CN116803201A

CN116803201A - Multicast/broadcast communication method and device

Info

Publication number: CN116803201A
Application number: CN202180091332.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 宗在峰; 朱奋勤
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-19
Filing date: 2021-05-19
Publication date: 2023-09-22
Also published as: WO2022241691A1

Abstract

The application provides a multicast/broadcast communication method and a device, comprising the following steps: the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives information of a first playing area, wherein the first playing area is a service area of a first multicast/broadcast service managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element creates a transmission tunnel between the first user plane function network element and the second user plane function network element through the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, wherein a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises a first area, the first area belongs to a first playing area and does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the first user plane function network element is managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the second user plane function network element is managed by the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element. In the embodiment of the application, the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element creates the transmission tunnel, so that the base station exceeding the service area can indirectly receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

Description

Multicast/broadcast communication method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for multicast/broadcast communications in the field of communications.

Background

With the development of the mobile internet, the mobile high-definition video service presents a blowout situation. Users gradually change from the traditional mode of watching video programs through a fixed network to watching video programs through a mobile phone terminal and a mobile network, and the impact of video services on the mobile network is more and more intense.

To overcome the above-mentioned difficulties, supporting multicast/broadcast service (multicast broadcast service, MBS) functions based on the 5th generation (the 5th generation,5G) mobile communication network architecture is a key research topic. Different multicast/broadcast session management function network elements are deployed in service areas of the multicast/broadcast service, each multicast/broadcast session management function network element respectively manages user plane function network elements, and data of the multicast/broadcast service is transmitted in each area. However, there may be a partial area in the service area of the multicast/broadcast service, and the base station cannot directly receive the data of the service through the user plane function network element in the area, for example, the base station may not belong to the service area of the user plane function network element, and at this time, a multicast session sharing tunnel may not be established between the base station and the user plane function network element, and there is no IP connection. Therefore, how to make the base station indirectly receive the data of the multicast/broadcast service through the user plane function network elements of other areas, and ensure the data transmission in the service area of the multicast/broadcast service is a problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a multicast/broadcast communication method, which can realize the trans-regional transmission of data of multicast/broadcast service and ensure the transmission of the data.

In a first aspect, there is provided a multicast/broadcast communication method, including: a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives a first message from a first network element, wherein the first message comprises information of a first playing area, the information of the first playing area is used for representing the first playing area, and the first playing area is a service area of a first multicast/broadcast service managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends a second message to a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the first message, wherein a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises a first area, the first area belongs to the first playing area, the first area does not belong to the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the second message is used for creating a transmission tunnel, the transmission tunnel is used for transmitting data of the first multicast/broadcast service between the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element and the second multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element, the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element is managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the second multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element is managed by the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

The first multicast/broadcast session management function network element is responsible for managing the first multicast/broadcast service within a first play area, wherein the first play area may be beyond a coverage area of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. Thus, the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element may determine a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element for serving a range not covered by the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. Further, the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element creates a transmission tunnel through the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element to transmit data of the first multicast/broadcast service, so that an area (for example, a first area) outside a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element can receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service, thereby ensuring that the first multicast/broadcast service can be transmitted in the first play area.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the first network element is a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the first message further includes identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the information of the first playing area includes information of the first area, where the information of the first area is used to characterize the first area, and the method further includes: the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends a third message to the second network element, wherein the third message comprises the information of the first area, and the third message is used for acquiring the identification information of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the service area comprises the first area; the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element.

The first multicast/broadcast session management function network element determines a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element for serving a range not covered by the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. Thus, the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element may create a transmission tunnel through the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and transmit data of the first multicast/broadcast service in an area outside the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element, or a network storage function network element.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives information from an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service of the first network element; and the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element determines the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element according to the information of the application server.

The first multicast/broadcast session management function network element may transmit data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element by determining the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives downlink tunnel information of the second multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element from a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends the downlink tunnel information to the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element, wherein the downlink tunnel information is used for creating the transmission tunnel.

The first multicast/broadcast session management function network element may manage the first multicast/broadcast service within a first play area, wherein the first play area may exceed a coverage of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. The first multicast/broadcast session management function network element configures and acquires the information of a downlink tunnel of the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element through the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and creates a transmission tunnel between the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element channel and the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element according to the downlink tunnel information. The transmission tunnel can enable the access network equipment to receive the transmission data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a unicast mode in a first area outside the service area of the network element of the first multicast/broadcast session management function, so that the normal transmission of the first multicast/broadcast service in a first play area is ensured.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends a fourth message to the second network element, where the fourth message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first playing area, and the fourth message is used to register the information of the first playing area.

The first multicast/broadcast session management function network element registers the information of the first playing area managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element to the second network element so that other subsequent network elements, such as the access and mobility management function network element or the session management function network element, can select the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element serving the first multicast/broadcast service according to the information of the terminal device and/or the information of the access network device so as to receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the second message further includes information of a multicast tunnel of the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element, where the information of the multicast tunnel includes multicast address information of the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element and identification information of the multicast tunnel.

The first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends the multicast tunnel information of the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element to the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, if the access network device can receive the data of the service in a multicast mode, the access network device can directly send IGMP JOIN information and JOIN the session of the first multicast/broadcast service. At this time, the access network device may directly receive data of the first multicast broadcast service from the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element in a cross-regional manner through a multicast manner, and omit a step of determining the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and simultaneously omit a step of creating a transmission tunnel between the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element and the second multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element. Therefore, the efficiency of data transmission can be improved.

With reference to the first aspect, in an implementation manner of the first aspect, the second message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and/or quality of service flow information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In a second aspect, there is provided a multicast/broadcast communication method, comprising: the method comprises the steps that a first network element obtains information of a first playing area, wherein the information of the first playing area is used for representing the first playing area, and the first playing area is a service area of a first multicast/broadcast service managed by a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the first network element sends a first message to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the first message including information of the first play area.

The first network element plans a first playing area for the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element in a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service. Wherein the first playing area may exceed the coverage of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. Thus, the first network element may select a multicast/broadcast session management function network element for managing the first multicast/broadcast service for an area outside the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element (e.g., the first area). The first multicast/broadcast session management function network element may manage the first multicast/broadcast service in the first play area, so that a transmission tunnel may be created in an area (e.g., a first area) outside the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, thereby ensuring that data of the first multicast/broadcast service can be transmitted in the first play area.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first network element determines the first playing area according to information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the determining, by the first network element, the first playing area according to information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service includes: the first network element determines the first playing area according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service and the network topology information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first network element determines a second playing area according to information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, where the second playing area is a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service managed by a third multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the first network element sends information of the second playing area to the third multicast/broadcast session management function network element, wherein the information of the second playing area is used for representing the second playing area.

The first network element may determine a plurality of multicast/broadcast session management function network elements for the first multicast/broadcast service. Meanwhile, the first network element may determine a play area managed by each multicast/broadcast session management function network element in a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service. Each multicast/broadcast session management function network element manages a different area in the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, respectively. Therefore, the multicast/broadcast session management function network elements can create transmission tunnels between different areas in the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, so as to ensure the data transmission of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In a possible embodiment, the first network element determines at least one multicast/broadcast session management function network element for the first multicast/broadcast service, e.g. the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the third multicast/broadcast session management function network element or other multicast/broadcast session management function network elements described above. Wherein each multicast/broadcast session management function network element manages the first multicast/broadcast service in a respective playing area, and a sum (i.e., union) of playing areas of each multicast/broadcast session management function network element is greater than or equal to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service.

The first network element determines at least one multicast/broadcast session management function network element for the first multicast/broadcast service, and determines a play area managed by each multicast/broadcast session management function network element. The management range of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element determined by the first network element can cover all service areas of the first multicast/broadcast service, so as to ensure data transmission of the first multicast/broadcast service. In a possible embodiment, the first network element determines at least one multicast/broadcast session management function network element for the first multicast/broadcast service, e.g. the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the third multicast/broadcast session management function network element or other multicast/broadcast session management function network elements described above. Wherein each multicast/broadcast session management function network element manages the first multicast/broadcast service in a respective playing area, and the playing areas of each multicast/broadcast session management function network element do not overlap (i.e., there is no intersection between the playing areas of each multicast/broadcast session management function network element).

The first network element determines at least one multicast/broadcast session management function network element for the first multicast/broadcast service, and determines a play area managed by each multicast/broadcast session management function network element. Wherein the playing areas managed by the multicast/broadcast session management function network elements do not overlap. The access network device may uniquely determine a multicast/broadcast session management function network element to manage the first multicast/broadcast service according to the area in which the access network device is located. Therefore, for the same multicast/broadcast service, the access network device only creates a transmission tunnel once, correspondingly receives one data of the multicast/broadcast service, and avoids resource waste caused by repeated data reception.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first network element is a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first playing area includes a first area, and the first area does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first play area determined by the first network element being the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element may include a part of service areas of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, or all of the service areas of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. The first playing area may further include a first area, where the first area does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. That is, the first play area managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element may exceed the coverage of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. Therefore, by planning the play area of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the transmission of the first multicast/broadcast service can be made to cover a wider area. For example, a first area may exist in a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the first area does not originally belong to the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, but cannot receive data of the first multicast/broadcast service. By planning the first area as the playing area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the trans-regional transmission of data can be realized between the first area and the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the transmission range of the first multicast/broadcast service is ensured.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first network element sends a fifth message to the second network element, where the fifth message includes information of the first area, and the fifth message is used to obtain identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element whose service area includes the first area; the first network element receives identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element, and a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the first area; the first network element sends the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first network element determines that the first area does not support multicast and/or that multicast is not supported between the first area and a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

The first network element determines for the first multicast/broadcast service at least one multicast/broadcast session management function network element whose sum of service areas may still be smaller than the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, i.e. there are areas which cannot be covered by any selected multicast/broadcast session management function network element. At this time, the first network element may determine a play area of each multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the play area of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element may exceed a coverage area of its service area. At this time, the first network element determines a local multicast/broadcast session management function network element for serving a range that cannot be covered by a service area of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element. For example, if the first play area managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element includes a first area, and the first area exceeds a coverage area of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the first network element determines a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element is configured to serve a first area that cannot be covered by the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element. Therefore, the first area outside the service area of the network element of the first multicast/broadcast session management function can normally receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service, and the first multicast/broadcast service can be transmitted in the service area.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the information of the first playing area includes information of the first area.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element, or a network storage function network element.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first network element sends information of an application server of the first multicast/broadcast service to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

The first network element sends the information of the application server of the first multicast/broadcast service to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, so that the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element determines the first multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element according to the information of the application server, and data transmission of the first multicast/broadcast service is realized in a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the second aspect, in one implementation manner of the second aspect, the first network element sends a sixth message to the second network element, where the sixth message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first playing area, and the sixth message is used to register information of the first playing area.

The first network element registers the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element and the information of the first play area managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element to the second network element so that other subsequent network elements, such as the access and mobility management function network element or the multicast/broadcast session management function network element, can select the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element serving the first multicast/broadcast service according to the information of the terminal device and/or the information of the access network device so as to receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the second aspect, in an implementation manner of the second aspect, the first network element sends a seventh message to the second network element, where the seventh message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the seventh message is used to register the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element as a multicast/broadcast session management function network element that provides services for the first multicast/broadcast service.

The first network element registers the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service to the second network element so that other subsequent network elements, such as the access and mobility management function network element and the multicast/broadcast session management function network element, can directly select the local multicast/broadcast session management function network element serving the first multicast/broadcast service according to the information of the terminal equipment and/or the information of the access network equipment and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service, thereby avoiding that the access network equipment in the same area selects different second multicast/broadcast session management function network elements when transmitting the first multicast/broadcast service, and further improving the service transmission efficiency. In a third aspect, there is provided a multicast/broadcast communication method, including: an access and mobility management function network element receives an eighth message from an access network device, the eighth message being for requesting transmission of a first multicast/broadcast service to the access network device, the eighth message comprising identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service; the access and mobility management function network element obtains the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the eighth message; the access and mobility management function network element determines that a service area of the access network device does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the access and mobility management function network element obtains the identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the information of the access network device, wherein the service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the service area of the access network device; the access and mobility management function network element sends a ninth message to the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the ninth message being used to create a transport tunnel, the transport tunnel being used to transport data of the first multicast/broadcast service between the second multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element and the access network device, the second multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element being managed by the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

The access and mobility management function network element selects a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element for managing a first multicast/broadcast service within a service area of the access network device. When the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element cannot cover the service area of the access network device, the access and mobility management function network element determines a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element for the service area of the access network device, and creates a transmission tunnel between the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the access network device through the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element to transmit data of the first multicast/broadcast service data. Therefore, when the service area of the access network device exceeds the coverage area of the service area of the network element of the first multicast/broadcast session management function, the access network device is still ensured to transmit the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, the acquiring, by the access and mobility management function network element, identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the eighth message includes: the access and mobility management function network element sends a tenth message to a second network element, wherein the tenth message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network device, and the tenth message is used for acquiring the identification information of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the playing area comprises the service area of the access network device; the access and mobility management function network element receives identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element, where the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element is configured to manage the first multicast/broadcast service in a first play area, and the first play area includes a service area of the access network device.

The access and mobility management function network element selects a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element for managing the first multicast/broadcast service for the access network device through the second network element according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network device, so as to uniquely determine the multicast/broadcast session management function network element for managing the service for the access network device, and facilitate receiving the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, the eighth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

The access and mobility management function network element or session management function network element directly determines the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the information of the access network device, which is beneficial to saving signaling interaction and improving the efficiency of data transmission.

With reference to the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, the ninth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element, or a network storage function network element.

With reference to the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, the acquiring, by the access and mobility management function network element, identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to information of the access network device includes: the access and mobility management function network element sends an eleventh message to the second network element, wherein the eleventh message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network device, and the eleventh message is used for acquiring the identification information of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the service area comprises the service area of the access network device; and the second network element sends the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the eleventh message, wherein the service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the service area of the access network device.

The second network element may have stored therein registration information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element selected by the other access and mobility management function network element. Therefore, after the access and mobility management function network element sends the identification information of the first multicast and broadcast session and the information of the access network device to the second network element, the second network element directly returns to the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element selected by other access and mobility management function network elements. The access network equipment in the same area is prevented from selecting different second multicast/broadcast session management function network elements when joining the session of the first multicast/broadcast service, thereby improving the service transmission efficiency.

With reference to the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, the ninth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, the access and mobility management function network element receives information of a multicast tunnel of the second multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element, where the information of the multicast tunnel includes multicast address information of the second multicast/broadcast session user plane function network element and identification information of the multicast tunnel; and the access and mobility management function network element sends the information of the multicast tunnel to the access network equipment.

If the service area of the access network device can receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a multicast mode, the access network device can directly receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a cross-region mode in a multicast mode, so that signaling is saved, and the efficiency of data transmission is improved.

With reference to the third aspect, in an implementation manner of the third aspect, the access network device does not support multicast and/or does not support multicast between a service area of the access network device and a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the method further includes: the access and mobility management function network element receives downlink tunnel information of the access network equipment; and the access and mobility management function network element sends downlink tunnel information of the access network device to the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, wherein the downlink tunnel information is used for creating the transmission tunnel.

By creating a transmission tunnel between the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and creating a transmission tunnel between the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the access network device, the problem that the access network device cannot directly receive data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a service area thereof can be solved. The access network device may receive data from the service area of the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element through a transmission tunnel between the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element, and a transmission tunnel between the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the access network device.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a multicast/broadcast communication method, including: the second network element receives a tenth message, wherein the tenth message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network equipment, and the tenth message is used for acquiring the identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the playing area comprises the service area of the access network equipment; the second network element sends identification information of a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the tenth message, where the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element is configured to manage the first multicast/broadcast service in a first play area, and the first play area includes a service area of the access network device.

The second network element selects a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element for managing the first multicast/broadcast service for the access network device according to the information of the first play area, so that the access network device can uniquely determine the multicast/broadcast session management function network element for managing the service, and is convenient for receiving the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the second network element receives a fourth message from the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; or the second network element receives a sixth message from the first network element, wherein the fourth message or the sixth message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the first playing area, and the fourth message or the sixth message is used for registering the information of the first playing area.

The first network element registers the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element and the information of the first playing area managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element to the second network element, so that the subsequent access network equipment selects the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element serving the first multicast/broadcast service according to the area where the subsequent access network equipment is located, and receives the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the first network element is a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the second network element receives a seventh message, where the seventh message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the seventh message is used to register the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element as a multicast/broadcast session management function network element that provides services for the first multicast/broadcast service.

The first network element registers the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service to the second network element, so that the subsequent access network equipment can directly select the multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the area where the subsequent access network equipment is located and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service, and the situation that the access network equipment in the same area repeatedly selects the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element when joining the session of the first multicast/broadcast service is avoided, thereby improving the efficiency of service transmission.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the second network element receives an eleventh message, where the eleventh message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the access network device, and the eleventh message is used to obtain identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element whose service area includes a service area of the access network device; and the second network element sends the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the eleventh message, wherein the service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the service area of the access network device.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element, or a network storage function network element.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a multicast/broadcast communication apparatus comprising: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a first message from a first network element, where the first message includes information of a first play area, where the information of the first play area is used to characterize the first play area, and the first play area is a service area of a first multicast/broadcast service managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the transceiver unit is further configured to send a second message to a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the first message, where a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element includes a first area, the first area belongs to the first play area, and the first area does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the second message is used to create a transport tunnel, where the transport tunnel is used to transport data of the first multicast/broadcast service between the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element, where the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element is managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and where the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element is managed by the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the first network element is a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the first message further includes identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the information of the first playing area includes information of the first area, the information of the first area is used to characterize the first area, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmitting a third message to a second network element, wherein the third message comprises information of the first area, and the third message is used for acquiring identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which a service area comprises the first area; and receiving identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element, or a network storage function network element.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive information from an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service of the first network element; the device further comprises a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is used for determining the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element according to the information of the application server.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receiving downlink tunnel information of a second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element from a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element; and sending the downlink tunnel information to the first multicast/broadcast user plane functional network element, wherein the downlink tunnel information is used for creating the transmission tunnel.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: and sending a fourth message to the second network element, wherein the fourth message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the first playing area, and the fourth message is used for registering the information of the first playing area.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the second message further includes information of a multicast tunnel of the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element, where the information of the multicast tunnel includes multicast address information of the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and identification information of the multicast tunnel.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in an implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the second message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and/or quality of service flow information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a multicast/broadcast communication apparatus comprising: the receiving and transmitting unit is further used for acquiring information of a first playing area, wherein the information of the first playing area is used for representing the first playing area, and the first playing area is a service area of a first multicast/broadcast service managed by a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the transceiver unit is further configured to send a first message to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the first message includes information of the first play area.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the apparatus further includes: and the processing unit is also used for determining the first playing area according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine the first playing area according to information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, and the processing unit is specifically configured to: and determining the first playing area according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service and the network topology information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the apparatus is further configured to: the processing unit is further configured to determine a second playing area according to information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, where the second playing area is a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service managed by a third multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the transceiver unit is further configured to send information of the second playing area to the third multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the information of the second playing area is used to characterize the second playing area.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the first network element is a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the first playing area includes a first area, and the first area does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmitting a fifth message to a second network element, wherein the fifth message comprises the information of the first area, and the fifth message is used for acquiring the identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the service area comprises the first area; receiving identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element, wherein a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the first area; and transmitting the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to: determining that the first area does not support multicast and/or that multicast is not supported between the first area and a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the information of the first playing area includes information of the first area.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element, or a network storage function network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: and sending information of an application server of the first multicast/broadcast service to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: and sending a sixth message to the second network element, wherein the sixth message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the first playing area, and the sixth message is used for registering the information of the first playing area.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in an implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: and sending a seventh message to a second network element, wherein the seventh message comprises identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the seventh message is used for registering the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element as a multicast/broadcast session management function network element for providing services for the first multicast/broadcast service.

In a seventh aspect, there is provided a multicast/broadcast communication apparatus comprising: a transceiver unit, configured to receive an eighth message from an access network device, where the eighth message is used to request transmission of a first multicast/broadcast service to the access network device, and the eighth message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service; the receiving and transmitting unit is further configured to obtain, according to the eighth message, identification information of a network element of the first multicast/broadcast session management function; a processing unit, configured to determine that a service area of the access network device does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; the receiving and transmitting unit is further configured to obtain, according to the information of the access network device, identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element includes a service area of the access network device; the transceiver unit is further configured to send a ninth message to the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the ninth message is used to create a transmission tunnel, where the transmission tunnel is used to transmit data of the first multicast/broadcast service between the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the access network device, and the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element is managed by the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in an implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to obtain, according to the eighth message, identification information of a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the transceiver unit is specifically configured to: a tenth message is sent to a second network element, wherein the tenth message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network device, and the tenth message is used for acquiring the identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the playing area comprises the service area of the access network device; and receiving identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element, wherein the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element is used for managing the first multicast/broadcast service in a first play area, and the first play area comprises a service area of the access network equipment.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in an implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the eighth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in an implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the ninth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in an implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element, or a network storage function network element.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in an implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to obtain, according to information of the access network device, identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the transceiver unit is specifically configured to: transmitting an eleventh message to a second network element, where the eleventh message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the access network device, and the eleventh message is used to obtain identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element whose service area includes a service area of the access network device; and receiving identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element, wherein a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises a service area of the access network device.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in an implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the ninth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in an implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receiving information of a multicast tunnel of the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element, wherein the information of the multicast tunnel comprises multicast address information of the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and identification information of the multicast tunnel; and sending the information of the multicast tunnel to the access network equipment.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in an implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the access network device does not support multicast and/or a service area of the access network device does not support multicast with a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the transceiver unit is further configured to: receiving downlink tunnel information of the access network equipment; and sending downlink tunnel information of the access network equipment to the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, wherein the downlink tunnel information is used for creating the transmission tunnel.

An eighth aspect provides a multicast/broadcast communication apparatus, comprising: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a tenth message, where the tenth message includes identification information of a first multicast/broadcast service and information of an access network device, and the tenth message is used to obtain identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element in a play area including a service area of the access network device; the transceiver unit is further configured to send, according to the tenth message, identification information of a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, where the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element is configured to manage the first multicast/broadcast service in a first play area, and the first play area includes a service area of the access network device.

With reference to the eighth aspect, in an implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receiving a fourth message from the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; or, receiving a sixth message from the first network element, where the fourth message or the sixth message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first playing area, and the fourth message or the sixth message is used to register the information of the first playing area.

With reference to the eighth aspect, in an implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the first network element is a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element.

With reference to the eighth aspect, in an implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: a seventh message is received, wherein the seventh message comprises identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the seventh message is used for registering the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element as a multicast/broadcast session management function network element for providing services for the first multicast/broadcast service.

With reference to the eighth aspect, in an implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receiving an eleventh message, where the eleventh message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the access network device, and the eleventh message is used to obtain identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element whose service area includes a service area of the access network device; and sending the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the eleventh message, wherein the service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the service area of the access network equipment.

With reference to the eighth aspect, in an implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element, or a network storage function network element.

In a ninth aspect, there is provided a communication device, the apparatus comprising: a processor coupled to a memory for storing a computer program for invoking and running the computer program from the memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method of transmitting multicast traffic in each of the aspects or any of the possible implementations of each of the aspects described above.

Optionally, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

Alternatively, the memory may be integrated with the processor or the memory may be separate from the processor.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a transmitter (transmitter) and a receiver (receiver), which may be separately provided or may be integrated together, referred to as a transceiver.

In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising means for implementing the method of any one of the above-mentioned first or first aspects, means for implementing the method of any one of the above-mentioned second or second aspects, means for implementing the method of any one of the above-mentioned third or third aspects, and means for implementing the method of any one of the above-mentioned fourth or fourth aspects.

In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising: computer program code which, when run by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of each or any of the possible implementations of each of the aspects described above.

In a twelfth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided for storing instructions that when executed on a computer cause the computer to perform the method of each or any of the possible implementations of each aspect described above.

In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a chip system comprising one or more processors configured to invoke from memory and execute instructions stored in memory, such that the method in each of the above aspects or any of the possible implementations of each aspect is performed. The chip system may be formed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

The chip system may further comprise an input circuit or interface for transmitting information or data and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of another system architecture.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of transmission of service data.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of another transmission of traffic data.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another system architecture.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 8 is a schematic flow chart of another multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 is a schematic flowchart of another multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of another multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart of another multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for multicast/broadcast service communication provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another apparatus for multicast/broadcast service communication provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical scheme of the application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The technical scheme of the embodiment of the application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD), a universal mobile telecommunications system (universal mobile telecommunication system, UMTS), a fifth generation (5th generation,5G) system, or a New Radio (NR) or other evolving communication system, etc.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture 100. Various embodiments of the present application may be applied to the network architecture shown in fig. 100. The respective parts involved in the network architecture shown in fig. 1 are described below.

1. And a terminal device.

The terminal device may also be referred to as: a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), a Mobile Terminal (MT), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user equipment, etc.

The terminal device may be a device providing voice/data connectivity to a user, e.g., a handheld device with wireless connectivity, an in-vehicle device, etc. Currently, examples of some terminal devices are: a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, palmtop, mobile internet device (mobile internet device, MID), wearable device, virtual Reality (VR) device, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), wireless terminal in unmanned (self driving), wireless terminal in teleoperation (remote medical surgery), wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), wireless terminal in transportation security (transportation safety), wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phone, wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing device connected to wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, terminal device in future communication or land-based mobile (public land mobile network) network, etc. are not limited thereto.

The terminal device may also be a wearable device. The wearable device can also be called as a wearable intelligent device, and is a generic name for intelligently designing daily wear by applying wearable technology and developing wearable devices, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothes, shoes and the like. The wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the clothing or accessories of the user. The wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also can realize a powerful function through software support, data interaction and cloud interaction. The generalized wearable intelligent device includes full functionality, large size, and may not rely on the smart phone to implement complete or partial functionality, such as: the intelligent watch or the intelligent glasses and the like and only focus on certain application functions, can be matched with other equipment such as a smart phone for use, such as various intelligent bracelets, intelligent jewelry and the like for physical sign monitoring.

In addition, the terminal device can be a terminal device in an internet of things (internet of things, ioT) system, and the IoT is an important component of future information technology development, and the main technical characteristics of the terminal device are that the object is connected with the network through a communication technology, so that the man-machine interconnection and the intelligent network of the internet of things are realized.

2. (radio) access network (radio access network, (R) AN): the system is used for providing network access functions for authorized users in a specific area, and can use transmission tunnels with different qualities according to the level of the users, the requirements of services and the like. The (R) AN network element can manage wireless resources, provide access service for the terminal equipment, and further complete the forwarding of control signals and user data between the terminal equipment and the core network. In particular, (R) AN may also be understood as a base station in the (R) AN, which may be referred to as AN access network device.

Specifically, the access network device may be a transmission receiving point (transmission reception point, TRP), an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in the LTE system, a home base station (e.g. home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a Base Band Unit (BBU), or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (cloud radio access network, CRAN) scenario, or the access network device may be an access network device in a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, or a 5G network, or an access network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN) network, or the like, may be an Access Point (AP) in a WLAN, or may be a gNB in a new radio system (new radio, NR) system, which embodiments of the present application are not limited. In one network architecture, the access network device may include a Centralized Unit (CU) node, or a Distributed Unit (DU) node, or a RAN device including a CU node and a DU node, or a RAN device including a control plane CU node (CU-CP node) and a user plane CU node (CU-UP node), and a DU node.

3. Access and mobility management functions (access and mobility management function, AMF): the method is mainly used for mobility management, access management and the like. In particular, the AMF may be used to implement other functions than session management among the functions of the mobility management entity (mobility management entity, MME), such as lawful interception, or access authorization (or authentication), etc.

4. Session management function (session management function, SMF): and may also be referred to as a session management function network element, and is mainly used for session management, network interconnection protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) address allocation and management of terminal devices, terminal node selecting a manageable user plane function, policy control, or charging function interface, downlink data notification, and the like. Specifically, the source session management network element 110, the anchor session management network element 120, and the target session management network element 190 in fig. 1 may be SMFs.

It should be appreciated that in the system architecture 100 described above, the access network device 120 may be the RAN in fig. 2; the access and mobility management network element 130 may be the AMF in fig. 2; the session management network element 140 may be the SMF of fig. 2, without limitation.

Optionally, the system architecture 200 may further include:

5. User plane function (user plane function, UPF): which may also be referred to as a user plane function or user plane network element or user plane function network element, is used for packet routing and forwarding, or quality of service (quality of service, qoS) handling of user plane data, etc.

6. Data Network (DN): for providing a network for transmitting data, such as the Internet network, etc.

7. Authentication service function (authentication server function, AUSF): the method is mainly used for user authentication and the like.

8. Policy control function (policy control function, PCF): a unified policy framework for guiding network behavior, providing policy rule information for control plane function network elements (e.g., AMF, SMF network elements, etc.), and the like.

9. Unified data management (unified data management, UDM): for handling user identification, access authentication, registration, or mobility management, etc.

10. Application function (application function, AF): interaction with the third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project,3GPP) core network is primarily supported to provide services, for example, affecting data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing some services of a third party to the network side. It is understood that a third party server, such as an application server in the Internet, provides relevant service information, including quality of service requirement information corresponding to the service provided to the PCF, and user plane data information for the service sent to the PSA-UPF. The AF may be a service provider (CP).

11. Network slice selection function (network slice selection function, NSSF): for making a selection of network slices.

In the system architecture 100, an N1 interface is a reference point between a terminal device and an AMF; the N2 interface is a reference point of (R) AN and AMF, and is used for sending non-access stratum (NAS) messages and the like; the N3 interface is a reference point between the (R) AN and the I-UPF and is used for transmitting data of a user plane and the like; the N4 interface is a reference point between the SMF and the I-UPF, and is used for transmitting information such as tunnel identification information, data buffer indication information, downlink data notification message, and the like of the N3 connection; the N5 interface is a reference point between PCF and AF; the N6 interface is a reference point between UPF and DN and is used for transmitting data of a user plane and the like; the N7 interface is a reference point between the SMF and the PCF; the N8 interface is a reference point between the AMF and the UDM; the N9 interface is a reference point between UPFs; the N10 interface is a reference point between SMF and UDM; the N11 interface is a reference point between AMF and SMF; the N12 interface is a reference point between the AMF and the AUSF; the N22 interface is the reference point between AMF and NSSF.

It should be understood that the system architecture 100 is merely an exemplary network architecture described from the point of view of the reference point architecture, and the network architecture to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is not limited thereto, and any network architecture capable of implementing the functions of the respective network elements described above is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

It should be noted that the names of interfaces between the network elements in fig. 1 are only an example, and the names of interfaces in the specific implementation may be other names, which is not limited in particular by the embodiment of the present application.

Note that the names of the network elements (such as SMF, AF, UPF) included in fig. 1 are also merely examples, and the functions of the network elements themselves are not limited. In the 5G network and other networks in the future, the above-mentioned network elements may also be other names, which are not particularly limited in the embodiment of the present application. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above network elements may use the terminology in 5G, possibly use other names, etc., which are described in detail herein, and will not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, it should be understood that the names of the transmitted messages (or signaling) between the various network elements described above are also merely an example, and do not constitute any limitation on the functionality of the messages themselves.

The network architecture shown in fig. 1 is merely illustrative, and the network architecture to which the embodiments of the present application are applied is not limited, and any network architecture capable of implementing the functions of the respective network elements is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

For example, in some network architectures, network function entities such as AMF, SMF, PCF and UDM are referred to as Network Functions (NF); alternatively, in other network architectures, the collection of AMF, SMF, PCF, UDM, etc. may be referred to as control plane functions.

Fig. 2 provides a system architecture 200 for multicast/broadcast services. The architecture is extended on the basis of the architecture shown in fig. 1, for example, functional entities such as multicast/broadcast session management function (multicast/broadcast session management function, MB-SMF) and multicast/broadcast user plane function (multicast broadcast user plane function, MB-UPF) are added to support multicast/broadcast services/functions. Specifically, the system architecture shown in fig. 2 includes:

1. network open function (network exposure function, NEF): mainly supporting the secure interaction of the 3GPP network and the third party application.

2. Multicast/broadcast session management function (multicast/broadcast session mangement function, MB-SMF): the control plane function for realizing the multicast/broadcast service is responsible for the management of the multicast/broadcast service/group/session. The MB-SMF may be connected to the BNEF in order to receive information related to the multicast/broadcast service, for example, identification information of the multicast/broadcast service, etc. In addition, MB-SMF may be connected to PCF to obtain QoS information corresponding to multicast/broadcast service.

3. Multicast/broadcast user plane function (multicast broadcast user plane function, MB-UPF): for delivering service data for multicast/broadcast services.

It should be appreciated that the MB-SMF may be integrated into the PCF or SMF as a functional module, the MB-UPF may be integrated into the UPF as a functional module, or the MB-SMF and the MB-UPF may be deployed separately, as the application is not limited in this regard.

4. Multicast broadcast service function (multicast/broadcast service function, MBSF): functions with a traffic layer, such as supporting streaming (streaming) protocols, supporting reliable retransmission protocols, etc. The MBSF may also support the functions of sending traffic claims (service announcement) to the UE, and sending keys for multicast/broadcast traffic to the UE, etc.

It should be appreciated that MBSF is an optional network element. The MB-SMF may be connected to an MBSF network element or a network element with an open function in order to receive information about multicast/broadcast services. When there is an MBSF network element in the system architecture, the AF or application server (application server, AS) may interface directly with the MBSF to send traffic demands to the core network, which in turn interfaces with the MB-SMF to create a multicast/broadcast session. Optionally, the AF or AS may also create the multicast/broadcast session through the NEF to MB-SMF interface AS well. Alternatively, the AF or AS may interface with NEF first, then with NEF and MBSF, and MBSF with MB-SMF. In one possible implementation, the MBSF is collocated with the NEF.

In addition, the MB-SMF may also be connected to the PCF to create resources for multicast/broadcast services. The MBU-UPF may be used to deliver data for multicast/broadcast services.

MBSTF network elements may also be included in the system architecture 200. The data packet of the multicast/broadcast service may be processed by the core network, where the AF or AS sends the data packet to the MBSTF first, and after being processed by the MBSTF, the data packet is sent to the MB-UPF. As an optional network element, the main function of the MBSTF is to process data packets of a multicast/broadcast service, for example, encapsulating the data packets according to a streaming protocol, encrypting the data packets, network coding the data packets, etc.

It should be understood that the system architecture 200 is merely an exemplary network architecture described from the point of view of the reference point architecture, and the network architecture to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is not limited thereto, and any network architecture capable of implementing the functions of the respective network elements described above is applicable to the embodiments of the present application. The names of interfaces between the network elements in fig. 2 are only an example, and the names of interfaces in the specific implementation may be other names, which are not limited in particular by the embodiment of the present application. The names of the various network elements in the system architecture 200 are also merely examples, and the functions of the network elements themselves are not limited. In the 5G network and other networks in the future, the above-mentioned network elements may also be other names, which are not particularly limited in the embodiment of the present application. Similarly, the names of the transmitted messages (or signaling) between the various network elements described above are also merely an example, and do not constitute any limitation on the function of the message itself.

To facilitate an understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the terms involved in the present application will first be briefly described.

The transmission modes of the multicast/broadcast service mainly include two kinds, namely a shared transmission mode (shared delivery mode) and a separate transmission mode (individual delivery mode):

1. shared transfer mode: may also be referred to as a "multicast/broadcast" mode, or a "multicast" mode. The shared transfer mode may refer to a transport tunnel (or referred to as a transport tunnel) between the UPF and the RAN, and a transport tunnel between the RAN and the UE (air interface side) is shared by a plurality of UEs within the multicast group.

Taking fig. 3 as an example, when transmitting data of multicast service, a tunnel may be used between the multicast UPF and the RAN to transmit data of multicast service, for example, a tunnel based on a generic tunneling protocol (general tunnel protocol, GTP). The tunnel between the multicast UPF and the RAN for transmitting data of the multicast service is a multicast session shared tunnel, which is shared by UE a, UE b and UE c. The multicast UPF sends a set of multicast service data to the RAN, and after receiving the multicast service data, the RAN may send the multicast service data to UE a, UE b and UE c in a "point-to-multipoint" (PTM) manner. As can be seen, in the case where the RAN only transmits data of one multicast service, all 3 UEs in the multicast group can receive the data of the multicast service.

It should be noted that the multicast session sharing tunnel may send data of the multicast service in a unicast manner or a multicast manner.

As shown in fig. 4 (a), the unicast mode refers to that the multicast UPF sends data of the multicast service to each RAN separately.

As shown in fig. 4 (b), the multicast mode refers to that the multicast UPF sends data of a multicast service to a multicast address, and after joining a multicast group corresponding to the multicast address, the RAN 1, the RAN 2, and the RAN 3 can receive the data of the multicast service. By adopting the multicast mode, not only the data of the multicast service can be transmitted to a plurality of RAN nodes at a time, but also the data of the multicast service can be transmitted to a specific RAN, so that in the multicast mode, the point-to-multipoint transmission between one sending node and a plurality of receiving nodes can be realized, thereby solving the problem of low efficiency of the unicast mode.

2. Single transfer mode: may also be referred to as a "unicast" mode, and may be understood as "point-to-point" communication. Unicast delivery mode refers to a transport tunnel between the UPF and the RAN, and a transport tunnel between the RAN and the UE (air side) is shared by a single UE. The separate transmission mode may be used for transmitting data of both multicast traffic (by unicast) and unicast traffic.

It should be noted that, the broadcast service may also be sent to the terminal device by multicast, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. The "multicast" of the present application is a broad concept and may include multicast (multicast) or broadcast (broadcast), i.e. the embodiments of the present application may be applied to both multicast and broadcast traffic transmission, or multicast broadcast traffic (multicast broadcast service, MBS) transmission. The "multicast" mentioned in the present application may be replaced with "multicast or broadcast" or "multicast".

3. Multicast traffic, multicast traffic flows and multicast quality of service (quality of service, qoS) flows

The multicast service may include one or more multicast service flows, and the multicast service may be represented by information of the multicast service. The information of the multicast service may include description information of the multicast service, and the description information of the multicast service may include description information of one or more multicast service flows. Wherein, the description information of the multicast service flow may include at least one of the following: characteristic information of the multicast traffic (e.g., multicast address, source or destination port number, source address, etc.) of the multicast traffic, qoS requirements of the multicast traffic (e.g., jitter, delay, packet loss rate, bandwidth, etc.).

Multicast traffic flows may be mapped to multicast QoS flows for transmission. For example, a multicast traffic stream may map a multicast QoS stream, i.e., a multicast traffic stream may be transmitted over a multicast QoS stream.

It is noted that a multicast session may include one or more multicast QoS flows. Multicast traffic may be transmitted over one or more multicast QoS flows of a multicast session.

It is to be understood that a multicast session may be service level, i.e. a multicast service may be served by a multicast session. The multicast session may include: the data network transmits the unicast air interface resource or the multicast air interface resource of the multicast service between the core network and the wireless access network and between the wireless access network and the terminal equipment through the unicast tunnel or the multicast tunnel.

Optionally, the information of the multicast service further includes information of the terminal device, for example, including an identifier of one or more terminal devices allowed (or requested) to join the multicast service, and the like.

In the system architecture 200 shown in fig. 2, when receiving data of a multicast service in a multicast manner, the data of the multicast service may be transmitted by a path, for example, the AS transmits the data of the multicast service to the MB-UPF and transmits the data of the multicast service to the RAN through a multicast session sharing tunnel between the MB-UPF and the RAN. The RAN can flexibly determine the transmission mode of the multicast service, i.e., PTM mode or PTP mode, according to factors such as air interface conditions, the number of terminals receiving the data of the multicast service, and the like. For the same multicast service, the RAN may enable PTM and PTP modes simultaneously.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture 500. Various embodiments of the application may be applied to the system architecture 500 depicted in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 5, the AF is responsible for performing interaction with the signaling plane of the core network, for example, the AF requests the core network to send the current multicast/broadcast service in a multicast manner. For a multicast/broadcast service, the AF sends a request message only once to the core network. For this service, the core network is assigned a unique multicast/broadcast service identity, e.g. a temporary mobile group identity (temporal mobile group identity, TMGI), for uniquely identifying the multicast/broadcast service within the network. Furthermore, the core network may also assign area identities for distinguishing between different areas. One possible architecture is exemplarily depicted in fig. 5, and the system architecture may further include a plurality of AS/AFs, and a plurality of areas for transmitting multicast/broadcast services, a plurality of MB-SMFs, and a plurality of MB-UPFs, in addition to the network elements shown in fig. 5, which the present application is not limited to. In this system architecture 500, the AF interfaces with the core network through the NEF, which interfaces with the MB-SMF. It should be appreciated that in a practical deployment, the AF may also interface with the core network based on the structure shown in fig. 2, e.g. the AF sends a request message to the MBSF, which interfaces with the MB-SMF. The application is not limited in this regard.

The application layer may provide a plurality of egress points for the same multicast/broadcast service, and the application layer may transmit data from a plurality of areas to the core network, respectively. In fig. 5, for example, for a multicast/broadcast service, there may be two exit points AS1 and AS2, located in zone one and zone two, respectively. In practical deployment, a multicast/broadcast service may have greater than or equal to 1 AS exit point, which is not limited by the present application. In zone one, the application server AS1 of the multicast/broadcast service accesses the core network through the MB-UPF1, wherein the MB-UPF1 is managed by the MB-SMF1, and zone one belongs to the service zone of the MB-SMF 1. In the second area, the application server AS2 of the multicast/broadcast service accesses the core network through MB-UPF2, the MB-UPF2 is managed by MB-SMF2, and the second area belongs to the service area of MB-SMF 2.

It should be understood that the service area of the MB-SMF may refer to the service area of the MB-UPF controlled by the MB-SMF, which may be a set of tracking area identities (tracking area identity, TAI) supported by the access network device interfacing with the MB-UPF, or a set of cell lists, etc.

Within region three, the multicast/broadcast service has no interface with the application server. When the gcb receives data of the multicast/broadcast service in the third area, the data of the multicast/broadcast service may be imported from the other area. Taking area two in fig. 5 as an example, the gNB 3 in area three may receive the data of the multicast/broadcast service through MB-UPF 2. However, the gNB 3 and the MB-UPF2 within the third area are not within the same area, a multicast session shared tunnel may not be established between the MB-UPF2 and the gNB 3 (e.g., the third area does not support multicast and/or the transmission path between the second area and the third area does not support multicast), and there may also be no IP connection between the gNB 3 and the MB-UPF2, resulting in the gNB 3 not being able to receive data of the multicast/broadcast service through the multicast session shared tunnel.

In order to solve the above problems, the present application provides a multicast/broadcast communication method, where the system may select a service entry point for a gNB in a third area nearby, so that the gNB in the third area may implement cross-area receiving of multicast/broadcast services.

In the multicast/broadcast communication method suitable for the embodiment of the application, the NEF selects MB-SMF for the multicast/broadcast service and plans each MB-SMF to manage the playing area of the multicast/broadcast service, and the playing areas managed by each MB-SMF are not overlapped. The AMF may uniquely select one of the MB-SMFs to serve the multicast/broadcast service based on information of the access network device.

In another multicast/broadcast communication method applicable to the embodiment of the present application, when the UE accesses the network, the AMF/SMF selects and registers the MB-SMF for the area where the UE is located according to the information of the access network device, and then other AMFs may acquire the local MB-SMF corresponding to the area. Thus, the access network equipment in the same area can be prevented from selecting different MB-SMFs, receiving a plurality of data, and wasting the bandwidth among the areas.

In the above two methods, it may be determined that the multicast/broadcast service is transmitted from the second area to the gNB3 in the third area according to factors such as the IP path length between the areas, the congestion degree, and the like. I.e. a transport tunnel is created by MB-SMF2 for transporting data of the multicast/broadcast service between region two and region three. Since zone three does not belong to the service zone of MB-SMF2, multicast/broadcast traffic needs to be forwarded through the MB-UPF in zone three to go to gNB3. If the third area does not support multicast and/or the second area and the third area do not support multicast, the local MB-SMF can be selected in the third area, and the local MB-UPF can be configured at the same time. Establishing a multicast session sharing tunnel from MB-UPF2 to the local MB-UPF and local MB-UPF to gNB3 may employ a shared transfer mode to transport data for multicast/broadcast services.

It should be understood that region three does not support multicast, i.e., multicast/broadcast service data is not transmitted in a multicast manner within region three. For example, the region three not supporting multicast may mean that the MB-UPF or the gNB in the region three only supports data or Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session data for transmitting multicast/broadcast service in a unicast manner, or the region three not supporting multicast may also mean that a multicast session sharing tunnel cannot be established between the MB-UPF or the access network device in the region three and the MB-UPF in other regions. Multicast is not supported between the second area and the third area, that is, the transmission path between the second area and the third area does not support data of multicast/broadcast service transmitted in a multicast manner.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic flow chart of a multicast/broadcast service communication method 600 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 600 may be applied to the system architecture 100 shown in fig. 1, and may also be applied to the system architecture 200 shown in fig. 2, and embodiments of the application are not limited thereto.

S610, the first network element acquires information of a first playing area.

Wherein the information of the first playing area may be used to characterize the first playing area, the first playing area is located in a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, and the first playing area is managed by the first MB-SMF.

Wherein, the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service may refer to a geographical range in which the first multicast/broadcast service is allowed to play. The service area of the first multicast/broadcast service may be divided into one or more play areas, and different play areas may be managed by different MB-SMFs.

It is understood that the first play area is managed by the first MB-SMF may refer to: the first MB-SMF manages the first multicast/broadcast service within a first play area.

The service area of the first MB-SMF may refer to a service area of a first MB-UPF controlled by the first MB-SMF, where the service area of the first MB-UPF may be a set of tracking area codes (tracking area identity, TAI) supported by an access network device that interfaces with the first MB-UPF, a set of cell lists, or a set of geographic location information, etc.

The first playing area may be formed by one or more of a Tracking Area (TA), a cell or a geographical location, and accordingly, the information of the first playing area may include a TA identifier, one or more of the geographical location information of the cell identifier, for example, a TAI list or a cell identifier list.

Wherein the geographic location may be a geographic area, e.g., a city, street, etc. The geographic location information may also include information in a variety of formats including area identification, city name, street name, and the like.

Wherein the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service may be composed of one or more of a TAI list, a cell identification list, or geographical location information, wherein the geographical location information may refer to the foregoing.

In one example, the first network element may receive information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service from the AF, determine the first MB-SMF according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, and obtain a first play area managed by the first MB-SMF.

Wherein the information of the application server is used to describe an entry point position of the first multicast/broadcast service with respect to the core network. The information of the application server may be an IP address of the AS. The information of the application server may also be location description information of the service entry point, for example, an address of a data center where the service entry point is located. The information of the application server may also include other formats, which the present application is not limited to.

Specifically, the first network element may determine the first MB-SMF according to information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, where a service area of the first MB-SMF matches a location described by the application server. The first network element may divide a first playing area for the first MB-SMF in the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service according to information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service. The first MB-SMF may manage the first multicast/broadcast service within the first play area. When determining the first playing area, the first network element may preferentially determine the service area of the first MB-SMF as the first playing area of the first MB-SMF. In addition, the first network element may determine, according to the proximity rule, an area adjacent to the service area of the first MB-SMF as a first play area of the first MB-SMF. Taking the area three in fig. 5 as an example, the NEF may determine that the MB-SMF2 manages multicast traffic in the area two and the area three, i.e., the play area of the MB-SMF2 includes the area two and the area three. The NEF may consider the factors such as the IP path length and the path congestion level between the third and second areas, and determine the third area as the playing area of the MB-SMF 2.

In another example, the first network element determines the first playing area according to information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, and network topology information of the first multicast/broadcast service. The first network element selects a region with a relatively close transmission path from a service region of the first multicast/broadcast service according to the deployment condition of the first MB-SMF in the network topology structure and the information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, and determines the region as a first playing region managed by the first MB-SMF.

It is to be understood that the first network element may be a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element.

S620, the first network element sends a first message to the first MB-SMF, where the first message includes information of the first playing area.

Correspondingly, the first MB-SMF receives a first message from the first network element.

In the embodiment of the application, the first network element plans a first playing area for the first MB-SMF in a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service. Wherein the first playing area may exceed the coverage of the service area of the first MB-SMF. Thus, the first network element may select an MB-SMF for managing the first multicast/broadcast service for an area outside the service area of the first MB-SMF (e.g., the first area). The first MB-SMF may manage the first multicast/broadcast service within the first play area, and thus may create a transmission tunnel within an area (e.g., a first area) other than the service area of the first MB-SMF, ensuring that data of the first multicast/broadcast service can be transmitted within the first play area.

Optionally, in an implementation scenario of the foregoing embodiment, the foregoing method further includes:

the first network element determines a third MB-SMF and a second playing area according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service.

Wherein the second playing area belongs to the playing area of the first multicast/broadcast service, and the second playing area is managed by a third MB-SMF.

It is understood that the second play area is managed by the third MB-SMF may refer to: the third MB-SMF manages the first multicast/broadcast service within the second play area.

Wherein the second playing area may be composed of one or more of TA, cell or geographical location, and accordingly, the information of the second playing area may include TA identification, one or more of the cell identification geographical location information, for example, a TAI list or a cell identification list. Wherein the geographic location may be a geographic area, e.g., a city, street, etc. The geographic location information may also include information in a variety of formats including area identification, city name, street name, and the like.

Correspondingly, after the first network element obtains the information of the second playing area, the information of the second playing area may be sent to the third MB-SMF, where the information of the second playing area is used to characterize the second playing area.

Illustratively, the first play area and the second play area do not overlap completely (i.e., there is an area X that does not belong to the intersection of the first play area and the second play area).

It should be appreciated that if there are multiple application servers located in different areas of the first multicast/broadcast service, i.e. there are multiple entry points of the first multicast/broadcast service with respect to the core network, the first network element may select a different MB-SMF for each of the application servers in different areas, e.g. the first MB-SMF, the third MB-SMF or other MB-SMFs described above. Each MB-SMF manages the first multicast/broadcast service within a portion of the service area of the service, respectively. Alternatively, a plurality of application servers may share the MB-SMF, or all application servers may share the same MB-SMF, which is not limited by the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first network element may determine a plurality of MB-SMFs for the first multicast/broadcast service. Meanwhile, the first network element may determine a play area managed by each MB-SMF within a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service. Each MB-SMF manages a different area in the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, respectively. Therefore, the MB-SMFs can create transmission tunnels between different areas within the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, and ensure data transmission of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In one example, the first network element determines at least one MB-SMF for a first multicast/broadcast service, e.g., the first MB-SMF, third MB-SMF, or other MB-SMF described above. Wherein each MB-SMF manages the first multicast/broadcast service in a respective play area, and a sum (i.e., union) of the play areas of each MB-SMF is greater than or equal to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In the embodiment of the application, the first network element determines at least one MB-SMF for the first multicast/broadcast service, and determines a play area managed by each MB-SMF. Wherein the union of the management ranges of all MB-SMFs determined by the first network element may cover the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service. The corresponding MB-SMF may be found in any area within the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service for managing the first multicast/broadcast service. Therefore, the creation transmission tunnel can be created between any areas in the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, thereby ensuring the data transmission in the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In another example, the first network element determines at least one MB-SMF for the first multicast/broadcast service, e.g., the first MB-SMF, the third MB-SMF, or other MB-SMFs described above. Wherein each MB-SMF manages the first multicast/broadcast service within a respective play area, and the play areas of each MB-SMF do not overlap (i.e., there is no intersection of the play areas of each MB-SMF).

In the embodiment of the application, the first network element determines at least one MB-SMF for the first multicast/broadcast service, and determines a play area managed by each MB-SMF. Wherein the play areas managed by the respective MB-SMFs do not overlap. The access network device may uniquely determine an MB-SMF to manage the first multicast/broadcast service according to the area in which it is located. Therefore, for the same multicast/broadcast service, the access network device can only create a transmission tunnel once, correspondingly receive one data of the multicast/broadcast service, and avoid resource waste caused by repeated data reception.

The first playback area may include a partial service area of the first MB-SMF. Alternatively, the first play area may include the entire service area of the first MB-SMF.

In another implementation scenario of the foregoing embodiment, the first playing area may further include a first area, where the first area does not belong to a service area of the first MB-SMF. That is, the first play area managed by the first MB-SMF may exceed the coverage of the service area of the first MB-SMF. If the first playing area further includes a first area, a local MB-SMF may be selected, and a service area of the local MB-SMF includes the first area. Thus, the local MB-SMF may be used to service a range that cannot be covered by the service area of the first MB-SMF, such as the first area. For example, in the system architecture 500 shown in fig. 5, the playing area of the MB-SMF2 may include an area two and an area three, and the area three does not belong to the service area of the MB-SMF2, the first network element needs to determine the local MB-SMF for managing the first multicast broadcast service in the area three.

Specifically, when the first playing area managed by the first MB-SMF exceeds the coverage area of the service area of the first MB-SMF, the method 600 further includes:

s630, the first network element sends a fifth message to the second network element.

Wherein the fifth message may include information of a first region, which does not belong to a service region of the first MB-SMF. The fifth message is used to acquire identification information of the MB-SMF of which the service area includes the first area. The fifth message may further include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

Correspondingly, the second network element receives the fifth message. The second network element may determine, according to the fifth message, a second MB-SMF, a service area of the second MB-SMF including the first area, and the second MB-SMF being an MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service.

And S640, the second network element sends the identification information of the second MB-SMF to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives identification information of the second MB-SMF from the second network element.

Specifically, a service area of a second MB-SMF includes the first area, and the second MB-SMF provides services for the first multicast/broadcast service.

Wherein the identification information of the second MB-SMF may also be referred to as a second MB-SMF ID. Specifically, the format of the identification information of the second MB-SMF may be a character string, may be an address (e.g., an IP address), or may be a full domain name identifier (fully qualified domain name, FQDN).

It should be understood that the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data warehousing function network element, or a network warehousing function network element.

S650, the first network element transmits identification information of the second MB-SMF to the first MB-SMF. Correspondingly, the first MB-SMF receives the identification information of the second MB-SMF.

It should be understood that the first network element may carry the identification information of the second MB-SMF in the first message of S620, and send the identification information to the first MB-SMF.

In one example, before performing step S630, the first network element may determine whether the first area supports multicast, and whether multicast is supported between the first area and a service area of the first MB-SMF, according to configuration information of the first MB-SMF.

If the first network element determines that the first area does not support multicast and/or that multicast is not supported between the first area and the service area of the first MB-SMF, the first network element performs steps S630-S650 to determine a second MB-SMF for the first area. The access network equipment receives data of a first multicast/broadcast service in a first area in a unicast mode, and a transmission path is as follows: first MB-UPF- > second MB-UPF- > access network device. Wherein the first MB-UPF is managed by the first MB-SMF and the second MB-UPF is managed by the second MB-SMF.

It should be appreciated that the first area does not support multicast, i.e. the multicast/broadcast service data is not transmitted in multicast within the first area. For example, the first area does not support multicast, which may mean that the first area does not support multicast, or that a multicast session sharing tunnel cannot be established between the MB-UPF or the access network device in the first area and the MB-UPF of the other area, or that the MB-UPF or the access network device in the first area only supports data or PDU session data for transmitting multicast/broadcast services in a unicast manner. Multicast is not supported between the first area and the service area of the first MB-SMF, i.e. the transmission path between the first area and the service area of the first MB-SMF does not support the transmission of data of multicast/broadcast services in multicast. For example, a multicast session sharing tunnel cannot be established between the access network device of the first area and the first MB-UPF managed by the first MB-SFM. Specifically, the first network element may determine that the transmission path from the service area of the first MB-SMF to the first area does not support multicast transmission of the data of the multicast/broadcast service, or may also determine that the transmission path from the first area to the service area of the first MB-SMF does not support multicast, according to the information in the configuration file of the first MB-SMF.

If the first network element determines that the first area supports multicast and that multicast is supported between the first area and the service area of the first MB-SMF, the first network element may omit steps S630-S650. After the first network element performs step S620, i.e. sends the first message to the first MB-SMF, the first MB-SMF creates a transmission tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the access network device, through which the access network device may receive, in the first area, the data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a multicast manner, where a transmission path is: the first MB-UPF- > access network device. Specifically, the access network device sends downlink tunnel information of the access network device to the first MB-SMF, where the downlink tunnel information may include multicast address information of the access network device and identification information of the downlink tunnel, and accordingly, the first MB-SMF may establish a transmission tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the access network device according to the downlink tunnel information.

It should be appreciated that the first area supports multicast, i.e. multicast/broadcast service data is transmitted in multicast within the first area. For example, a multicast session sharing tunnel may be established between the MB-UPF in the first zone or the access network device and the MB-UPF in the other zone. Multicast is supported between the first area and the service area of the first MB-SMF, i.e. the transmission path between the first area and the service area of the first MB-SMF supports the transmission of data of multicast/broadcast services in multicast. For example, a multicast session sharing tunnel may be established between an access network device of the first area and a first MB-UPF managed by the first MB-SFM. Specifically, the first network element may determine that the transmission path from the service area of the first MB-SMF to the first area supports multicast transmission of data of the multicast/broadcast service according to information in the configuration file of the first MB-SMF, or may also determine that the transmission path from the first area to the service area of the first MB-SMF supports multicast. In an embodiment of the present application, the first network element determines at least one MB-SMF for the first multicast/broadcast service, and the sum of service areas of the at least one MB-SMF may still be smaller than the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, i.e. there are some areas that cannot be covered by any selected MB-SMF. At this time, the first network element may determine a play area of each MB-SMF, where the play area of the MB-SMF may exceed a coverage area of its service area. At this point, the first network element determines the local MB-SMF that is used to service the area that the service area of the MB-SMF cannot cover. For example, if the first play area managed by the first MB-SMF includes a first area, and the first area exceeds the coverage area of the service area of the first MB-SMF, the first network element determines that the second MB-SMF is used to serve the first area that cannot be covered by the service area of the first MB-SMF. Therefore, the first area outside the service area of the network element of the first multicast/broadcast session management function can normally receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service, and the first multicast/broadcast service can be transmitted in the service area.

In another implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the method 600 further includes:

and the first network element sends the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service to the first MB-SMF. Optionally, the first network element may also carry the information of the application server in the first message of S620, and send the information to the first MB-SMF.

Correspondingly, the first MB-SMF receives information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service. The first MB-SMF may determine the first MB-UPF according to information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service. In particular, the service area of the first MB-UPF matches the location described by the application server, e.g., the service area TAI of the first MB-UPF includes the location TAI of the application server. The first MB-UPF is managed by the first MB-SMF, and the first MB-UPF may receive data of the first multicast/broadcast service from the application server.

If there are a plurality of application servers corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, the first network element transmits information of the application server matching the service area of the first MB-SMF to the first MB-SMF. The service area of the first MB-SMF is matched with the application server, which may mean that an entry point described by information of the application server is located in the service area of the first MB-SMF.

In another implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the first network element may register the first playing area managed by the first MB-SMF to the second network element. Specifically, the method 600 further includes:

the first network element sends a sixth message to the second network element, where the sixth message may include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first playing area, and the sixth message is used to register the information of the first playing area.

Specifically, the first network element may further send identification information of the first MB-SMF to the second network element.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first network element registers the first MB-SMF and the information of the first playing area managed by the first MB-SMF to the second network element, so that the subsequent other network elements, such as AMF or SMF, can select the first MB-SMF serving the first multicast broadcast service according to the information of the terminal device and/or the information of the access network device, so as to receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In another implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the first network element may register the second MB-SMF with the second network element. Specifically, the method 600 further includes:

the first network element sends a seventh message to the second network element, where the seventh message may include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second MB-SMF, and the seventh message is used to register the second MB-SMF as an MB-SMF that serves the first multicast/broadcast service.

It should be appreciated that the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service may include IP multicast address information, port number, source IP address, or other identification (e.g., TMGI) that may uniquely identify the service, etc., which the present application is not limited to.

In the embodiment of the application, the first network element registers the identification information of the second MB-SMF and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service to the second network element so that other subsequent network elements, such as AMF and SMF, can directly select the local MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service according to the information of the terminal equipment and/or the information of the access network equipment and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service, thereby avoiding that the access network equipment in the same area selects different second MB-SMF when transmitting the first multicast/broadcast service, and further improving the service transmission efficiency.

It is to be understood that the explanation or illustration of the various terms appearing in the embodiments of the application may be referred to or explained by reference to each other in the various embodiments, which are not limiting.

Fig. 7 shows a schematic flow chart of a multicast/broadcast service communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 700 may be applied to the system architecture 100 shown in fig. 1, and may also be applied to the system architecture 200 shown in fig. 2, and embodiments of the application are not limited thereto.

The first MB-SMF receives a first message from a first network element, which may include information of a first play area, S710.

S720, the first MB-SMF sends a second message to the second MB-SMF according to the first message.

The service area of the second MB-SMF includes a first area, the first area belongs to the first playing area, and the first area does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF.

In particular, the second message is used to create a transport tunnel for transporting data of the first multicast/broadcast service between a first MB-UPF managed by the first MB-SMF and a second MB-UPF managed by the second MB-SMF.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first MB-SMF is responsible for managing the first multicast/broadcast service in the first play area, where the first play area may exceed the coverage of the service area of the first MB-SMF. Thus, the first MB-SMF may determine a range that is not covered by the service area used to serve the first MB-SMF by the second MB-SMF. Further, the first MB-SMF creates a transmission tunnel through the second MB-SMF to transmit the data of the first multicast/broadcast service data, so that the data of the first multicast/broadcast service can be received in an area (e.g., a first area) located outside the service area of the first MB-SMF, thereby ensuring that the first multicast/broadcast service can be transmitted in the first play area.

In one implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the first MB-SMF may determine the second MB-SMF from the first message. Specifically, the first MB-SMF may acquire the identification information of the second MB-SMF in the following manner:

as a possible implementation manner, in step S710, the first MB-SMF receives a first message from the first network element, where the first message further includes identification information of the second MB-SMF.

Specifically, as described in steps S630-S650 in method 600, the first network element determines the second MB-SMF and sends the identification information of the second MB-SMF to the first MB-SMF.

As another possible implementation manner, in step S710, the first MB-SMF receives information of a first playing area, where the information of the first playing area includes information of the first area. Wherein the information of the first region may be used to characterize the first region, and the first region does not belong to a service region of the first MB-SMF. The method 700 further includes:

s730, the first MB-SMF sends a third message to the second network element, where the third message may include information of the first area, and the third message is used to obtain identification information of the MB-SMF whose service area includes the first area;

optionally, the third message may further include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service. The first MB-SMF may acquire, from the second network element, an MB-SMF whose service area includes the first area according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the first area, and the acquired MB-SMF is an MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service.

S740, the first MB-SMF receives the identification information of the second MB-SMF from the second network element.

Specifically, the service area of the second MB-SMF includes the first area, and the second MB-SMF serves the first multicast/broadcast service.

It should be understood that the second network element may be any one of a unified data management network element, a user data warehousing function network element, or a network warehousing function network element.

In the embodiment of the application, the first MB-SMF determines a second MB-SMF, and the second MB-SMF is used for serving the range which cannot be covered by the service area of the first MB-SMF. Thus, the first MB-SMF may create a transport tunnel through the second MB-SMF, transmitting data of the first multicast/broadcast service in an area outside the service area of the first MB-SMF.

In another implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the first MB-SMF may register the first play area with the second network element. Specifically, the method 700 further includes:

the first MB-SMF sends a fourth message to the second network element, where the fourth message may include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first play area, and the fourth message is used to register the information of the first play area.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first MB-SMF registers the information of the managed first playing area to the second network element, so that subsequent other network elements, such as AMF or SMF, may select, according to the information of the terminal device and/or the information of the access network device, the first MB-SMF serving the first multicast broadcast service, so as to receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In another implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the first MB-SMF may register the second MB-SMF with the second network element. Specifically, the method 700 further includes:

the first MB-SMF sends the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the identification information of the second MB-SMF to a second network element, and the second MB-SMF is registered as the MB-SMF for providing service for the first multicast/broadcast service.

In another implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the second MB-SMF may be registered with the second network element by the second MB-SMF. Specifically, the method 700 further includes:

the second MB-SMF sends the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the identification information of the second MB-SMF to a second network element, and registers the second MB-SMF as the MB-SMF for providing service for the first multicast/broadcast service.

In the embodiment of the application, the first MB-SMF or the second MB-SMF can register the identification information of the second MB-SMF and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service to the second network element so that other subsequent network elements, such as AMF and SMF, can directly select the local MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service according to the information of the terminal equipment and/or the information of the access network equipment and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service, thereby avoiding the access network equipment in the same area from selecting different second MB-SMF when transmitting the first multicast/broadcast service, and further improving the service transmission efficiency.

In another implementation scenario of the above embodiment, the first MB-SMF may establish a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF through the second MB-SMF. Specifically, the method 700 further includes:

s721, the first MB-SMF receives information from an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service of the first network element.

It should be understood that the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service may be carried in the first message of step S710, that is, the step is combined with S710.

S722, the first MB-SMF determines the first MB-UPF according to the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service.

Specifically, the first MB-UPF is a network element managed by the first MB-SMF. The first MB-UPF may receive data of the first multicast/broadcast service from the application server and transmit the data of the first multicast/broadcast service within a service area of the first MB-UPF.

Alternatively, the first MB-SMF may determine the first MB-UPF and acquire multicast tunnel information for the first MB-UPF before sending the second message to the second MB-SMF. The first MB-SMF may send the information of the multicast tunnel of the first MB-UPF to the second MB-SMF in a second message, i.e. the second message further comprises the information of the multicast tunnel of the first MB-UPF. The information of the multicast tunnel of the first MB-UPF may include multicast address information of the first MB-UPF and identification information of the multicast tunnel.

The second MB-SMF further determines, according to the configuration information thereof, whether the access network device may receive, in the first area, data of the first multicast/broadcast service by multicast:

if the second MB-SMF determines that the first area supports multicast, and that multicast is supported between the first area and a service area of the first MB-SMF, the access network device may receive data of the first multicast/broadcast service in the first area by multicast, and the first MB-SMF creates a transport tunnel from the first MB-UPF to the access network device, where the transport tunnel is used by the access network device to receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service from the first MB-UPF.

If the second MB-SMF determines that the first area does not support multicast and/or that multicast is not supported between the first area and a service area of the first MB-SMF, the second MB-SMF may determine and configure the second MB-UPF, and the first MB-SMF establishes a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF, the transport tunnel being for transporting data of the first multicast/broadcast service. The process of creating the transmission tunnel specifically includes:

and S723, the second MB-SMF determines a second MB-UPF according to the second message, and then acquires downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF.

Specifically, the downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF includes unicast address information of the second MB-UPF and identification information of the downlink tunnel.

And S724, the second MB-SMF transmits the downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF to the first MB-SMF.

Correspondingly, the first MB-SMF receives downlink tunnel information from a second MB-UPF of the second MB-SMF.

S725, the first MB-SMF sends, to the first MB-UPF, downstream tunnel information of the second MB-UPF, the downstream tunnel information being used to create a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF.

In the embodiment of the present application, the first MB-SMF may manage the first multicast/broadcast service in the first play area, where the first play area may exceed the coverage of the service area of the first MB-SMF. The first MB-SMF configures and acquires the information of the downlink tunnel of the second MB-UPF through the second MB-SMF, and creates a transmission tunnel between the first MB-UPF channel and the second MB-UPF according to the downlink tunnel information. The transmission tunnel can enable the access network equipment to receive the transmission data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a unicast mode in a first area outside the first MB-SMF service area, and ensure the normal transmission of the first multicast/broadcast service in the first play area.

As an alternative embodiment, in step S720, the second message may further include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and/or QoS flow information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In particular, the information of the QoS flow may include QFI of the QoS flow and QoS parameters of the QoS flow. After receiving the information of the QoS flow, the second MB-SMF may create a corresponding multicast service according to the information of the QoS flow, so as to prepare for a subsequent access network device to transmit the service.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic flow chart of a multicast/broadcast service communication method 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 800 may be applied to the system architecture 100 shown in fig. 1, and may also be applied to the system architecture 200 shown in fig. 2, and embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

S810, the AMF receives an eighth message from the access network device, where the eighth message may include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

Wherein the eighth message is for requesting transmission of data of the first multicast/broadcast service to the access network device.

And S820, the AMF acquires the identification information of the first MB-SMF according to the eighth message.

It should be appreciated that the first network element has determined at least one MB-SMF for the first multicast/broadcast service prior to the AMF acquiring the first MB-SMF, the at least one MB-SMF being operable to manage the first multicast/broadcast service within a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service. The AMF may determine the first MB-SMF from the at least one MB-SMF according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and/or the information of the access network device, and acquire the identification information of the first MB-SMF.

S830, the AMF determines that the service area of the access network device does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF.

Specifically, the AMF determines, according to the information of the access network device, that the service area of the access network device does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF.

It will be appreciated that the information of the access network device includes service area information of the access network device describing the area in which the access network device is located. The service area information of the access network device may include one or more of TA identity, cell identity, geographical location information of the area in which the access network device is located, e.g. a TAI list or a cell identity list. The service area of the access network device does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF, and may be the service area TAI of the access network device does not belong to the service area TAI of the first MB-SMF.

And S840, the AMF acquires the identification information of the second MB-SMF according to the information of the access network equipment.

In particular, the service area of the second MB-SMF comprises a service area of the access network device, e.g. the service area TAI of the second MB-SMF comprises a TAI of the service area of the access network device.

S850, the AMF sends a ninth message to the second MB-SMF, the ninth message for creating a transport tunnel for transporting data of the first multicast/broadcast service between the second MB-UPF and the access network device, the second MB-UPF being managed by the second MB-SMF.

As an alternative embodiment, in step S850, the ninth message further includes identification information of the first MB-SMF.

In an embodiment of the present application, the AMF selects a first MB-SMF for managing a first multicast/broadcast service within a service area of the access network device. When the service area of the first MB-SMF cannot cover the service area of the access network equipment, the AMF determines a second MB-SMF for the service area of the access network equipment, and a transmission tunnel between the second MB-UPF and the access network equipment is created through the second MB-SMF so as to transmit the data of the first multicast/broadcast service data. Thus, when the service area of the access network device exceeds the coverage area of the service area of the first MB-SMF, it is still ensured that the access network device can transmit the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In step S820, the AMF obtains the information of the first MB-SMF according to the eighth message, possibly by using the following methods:

as a possible implementation, as described in method 600 and method 700, the first network element has determined at least one MB-SMF for the first multicast/broadcast service for managing the first multicast/broadcast service within a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service. The at least one MB-SMF includes a first MB-SMF, and if the first network element has determined a first play area managed by the first MB-SMF, the AMF may acquire, according to the eighth message, identification information of the first MB-SMF from the second network element. Specifically, the method for the AMF to acquire the identification information of the first MB-SMF comprises the following steps:

S821, the AMF sends a tenth message to the second network element, where the tenth message may include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the access network device, and the tenth message is used to obtain the identification information of the MB-SMF of the playing area including the service area of the access network device. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the tenth message.

It should be understood that the playing area of the MB-SMF includes a service area of the access network device, and it may mean that the playing area TAI of the MB-SMF includes a service area TAI of the access network device.

Specifically, before the AMF sends the tenth message to the second network element, the second network element receives a fourth message from the first MB-SMF; or, the second network element receives a sixth message from the first network element, and the fourth message or the sixth message may include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first play area, where the fourth message or the sixth message is used to register the information of the first play area.

And S822, the second network element sends the identification information of the first MB-SMF according to the tenth message.

Accordingly, the AMF receives identification information of the first MB-SMF from the second network element.

Specifically, the first MB-SMF is configured to manage the first multicast/broadcast service in a first play area, where the first play area includes a service area of the access network device.

In the embodiment of the application, the AMF selects the first MB-SMF for managing the first multicast/broadcast service for the access network equipment through the second network element according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network equipment so as to uniquely determine the MB-SMF for managing the service for the access network equipment and facilitate receiving the data of the first multicast/broadcast service.

As another possible implementation, the access network device receives identification information of the first MB-SMF from the SMF and sends the identification of the first MB-SMF to the AMF. Specifically, the method for the AMF to acquire the identification information of the first MB-SMF comprises the following steps:

the AMF receives identification information of the first MB-SMF from the access network device.

Specifically, the identification information of the first MB-SMF is obtained by the access network device from the SMF, where the SMF is an SMF corresponding to the PDU session associated with the first multicast/broadcast service.

It is to be understood that the first network element may be a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element. The second network element may be any one of a unified data management network element, a user data warehousing function network element, or a network warehousing function network element.

In step S840, the AMF obtains the identification information of the second MB-SMF according to the information of the access network device. Specifically, in step S840, the following two cases may be included:

A possible scenario is that the first network element or the first MB-SMF determines that the second MB-SMF serves the service before the AMF obtains the identification information of the second MB-SMF. The second MB-SMF is registered with the second network element. The AMF obtains the second MB-SMF that has been registered from the second network element by:

s841, the second network element receives a seventh message, where the seventh message may include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second MB-SMF, where the seventh message is used to register the second MB-SMF as an MB-SMF that serves the first multicast/broadcast service.

In particular, the seventh message may be sent by the first network element, the first MB-SMF or the second MB-SMF to the second network element. That is, any one of the first network element, the first MB-SMF, or the second MB-SMF may register the second MB-SMF with the second network element.

S842, the AMF sends an eleventh message to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element receives the eleventh message.

The eleventh message may include identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the access network device, and the eleventh message is used to acquire identification information of the MB-SMF whose service area includes the service area of the access network device.

And S843, the second network element sends the identification information of the second MB-SMF according to the eleventh message.

Correspondingly, the second network element receives identification information of a second MB-SMF, a service area of the second MB-SMF comprising a service area of the access network device.

Since the second MB-SMF has been selected for the service area of the access network device before the AMF performs step S841, registration information for the second MB-SMF is stored in the second network element. Therefore, in step S842, after the AMF sends the identification information of the first multicast broadcast session and the information of the access network device to the second network element, the second network element directly returns to the second MB-SMF selected by the other AMFs.

Another possibility is that the second MB-SMF has not been selected before the AMF performs step S841. At this time, the AMF sends information of the access network device to the second network element, and the second network element determines a second MB-SMF according to the information of the access network device and sends the second MB-SMF to the AMF. Specifically, the service area of the access network device matches the service area of the second MB-SMF.

In this case, the second MB-SMF may send identification information of the first multicast broadcast session to the second network element for registering itself as an MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service. Alternatively, the AMF may also send the identification information of the first multicast broadcast session, the information of the second MB-SMF, to the second network element, for registering the second MB-SMF as an MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service. After registration, the subsequent access network device can directly execute the method in S841-S843 to obtain the second MB-SMF, avoiding selecting a different second MB-SMF, and improving the efficiency of service transmission.

In step S850, the AMF has determined a second MB-SMF serving a service area of the access network device. However, since the access network device cannot join the session of the first multicast/broadcast service directly through the second MB-SMF. At this time, a transport tunnel between a first MB-UPF and a second MB-UPF may be first created through a first MB-SMF, which is managed by the first MB-SMF. The AMF then establishes a transport tunnel between a second MB-UPF and the access network device via a second MB-SMF, the second MB-UPF being managed by the second MB-SMF. After the two sections of transmission tunnels are established, the data of the first multicast/broadcast service can be transmitted between the first MB-UPF and the access network equipment according to the transmission tunnels between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF and the transmission tunnels between the second MB-UPF and the access network equipment. In step S850, the specific procedure of creating the two-segment tunnel by the AMF includes:

s851, the first MB-SMF creates a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF.

The specific process is referred to in the method 700 from S721 to S725, and will not be described here again.

S852, the AMF receives the information of the multicast tunnel of the second MB-UPF from the second MB-SMF.

The information of the multicast tunnel of the second MB-UPF may include multicast address information of the second MB-UPF and identification information of the multicast tunnel.

S853, the AMF sends the multicast tunnel information of the second MB-UPF to the access network equipment.

The AMF judges whether the service area of the access network equipment can receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a multicast mode according to the configuration information of the access network equipment:

if the access network device supports multicast, the service area of the access network device may receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a multicast manner. At this time, the base station may receive data from the second MB-UPF according to the multicast tunnel information of the second MB-UPF.

If the access network device does not support multicast, the AMF continues to execute the following steps:

s854, the AMF receives downlink tunnel information of the access network device.

And S855, the AMF sends downlink tunnel information of the access network equipment to the second MB-SMF, wherein the downlink tunnel information of the access network equipment is used for creating a transmission tunnel between the second MB-UPF and the access network equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, the problem that the access network equipment cannot directly receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service in the service area can be solved by creating the transmission tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF and creating the transmission tunnel between the second MB-UPF and the access network equipment. The access network device may receive data from the first MB-UPF service area through a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF, and a transport tunnel between the second MB-UPF and the access network device.

In step S850, optionally, if the access network device supports multicast, and multicast is supported between the service area of the access network device and the service area of the first MB-SMF, the data of the first multicast/broadcast service may be directly transmitted to the access network device through the first MB-UPF. In this case, the second MB-SMF need not determine and configure the second MB-UPF, and the first MB-SMF need not create a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF.

Specifically, the first MB-SMF sends multicast tunnel information of the first MB-UPF to the second MB-SMF, where the multicast tunnel information may include multicast address information of the first MB-UPF and identification information of the multicast tunnel; the second MB-SMF sends the received multicast tunnel information to the access network equipment; the access network device receives multicast tunnel information of the first MB-UPF and transmits internet group management protocol (internet group management protocol, IGMP) JOIN information to JOIN a session of the first multicast/broadcast service.

In the embodiment of the application, if the service area of the access network equipment can receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a multicast mode, the access network equipment can directly receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service in a multicast mode, so that signaling is saved, and the efficiency of data transmission is improved.

For ease of understanding, embodiments of the present application are described in detail below in conjunction with FIG. 9.

Fig. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 900 may be applied to the system architecture 100 shown in fig. 1, and may also be applied to the system architecture 200 shown in fig. 2, and embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

In the method 900, the NEF selects at least one MB-SMF for the first multicast/broadcast service, and manages different service areas of the first multicast/broadcast service, respectively. Meanwhile, the NEF plans the play area managed by each MB-SMF. If the first playing area of the first MB-SMF in the at least one MB-SMF exceeds the coverage area of the service area of the first MB-SMF, the NEF or the first MB-SMF determines a second MB-SMF for serving the coverage area that cannot be covered by the service area of the first MB-SMF.

S901, the AF sends MBS session request message to the NEF. Correspondingly, the NEF receives the message.

Specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, the MBS session request message is used to configure a session related to the first multicast/broadcast service, and in addition, the message may also be referred to as a session establishment request, a session request, or other names, which the present application is not limited to. Wherein, the MBS session request message may include: information of at least one application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, the information of the application server being used to describe an entry point position of the first multicast/broadcast service with respect to the core network. The information of the application server may be an IP address of the AS. The information of the application server may also be location description information of the service entry point, for example, an address of a data center where the service entry point is located. The information of the application server may also include other formats, which the present application is not limited to.

The MBS session request message further comprises: information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service. It should be understood that the service area information of the first multicast/broadcast service refers to the geographical range in which the first multicast/broadcast service is allowed to play. The service area information of the first multicast/broadcast service may include one or more of a TAI list, a cell list, and geographical location information (the geographical location information may also include information in various formats such as an area identification, a city name, etc.). The application is not limited in this regard.

It should be appreciated that the NEF in method 900 may also be replaced with an MBSF and the NEF may be the first network element in methods 600-800.

S902, the NEF selects an MB-SMF for managing the first multicast/broadcast service according to the information of the application server, wherein the MB-SMF includes the first MB-SMF. The NEF determines a first play area of the first MB-SMF.

Specifically, the NEF determines a first MB-SMF corresponding to the application server according to the information of the application server received from the AF. The NEF may query the NRF according to the information of the application server in order to determine a first MB-SMF for which the service area of the first MB-SMF matches the information of an entry point of the first multicast/broadcast service with respect to the core network, e.g. the entry point is located within the service area of the first MB-SMF.

Further, the NEF may determine the first play area managed by the first MB-SMF according to one or more of information of a service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, or information of a service area of the first MB-SMF, and network topology information corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service.

If the first playing area managed by the first MB-SMF exceeds the coverage area of the service area of the first MB-SMF. For example, the first playing area includes a first area, and the first area does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF. The NEF may determine a second MB-SMF for the first region, as per steps S630-S650 in method 600.

S903, the NEF sends an MBs session establishment request to the first MB-SMF.

Specifically, the MBS session establishment request includes: identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

The NEF may also send information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service to the first MB-SMF, so that the first MB-SMF determines the first MB-UPF according to the information of the application server.

The NEF sends a first message to the first MB-SMF, the first message may include: first playback area information of the first MB-SMF. If the first playing area managed by the first MB-SMF exceeds the coverage area of the service area of the first MB-SMF, the NEF may further determine, according to steps S630-S650 of the method 600, that the service area of the second MB-SMF includes the first area, where the first area belongs to an area that does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF in the first playing area, and send the identification information of the second MB-SMF to the first MB-SMF.

S904, the first MB-SMF registers information of the first play area in the UDM.

It should be appreciated that in method 900, UDM may also be replaced with UDR or NRF, i.e., UDM may be the second network element in methods 600-800, as the application is not limited in this regard.

Specifically, the first MB-SMF transmits identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service, identification information of the first MB-SMF, first play area information to the UDM for registering information of the first play area.

In steps S902-S904, optionally, the information of the first play area may include information of the first area. The first MB-SMF sends the information of the first area to the second network element, and the identification information of the second MB-SMF is obtained. Alternatively, the first MB-SMF selects a partial area from the first play area, for example, the first area, sends information of the first area to the second network element, and then acquires identification information of the second MB-SMF that can serve the first area. The specific embodiments are described in method 700 and are not described in detail herein.

After determining the second MB-SMF, the second MB-SMF may be registered with the second network element by any one of the first MB-SMF, the second MB-SMF, or the first network element as an MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service.

S905, the first MB-SMF transmits a second message to the second MB-SMF, the second message requesting to create a session for the first multicast/broadcast service.

The second message may include: identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service, qoS flow information of the first multicast/broadcast service, etc.

Before sending the second message, the first MB-SMF further determines a first MB-UPF, and acquires multicast tunnel information of the first MB-UPF, where the multicast tunnel information may include multicast address information of the first MB-UPF and identification information of the multicast tunnel. The specific embodiment may refer to step S722 in method 700. The first MB-SMF may send the information of the multicast tunnel of the first MB-UPF to the second MB-SMF in a second message, i.e. S905, the second message further comprising the information of the multicast tunnel of the first MB-UPF.

Specifically, the second MB-SMF determines the second MB-UPF and acquires downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF, and the second MB-SMF transmits the downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF to the first MB-SMF in a response message so that the first MB-SMF configures the first MB-UPF, thereby creating a transmission tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF.

S906, the first MB-SMF sends MBS session establishment response information.

The first MB-SMF sends the downlink tunnel information of the first MB-UPF to the NEF in a response message, and the NEF sends the downlink tunnel information to the AF.

It should be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the NEF first sends an MBs session establishment request message to the first MB-SMF, and the first MB-SMF establishes a connection with the second MB-SMF, thereby creating a transport tunnel from the first MB-UPF to the second MB-UPF. Alternatively, after determining the first MB-SMF and the second MB-SMF, the NEF may first send an MBs session establishment request message to the second MB-SMF, and the second MB-SMF creates a transport tunnel from the first MB-UPF to the second MB-UPF, and the NEF sends the identification information of the first MB-SMF to the second MB-SMF. The application is not limited in this regard.

S907, the UE transmits a message requesting to join the first multicast/broadcast service to the SMF.

S908, after the SMF receives the request message sent by the UE, selects an MB-SMF for managing the first multicast/broadcast service, where the MB-SMF may be an MB-SMF predetermined by the NEF for the first multicast/broadcast service in step S902. Further, the MB-SMF selected by the SMF may be an MB-SMF whose play area includes the location of the UE, or the MB-SMF may be a local MB-SMF whose service area includes the location of the UE.

Specifically, the SMF transmits identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element sends information of one or more MB-SMFs corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service to the SMF according to the identification information. The SMF selects a first MB-SMF or a second MB-SMF from the one or more MB-SMFs according to the location information of the UE. The playing area of the first MB-SMF comprises the position of the UE, or the service area of the second MB-SMF comprises the position of the UE.

It should be understood that the location information of the UE may be TAI or cell identifier, or may be information in a plurality of different formats such as area identifier, where the area identifier may be an identifier with different granularity, for example, "shanghai purdong" or "shanghai", which is not limited in this disclosure.

When the SMF selects the MB-SMF, optionally, the SMF may send the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the location information of the UE to the second network element at the same time, and the second network element selects the matched first MB-SMF or second MB-SMF according to the location information of the UE, and sends the identification information of the first MB-SMF or the second MB-SMF to the SMF.

S909, the SMF acquires information of the first multicast/broadcast service from the first MB-SMF or the second MB-SMF, including: qoS flow information corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, etc.

S910, the SMF sends a request message to the gNB requesting to join the UE to the multicast service. And the gNB receives the request message and joins the UE into the multicast service according to the request message. The request message is forwarded via the AMF.

Specifically, the request message sent by the SMF may carry the identity of the first multicast/broadcast service, and the request message may be sent through signaling related to the PDU session. The gNB receives the request message and saves the identity of the first multicast/broadcast service to the context of the PDU session, i.e. the PDU session is associated with or contains the multicast service.

Optionally, the request message may also carry the above-mentioned mapping relationship between QFI of the multicast QoS flow and QFI of the unicast QoS flow. In one possible implementation, the gNB may save the mapping relationship to the context of the PDU session of the UE.

In one possible implementation, the request message may include identification information of the first MB-SMF or the second MB-SMF.

S911, the gNB sends an RRC message to the UE, where the RRC message may include radio configuration information required for the UE to receive the first multicast/broadcast service. Correspondingly, the UE receives the RRC message, and carries out wireless configuration according to the RRC message issued by the gNB so as to be capable of receiving the data of the service subsequently.

If the gNB has not established a transport tunnel with any MB-UPF, the gNB performs the following steps:

s912, the gNB sends an MBS session establishment request to the AMF.

Specifically, the gNB sends an MBS session establishment request to the AMF, and the request message is used for establishing a transmission channel between MB-UPF and gNB. The MBS session establishment request includes: identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

The MBS session establishment request may further include: and downlink tunnel information of the gNB, which is used for receiving the data of the first multicast/broadcast service from the MB-UPF.

In one possible implementation, the message may include identification information of the first MB-SMF or identification information of the second MB-SMF.

It should be understood that the AMF in S912 may be selected by the gNB according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service. Alternatively, the gNB may select an AMF serving the UE according to UE information triggering establishment of the first multicast/broadcast service session, which is not limited by the present application.

S913, the AMF selects an MB-SMF for managing the first multicast/broadcast service, wherein the playing area of the MB-SMF includes the location of the gNB, or the service area of the MB-SMF includes the location of the gNB. It should be noted that, similar to step S908, the AMF may select the first MB-SMF or the second MB-SMF according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and/or the information of the UE, which will not be described herein. If the gNB transmits the identification information of the first MB-SMF or the identification information of the second MB-SMF to the AMF in S912, the AMF may determine the MB-SMF according to the identification information of the first MB-SMF or the identification information of the second MB-SMF received from the gNB.

Specifically, after the AMF acquires the identification information of the first MB-SMF, there may be a case where the first MB-SMF cannot directly serve the gNB. At this time, the first MB-UPF managed by the first MB-SMF cannot directly transmit the data of the first multicast/broadcast service to the gNB. If the AMF determines that the area where the gNB is located does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF, the AMF may obtain, according to the location information of the gNB, identification information of the second MB-SMF from the second network element, where the service area of the second MB-SMF includes the gNB, according to a method described in steps S841-S843 in method 800.

It should be appreciated that the inability of the first MB-UPF to directly send data of the first multicast/broadcast service to the gNB may be due to the following reasons: the area where the gNB is located does not support multicast, or the area where the gNB is located does not support multicast to the service area of the first MB-SMF, and no IP connection exists between the first MB-UPF and the gNB (i.e., a tunnel cannot be established).

The AMF judges whether a transmission tunnel can be established between the first MB-UPF and the gNB according to the service area of the first MB-SMF. In a possible case, the AMF determines that the first MB-SMF satisfies one of the above conditions, and the AMF determines the second MB-SMF. In another possible scenario, the AMF determines the second MB-SMF only if the gNB is determined not to belong to the service range of the first MB-SMF, without considering the above condition. It is also possible that the AMF selects only the second MB-SMF according to the location information of the gNB, in which case the tunnel between the second MB-UPF and the first MB-UPF has been previously established in the method of S905, and the second MB-SMF has previously acquired the information of the first multicast/broadcast service (e.g., the QoS flow information). It should be appreciated that the gNB does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF, i.e. all MB-UPFs controlled by the first MB-SMF have no IP connection to the gNB.

S914, if the AMF determines the second MB-SMF, the AMF sends an MBS session establishment request to the second MB-SMF. The AMF sends information of the first MB-SMF to the second MB-SMF.

The MBS session establishment request includes: identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

The AMF may further send information of the gNB to a second MB-SMF, the second MB-SMF determines and configures a second MB-UPF according to the information of the gNB, and obtains downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF, where the downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF is used by the gNB to receive data of the first multicast/broadcast service through the second MB-UPF. Alternatively, the downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF may be configured by the second MB-UPF, which is not limited by the present application.

In step S914, the AMF may optionally send downlink tunnel information of the gNB to the second MB-SMF.

In one implementation, if the AMF determines the first MB-SMF and the second MB-SMF at the same time, the AMF further sends the identification information of the first MB-SMF to the second MB-SMF at this step, for example, when the tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF is not yet established, the second MB-SMF may send a message to the first MB-SMF according to the information of the first MB-SMF so as to establish the tunnel.

In order to establish a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF, the second MB-SMF may send downstream tunnel information of the second MB-UPF to the first MB-SMF in order to create a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF, S915.

It should be understood that in S915-S920, the transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF may have been created in step S905, and the steps of S915-S920 need not be performed.

S916, the first MB-SMF sends the MBS session establishment response message to the second MB-SMF.

In S916, the first MB-SMF may send multicast tunnel information of the first MB-UPF to the second MB-SMF, including a multicast address of the first MB-UPF and identification information of the multicast tunnel.

S917, the second MB-SMF sends the multicast tunnel information of the first MB-UPF to the second MB-UPF. The second MB-UPF sends an IGMP JOIN to JOIN the multicast group corresponding to the multicast tunnel.

In steps S915-S916, another possible scenario is that if the AMF determines that the gNB supports multicast, and that multicast is supported between the service area of the gNB and the service area of the first MB-SMF, the data of the first multicast/broadcast service may be directly transmitted to the gNB through the first MB-UPF. In this case, the second MB-SMF need not determine and configure the second MB-UPF, the first MB-SMF need not create a transport tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF, nor need it create a tunnel between the second MB-UPF and the gNB.

Specifically, the first MB-SMF sends multicast tunnel information of the first MB-UPF to the second MB-SMF, where the multicast tunnel information may include multicast address information of the first MB-UPF and identification information of the multicast tunnel; the second MB-SMF sends the received multicast tunnel information to the gNB through the AMF; the gNB receives the multicast tunnel information of the first MB-UPF and transmits IGMP JOIN information to JOIN the session of the first multicast/broadcast service.

If the second MB-SMF does not transmit the downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF in step S915, S918, the downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF is transmitted to the first MB-SMF.

The first MB-SMF transmits the downlink tunnel information of the second MB-UPF from the second MB-SMF (in step S915) to the first MB-UPF S919.

S920, the first MB-SMF sends an MBS session establishment response message to the second MB-SFM.

S921, the second MB-SMF sends MBS session establishment response information, and the response information is forwarded to the gNB through the AMF.

S922, the gNB sends an N2 response message to the SMF.

S923, the SMF sends a response message to the UE.

Fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of a multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 1000 may be applied to the system architecture 100 shown in fig. 1, and may also be applied to the system architecture 200 shown in fig. 2, and embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

In the method 1000, the NEF selects at least one MB-SMF for the first multicast/broadcast service, and manages different service areas of the first multicast/broadcast service, respectively. Unlike the method 900, the NEF does not plan a play area managed by each MB-SMF, but selects a first MB-SMF among at least MB-SMFs predetermined by the NEF, for a gcb requesting to receive the first multicast/broadcast service by the AMF or the SMF. If the service area of the gNB does not belong to the service area of the first MB-SMF selected by the AMF or the SMF, the AMF or the SMF determines a second MB-SMF for the service area of the gNB, and the second MB-SMF is used for serving the gNB to receive the first multicast/broadcast service.

S1001 to S1003 are similar to steps S901 to S903 in the method 900, and are not described here again. In contrast, the NEF does not determine the first play area of the first MB-SMF nor send information of the first play area to the first MB-SMF.

S1004, the first MB-SMF sends MBS session establishment response information. Step S1004 is the same as step S906 in the method 900, and is not described herein.

S1005, the UE transmits a message requesting to join the first multicast/broadcast service to the SMF.

S1006, after the SMF receives the request message sent by the UE, selecting one MB-SMF for managing the first multicast/broadcast service.

Specifically, since the NEF has determined at least one MB-SMF managing the first multicast/broadcast service according to the information of the application server in step S1002, the at least one MB-SMF controlled MB-UPF interfaces with the application server, i.e., the application server transmits the data of the first multicast/broadcast service to the at least one MB-SMF controlled MB-UPF. The SMF selects one MB-SMF among the at least one MB-SMF determined by the NEF.

In one possible embodiment, the second network element may have stored therein an MB-SMF whose play area includes the UE location. For example, other UEs in this location have already selected MB-SMF when joining the session of the first multicast/broadcast service. At this time, the SMF transmits identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and location information of the UE to the second network element. Correspondingly, the second network element sends information of a first MB-SMF corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service and the UE position to the SMF according to the identification information and the position information of the UE, and a playing area of the first MB-SMF comprises the UE position.

The location information of the UE is used to describe the area where the UE is located. The location information of the UE may include one or more of TA identity, cell identity, geographical location information of the area in which the UE is located, e.g. a TAI list or a cell identity list. The playing area of the first MB-SMF includes a location of the UE, and the playing area TAI of the first MB-SMF may include an area TAI where the UE is located.

It should be appreciated that in the method 1000, the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data warehousing function network element, or a network warehousing function network element, which is not limited in this regard.

If the second network element does not store the MB-SMF of which the playing area comprises the position of the UE, the second network element sends the identification information of one or more MB-SMFs corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service to the SMF according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service. The SMF selects a first MB-SMF from the one or more MB-SMFs according to the location information of the UE. Wherein, preferably, the service area of the first MB-SMF selected includes the location of the UE. In one possible implementation, when the second network element stores therein MB-SMFs whose service areas include the location of the UE, the second network element transmits one or more MB-SMFs whose service areas include the location of the UE to the SMF, from which one is selected as the first MB-SMF. In another possible implementation, when there is no MB-SMF in the second network element, where the service area includes a location of the UE, the second network element sends information of one or more MB-SMFs corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service to the SMF according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service, and the SMF determines, from among the MB-SMFs, one MB-SMF as the first MB-SMF according to the location information of the UE and/or local configuration information of the SMF. It should be understood that when the SMF selects the first MB-SMF according to the location information of the UE, factors such as a load balancing principle, path length and the like may be comprehensively considered, and the first MB-SMF may be selected nearby.

It should be understood that the location information of the UE may be TAI or cell identifier, or may be information in a plurality of different formats such as area identifier, where the area identifier may be an identifier with different granularity, for example, "shanghai purdong" or "shanghai", which is not limited in this application.

S1007, the SMF registers the first MB-SMF selected in step S1006 in the second network element.

In step S1007, optionally, the SMF may send information of a first area including the location of the UE to the second network element, and register the first area as a first play area of the first MB-SMF. Specifically, after the first MB-SMF is selected, the SMF determines a first region, which includes the location of the UE. The SMF sends to the second network element: information of the first area, identification information of the first MB-SMF, identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service. By sending the above information to the second network element, the SMF may register the first area as a play area of the first MB-SMF in the second network element.

S1008, the SMF obtains information of the first multicast/broadcast service from the first MB-SMF, including: qoS flow information corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, etc.

Subsequent steps S1009-S1011 are similar to steps S910-S912 and are not described here again.

S1012, after the AMF receives the MBS session establishment request sent by the gNB, the AMF selects MB-SMF for the service area of the gNB.

Since the SMF has already selected the first MB-SMF for the first zone in step S1006 and registered with the second network element. Therefore, the AMF may obtain, from the second network element, the first MB-SMF of the service area of the corresponding play area including the gNB according to the information of the gNB (i.e. the location information of the UE) and the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.

It should be understood that the information of the gNB includes information of a service area of the gNB, which describes an area where the gNB is located. The information of the ungnb may include one or more of TA identity, cell identity, geographical location information of the area where the gNB is located, e.g. a TAI list or a cell identity list. The playing area of the first MB-SMF includes a service area of the gNB, and the playing area TAI of the first MB-SMF may include a service area TAI of the gNB.

Alternatively, in step S1009 and step S1011, the identification information of the first MB-SMF is carried, and the AMF determines the first MB-SMF according to the identification information of the first MB-SMF carried in the message sent to the AMF by the gNB in step S1011.

The AMF may determine whether the service area of the first MB-SMF includes the service area of the gNB according to the service area of the first MB-SMF. If the service area of the first MB-SMF does not include the service area of the current gNB, the gNB may not be able to receive the data of the first multicast/broadcast service from the service area of the first MB-SMF. It should be understood that the service area of the first MB-SMF does not include the service area of the current gNB, which means that all the first MB-UPFs controlled by the first MB-SMF have no IP connection with the gNB. The AMF may determine whether the gNB supports multicast according to the configuration information (optionally, in step S1011, the gNB carries indication information for indicating whether the gNB supports multicast, and the AMF determines whether the gNB supports multicast according to the indication information), and whether multicast is supported from the service area of the first MB-SMF to the service area of the gNB. If one of them does not support multicast and the service area of the MB-SMF does not include the service area of the current gNB, the AMF may select a second MB-SMF for managing the first multicast/broadcast service in the service area of the gNB.

Alternatively, the AMF may simply determine whether the service area of the first MB-SMF includes the service area of the gNB, and determine whether to select the second MB-SMF. When the service area of the first MB-SMF does not include the service area of the gNB, the second MB-SMF is selected regardless of whether the above-described parts support multicast.

It should be understood that the gNB supports multicast, and it may be understood that the gNB supports transmitting data of a multicast/broadcast service in a multicast manner. The gNB does not support multicast, which may be understood as that the gNB does not support transmission of data of multicast/broadcast service in a multicast manner, or that the gNB only supports transmission of data of multicast service in a unicast manner or PDU session data.

In one possible implementation, when the other AMF has selected the second MB-SMF, the AMF may obtain, from the second network element, the second MB-SMF whose service area includes the service area of the gNB according to the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the gNB, where the second MB-SMF is an MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service. In another possible implementation, the other AMFs have not selected a second MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service, and the second network element has not stored the MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service in the service area of the gNB. At this time, the AMF acquires, from the second network element, one or more MB-SMFs whose service area includes the service area of the gNB, and the AMF selects the second MB-SMF from the one or more MB-SMFs transmitted by the second network element. Accordingly, the AMF registers the second MB-SMF to the second network element, the registration method referring to step S1013.

S1013, the AMF registers the second MB-SMF selected in step S1012 in the second network element.

Specifically, the AMF sends identification information of a first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second MB-SMF to a second network element of a second network element, for registering the second MB-SMF as an MB-SMF serving the first multicast/broadcast service.

Subsequent steps S1014-S1023 are similar to steps S914-S923 and are not repeated here.

Fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart of a multicast/broadcast service communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to the process of switching the UE from source-gNB (S-gNB) equipment to target access network (target-gNB, T-gNB) equipment, and can also be applied to the process of switching the UE from a co-sited cell, namely, switching one cell of the UE under the same access network equipment to another target cell. In the method 100, the UE has joined a multicast session corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service at the S-gNB, but the T-gNB has not established the session of the first multicast/broadcast service. The S-gNB and the T-gNB may belong to different play areas, and the MB-SMF managing the first multicast/broadcast service in the areas of the S-gNB and the T-gNB is different. The method 1100 includes at least the steps of:

S1101, S-gNB sends a handover request to T-gNB (handover required).

The handover request includes identification information of a first multicast/broadcast service corresponding to the MBS session to which the UE is added.

S1102, the T-gNB sends an MBS session establishment request to the AMF.

S1103, the AMF selects the first MB-SMF or the second MB-SMF.

Specifically, the AMF selects a first MB-SMF whose play area includes a T-gNB position or a second MB-SMF whose service area includes a T-gNB position according to information of the T-gNB. The specific selection method may refer to the method 900 or the method 1000, and will not be described herein.

It should be appreciated that the play area of the first MB-SMF includes a T-gNB location, i.e., the play area of the first MB-SMF matches the location information of the T-gNB, e.g., the T-gNB is located within the play area of the first MB-SMF. Similarly, the service area of the second MB-SMF may include a T-gNB location, i.e., the service area of the second MB-SMF may match the T-gNB location, e.g., the T-gNB may be located within the service area of the second MB-SMF.

It should be understood that the information of the T-gNB may include TAI or cell identifier of the T-gNB location, or may be information in a plurality of different formats, such as a region identifier, where the region identifier may be an identifier with different granularity, for example, "shanghai purdong" or "shanghai", and the application is not limited thereto.

S1104, if the AMF selects the second MB-SMF, the AMF sends an MBs session establishment request to the second MB-SMF.

In one implementation, the tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF may be pre-established as per step S905 of the method 900, in which case the AMF may select the second MB-SMF. In another implementation, if the tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF has not been established, the AMF further selects the first MB-SMF and then creates a transport tunnel directly between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF, as per steps S915-S920 in the method 900.

The tunnel establishment between the T-gNB and the second MB-UPF may be described with reference to step S914 of the method 900. Similarly, if the T-gNB supports multicast and the T-gNB supports multicast between the area where the T-gNB is located and the service area of the first MB-SMF, the T-gNB may receive multicast tunnel information of the first MB-UPF, send IGMP JOIN information to JOIN the session of the first multicast/broadcast service, and directly receive data transmitted by the first MB-UPF, where a tunnel between the first MB-UPF and the second MB-UPF and a tunnel between the second MB-UPF and the T-gNB may not be established, as described in step S917 in method 900.

S1105, the AMF sends MBS session establishment response to the T-gNB.

S1106, the T-gNB sends a switching response to the S-gNB.

S1107, the UE completes the switching from the S-gNB to the T-gNB, and the specific switching method is the Xn switching flow in the prior art, and the application is not repeated here.

S1108, the T-gNB sends an N2path switch request (N2 path switch request) to the SMF.

The path switching request is carried in a path switching request sent to the AMF by the T-gNB, and is sent to the SMF by the AMF. The AMF may indicate the area Information accessed by the current UE when sending N2SM (N2 SM Information) Information to the SMF, where the area Information may be an area identifier, a TAI or a gNB identifier, etc. The SMF determines the area identity from the location information.

If the UE moves out of the play area or service area of the current MB-SMF, S1109, the SMF redetermines, according to the current location of the UE, the first MB-SMF whose play area includes the current location of the UE or the second MB-SMF whose service area includes the current location of the UE, and specifically, the SMF may select the first MB-SMF or the second MB-SMF by using a method described in method 900 or method 1000.

S1110, the SMF, after redetermining the MB-SMF, acquires information of a first multicast/broadcast service from the MB-SMF, including: qoS flow information corresponding to a first multicast/broadcast service.

S1111, the SMF transmits a response message.

After the MB-SMF is redetermined in step S1110, the SMF redetermines the correspondence between the unicast QoS flow information and the multicast QoS flow information of the first multicast/broadcast service according to the QoS flow information of the first multicast/broadcast service acquired from the new MB-SMF, and the SMF sends the new correspondence to the target access network device (i.e., T-gNB).

In S1111, as an optional implementation manner, if the QoS flow information of the first multicast/broadcast service changes, for example, QFI changes, the SMF determines, according to the new QoS flow information, a correspondence between the unicast QoS flow and the multicast QoS flow corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service. The SMF sends the new correspondence to the T-gNB, including in the response message. The correspondence includes a mapping relationship of QFI corresponding to the unicast QoS flow and QFI corresponding to the multicast QoS flow.

In S1111, as an alternative embodiment, the SMF also transmits information of the multicast QoS flow to the T-gNB in a response message.

It should be appreciated that the method 1100 is also applicable to N2 handover.

It will be appreciated that the examples of fig. 6 to 11 in the embodiments of the present application are merely for facilitating understanding of the embodiments of the present application by those skilled in the art, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application to the specific scenarios illustrated. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the examples of fig. 6-11 that various equivalent modifications or variations may be made, and such modifications or variations are intended to be within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

It can be appreciated that some optional features of the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in some scenarios, independent of other features, such as the scheme on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems, achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to requirements in some scenarios. Accordingly, the device provided in the embodiment of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described herein.

It is also to be understood that the various aspects of the embodiments of the application may be used in any reasonable combination, and that the explanation or illustration of the various terms presented in the embodiments may be referred to or explained in the various embodiments without limitation.

It will be further appreciated that in various embodiments of the present application, the order of execution of the processes described above is not meant to be sequential, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic. The various numbers or serial numbers referred to in the above processes are merely for convenience of description and should not be construed as limiting the implementation of the embodiments of the present application.

In the embodiment provided by the application, each scheme of the method for transmitting the service provided by the embodiment of the application is introduced from the perspective of each network element and interaction among the network elements. It will be appreciated that each of the network elements and devices, in order to implement the above-described functionality, comprises corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules that perform the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements 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 implemented as hardware or computer software driven 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.

Fig. 12 shows an apparatus 1200 for transmitting multicast services according to an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1200 includes: a transceiver unit 1210 and a processing unit 1220.

In a possible implementation manner, the apparatus 1200 may be a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, or may be a chip in the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, which is referred to in the foregoing method embodiments. The apparatus 1200 may implement steps or procedures performed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element in the above method embodiment, where the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to perform operations related to the transceiver of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 1220 is configured to perform operations related to the processing of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element in the above method embodiment.

Illustratively, the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to: receiving a first message from a first network element, wherein the first message comprises information of a first playing area, the information of the first playing area is used for representing the first playing area, and the first playing area is a service area of a first multicast/broadcast service managed by the first MB-SMF;

The transceiver unit is further configured to send a second message to a second MB-SMF according to the first message, where a service area of the second MB-SMF includes a first area, the first area belongs to the first play area, and the first area does not belong to a service area of the first MB-SMF, and the second message is configured to create a transport tunnel, where the transport tunnel is used to transport data of the first multicast/broadcast service between a first MB-UPF managed by the first MB-SMF and a second MB-UPF managed by the second MB-SMF.

It should be appreciated that the apparatus 1200 herein is embodied in the form of functional units. The term "unit" herein may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared, dedicated, or group processor, etc.) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that support the described functionality. In an alternative example, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the apparatus 1200 may be specifically configured to perform each flow and/or step corresponding to the session management network element in the foregoing embodiment of the method, or the apparatus 1200 may be specifically configured to be a first network element in the foregoing embodiment of the method, and may be configured to perform each flow and/or step corresponding to the first network element in the foregoing embodiment of the method, where the first network element may be a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element. Alternatively, the apparatus 1200 may be specifically an access and mobility management function network element in the foregoing embodiment, and may be configured to perform each flow and/or step corresponding to the access and mobility management function network element in the foregoing method embodiment, which is not described herein for avoiding repetition.

The apparatus 1200 of each of the above-described aspects has a function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function element in the above-described method, or the apparatus 1200 of each of the above-described aspects has a function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the first network element in the above-described method, or the apparatus 1200 of each of the above-described aspects has a function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the access and mobility management function element in the above-described method. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules corresponding to the functions; for example, the transceiver unit may be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., a transmitting unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced by a transmitter, a receiving unit in the transceiver unit may be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as a processing unit, etc., may be replaced by a processor, to perform the transceiver operations and related processing operations in the various method embodiments, respectively.

The transceiver unit may be a transceiver circuit (for example, may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit. In the embodiment of the present application, the apparatus in fig. 12 may be a network element or a device involved in each method embodiment, or may be a chip or a chip system, for example: system on chip (SoC). The receiving and transmitting unit can be an input and output circuit and a communication interface; the processing unit is an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit on the chip. And are not limited herein.

Fig. 13 shows another apparatus 1300 for transmitting multicast services according to an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1300 includes a processor 1310 and a transceiver 1320. Wherein the processor 1310 and the transceiver 1320 communicate with each other via an internal connection, the processor 1310 is configured to execute instructions to control the transceiver 1320 to transmit signals and/or receive signals.

Optionally, the apparatus 1300 may further include a memory 1330, where the memory 1330 communicates with the processor 1310 and the transceiver 1320 through an internal connection path. The memory 1330 is used to store instructions, and the processor 1310 may execute the instructions stored in the memory 1330. In a possible implementation manner, the apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the respective flows and steps corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element in the foregoing method embodiment. In another possible implementation manner, the apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the respective flows and steps corresponding to the first network element in the foregoing method embodiment, where the first network element may be a network open function network element or a multicast/broadcast service function network element. In another possible implementation manner, the apparatus 1300 is configured to implement the respective procedures and steps corresponding to the access and mobility management network element in the above method embodiment.

It should be understood that the apparatus 1300 may be specifically the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the first network element, or the access and mobility management network element in the foregoing embodiments, and may also be a chip or a chip system. Correspondingly, the transceiver 1320 may be a transceiver circuit of the chip, which is not limited herein. In particular, the apparatus 1300 may be configured to perform the steps and/or procedures corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast session management function element, the first network element, or the access mobility management element in the above-described method embodiments. The memory 1330 may optionally include read-only memory and random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store information of the device type. The processor 1310 may be configured to execute instructions stored in a memory, and when the processor 1310 executes instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1310 is configured to perform the steps and/or flows of the method embodiments described above corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the first network element, or the access mobility management network element.

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 embodied directly in a hardware processor for execution, or in a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution. The software modules may be located in a random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, programmable read only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. as well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in combination with its hardware, performs the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, a detailed description is not provided herein.

It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in software form. The processor 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, or discrete hardware components. The disclosed methods, steps, and logic blocks 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 embodied directly in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or in the execution of a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoding processor. The software modules may be located in a random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, programmable read only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. as well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in combination with its hardware, performs the steps of the above method.

It will be appreciated that the memory in embodiments of the application may be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (random access memory, RAM) which acts as an external cache. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

According to a method provided by an embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, including: computer program code which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps or flows performed with the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the first network element, or the access and mobility management function network element in the embodiments shown in fig. 6 to 11.

According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium storing program code, which when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps or flows performed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the first network element, or the access and mobility management function network element in the embodiments shown in fig. 6 to 11.

According to the method provided by the embodiment of the application, the application also provides a communication system, which comprises the first network element, the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the access and mobility management function network element, the second network element and the access network equipment which are related in the method embodiments.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part 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 the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with embodiments of the present application are produced in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable 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 by a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains an integration of one or more 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 high-density digital video disc (digital video disc, DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a Solid State Disk (SSD)), or the like.

The network device in the above-mentioned respective apparatus embodiments corresponds entirely to the network device or the terminal device in the terminal device and method embodiments, the respective steps are performed by respective modules or units, for example, the transceiver unit (transceiver) performs the steps of receiving or transmitting in the method embodiments, and other steps than transmitting and receiving may be performed by the processing unit (processor). Reference may be made to corresponding method embodiments for the function of a specific unit. Wherein the processor may be one or more.

As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can execute from various computer readable storage media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with one another in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the internet with other systems by way of the signal).

It should be understood that "at least one" herein means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or", describes an association relationship of an association object, and indicates that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may indicate: a alone, a and B together, and B alone, wherein a, B may be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the context-dependent object is an "or" relationship. "at least one of" or the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items(s). For example, at least one (one) of a, b, and c may represent: a, b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c, wherein a, b and c can be single or multiple.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks (illustrative logical block) and steps (steps) described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can 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 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 will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures involved in the above-described method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

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 manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of the units is merely a logical function division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, e.g., multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown 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 may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

In the above-described embodiments, the functions of the respective functional units may be implemented in whole or in part 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 (programs). When the computer program instructions (program) are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are fully or partially produced. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another, for example, by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains an integration of one or more 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 DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a Solid State Disk (SSD)), or the like.

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 this understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be embodied essentially or in a part contributing to the prior art or in a part of the technical solution, in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, comprising several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by the functions and internal logic thereof, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art will readily recognize that variations or substitutions are within 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

A multicast/broadcast communication method, comprising:

a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives a first message from a first network element, wherein the first message comprises information of a first playing area, the information of the first playing area is used for representing the first playing area, and the first playing area is a service area of a first multicast/broadcast service managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element;

the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends a second message to a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the first message, wherein a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises a first area, the first area belongs to the first playing area, the first area does not belong to the service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the second message is used for creating a transmission tunnel, the transmission tunnel is used for transmitting data of the first multicast/broadcast service between the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element, the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element is managed by the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element is managed by the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining the position of the substrate comprises,

the first network element is a network element with an open function or a multicast/broadcast service function.
A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that,

the first message further includes identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information of the first playing area includes information of the first area, the information of the first area being used to characterize the first area, the method further comprising:

the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends a third message to the second network element, wherein the third message comprises the information of the first area, and the third message is used for acquiring the identification information of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the service area comprises the first area;

the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element.
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining the position of the first electrode is performed,

the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element or a network storage function network element.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service from the first network element;

and the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element determines the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element according to the information of the application server.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element receives downlink tunnel information of a second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element from a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element;

the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends the downlink tunnel information to the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element, wherein the downlink tunnel information is used for creating the transmission tunnel.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element sends a fourth message to the second network element, wherein the fourth message comprises identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first playing area, and the fourth message is used for registering the information of the first playing area.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

the second message further includes information of a multicast tunnel of the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element, where the information of the multicast tunnel includes multicast address information of the first multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and identification information of the multicast tunnel.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein,

the second message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and/or quality of service flow information of the first multicast/broadcast service.
A multicast/broadcast communication method, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a first network element obtains information of a first playing area, wherein the information of the first playing area is used for representing the first playing area, and the first playing area is a service area of a first multicast/broadcast service managed by a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element;

the first network element sends a first message to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the first message including information of the first play area.
The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

The first network element determines the first playing area according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service.
The method of claim 12, wherein the first network element determining the first playing area according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service comprises:

the first network element determines the first playing area according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service, the information of the application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service and the network topology information of the first multicast/broadcast service.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:

the first network element determines a second playing area according to the information of the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of an application server corresponding to the first multicast/broadcast service, wherein the second playing area is the service area of the first multicast/broadcast service managed by a third multicast/broadcast session management function network element;

The first network element sends information of the second playing area to the third multicast/broadcast session management function network element, wherein the information of the second playing area is used for representing the second playing area.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein,

the first network element is a network element with a network opening function or a multicast/broadcast service function.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein,

the first playing area includes a first area, and the first area does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises:

the first network element sends a fifth message to the second network element, wherein the fifth message comprises the information of the first area, and the fifth message is used for acquiring the identification information of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the service area comprises the first area;

the first network element receives identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element, and a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the first area;

The first network element sends the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

the first network element determines that the first area does not support multicast and/or that multicast is not supported between the first area and a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein,

the information of the first play area includes information of the first area.
The method according to claim 17, wherein,

the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element or a network storage function network element.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 20, further comprising:

the first network element sends information of an application server of the first multicast/broadcast service to the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 21, further comprising:

The first network element sends a sixth message to the second network element, wherein the sixth message comprises identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first playing area, and the sixth message is used for registering the information of the first playing area.
The method according to any one of claims 11 to 22, further comprising:

the first network element sends a seventh message to the second network element, where the seventh message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the seventh message is used to register the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element as a multicast/broadcast session management function network element that provides services for the first multicast/broadcast service.
A multicast/broadcast communication method, comprising:

an access and mobility management function network element receives an eighth message from an access network device, the eighth message being for requesting transmission of a first multicast/broadcast service to the access network device, the eighth message comprising identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service;

the access and mobility management function network element obtains the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the eighth message;

The access and mobility management function network element determines that a service area of the access network device does not belong to a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element;

the access and mobility management function network element obtains the identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the information of the access network device, wherein the service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the service area of the access network device;

the access and mobility management function network element sends a ninth message to the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the ninth message being used to create a transport tunnel, the transport tunnel being used to transport data of the first multicast/broadcast service between the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the access network device, the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element being managed by the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method according to claim 24, wherein the access and mobility management function network element obtains the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the eighth message, including:

The access and mobility management function network element sends a tenth message to a second network element, wherein the tenth message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network device, and the tenth message is used for acquiring the identification information of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the playing area comprises the service area of the access network device;

the access and mobility management function network element receives identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element, where the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element is configured to manage the first multicast/broadcast service in a first play area, and the first play area includes a service area of the access network device.
The method of claim 24, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

the eighth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein,

the ninth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element.
The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

The second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element or a network storage function network element.
The method according to any of the claims 24 to 28, wherein the access and mobility management function network element obtains the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the information of the access network device, comprising:

the access and mobility management function network element sends an eleventh message to the second network element, wherein the eleventh message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network device, and the eleventh message is used for acquiring the identification information of the multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the service area comprises the service area of the access network device;

the access and mobility management function network element receives identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element from the second network element, and a service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element includes a service area of the access network device.
The method according to any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein,

the ninth message further includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service.
The method according to any one of claims 24 to 30, further comprising:

the access and mobility management function network element receives the information of the multicast tunnel of the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element, wherein the information of the multicast tunnel comprises the multicast address information of the second multicast/broadcast user plane function network element and the identification information of the multicast tunnel;

and the access and mobility management function network element sends the information of the multicast tunnel to the access network equipment.
The method according to any of claims 24 to 31, wherein the access network device does not support multicast and/or between a service area of the access network device and a service area of the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element, the method further comprising:

the access and mobility management function network element receives downlink tunnel information of the access network equipment;

and the access and mobility management function network element sends downlink tunnel information of the access network device to the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, wherein the downlink tunnel information is used for creating the transmission tunnel.
A multicast/broadcast communication method, comprising:

the second network element receives a tenth message, wherein the tenth message comprises the identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and the information of the access network equipment, and the tenth message is used for acquiring the identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element of which the playing area comprises the service area of the access network equipment;

the second network element sends identification information of a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the tenth message, where the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element is configured to manage the first multicast/broadcast service in a first play area, and the first play area includes a service area of the access network device.
The method of claim 33, wherein the method further comprises:

the second network element receives a fourth message from the first multicast/broadcast session management function network element; or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

the second network element receives a sixth message from the first network element, wherein the fourth message or the sixth message comprises identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the first playing area, and the fourth message or the sixth message is used for registering the information of the first playing area.
The method of claim 34, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

the first network element is a network element with a network opening function or a multicast/broadcast service function.
The method according to any one of claims 33 to 35, further comprising:

the second network element receives a seventh message, where the seventh message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and identification information of a second multicast/broadcast session management function network element, and the seventh message is used to register the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element as a multicast/broadcast session management function network element that provides services for the first multicast/broadcast service.
The method of claim 36, wherein the method further comprises:

the second network element receives an eleventh message, where the eleventh message includes identification information of the first multicast/broadcast service and information of the access network device, and the eleventh message is used to obtain identification information of a multicast/broadcast session management function network element whose service area includes a service area of the access network device;

and the second network element sends the identification information of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element according to the eleventh message, wherein the service area of the second multicast/broadcast session management function network element comprises the service area of the access network device.
The method according to any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein,

the second network element is any one of a unified data management network element, a user data storage function network element or a network storage function network element.
A communication device, comprising: a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which when executed, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 38.
A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 38.
A computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 38.
A communication system, comprising:

a first multicast/broadcast session management function network element for performing the method of any of claims 1-10;

a first network element for performing the method of any of claims 11-23;

An access and mobility management function network element for performing the method of any of claims 24-32;

a second network element for performing the method of any of claims 33-38.
A chip system, comprising: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a communication device in which the chip system is installed to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 38.