode carried in the first N2 session management information, modifying the access network resource between the corresponding UE into the access network resource corresponding to the modified transmission mode; and sending second N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

Further, the processor 1100 is further configured to determine that the number of UEs receiving the multicast data of the multicast information is not within a preset threshold range, and send third N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

Example 6:

fig. 12 is a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present invention, where the terminal includes: a processor 1200, a memory 1201, a transceiver 1203 and a bus interface.

The processor 1200 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1201 may store data used by the processor 1200 in performing operations. The transceiver 1203 is used to receive and transmit data under the control of the processor 1200.

The bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors represented by processor 1200 and various circuits of memory represented by memory 1201 being linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 1200 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1201 may store data used by the processor 1200 in performing operations.

The process disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to the processor 1200, or implemented by the processor 1200. In implementation, the steps of the signal processing flow may be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in the form of software in the processor 1200. The processor 1200 may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or the like that implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 1201, and the processor 1200 reads information in the memory 1201 and completes steps of the signal processing flow in combination with hardware thereof.

Specifically, the processor 1200 is configured to read a program in the memory 1201 and execute:

and sending a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity, wherein the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information of the terminal.

Further, the processor 1200 is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following functions: the terminal enters or moves out of a set multicast service area and sends a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity; sending a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity when the current time or the position of the terminal is in a parameter range corresponding to a preset modification transmission mode; and receiving the modification operation of the transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast information by the user, and sending a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity.

Further, the processor 1200 is further configured to receive a PDU session modification command sent by the SMF entity; and according to the multicast information carried in the PDU session modification command, storing the multicast information in the context of the PDU session, or adding a PDU session identifier in the context of the multicast information.

Example 7:

fig. 13 is a policy control function PCF entity provided in an embodiment of the present invention, where the PCF entity includes: a processor 1300, a memory 1301, a transceiver 1303, and a bus interface.

The processor 1300 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1301 may store data used by the processor 1300 in performing operations. The transceiver 1303 is used to receive and transmit data under the control of the processor 1300.

The bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors represented by the processor 1300 and various circuits of the memory represented by the memory 1301 being linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The processor 1300 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1301 may store data used by the processor 1300 in performing operations.

The processes disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the processor 1300 or implemented by the processor 1300. In implementation, the steps of the signal processing flow may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in the form of software in the processor 1300. The processor 1300 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or the like that implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory 1301, and the processor 1300 reads the information in the memory 1301 and completes the steps of the signal processing flow in combination with the hardware thereof.

Specifically, the processor 1300 is configured to read the program in the memory 1301 and execute:

and sending a session management strategy association updating message to the SMF entity, wherein the session management strategy association updating message carries multicast information and modified information of the transmission mode.

Further, the processor 1300 is specifically configured to receive modification information of a transmission manner of multicast data of the multicast information, where the modification information is sent by an AF entity, and the PCF entity sends a session management policy association update message to the SMF entity.

Example 8:

based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a transmission mode modification apparatus, which is applied to an SMF entity, and fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of the transmission mode modification apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention, and the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 14, and the apparatus includes:

a transceiver unit 1401, configured to receive a request for modifying a transmission mode, where the request carries multicast information and information of the modified transmission mode;

a processing unit 1402 for reading the program in the memory and executing: and establishing a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information.

Further, the transceiver unit 1401 is specifically configured to receive a request for modifying a transmission manner, which is sent by an AMF entity; and/or receiving a request for modifying the transmission mode sent by the PCF entity.

Further, the transceiver unit 1401 is specifically configured to send a first request message to the UE if the modified propagation manner is unicast transmission, where the first request message carries multicast information and unicast transmission, so that the UE initiates a PDU session establishment procedure through a PDU session request, where the PDU session request carries the multicast information; or sending an N4 message to a UPF entity, wherein the N4 message carries a multicast address and a QoS stream identifier, and sending a PDU session modification command to the UE or a wireless access network node connected with the UE, wherein the PDU session modification command carries multicast information.

Further, the processing unit 1402 is specifically configured to determine that a context of the multicast information exists and a shared N3 tunnel exists between a radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity if the modified propagation manner is multicast transmission, and notify the radio access network node to send multicast data to the UE.

Further, the transceiver unit 1401 is specifically configured to send first N2 session management information to the radio access network node if a shared N3 tunnel does not exist between the radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity; and receiving second N2 session management information returned by the wireless access network node, and sending an N4 session modification request to the UPF entity, so that the UPF entity receives multicast data according to the tunnel information carried in the N4 session modification request and the multicast address.

Example 9:

based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a transmission mode modification apparatus, which is applied to an AMF entity, fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of the transmission mode modification apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention, and the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 15, and the apparatus includes:

a generating unit 1501, configured to generate a request for modifying a transmission method, where the request carries multicast information and information of the modified transmission method;

a transceiving unit 1502 configured to send the request to the SMF entity.

Example 10:

based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a transmission mode modification apparatus, which is applied to a radio access network node, fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a transmission mode modification apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention, and the apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 16, and the apparatus includes:

a generating unit 1601, configured to generate third N2 session management information, where the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode;

a transceiving unit 1602, configured to send the third N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

Further, the transceiver 1602 is further configured to receive the first N2 session management information sent by the SMF entity;

the device further comprises:

the processing unit 1603 is configured to modify an access network resource between the UE and the corresponding UE to an access network resource corresponding to the modified transmission mode according to the multicast information and the modified transmission mode carried in the first N2 session management information;

the transceiving unit 1602 is further configured to send second N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

Further, the transceiver 1602 is further configured to determine that the number of UEs that receive multicast data of the multicast information is not within a preset threshold range, and send third N2 session management information to the SMF.

Example 11:

based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a transmission mode modification apparatus, which is applied to a terminal, fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of the transmission mode modification apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention, and the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 17, and the apparatus includes:

a generating unit 1701, configured to generate a PDU session modification request, where the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode of a terminal;

a transceiving unit 1702, configured to send the PDU session modification request to an SMF entity.

Further, the transceiving unit 1702 is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following functions: the terminal enters or moves out of a set multicast service area and sends a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity; sending a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity when the current time or the position of the terminal is in a parameter range corresponding to a preset modification transmission mode; and receiving the modification operation of the user on the transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast information, and sending a PDU session modification request to the SM F entity.

Further, the transceiving unit 1702 is further configured to receive a PDU session modification command sent by the SMF entity; and storing the multicast information in the context of the PDU session according to the multicast information carried in the PDU session modification command, or adding a PDU session identifier in the context of the multicast information.

Example 12:

based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present invention provides a transmission mode modification apparatus, which is applied to a PCF entity, fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of the transmission mode modification apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention, and the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 18, and the apparatus includes:

a generating unit 1801, configured to generate a session management policy association update message, where the session management policy association update message carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode;

a transceiving unit 1802, configured to send the session management policy association update message to an SMF entity.

Further, the transceiver 1802 is specifically configured to receive modification information, sent by an AF entity, on a transmission mode of multicast data of the multicast information, and send a session management policy association update message to the SMF entity.

Example 13:

on the basis of the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program executable by an electronic device is stored, and when the program is run on the electronic device, the electronic device is caused to execute the following steps:

the memory having stored therein a computer program that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of:

Further, the processor is specifically configured to receive a request for modifying a transmission scheme, which is sent by an AMF entity; and/or receiving a request for modifying the transmission mode sent by the PCF entity.

Further, the processor is specifically configured to send a first request message to the UE if the modified propagation manner is unicast transmission, where the first request message carries multicast information and unicast transmission, so that the UE initiates a PDU session establishment procedure through a PDU session request, and the PDU session request carries the multicast information; or sending an N4 message to a UPF entity, wherein the N4 message carries a multicast address and a QoS stream identifier, and sending a PDU session modification command to the UE or a wireless access network node connected with the UE, wherein the PDU session modification command carries multicast information.

Further, the processor is specifically configured to determine that a context of the multicast information exists and a shared N3 tunnel exists between a radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity if the modified propagation manner is multicast transmission, and notify the radio access network node of sending multicast data to the UE.

Further, the processor is specifically configured to send first N2 session management information to the radio access network node if a shared N3 tunnel does not exist between the radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity; and receiving second N2 session management information returned by the wireless access network node, and sending an N4 session modification request to the UPF entity, so that the UPF entity receives multicast data according to the tunnel information carried in the N4 session modification request and the multicast address.

Example 14:

Example 15:

Further, the processor is further configured to receive first N2 session management information sent by the SMF entity; according to the multicast information and the modified transmission mode carried in the first N2 session management information, modifying the access network resource between the corresponding UE into the access network resource corresponding to the modified transmission mode; and sending second N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

Further, the processor is further configured to determine that the number of UEs receiving multicast data of the multicast information is not within a preset threshold range, and send third N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

Example 16:

the memory has stored therein a computer program that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform the steps of:

Further, the processor is specifically configured to perform at least one of the following functions: the terminal enters or moves out of a set multicast service area and sends a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity; sending a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity when the current time or the position of the terminal is in a parameter range corresponding to a preset modification transmission mode; and receiving the modification operation of the user on the transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast information, and sending a PDU session modification request to the SMF entity.

Further, the processor is further configured to receive a PDU session modification command sent by the SMF entity; and storing the multicast information in the context of the PDU session according to the multicast information carried in the PDU session modification command, or adding a PDU session identifier in the context of the multicast information.

Example 17:

on the basis of the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, where a computer program executable by an electronic device is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the program runs on the electronic device, the electronic device is caused to execute the following steps:

Further, the processor is specifically configured to receive modification information of a transmission mode of multicast data of the multicast information, which is sent by an AF entity, and send a session management policy association update message to the SMF entity.

The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by a processor in an electronic device, including but not limited to magnetic memory such as floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disks (MO), etc., optical memory such as CDs, DVDs, BDs, HVDs, etc., and semiconductor memory such as ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, non-volatile memories (NAND FLASH), solid State Disks (SSDs), etc.

For the system/apparatus embodiments, since they are substantially similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and reference may be made to some descriptions of the method embodiments for relevant points.

It is to be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or operations.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely application embodiment, or an embodiment combining application and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present invention is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including preferred embodiments and all such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for modifying transmission modes, the method comprising:

the SMF entity establishes a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information;

if the modified transmission mode is unicast transmission, the establishing, by the SMF entity, a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information includes:

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the modified transmission path is a PDU session between the corresponding UE and a user plane function, UPF, entity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified transmission mode is unicast transmission or multicast transmission.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, by the SMF entity, the request to modify the transport comprises:

the SMF entity receives a request for modifying a transmission mode sent by a mobile management function (AMF) entity; and/or

The SMF entity receives a request for modifying the transmission mode sent by a policy control function PCF entity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein if the modified transmission mode is multicast transmission, the establishing, by the SMF entity, a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for multicast data of the multicast information comprises:

and the SMF entity determines that the context of the multicast information exists, a shared N3 tunnel exists between a wireless access network node connected with the corresponding UE and the UPF entity, and informs the wireless access network node of sending multicast data to the UE.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein if there is no shared N3 tunnel between a radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity, the method further comprises:

7. The method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the multicast information is a multicast address, or an ID of a PDU session, or a multicast application identity.

8. A method for modifying transmission modes, the method comprising:

a wireless access network node sends third N2 session management information to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information;

wherein the method further comprises:

9. A method for modifying transmission modes, the method comprising:

UE sends PDU conversation modification request to SMF entity, the PDU conversation modification request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information of the UE;

wherein the method further comprises:

the UE receives a PDU session modification command sent by the SMF entity;

and the UE stores the multicast information in the context of the PDU session according to the multicast information carried in the PDU session modification command, or adds a PDU session identifier in the context of the multicast information.

10. A method for modifying transmission modes, the method comprising:

a policy control function PCF entity sends a session management policy association update message to a session management function SMF entity, wherein the session management policy association update message carries multicast information and modified information of a transmission mode;

wherein, the sending session management policy associated update message to the SMF by the PCF entity includes:

and the PCF entity receives modification information of the transmission mode of the multicast data of the multicast information sent by an Application Function (AF) entity, and sends a session management strategy association updating message to the SMF entity.

11. A session management function, SMF, entity, the SMF entity comprising: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: receiving a request for modifying a transmission mode, wherein the request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information; establishing a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for the multicast data of the multicast information;

the processor is specifically configured to send a first request message to the UE if the modified propagation manner is unicast transmission, where the first request message carries multicast information and unicast transmission, so that the UE initiates a PDU session establishment procedure through a PDU session request, where the PDU session request carries multicast information; or sending an N4 message to a user plane function UPF entity, wherein the N4 message carries a multicast address and a QoS stream identifier, and sending a PDU session modification command to the UE or a wireless access network node connected with the UE, wherein the PDU session modification command carries multicast information.

12. The SMF entity of claim 11, wherein the processor is specifically configured to receive a request for modifying a transmission scheme sent by an AMF entity; and/or receiving a request for modifying the transmission mode sent by the policy control function PCF entity.

13. The SMF entity of claim 12, wherein the processor is specifically configured to determine that a context of the multicast information exists and a shared N3 tunnel exists between a radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and an UPF entity if the modified propagation mode is multicast transmission, and notify the radio access network node to send multicast data to the UE.

14. The SMF entity of claim 13, wherein the processor is specifically configured to send first N2 session management information to the radio access network node if a shared N3 tunnel does not exist between the radio access network node connected to the corresponding UE and the UPF entity; and receiving second N2 session management information returned by the wireless access network node, and sending an N4 session modification request to the UPF entity, so that the UPF entity receives multicast data according to the tunnel information carried in the N4 session modification request and the multicast address.

15. A radio access network node, characterized in that the radio access network node comprises: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: sending third N2 session management information to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information;

the processor is further configured to receive first N2 session management information sent by the SMF entity; according to the multicast information and the modified transmission mode carried in the first N2 session management information, modifying the access network resource between the corresponding UE into the access network resource corresponding to the modified transmission mode; and sending second N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

16. A terminal, characterized in that the terminal comprises: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: sending a PDU session modification request to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode of a terminal;

the processor is further configured to receive a PDU session modification command sent by the SMF entity; and storing the multicast information in the context of the PDU session according to the multicast information carried in the PDU session modification command, or adding a PDU session identifier in the context of the multicast information.

17. A policy control function, PCF, entity, comprising: a processor, a memory, and a transceiver;

wherein the processor is configured to read a program in the memory and execute: sending a session management strategy association updating message to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the session management strategy association updating message carries multicast information and modified information of a transmission mode;

the processor is specifically configured to receive modification information of a transmission mode of multicast data of the multicast information, which is sent by an application function AF entity, and send a session management policy association update message to the SMF entity.

18. A transmission mode modification device is applied to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, and the device comprises the following components:

a receiving and sending unit, configured to receive a request for modifying a transmission mode, where the request carries multicast information and modified transmission mode information;

a processing unit, configured to establish a transmission path of the modified transmission mode for multicast data of the multicast information;

the processing unit is specifically configured to send a first request message to the UE if the modified propagation manner is unicast transmission, where the first request message carries multicast information and unicast transmission, so that the UE initiates a PDU session establishment procedure through a PDU session request, where the PDU session request carries multicast information; or sending an N4 message to a UPF entity, wherein the N4 message carries a multicast address and a QoS stream identifier, and sending a PDU session modification command to the UE or a wireless access network node connected with the UE, wherein the PDU session modification command carries multicast information.

19. An apparatus for modifying transmission scheme, applied to a radio access network node, the apparatus comprising:

a transceiver unit, configured to send third N2 session management information to a session management function SMF entity, where the third N2 session management information carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode;

the receiving and sending unit is further configured to receive first N2 session management information sent by the SMF entity;

the device further comprises:

a processing unit, configured to modify, according to the multicast information and the modified transmission mode carried in the first N2 session management information, an access network resource between the UE and the corresponding UE into an access network resource corresponding to the modified transmission mode;

the transceiver unit is further configured to send second N2 session management information to the SMF entity.

20. An apparatus for modifying transmission mode, applied to a terminal, the apparatus comprising:

a receiving and sending unit, configured to send a PDU session modification request to a session management function SMF entity, where the PDU session modification request carries multicast information and information of a modified transmission mode of a terminal;

the receiving and sending unit is further configured to receive a PDU session modification command sent by the SMF entity; and storing the multicast information in the context of the PDU session according to the multicast information carried in the PDU session modification command, or adding a PDU session identifier in the context of the multicast information.

21. A transmission mode modification apparatus, applied to a policy control function PCF entity, the apparatus comprising:

a receiving and sending unit, configured to send a session management policy association update message to a session management function SMF entity, where the session management policy association update message carries multicast information and modified information of a transmission mode;

the receiving and sending unit is specifically configured to receive modification information of a transmission mode of multicast data of the multicast information, which is sent by an AF entity, and send a session management policy association update message to the SMF entity.

22. A transmission modification system, comprising: a session management function, SMF, entity performing the steps of the method of any of claims 1-7, a radio access network node performing the steps of the method of claim 8, a terminal performing the steps of the method of claim 9 and a policy control function, PCF, entity performing the steps of the method of claim 10.

23. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that it stores a computer program executable by a processor, which program, when run on the processor, causes a session management function, SMF, entity to perform the steps of the method of any of claims 1-7, or causes a radio access network node to perform the steps of the method of claim 8, or causes a terminal to perform the steps of the method of claim 9, or causes a policy control function, PCF, entity to perform the steps of the method of claim 10.