CN113259988B

CN113259988B - Method for setting service quality and communication equipment

Info

Publication number: CN113259988B
Application number: CN202110708280.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈刚; 金晨哲; 王经纬
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2021-06-25
Filing date: 2021-06-25
Publication date: 2021-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-25
Also published as: WO2022267705A1; CN113259988A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method for setting quality of service, which is used for a session management function module, and the method includes: determining the maximum service quality capability and the current access network type of the session according to the session establishing request; the maximum service quality capability comprises all service qualities which can be supported by a user terminal requesting to establish the session, and the current access network type comprises the type of a network to which the user terminal is currently connected; sending a session creation request to a policy control function module; the session creation request comprises the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type; receiving a session establishment response of the policy control function module; the session creation response includes an authorized quality of service parameter; creating a session; and the service quality parameter of the session is set according to the authorized service quality parameter. The present disclosure also provides a communication device.

Description

Method for setting service quality and communication equipment

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to quality of service (QoS) assurance technologies, and in particular, to a method for setting QoS and a communication device.

Background

Quality of Service (QoS) is the performance of a Service provided by a communication network for a user (e.g., a user terminal), such as ensuring a certain bandwidth, delay, packet loss rate, and error rate. For different users, differentiated QoS guarantees can be provided, such as QoS which requires low delay but is insensitive to bandwidth, QoS which requires ultra-low delay and certain bandwidth, QoS of highly sensitive independent networking of data, and the like.

However, in some cases, the correct QoS may not be configured for the session (or bearer) of the ue, which may increase the system load and may not meet the user's requirements, thereby affecting the user experience.

Disclosure of Invention

The disclosure provides a method for setting service quality and a communication device.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for setting quality of service, where the method is used for a session management function module, and the method includes:

determining the maximum service quality capability and the current access network type of the session according to the session establishing request; the maximum service quality capability comprises all service qualities which can be supported by a user terminal requesting to establish the session, and the current access network type comprises the type of a network to which the user terminal is currently connected;

sending a session creation request to a policy control function module; the session creation request comprises the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type;

receiving a session establishment response of the policy control function module; the session creation response includes an authorized quality of service parameter;

creating a session; and the service quality parameter of the session is set according to the authorized service quality parameter.

In some embodiments, after the creating session, the method further comprises:

updating the current access network type in response to the change of the network connected with the user terminal;

sending a session update request to the policy control function module; the session update request comprises an updated current access network type;

receiving a session update response of the policy control function module; the session update response comprises updated authorized quality of service parameters;

and updating the service quality of the session according to the updated authorized service quality parameter.

In some embodiments, the session creation request further comprises: default quality of service parameters.

In some embodiments, the determining the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type for the session comprises:

determining the type of the current access network according to the source module of the session establishing request; and determining the maximum service quality capability according to the information of the request for establishing the session and a source module.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for setting quality of service, where the method is used for a policy control function module, and the method includes:

receiving a session establishing request of a session management function module; the session creation request comprises the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type of the session; the maximum service quality capability comprises all service qualities which can be supported by a user terminal requesting to establish the session, and the current access network type comprises the type of a network to which the user terminal is currently connected;

determining an authorized service quality parameter according to the maximum service quality capability and the current access network type;

sending a session creation response to the session management function module; the session creation reply includes the authorized quality of service parameter.

In some embodiments, after the sending of the session creation response to the session management function module, the method further includes:

receiving a session updating request of the session management function module; the session updating request comprises the current access network type updated after the network connected with the user terminal is changed;

determining the updated authorized service quality parameter according to the maximum service quality capability and the updated current access network type;

sending a session update response to the session management function module; the session update reply includes the updated authorized quality of service parameters.

In some embodiments, said determining an authorized quality of service parameter based on said maximum quality of service capability and said current access network type comprises:

and selecting the service quality parameter which can be supported by the current access network type as an authorized service quality parameter within the range of the maximum service quality capability.

and determining an authorized service quality parameter according to the maximum service quality capability, the current access network type and the subscription information of the user terminal.

In some embodiments, the session creation request further comprises a default quality of service parameter; the determining an authorized quality of service parameter according to the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type includes:

determining the default service quality parameter as an authorized service quality parameter;

or the like, or, alternatively,

and determining the authorized service quality parameters according to a preset decision strategy.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, including a session management function module, where the session management function module includes:

one or more processors;

a memory having one or more computer programs stored thereon;

the one or more computer programs, when executed by the one or more processors, enable any of the above-described methods of quality of service setting.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which includes a policy control function module, where the policy control function module includes:

one or more processors;

a memory having one or more computer programs stored thereon;

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the maximum service quality capability of the session is added in the session creation request, so that the correct authorized service quality parameters can be obtained according to the maximum service quality capability, thereby correctly realizing the session-level service quality setting, avoiding system abnormity, improving the robustness of the system, ensuring the requirements of full users, and improving the user experience.

Drawings

In the drawings of embodiments of the disclosure:

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

fig. 2 is a signaling diagram between an SMF and a PCF in setting qos in the related art;

fig. 3 is a signaling diagram between an SMF and a PCF in setting a quality of service in another related art;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method for setting qos according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a portion of steps of another method for setting qos according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method for setting qos according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a portion of steps of another method for setting qos according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a signaling diagram between an SMF and a PCF in another method for setting quality of service according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a signaling diagram between an SMF and a PCF in another method for setting quality of service according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 is a signaling diagram between an SMF and a PCF in another method for setting qos according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 is a signaling diagram between an SMF and a PCF in another method for setting quality of service according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 12 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 13 is a block diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In order to make those skilled in the art better understand the technical solution of the present disclosure, the following describes the method and the communication device for setting the quality of service provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the illustrated embodiments may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth below. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosed embodiments and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the disclosure and not to limit the disclosure. The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by describing the detailed embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure may be described with reference to plan and/or cross-sectional views by way of idealized schematic illustrations of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the example illustrations can be modified in accordance with manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances.

Embodiments of the present disclosure and features of embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used in this disclosure, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used in this disclosure, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "made from … …," as used in this disclosure, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

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

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but includes modifications of configurations formed based on a manufacturing process. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures have schematic properties, and the shapes of the regions shown in the figures illustrate specific shapes of regions of elements, but are not intended to be limiting.

In some related arts, the architecture of a part of modules in a 5G (fifth generation mobile communication technology) communication apparatus (server side) may refer to fig. 1.

The Session Management Function module (SMF) is responsible for establishing, modifying, and releasing a Session, allocating and managing an IP of a User Equipment (UE), and the like.

The Policy Control Function (PCF) is responsible for determining Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, charging, access mobility Policy Control, and the like, and the PCF in fig. 1 may actually be a PCF pool including a plurality of PCF devices.

The Access and Mobility Management Function module (AMF) performs registration, connection, reachability, Mobility Management, and the like of the UE, and provides a session Management message transmission channel for the UE and the SMF.

Among them, Unified Data Management (UDM) is used for user identification, access authorization, registration, subscription, and the like.

The AMF and the UE can be connected through an N1 interface, the AMF and the SMF can be connected through an N11 interface, the AMF and the PCF can be connected through an N15 interface, the AMF and the UDM can be connected through an N8 interface, the SMF and the PCF can be connected through an N7 interface, and the SMF and the UDM can be connected through an N10 interface.

When the UE may access from different networks in the related art, the QoS setting for the session (bearer) established by the UE may generate an error. For example, for an "interworking UE" that is accessible from both a 5G network and a 4G (fourth generation mobile communication technology) network, the following may occur in the QoS setting procedure:

(1) referring to fig. 2, if the interworking UE is first accessed from the 5G network, the process of setting QoS includes:

a101, SMF receives the request for establishing session.

For example, the session establishment request is a request for establishing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session.

A102, SMF sends session creating request to PCF.

The session creation request includes SUPI (Subscription Permanent Identifier), GPSI (Generic Public Subscription Identifier), IP, DNN (Data Network Name), and the like.

Since the interoperation UE is currently accessed from the 5G Network, the session creation request further includes that the current Access Network Type (RAT) is 5G Access.

Meanwhile, the SMF may obtain a default QoS parameter corresponding to the interoperation UE from the UDM, such as a GBR (Guaranteed Bit Rate) class 5qi (QoS parameter scalar of 5G), an ARP (Allocation Priority), a maximum bandwidth, a Guaranteed bandwidth, a delay, an error Rate, a packet loss Rate, and the like, and join the session creation request together.

A103, PCF decides the authorization QoS parameter.

The PCF determines the authorized QoS parameters, such as GBR 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, guaranteed bandwidth, delay, bit error rate, packet loss rate, etc., according to the slice, the current access network type, and the subscription information (such as subscription package type) of the UE.

A104, PCF sends session creating response to SMF.

The session creating response comprises a session rule, and the session rule comprises authorized QoS parameters, such as GBR 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, guaranteed bandwidth, time delay, bit error rate, packet loss rate and the like.

A105, SMF creates session according to the authorized QoS parameter.

For example, the SMF implements session rules, sets QoS for the session, and establishes bearers for GBR.

And A106, the interoperation UE falls back to the 4G network (EPS Fallback).

A107, SMF sends out a session update request.

The session update request comprises the type of the current access network, namely 4G access, an EPS Fallback identifier and the like.

And A108, the PCF decides out the updated authorized QoS parameter.

Since the currently interoperating UE becomes connected to the 4G network, the authorized QoS parameters derived by the PCF may include Non-GBR (guaranteed bit rate) class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, etc.

A109, PCF sends session update response to SMF.

Wherein the session update response includes session rules including authorized QoS parameters, such as Non-GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, etc.

And A110, an error occurs.

For example, according to existing protocols, the SMF considers that the interworking UE supports QoS of the 5G network, e.g., GBR, so no-GBR should be taken and a session update request is issued again.

The PCF may reject the session or repeatedly issue authorized QoS parameters, etc., depending on the protocol.

(2) Referring to fig. 3, if the interworking UE is first accessed from the 4G network, the process of setting QoS includes:

a201 and SMF receive a session establishment request.

For example, the establish session request is a request to establish a PDU session.

A202, SMF sends session creation request to PCF.

The session creation request includes SUPI, GPSI, IP, DNN, etc.

Since the interworking UE is currently accessed from the 4G network, the session creation request also includes that the current access network type is 4G access.

Meanwhile, the SMF also acquires default QoS parameters, such as Non-GBR 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth and the like, and joins the session creation request together.

A203, PCF decides the authorization QoS parameter.

And the PCF decides the authorized QoS parameters such as Non-GBR 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth and the like according to the slice, the type of the current access network and the subscription information (such as the subscription package type) of the UE.

A204, PCF sends session creating response to SMF.

Wherein the session creation response includes session rules including authorized QoS parameters, such as Non-GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, etc.

A205, SMF creates session according to the authorized QoS parameter.

For example, the SMF executes the session rules, sets the QoS of the session, and establishes the bearer of the Non-GBR.

And A206, the interoperation UE is switched to the 5G network.

A207, SMF sends out session update request.

Wherein, the session update request comprises the current access network type of 5G access.

A208, PCF decides out the updated authorized QoS parameter.

Since the current interoperation UE becomes connected to the 5G network, the authorized QoS parameters obtained by the PCF may include GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, guaranteed bandwidth, delay, bit error rate, packet loss rate, and the like.

A209, PCF sends session update response to SMF.

The session update response includes a session rule, and the session rule includes authorized QoS parameters, such as GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, guaranteed bandwidth, delay, bit error rate, packet loss rate, and the like.

And A210, an error occurs.

For example, according to the existing protocol, the SMF considers that the QoS of GBR should have been previously set for the interworking UE, so the above session update response belongs to the duplicate authorization, and thus the session update request is issued again.

Therefore, the above situation may cause an increase in system load, and correct QoS cannot be set, so that the requirements of the user cannot be met, and user experience is greatly affected.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a QoS setting method.

The method of the embodiments of the present disclosure is used for SMF (session management function), i.e., the method is performed by the SMF of the communication device (server side) to set QoS (quality of service) of a session (or bearer).

Referring to fig. 4, a method for setting QoS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

s101, determining the maximum QoS capability of the session and the type of the current access network according to the session establishing request.

The maximum QoS capability comprises all QoS which can be supported by the UE requesting to establish the session, and the current access network type comprises the type of a network to which the UE is currently connected.

The SMF determines, according to a request of the UE to establish a session (e.g., to establish a PDU session), what wireless network (e.g., 4G, 5G, etc.) the UE currently accesses through, i.e., determines the current access network type.

At the same time, the SMF also determines that for the UE that requires the creation of a session, it is "likely" to support all the QoS by itself (regardless of whether the network supports it or not).

For example, for a 4G/5G inter-working UE, its maximum QoS capability is either GBR or non-BGR, regardless of the network to which it is currently connected.

S102, sending a session creation request to the PCF.

Wherein the session creation request includes the maximum QoS capability and the current access network type.

The SMF adds the maximum QoS capability and the current access network type into a session creation request and sends the session creation request to the PCF.

Of course, other contents such as SUPI, GPSI, IP, DNN, etc. may also be included in the session creation request.

S103, receiving a session establishment response of the PCF.

Wherein the session creation reply includes the authorized QoS parameters.

And the SME receives a PCF feedback session creation response, wherein the session creation response comprises authorized QoS parameters which are determined by the PCF and are allowed to be adopted by the SMF.

Since the PCF can receive the maximum QoS capability of the session and the current access network type, it is bound to adapt to both the QoS capability of the UE and the currently connected network according to these determined authorized QoS parameters, and thus the session can be directly adopted.

And S104, creating a session.

Wherein, the QoS parameter of the session is set according to the authorized QoS parameter.

Since the above authorized QoS parameters are necessarily directly available to the session, the SMF can set the QoS of the session (execute the session rule) directly according to the authorized QoS parameters, and create the session (e.g., PDU session).

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the maximum QoS capability of the session is added in the session creation request, so that the correct authorized QoS parameters can be obtained according to the maximum QoS capability, thereby correctly realizing the QoS setting of the session level, avoiding the system abnormity, improving the robustness of the system, ensuring the requirements of full users, and improving the user experience.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 5, after creating the session (S104), further comprising:

and S105, responding to the change of the network connected with the UE, and updating the current access network type.

When the network to which the UE is connected changes (e.g., falls back or switches networks), the current access network type naturally also changes, so that the SMF needs to update the current access network type.

S106, sending a session update request to the PCF.

Wherein the session update request includes the updated current access network type.

SMF sends session update request to PCF to inform PCF of updated current access network type.

When the access network changes, the maximum QoS capability of the UE does not change, so the session update request does not include the maximum QoS capability.

S107, receiving a session update response of the PCF.

Wherein the session update answer includes the updated authorized QoS parameters.

The SMF receives a session update reply from the PCF that includes updated authorized QoS parameters determined based on the updated current access network type.

And S108, updating the QoS of the session according to the updated authorized QoS parameters.

The above updated authorized QoS parameters are necessarily adapted to both the maximum QoS capability and the updated access network, so the SMF can update the QoS of the session according to the updated authorized QoS parameters.

In some embodiments, the session creation request further comprises: default QoS parameters.

As a way of embodiments of the present disclosure, the SMF may also retrieve default QoS parameters (e.g., from the UDM) and send them together in the session creation request.

In some embodiments, determining the maximum QoS capability of the session and the current access network type (S101) comprises:

s1011, determining the type of the current access network according to the source module of the session establishment request; the maximum QoS capability is determined based on information of the request to establish the session and the source module.

Specifically, the SMF may determine the current access network type based on the origination module of the session establishment request (or from which module the UE is accessing), and determine the maximum QoS capability based on the information of the session establishment request and the origination module.

For example, the AMF may determine whether the UE has the interworking capability according to the radio capability of the UE, subscription data, a core network type, and the like, and may transmit the interworking capability identity to the SMF as information of the request for establishing the session.

Thus, if the SMF (or the fusion xGW/SMF) finds access from the AMF and does not carry the interoperability capability identifier when creating the session, the current access network type can be considered as 5G access, and the maximum QoS capability includes support of GBR.

If the SMF (or the fusion xGW/SMF) finds access from the AMF and carries the interoperability capability identity when creating the session, the current access network type can be considered as 5G access, and the maximum QoS capability includes support of GBR and Non-GBR.

If the SMF (or fusion xGW/SMF) discovers access from a Mobility Management Entity module (MME) when creating a session, the current access network type can be considered as 4G access and the maximum QoS capability includes support for Non-GBR.

Of course, the specific way in which the SMF determines the maximum QoS capability and the current access network type is varied depending on the network architecture and will not be described in detail here.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a QoS setting method.

The method of the disclosed embodiments is for a PCF (policy control function), i.e. the method is performed by a PCF of a communication device (server side) to set a QoS (quality of service) of a session (or bearer).

Referring to fig. 6, a method for setting QoS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

s201, receiving a session creation request of the SMF.

The session creating request comprises the maximum QoS capability of the session and the current access network type; the maximum QoS capability includes all QoS that the UE requesting to establish the session can support, and the current access network type includes the type of network to which the UE is currently connected.

The SMF receives a session creation request from the above SMF including the above maximum QoS capability and the current access network type.

S202, determining an authorized QoS parameter according to the maximum QoS capability and the current access network type.

The PCF may determine the authorized QoS parameters based on the maximum QoS capabilities and the current access network type. Of course, the authorized QoS parameters at this time are necessarily adapted to both the QoS capability of the UE and the currently connected network.

And S203, sending a session creation response to the SMF.

Wherein the session creation reply includes the authorized QoS parameters.

And the PCF adds the authorized QoS parameters into a session creation response and sends the session creation response to the SMF.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 7, after sending the session creation response to the SMF (S203), the method further includes:

and S204, receiving a session update request of the SMF.

And the session updating request comprises the current access network type updated after the network connected with the UE is changed.

S205, determining the updated authorized QoS parameter according to the maximum QoS capability and the updated current access network type.

S206, sending a session update response to the SMF; the session update reply includes the updated authorized QoS parameters.

As described above, when the network to which the UE is connected changes (falls back or switches), the SMF sends a session update request, and the session update request carries the updated current access network type, so the PCF can determine an updated authorized QoS parameter according to the updated current access network type and the maximum QoS capability previously obtained from the session creation request, and send the updated authorized QoS parameter to the SMF along with the session update response.

In some embodiments, determining the authorized QoS parameters (S202) based on the maximum QoS capability and the current access network type comprises:

s2021, selecting the QoS parameter which can be supported by the current access network type as the authorized QoS parameter in the range of the maximum QoS capability.

That is, the authorized QoS parameter determined by the PCF is necessarily the parameter supported by the above maximum QoS capability, and also meets the requirement of the current access network.

s2022, determining an authorized QoS parameter according to the maximum QoS capability, the current access network type and subscription information of the UE.

As a mode of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the PCF determines the authorized QoS parameter, and may refer to subscription information (such as subscription package), slice, and other information of the UE, in addition to the maximum QoS capability and the current access network type.

In some embodiments, the session creation request further includes default QoS parameters; determining authorized QoS parameters (S202) based on the maximum QoS capability and the current access network type includes:

s2023, determining the default QoS parameter as an authorized QoS parameter, or determining the authorized QoS parameter according to a preset decision policy.

As a mode of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the PCF may adopt a default QoS parameter in the session creation request, or may determine an authorized QoS parameter according to a preset decision policy according to a slice, subscription information of the UE, and the like.

Some specific examples of the methods of the embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.

Illustrative example 1

Referring to fig. 8, for a 4G-only (4G network only supported) UE, a method of setting QoS thereof may include:

b101, SMF receives the request for establishing session.

B102, SMF sends session creating request to PCF.

The SMF determines that the current access network type is 4G access and the maximum QoS capability includes NoN-GBR support, joins them in the session creation request, and sends it to the PCF.

Meanwhile, the SMF may also obtain default QoS parameters corresponding to the UE, such as NoN-GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, etc., from the UDM, and join the session creation request together with SUPI, GPSI, IP, DNN, etc.

B103, PCF decides the authorization QoS parameter.

The PCF determines authorized QoS parameters, such as Non-GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, etc., according to the maximum QoS capability, the current access network type, slice, subscription information of the UE (such as subscription package type).

B104, PCF sends session creation response to SMF.

And B105, the SMF creates a session according to the authorized QoS parameters.

Illustrative example 2

Referring to fig. 9, for a 5G-only (5G network only supported) UE, a method of setting QoS thereof may include:

b201, SMF receives the request for establishing session.

B202, SMF sends session creation request to PCF.

The SMF determines that the current access network type is 5G access and the maximum QoS capability comprises GBR support, adds the current access network type to the session creation request and sends the request to the PCF.

Meanwhile, the SMF may obtain default QoS parameters corresponding to the UE from the UDM, such as GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, guaranteed bandwidth, delay, bit error rate, packet loss rate, and the like, and join the session creation request together with the SUPI, GPSI, IP, DNN, and the like.

B203, PCF decides the authorization QoS parameter.

The PCF determines authorized QoS parameters, such as GBR 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, guaranteed bandwidth, delay, bit error rate, packet loss rate, etc., according to the maximum QoS capability, the current access network type, slice, subscription information of the UE (such as subscription package type).

B204, PCF sends session creation response to SMF.

And B205, the SMF creates a session according to the authorized QoS parameters.

Illustrative example 3

Referring to fig. 10, for a 4G/5G interworking UE (supporting both 4G and 5G networks), if first accessing from the 5G network, the method for setting QoS may include:

b301, SMF receives the request of establishing session.

B302, SMF sends session creation request to PCF.

The SMF determines that the current access network type is 5G access, the maximum QoS capability comprises GBR support and Non-GBR support, and the current access network type and the Non-GBR support are added into a session creation request and sent to the PCF.

B303, PCF decides the authorization QoS parameter.

B304, PCF sends session creation response to SMF.

B305, SMF creates session according to the authorized QoS parameters.

B306, the UE falls back to the 4G network (EPS Fallback).

And B307, the SMF sends out a session updating request.

The session update request comprises the updated current access network type of 4G access, an EPS Fallback identifier and the like.

B308, PCF determines the updated authorized QoS parameter.

Since the current UE becomes connected to the 4G network, the updated authorized QoS parameters derived by the PCF include Non-GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth.

B309, PCF sends session update answer to SMF.

Wherein the session update response includes a session rule, and the session rule includes an updated authorized QoS parameter, such as Non-GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, and the like.

And B310, SMF updating the session.

The SMF executes the session rule and modifies the QoS of the session according to the updated authorized QoS parameters, such as establishing a bearer of Non-GBR.

Illustrative example 4

Referring to fig. 11, for a 4G/5G interworking UE (supporting both 4G and 5G networks), if the UE first accesses from the 4G network, the method for setting QoS may include:

b401, SMF receives the request for establishing session.

B402, SMF sends session creation request to PCF.

The SMF determines that the current access network type is 4G access and the maximum QoS capability includes GBR support and NoN-GBR, joins them in the session creation request, and sends it to the PCF.

Meanwhile, the SMF may obtain default QoS parameters corresponding to the UE, such as NoN-GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, etc., from the UDM and join the session creation request together with SUPI, GPSI, IP, DNN, etc.

B403, PCF decides the authorization QoS parameter.

B404, PCF sends session creation answer to SMF.

B405, SMF creates session according to the authorized QoS parameter.

B406, the UE is switched to the 5G network.

And B407, the SMF sends a session update request.

Wherein, the session update request comprises the updated current access network type of 5G access.

And B408, the PCF decides the updated authorized QoS parameter.

Because the current UE becomes connected with the 5G network, the updated authorized QoS parameters obtained by the PCF comprise GBR 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, guaranteed bandwidth, time delay, error rate and packet loss rate.

And B409, the PCF sends a session update response to the SMF.

The session update response includes a session rule, and the session rule includes updated authorized QoS parameters, such as GBR class 5qi, ARP, maximum bandwidth, guaranteed bandwidth, delay, bit error rate, packet loss rate, and the like.

And B410, SMF updating session.

The SMF executes the session rule, and modifies the QoS of the session according to the updated authorized QoS parameters, such as establishing a bearer of GBR.

In a third aspect, referring to fig. 12, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, including a session management function module, where the session management function module includes:

one or more processors;

a memory having one or more computer programs stored thereon;

the one or more computer programs, when executed by the one or more processors, are capable of implementing any of the above-described methods of quality of service setting.

The communication device of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the above session management function module (SMF). Since the communication device is server-side, other modules of the above server-side can be included therein, and will not be described in detail here.

In a fourth aspect, referring to fig. 13, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, which includes a policy control function module, where the policy control function module includes:

one or more processors;

a memory having one or more computer programs stored thereon;

The communication device of the disclosed embodiment includes the above policy control function module (PCF). Since the communication device is server-side, other modules of the above server-side can be included therein, and will not be described in detail here.

In the disclosed embodiment, the processor is a device with data processing capability, which includes but is not limited to a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and the like; memory is a device with data storage capabilities including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM, more specifically SDRAM, DDR, etc.), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory (FLASH); the I/O interface (read/write interface) is connected between the processor and the memory, and can realize information interaction between the memory and the processor, including but not limited to a data Bus (Bus) and the like.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that all or some of the steps, systems, functional modules/units in the devices disclosed above may be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and suitable combinations thereof.

In a hardware implementation, the division between functional modules/units mentioned in the above description does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, one physical component may have multiple functions, or one function or step may be performed by several physical components in cooperation.

Some or all of the physical components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), digital signal processor, or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit. Such software may be distributed on computer readable media, which may include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transitory media). The term computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM, more specifically SDRAM, DDR, etc.), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory (FLASH), or other disk storage; compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), or other optical disk storage; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage; any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer. In addition, communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media as known to those skilled in the art.

The present disclosure has disclosed example embodiments and, although specific terms are employed, they are used and should be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In some instances, features, characteristics and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a method for quality of service provisioning for a session management function, the method comprising:

determining the maximum service quality capability and the current access network type of the session according to the session establishing request; the maximum QoS capability comprises all QoS which can be supported by a user terminal requesting to establish the session without considering whether a network is supported or not, and the current access network type comprises the type of the network to which the user terminal is currently connected;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein after the creating a session, further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein,

the session creation request further includes: default quality of service parameters.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining a maximum quality of service capability and a current access network type for the session comprises:

5. A method of quality of service setting for a policy control function, the method comprising:

receiving a session establishing request of a session management function module; the session creation request comprises the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type of the session; the maximum QoS capability comprises all QoS which can be supported by a user terminal requesting to establish the session without considering whether a network is supported or not, and the current access network type comprises the type of the network to which the user terminal is currently connected;

6. The method of claim 5, wherein after said sending a session creation response to said session management function, further comprising:

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining an authorized quality of service parameter based on the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type comprises:

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining an authorized quality of service parameter based on the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type comprises:

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the session creation request further comprises default quality of service parameters; the determining an authorized quality of service parameter according to the maximum quality of service capability and the current access network type includes:

or the like, or, alternatively,

10. A communication device comprising a session management function module, the session management function module comprising:

one or more processors;

a memory having one or more computer programs stored thereon;

the one or more computer programs, when executed by the one or more processors, are operable to implement the method for quality of service setting of any of claims 1 to 4.

11. A communication device comprising a policy control function module, the policy control function module comprising:

one or more processors;

a memory having one or more computer programs stored thereon;

the one or more computer programs, when executed by the one or more processors, are operable to implement the method for quality of service setting of any of claims 5 to 9.