CN113473383A

CN113473383A - Method and device for providing and selecting quality of service parameters and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN113473383A
Application number: CN202010236210.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王胡成
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-30
Filing date: 2020-03-30
Publication date: 2021-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-30
Also published as: CN113473383B

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and a device for providing and selecting service quality parameters and a storage medium, wherein the method comprises the following steps: in the process of establishing the multicast session, a policy control functional entity generates a policy and charging control rule based on the service quality requirement of application, and the policy and charging control rule carries two sets of service quality parameters respectively corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission; policy and charging control rules are then sent to the session management function. After receiving the policy and charging control rule, the session management function generates a service quality parameter of the multicast session based on the rule; the session management function then provides the quality of service parameters to the next generation radio access network. Therefore, the next generation wireless access network can select corresponding service quality parameters from the service quality parameters according to the requirement. By adopting the invention, the base station can ensure the realization of the service quality parameters.

Description

Method and device for providing and selecting quality of service parameters and storage medium

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for providing and selecting a quality of service parameter, and a storage medium.

Background

The 3GPP determines to support MBS (multicast/broadcast service) in the 5G system. The air interface has two methods for implementing multicast/broadcast, which are a point-to-point method and a point-to-multipoint method, and the base station can decide which transmission method to use based on the number of receiving terminals.

The defects of the prior art are as follows:

in the existing MBS session establishment process, a QoS (Quality of Service) parameter received by a base station does not correspond to an air interface transmission mode, and therefore the base station cannot determine through which air interface transmission mode the QoS parameter needs to be guaranteed to be implemented.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a method and equipment for providing and selecting quality of service parameters and a storage medium, which are used for solving the problem that the QoS parameters cannot be ensured to be realized through what air interface transmission mode.

The embodiment of the invention provides a QoS parameter selection method, which comprises the following steps:

the NG RAN receives QoS parameters provided by the SMF, wherein the QoS parameters are QoS parameters matched with the multicast support capability of the UE or QoS parameters corresponding to the air interface unicast and multicast transmission modes;

the NG RAN selects a corresponding QoS parameter from said QoS parameters.

In an implementation, the method further comprises the following steps:

and after determining the air interface transmission mode, the NG RAN selects a corresponding QoS parameter from the QoS parameters according to the air interface transmission mode.

In an implementation, the method further comprises the following steps:

and after receiving the indication of the multicast support capability of the UE provided by the AMF or the SMF to the NG RAN, the NG RAN adopts an air interface transmission mode matched with the multicast support capability of the UE.

In implementation, when the NG RAN determines, according to the QoS parameter, that only the QoS parameter that can satisfy unicast or multicast transmission can be satisfied, a transmission mode and a corresponding QoS parameter that can satisfy the QoS parameter are selected.

The embodiment of the invention provides a QoS parameter providing method, which comprises the following steps:

the SMF receives a PCC rule sent by the PCF in the multicast session establishment process, wherein the PCC rule carries QoS parameters respectively corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission;

the SMF generates QoS parameters of a multicast session based on PCC rule, wherein the QoS parameters are QoS parameters matched with the multicast support capability of the UE or QoS parameters respectively corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission;

the SMF provides the QoS parameters to the NG RAN.

In an implementation, the UE multicast support capability is obtained by the SMF through the AMF, or obtained in a UE multicast support capability indication sent by the UE.

In the implementation, still include:

the SMF provides the RAN with an indication of the multicast support capability of the UE.

in the process of establishing the multicast session, the PCF determines the established PDU session as an MBS PDU session according to the indication of the SMF;

the PCF generates a PCC rule based on the QoS requirement of the application, wherein the PCC rule carries two sets of QoS parameters which respectively correspond to the unicast transmission and the multicast transmission of the air interface;

PCF sends the PCC rule to SMF.

In an implementation, the PCC rule is generated by the PCF based on a multicast session indication and/or multicast service information.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a RAN, including:

a processor for reading the program in the memory, performing the following processes:

receiving QoS parameters provided by SMF, wherein the QoS parameters are QoS parameters matched with the multicast support capability of UE or QoS parameters corresponding to the air interface unicast and multicast transmission modes;

selecting a corresponding QoS parameter from the QoS parameters;

a transceiver for receiving and transmitting data under the control of the processor.

In an implementation, the method further comprises the following steps:

and after the air interface transmission mode is determined, selecting corresponding QoS parameters from the QoS parameters according to the air interface transmission mode.

In an implementation, the method further comprises the following steps:

and after receiving the indication of the multicast support capability of the UE provided by the AMF or the SMF to the NG RAN, adopting an air interface transmission mode matched with the multicast support capability of the UE.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, including:

receiving a PCC rule sent by a PCF in the process of establishing a multicast session, wherein the PCC rule carries QoS parameters respectively corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission;

generating QoS parameters of a multicast session based on PCC rule, wherein the QoS parameters are QoS parameters matched with the multicast support capability of the UE or QoS parameters corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission respectively;

providing the QoS parameters to a NG RAN;

In an implementation, the UE multicast support capability is obtained through AMF, or obtained in a UE multicast support capability indication sent by the UE.

In the implementation, still include:

the RAN is provided with a multicast support capability indication for the UE.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a PCF, including:

in the process of establishing the multicast session, determining the established PDU session as an MBS PDU session according to the indication of the SMF;

generating a PCC rule based on the QoS requirement of the application, wherein the PCC rule carries two sets of QoS parameters which respectively correspond to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission;

sending the PCC rule to an SMF;

The embodiment of the invention provides a QoS parameter providing device, which is characterized by comprising the following components:

an SMF receiving module, configured to receive a PCC rule sent by a PCF in a multicast session establishment process, where the PCC rule carries QoS parameters corresponding to unicast transmission and multicast transmission of an air interface respectively;

an SMF parameter generating module, configured to generate a QoS parameter of a multicast session based on a PCC rule, where the QoS parameter is a QoS parameter matched with a UE multicast support capability, or a QoS parameter corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission, respectively;

and the SMF parameter providing module is used for providing the QoS parameter to the NG RAN.

The embodiment of the invention provides a QoS parameter providing device, which comprises:

PCF determining module, which is used to determine the established PDU session as MBS PDU session according to SMF indication in the process of establishing multicast session;

the PCF rule generating module is used for generating a PCC rule based on the QoS requirement of the application, wherein the PCC rule carries two sets of QoS parameters which respectively correspond to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission;

and the PCF rule sending module is used for sending the PCC rule to the SMF.

The embodiment of the invention provides a QoS parameter selection device, which comprises:

the device comprises an NG RAN receiving module and a QoS parameter transmitting module, wherein the NG RAN receiving module is used for receiving QoS parameters provided by SMF, and the QoS parameters are QoS parameters matched with the multicast supporting capability of the UE or QoS parameters corresponding to the air interface unicast and multicast transmission modes;

and the NG RAN selection module is used for selecting corresponding QoS parameters from the QoS parameters.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program for executing the QoS parameter providing method and/or the QoS parameter selection method.

The invention has the following beneficial effects:

in the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, in the process of establishing the multicast session, the PCF generates a PCC rule based on the QoS requirement of the application, and the PCC rule carries two sets of QoS parameters which respectively correspond to the unicast transmission and the multicast transmission of the air interface; the PCF then sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

After receiving a PCC rule sent by a PCF, the SMF generates a QoS parameter of a multicast session based on the PCC rule, wherein the QoS parameter is a QoS parameter matched with the multicast support capability of the UE or a QoS parameter corresponding to an air interface transmission mode; the SMF then provides the QoS parameters to the NG RAN.

Thereby enabling the NG RAN to select corresponding QoS parameters from the QoS parameters as needed.

Therefore, by adopting the scheme, in the MBS session establishment process, the base station can select the proper QoS parameter based on the UE multicast support capability and/or select the proper QoS parameter and the corresponding air interface transmission mode based on the QoS support capability of the air interface transmission mode, thereby ensuring the realization of the QoS parameter.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the invention and not to limit the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of an MBS session establishment scheme 1 in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart of an implementation of MBS session establishment scheme 2 in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of an MBS session establishment scheme 3 in the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart illustrating an implementation of a QoS parameter providing method on an SMF side according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart illustrating an implementation of a QoS parameter providing method on the PCF side in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of an implementation of a QoS parameter selection method on the NG RAN side in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic view of a QoS parameter determination implementation flow in embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic flow chart of QoS parameter determination in embodiment 2 of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic flow chart of QoS parameter determination in embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an SMF structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a PCF structure in an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a NG RAN structure in an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The inventor notices in the process of invention that:

the following is a brief description of an MBS (multicast/broadcast service) session establishment scheme.

(1) MBS Session setup protocol 1

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of an MBS session establishment scheme 1, and as shown in the figure, the main process of the establishment scheme 1 for an MBS session (MBS session) proposed in the prior art includes:

step 100, the User Equipment (UE) interacts with the Application server, and the MBS session starts.

Step 101, Application server starts MBMS session.

Step 102, the MB-SMF (Multicast/broadcast session Management Function) requests the MB-UPF (User Plane Function) to allocate an IP address and a port for receiving downlink data. And MF-SMF requests MB-UPF to allocate a multicast address and C-TEID (common Tunnel endpoint identification, common TEID, etc.)

And step 103, responding to the Application Server by the MB-SMF, and providing the IP address and the port of the downlink data of the AS (Application Server).

Step 104, the UE informs an NG-RAN (Next Generation RAN; RAN: Radio Access Network) to be interested in MBS service identified by TMGI (Temporary Mobile Group Identity).

Step 105, the NG-RAN informs the AMF (Authentication Management Function) of the interest in the MBS service.

Step 106, the AMF saves the interest of the NG-RAN and notifies the SMF.

And step 107, after the MBS Session is started, the MB-SMF initiates the MBS Session to the M-AMF.

Step 108 and 109, the MB-SMF initiates an MBS session start (MBS session start) to carry the multicast address and the C-TEID.

Step 110-.

(2) MBS Session setup scheme 2

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of an MBS session establishment scheme 2, and as shown in the figure, the main process of the establishment scheme 2 for an MBS session (MBS session) proposed in the prior art includes:

step 201, a content provider notifies that a multicast service is available through an application layer, and a notification message carries a multicast address;

step 202, the UE registers to a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), and requests to establish a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session. And the AMF judges whether the UE can join the multicast session according to the subscription. If so, the AMF selects an SMF for processing the multicast session.

Step 203, join the multicast group through user plane signaling. In this option, the UPF notifies the SMF when receiving the group join message, and the SMF initiates a PDU session modification procedure.

And step 204, adding the multicast group through control plane signaling. The UE sends a PDU session setup/modify request to account for the multicast group. The PDU session modification request carries multicast group information that the UE wants to join.

Step 205, SMF checks whether context of the multicast group exists, and if not, creates the multicast context when the first UE joins the multicast group.

In step 206, the SMF requests the AMF to transmit an indication to the RAN node that the UE joined the multicast session.

Step 207, sending a session modification request to the RAN, where the request message carries multicast-related information, including a multicast group identifier. The RAN uses the multicast group identity to determine that the session modification procedure for multiple UEs is for the same multicast group.

In step 208, the RAN performs access network resource modification, such as configuring a multicast bearer.

Step 209, the RAN sends a session modification response, carrying the downlink tunnel information.

Step 210 and 213, the AMF forwards the downlink tunnel information to the SMF. The SMF stores multicast session information and downlink tunnel information to the RAN. The SMF and the UPF complete the configuration of the downlink multicast tunnel, and configure a multicast tunnel for each RAN node aiming at each multicast session, namely a plurality of PDU sessions share the transmission tunnel.

Step 214-.

(3) MBS Session setup protocol 3

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of an MBS session establishment scheme 3, and as shown in the figure, the main process of the establishment scheme 3 for an MBS session (MBS session) proposed in the prior art includes:

step 300, the UE receives the broadcast service information from the application server.

Step 301, the AF (Application Function) requests to start an MBS service through a PCF (Policy Control Function) or NEF (Network open Function). The request provides MBS auxiliary information, MBS service identification, service area, service QoS requirement, etc.

Step 302, PCF selects SMF and generates QoS parameter of MBS service.

Step 303, the PCF sends a session start request to the SMF, providing a service identifier, a service area, a DNN (Data Network Name), an S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), and a QoS parameter (representation).

Step 304-. And then sending a session start request to the AMF to provide the MBS identifier, wherein the request also comprises an N2 message sent to the RAN, and the N2 message carries the service identifier and the QoS profile (QoS portrait).

Step 306-.

Step 308, if the RAN accepts the request, the RAN assigns a downlink tunnel address and responds to the AMF/SMF.

Step 309, the SMF requests the UPF to establish a session, carrying the downlink tunnel address and the QoS parameter.

Step 310-.

As can be seen, in the existing MBS session establishment process, the QoS support capabilities of different air interface transmission modes are not considered in the generation of the QoS parameters, and the multicast support capability of the UE is also not considered, so that the base station cannot select a suitable transmission mode based on the generated QoS parameters.

An alternative QoS mechanism is described below.

The alternative QoS mechanism allows the application layer to provide the 5GS (5G system ) with an alternative traffic demand so that the PCF can generate an alternative set of QoS parameters. When an alternative QoS parameter set is carried in a PCC rule (PCC: Policy and Charging Control), the SMF can generate an alternative QoS image (profile) for a GBR (Guaranteed Bit Rate) QoS flow and then provide a priority list of the alternative QoS profile to the NG-RAN.

The NG-RAN may use Alternative QoS profile (Alternative QoS profile) when the NG-RAN considers that the current QoS profile cannot be met. If the NG-RAN needs to send notification to the SMF at the moment, the NG-RAN needs to send the reference value of the selected Alternative QoS profile to the SMF.

It can be seen that, the existing alternative QoS mechanism generates an alternative QoS parameter based on the QoS requirement of the application, and does not consider the QoS support capability of the air interface transmission mode, so that the base station cannot specify the air interface transmission mode corresponding to the QoS parameter.

In a network such as 4G LTE, a network already determines whether a unicast or Multicast mode is used when an MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service) Service is transmitted to a terminal, that is, in the prior art, it is determined whether a UE has a Multicast support capability and is always supported by a default UE without considering whether the UE has the Multicast support capability, a concept of the UE Multicast support capability is proposed in 5G, but in 5G, the MBMS cannot be used commercially due to complexity of an MBMS system, so that some companies consider reusing an existing technology as much as possible in the 5G system to support Multicast, thereby accelerating marketization of the Multicast Service, for example, some companies propose a Multicast scheme in a connected state but do not support reception of an idle MBMS Service. Based on this thinking, it is also possible for the terminal to support multicast, e.g. unicast reception, in a very simple way.

In summary, although the base station may determine which transmission method to use based on the number of receiving terminals, the application layer multicast service may have different QoS requirements for different air interface transmission methods, for example, a higher packet loss rate and a higher delay are allowed for point-to-multipoint transmission, and a lower packet loss rate and a lower delay are required for point-to-point transmission. Because the prior art does not support adopting different QoS parameters based on an air interface transmission mode. Also, in the related art, the generation of QoS does not take the multicast support capability of the UE into consideration, and thus the generated QoS parameters may not be appropriate. Based on this, the embodiment of the present invention provides a control scheme for multicast QoS, so that a base station can select an appropriate QoS parameter.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

In the description process, the implementation of the PCF, the SMF and the RAN side will be described separately, and then an example of their implementation in cooperation with the UE will be given to better understand the implementation of the scheme given in the embodiment of the present invention. Such illustrations do not mean that they must be implemented in combination or separately, and in fact, when they are implemented separately, they each solve the problem on one side of themselves, but when they are used in combination, they achieve better technical results.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of an implementation of a QoS parameter providing method on an SMF side, as shown in the figure, the method may include:

step 401, receiving, by the SMF, a PCC rule sent by the PCF in a multicast session establishment process, wherein the PCC rule carries two sets of QoS parameters respectively corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission;

step 402, the SMF generates a QoS parameter of the multicast session based on the PCC rule, wherein the QoS parameter is a QoS parameter matched with the multicast support capability of the UE, or QoS parameters corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission, respectively;

in step 403, the SMF provides the QoS parameters to the NG RAN.

In the implementation, the SMF may further include:

the SMF provides the RAN with an indication of the multicast support capability of the UE. The multicast support capability of the UE refers to a support capability of the UE for an air interface multicast transmission mode, for example, whether to support air interface multicast transmission.

Correspondingly, on the NG RAN, the method may further include:

and after receiving the indication of the multicast support capability of the UE provided by the SMF to the NG RAN, the NG RAN adopts an air interface transmission mode matched with the multicast support capability of the UE.

Fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart of an implementation of a QoS parameter providing method on a PCF side, as shown in the figure, the method may include:

step 501, in the process of establishing the multicast session, the PCF determines the established PDU session as an MBS PDU session according to the indication of the SMF;

502, the PCF generates a PCC rule based on the QoS requirement of the application, wherein the PCC rule carries two sets of QoS parameters respectively corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission;

and step 503, the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of an implementation of a QoS parameter selection method on the NG RAN side, which may include:

601, receiving a QoS parameter provided by an SMF by an NG RAN, wherein the QoS parameter is a QoS parameter matched with the multicast support capability of the UE or a QoS parameter corresponding to an air interface unicast and multicast transmission mode;

step 602, the NG RAN selects corresponding QoS parameters from the QoS parameters as needed.

In the implementation, the method can further comprise the following steps:

Specifically, in the process of establishing the multicast session, the SMF indicates the established PDU session to the PCF as an MBS PDU session;

the PCF generates a PCC rule based on the QoS requirement of the application, and the method comprises the following steps: and providing two sets of QoS parameters in the generated PCC rule, and respectively corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission.

The SMF generates a QoS profile for MBS Session based on PCC rule, and respectively generates two QoS profiles corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission.

The SMF may choose to provide the corresponding QoS profile to the 5G RAN based on the multicast support capability of the UE; the SMF may further provide a UE multicast support capability indication to the 5G RAN.

The 5G RAN receives the QoS profile and then determines the used QoS parameters according to the transmission mode of the current air interface; or selecting an air interface transmission mode and a corresponding QoS parameter based on the multicast support capability of the UE.

The following is an example.

Example 1

In this example, the QoS profile is determined based on an air interface propagation manner.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart of implementation of QoS parameter determination in embodiment 1, as shown in the figure, the implementation flow may include:

step 701, the UE initiates establishment of a PDU session, where the PDU session is established to an SMF supporting multicast.

Step 702, the UE sends a PDU session modification message to the SMF.

UE requests to join the multicast group through control plane signaling, and the multicast group is identified by a multicast service identifier or a multicast address.

Reference may be made to the prior art implementation of this step.

Step 703, the SMF sends an Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Create Request (Npcf interface session management policy control creation Request) to the PCF.

If the SMF allows the UE to join the designated MBS multicast group and the current multicast session is not established, the SMF selects the PCF based on the multicast group information and invokes an Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Create service to establish connection with the PCF, and the SMF provides the multicast service or the multicast group information to the PCF in an Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Create Request message.

Step 704, PCF returns Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Create Response to SMF (Npcf interface session management policy control Create Response).

And the PCF responds to the request and issues the PCC rule for the PDU session to be established. The PCF carries two sets of QoS parameters on the PCC rule based on the multicast service or the multicast group information indication, and the two sets of QoS parameters respectively correspond to point-to-point transmission and point-to-multipoint transmission.

And the SMF generates QoS profile according to the QoS parameters in the PCC rule, wherein the first QoS parameter corresponds to point-to-point transmission, and the second QoS parameter corresponds to point-to-multipoint transmission.

Step 705, the SMF sends a session start request carrying the QoS profile to the RAN.

The SMF sends the generated QoS profile to the NG RAN.

Step 706, the NG RAN selects the corresponding QoS profile after determining the air interface propagation mode.

The NG RAN node determines that a PDU session to be established is an MBS PDU session based on an N2 interface message sent by the SMF, such as a session start request, autonomously selects an air interface transmission mode, and then selects a corresponding QoS parameter based on the air interface transmission mode.

In step 707, the NG RAN returns a session start response to the SMF.

And after finishing the multicast resource configuration, the RAN node returns a response to the SMF.

Example 2

In this example, the QoS profile is determined based on the UE multicast support capability.

Fig. 8 is a schematic flow chart of implementation of QoS parameter determination in embodiment 2, as shown in the figure, the implementation flow may include:

step 801, registration request/acceptance procedure between UE and AMF.

The UE indicates to the AMF its multicast support capability, i.e. whether point-to-point multicast transmission or point-to-multipoint multicast transmission is supported during registration.

Step 802, the UE initiates establishment of a PDU session, which is established to the SMF supporting multicast.

The UE then initiates a PDU session establishment procedure that selects an SMF that supports multicast, wherein the AMF sends the UE multicast support capability to the SMF. If the UE does not indicate the multicast support capability to the AMF in step 1, the multicast support capability of the UE needs to be carried in the PDU session establishment request;

step 803, the UE sends a PDU session modification message to the SMF.

Reference may be made to the prior art implementation of this step.

Step 804, the SMF sends an Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Create Request to the PCF.

In step 805, the PCF returns an Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Create Response to the SMF.

Step 806, SMF sends N2 SM info carrying QoS profile (N2 interface SM information) to RAN.

And if the RAN node currently serving the UE does not join the multicast session, the SMF sends the generated QoS profile to the NG RAN.

Step 807, NG RAN selects multicast mode based on UE multicast support capability.

The SMF further sends the multicast support capability of the UE to the RAN.

Based on an N2 interface message sent by the SMF, such as a session start request, the RAN node determines that the PDU session to be established is an MBS PDU session, then selects an air interface transmission mode according to the multicast support capability of the UE, and finally selects a corresponding QoS parameter based on the air interface transmission mode.

Example 3

In this example, the AF determines the QoS profile during the multicast session establishment triggered by the AF.

Fig. 9 is a schematic flow chart of implementation of QoS parameter determination in embodiment 3, as shown in the figure, the implementation may include:

step 901, the AF sends a session start Request to the PCF.

The AF requests to start an MBS service through the PCF. The request provides MBS auxiliary information, MBS service identification, service area, service QoS requirement, etc.

Step 902, the PCF generates QoS parameters.

PCF selects SMF and generates QoS parameter of MBS service, PCF carries two sets of QoS parameter in PCC rule, which corresponds to point-to-point transmission and point-to-multipoint transmission.

Step 903, PCF sends session start request to SMF, providing PCC rule containing two sets of QoS parameters.

Step 904, the SMF sends a session start request carrying the QoS profile to the RAN.

SMF generates two sets of QoS profiles based on PCC rule. Then, the SMF determines the AMF according to the MBS service identification or service area according to the prior art. And then sending a session start request to the AMF, wherein the AMF selects a RAN node and forwards the session start request to the RAN node, and the request carries the generated two sets of QoS profiles.

Step 905, the RAN returns a session start response to the SMF.

The RAN accepts the request and returns a response.

Step 906, the UE sends a multicast interest request to the RAN.

This step is optional, and the UE may express an interest in joining a certain multicast group to the RAN while carrying its multicast support capability.

Step 907, the RAN determines QoS profile based on the multicast transmission mode.

The RAN determines the multicast transmission mode of the air interface, possibly referring to the multicast support capability of the UE in the service area. Based on the determined multicast transmission mode of the air interface, the RAN node determines to use the corresponding QoS profile.

Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present invention further provides an SMF, PCF, RAN, QoS parameter providing apparatus, and QoS parameter selecting apparatus, and because the principles of these apparatuses for solving the problems are similar to the QoS parameter selecting method and QoS parameter selecting method, the implementation of these apparatuses may refer to the implementation of the methods, and the repeated parts are not described again.

When the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention is implemented, the implementation can be carried out as follows.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of an SMF structure, as shown, a base station includes:

the processor 1000, which is used to read the program in the memory 1020, executes the following processes:

providing the QoS parameters to a NG RAN;

a transceiver 1010 for receiving and transmitting data under the control of the processor 1000.

In the implementation, still include:

the RAN is provided with a multicast support capability indication for the UE.

Where in fig. 10, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with various circuits being linked together, particularly one or more processors represented by processor 1000 and memory represented by memory 1020. 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 transceiver 1010 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The processor 1000 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1020 may store data used by the processor 1000 in performing operations.

In an implementation, the SMF receiving module is further configured to obtain the UE multicast support capability through the AMF, or obtain the UE multicast support capability from a UE multicast support capability indication sent by the UE.

In an implementation, the SMF parameter providing module is further configured to provide a multicast support capability indication of the UE to the RAN.

For convenience of description, each part of the above-described apparatus is separately described as being functionally divided into various modules or units. Of course, the functionality of the various modules or units may be implemented in the same one or more pieces of software or hardware in practicing the invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a PCF, as shown in the figure, the base station includes:

the processor 1100, which reads the program in the memory 1120, performs the following processes:

sending the PCC rule to an SMF;

a transceiver 1110 for receiving and transmitting data under the control of the processor 1100.

Where in fig. 11, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors, represented by processor 1100, and various circuits, represented by memory 1120, 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 transceiver 1110 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The processor 1100 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1120 may store data used by the processor 1100 in performing operations.

and the PCF rule sending module is used for sending the PCC rule to the SMF.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a NG RAN structure, and as shown in the figure, the base station includes:

a processor 1200 for reading the program in the memory 1220 and executing the following processes:

selecting a corresponding QoS parameter from the QoS parameters;

a transceiver 1210 for receiving and transmitting data under the control of the processor 1200.

In an implementation, the method further comprises the following steps:

Where in fig. 12, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 1200 and memory represented by memory 1220 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 transceiver 1210 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The processor 1200 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1220 may store data used by the processor 1200 in performing operations.

In an implementation, the NG RAN selecting module is further configured to select, after determining the air interface transmission mode, a corresponding QoS parameter from the QoS parameters according to the air interface transmission mode.

In implementation, the NG RAN selection module is further configured to adopt an air interface transmission mode matched with the multicast support capability of the UE after receiving the multicast support capability indication of the UE provided by the AMF or the SMF to the NG RAN.

In an implementation, the NG RAN selecting module is further configured to select a transmission mode and a corresponding QoS parameter that can satisfy the QoS parameter when the NG RAN determines, according to the QoS parameter, that only the QoS parameter of unicast or multicast transmission can be satisfied.

Specifically, see the embodiments of the AMF, the QoS parameter providing method on the PCF side, and/or the QoS parameter selection method on the RAN side.

To sum up, in the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, in the multicast session establishment process, the SMF receives the PCC rule. Wherein the PCC rule is generated by the PCF based on the multicast session indication and/or the multicast service information;

the SMF generates QoS parameters of the multicast session based on the PCC rule; the QoS parameter is a QoS parameter matched with the multicast support capability of the UE or a QoS parameter corresponding to an air interface transmission mode;

the SMF provides the generated QoS parameters to the NG RAN.

Further, the SMF receives a UE multicast capability indication from the AMF or the UE. The indication received from the AMF is provided for the UE during a registration procedure and the indication is sent by the AMF to the RAN.

The SMF provides QoS parameters to the NG RAN as: the QoS parameters corresponding to the point-to-point transmission and the QoS parameters corresponding to the point-to-multipoint transmission. And after the NG-RAN determines the air interface transmission mode, selecting the corresponding QoS parameter.

The SMF provides the indication of the multicast support capability of the UE to the RAN, so that the RAN adopts an air interface transmission mode matched with the capability of the UE.

By adopting the scheme, the selection of the proper QoS parameter based on the UE multicast support capability and the air interface transmission mode can be realized.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention 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, 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 flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams 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.

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 selecting QoS parameters is characterized by comprising the following steps:

a NG RAN (radio access network) of the next generation receives QoS parameters provided by a Session Management Function (SMF) in the multicast session establishment process, wherein the QoS parameters are QoS parameters matched with the multicast support capability of User Equipment (UE) or QoS parameters corresponding to an air interface unicast and multicast transmission mode;

the NG RAN selects a corresponding QoS parameter from said QoS parameters.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the NG RAN determines from said QoS parameters that QoS parameters can only be met for unicast or multicast transmissions, the transmission mode and corresponding QoS parameters that can meet QoS parameters are selected.

5. A QoS parameter providing method, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that an SMF receives a policy and charging control rule PCC rule sent by a policy control function entity PCF in the multicast session establishment process, wherein the PCC rule carries QoS parameters respectively corresponding to air interface unicast transmission and multicast transmission;

the SMF provides the QoS parameters to the NG RAN.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the UE multicast support capability is obtained by an SMF through an AMF or in a UE multicast support capability indication sent by the UE.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

8. A QoS parameter providing method, comprising:

in the process of establishing the multicast session, the PCF determines the established protocol data unit PDU session as a multicast/broadcast service protocol data unit MBS PDU session according to the indication of the SMF;

PCF sends the PCC rule to SMF.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the PCC rule is generated by the PCF based on a multicast session indication and/or multicast service information.

10. A RAN, comprising:

selecting a corresponding QoS parameter from the QoS parameters;

11. The RAN of claim 10, further comprising:

12. The RAN of claim 10, further comprising:

13. A RAN according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein when the NG RAN determines from the QoS parameters that QoS parameters can only be met for unicast or multicast transmissions, it selects a transmission mode and corresponding QoS parameters that can meet QoS parameters.

14. An SMF, comprising:

providing the QoS parameters to a NG RAN;

15. The SMF of claim 14, wherein the UE multicast support capability is obtained by an AMF or in a UE multicast support capability indication sent by the UE.

16. The SMF of claim 14, further comprising:

the RAN is provided with a multicast support capability indication for the UE.

17. A PCF, comprising:

sending the PCC rule to an SMF;

18. The PCF of claim 17 wherein the PCC rule is generated by the PCF based on a multicast session indication and/or multicast service information.

19. A QoS parameter providing apparatus, comprising:

20. A QoS parameter providing apparatus, comprising:

and the PCF rule sending module is used for sending the PCC rule to the SMF.

21. A QoS parameter selection apparatus, comprising:

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.