KR20240020650A - Apparatus and method for providing exposure service for event information in a wireless communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of operating a network function (NF) in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes transmitting a request message corresponding to an event exposure service to a user plane function (UPF); Obtaining a grant message corresponding to the request message from the UPF; and identifying event information corresponding to the event exposure service based on the grant message.

Description

Apparatus and method for providing exposure service for event information in a wireless communication system {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING EXPOSURE SERVICE FOR EVENT INFORMATION IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM}

This disclosure relates to a technology related to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, to a technology for requesting a service for exposing event information provided in the data plane of a wireless communication system.

Recently, in order to collect user information in real time from a network function (e.g. local Network Exposure Function (hereinafter local NEF)), user information is transferred from User Plane Function (UPF), which is a network function of the data plane, to a network function (NF) based on Service. The method of directly exposing through the interface (hereinafter SBI) and the method of requesting such exposure are defined in 3GPP TS 23.502 V17.5.0 (2022-05), and UPF directly delivers user information to the local NEF through the Nupf_EventExposure_notify service operation. The method is called “local event notification”.

The conventional technology defined in TS 23.502 V17.5.0 (2022-05) allows the local NEF to request "local event notification" from the Policy Control Function (PCF) only for QoS monitoring results information. When the local NEF requests "local event notification" from the PCF, the request is made by setting the "an indication of local event notification" parameter value and the Notification Target Address value among the input parameters of the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Create/Update service operation. The PCF reflects the values in the Policy and charging control Rule (PCC Rule) and transmits them to the Session Management Function (SMF), and the SMF transmits the values to the UPF through the N4 interface. The UPF that received the information exposes the QoS monitoring results as the Notification Target Address through the Nupf_EventExposrue_Notify service operation.

In the conventional technology, the Network Function (hereinafter referred to as NF) can request “local event notification” only through the PCF, and “local event notification” can be requested only for “QoS monitoring results” information. This is an inefficient problem in that even if the NF knows the information of the target UPF or the SMF information connected to the target UPF, it must go through the PCF unconditionally, and even if it is desired to obtain information other than "QoS monitoring results" information in real time, it cannot be obtained. There is a problem that cannot be done. Additionally, when UPF accepts all NFs requesting the UPF Event Exposure service, there is a problem that UPF performance deteriorates.

The purpose of this disclosure is to propose a method and operation process for NF to request exposure of event information from UPF in order to collect various event information in real time and to inform NF whether UPF accepts the requested exposure service.

In the conventional technology, the NF can request the UPF Event Exposure service (same meaning as local event notification) only through the PCF, and the exposure service can be requested only for “QoS monitoring results” information. This is an inefficient problem in that even if the NF knows the information of the target UPF or the SMF information connected to the target UPF, it has to go through the PCF, and there is also the problem of not being able to obtain information other than "QoS monitoring results" information in real time even if it is wanted. exist. In addition, when UPF accepts all NFs requesting the UPF Event Exposure service, there is a problem that UPF performance deteriorates.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method and operation process in which the NF indirectly requests the Event Exposure service for various events from the UPF through the PCF and SMF, or the NF directly requests the UPF for the Event Exposure service for various events. is proposed as shown in Figures 1, 3 to 7. In addition, we propose a method for notifying the acceptance of the Event Exposure service requested in UPF, as shown in Figure 2.

A method of operating a network function (NF) in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes transmitting a request message corresponding to an event exposure service to a user plane function (UPF); Obtaining a grant message corresponding to the request message from the UPF; and identifying event information corresponding to the event exposure service based on the grant message.

In addition, the step of transmitting a request message corresponding to the event exposure service to the UPF may be performed via at least one of a policy charging function (PCF) and a session management function (SMF). .

Additionally, the request message may be associated with the Nupf_EventExposure_Notify service operation.

Additionally, the request message is transmitted to the PCF using at least one service of a policy authentication service and an event exposure service, the policy authentication service may be the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service, and the event exposure service may be the Npcf_EventExpousre service.

Additionally, the request message is transmitted to the SMF using at least one of the event exposure services, and the event exposure service may be the Nsmf_EventExposrue service.

Additionally, the request message includes at least one of an event ID, an indication of local event notification, and a notification target address as input information.

Additionally, the request message includes at least one of an event ID and a notification target address as input information.

Additionally, the request message further includes, as input information, at least one of a session ID and QFI information corresponding to the target of the identified event information.

A network function (NF) device in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transceiver; and at least one control unit operably connected to the transceiver unit, wherein the at least one control unit transmits a request message corresponding to an event exposure service to a user plane function (UPF), and the UPF It may be configured to obtain a grant message corresponding to the request message from and identify event information corresponding to the event exposure service based on the grant message.

In addition, the at least one control unit uses at least one of a policy charging function (PCF) and a session management function (SMF) to transmit a request message corresponding to the event exposure service to the UPF. The request message is transmitted to pass through.

Additionally, the request message may be associated with the Nupf_EventExposure_Notify service operation.

Additionally, the request message is transmitted to the PCF using at least one service of a policy authentication service and an event exposure service, the policy authentication service may be the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service, and the event exposure service may be the Npcf_EventExpousre service.

Additionally, the request message is transmitted to the SMF using at least one of the event exposure services, and the event exposure service may be the Nsmf_EventExposrue service.

Additionally, the request message includes at least one of an event ID, an indication of local event notification, and a notification target address as input information.

Additionally, the request message includes at least one of an event ID and a notification target address as input information.

Additionally, the request message further includes, as input information, at least one of a session ID and QFI information corresponding to the target of the identified event information.

A method of operating a user plane function (UPF) in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes receiving a request message corresponding to an event exposure service from a network function (NF); determining whether to accept the event exposure service in response to the request message; And transmitting a grant message corresponding to the request message to the NF according to the decision on acceptance.

Additionally, the step of receiving a request message corresponding to an event exposure service from the NF may be performed via at least one of a policy charging function (PCF) and a session management function (SMF). .

Additionally, the request message may be associated with the Nupf_EventExposure_Notify service operation.

Additionally, the request message is received by the PCF using at least one service of a policy authentication service and an event exposure service, the policy authentication service may be the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service, and the event exposure service may be the Npcf_EventExpousre service.

The NF of the present disclosure can indirectly request the UPF Event Exposure service from the UPF through the PCF or SMF, or directly request the UPF Event Exposure service from the UPF.

In other words, the NF of the present disclosure has the effect of efficiently requesting the UPF Event Exposure service for various events according to its own situation. In addition, UPF has the advantage of being able to determine whether to accept the requested UPF Event Exposure depending on the UPF situation, such as preventing performance degradation, unsupported events, or occurrence of abnormal situations, and provide the corresponding response to the NF.

Figure 1 shows an event that NF can be exposed to through the UPF Event Exposure service according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 shows response parameters for UPF Event Exposure requested by UPF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 shows input and output values for UPF's Event Exposure service and Event Exposure Subscribe/Notify service operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 illustrates extended PCF and SMF services according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 illustrates a procedure in which an NF indirectly requests the UPF Event Exposure service through the PCF and receives a response accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates a procedure in which the NF indirectly requests the UPF Event Exposure service through the SMF and receives a response accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7 illustrates a procedure in which the NF provides the UPF Event Exposure service directly to the UPF and receives a response accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of a network function (NF) in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Phrases such as “in some embodiments” or “in one embodiment” that appear in various places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may be represented by functional block configurations and various processing steps. Some or all of these functional blocks may be implemented in various numbers of hardware and/or software configurations that perform specific functions. For example, the functional blocks of the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more microprocessors, or may be implemented by circuit configurations for certain functions. Additionally, for example, functional blocks of the present disclosure may be implemented in various programming or scripting languages. Functional blocks may be implemented as algorithms running on one or more processors. Additionally, the present disclosure may employ conventional technologies for electronic environment setup, signal processing, and/or data processing. Terms such as “mechanism,” “element,” “means,” and “configuration” may be used broadly and are not limited to mechanical and physical configurations.

Additionally, connection lines or connection members between components shown in the drawings merely exemplify functional connections and/or physical or circuit connections. In an actual device, connections between components may be represented by various replaceable or additional functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections.

Figure 1 shows an event that NF can be exposed to through the UPF Event Exposure service according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to Figure 1, the event is an event specified in TS 23.501 V17.5.0 (2022.06), TS23.502 V17.5.0 (2022.06), TS.23.503 V17.5.0 (2022.06), TS29.510 V17.6.0 (2022.06) It may mean some of them.

Specifically, the events that can be exposed are Usage Report Event, Application Detection Information, Ethernet Traffic Information, Join and Leave IP Multicast Information, Error Indication Report, TSC Management Information, Access Availability Report, QoS Monitoring Report, the clock drift, and the PTP. It may include at least one of port state and the QoS on GTP-U paths.

Figure 2 shows response parameters for UPF Event Exposure requested by UPF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Specifically, the “Operation Results for the Requested UPF Event Exposure” parameter may indicate whether to accept the requested UPF Event Exposure.

The “Additional Information” parameter may indicate additional information of the “Operation Results for the Requested UPF Event Exposure” parameter.

The “Operation Results for the Requested UPF Event Exposure” parameter can have one of the following values: [“Accept”, “Reject”, “Duplication”], where “Accept” means that the UPF accepts the requested UPF Event Exposure. And “Reject” may mean that UPF rejects the requested UPF Event Exposure. “Duplication” may mean that the NF that requested UPF Event Exposure is already receiving the UPF Event Exposure service. The responses of “Accept”, “Reject” and “Duplication” can be determined according to predetermined policies.

If UPF accepts the UPF Event Exposure (in case of “Accept”), create a Correlation ID and enter it in “Additional Information”. If it rejects (in case of Reject), enter the reason (Cause) as an option in “Additional Information”. ” can be entered. If the NF is already receiving the UPF Event Exposure service (in the case of Duplication), the Correlation ID for the previous UPF Event Exposure can be entered as an option in “Additional Information”. The corresponding parameter values can be included in the response of all services used during the process of NF requesting exposure of UPF Event Exposure and ultimately delivered to NF.

Figure 3 shows input and output values for UPF's Event Exposure service and Event Exposure Subscribe/Notify service operation according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

When an NF requests exposure services for events related to a PDU Session, the NF may refer to the PDU Session. However, instead of PDU Session ID information, UPF can only store N4 Session ID or QFI information associated with the PDU Session ID.

Therefore, the proposed Nupf_EventExposure_subscribe service operation may have the feature of accepting N4 Session ID or QFI information as optional input. Additionally, the output value may have a value including the response value in FIG. 2. UPF can collect not only individual UE event information but also event information of multiple UEs and expose it to the NF through the Nupf_EventExposure_Notify service operation.

Figure 4 illustrates extended PCF and SMF services according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Specifically, the extended PCF and SMF services may mean (Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Create/Updata/Subscribe, Npcf/Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe). These services can accept some of the Event IDs specified in FIG. 1, the “an indication of local event notification” parameter value, and the Notification Target Address value as additional option inputs, and the response value in FIG. 2 can be accepted as an additional option output.

Figures 5 to 7 illustrate a procedure in which an NF requests a UPF Event Exposure service and receives a response according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 shows the case where the NF indirectly requests the UPF Event Exposure service through the PCF, Figure 6 shows the case where the NF indirectly requests the UPF Event Exposure service through the SMF, and Figure 6 when the NF directly requests the UPF Event Exposure service from the UPF. In this case, the procedures in FIG. 7 can be followed respectively.

Figure 5 illustrates a procedure in which an NF indirectly requests the UPF Event Exposure service through the PCF and receives a response accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The description of each STEP is as follows.

One. The NF requests UPF Event Exposure from the PCF through the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization or Npcf_EventExposure service extended by the present invention, including the following input values. Which service to use depends on a predetermined policy.

- Input values: Event ID(s), an indication of local event notification value, Notification Target Address

2. The PCF decides whether to re-request the requested UPF Event Exposure service to the SMF or to the UPF. The decision may follow a predetermined policy.

If the PCF requests the UPF Event Exposure service again from the SMF, it determines whether to perform the request through the PCC Rule or the Nsmf_EventExposure service.

Alternatively, if the PCF re-requests the UPF Event Exposure service to the UPF, the request is performed through the Nupf_EventExposure service.

PCF reflects the values received from NF in the PCC Rule or Nsmf_EventExposure/Nupf_EventExposure input message according to the determined request method.

3. When the PCF re-requests the UPF Event Exposure service from the SMF, follow [Figure 6], and when the PCF re-requests the UPF Event Exposure service from the UPF, follow [Figure 7].

4. The PCF receives a response from the UPF Event Exposure requested from the SMF or UPF, and delivers the received response value to the NF through the response message of the service used by the NF in STEP 1.

5. If UPF accepts UPF Event Exposure, the requested event information is notified to NF.

FIG. 6 illustrates a procedure in which the NF indirectly requests the UPF Event Exposure service through the SMF and receives a response accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The description of each STEP is as follows.

One. NF requests UPF Event Exposure from SMF through the Nsmf_EventExposure service expanded by the present invention, including the following input values.

- Input values: Event ID(s), an indication of local event notification value, Notification Target Address

At this time, if the NF is a PCF, the UPF EventExposure service can be requested from the SMF through a PCC Rule including Event ID(s), an indication of local event notification value, and Notification Target Address. Whether PCF uses the PCC Rule or the Nsmf_EventExposure service follows a predetermined policy.

2. The SMF decides whether to re-request the requested UPF Event Exposure service to the UPF through the N4 session or the Nupf_EventExposure service according to a predetermined policy.

Depending on the determined method, the values received from NF are reflected in the N4 message or Nupf_EventExposure input message.

3. As shown in Figure 7, described later, the SMF re-requests the UPF Event Exposure service to the UPF.

4. The SMF receives the UPF Event Exposure response requested from the UPF, and delivers the received response value to the NF through the response message of the service used by the NF in STEP 1.

5. If UPF accepts UPF Event Exposure, the requested event information is notified to NF.

Figure 7 illustrates a procedure in which the NF provides the UPF Event Exposure service directly to the UPF and receives a response accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The description of each STEP is as follows.

One. NF requests UPF Event Exposure through the Nupf_EventExposure service expanded by the present invention, including the following input values.

- Input values: Event ID(s), Notification Target Address, (optional) N4-Session ID, QFI

At this time, if the NF is an SMF, the UPF Event Exposure service can be requested from the UPF through an N4 message including Event ID(s), an indication of local event notification value, and Notification Target Address. Whether SMF uses the N4 session or the Nupf_EventExposure service follows a predetermined policy.

2. UPF decides whether to accept the requested UPF Event Exposure service.

3. UPF transmits the value of acceptance to NF through the response message of the service used in STEP 1.

4. If UPF accepts UPF Event Exposure, the requested event information is notified to NF.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the operation of a network function (NF) in a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S110, the NF transmits a request message corresponding to the event exposure service to the User Plane Function (UPF).

Here, transmission of the request message may be performed via at least one of the Policy Charging Function (PCF) and the Session Management Function (SMF).

Additionally, the request message may be associated with the Nupf_EventExposure_Notify service operation.

Additionally, the request message is transmitted to the PCF using at least one service of a policy authentication service and an event exposure service, the policy authentication service may be the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service, and the event exposure service may be the Npcf_EventExpousre service.

Additionally, the request message includes at least one of an event ID, an indication of local event notification, and a notification target address as input information, and an event ID and a notification target address as input information. Target Address), and as input information, it further includes at least one of a session ID and QFI information corresponding to the target of the identified event information.

In step S120, the NF obtains a grant message corresponding to the request message from the UPF.

In step S130, the NF identifies event information corresponding to the event exposure service based on the grant message.

The embodiments of the present invention described above are not only implemented through devices and methods, but can also be implemented through programs that implement functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of the present invention or recording media on which the programs are recorded.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims are also possible. It falls within the scope of rights.

The above-described contents are specific embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure. The present disclosure will include not only the above-described embodiments, but also embodiments that are simply designed or can be easily changed. In addition, the present disclosure will also include techniques that can be easily modified and implemented using the embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, but should be determined by the claims and equivalents of the present invention as well as the claims described below.

Claims (20)

In a method of operating a network function (NF) in a wireless communication system,
Transmitting a request message corresponding to the event exposure service to a User Plane Function (UPF);
Obtaining a grant message corresponding to the request message from the UPF;
Method comprising identifying event information corresponding to the event exposure service based on the grant message.
According to claim 1,
The step of transmitting a request message corresponding to the event exposure service to the UPF is,
A method performed through at least one of a policy charging function (PCF) and a session management function (SMF).
According to claim 1,
The request message is,
Nupf_EventExposure_Notify Method associated with the service operation.
According to paragraph 2.
The request message is,
Transmitted to the PCF using at least one service of a policy authentication service and an event exposure service,
The policy authentication service is the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service,
The event exposure service is the Npcf_EventExpousre service.
According to paragraph 2.
The request message is,
Transmitted to the SMF using at least one of the event exposure services,
The method where the event exposure service is the Nsmf_EventExposrue service.
According to clause 2,
The request message is,
A method including at least one of an event ID, an indication of local event notification, and a notification target address as input information.
According to paragraph 3.
The request message is,
A method including at least one of an event ID and a notification target address as input information.
According to clause 7,
The request message is,
As input information, the method further includes at least one of a session ID and QFI information corresponding to a target of the identified event information.
In a network function (NF) device in a wireless communication system,
Transmitter and receiver; and
It includes at least one control unit operably connected to the transceiver unit,
The at least one control unit,
Send a request message corresponding to the event exposure service to the User Plane Function (UPF),
Obtain a grant message corresponding to the request message from the UPF,
The device is configured to identify event information corresponding to the event exposure service based on the grant message.
According to clause 8,
The at least one control unit,
To transmit a request message corresponding to the event exposure service to the UPF,
A device that transmits the request message via at least one of a policy charging function (PCF) and a session management function (SMF).
According to clause 9,
The request message is,
Nupf_EventExposure_Notify Device associated with the service operation.
In clause 9.
The request message is,
Transmitted to the PCF using at least one service of a policy authentication service and an event exposure service,
The policy authentication service is the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service,
The event exposure service is the Npcf_EventExpousre service, a device.
In clause 9.
The request message is,
Transmitted to the SMF using at least one of the event exposure services,
The event exposure service is the Nsmf_EventExposrue service, the device.
According to clause 9,
The request message is,
A device comprising at least one of an event ID, an indication of local event notification, and a notification target address as input information.
According to clause 10.
The request message is,
A device that includes at least one of an event ID and a notification target address as input information.
According to claim 15,
The request message is,
As input information, the device further includes at least one of a session ID and QFI information corresponding to a target of the identified event information.
In a method of operating a user plane function (UPF) in a wireless communication system,
Receiving a request message corresponding to an event exposure service from a network function (NF);
determining whether to accept the event exposure service in response to the request message; and
Method comprising transmitting a grant message corresponding to the request message to the NF according to the decision on acceptance.
According to claim 17,
The step of receiving a request message corresponding to an event exposure service from the NF,
A method performed through at least one of a policy charging function (PCF) and a session management function (SMF).
According to claim 17,
The request message is,
Nupf_EventExposure_Notify Method associated with the service operation.
According to paragraph 18.
The request message is,
Received from the PCF using at least one service of a policy authentication service and an event exposure service,
The policy authentication service is the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization service,
The event exposure service is the Npcf_EventExpousre service.