CN115696462A

CN115696462A - Network coding method and device

Info

Publication number: CN115696462A
Application number: CN202110866352.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 赵鹏涛; 李岩; 余芳; 朱方园
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-29
Filing date: 2021-07-29
Publication date: 2023-02-03

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a network coding method and a network coding device. The method comprises the following steps: the SMF entity acquires first time information; the method comprises the steps of sending first indication information to a User Plane Function (UPF) entity, wherein the first indication information comprises first time information, the first indication information is used for determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, and the critical time is used for indicating the latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet. Or the CNC and/or the CUC acquires first time information; determining the adjusted packet sending time according to the first time information; and sending the adjusted packet sending time to the first End node End Station, wherein the adjusted packet sending time is used for indicating the first End node End Station to send the first data packet. By adopting the embodiment of the application, the condition that the data packet exceeds the time delay limit due to overlong waiting time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

Description

Network coding method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of wireless network technologies, and in particular, to a network coding method and apparatus.

Background

Under the scenario that multicast and network coding are applied to dual-end User Equipment (UE) communication in combination with a fifth Generation mobile communication technology (5 th-Generation, 5G) and a Time Sensitive Network (TSN). The End nodes (End Station) 1 and the End Station2 communicate with each other through a 5G system (5G System,5 GS) Bridge, the End Station1 sends a data packet 1 of the End Station1 to the End Station2, the End Station2 sends a data packet 1 of the End Station2 to the data packet 1 of the End Station1, the data packet 1 of the End Station1 and the data packet 1 of the End Station2 to perform network coding operation (such as exclusive-or operation) at a network coding operation node, and then the data packets after network coding are sent to the End Station1 and the End Station2 in a multicast mode. And the End Station1 and the End Station2 perform corresponding decoding operation to obtain a data packet sent to the End terminal. However, in order to perform the exclusive or operation, the network coding operation node needs to wait for all of the data packets 1 of the End Station1 and the data packets 1 of the End Station2 to arrive, which may cause a long waiting time and result in low efficiency of data transmission.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a network coding method and device, which avoid the situation that a data packet exceeds a time delay limit due to overlong waiting time and improve the efficiency of data transmission.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding method, including: a Session Management Function (SMF) entity acquires first time information; sending first indication information to a User Plane Function (UPF) entity, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information, the first indication information is used for determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, and the critical time is used for indicating the latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet. The SMF entity indicates the UPF entity to determine the critical time of each data packet of the End Station1, and whether to wait for the data packet of the End Station2 is determined according to the critical time, so that the situation that the data packet exceeds the time delay limit due to overlong waiting time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In a possible design, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a packet delay budget PDB, and a period T of sending a packet at the first End Station, where the BAT is used to indicate a time when a first packet of the at least one packet leaves a first terminal device, and the PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a QoS flow between the first terminal device and the UPF entity. The SMF entity determines the critical moment of each data packet by locally acquiring the first time information.

In another possible design, the critical time of the nth packet of the at least one packet = BAT + the PDB + (N-1) × the T, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

In another possible design, the first time information includes a transmission time of a first data packet in the at least one data packet, a delay threshold and a period T of transmitting the data packet by the first End Station, where the delay threshold represents an upper limit of delay of the data packet from the first End Station to a second End Station.

In another possible design, the SMF entity receives the first time information sent by the centralized network configuration controller CNC. The SMF entity determines the critical moment of each packet by obtaining the first time information from the CNC.

In another possible design, the critical time of the mth packet of the at least one packet = the transmission time of the first packet + the delay threshold/2 + (M-1) × the T, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding method, including: a user plane function UPF entity receives first indication information sent by a session management function SMF entity, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information; according to the first time information, determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the End Station of the first End node; and carrying out network coding on each data packet according to the critical moment. The SMF entity indicates the UPF entity to determine the critical time of each data packet of the End Station1, and determines whether to wait for the data packet of the End Station2 according to the critical time, so that the condition that the data packet exceeds the time delay limit due to overlong waiting time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In a possible design, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a packet delay budget PDB, and a period T of sending a packet at the first End Station, where the BAT is used to indicate a time when a first packet of the at least one packet leaves a first terminal device, and the PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a QoS flow between the first terminal device and the UPF entity.

In another possible design, the critical time of the nth packet of the at least one packet = BAT + PDB + (N-1) × T, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

In another possible design, when a time when an ith data packet waits for a data packet sent by a second End Station to arrive in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station does not exceed a critical time of the ith data packet, the UPF entity performs network coding on the ith data packet and the data packet of the second End Station, where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The critical time determines whether to wait for the data packet of the End Station2, so that the data packet is prevented from exceeding the time delay limit due to too long waiting time, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding method, including: a centralized network configuration controller (CNC) and/or a centralized user configuration controller (CUC) acquires first time information; determining the adjusted packet sending time according to the first time information; and sending the adjusted packet sending time to a first End node End Station, wherein the adjusted packet sending time is used for indicating the first End node End Station to send a first data packet. The packet sending time of the first data packet of the first End Station is adjusted to align the packet sending time of the second data packet of the second End Station, so that the condition that the data packet exceeds the time delay limit due to overlong waiting time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In one possible design, the first time information includes a time delay ED1 when the first data packet sent by the first End state reaches a first device-side delay-sensitive network converter DS-TT from the first End state, a time delay ED2 when the second data packet sent by the second End state reaches a second DS-TT from the second End state, a time duration UE _ DS _ TT1 when the first data packet resides in the first DS-TT and a first terminal device, a time duration UE _ DS _ TT2 when the second data packet resides in the second DS-TT and a second terminal device, a primary packet time TPT1 of the first data packet, and a packet sending time TPT2 of the second data packet. And the CNC determines the adjusted package sending time by locally acquiring the first time information.

In another possible design, the adjusted packet sending time = ED2+ UE _ DS _ TT2+ TPT 2-UE _ DS _ TT 1-ED 1.

In another possible design, the first time information includes an adjustment amount. And determining the adjusted packet sending time by acquiring the adjustment amount from the SMF entity.

In another possible design, the CNC and/or the CUC receives a first request sent by a session management function SMF entity, where the first request includes the adjustment amount, and the first indication information is used to request the CNC to adjust the time at which the first End Station sends the first data packet.

In another possible design, the adjustment amount = (BAT 2-BAT 1) × clock frequency ratio, where BAT2 is a time when a first packet of the second End Station leaves the second terminal device, and BAT1 is a time when a first packet of the first End Station leaves the first terminal device.

In another possible design, the adjusted packet sending time = the original packet sending time of the first packet + the adjustment amount.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding method, including: the SMF entity determines an adjustment amount; sending a first request to a centralized network configuration controller CNC and/or a centralized user configuration controller CUC, the first request including the adjustment amount, the first request requesting the CNC to adjust a time at which the first End Station sends the first data packet. The packet sending time of the first data packet of the first End Station is adjusted to align the packet sending time of the second data packet of the second End Station, so that the situation that the data packet exceeds the time delay limit due to overlong waiting time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In a possible design, the adjustment amount = (BAT 2-BAT 1) × clock frequency ratio, where BAT2 is a time when a first packet of the second End Station leaves the second terminal device, and BAT1 is a time when a first packet of the first End Station leaves the first terminal device.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding method, including: the first End node End Station receives the adjusted packet sending time sent by the centralized network configuration controller CNC and/or the centralized user configuration controller CUC; and the first End Station sends a first data packet according to the adjusted packet sending time. The packet sending time of the first data packet of the first End Station is adjusted to align the packet sending time of the second data packet of the second End Station, so that the situation that the data packet exceeds the time delay limit due to overlong waiting time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding method, including: a Session Management Function (SMF) entity acquires first time information; sending first indication information to a Radio Access Network (RAN) device, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information, and the first indication information is used for determining a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, and the critical time is used for indicating a latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet. The SMF entity indicates the RAN equipment to determine the critical time of each data packet of the End Station1, and whether the data packet of the End Station2 is waited or not is determined according to the critical time, so that the condition that the time delay limit is exceeded due to the fact that the data packet is waited for too long time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In one possible design, the SMF entity receives a first request sent by the centralized network configuration controller CNC, the first request including the first time information, the first request requesting that the critical time for each data packet be determined.

In another possible design, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a first packet delay budget PDB, a second PDB, and a period T of sending a packet in the first End state, where the BAT is used when a first packet in the at least one packet leaves a first terminal device, the first PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the first terminal device between the first terminal device and a user plane function UPF entity, and the second PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the second terminal device between the UPF entity and the RAN device.

In another possible design, the critical time of the kth packet of the at least one packet = BAT + the first PDB + the second PDB + (K-1) × the T, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding method, including: and the RAN equipment receives first indication information sent by a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information. According to the first time information, determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the End Station of the first End node; and performing network coding on each data packet according to the critical moment. The SMF entity indicates the RAN equipment to determine the critical time of each data packet of the End Station1, and whether the data packet of the End Station2 is waited or not is determined according to the critical time, so that the situation that the time delay limit is exceeded due to the fact that the data packet is waited for too long time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In another possible design, when a time when a jth data packet in at least one data packet sent by the first End Station waits for a data packet sent by a second End Station to arrive does not exceed a critical time of the jth data packet, the RAN device performs network coding on the jth data packet and the data packet of the second End Station, where j is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Whether the data packet of the End Station2 is waited or not is determined by the critical time, so that the condition that the data packet exceeds the time delay limit due to too long waiting time is avoided, and the data transmission efficiency is improved.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding apparatus, including:

the acquisition module is used for acquiring first time information;

a sending module, configured to send first indication information to a user plane function UPF entity, where the first indication information includes the first time information, and the first indication information is used to determine a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, where the critical time is used to indicate a latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet.

In a possible design, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a packet delay budget PDB, and a period T of sending a packet in the first End Station, where the BAT is used to indicate a time when a first packet in the at least one packet leaves a first terminal device, and the PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a QoS flow between the first terminal device and the UPF entity.

In another possible design, the obtaining module is further configured to receive the first time information sent by the centralized network configuration controller CNC.

The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the first aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding apparatus, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive first indication information sent by a session management function SMF entity, where the first indication information includes the first time information;

the processing module is used for determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the End Station of the first End node according to the first time information; and performing network coding on each data packet according to the critical moment.

In another possible design, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a packet delay budget PDB, and a period T of sending a data packet by the first End Station, where the BAT is used to indicate a time when a first data packet in the at least one data packet leaves the first terminal device, and the PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a QoS flow of service between the first terminal device and a UPF entity.

In another possible design, the processing module is further configured to perform network coding on the ith data packet and the data packet of the second End Station when a time when an ith data packet waits for a data packet sent by the second End Station to arrive in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station does not exceed a critical time of the ith data packet, where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the second aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding apparatus, including:

the acquisition module is used for acquiring first time information;

the processing module is used for determining the adjusted packet sending time according to the first time information; and the sending module is used for sending the adjusted packet sending time to a first End node End Station, and the adjusted packet sending time is used for indicating the first End node End Station to send a first data packet.

In another possible design, the first time information includes a time delay ED1 when the first data packet sent by the first End Station reaches a first device-side delay-sensitive network converter DS-TT from the first End Station, a time delay ED2 when the second data packet sent by the second End Station reaches a second DS-TT from the second End Station, a duration UE _ DS _ TT1 when the first data packet resides in the first DS-TT and a first terminal device, a duration UE _ DS _ TT2 when the second data packet resides in the second DS-TT and a second terminal device, a primary packet time TPT1 of the first data packet, and a packet sending time TPT2 of the second data packet.

In another possible design, the adjusted packetization time = ED2+ UE _ DS _ TT2+ TPT 2-UE _ DS _ TT 1-ED 1.

In another possible design, the first time information includes an adjustment amount.

In another possible design, the obtaining module is further configured to receive a first request sent by a session management function SMF entity, where the first request includes the adjustment amount, and the first indication information is used to request the CNC to adjust a time at which the first End Station sends the first data packet.

In another possible design, the adjusted packet sending time = the original packet sending time of the first data packet + the adjustment amount.

The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the third aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding apparatus, including:

the processing module is used for determining an adjustment amount;

a sending module, configured to send a first request to a centralized network configuration controller CNC and/or a centralized user configuration controller CUC, where the first request includes the adjustment amount, and the first request is used to request the CNC to adjust a time at which the first End Station sends the first data packet.

The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the fourth aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding apparatus, including:

the receiving module is used for receiving the adjusted packet sending time sent by the centralized network configuration controller CNC and/or the centralized user configuration controller CUC;

and the processing module is used for sending the first data packet according to the adjusted packet sending time.

The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the fifth aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding apparatus, including:

the acquisition module is used for acquiring first time information;

a sending module, configured to send first indication information to a radio access network RAN device, where the first indication information includes the first time information, and the first indication information is used to determine a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, where the critical time is used to indicate a latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet.

In another possible design, the obtaining module is further configured to receive a first request sent by the CNC by the centralized network configuration controller, where the first request includes the first time information, and the first request is used to request that the critical time of each data packet be determined.

In another possible design, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a first packet delay budget PDB, a second PDB, and a period T of sending a packet in the first End Station, where the BAT is used when a first packet in the at least one packet leaves a first terminal device, the first PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a QoS flow of the first terminal device between the first terminal device and an UPF entity, and the second PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a QoS flow of the second terminal device between the UPF entity and the RAN device.

The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the above sixth aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network coding apparatus, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive first indication information sent by a session management function SMF entity, where the first indication information includes the first time information.

The processing module is used for determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the End Station of the first End node according to the first time information; and carrying out network coding on each data packet according to the critical moment.

In another possible design, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a first packet delay budget PDB, a second PDB, and a period T of sending a packet in the first End state, where the BAT is used when a first packet in the at least one packet leaves a first terminal device, the first PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the first terminal device between the first terminal device and the user plane function UPF entity, and the second PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the second terminal device between the UPF entity and the RAN device.

In another possible design, the processing module is further configured to perform network coding on a jth data packet and a data packet of the second End Station when a time at which the jth data packet in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station waits for a data packet sent by the second End Station to arrive does not exceed a critical time of the jth data packet, where j is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the seventh aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a network coding apparatus, which may be an SMF entity, an apparatus in an SMF entity, or an apparatus capable of being used in cooperation with an SMF entity. The network coding device can also be a chip system. The network coding device may perform the methods of the first, fourth, and sixth aspects. The functions of the network coding device can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. The module may be software and/or hardware. The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the methods and advantageous effects described in the first aspect, the fourth aspect, and the sixth aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a network coding device, which may be a UPF entity, a device in the UPF entity, or a device capable of matching with the UPF entity. The network coding device can also be a chip system. The network coding device may perform the method of the second aspect described above. The functions of the network coding device can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. The module may be software and/or hardware. The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the second aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a network coding device, which may be a CNC, a device in a CNC, or a device capable of matching with a CNC. The network coding device can also be a chip system. The network coding device may perform the method of the third aspect described above. The functions of the network coding device can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. The module may be software and/or hardware. The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the third aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a network coding device, which may be an End Station, an End Station device, or a device capable of matching with the End Station. The network coding device can also be a chip system. The network coding device may perform the method of the fifth aspect described above. The functions of the network coding device can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. The module may be software and/or hardware. The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the fifth aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a network coding apparatus, which may be a RAN device, an apparatus in a RAN device, or an apparatus capable of being used with a RAN device. The network coding device can also be a chip system. The network coding device may perform the method of the seventh aspect described above. The functions of the network coding device can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. The module may be software and/or hardware. The operations and advantageous effects executed by the network coding apparatus may refer to the method and advantageous effects described in the seventh aspect, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a twentieth aspect, the present application provides a network coding device comprising a processor, wherein the method according to any of the first to seventh aspects is performed when the processor invokes a computer program in memory.

In a twenty-first aspect, the present application provides a network coding apparatus comprising a processor and a memory for storing a computer program; the processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory to cause the network coding apparatus to perform the method according to any of the first to seventh aspects.

In a twenty-second aspect, the present application provides a network coding device comprising a processor, a memory, and a transceiver for receiving a signal or transmitting a signal; the memory for storing a computer program; the processor is configured to invoke the computer program from the memory to perform the method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

In a twenty-third aspect, the present application provides a network coding apparatus comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit configured to receive a computer program and transmit the computer program to the processor; the processor runs the computer program to perform the method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

Twenty-fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium for storing a computer program which, when executed, causes the method of any one of the first to seventh aspects to be carried out.

In a twenty-fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed, causes the method of any one of the first to seventh aspects to be implemented.

In a twenty-sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes an SMF entity, a CNC, an End Station and a RAN apparatus, wherein the SMF entity is configured to perform the method of any one of the first, fourth and sixth aspects, the UPF entity is configured to perform the method of any one of the second aspect, the CNC is configured to perform the method of any one of the third aspect, the End Station is configured to perform the method of any one of the fifth aspect, and the RAN apparatus is configured to perform the method of any one of the seventh aspects.

In a twenty-seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip or a chip system, where the chip or the chip system includes a processor configured to support a UPF entity, an SMF entity, CNC, end Station, or RAN device to implement the functions recited in any one of the foregoing first to seventh aspects.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or the background art of the present application, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments or the background art of the present application will be described below.

FIG. 1 (A) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service interface;

FIG. 1 (B) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface;

FIG. 2 is a multicast diagram;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a dual-end communication network encoding;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a TSN framework;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture with 5GS as the bridge of the TSN;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a 5G dual-ended UE communication with a TSN;

FIG. 7 (A) is a diagram illustrating a packet wait condition for performing network coding;

FIG. 7 (B) is a diagram illustrating another packet waiting scenario for performing network coding;

fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of network coding according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a data packet transmission;

fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of network coding according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another data packet transmission;

fig. 12 is a schematic flowchart of network coding according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic flowchart of network coding according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a network coding device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of another network coding device according to an embodiment of the present application

Fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of another network coding device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of another network coding device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a network coding device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of an SMF entity provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a UPF entity provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a RAN device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a CNC provided by the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of an End Station according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Evolved Packet System (EPS) defined by the third generation partnership project (3 rd generation partnership project,3 gpp). As shown in fig. 1 (a) and fig. 1 (B), fig. 1 (a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service interface, and fig. 1 (B) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface. The 5G network may be divided into three parts including a User Equipment (UE), a Data Network (DN), and an operator network.

Wherein the operator network may include one or more of: AN authentication server function (AUSF) entity, a network open function (NEF) entity, a Policy Control Function (PCF) entity, a Unified Data Management (UDM) entity, a Unified Database (UDR), a network storage function (NRF) entity, AN Application Function (AF) entity, AN access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, a session management function (session management function, SMF) entity, a line access network (radio access network, (R) AN (AN) device, and a user plane function (user plane, UPF) entity, etc. In the operator network described above, the entities other than the RAN may be referred to as core network parts.

The UE may be a terminal device, such as a mobile phone, an internet of things terminal device, and the like.

A radio access network (R) AN device provides wireless access for a terminal device, which includes, but is not limited to, a 5G base station (next generation node B, gNB), a wireless fidelity (WiFi) Access Point (AP), a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) base station (base station, BS), and the like.

The AMF entity is mainly responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as user location update, user registration network, user handover, etc.

The SMF entity is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, and release. The specific functions include allocating an IP address to a user, selecting a UPF entity providing a message forwarding function, and the like.

The PCF entity is primarily responsible for providing policies such as quality of service (QoS) policies, slice selection policies, etc. to the AMF, SMF.

The UDM entity is used to store user data such as subscription information, authentication/authorization information.

The Application Function (AF) entity is mainly responsible for providing services to the third generation partnership project (3 gpp) network, such as influencing service routing, interacting with the PCF to perform policy control, and the like.

The AUSF entity is responsible for authorization of the user to access the 5G network.

The NEF entity is responsible for opening capabilities and events that externally provide the 5G network, and receiving related external messages.

The UDR entity is responsible for providing the storage capacity of the subscription data, the strategy data and the capacity openness related data.

The NRF entity is responsible for providing registration and discovery capabilities of network elements in the 5G network.

The UPF entity is mainly responsible for processing user messages, such as forwarding, charging, and the like.

A Data Network (DN) is mainly responsible for providing data transmission services, such as IP Multimedia Services (IMS), internet (internet), etc., for users. The UE accesses the DN by establishing a session (session) between the UE-RAN-UPF-DNs.

Multicast: the communication mode of one-to-one group between hosts, namely hosts joining the same group can receive all data in the group, and switches and routers in the network only copy and forward data required by the hosts to demanders. As shown in fig. 2, fig. 2 is a multicast diagram. The hosts may request to join or leave a group from a router, and routers and switches in the network selectively copy and transfer data, i.e., only intra-group data to hosts that join the group. Therefore, data can be transmitted to a plurality of hosts with needs (joining a group) at one time, and other communication of other hosts without needs (not joining the group) can be guaranteed not to be influenced. The multicast IP address is a class D IP address, the range is: 224.0.0 to 239.255.255.255.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a dual-end communication network coding, as shown in fig. 3. Network coding is a technology for increasing the capacity of a multicast network by coding received information through a relay node. The first stage is as follows: UE1 and UE2 respectively occupy 1 part of resource to send x to network node (or relay node) ₁ And x ₂ . And a second stage: network node occupies 1 part of resource and sends coded data x to UE1 and UE2 _c ，x _c Is given by x ₁ And x ₂ And performing exclusive OR to obtain the product. And a third stage: UE1 receives x _c Then, x is put into _c And x ₁ After XOR, x is obtained ₂ (ii) a UE2 receives x _c Then, x is put into _c And x ₂ Exclusive OR to obtain x ₁ . By such processing, the base station transmits x to UE1 and UE2, respectively ₂ ，x ₁ Time-saving transmission resources, only sending x _c It is achieved that x is sent separately ₁ And x ₂ The effect of (1).

A Time Sensitive Network (TSN) is developed based on Audio Video Bridging (AVB) to meet the requirements of the industrial control field for time delay and reliability, and is characterized by time synchronization, deterministic time delay, and high reliability, and operates in the data link layer. As shown in fig. 4, fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a TSN framework. The TSN framework contains four nodes. Wherein, a centralized user configuration controller (CUC): the method is used for collecting a stream creation request of a terminal in the TSN, and creating the TSN stream by interacting with a centralized network configuration controller (CNC). CNC: and maintaining the topology information of the network and the information of each switching node, planning the transmission path and the scheduling strategy of the data stream, and issuing the data stream to each switching node. End node (End Station): a sender (Talker) and a receiver (Listener) device of the TSN stream. TSN switching node (TSN bridge): reporting the capability and the topology information of the exchange node to the CNC, and scheduling and forwarding the data stream based on a rule issued by the CNC.

The TSN framework may perform the following process: first, topology discovery, reporting port capability, transmission delay, and internal processing delay. Second, the End Station sends a create flow request to the CUC. Third, the CUC sends a create stream request to the CNC. Fourthly, the CNC calculates scheduling and forwarding rules of all the nodes and confirms the scheduling and forwarding rules with the CUC. Fifthly, the CUC sends scheduling and forwarding rules to each node.

In order to really achieve the purpose of 5G-enabled industrial networks, 3GPP has deeply discussed and established a scheme for supporting deterministic traffic on TSNs on a standard basis. The deterministic service is characterized by periodicity, determinacy, fixed data size and the like, and some services have the requirements of low time delay and high reliability. As shown in fig. 5, fig. 5 is a system architecture diagram of a 5GS as a bridge of the TSN. The 3GPP channel serves as a bridge of the TSN, and transmits data between different nodes of the TSN. A network-side delay-sensitive network converter (NW-TT) is responsible for the adaptation of the UPF entity and the TSN, and the protocol conversion of the 5GS and TSN system is completed; and a device-side delay-sensitive network converter (DS-TT) is responsible for the adaptation of the UE and the TSN terminal node, and completes the protocol conversion of the 5GS and TSN system. The AF entity is responsible for exchanging control information with the TSN control plane, and is used for generating QoS configuration, TSN scheduling configuration, and the like.

The 3gpp r17 release enhances support for TSNs, including support for UE-to-UE TSN data transmission and time synchronization. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a dual-end UE communication with 5G and TSN combined as shown in fig. 6. A Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is established to the UPF entity for each DS-TT, port1 on DS-TT1, port 2 on DS-TT2, port 3 on NW-TT becomes a Port of 5GS Bridge. Possible Port combinations include [ Port1, port 2], [ Port1, port 3], [ Port 2, port 3]. The End Station1 generates a Time Sensitive Communication (TSC) service request (the destination is the End Station 2), and reports the TSC service request to the CUC. The CUC negotiates with the CNC, which determines based on Port information and Bridge capabilities that the End Station1 can communicate with the End Station2 via Port1, port 2 of the 5GS Bridge. The CNC provides the 5GS Bridge with relevant information, i.e. the CNC creates the TSN stream, configures the transmission class (traffic class) and TSN parameters, and sends them to the AF entity. The AF entity transmits the TSN parameters to the PCF entity (the AF entity makes decisions and provides corresponding TSN parameters for PDU sessions respectively), and the PCF entity maps the raffic class and the TSN parameters into 3GPP QoS parameters. The time-related parameters acquired by the SMF entity include Burst Arrival Time (BAT), period, UE-DS-TT dwell time, packet Delay Budget (PDB), and the like.

Under the scenario that multicast and network coding are applied to dual-end User Equipment (UE) communication combining a fifth Generation mobile communication technology (5 th-Generation, 5G) and a Time Sensitive Network (TSN). An End node (End Station) 1 and an End Station2 communicate with each other through a 5GS Bridge, the End Station1 sends a data packet 1 of the End Station1 to the End Station2, the End Station2 sends a data packet 1 of the End Station2 to the End Station1, the data packet 1 of the End Station1 and the data packet 1 of the End Station2 perform network coding operation (for example, exclusive-or operation) at a network coding operation node, and then the data packets after network coding are sent to the End Station1 and the End Station2 in a multicast mode. And the End Station1 and the End Station2 perform corresponding decoding operation to obtain a data packet sent to the End terminal.

As shown in fig. 7 (a), fig. 7 (a) is a diagram illustrating a packet waiting situation for performing network coding. In a general situation, the data packet 1 of the End Station1 first reaches the xor node, so the data packet 1 of the End Station2 is waited until the data packet 1 of the End Station1 and the data packet 1 of the End Station2 all reach the xor node, the xor operation is performed on the data packet 1 of the End Station1 and the data packet 1 of the End Station2 to obtain the xor data packet, and then the xor data packet is respectively sent to the End Station1 and the End Station2. As also shown in fig. 7 (B), fig. 7 (B) is a schematic diagram of another packet waiting situation for performing network coding. Under the slot cake condition, the data packet 1 of the End Station1 arrives at the xor node first, and because the data packet 1 of the End Station2 is late in time, the data packet 1 of the End Station1 needs to wait for a long time before performing the xor operation. When the xor data packet is sent to the End Station1, the End Station1 already starts sending the data packet 2, and the time for waiting the data packet exceeds the time delay limit.

As shown in fig. 8, fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of network coding according to an embodiment of the present application. The steps in the embodiments of the present application include at least:

s801, the UE/DS-TT sends a PDU session establishment request to the 5G core network, and the 5G core network establishes a PDU session according to the PDU session request. And after the PDU session is established, the 5G core network reports 5GS bridge information to the AF entity.

Wherein the 5GS Bridge information comprises port management capability, a port number of the DS-TT, bridge identification (Bridge ID) and the like.

Further, the AF entity sends the first information to a TSN control plane (CUC/CNC).

Wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following parameters: the method comprises the steps of data packet resident DS-TT, duration UE _ DS _ TT of terminal equipment, media Access Control (MAC) address of the DS-TT, port management capability, port number of the DS-TT, bridge identification, time Delay (txPropagation Delay) from a data packet sent by an End Station to a corresponding DS-TT port, port neighbor information and the like.

S802, the End station sends a TSC service request to the CUC.

The TSC service request comprises an address of the End Station, a packet sending time of the TSC service, a sending period of a data packet, a time delay threshold value when the data packet reaches a second End Station2 from the End Station1 and the like. The CUC negotiates with the CNC to determine the port through which the communication passes.

S803, the CNC performs 5GS bridge configuration through the AF entity.

Optionally, a per-streaming filtering and policy (PSFP) parameter in units of flows is mapped to a TSN QoS parameter, and then the TSN QoS parameter is mapped to a 5G QoS parameter, so as to generate and update a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule. Optionally, corresponding port configuration may be performed according to the port management information.

S804, the SMF entity, the CUC, the CNC or other network elements determine whether the End Station1 and the End Station2 (or the DS-TT1 and the DS-TT 2) can carry out network coding pairing, and carry out data transmission through network coding. Wherein, the End Station1 corresponds to DS-TT1, and the End Station2 corresponds to DS-TT 2.

If yes, go to step S805, otherwise, end in this step.

And S805, the SMF entity indicates the UPF entity, the UE and the like to carry out the configuration of the network coding operation, and configures the core network resource and the access network resource, thereby transmitting the data packet after the UPF entity carries out the network coding.

Optionally, the core network resources and the access network resources may be configured in a multicast manner.

In this embodiment of the present application, the manner for triggering the UPF entity to determine the critical time of each data packet includes the following two optional manners:

s806a, the SMF entity obtains first time information from local and sends first indication information to the UPF entity, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information. The first indication information is used for determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the first End node End Station.

Optionally, the SMF entity may send the first indication information to the UPF entity through the N4 session modification procedure.

The first time information includes burst arrival time BAT, packet delay budget PDB and a period T of sending a data packet by the first End Station, where the BAT is used to indicate a time when a first data packet in the at least one data packet leaves a first terminal device, and the PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a QoS flow between the first terminal device and the UPF entity.

The first End Station (End Station 1) corresponds to the first terminal device (UE 1), and may be understood as that the first End Station sends an uplink data packet through the first terminal device. The second End Station (End Station 2) corresponds to the second terminal device (UE 2), and may be understood as that the second End Station sends the uplink data packet through the second terminal device.

Optionally, the UPF entity may first determine an nth data packet in at least one data packet currently arriving at the UPF entity, and then determine a critical time of the nth data packet in the at least one data packet according to the burst arrival time BAT, the packet delay budget PDB, and the period T of sending the data packet by the first End Station.

Wherein the critical time of the nth packet of the at least one packet = the BAT + the PDB + (N-1) × the T, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

S806b, the SMF entity receives the first time information sent by the CNC of the centralized network configuration controller, and then sends first indication information to the UPF entity, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information. The first indication information is used for determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the first End node End Station.

Alternatively, the CNC may obtain the first time from the local and then send the first time information to the SMF entity through the AF entity and the PCF entity.

The first time information comprises the sending time of a first data packet in the at least one data packet, a delay threshold value and the period T of sending the data packet by the first End Station, wherein the delay threshold value represents the upper delay limit of the data packet from the first End Station to a second End Station.

Optionally, the UPF entity may first determine an mth data packet in at least one data packet currently arriving at the UPF entity, and then determine a critical time of the mth data packet in the at least one data packet according to the sending time of the first data packet, the delay threshold/2, and the T.

Wherein the critical time of the mth packet of the at least one packet = the transmission time of the first packet + the delay threshold/2 + (M-1) × the T, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Optionally, the UPF entity performs network coding on each data packet according to the critical time. Further, when the time when the ith data packet waits for the arrival of the data packet sent by the second End Station in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station does not exceed the critical time of the ith data packet, the UPF entity performs network coding on the ith data packet and the data packet of the second End Station. When the time when the ith data packet in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station waits for the arrival of the data packet sent by the second End Station exceeds the critical time of the ith data packet, the UPF entity does not perform network coding on the ith data packet and sends the ith data packet to the second End Station. Wherein i is an integer of 1 or more.

Optionally, the UPF entity sends the ith data packet to the End Station2 in a unicast manner.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a data packet transmission, as shown in fig. 9. After the End Station1 sends the data packet 1 to the exclusive-or node (UPF entity), the data packet 1 sent by the End Station2 is waited, and because the time of waiting for the arrival of the data packet 1 sent by the End Station2 exceeds the critical time of the data packet 1 of the End Station1, the exclusive-or node does not perform network coding on the data packet 1 of the End Station1, and directly sends the data packet 1 of the End Station1 to the End Station2. After the critical time of the data packet 1 of the End state 1, the data packet 1 sent by the End state 2 first reaches an exclusive or node, the data packet 1 of the End state 2 waits for the data packet 2 sent by the End state 1, and the data packet 2 sent by the End state 1 before the critical time of the data packet 1 of the End state 2 reaches the exclusive or node, so that the exclusive or node performs network coding on the data packet 1 of the End state 2 and the data packet 2 sent by the End state 1 to obtain an exclusive or packet 1, and sends the exclusive or packet 1 to the End state 1 and the End state 2 respectively, the End state 1 obtains the data packet 1 of the End state 2 by decoding, and the End state 2 obtains the data packet 2 of the End state 1 by decoding.

In the embodiment of the application, the UPF entity executes network coding operation, the SMF entity indicates the UPF entity to determine the critical time of each data packet of the End Station1, and determines whether to wait the data packet of the End Station2 according to the critical time, so that the data packet is prevented from exceeding the time delay limit due to overlong waiting time, and the efficiency of data transmission is improved.

As shown in fig. 10, fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of network coding provided in the embodiment of the present application. The steps in the embodiments of the present application include at least:

s1001, UE/DS-TT sends PDU conversation building request to 5G core network, 5G core network builds PDU conversation according to PDU conversation request. And after the PDU session is established, the 5G core network reports 5GS bridge information to the AF entity.

Wherein the 5GS Bridge information comprises port management capability, port number of DS-TT, bridge identification (Bridge ID) and the like.

Wherein the first information comprises at least one of the following parameters: the method comprises the steps of data packet resident DS-TT, duration UE _ DS _ TT of terminal equipment, media Access Control (MAC) address of the DS-TT, port management capability, port number of the DS-TT, bridge identification, time Delay (txpaging Delay) from a data packet sent by an End Station to a corresponding DS-TT port, and port neighbor information.

S1002, the End station sends a TSC service request to the CUC.

S1003, the CNC performs 5GS bridge configuration through the AF entity.

S1004, the SMF entity, CUC, CNC or other network elements determine whether the End Station1 and the End Station2 (or the DS-TT1 and the DS-TT 2) can be paired by network coding, and perform data transmission by the network coding. Wherein, the End Station1 corresponds to DS-TT1, and the End Station2 corresponds to DS-TT 2.

If yes, S1005 is executed, otherwise, the process is terminated.

S1005, the SMF entity instructs the UPF entity and the UE to perform configuration of network coding operation, and configures core network resources and access network resources, so as to transmit a data packet after the UPF entity performs network coding.

Next, the primary packet time of the first End Station (End Station 1) is adjusted based on the second End Station (End Station 2). The mode of triggering the first End Station to adjust the packet sending time comprises the following two optional modes:

s1006a, the CNC/CUC acquires first time information from the local; determining the adjusted packet sending time according to the first time information; and sending the adjusted packet sending time to a first End node End Station, wherein the adjusted packet sending time is used for indicating the first End Station to send a first data packet.

The first time information comprises a time delay ED1 when the first data packet sent by the first End state reaches a first device-side delay-sensitive network converter (DS-TT 1) from the first End state, a time delay ED2 when the second data packet sent by the second End state reaches a second DS-TT (DS-TT 2) from the second End state, a time length UE _ DS _ TT1 when the first data packet resides in the first DS-TT and a first terminal device, a time length UE _ DS _ TT2 when the second data packet resides in the second DS-TT and a second terminal device, a primary packet time TPT1 of the first data packet and a packet time TPT2 of the second data packet. Wherein the first data packet residence time duration UE _ DS _ TT1 of the first DS-TT and the first terminal device can be represented as a time delay from the first data packet arriving at the port of the first DS-TT to leaving the first terminal device (UE 1), and the second data packet residence time duration UE _ DS _ TT2 of the second DS-TT and the second terminal device can be represented as a time delay from the second data packet arriving at the port of the second DS-TT to leaving the second terminal device (UE 2).

The first End Station and the first terminal device correspond to the first DS-TT, namely the first End Station sends an uplink data packet through the first DS-TT and the first terminal device. The second End Station and the second terminal device correspond to the second DS-TT, that is, the second End Station sends the uplink data packet through the second DS-TT and the second terminal device.

Optionally, the adjusted packet sending time = ED2+ the UE _ DS _ TT2+ the TPT 2-the UE _ DS _ TT 1-the ED1.

S1006b, the SMF entity determines an adjustment amount; the SMF entity sends a first request to a CNC and/or a CUC, wherein the first request comprises the adjustment amount, and the first request is used for requesting the CNC and/or the CUC to adjust the time when the first End Station sends the first data packet.

Alternatively, the SMF entity may send the first request to the CNC and/or the CUC through the PCF entity and the AF entity.

Optionally, the SMF entity may obtain, from local time-sensitive communication assistance information (TSCAI), a time BAT1 when a first packet of the first End Station leaves the first terminal device and a time BAT2 when a first packet of the second End Station leaves the second terminal device. BAT1 is obtained from the TSCAI associated with the first terminal device, and BAT2 is obtained from the TSCAI associated with the second terminal device.

Alternatively, the SMF entity may determine the adjustment amount according to a time when the first packet of the second End Station leaves the second terminal device, a time when the first packet of the first End Station leaves the first terminal device, and a clock frequency ratio. Wherein the clock frequency ratio is the ratio of the clock frequency of the TSN domain to the clock frequency of the 5G system.

Further, the adjustment amount = (BAT 2-BAT 1) × clock frequency ratio, where BAT2 is a time when a first data packet of the second End Station leaves the second terminal device, and BAT1 is a time when a first data packet of the first End Station leaves the first terminal device.

Optionally, the CNC and/or the CUC may determine the adjusted packet sending time of the first data packet according to the original packet sending time of the first data packet and the adjustment amount. Further, the adjusted packet sending time = the original packet sending time of the first data packet + the adjustment amount.

Optionally, the first End Station receives the adjusted packet sending time sent by the CNC and/or the CUC; and sending the first data packet according to the adjusted packet sending time.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of another data packet transmission, as shown in fig. 11. The packet sending time of the data packet 1 of the End Station1 is adjusted to be aligned with the packet sending time of the data packet 1 of the End Station2, so that the data packet 1 of the End Station1 can wait for the End Station2 to reach the exclusive or node only by waiting for a short time after the data packet 1 of the End Station1 first reaches the exclusive or node (UPF entity). The XOR node performs network coding on the data packet 1 of the End Station2 and the data packet 1 of the End Station1 to obtain the XOR packet 1, and sends the XOR packet 1 to the End Station1 and the End Station2 respectively, the End Station1 obtains the data packet 1 of the End Station2 through decoding, and the End Station2 obtains the data packet 1 of the End Station1 through decoding.

In the embodiment of the application, the UPF entity executes the network coding operation, and aligns the packet sending time of the second data packet of the second End Station by adjusting the packet sending time of the first data packet of the first End Station, so that the situation that the data packet exceeds the delay limit due to too long waiting time is avoided, and the efficiency of data transmission is improved.

As shown in fig. 12, fig. 12 is a schematic flowchart of network coding according to an embodiment of the present application. The steps in the embodiments of the present application include at least:

s1201, UE/DS-TT sends PDU session establishment request to 5G core network, and the 5G core network establishes PDU session according to the PDU session request. And after the PDU session is established, the 5G core network reports 5GS bridge information to the AF entity.

S1202, the End station sends a TSC service request to the CUC.

S1203, the CNC performs 5GS bridge configuration through the AF entity.

S1204, the SMF entity, CUC, CNC or other network element determines whether the End Station1 and the End Station2 (or the DS-TT1 and the DS-TT 2) can be paired by network coding, and performs data transmission by network coding. Wherein, the End Station1 corresponds to DS-TT1, and the End Station2 corresponds to DS-TT 2.

If yes, go to step S1205, otherwise, terminate in this step.

S1205, the SMF entity instructs RAN equipment, UE and the like to perform configuration of network coding operation, and configures core network resources and access network resources, so as to transmit a data packet after the UPF entity executes network coding.

In the embodiment of the present application, the manner for triggering the RAN device to determine the critical time of each data packet includes the following two optional manners:

s1206a, the SMF entity acquires first time information from the local; sending first indication information to a Radio Access Network (RAN) device, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information, and the first indication information is used for determining a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, and the critical time is used for indicating a latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet.

Optionally, the SMF entity sends the first indication information to the RAN device through the AMF entity.

The first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a first packet delay budget PDB, a second PDB, and a period T of sending a data packet by the first End Station, where the BAT is used for a time when a first data packet in the at least one data packet leaves a first terminal device, the first PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the first terminal device between the first terminal device and the user plane function UPF entity, and the second PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the second terminal device between the UPF entity and the RAN device.

The first End Station corresponds to the first terminal device, and the second End Station corresponds to the second terminal device.

Optionally, the RAN device may first determine a kth data packet in at least one data packet currently arriving at the RAN device, and then determine a critical time of each data packet in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station according to the burst arrival time BAT, the first PDB, the second PDB, and the period T of sending the data packet by the first End Station.

Further, a critical time of a kth packet of the at least one packet = BAT + the first PDB + the second PDB + (K-1) × the T, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

S1206b, the CNC sends a first request to the SMF entity, where the first request includes the first time information, and the first request is used to request to determine a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the first End Station. After receiving the first request, the SMF entity sends first indication information to the RAN device. The first indication information is used to instruct the RAN device to determine the critical time of each packet.

Optionally, the CNC sends the first request to the SMF entity through the AF entity and the PCF entity.

The first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a first packet delay budget PDB, a second PDB, and a period T of sending a data packet by the first End Station, where the BAT is used at a time when a first data packet in the at least one data packet leaves a first terminal device, the first PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the first terminal device between the first terminal device and the user plane function UPF entity, and the second PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the second terminal device between the UPF entity and the RAN device.

It should be noted that the manner in which the RAN apparatus determines the critical time of each data packet is the same as the manner in which the RAN apparatus determines the critical time of each data packet in S1206a, and this step is not described again.

Optionally, the RAN device performs network coding on each data packet according to the critical time. Further, when the time when the jth data packet in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station waits for the arrival of the data packet sent by the second End Station does not exceed the critical time of the jth data packet, the RAN device performs network coding on the jth data packet and the data packet of the second End Station. When the time when the jth data packet in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station waits for the arrival of a data packet sent by the second End Station exceeds the critical time of the jth data packet, the RAN equipment does not perform network coding on the jth data packet, and sends the jth data packet to the second End Station. Wherein j is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Optionally, when a time when a jth data packet in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station waits for a data packet sent by a second End Station to arrive exceeds a critical time of the jth data packet, the RAN device may send the jth data packet to an End Station2 in a unicast manner.

In the embodiment of the application, the RAN device executes network coding operation, the SMF entity indicates the RAN device to determine the critical time of each data packet of the End Station1, and determines whether to wait for the data packet of the End Station2 according to the critical time, so that the situation that the data packet exceeds the delay limit due to too long waiting time is avoided, and the efficiency of data transmission is improved.

As shown in fig. 13, fig. 13 is a schematic flowchart of network coding according to an embodiment of the present application. The steps in the embodiments of the present application include at least:

s1301 to S1304 are the same as S1001 to S1004, and specific implementation manners of S1301 to S1304 may refer to those of S1001 to S1004, which is not described herein again.

S1305, the SMF entity instructs the RAN device and the UE to perform configuration of network coding operation, and configures resources of a core network and resources of an access network, so as to transmit a data packet after the UPF entity performs network coding.

S1306a is the same as S1006a, S1306b is the same as S1006b, a specific implementation manner of S1306a may refer to a specific implementation manner of S1006a, and a specific implementation manner of S1306b may refer to a specific implementation manner of S1006b, which is not described herein again.

In the embodiment of the application, the RAN device executes the network coding operation, and aligns the packet sending time of the second data packet of the second End Station by adjusting the packet sending time of the first data packet of the first End Station, so as to avoid that the data packet exceeds the delay limit due to too long waiting time, thereby improving the efficiency of data transmission.

It is to be understood that, in the foregoing method embodiments, the method and operations implemented by the SMF entity may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available to the SMF entity, and the method and operations implemented by the UPF entity may also be implemented by a component (e.g., a chip or a circuit) available to the UPF entity. The methods and operations implemented by the RAN equipment may also be implemented by components (e.g., chips or circuits) that may be used in the RAN equipment. The methods and operations implemented by CNC may also be implemented by components (e.g., chips or circuits) that may be used for CNC.

The above mainly introduces the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application from various interaction perspectives. It is understood that each network element, for example, the transmitting end device or the receiving end device, includes a corresponding hardware structure and/or software module for performing each function in order to implement the above functions. Those of skill in the art would appreciate that the various illustrative components and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, the functional modules may be divided according to the above method example for the transmitting end device or the receiving end device, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a form of hardware or a form of a software functional module. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation. The following description will be given by taking an example in which each functional module is divided by using a corresponding function.

The method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above with reference to fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12, and fig. 13. Hereinafter, the network coding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to fig. 14 to 18. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments, and therefore, for brevity, details are not repeated here, since the details that are not described in detail may be referred to the above method embodiments.

Referring to fig. 14, fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a network coding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network coding device may include an obtaining module 1401, a processing module 1402 and a sending module 1403, wherein the obtaining module 1401 and the sending module 1403 may communicate with the outside, and the obtaining module 1401 and the sending module 1403 may also be referred to as a communication interface, a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The obtaining module 1401 and the sending module 1403 may be used to perform the actions performed by the SMF entity in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1402 is used for processing, such as determining an adjustment amount.

For example: the obtaining module 1401 and the sending module 1403 may also be referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver unit (including a receiving unit and a sending unit), which are respectively configured to perform the steps of the SMF entity sending and receiving in the above method embodiments.

In one possible design, the network coding apparatus may implement the steps or processes performed by the SMF entity corresponding to the above method embodiments, for example, the network coding apparatus may be the SMF entity or a chip or circuit configured in the SMF entity. The obtaining module 1401 and the sending module 1403 are used for performing the transceiving related operations on the SMF entity side in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1402 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the SMF entity in the above method embodiments.

In one embodiment:

an obtaining module 1401, configured to obtain first time information;

a sending module 1403, configured to send first indication information to a user plane function UPF entity, where the first indication information includes the first time information, and the first indication information is used to determine a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, where the critical time is used to indicate a latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet.

Optionally, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a packet delay budget PDB, and a period T of sending a data packet by the first End Station, where the BAT is used to indicate a time when a first data packet in the at least one data packet leaves a first terminal device, and the PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a QoS flow between the first terminal device and the UPF entity.

Optionally, the critical time of the nth packet of the at least one packet = BAT + PDB + (N-1) × T, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Optionally, the first time information includes a sending time of a first data packet in the at least one data packet, a delay threshold and a period T of sending the data packet by the first End Station, where the delay threshold represents an upper delay limit of the data packet from the first End Station to a second End Station.

Optionally, the obtaining module 1401 is further configured to receive the first time information sent by the centralized network configuration controller CNC.

Optionally, the critical time of the mth packet of the at least one packet = the sending time of the first packet + the delay threshold/2 + (M-1) × the T, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

In another embodiment:

a processing module 1402 for determining an adjustment amount;

a sending module 1403, configured to send a first request to the centralized network configuration controller CNC and/or the centralized user configuration controller CUC, where the first request includes the adjustment amount, and the first request is used to request the CNC to adjust the time at which the first End Station sends the first data packet.

Optionally, the adjustment amount = (BAT 2-BAT 1) × clock frequency ratio, where BAT2 is a time when a first packet of a second End Station leaves a second terminal device, and BAT1 is a time when a first packet of the first End Station leaves the first terminal device.

In another embodiment:

an obtaining module 1401, configured to obtain first time information;

a sending module 1403, configured to send first indication information to a radio access network RAN device, where the first indication information includes the first time information, and the first indication information is used to determine a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, where the critical time is used to indicate a latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet.

Optionally, the obtaining module 1401 is further configured to receive a first request sent by the CNC, where the first request includes the first time information, and the first request is used to request to determine the critical time of each data packet.

Optionally, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a first packet delay budget PDB, a second PDB, and a period T of sending a data packet by the first End Station, where the BAT is used when a first data packet in the at least one data packet leaves a first terminal device, the first PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a QoS flow of the first terminal device between the first terminal device and a User Plane Function (UPF) entity, and the second PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a QoS flow of the second terminal device between the UPF entity and the RAN device.

Optionally, the critical time of the kth packet of the at least one packet = BAT + the first PDB + the second PDB + (K-1) × the T, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12, and fig. 13, and execute the method and the function performed by the SMF entity in the foregoing embodiments.

Referring to fig. 15, fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of a network coding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network coding apparatus may include a receiving module 1501 and a processing module 1502, the receiving module 1501 may communicate with the outside, and the receiving module 1501 may also be referred to as a communication interface, a transceiver unit, or a transceiver module. The receiving module 1501 may be used to perform the actions performed by the UPF entity in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1502 is used to perform processing, such as performing network coding operations.

For example, the receiving module 1501 may also be referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver unit (including a receiving unit and a transmitting unit), and is configured to perform the steps of transmitting and receiving the UPF entity in the above method embodiment, respectively.

In one possible design, the network coding device may implement the steps or processes performed by the UPF entity corresponding to the above method embodiments, for example, the UPF entity, or a chip or circuit configured in the UPF entity. The receiving module 1501 is used for performing the transceiving related operations on the UPF entity side in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1502 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the UPF entity in the above method embodiments.

A receiving module 1501, configured to receive first indication information sent by a session management function SMF entity, where the first indication information includes the first time information;

a processing module 1502, configured to determine, according to the first time information, a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the End Station of the first End node; and carrying out network coding on each data packet according to the critical moment.

Optionally, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a packet delay budget PDB, and a period T of sending a data packet by the first End Station, where the BAT is used to indicate a time when a first data packet in the at least one data packet leaves the first terminal device, and the PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a QoS flow between the first terminal device and the UPF entity.

Optionally, the first time information includes a sending time of a first data packet in the at least one data packet, a delay threshold and a period T of sending the data packet by the first End Station, where the delay threshold represents an upper delay limit for a data packet to reach a second End Station from the first End Station.

Optionally, the processing module 1502 is further configured to perform network coding on the ith data packet and the data packet of the second End Station when a time when an ith data packet waits for a data packet sent by the second End Station in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station to arrive does not exceed a critical time of the ith data packet, where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12, and fig. 13, and execute the method and the function executed by the UPF entity in the foregoing embodiments.

Referring to fig. 16, fig. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of a network coding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network coding device may include a receiving module 1601 and a processing module 1602, where the receiving module 1601 may communicate with the outside, and the receiving module 1601 may also be referred to as a communication interface, a transceiver unit, or a transceiver module. The receiving module 1601 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the RAN device in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1602 is used for processing, such as performing network coding operations.

For example, the receiving module 1601 may also be referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver unit (including a receiving unit and a transmitting unit), and is used for performing the steps of the RAN device transmitting and receiving in the above method embodiments, respectively.

In one possible design, the network coding apparatus may implement the steps or processes performed by the RAN device corresponding to the above method embodiments, for example, the RAN device, or a chip or circuit configured in the RAN device. The receiving module 1601 is configured to perform transceiving related operations on the RAN device side in the above method embodiment. The processing module 1602 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the RAN device in the above method embodiments.

A receiving module 1601, configured to receive first indication information sent by a session management function SMF entity, where the first indication information includes the first time information.

A processing module 1602, configured to determine a critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the first End node End Station according to the first time information; and performing network coding on each data packet according to the critical moment.

Optionally, the first time information includes a burst arrival time BAT, a first packet delay budget PDB, a second PDB, and a period T of sending a data packet by the first End Station, where the BAT is used when a first data packet in the at least one data packet leaves a first terminal device, the first PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the first terminal device between the first terminal device and a user plane function UPF entity, and the second PDB is used to indicate a delay budget of a data packet in a quality of service QoS flow of the second terminal device between the UPF entity and the RAN device.

Optionally, the processing module 1602 is further configured to perform network coding on the jth data packet and the data packet of the second End Station when a time when the jth data packet in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station waits for a data packet sent by the second End Station to arrive does not exceed a critical time of the jth data packet, where j is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12, and fig. 13, and execute the method and the function performed by the RAN device in the foregoing embodiments.

Referring to fig. 17, fig. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of a network coding device according to an embodiment of the present application. The network coding apparatus may include an obtaining module 1701, a processing module 1702, and a sending module 1703, where the obtaining module 1701 and the sending module 1703 may communicate with the outside, and the obtaining module 1701 and the sending module 1703 may also be referred to as a communication interface, a transceiver unit, or a transceiver module. The fetch module 1701 and the send module 1703 may be used to perform the actions performed by the CNC in the above method embodiments. The processing module 1702 is configured to perform processing, such as determining an adjusted packet sending time.

For example: the obtaining module 1701 and the sending module 1703 may also be referred to as a transceiver module or a transceiver unit (including a receiving unit and a sending unit) for performing the steps of CNC sending and receiving in the above method embodiments, respectively.

In one possible design, the network coding device may implement the steps or processes performed corresponding to the CNC and/or the CUC in the above method embodiments, for example, may be the CNC and/or the CUC, or a chip or a circuit configured in the CNC and/or the CUC. The acquiring module 1701 and the sending module 1703 are used for performing the above operations related to the CNC and/or CUC side of the method embodiment. The processing module 1702 is configured to perform processing-related operations of the CNC in the above method embodiments.

An obtaining module 1701 for obtaining first time information;

a processing module 1702, configured to determine an adjusted packet sending time according to the first time information;

a sending module 1703, configured to send the adjusted packet sending time to a first End node End Station, where the adjusted packet sending time is used to instruct the first End Station to send a first data packet.

Optionally, the first time information includes a time delay ED1 when the first data packet sent by the first End Station reaches a first device-side delay-sensitive network converter DS-TT from the first End Station, a time delay ED2 when the second data packet sent by the second End Station reaches a second DS-TT from the second End Station, a duration UE _ DS _ TT1 when the first data packet resides in the first DS-TT and a first terminal device, a duration UE _ DS _ TT2 when the second data packet resides in the second DS-TT and a second terminal device, a primary packet time TPT1 of the first data packet, and a packet time TPT2 of the second data packet.

Optionally, the first time information comprises an adjustment amount.

Optionally, the obtaining module 1701 is further configured to receive a first request sent by a session management function SMF entity, where the first request includes the adjustment amount, and the first indication information is used to request to adjust a time at which the first End Station sends the first data packet.

Optionally, the adjustment quantity = (BAT 2-BAT 1) × clock frequency ratio, where BAT2 is a time when a first packet of the second End Station leaves the second terminal device, and BAT1 is a time when a first packet of the first End Station leaves the first terminal device.

Optionally, the adjusted packet sending time = the original packet sending time of the first data packet + the adjustment amount.

It should be noted that the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, 10, 12 and 13, and execute the method and functions performed by the CNC in the above embodiments.

Referring to fig. 18, fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a network coding device according to an embodiment of the present application. The network coding apparatus may include a receiving module 1801 and a processing module 1802, where the receiving module 1801 may communicate with the outside, and the receiving module 1801 may also be referred to as a communication interface, a transceiver unit, or a transceiver module. The receiving module 1801 may be configured to perform the actions performed by the End Station in the above method embodiment. The processing module 1802 is configured to perform processing, such as sending data packets.

For example, the receiving module 1801 may also be referred to as a transceiving module or a transceiving unit (including a receiving unit and a transmitting unit), and is configured to perform the steps of the End Station transmitting and receiving in the foregoing method embodiment, respectively.

In one possible design, the network coding apparatus may implement the steps or processes executed corresponding to the End Station in the above method embodiment, for example, the End Station or a chip or circuit configured in the End Station. The receiving module 1801 is used for performing transceiving related operations on the End Station side in the above method embodiment. The processing module 1802 is used to perform the processing related operations of the End Station in the above method embodiments.

A receiving module 1801, configured to receive an adjusted packet sending time sent by the CNC and/or the CUC;

and the processing module 1802 is configured to send the first data packet according to the adjusted packet sending time.

It should be noted that, the implementation of each module may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12 and fig. 13, and execute the method and function executed by the End Station in the above embodiments.

Fig. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of an SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present application. The SMF entity may be applied to the systems shown in fig. 1 (a) and fig. 1 (B), and perform the functions of the SMF entity in the above method embodiments, or implement the steps or flows performed by the SMF entity in the above method embodiments.

As shown in fig. 19, the SMF entity includes a processor 1901 and a transceiver 1902. Optionally, the SMF entity further comprises a memory 1903. The processor 1901, the transceiver 1902 and the memory 1903 can communicate with each other via an internal connection path to transmit control and/or data signals, the memory 1903 can be used for storing a computer program, and the processor 1901 can be used for calling and running the computer program from the memory 1903 to control the transceiver 1902 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the SMF entity may further include an antenna, configured to send the uplink data or the uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1902 through a wireless signal.

The processor 1901 may correspond to the processing module in fig. 14, and may be combined with the memory 1903 to form a processing device, and the processor 1901 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 1903 to implement the functions. In particular, the memory 1903 may be integrated with the processor 1901 or may be independent of the processor 1901.

The transceiver 1902 may correspond to the acquiring module and the transmitting module in fig. 14, and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 1902 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). Wherein the receiver is used for receiving signals, and the transmitter is used for transmitting signals.

It should be understood that the SMF entity shown in fig. 19 can implement various processes related to the SMF entity in the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12 and fig. 13. The operations and/or functions of the modules in the SMF entity are respectively for implementing the corresponding flows in the above method embodiments. Specifically, reference may be made to the description of the above method embodiments, and the detailed description is appropriately omitted herein to avoid redundancy.

The processor 1901 may be configured to perform the actions described in the foregoing method embodiments as being implemented internally by the SMF entity, and the transceiver 1902 may be configured to perform the actions described in the foregoing method embodiments as being received by and from the SMF entity to and from the UPF entity. Please refer to the description in the previous embodiment of the method, which is not repeated herein.

The processor 1901 may be, for example, a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. Which may implement or perform the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure. The processor 1901 may also be a combination of computing functions, e.g., comprising one or more microprocessors, a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, or the like. The communication bus 1904 may be a peripheral component interconnect standard PCI bus or an extended industry standard architecture EISA bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 19, but it is not intended that there be only one bus or one type of bus. A communication bus 1904 is used to enable connection communications between these components. In the embodiment of the present application, the transceiver 1902 is used for communicating signaling or data with other node devices. The memory 1903 may include a volatile memory, such as a nonvolatile dynamic random access memory (NVRAM), a phase change random access memory (PRAM), a Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), and the like, and may further include a nonvolatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk memory device, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory device, such as a NOR flash memory (NOR flash memory) or a NAND flash memory (EEPROM), and a semiconductor device, such as a Solid State Disk (SSD). The memory 1903 may optionally also be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 1901 as previously described. A set of computer program code or configuration information may optionally also be stored in the memory 1903. Alternatively, the processor 1901 may also execute programs stored in the memory 1903. The processor may cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the SMF entity of the embodiments of the above-mentioned application.

Fig. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a UPF entity according to an embodiment of the present application. The UPF entity may be applied to the systems shown in fig. 1 (a) and fig. 1 (B), and perform the functions of the UPF entity in the foregoing method embodiments, or implement the steps or processes performed by the UPF entity in the foregoing method embodiments.

As shown in fig. 20, the UPF entity includes a processor 2001 and a transceiver 2002. Optionally, the UPF entity also includes a memory 2003. The processor 2001, the transceiver 2002 and the memory 2003 can communicate with each other via the internal connection path to transmit control and/or data signals, the memory 2003 is used for storing a computer program, and the processor 2001 is used for calling and running the computer program from the memory 2003 to control the transceiver 2002 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the UPF entity may further include an antenna, configured to send the uplink data or the uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 2002 by using a wireless signal.

The processor 2001 may correspond to the processing module in fig. 15, and may be integrated with the memory 2003 into a processing device, and the processor 2001 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 2003 to implement the above-described functions. In particular implementations, the memory 2003 may also be integrated with the processor 2001, or may be separate from the processor 2001.

The transceiver 2002 may correspond to the receiving module in fig. 15, and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 2002 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). Wherein the receiver is used for receiving signals, and the transmitter is used for transmitting signals.

It should be understood that the UPF entity shown in fig. 20 is capable of implementing the various processes involving the UPF entity in the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, 10, 12, and 13. The operations and/or functions of the modules in the UPF entity are respectively for implementing the corresponding flows in the above method embodiments. Specifically, reference may be made to the description of the above method embodiments, and the detailed description is appropriately omitted herein to avoid redundancy.

The processor 2001 described above may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiments that are implemented internally by the UPF entity, while the transceiver 2002 may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiments that the UPF entity receives from the SMF entity. Please refer to the description of the previous embodiment of the method, which is not repeated herein.

The processor 2001 may be, among other things, various types of processors mentioned previously. The communication bus 2004 may be a peripheral component interconnect standard PCI bus or an extended industry standard architecture EISA bus or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 20, but this is not intended to represent only one bus or type of bus. A communication bus 2004 is used to enable connective communication between these components. The transceiver 2002 of the device in this embodiment of the present application is used for communicating signaling or data with other devices. The memory 2003 may be of the various types mentioned previously. The memory 2003 may optionally also be at least one memory device located remotely from the aforementioned processor 2001. A set of computer program codes or configuration information is stored in the memory 2003 and the processor 2001 executes programs in the memory 2003. The processor may cooperate with the memory and transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the UPF entity in the embodiments of the above-mentioned application.

Fig. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of a RAN device according to an embodiment of the present application. The RAN device may be applied in the systems shown in fig. 1 (a) and fig. 1 (B), and perform the functions of the RAN device in the foregoing method embodiments, or implement the steps or processes performed by the RAN device in the foregoing method embodiments.

As shown in fig. 21, the RAN equipment includes a processor 2101 and a transceiver 2102. Optionally, the RAN device further comprises a memory 2103. The processor 2101, the transceiver 2102 and the memory 2103 may communicate with each other via an internal connection path to transmit control and/or data signals, the memory 2103 may be used to store a computer program, and the processor 2101 may be used to call up and run the computer program from the memory 2103 to control the transceiver 2102 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the RAN device may further include an antenna, and is configured to transmit the uplink data or the uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 2102 by a wireless signal.

The processor 2101 may be combined with the memory 2103 to form a processing device, and the processor 2101 may be configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 2103 to implement the functions described above. In particular implementations, the memory 2103 may be integrated with the processor 2101 or may be separate from the processor 2101.

The transceiver 2102 may correspond to the receiving module in fig. 16, and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 2102 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). Wherein the receiver is used for receiving signals, and the transmitter is used for transmitting signals.

It should be understood that the RAN apparatus shown in fig. 21 can implement the respective procedures related to the RAN apparatus in the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, fig. 10, fig. 12 and fig. 13. The operation and/or function of each module in the RAN device are respectively to implement the corresponding flow in the above method embodiment. Reference may be made specifically to the description of the method embodiments above, and in order to avoid repetition, detailed description is omitted here where appropriate.

The processor 2101 described above may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiments as being implemented internally by the RAN equipment, while the transceiver 2102 may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiments as being received by the RAN equipment from the SMF entity. Please refer to the description of the previous embodiment of the method, which is not repeated herein.

The processor 2101 may be of any of the various types mentioned above. The communication bus 2104 may be a peripheral component interconnect standard PCI bus or an extended industry standard architecture EISA bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 21, but this does not mean only one bus or one type of bus. The communication bus 2104 is used to enable connection communications between these components. The transceiver 2102 of the device in the embodiment of the present application is used for communicating signaling or data with other devices. The memory 2103 may be of the various types mentioned earlier. The memory 2103 may optionally also be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 2101. A set of computer program code or configuration information is stored in the memory 2103 and the processor 2101 executes programs in the memory 2103. The processor may cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the RAN equipment in the embodiments of the above-mentioned application.

Fig. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of a CNC provided in the embodiment of the present application. The CNC may be applied in the system as shown in fig. 1 (a) and 1 (B), perform the functions of the CNC in the above method embodiment, or implement the steps or flow performed by the CNC in the above method embodiment.

As shown in fig. 22, the CNC includes a processor 2201 and a transceiver 2202. Optionally, the CNC also comprises a memory 2203. The processor 2201, the transceiver 2202 and the memory 2203 can communicate with each other to transmit control and/or data signals through the internal connection path, the memory 2203 is used for storing computer programs, and the processor 2201 is used for calling and running the computer programs from the memory 2203 to control the transceiver 2202 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the CNC may also include an antenna for sending out the uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 2202 through wireless signals.

The processor 2201 may correspond to the processing module in fig. 17, and the memory 2203 may be combined into a processing device, and the processor 2201 is configured to execute the program codes stored in the memory 2203 to realize the functions. In particular implementations, the memory 2203 may also be integrated into the processor 2201 or may be separate from the processor 2201.

The transceiver 2202 may correspond to the acquisition module and the transmission module in fig. 17, and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 2202 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuitry) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuitry). Wherein the receiver is used for receiving signals, and the transmitter is used for transmitting signals.

It should be understood that the CNC shown in fig. 22 is capable of implementing the various processes involving CNC in the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, 10, 12 and 13. The operation and/or function of each module in the CNC are respectively for realizing the corresponding flow in the above method embodiment. Reference may be made specifically to the description of the method embodiments above, and in order to avoid repetition, detailed description is omitted here where appropriate.

The processor 2201 described above may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiment that are implemented internally by the CNC, while the transceiver 2202 may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiment that the CNC transmits to or receives from the End Station. Please refer to the description of the previous embodiment of the method, which is not repeated herein.

The processor 2201 may be any of the various types of processors mentioned above. The communication bus 2204 may be a peripheral component interconnect standard PCI bus or an extended industry standard architecture EISA bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 22, but that does not indicate only one bus or one type of bus. A communication bus 2204 is used to enable connection communication between these components. The transceiver 2202 of the device in the embodiment of the present application is used for communicating signaling or data with other devices. The memory 2203 may be various types of memory as previously mentioned. The memory 2203 may optionally also be at least one storage device located remotely from the aforementioned processor 2201. A set of computer program codes or configuration information is stored in the memory 2203 and the processor 2201 executes the programs in the memory 2203. The processor may cooperate with the memory and transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of CNC in the embodiments of the above applications.

Fig. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of an End Station according to an embodiment of the present application. The End Station can be applied to the system shown in fig. 1 (a) and fig. 1 (B), and executes the function of the End Station in the above method embodiment, or implements the steps or flows executed by the End Station in the above method embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 23, the End Station includes a processor 2301 and a transceiver 2302. Optionally, the End Station further includes a memory 2303. Wherein, the processor 2301, the transceiver 2302 and the memory 2303 can communicate with each other via the internal connection path to transmit control and/or data signals, the memory 2303 is used for storing computer programs, and the processor 2301 is used for calling and running the computer programs from the memory 2303 to control the transceiver 2302 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the End Station may further include an antenna, configured to send the uplink data or the uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 2302 through a wireless signal.

The processor 2301 may correspond to the processing module in fig. 18, and the memory 2303 may constitute a processing device, and the processor 2301 is configured to execute the program code stored in the memory 2303 to implement the functions described above. In particular implementations, the memory 2303 may be integrated with the processor 2301 or may be separate from the processor 2301.

The transceiver 2302 may correspond to the receiving module in fig. 18, and may also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a transceiver module. The transceiver 2302 may include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuitry) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuitry). Wherein the receiver is used for receiving signals, and the transmitter is used for transmitting signals.

It should be understood that the End Station shown in fig. 23 can implement the various processes related to the End Station in the method embodiments shown in fig. 8, 10, 12, and 13. The operation and/or function of each module in the End Station are respectively for realizing the corresponding flow in the above method embodiment. Specifically, reference may be made to the description of the above method embodiments, and the detailed description is appropriately omitted herein to avoid redundancy.

The processor 2301 described above may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiment that are implemented internally by the End Station, while the transceiver 2302 may be used to perform the actions described in the previous method embodiment that the End Station transmits to or receives from the CNC. Please refer to the description in the previous embodiment of the method, which is not repeated herein.

The processor 2301 may be any of the various types of processors mentioned above. The communication bus 2304 may be a peripheral component interconnect standard PCI bus or an extended industry standard architecture EISA bus, or the like. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 23, but that does not indicate only one bus or one type of bus. A communication bus 2304 is used to enable connective communication between these components. The transceiver 2302 of the device in this embodiment of the present application is used for communicating signaling or data with other devices. The memory 2303 may be various types of memory as previously mentioned. The memory 2303 may optionally also be at least one storage device located remotely from the processor 2301. A set of computer program codes or configuration information is stored in the memory 2303, and the processor 2301 executes the programs in the memory 2303. The processor may cooperate with the memory and the transceiver to perform any of the methods and functions of the End Station in the embodiments of the above application.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes a processor, configured to support an SMF entity, a UPF entity, a RAN device, CNC or End Station to implement the functions involved in any of the foregoing embodiments, such as generating or processing the critical time involved in the foregoing method or the adjusted packet sending time. In one possible design, the system-on-chip may further include a memory for necessary program instructions and data for the SMF entity, the UPF entity, the RAN device, the CNC or the End Station. The chip system may be formed by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices. The input and output of the chip system respectively correspond to the receiving and sending operations of the SMF entity, the UPF entity, the RAN device, the CNC or the End Station in the method embodiment.

The embodiment of the application further provides a processing device which comprises a processor and an interface. The processor may be adapted to perform the method of the above-described method embodiments.

It should be understood that the processing means may be a chip. For example, the processing device may be a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), a Microcontroller (MCU), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

In implementation, the steps of the above method may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor. The software modules may be located in ram, flash, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and a processor reads information in the memory and completes the steps of the method in combination with hardware of the processor. To avoid repetition, it is not described in detail here.

It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capability. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in the form of software. The processor described above may be a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components. The various methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented by a hardware decoding processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in ram, flash memory, rom, prom, or eprom, registers, etc. storage media as is well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and a processor reads information in the memory and completes the steps of the method in combination with hardware of the processor.

According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of the embodiments shown in figures 8, 10, 12 and 13.

According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer readable medium storing a computer program, which when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method of any one of the embodiments shown in fig. 8, 10, 12 and 13.

According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a system, which includes the foregoing SMF entity, UPF entity, RAN equipment, CNC or one or more End stations.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When loaded and executed on a computer, cause the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the application to occur, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., a transitory storage medium or a non-transitory storage medium) or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that incorporates one or more of the available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

The SMF entity, UPF entity, RAN device, CNC or End Station in the above respective apparatus embodiments correspond to the SMF entity, UPF entity, RAN device, CNC or End Station in the method embodiments, and the corresponding steps are executed by the corresponding modules or units, for example, the receiving module and the transmitting module (transceiver) execute the steps of receiving or transmitting in the method embodiments, and other steps besides transmitting and receiving may be executed by the processing module (processor). The functionality of the specific modules may be referred to in the respective method embodiments. The number of the processors may be one or more.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps (step) described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the technical solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional modules in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing module, or each of the modules may exist alone physically, or two or more modules are integrated into one module.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application or portions thereof that substantially contribute to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium and including instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) 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.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and shall be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of network coding, the method comprising:

a Session Management Function (SMF) entity acquires first time information;

the SMF entity sends first indication information to a User Plane Function (UPF) entity, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information, the first indication information is used for determining the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by a first End node End Station, and the critical time is used for indicating the latest waiting time for network coding of each data packet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time information comprises a Burst Arrival Time (BAT) indicating a time when a first packet of the at least one packet leaves a first terminal device, a Packet Delay Budget (PDB) indicating a delay budget for packets in a quality of service (QoS) flow between the first terminal device and the UPF entity, and a period T for transmitting packets in the first End Station.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein an nth packet of the at least one packet has a critical time = BAT + PDB + (N-1) × T, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time information includes a transmission time of a first packet of the at least one packet, a delay threshold representing an upper delay limit for a packet to reach a second End Station from the first End Station, and a period T for the first End Station to transmit a packet.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the obtaining of the first time information by the Session Management Function (SMF) entity comprises:

the SMF entity receives the first time information sent by a centralized network configuration controller (CNC).

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the critical time of the mth packet of the at least one packet = the transmission time of the first packet + the delay threshold/2 + (M-1) × the T, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

7. A method of network coding, the method comprising:

a user plane function UPF entity receives first indication information sent by a session management function SMF entity, wherein the first indication information comprises the first time information;

the UPF entity determines the critical time of each data packet in at least one data packet sent by the End Station of the first End node according to the first time information;

and the UPF entity carries out network coding on each data packet according to the critical moment.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first time information comprises a Burst Arrival Time (BAT) indicating a time when a first packet of the at least one packet leaves a first terminal device, a Packet Delay Budget (PDB) indicating a delay budget for packets in a quality of service (QoS) flow between the first terminal device and the UPF entity, and a period T for transmitting packets at the first End Station.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein an nth packet of the at least one packet has a critical time = BAT + the PDB + (N-1) × the T, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the first time information includes a transmission time of a first packet of the at least one packet, a delay threshold representing an upper delay limit for a packet to reach a second End Station from the first End Station, and a period T for the first End Station to transmit a packet.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the critical time of the mth packet of the at least one packet = the transmission time of the first packet + the delay threshold/2 + (M-1) × the T, wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

12. The method according to any of claims 7-11, wherein the network encoding of each of the packets by the UPF entity according to the critical time comprises:

when the time when the ith data packet waits for the arrival of the data packet of the second End Station in the at least one data packet sent by the first End Station does not exceed the critical time of the ith data packet, the UPF entity performs network coding on the ith data packet and the data packet of the second End Station, wherein i is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

13. A method of network coding, the method comprising:

a centralized network configuration controller (CNC) and/or a centralized user configuration controller (CUC) acquires first time information;

the CNC and/or the CUC determine the adjusted packet sending time according to the first time information;

and the CNC and/or the CUC sends the adjusted packet sending time to a first End node End Station, wherein the adjusted packet sending time is used for indicating the first End Station to send a first data packet.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first time information comprises a time delay ED1 for the first data packet sent by the first End Station to reach a first device-side delay-sensitive network converter DS-TT from the first End Station, a time delay ED2 for the second data packet sent by the second End Station to reach a second DS-TT from the second End Station, a time duration UE _ DS _ TT1 for the first data packet to reside in the first DS-TT and a first terminal device, a time duration UE _ DS _ TT2 for the second data packet to reside in the second DS-TT and a second terminal device, a time instant TPT1 for the first data packet, and a time instant TPT2 for the second data packet.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the adjusted packet transmission time = ED2+ the UE _ DS _ TT2+ the TPT 2-the UE _ DS _ TT 1-the ED1.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first time information comprises an adjustment amount.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the obtaining the CNC and/or CUC first time information comprises:

the CNC and/or the CUC receives a first request sent by a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, wherein the first request comprises the adjustment amount, and the first indication information is used for requesting to adjust the time when the first End Station sends the first data packet.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the adjustment amount = (BAT 2-BAT 1) = clock frequency ratio, the BAT2 is a time when a first packet of the second End device leaves the second End device, and the BAT1 is a time when a first packet of the first End device leaves the first End device.

19. The method of any of claims 16-18, wherein the adjusted packet time = the original packet time of the first data packet + the adjustment amount.

20. A method of network coding, the method comprising:

a Session Management Function (SMF) entity determines an adjustment amount;

the SMF entity sends a first request to a centralized network configuration controller (CNC) and/or a centralized user configuration controller (CUC), the first request including the adjustment amount, the first request requesting the CNC and/or CUC to adjust a time at which the first End Station sends the first packet.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the adjustment amount = (BAT 2-BAT 1) × clock frequency ratio, the BAT2 being a time when a first packet of the second End Station leaves the second terminal device, the BAT1 being a time when a first packet of the first End Station leaves the first terminal device.

22. A method of network coding, the method comprising:

the first End node End Station receives the adjusted packet sending time sent by the centralized network configuration controller CNC and/or the centralized user configuration controller CUC;

and the first End Station sends a first data packet according to the adjusted packet sending time.

23. A network coding apparatus, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor running the computer program to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1-6, any of claims 7-12, any of claims 13-19, any of claims 20-21, and claim 22.

24. A chip, characterized in that the chip is a chip within a network coding device, the chip comprising a processor and an input interface and an output interface connected to the processor, the chip further comprising a memory, the method of any one of claims 1-6, any one of claims 7-12, any one of claims 13-19, any one of claims 20-21 and claim 22 being performed when a computer program in the memory is executed.

25. A computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6, any one of claims 7-12, any one of claims 13-19, any one of claims 20-21, and claim 22.

26. A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product comprises a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6, any one of claims 7-12, any one of claims 13-19, any one of claims 20-21, and claim 22.