CN114125857A

CN114125857A - Method, network equipment and device for determining transmission rule

Info

Publication number: CN114125857A
Application number: CN202010901227.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 段小嫣
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-31
Filing date: 2020-08-31
Publication date: 2022-03-01

Abstract

The invention discloses a method, network equipment and a device for determining a transmission rule, which are used for determining a transmission mode of a service flow for a multi-access session according to network data analysis information. The method comprises the following steps: receiving network data analysis information sent by first network equipment; determining a first rule for a multi-access session according to the network data analysis information, wherein the first rule is used for indicating a transmission mode of a service flow of the multi-access session; and sending the first rule to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE transmits the service flow of the multi-access session according to the first rule.

Description

Method, network equipment and device for determining transmission rule

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, a network device, and an apparatus for determining a transmission rule.

Background

In a 5G mobile communication system, a user equipment UE may Access a 3GPP core network through a 3GPP Access network and a non-3GPP Access network (e.g., WLAN) to establish a Multi-Access Protocol Data Unit Session, which is referred to as a Multi-Access Protocol Data Unit Session (MA PDU Session for short), thereby fully utilizing network resources and obtaining better communication experience.

In the existing 3GPP standard, the network provides an Access Traffic flow guided Switching and offloading (sss) rule for a multi-Access session, which may be used to select a 3GPP Access network and/or a non-3GPP Access network for a specific Traffic flow of the multi-Access session.

However, existing standards or techniques have not provided a solution to how the network determines the ATSSS rule for a multi-access session.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a method, network equipment and a device for determining a transmission rule, which are used for determining a transmission mode of a service flow for a multi-access session according to network data analysis information.

In a first aspect, a method for determining a transmission rule provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

receiving network data analysis information sent by first network equipment;

determining a first rule for a multi-access session according to the network data analysis information, wherein the first rule is used for indicating a transmission mode of a service flow of the multi-access session;

and sending the first rule to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE transmits the service flow of the multi-access session according to the first rule.

The method for determining the transmission rule provided by the embodiment of the invention can determine a reasonable transmission mode for the service flow of the multi-access session, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the use efficiency of network resources and the communication service quality by utilizing the multi-access session.

As an optional implementation, the first rule includes a steering mode and/or a steering function used for transmitting a traffic flow of the multi-access session.

As an optional implementation manner, the network data analysis information includes any one or any multiple of the following analysis information of the traffic flow of the multi-access session:

service experience is carried out;

the network performance of the network used;

UE communication capabilities;

load information of the access network used;

quality of service.

As an optional implementation manner, the network data analysis information includes analysis information of a traffic flow of the multi-access session in any one or more of the following transmission manners:

analysis information transmitted using a 3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a non-3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a boot mode;

analysis information transmitted using the bootstrapping function.

As an optional implementation manner, the determining a first rule for a multiple access session according to the network data analysis information includes:

determining an optimal guiding mode for the service flow of the multi-access session according to the network analysis information, and taking the optimal guiding mode as the guiding mode in the first rule; or the like, or, alternatively,

and determining an optimal access network for the service flow of the multi-access session according to the network analysis information, and determining a guidance mode in the first rule according to the optimal access network.

and determining an optimal guiding function for the service flow of the multi-access session according to the network analysis information, and taking the optimal guiding function as the guiding function in the first rule.

As an alternative embodiment, the guidance mode includes any one or any plurality of the following:

transmitting a traffic stream using an access network;

transmitting a service flow using a plurality of access networks;

using the access network with high priority to transmit the service flow;

and transmitting the service flow by using the access network with the minimum time delay.

As an alternative embodiment, the guidance function includes: multipath transmission control protocol, and/or access traffic directing switching and offloading the ATSSS bottom layer functions.

As an optional implementation manner, before receiving the network data analysis information sent by the first network device, the method further includes:

sending a network data analysis request to the first network equipment so that the first network equipment acquires and analyzes network data according to the analysis request and then determines network data analysis information; the analysis request carries one or more of the following information:

an application identifier;

an access type;

a boot mode;

a boot function;

a multiple access indication.

As an optional implementation manner, after determining the first rule for the multiple access session according to the network data analysis information, the method further includes:

and sending the first rule to second network equipment so that the second network equipment transmits the service flow of the multi-access session to the UE according to the first rule.

As an optional implementation manner, the sending the first rule to the UE includes:

sending the first rule to the UE through a third network device; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the sending the first rule to the second network device includes:

and sending the first rule to the second network equipment through the third network equipment.

In a second aspect, a network device for determining a transmission rule provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

memory, transceiver, processor:

a memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transceiving data under control of the processor; a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations:

receiving network data analysis information sent by first network equipment;

service experience is carried out;

the network performance of the network used;

UE communication capabilities;

load information of the access network used;

quality of service.

analysis information transmitted using a 3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a non-3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a boot mode;

analysis information transmitted using the bootstrapping function.

As an alternative embodiment, the processor is configured to perform:

and the network equipment determines an optimal guiding function for the service flow of the multi-access session according to the network analysis information, and takes the optimal guiding function as the guiding function in the first rule.

transmitting a traffic stream using an access network;

transmitting a service flow using a plurality of access networks;

using the access network with high priority to transmit the service flow;

As an optional implementation manner, before receiving the network data analysis information sent by the first network device, the processor is further specifically configured to perform:

the network equipment sends a network data analysis request to the first network equipment so that the first network equipment acquires and analyzes network data according to the analysis request and then determines network data analysis information; the analysis request carries one or more of the following information:

an application identifier;

an access type;

a boot mode;

a boot function;

a multiple access indication.

As an optional implementation manner, after determining the first rule for the multiple access session according to the network data analysis information, the processor is further specifically configured to perform:

and the network equipment sends the first rule to second network equipment so that the second network equipment transmits the service flow of the multi-access session to the UE according to the first rule.

As an optional implementation manner, the processor is specifically further configured to perform:

the processor is specifically further configured to perform:

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides an apparatus for determining a transmission rule, where the apparatus includes:

the receiving unit is used for receiving network data analysis information sent by first network equipment;

a determining unit, configured to determine a first rule for a multi-access session according to the network data analysis information, where the first rule is used to indicate a transmission mode of a service flow of the multi-access session;

a sending unit, configured to send the first rule to a user equipment UE, so that the UE transmits a service flow of the multiple access session according to the first rule.

service experience is carried out;

the network performance of the network used;

UE communication capabilities;

load information of the access network used;

quality of service.

analysis information transmitted using a 3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a non-3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a boot mode;

analysis information transmitted using the bootstrapping function.

As an optional implementation manner, the determining unit is specifically configured to:

transmitting a traffic stream using an access network;

transmitting a service flow using a plurality of access networks;

using the access network with high priority to transmit the service flow;

As an optional implementation manner, the receiving unit is further specifically configured to:

an application identifier;

an access type;

a boot mode;

a boot function;

a multiple access indication.

As an optional implementation manner, the determining unit specifically further includes a first sending unit:

As an optional implementation manner, the sending unit is specifically configured to:

the first sending unit is specifically configured to:

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, where the computer program is used to implement the steps of the method in the first aspect when the computer program is executed by a processor.

These and other aspects of the present application will be more readily apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without inventive exercise.

Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a method for determining transmission rules according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for determining a transmission rule by PCF equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for determining a transmission rule by an SMF device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a network device for determining a transmission rule according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for determining a transmission rule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

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

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application can be suitable for various systems, particularly 5G systems. For example, the applicable system may be a global system for mobile communication (GSM) system, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) system, a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, an LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, an LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, an LTE-a (long term evolution) system, a universal mobile system (universal mobile telecommunications system, UMTS), a Worldwide Interoperability for Mobile Access (WiMAX) system, a New Radio network (NR 5) system, etc. These various systems include terminal devices and network devices. The System may further include a core network portion, such as an Evolved Packet System (EPS), a 5G System (5GS), and the like.

The terminal device referred to in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a device providing voice and/or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device having a wireless connection function, or another processing device connected to a wireless modem. In different systems, the names of the terminal devices may be different, for example, in a 5G system, the terminal device may be called a User Equipment (UE). A wireless terminal device, which may be a mobile terminal device such as a mobile telephone (or "cellular" telephone) and a computer having a mobile terminal device, for example, a portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-included, or vehicle-mounted mobile device, may communicate with one or more Core Networks (CNs) via a Radio Access Network (RAN). Examples of such devices include Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). The wireless terminal device may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit (subscriber unit), a subscriber station (subscriber station), a mobile station (mobile), a remote station (remote station), an access point (access point), a remote terminal device (remote terminal), an access terminal device (access terminal), a user terminal device (user terminal), a user agent (user agent), and a user device (user device), which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The network device according to the embodiment of the present application may be a base station, and the base station may include a plurality of cells for providing services to a terminal. A base station may also be referred to as an access point, or a device in an access network that communicates over the air-interface, through one or more sectors, with wireless terminal devices, or by other names, depending on the particular application. The network device may be configured to exchange received air frames with Internet Protocol (IP) packets as a router between the wireless terminal device and the rest of the access network, which may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communication network. The network device may also coordinate attribute management for the air interface. For example, the network device according to the embodiment of the present application may be a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), may be a network device (NodeB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), may be an evolved Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) System, may be a 5G Base Station (gbb) in a 5G network architecture (next evolution System), may be a Home evolved Node B (HeNB), a relay Node (relay Node), a Home Base Station (femto), a pico Base Station (pico Base Station), and the like, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In some network architectures, a network device may include a Centralized Unit (CU) node and a Distributed Unit (DU) node, which may also be geographically separated.

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmission may be performed between the network device and the terminal device by using one or more antennas, where the MIMO transmission may be Single User MIMO (SU-MIMO) or Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO). The MIMO transmission may be 2D-MIMO, 3D-MIMO, FD-MIMO, or massive-MIMO, or may be diversity transmission, precoding transmission, beamforming transmission, or the like, depending on the form and number of root antenna combinations.

The term "and/or" in the embodiments of the present invention describes an association relationship of associated objects, and indicates that three relationships may exist, for example, a and/or B may indicate: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

In the embodiments of the present application, the term "plurality" means two or more, and other terms are similar thereto.

The application scenario described in the embodiment of the present invention is for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, and does not form a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, and it can be known by a person skilled in the art that with the occurrence of a new application scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention is also applicable to similar technical problems.

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

Example 1

Aiming at the current 3GPP standard and the prior art, a solution for determining a reasonable ATSSS rule for a service flow of a multi-access session is not provided yet, the embodiment of the invention provides a method for determining a transmission rule, which can ensure that a network determines the reasonable ATSSS rules and dynamically adjusts according to the network condition, thereby achieving the purposes of effectively utilizing network resources and improving the communication service quality.

The following is first briefly described for the ATSSS rule in the 3GPP standard:

in the existing 3GPP standard, the network provides an Access Traffic flow guided handover and offloading (ATSSS) rule for a multi-Access session, which includes a rule for selecting a 3GPP Access network and/or a non-3GPP Access network for transmission of a specific Traffic flow (also understood as a specific application) of the multi-Access session. The specified service flow is indicated by service description information Traffic Descriptor, for example, a service flow of a specified application or a specified IP address; the Access network Selection rule is indicated by Access Selection description information Access Selection Descriptor, and comprises a guiding mode and a guiding function, wherein the guiding mode represents a control mode used by a multi-Access session MA PDU session for transmitting application data, and the control mode takes on Active-Standby, or Smart Delay, or Load-Balancing, or Priority-based; the bootstrap function denotes a control function used by an MA PDU session for transmitting application data, and takes the value of MPTCP (multipath TCP protocol) or ATSSS-LL (ATSSS bottom layer) function.

Specifically, the service flow of the specific application or the specific IP address is transmitted according to one or more guidance modes (that is, the value of the guidance mode may be one or more), and/or the service flow of the specific application or the specific IP address is transmitted according to one or more guidance functions (that is, the value of the guidance function may be one or more), for example, the data of the specific application may be transmitted in the following two ways:

1) for data of application 1, the Steering Functionality is a multi-path transmission control protocol (MPTCP: Multi-Path TCP Protocol), where the Steering mode is Priority based and the 3GPP access is high Priority, the UE and the network transmit the data of application 1 based on the MPTCP Protocol and preferentially adopting the 3GPP access.

2) For data of application 2, the training function is the ATSSS bottom Layer function (ATSSS-LL), the training mode is Load balancing, and the 3GPP transmits 70% of data and the non-3GPP transmits 30% of data, then the UE and the network transmit 70% of data of application 2 by using the 3GPP access and 30% of data by using the 3GPP access based on the ATSSS-LL function.

The prior art does not provide a scheme for determining the ATSSS rule by the network, and the network is likely to be unable to determine a reasonable ATSSS rule and to dynamically adjust according to the network condition, thereby achieving the purposes of effectively utilizing network resources and improving communication service quality.

In order to solve the foregoing technical problem, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining a transmission rule, which can determine an appropriate access network transmission for a service flow of a multiple access session, so as to achieve the purposes of effectively utilizing network resources and improving communication service quality.

As shown in fig. 1, a specific implementation flow of the method for determining a traffic flow transmission rule provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

step 100, receiving network data analysis information sent by a first network device;

step 101, determining a first rule for a multi-access session according to the network data analysis information, wherein the first rule is used for indicating a transmission mode of a service flow of the multi-access session;

step 102, sending the first rule to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE transmits the service flow of the multi-access session according to the first rule.

The method for determining the traffic flow transmission rule provided by the embodiment of the present invention can determine a most reasonable transmission mode for the multiple access session according to the network data analysis information provided by the first network device, and because the network data analysis information of the first network device is obtained by analyzing based on the current network condition, the first rule determined according to the network data analysis information is also based on the current network condition, and can dynamically adjust the transmission mode of the traffic flow of the current multiple access session according to the current network condition, and determine an optimal transmission mode for the traffic flow of the multiple access session, thereby achieving the purposes of effectively utilizing network resources and improving communication service quality.

It should be noted that the first Network device in the embodiment of the present invention has a function of analyzing Network data (for example, an access Network used for an access session, and/or a traffic flow of a multi-access session), and may be, but is not limited to, an NWDAF (Network data analysis function) device. The network device in the embodiment of the present invention may be a PCF (Policy Control Function) device, may also be an SMF (Session Management Function) device, and may also be a new network device having a PCF Function or an SMF Function in the field, which is not limited to this embodiment of the present invention.

As a possible implementation manner, the method in the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to PCF or SMF equipment, and before receiving the network data analysis information sent by the first network equipment, the method further includes the following implementation manner:

PCF or SMF equipment sends a network data analysis request to the first network equipment so that the first network equipment acquires and analyzes network data according to the analysis request and then determines network data analysis information; the first network device may collect network data from the network function NF and/or the operation, administration and maintenance OAM, analyze the collected network data as input data of the first network device, determine and output (send) network data analysis information to the PCF or SMF device.

Wherein, the analysis request carries one or more of the following information:

the application identifier is used for requesting the analysis information of the service flow of the multi-access session corresponding to the application identifier;

the access type is used for requesting the service flow of the multi-access session to use the analysis information transmitted by the access network corresponding to the access type;

a bootstrap mode for requesting a traffic flow of a multiple access session to use analysis information transmitted by the bootstrap mode; wherein the guidance mode includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following:

transmitting a traffic stream using an access network; transmitting a service flow using a plurality of access networks; using the access network with high priority to transmit the service flow; and transmitting the service flow by using the access network with the minimum time delay.

A bootstrap function for requesting a service flow of a multiple access session to use analysis information transmitted by the bootstrap function; wherein the boot function includes, but is not limited to: multipath transmission control protocol, and/or access traffic directing switching and offloading the ATSSS bottom layer functions.

And the multi-access indication is used for requesting the service flow of the multi-access session to use the analysis information transmitted by the multi-access session.

In this embodiment, the first network device analyzes the collected service flow of the multiple access sessions according to one or more information carried in the network data analysis request, including but not limited to analyzing any one or any more of the following information: a traffic flow of the multiple access session; a network used by the multiple access session; an access network used by the multiple access session. Optionally, the network data analysis information includes load information of an access network used by the multiple access session and/or network performance of the network used by the multiple access session, and/or analysis information of a traffic flow of the multiple access session, for example, a traffic experience of the traffic flow of the multiple access session; and/or, UE communication capabilities; and/or, quality of service.

It is easily understood that the access network used by the multi-access session includes a plurality of access networks, and optionally, if the access network used by the multi-access session includes a 3GPP access network and a non-3GPP access network, the network data analysis information includes load information of the 3GPP access network and load information of the non-3GPP access network. And if the analysis information of the service flow of the multi-access session comprises service experience, the network data analysis information comprises the service experience of the service flow of the multi-access session.

Specifically, if the analysis information includes the service experience, a first rule may be determined for the current multi-access session according to the optimal service experience of the service flow of the current multi-access session, so that the service flow of the multi-access session determines an optimal transmission mode according to a transmission mode corresponding to the optimal service experience. By analogy, if the analysis information includes the service quality, a first rule may be determined for the current multi-access session according to the optimal service quality of the service flow of the current multi-access session, so that the service flow of the multi-access session determines an optimal transmission mode according to a transmission mode corresponding to the optimal service quality. If the analysis information includes the UE communication performance, a first rule may be determined for the current multi-access session according to the optimal UE communication performance of the service flow of the current multi-access session, so that the service flow of the multi-access session determines an optimal transmission mode according to a transmission mode corresponding to the optimal UE communication performance.

If the network data analysis information includes load information of the access network used by the multiple access session, a first rule may be determined for the current multiple access session according to the load information (e.g., load size) of the access network used by the current multiple access session, so that the service flow of the multiple access session determines an optimal transmission mode according to the load information of the access network. If the network data analysis information includes the network performance of the access network used by the multiple access session, a first rule may be determined for the current multiple access session according to the network performance (for example, the network performance is good or bad) of the access network used by the current multiple access session, so that the service flow of the multiple access session determines an optimal transmission mode according to the load information of the access network.

In the following, a transmission manner of a service flow of a multiple access session is described, and an optional implementation manner is that the transmission manner of the service flow of the multiple access session includes, but is not limited to, the following:

the 1 st type of service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using a 3GPP access network;

the service flow of the 2 nd type multi-access session is transmitted by using a non-3GPP access network;

and 3, transmitting the service flow of the multi-access session by adopting a 3GPP access network and a non-3GPP access network simultaneously.

For the three transmission modes, the service flow of the multiple access session may include any one of the following transmission modes in the transmission process:

the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted only by using a 3GPP access network; or, the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted only by using the non-3GPP access network; or, the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the 3GPP access network firstly and then by using the non-3GPP access network in the transmission process; or, the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the non-3GPP access network and then by using the 3GPP access network in the transmission process; or the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by adopting a 3GPP access network and a non-3GPP access network simultaneously.

3, the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using a guide mode;

it should be noted that the guidance mode in this embodiment includes any one or any plurality of the following:

mode 1) transmitting a service stream using an access network;

mode 2) transport of traffic streams using multiple access networks;

mode 3) transmitting a service flow using an access network with a high priority;

mode 4) transport traffic streams using the least latency access network.

An optional implementation manner is that the guiding mode used in the transmission process of the service flow of the multiple access session may be one type or multiple types, and the specific transmission mode is determined according to the actual transmission condition of the service flow of the multiple access session in the network; for example, only one access network is used to transport a traffic stream; or, the service flow of the multi-access session only uses various access networks to transmit the service flow; or, in the process of transmitting the service flow of the multiple access sessions, one access network is firstly used for transmitting the service flow, and then, a plurality of access networks are used for transmitting the service flow. By analogy, traffic streams of a multi-access session may be transmitted using one or more steering modes at different times or for different time periods, in case of using steering mode transmission.

The traffic flow of the type 4, multiple access session is transported using the bootstrapping function.

It should be noted that the guiding function in this embodiment includes a multipath transmission control protocol, and/or an sss bottom layer function.

An optional implementation manner is that the guiding function used in the transmission process of the service flow of the multiple access session may be one kind or multiple kinds, and the specific transmission mode is determined according to the actual transmission condition of the service flow of the multiple access session in the network; for example, traffic flows are transmitted using only the multipath transmission control protocol; or, the service flow of the multi-access session only uses the ATSSS bottom layer function to transmit the service flow; or, the service flow of the multiple access session uses the ATSSS bottom layer function to transmit the service flow in the transmission process, and then uses the multipath transmission control protocol to transmit the service flow. By analogy, in the case of using the bootstrapping function to transmit the traffic flow of the multiple access session, one or more bootstrapping functions may be used at different times or for different time periods.

The first network device in this embodiment may analyze the service flow of the multiple access session in various transmission modes, so as to obtain network data analysis information of the service flow of the multiple access session in various transmission modes; as an optional implementation manner, the network data analysis information includes analysis information of a traffic flow of the multi-access session in any one or more of the following transmission manners:

1, analysis information transmitted by using a 3GPP access network;

2, analysis information transmitted by using a non-3GPP access network;

optionally, the network data analysis information includes analysis information that is transmitted by a service flow of the multi-access session using a 3GPP access network; or, the service flow of the multi-access session uses the analysis information transmitted by the non-3GPP access network; or, the service flow of the multi-access session uses the analysis information transmitted by the 3GPP access network and the analysis information transmitted by the non-3GPP access network.

3, analysis information transmitted using the boot mode;

optionally, the network data analysis information of this embodiment includes analysis information that is transmitted by the service flow of the multiple access session using one or more kinds of guidance modes.

Optionally, the steering mode in this embodiment represents a control mode used by a traffic flow of the multiple access session, including but not limited to any one or any multiple of the following modes:

mode 1, using an access network to transmit service flow; in this embodiment, the first network device may analyze a service flow transmitted by using an access network to obtain analysis information of the service flow in the bootstrap mode.

In an implementation, the value of the guidance mode may be Active-Standby, for example, if only 3GPP access network is used for transmission, the Steering mode is Active-Standby, Active 3GPP and no Standby;

mode 2, using multiple access networks to transmit service flows; in this embodiment, the first network device may analyze the service flows transmitted by using multiple access networks, so as to obtain analysis information of the service flows in the bootstrap mode.

In an implementation, the value of the guidance mode may be Load-Balancing (Load Balancing), for example, steeling mode ═ Load Balancing, 30% over 3GPP and 70% over non-3GPP, that is, 30% of the traffic flow is transmitted by using a 3GPP access network, and 70% of the traffic flow is transmitted by using a non-3GPP access network;

mode 3, using the high priority access network to transmit the service flow; in this embodiment, the first network device may analyze the service flow transmitted by the access network with a high priority, so as to obtain analysis information of the service flow in the bootstrap mode.

In an implementation, the value of the guiding mode may be Priority-based (based on Priority), for example, a Steering mode — Priority based, non-3GPP is high Priority access, that is, the non-3GPP access network is preferentially used for transmission.

Mode 4, the access network with the minimum time delay is used for transmitting the service flow. In this embodiment, the first network device may analyze the service flow transmitted by the access network with the smallest time delay, so as to obtain analysis information of the service flow in the bootstrap mode.

In implementation, the value of the guidance mode may be smallsdelay (minimum Delay), for example, the value of the guidance mode is minimum Delay, and after the guidance mode is sent to the UE, the UE transmits data using the access network with the minimum Delay.

As a possible implementation, the network data analysis information includes analysis information transmitted by a service flow of the multiple access session only in one of the pilot modes; or the service flow of the multi-access session adopts different guide modes to transmit analysis information at different time intervals; and in analogy, the network data analysis information comprises analysis information transmitted by the service flow of the multi-access session in one or more guide modes.

And 4, analysis information transmitted by using the guide function.

Optionally, the network data analysis information of this embodiment includes analysis information that is transmitted by the service flow of the multiple access session using one or more bootstrapping functions.

Optionally, the network data analysis information includes analysis information transmitted by a service flow of the multiple access session only using one of the bootstrapping functions; or the analysis information transmitted by the service flow of the multiple access session by adopting different guide functions in different time periods, namely the network data analysis information comprises the analysis information transmitted by the service flow of the multiple access session by using one or more guide functions. The bootstrapping function in this embodiment means a control function for traffic flow usage of a multi-access session, including but not limited to any one or any of the following functions: a multipath transmission control protocol; ATSSS bottom layer function. For example, the network data analysis information includes analysis information transmitted by a traffic flow of the multiple access session using MPTCP at time a, and analysis information transmitted by a traffic flow of the multiple access session using the ATSSS-LL function at time B.

In this embodiment, by receiving network data analysis information sent by the first network device, analysis information of an access network and/or a network used by a multiple access session and/or analysis information of a traffic flow of the multiple access session may be determined, and a first rule is determined for the multiple access session according to the determined analysis information to indicate a transmission manner of the multiple access session, optionally, the first rule includes a guidance mode and/or a guidance function used for transmitting the traffic flow of the multiple access session. For example, the first rule may indicate which bootstrapping mode is used for the multi-access session and/or which bootstrapping function is used for transmission, thereby determining the most reasonable transmission rule for the multi-access session.

The following describes a specific implementation of determining a transmission rule (first rule) for a multiple access session in the embodiment of the present invention:

as an optional implementation manner, the first rule determined for the multiple access session in this embodiment includes:

a steering mode used for transmitting the service flow of the multi-access session; and/or a steering function used by traffic flows transporting multiple access sessions.

Mode 1, if the first rule includes a guidance mode used for transmitting the service flow of the multi-access session, determining the first rule by the following mode:

determining an optimal guiding mode for the service flow of the multi-access session according to the network analysis information, and taking the optimal guiding mode as the guiding mode in the first rule;

as an optional implementation manner, if analysis information transmitted by a service flow of the multi-access session using a bootstrap mode is optimal, determining the bootstrap mode used by the service flow as an optimal bootstrap mode, and using the optimal bootstrap mode as the bootstrap mode in the first rule, so that the service flow of the multi-access session uses the optimal bootstrap mode for transmission; wherein the analysis information may include any one or any plurality of: service experience is carried out; UE communication capabilities; quality of service; network performance.

Specifically, the method comprises the following steps: if the analysis information of the service experience transmitted by the service flow of the multi-access session using the 3GPP access network is optimal, determining the service flow using the 3GPP access network for transmission as an optimal guide mode, and using the optimal guide mode as the guide mode in the first rule, so that the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the optimal guide mode; by analogy, the optimal guidance mode can be determined for other guidance modes in the above manner, and details of this implementation are not repeated.

Mode 2, if the first rule includes a guidance mode used for transmitting the service flow of the multi-access session, determining the first rule by the following mode:

As an optional implementation manner, if the service flow of the multiple access session uses one of the analysis information transmitted by the access network to be optimal, determining the access network as the optimal access network, and determining the guidance mode in the first rule according to the optimal access network, so that the service flow of the multiple access session uses the optimal guidance mode for transmission; wherein the analysis information may include any one or any plurality of: service experience is carried out; UE communication capabilities; quality of service; network performance.

Specifically, the method comprises the following steps: if the analysis information of the service experience transmitted by the service flow of the multi-access session using the 3GPP access network is optimal, determining the service flow using the 3GPP access network for transmission as the optimal access network, and determining the guide mode in the first rule as the service flow only using the 3GPP access network for transmission according to the optimal access network, so that the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the optimal guide mode; by analogy, the optimal guidance mode can be determined for other guidance modes in the above manner, and details of this implementation are not repeated.

Mode 3, if the first rule includes a guiding function used for transmitting the service flow of the multi-access session, determining the first rule by the following mode:

As an optional implementation manner, if the analysis information transmitted by the service flow of the multi-access session using the bootstrapping function is optimal, determining the bootstrapping function used by the service flow as the optimal bootstrapping function, and using the optimal bootstrapping function as the bootstrapping function in the first rule, so that the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the optimal bootstrapping function; wherein the analysis information may include any one or any plurality of: service experience is carried out; UE communication capabilities; quality of service; network performance.

Specifically, the method comprises the following steps: if the analysis information of the service experience transmitted by the service flow of the multi-access session by using the ATSSS bottom layer function is optimal, determining the service flow transmitted by using the ATSSS bottom layer function as an optimal guide function, and using the optimal guide function as the guide function in the first rule, so that the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the optimal guide function; by analogy, the optimal guidance function can be determined for other guidance functions in the above manner, and the description of the implementation is omitted.

Mode 4, if the first rule includes a guidance mode and a guidance function used for transmitting the service flow of the multi-access session, determining the first rule by the following mode:

As an optional implementation manner, if the analysis information transmitted by the traffic flow using the guidance mode and the guidance function of the multi-access session is optimal, the guidance mode and the guidance function used by the traffic flow are determined to be the optimal guidance mode and guidance function, the optimal guidance mode is used as the guidance mode in the first rule, and the optimal guidance function is used as the guidance function in the first rule, so that the traffic flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the optimal guidance mode and guidance function; wherein the analysis information may include any one or any plurality of: service experience is carried out; UE communication capabilities; quality of service; network performance.

Specifically, the method comprises the following steps: if the analysis information of the service experience transmitted by the service flow of the multi-access session by using the 3GPP access network and the ATSSS bottom layer function is optimal, determining the service flow transmitted by using the 3GPP access network and the ATSSS bottom layer function as an optimal guidance mode and a guidance function, taking the optimal guidance mode as the guidance mode in the first rule, and taking the optimal guidance function as the guidance function in the first rule, so that the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the optimal guidance mode and the guidance function; by analogy, the optimal guidance mode can be determined for other guidance modes in the guidance mode in the above manner, and the optimal guidance function can be determined for other guidance functions in the guidance function in the above manner, which is not described in detail in this embodiment.

Mode 5, if the first rule includes a guidance mode and a guidance function used for transmitting the service flow of the multi-access session, determining the first rule by the following mode:

determining an optimal access network for the service flow of the multi-access session according to the network analysis information, and determining a guidance mode in the first rule according to the optimal access network;

As an optional implementation manner, if the service flow of the multiple access session is transmitted by using one of the access networks and the analysis information transmitted by using the bootstrapping function is optimal, determining the access network as the optimal access network, determining the bootstrapping mode in the first rule according to the optimal access network, determining the bootstrapping function used by the service flow as the optimal bootstrapping function, and using the optimal bootstrapping function as the bootstrapping function in the first rule, so that the service flow of the multiple access session is transmitted by using the optimal bootstrapping mode and the optimal bootstrapping function; wherein the analysis information may include any one or any plurality of: service experience is carried out; UE communication capabilities; quality of service; network performance.

Specifically, the method comprises the following steps: if the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using a 3GPP access network and the analysis information of the service experience transmitted by using the ATSSS bottom layer function is optimal, determining the service flow as the optimal access network by using the 3GPP access network transmission, determining the guide mode in the first rule as only using the 3GPP access network to transmit the service flow according to the optimal access network, and determining the guide function in the first rule as using the ATSSS bottom layer function transmission, so that the service flow of the multi-access session is transmitted by using the optimal guide mode and the guide function; by analogy, the optimal guidance mode can be determined for other guidance modes in the guidance mode in the above manner, and the optimal guidance function can be determined for other guidance functions in the guidance function in the above manner, which is not described in detail in this embodiment.

and sending the first rule to second network equipment so that the second network equipment transmits the service flow of the multi-access session to the UE according to the first rule. The second network device may be a UPF (User Plane Function) device.

As an optional implementation, the sending the first rule to the UE includes:

sending the first rule to a second network device, including: and sending the first rule to the second network equipment through the third network equipment.

Optionally, if the method in the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a PCF device, the third network device in the embodiment may be an SMF (Session Management Function).

As an optional implementation, the first rule is sent directly to the UE; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

and directly sending the first rule to the second network equipment.

Optionally, the method in this embodiment is applied to an SMF device, and then directly sends the first rule to a UE, and/or directly sends the first rule to a second network device.

It should be noted that the method in this embodiment may be applied to PCF devices, and may also be applied to SMF devices. In a specific embodiment, if dynamic policy control is not adopted (i.e., the PCF does not provide the PCC rule for the SMF), the SMF determines a first rule based on network data analysis information provided by the first network device, and provides the first rule to the UE and the UPF, respectively. Optionally, the UE transmits the uplink data of the application using the 3GPP access network and/or the non-3GPP access network based on the first rule. And the UPF transmits the downlink data of the application by using the 3GPP access network and/or the non-3GPP access network based on the first rule.

As an optional implementation manner, the method is applied to PCF equipment, and then the method further includes: the ATSSS-related UE policy (UE policy) may be determined or adjusted based on network data analysis information of the first network device.

For example: a multiple-access preference (multi-access preference) parameter in the terminal routing rule (URSP rule) is set to indicate whether multiple-access (i.e. MA PDU session) transmission is recommended for a given application (a given traffic flow). If the service experience of a certain application (a certain service flow) transmitted by adopting a multi-access session (or multi-access) is good and/or better than the service experience transmitted by adopting a single-access session, the PCF sets and recommends to adopt multi-access for the application in the URSP rule.

Specifically, the PCF may initiate a Namf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer service request to the AMF in a UE registration procedure or a UE configuration update procedure, where the Namf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer service request carries the UE policy related to the ATSSS determined according to the network analysis information, and the AMF forwards the UE policy to the UE through the access network.

As shown in fig. 2, the following describes in detail a method for determining a rule according to this embodiment, taking an example that the method according to this embodiment of the present invention is applied to a PCF device and a first network device is an NWDAF.

Step 200, PCF sends an analysis request to NWDAF, and requests to subscribe (or request once) network data analysis information;

requesting to subscribe to network data analysis information means that the NWDAF sends analysis information to the PCF multiple times within a period of subscription, for example, periodically or triggered by an event (for example, network data changes greatly). Requesting network data analysis information once means that the NWDAF replies with analysis information only once.

The network data analysis information may include any one or any plurality of the following: statistics or predictions of Service Experience (Service expedition), Network performance (Network performance), UE communication performance (UE communication), quality of Service continuity (QoS), and the like. The UE communication performance specifically includes some characteristics of UE communication, such as whether to perform periodic communication, a communication period, a duration, a start time, a service characteristic, a traffic volume, and the like.

Optionally, the analysis request carries one or more of the following information:

an application identifier; an access type; a boot mode; a boot function; a multiple access indication.

Specifically, the analysis Request may be an analysis subscription nwdaf _ analytics description _ describe (or analysis information Request nwdaf _ analytics info _ Request) service Request. The PCF initiates an analysis subscription NWDAF _ analytics description _ describe (or analysis information Request NWDAF _ analytics info _ Request) service Request to the NWDAF, where the carried information may include:

1) analyzing the identifier Analytics ID ═ Service Experience;

2) analyzing a report Target of analysis Reporting ═ any UE;

3) the analysis filtering information analysis Filter "Application ID 1" and "Area of Interest" indicates that analysis of the service experience of a specific Application (Application ID1) of any UE in the Area of Interest (Area of Interest) is requested. The Area of interest refers to one or more Tracking Areas (TA) or cells, or a geographic Area (e.g., a stadium, a community, etc.).

Wherein, the Analytics Filter can also carry one or more of the following parameters:

a. the Access type (Access type) indicates an analyzed Access network type, and the Access type takes the values of 3GPP Access (3GPP Access) or non-3GPP Access (non-3 GPP Access), and respectively indicates that data analysis is performed only on the 3GPP Access network and the non-3GPP Access network.

b. A multiple-Access indication ("Multi-Access") or multiple Access Session ("MA PDU Session") indication, indicating that data analysis is to be performed only for multiple Access sessions.

Step 201, the NWDAF collects network data from NF (such as AMF, SMF, AF, etc.) and/or OAM, and determines network data analysis information according to the collected network data;

in the implementation, the method specifically comprises the following steps:

step 201a, the NWDAF initiates an Event public subscription Namf _ evendexposure _ Subscribe service request to the AMF, where the Event public subscription Namf _ evendexposure _ Subscribe service request carries parameters such as an Event ID, and requests data required by service experience analysis. AMF initiates an event to NWDAF and publicly informs Namf _ EventExposure _ Notify service, wherein the carried information comprises: UE identity (SUPI or SUPI list), Location (Location), Access Type (Access Type), etc., for NWDAF to perform data analysis. The Event ID is used to distinguish which data is requested, such as UE location information, mobility information, number of UEs in the area of interest, etc.

Step 201b, the NWDAF initiates an Event public subscription Nsmf _ evendexposure _ Subscribe service request to the SMF, where the Event public subscription Nsmf _ evendexposure _ Subscribe service request carries parameters such as an Event ID, so as to request data required by service experience analysis. The SMF initiates an event public notification Nsmf _ EventExposure _ Notify service to the NWDAF, wherein the carried information comprises: the MA PDU Session may further include a Steering mode (Steering mode) and a Steering function (Steering function) for the NWDAF to perform data analysis.

Step 201c, NWDAF also collects network data to other NFs such as AF, UPF and/or OAM, etc. for service experience analysis, which is not described herein again.

The data collected by the NWDAF from AMF, SMF, and UPF (i.e., the input data) is shown in the following table:

table 1: inputting data

As shown in table 1, based on the input data of the existing business experience analysis, one or more of the following input data may be added:

a. the Access type (Access type) indicates the type of Access network used, and is taken to be 3GPP Access (3GPP Access) or non-3GPP Access (non-3 GPP Access).

b. The bootstrap mode (Steering mode) represents a control mode used by a MA PDU session for transmitting application data, and takes values of Active-Standby, smallsdelay, Load-Balancing, or Priority-based. Only for MA PDU Session.

The meaning of specific values in the guidance mode is as follows:

Active-Standard by: data is transmitted using only the access network set to "Active", and when it is unavailable, data is transmitted using the access network set to "Standby". If the number is set to no Standby, the Active access network cannot be used.

Smallest Delay: and the access network with smaller delay in the two access networks is used for transmitting data.

Load-Balancing: two access networks are used, each of which transports a certain ratio of traffic data. For example, a 3GPP access network transmits 70% of traffic data, and a non-3GPP access network transmits 30% of traffic data.

Priority-based, one access network is preferentially adopted to transmit data, and the other access network is used only when the access network is congested. For example, 3GPP access networks are preferred.

c. The guiding function (Steering function) represents a control function used by the MA PDU session for transmitting application data, and takes the value of MPTCP (multipath TCP protocol) or ATSSS-LL (ATSSS bottom layer) function. Only for MA PDU Session.

The MPTCP is a multipath data transmission protocol based on the TCP protocol, belongs to a higher layer (above IP layer) protocol, and is used for shunting (/ guiding) TCP traffic data to two access networks for transmission.

The ATSSS-LL is a mechanism defined by 3GPP to offload traffic data to two access network transmissions at the bottom layer (below the IP layer).

Step 202, the NWDAF initiates NWDAF _ analytics description _ Notify service (or sends a response message of NWDAF _ analytics info _ Request) to the PCF, where the NWDAF _ analytics info _ Request carries service experience analysis information, including service experience statistics and/or prediction information.

Specifically, the service experience analysis information is shown in tables 2 and 3:

table 2: business experience statistics

Table 3: business experience prediction

As shown in tables 2 and 3, based on the existing service experience analysis information, one or more of the following information may be added:

service Experience over 3GPP access (Service Experience over 3GPP access), which represents the Service Experience using a 3GPP access network.

b. The Service Experience over non-3GPP access (Service Experience over non-3GPP access) represents the Service Experience using a non-3GPP access network.

c. Boot mode (Steering mode).

d. A guiding function (guiding function).

Step 203, the PCF determines a first rule based on the analysis information provided by the NWDAF, where the first rule is used to indicate a transmission mode of the service flow of the multiple access session.

The first determination means and the first rule include a guidance mode.

One possible implementation is to determine the steering mode for transmitting the application to be transmitted using an access network for the application (or traffic flow) that needs a guaranteed bit rate.

Specifically, the access type of the application, that is, the access type set as Active when the Steering mode is Active-Standby, may be determined. For example: if the PCF determines that the service experience of an application in the 3GPP access network is good and/or better than the service experience in the non-3GPP access network according to the analysis information provided by the NWDAF, the application is set to "transmit only using the 3GPP access branch of the MA PDU Session" (transmission mode is Active-Standby, Active 3GPP and no Standby); otherwise, the application is set to "transmit only using the non-3GPP access branch of the MA PDU Session" (transmission mode — Active-standard by, Active non-3GPP and no-standard by).

One possible implementation is that, for an application (or traffic flow) that does not need to guarantee a bit rate, the steering mode for transmitting the application is determined as using multiple access networks to transmit the traffic flow;

specifically, the guidance mode is determined to be load balancing, and transmission proportions corresponding to different access types in a load balancing transmission mode are used. For example: if the PCF determines, through analysis information (e.g., network performance analysis information) provided by the NWDAF, that the Load of the 3GPP access network is low, and/or that a service experience of an application in the 3GPP access network is good, a "bootstrap mode" may be set for the application to be Load balancing, where 80% of traffic uses the 3GPP access and 20% of traffic uses the non-3GPP access (Steering mode ═ Load balancing, 80% over 3GPP and 20% over non-3 GPP); conversely, if it is determined that the Load of the non-3GPP access network is low and/or an application using non-GBR QoS flow transmission experiences good traffic in the non-3GPP access network, a "bootstrap mode" may be set for the application to be Load balancing, where 30% of traffic uses 3GPP access and 70% of traffic uses non-3GPP access (Steering mode ═ Load balancing, 30% over 3GPP and 70% over non-3 GPP).

One possible implementation is that, for an application (or traffic flow) that does not need to guarantee a bit rate, the bootstrap mode for transmitting the application is determined as using an access network with a high priority to transmit the traffic flow;

specifically, the bootstrap mode is determined to be Priority based and the access type with high Priority. For example: if the service experience of an application using non-GBR QoS flow transmission is good in the 3GPP access network and/or better than the service experience in the non-3GPP access network, the application may be set to "guided mode based on Priority and 3GPP access Priority" (3GPP is high Priority access); conversely, the "guiding mode may be set as Priority-based, non-3GPP access-first" (Steering mode: Priority based, non-3GPP is high Priority access).

One possible implementation is that, for an application (or traffic flow) that does not need to guarantee a bit rate, a guidance mode for transmitting the application is determined as an access network with the minimum use delay to transmit the traffic flow;

specifically, the guiding mode is determined as the minimum delay, so that the UE and/or the UPF uses the access network transmission with the minimum delay. For example: if the PCF determines that the service experience of an application using the minimum delay is good through the analysis information (e.g., network performance analysis information) provided by the NWDAF, the PCF sets the "bootstrap mode" to the minimum delay for the application, and the UE and the UPF decide to use the access network with the minimum delay to transmit data. The UE may determine the access network with the minimum delay, and the UPF (gateway) may receive measurement information of the UE and determine the access network with the minimum delay according to the measurement information.

The second determination, the first rule, includes a boot function.

One possible implementation is that for an application based on the TCP protocol, the PCF may also determine the bootstrapping function (Steering Functionality) to be used by the application based on the analysis information of the NWDAF.

For example: if the service experience using MPTCP protocol is better than that achieved using the sss-LL function (different guidance functions for the same application at different times), the PCF sets (recommends) to use MPTCP protocol for guidance of the application data flow.

As an alternative, to avoid frequent changes to the first rule, the PCF may set certain thresholds, such as: the PCF may set a specific parameter threshold (e.g. SE (service expeience)), which may set SE-low, SE-high and a time threshold T1 or T2, and if the service experience of an application transmitted by using the 3GPP access network is always lower than SE-low in T1 according to the network analysis information, (optionally, the service experience of an application transmitted by using the non-3GPP access network is always higher than SE-high in T2), consider adjusting the first rule, for example: and adjusting to preferentially adopt the non-3GPP access network to transmit the data of the application.

And step 204, the PCF sends the first rule to the SMF.

Specifically, the PCF initiates a session management policy control Update Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ Update service request to the SMF, where the service request carries a PCC rule including multiple access session control information (i.e., a first rule).

Step 205, the SMF determines an ssss rule (sss rules) and an N4 rule (N4 rules) according to the first rule, and provides the sss rule and the N4 rule to the UE and the UPF, respectively.

Specifically, the SMF sets the same boot mode and boot function for the application in the ATSSS rule and the N4 rule according to the boot mode and boot function specification of the application specified in the ATSSS policy.

The SMF can initiate a Communication message transmission Namf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer service request to the AMF in the process of establishing or modifying the MA PDU Session, wherein the service request carries ATSSS rules sent to the UE; the AMF forwards the ATSSS rules to the UE. The SMF sends an N4 session modification N4 session modification message to the UPF, which carries ATSSS related N4 rules. Here N4 denotes the interface between SMF and UPF.

If the dynamic policy control is not adopted (that is, the PCF does not provide the PCC rule for the SMF), the SMF determines a first rule based on the network analysis information provided by the NWDAF, and provides the first rule to the UE and the UPF, respectively. Wherein the information for sending the first rule to the UE is an ATSSS rule, and the information for sending the first rule to the UPF is an N4 rule (N4 rules).

The UE and the UPF complete the establishment or modification of the PDU session. And the UE transmits the applied uplink data by using the 3GPP access network and/or the non-3GPP access network based on the ATSSS rule. The UPF uses a 3GPP access network and/or a non-3GPP access network to transmit downlink data for an application based on the associated N4 rules. Where N4 represents an interface between SMFs and UPFs, and the N4 rules indicate rules that SMFs provide to UPFs for user plane packet detection, QoS control, etc. "uplink" refers to the UE sending data to the network; "downlink" refers to the network sending data to the UE.

As shown in fig. 3, the following describes in detail a method for determining a rule according to this embodiment by taking the method according to this embodiment of the present invention as an example when the method is applied to an SMF device and the first network device is an NWDAF.

Step 300, receiving network data analysis information sent by the NWDAF;

the detailed step description is the same as step 202, where PCF is replaced with SMF.

Prior to step 300, SMF also performs the same steps as step 200, wherein PCF is replaced with SMF; the NWDAF also performs the same steps as step 201.

Step 301, the SMF determines a first rule based on analysis information provided by the NWDAF, where the first rule is used to indicate a transmission mode of a service flow of the multi-access session.

The detailed step description is the same as step 203 above, where PCF is replaced with SMF.

The first determination means and the first rule include a guidance mode.

One possible implementation is that, for an application (or traffic flow) requiring a guaranteed bit rate, the bootstrap mode for transmitting the application is determined as using multiple access networks to transmit the traffic flow;

one possible implementation is that, for an application (or traffic flow) requiring a guaranteed bit rate, the bootstrap mode for transmitting the application is determined as using an access network with a high priority to transmit the traffic flow;

one possible implementation is that, for an application (or service flow) requiring a guaranteed bit rate, the bootstrap mode for transmitting the application is determined as that an access network with the minimum use delay transmits the service flow;

the second determination, the first rule, includes a boot function.

One possible implementation is that, for an application based on the TCP protocol, the SMF may also determine a bootstrapping function (Steering Functionality) to be employed by the application based on the analysis information of the NWDAF.

Step 302, the SMF sends the first rule to the UE, so that the UE transmits the service flow of the multiple access session according to the first rule;

the detailed step description is the same as step 205 described above.

Step 303, the SMF sends the first rule to the UPF, so that the UPF transmits the service flow of the multi-access session to the UE according to the first rule.

The detailed step description is the same as step 205 described above.

Embodiment 2 is based on the same inventive concept, and the embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device for determining a transmission rule, because the device is a device corresponding to the method according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the principle of the device for solving the problem is similar to that of the method, the implementation of the device may refer to the implementation of the method, and repeated details are not repeated.

As shown in fig. 4, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device for determining a transmission rule, where the network device includes:

a transceiver 400 for receiving and transmitting data under the control of a processor 410.

Where in fig. 4, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors represented by processor 410 and various circuits of memory represented by memory 420 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 400 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 including wireless channels, wired channels, fiber optic cables, and the like. The processor 410 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 420 may store data used by the processor 410 in performing operations.

The processor 410 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and may also have a multi-core architecture.

The network device for determining the transmission rule provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises:

memory 420, transceiver 400, processor 410:

receiving network data analysis information sent by first network equipment;

service experience is carried out;

the network performance of the network used;

UE communication capabilities;

load information of the access network used;

quality of service.

analysis information transmitted using a 3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a non-3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a boot mode;

analysis information transmitted using the bootstrapping function.

As an alternative embodiment, the processor is configured to perform:

transmitting a traffic stream using an access network;

transmitting a service flow using a plurality of access networks;

using the access network with high priority to transmit the service flow;

an application identifier;

an access type;

a boot mode;

a boot function;

a multiple access indication.

the processor is specifically further configured to perform:

It should be noted that, the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented by the method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect, and detailed descriptions of the same parts and beneficial effects as the method embodiment in this embodiment are omitted here.

Embodiment 3, based on the same inventive concept, an apparatus for determining a transmission rule is further provided in the embodiments of the present invention, and since the apparatus is an apparatus corresponding to the method in the embodiments of the present invention, and a principle of the apparatus for solving the problem is similar to that of the method, the apparatus may be implemented by referring to the implementation of the method, and repeated details are not described again.

It should be noted that the division of the unit in the embodiment of the present application is schematic, and is only a logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation. In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

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

As shown in fig. 5, the apparatus includes:

a receiving unit 500, configured to receive network data analysis information sent by a first network device;

a determining unit 501, configured to determine a first rule for a multiple access session according to the network data analysis information, where the first rule is used to indicate a transmission manner of a service flow of the multiple access session;

a sending unit 502, configured to send the first rule to a user equipment UE, so that the UE transmits a service flow of the multiple access session according to the first rule.

service experience is carried out;

the network performance of the network used;

UE communication capabilities;

load information of the access network used;

quality of service.

analysis information transmitted using a 3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a non-3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a boot mode;

analysis information transmitted using the bootstrapping function.

transmitting a traffic stream using an access network;

transmitting a service flow using a plurality of access networks;

using the access network with high priority to transmit the service flow;

an application identifier;

an access type;

a boot mode;

a boot function;

a multiple access indication.

the first sending unit is specifically configured to:

The present embodiments also provide a computer storage medium that may be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by a processor, including but not limited to magnetic memory (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disks (MOs), etc.), optical memory (e.g., CDs, DVDs, BDs, HVDs, etc.), and semiconductor memory (e.g., ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), Solid State Disks (SSDs)), etc.

The present embodiments also provide a computer storage medium, which when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the method:

receiving network data analysis information sent by first network equipment;

The present application is described above with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of methods, apparatus (systems) and/or computer program products according to embodiments of the application. It will be understood that one block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, 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, and/or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, the subject application may also be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this application, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

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 determining transmission rules, the method comprising:

receiving network data analysis information sent by first network equipment;

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first rule comprises a steering mode and/or a steering function used for transmitting traffic flows of the multi-access session.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the network data analysis information comprises any one or more of the following analysis information of the traffic flow of the multi-access session:

service experience is carried out;

the network performance of the network used;

UE communication capabilities;

load information of the access network used;

quality of service.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the network data analysis information includes analysis information of traffic flows of the multi-access session in any one or more of the following transmission modes:

analysis information transmitted using a 3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a non-3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a boot mode;

analysis information transmitted using the bootstrapping function.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a first rule for a multiple access session based on the network data analysis information comprises:

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a first rule for a multiple access session based on the network data analysis information comprises:

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the guidance mode comprises any one or more of:

transmitting a traffic stream using an access network;

transmitting a service flow using a plurality of access networks;

using the access network with high priority to transmit the service flow;

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the boot function comprises: multipath transmission control protocol, and/or access traffic directing switching and offloading the ATSSS bottom layer functions.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein before receiving the network data analysis information sent by the first network device, the method further comprises:

an application identifier;

an access type;

a boot mode;

a boot function;

a multiple access indication.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein after determining the first rule for the multiple access session based on the network data analysis information, the method further comprises:

11. The method of claim 1 or 10, wherein the sending the first rule to the UE comprises:

the sending the first rule to the second network device includes:

12. A network device for determining transmission rules, comprising a memory, a transceiver, a processor:

receiving network data analysis information sent by first network equipment;

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first rule comprises a steering mode and/or a steering function used for transmitting traffic flows of the multi-access session.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the network data analysis information comprises any one or any plurality of analysis information of traffic flows of the multi-access session:

service experience is carried out;

the network performance of the network used;

UE communication capabilities;

load information of the access network used;

quality of service.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the network data analysis information includes analysis information of traffic flows of the multi-access session in any one or more of the following transmission modes:

analysis information transmitted using a 3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a non-3GPP access network;

analysis information transmitted using a boot mode;

analysis information transmitted using the bootstrapping function.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to perform:

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to perform:

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the boot mode comprises any one or more of:

transmitting a traffic stream using an access network;

transmitting a service flow using a plurality of access networks;

using the access network with high priority to transmit the service flow;

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the guidance function comprises: multipath transmission control protocol, and/or access traffic directing switching and offloading the ATSSS bottom layer functions.

20. The device of claim 12, wherein before receiving the network data analysis information sent by the first network device, the processor is further specifically configured to perform:

an application identifier;

an access type;

a boot mode;

a boot function;

a multiple access indication.

21. The device of claim 12, wherein after determining the first rule for the multiple access session based on the network data analysis information, the processor is further specifically configured to perform:

22. The apparatus according to claim 12 or 21, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:

the processor is specifically further configured to perform:

23. An apparatus for determining transmission rules, comprising:

24. A processor-readable storage medium, characterized in that the processor-readable storage medium stores a computer program for causing a processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.