RU2785330C2 - Device, system and method for monitoring of quality of service - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: wireless communication.

SUBSTANCE: method includes: reception, by the first device, of information about the first transmission delay for package transmission between the first device and the second device for a terminal device; sending, by the first device, of information about the first transmission delay to the third device, and sending, by the first device, at the first moment, of information related to the first moment to the third device, where information about the first transmission delay and information related to the first moment are used for determination of information about the second transmission delay for package transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device.

EFFECT: provision of monitoring of quality of service, providing reception of information about multiple segment transmission delays in one procedure of monitoring of information about a segment transmission delay.

16 cl, 17 dwg

Description

The present invention claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 201810918390.9, filed on August 13, 2018, entitled "APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR MONITORING QUALITY OF SERVICE", and Chinese Patent Application No. 201910028864.7, filed on January 11, 2019, AND A METHOD FOR MONITORING QUALITY OF SERVICE”, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The technical field to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to the field of communication technologies and, in particular, to a device, system and method for monitoring the quality of service (Quality of Service, QoS).

State of the art

In order to solve the technical problems associated with wireless broadband technologies and maintain the leading position of the network of the 3rd generation partnership project ( ^3rd generation partnership project, 3GPP), the 3GPP standardization organization at the end of 2016 defines the next generation mobile communication system (next generation system), which is called the network architecture of the 5th generation ( ^5th generation, 5G).

The 5G network architecture defines ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLC) scenarios, mainly including services such as self-driving and industrial automation that require low latency, high reliability connections. The advanced air interface technology and optimized core network architecture in 5G network can meet the requirements of the above scenarios. However, in a 5G network, there is some instability in both the lower layer link and the upper layer routing protocol. Additionally, from the point of view of networking, delay, error or even network failure is inevitable, but most of the above scenarios are related to services related to human life or industrial safety, and such errors are unacceptable. Therefore, when the 5G network is used to serve industries related to human life or industrial safety, the 5G network must provide real-time quality of service monitoring. When the quality of service does not meet the predetermined condition, an appropriate adjustment or protective measure can be taken to select a communication link that can satisfy the user's service requirements.

At present, the prior art has proposed a method for monitoring transmission delay information of each segment, such as monitoring transmission delay information between a terminal device and an access device, monitoring transmission delay information between an access device and a user plane network element, monitoring transmission delay information between a terminal device and a user plane network element. It is desirable to simplify the method for monitoring segment transmission delay information so that multiple segment transmission delay information can be obtained in a single segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. However, there is currently no corresponding solution.

The essence of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus, system, and method for monitoring quality of service such that multiple segment transmission delay information can be obtained in a single segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure.

To solve the above problem in the embodiments of the present invention, the following technical solutions are used:

According to a first aspect, a method for monitoring quality of service is provided, including: obtaining by a first device information about a first transmission delay for a packet transmission between a first device and a second device for a terminal device; and the first device sending the first transmission delay information to the third device, and the first device sending information related to the first moment to the third device, where the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment are used to determine information about the second transmission delay for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. According to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, when monitoring third transmission delay information for packet transmission between the first device and the third device for a terminal device, the third device can receive from the first device, information related to the first moment, and information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. Further, the third device may determine, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. In other words, the third device can learn the first transmission delay information, the second transmission delay information, and the third transmission delay information in one segment transmission delay information monitoring routine. Therefore, according to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, multiple segment transmission delay information can be obtained in one segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. This simplifies the existing way of monitoring segment transmission delay information.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: receiving by the first device a first message from a third device at a second time, when the first message requests monitoring of a second transmission delay, and information related to the first time includes the first time and the second time or difference between the first and second points. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may initiate a second transmission delay monitoring procedure.

In an exemplary implementation, the first message further includes a first monitoring granularity corresponding to a second transmission delay. For example, the Internet protocol IP address of the terminal device/IP address corresponding to the GPRS tunneling protocol of the general packet radio system for the GTP-U tunnel of the user plane of the terminal device indicates that the first monitoring granularity is a device granularity. The IP address of the terminal device/IP address corresponding to the GTP-U tunnel of the terminal device and the tunnel endpoint identifier TEID of the terminal device indicate that the first monitoring granularity is a session granularity. The terminal IP address/IP address corresponding to the GTP-U tunnel of the terminal, the TEID of the terminal, and the QoS Flow ID of the QFI of the terminal indicate that the first monitoring granularity is a flow granularity.

In an exemplary implementation, the first message further includes at least one of the first indication information or the first segment identifier, the first indication information indicates receipt of the first transmission delay information, and the first segment identifier identifies the segment corresponding to the first transmission delay. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may direct the first device to obtain information about the first transmission delay.

In an exemplary implementation, the first message further includes a second monitoring granularity corresponding to the first transmission delay. For related descriptions of the second monitoring granularity, see the descriptions of the first granularity. The details are again not described here.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: receiving by the first device a second message from a third device at a third moment, where the second message requests monitoring of a third transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device, and information related to the first moment, includes the first moment and the third moment, or the difference between the first and third moments. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may initiate a third transmission delay monitoring procedure.

In an exemplary implementation, the second message further includes a third monitoring granularity corresponding to a third transmission delay. For related descriptions of the third monitoring granularity, see the descriptions of the first monitoring granularity. The details are again not described here.

In an exemplary implementation, the second message further includes at least one of the second indication information or the second segment identifier, the second indication information indicates to receive information about the first transmission delay, and the second segment identifier identifies the segment corresponding to the first transmission delay. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may direct the first device to obtain information about the first transmission delay.

In an exemplary implementation, the second message further includes a fourth monitoring granularity corresponding to the first transmission delay. For related descriptions of the fourth monitoring granularity, see the descriptions of the first granularity. The details are again not described here.

In an exemplary implementation, the first device sending information about the first transmission delay to the third device and the first device sending information related to the first moment to the third device at the first moment includes: the first device sending a third message to the third device at the first moment, the third message including: itself information about the first transmission delay and information related to the first moment. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, both the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment can be sent to the third device using the third message.

In an exemplary implementation, the first device sending information about the first transmission delay to the third device and the first device sending information related to the first moment to the third device at the first moment includes: sending the first device a fourth message to the third device, where the fourth message includes information about the first transmission delay; and sending the first device a fifth message to the third device at the first moment, where the fifth message includes information related to the first moment. In other words, this embodiment of the present invention uses different messages to send the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment to the third device.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: receiving by the first device a quality of service parameter to be monitored from a network session control element, where the quality of service parameter to be monitored includes a first transmission delay; and obtaining by the first device information about the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device includes: obtaining by the first device information about the first transmission delay based on the quality of service parameter to be monitored. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the Session Control Network Element may activate the QoS monitoring procedure of the first device.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: receiving by the first device a third indication information from a network session control element, where the third indication information instructs the first device to send, after detecting the first transmission delay information, the first transmission delay information to the third device. Based on this decision, after detecting the first transmission delay information, the first device can send the first transmission delay information to the third device, and then the third device can determine the first transmission delay information based on the first transmission delay information and the third transmission delay information received through measurement.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: receiving a monitoring reporting event by a first device from the Session Network Element, where the event includes: first transmission delay information exceeds a predetermined threshold; the end device goes into sleep mode or the session is released; or periodic reporting is performed. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device can be activated by the session network element to report monitoring to the session network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: receiving by the first device from the Session Control Network Element the length of a monitoring packet used to monitor quality of service. For example, in this embodiment of the present invention, the length of the monitoring packet used for quality of service monitoring may be equal to the typical packet length of a valid service data packet. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

According to a second aspect, a service monitoring method is provided, including: receiving by a third device, from a first device, information about a first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and a second device for a terminal device; receiving by the third device information related to the first moment from the first device; and determining by the third device, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. According to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, when monitoring the third transmission delay information for a packet transmission between the first device and the third device for a terminal device, the third device can receive, from the first device, information related to the first moment and information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. Further, the third device may determine, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. In other words, the third device can learn the first transmission delay information, the second transmission delay information, and the third transmission delay information in one segment transmission delay information monitoring routine. Therefore, according to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, multiple segment transmission delay information can be obtained in one segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. This simplifies the existing way of monitoring segment transmission delay information.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: sending a first message to the first device by the third device, the first message requesting information about the second transmission delay; and information related to the first moment includes the first moment and the second moment, or the difference between the first moment and the second moment, where the second moment is the moment at which the first device receives the first message. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may initiate a second transmission delay monitoring procedure.

In an exemplary implementation, the first message further includes a first monitoring granularity corresponding to a second transmission delay. For related descriptions of the first monitoring granularity, see the descriptions of the first aspect. The details are again not described here.

In an exemplary implementation, the first message further includes at least one of the first indication information or the first segment identifier, the first indication information indicates to receive the first transmission delay information, and the first segment identifier identifies the segment corresponding to the first transmission delay information. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may direct the first device to obtain information about the first transmission delay.

In an exemplary implementation, the first message further includes a second monitoring granularity corresponding to the first transmission delay. For related descriptions of the second monitoring granularity, see the descriptions of the first granularity. The details are again not described here.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: sending by the third device a second message to the first device, wherein the second message requests information about a third transmission delay for packet transmission between the first device and the third device to the terminal device; and the information related to the first moment includes the first moment and the third moment, or the difference between the first moment and the third moment, where the third moment is the moment at which the first device receives the second message. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may initiate a third transmission delay monitoring procedure.

In an exemplary implementation, the second message further includes a third monitoring granularity corresponding to a third transmission delay. For related descriptions of the third monitoring granularity, see the descriptions of the first monitoring granularity. The details are again not described here.

In an exemplary implementation, the second message further includes at least one of the second indication information or the second segment ID, the second indication information indicates to receive the first transmission delay information, and the second segment identifier identifies a segment corresponding to the first transmission delay information. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may direct the first device to obtain information about the first transmission delay.

In an exemplary implementation, the second message further includes a fourth monitoring granularity corresponding to the first transmission delay. For related descriptions of the fourth monitoring granularity, see the descriptions of the first granularity. The details are again not described here.

In an exemplary implementation, the reception by a third device from the first device of information about the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device, and the reception by the third device of information related to the first moment from the first device, includes: reception by the third device of the third message from the first device, where the third message includes information about the first transmission delay and information related to the first moment. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, both the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment can be sent to the third device using the third message.

In a possible implementation, the third device receiving from the first device information about the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device, and the third device receiving information related to the first moment from the first device, includes: receiving the fourth message by the third device from the first device, where the fourth message includes information about the first transmission delay; and receiving by the third device a fifth message from the first device, where the fifth message includes information related to the first moment. In other words, this embodiment of the present invention uses different messages to send the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment to the third device.

According to a third aspect, a method for activating quality of service monitoring is provided, wherein the method for activating quality of service monitoring includes: receiving, by the session network element, the quality of service monitoring policies from the network policy control; determining, by the session network element, a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies; and sending, by the session network element, the first quality of service monitoring policy to the first device. According to the QoS monitoring activation method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, the required QoS monitoring policy can be provided to the corresponding device in the QoS monitoring process. Therefore, the device may be activated to initiate a quality of service monitoring procedure, or may be activated to report a monitoring report to the session network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the first quality of service monitoring policy includes at least one first quality of service parameter to be monitored corresponding to the first device, or an event in which the first device reports a monitoring report to the session network control element.

In an exemplary implementation, the first quality of service monitoring policy further includes a monitoring period that is used to monitor quality of service and corresponds to the first device.

In a possible implementation, the event includes: the first quality of service parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold; the end device goes into sleep mode or the session is released; or periodic reporting is performed.

In a possible implementation, the first quality of service parameter to be monitored includes at least one of guaranteed bitrate GFBR, maximum uplink/downlink bitrate MFBR, amount of data packet within packet delay budget at the access point, FER frame error rate, segment transmission delay, or packet loss information. For example, the segment transmission delay may be a one-way delay or a round-trip delay.

In an exemplary implementation, when the first quality of service parameter to be monitored includes a segment transmission delay, the segment transmission delay is the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device.

In an exemplary implementation, the method further includes: sending the session session network element third indication information to the first device, where the third indication information instructs the first device to send, after detecting the first transmission delay information, the first transmission delay information to the third device. Based on this decision, after detecting the first transmission delay information, the first device can send the first transmission delay information to the third device, and then the third device can determine the first transmission delay information based on the first transmission delay information and the third transmission delay information received through measurement.

In an exemplary implementation, the first quality of service monitoring policy further includes the length of the monitoring packet used to monitor quality of service. For related descriptions of the monitoring packet length, see the descriptions in the first aspect. The details are again not described here.

In a possible implementation, the quality of service monitoring policy includes information about the first device; and determining by the session network element a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies, which includes: determining by the session network element a first quality of service monitoring policy from one or more quality of service monitoring policies based on information about the first device. Based on the decision, the session network element may determine a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies.

In an exemplary implementation, the first quality of service monitoring policy includes a first quality of service parameter to be monitored corresponding to the first device; and determining, by the session network element, a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies, which includes: determining, by the session network element, based on the parameter type of the first quality of service parameter, the first quality of service parameter to be monitoring corresponding to the first device. Based on the decision, the session network element may determine a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies.

With respect to the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the first device is an access device, the second device is a terminal device, and the third device is a user plane network element; or the first device is an access device, the second device is a user plane network element, and the third device is a terminal device; or the first device is a terminal device, the second device is an access device, and the third device is a user plane network element; or the first device is a user plane network element, the second device is an access device, and the third device is a terminal device.

According to the fourth aspect, a first device is provided in which the sending device has a function of implementing the method in the first aspect. The function may be implemented in hardware, or may be implemented in hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

According to a fifth aspect, a first device is provided including a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer executable instruction, and when the first device starts up, the processor executes the computer executable instruction stored in the memory so that the first device performs the quality of service monitoring method in any implementation of the first aspect.

According to a sixth aspect, a first device including a processor is provided. The processor is configured to connect to the memory, read the instruction in the memory, and execute the quality of service monitoring method in any implementation of the first aspect according to the instruction.

According to a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores the instruction, and when the instruction is executed on the computer, the computer is enabled to execute the quality of service monitoring method in any implementation of the first aspect.

According to an eighth aspect, a computer program product including an instruction is provided. When the computer program product is run on the computer, the computer is enabled to execute the quality of service monitoring method in any implementation of the first aspect.

According to a ninth aspect, a device is provided (for example, the device may be a chip system). The device includes a processor configured to support the first device in implementing the functions in the first aspect, for example, to obtain information about the first transmission delay for packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. In a possible implementation, the device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store the program instruction and data needed for the first device. When the device is a system of chips, the device may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete device.

For the technical effect provided by any implementation of the fourth aspect of the ninth aspect, refer to the technical effects provided by various constructions of the first aspect. The details are again not described here.

According to the tenth aspect, a third device is provided, where the third device performs the function of implementing the method in the second aspect. The function may be implemented in hardware, or may be implemented in hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

According to an eleventh aspect, a third device is provided including a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer executable instruction, and when the third device is running, the processor executes the computer executable instruction stored in the memory so that the third device performs the quality of service monitoring method in any implementation of the second aspect.

According to a twelfth aspect, a third device is provided including a processor. The processor is configured to connect to the memory, read the instruction in the memory, and execute the quality of service monitoring method in any implementation of the second aspect according to the instruction.

According to a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores the instruction, and when the instruction is executed on the computer, the computer is enabled to execute the quality of service monitoring method in any implementation of the second aspect.

According to a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product including an instruction is provided. When the computer program product is run on the computer, the computer is enabled to execute the quality of service monitoring method in any implementation of the second aspect.

According to a fifteenth aspect, a device is provided (for example, the device may be a chip system). The device includes a processor configured to support the third device in implementing the functions in the second aspect, for example, obtaining information about the first transmission delay for packet transmission between the third device and the second device for the terminal device. In a possible implementation, the device may further include a memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions and data necessary for the third device. When the device is a system of chips, the device may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete device.

For the technical effect provided by any implementation of the tenth aspect to the fifteenth aspect, refer to the technical effects caused by different implementations of the second aspect. The details are again not described here.

According to a sixteenth aspect, a session network element is provided, where the session network element has a function of implementing the method in the third aspect. The function may be implemented in hardware, or may be implemented in hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

According to a seventeenth aspect, a session control network element is provided, including a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a machine-executable instruction, and when the session network element operates, the processor executes the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory, so that the session network element performs a method for activating quality of service monitoring in any implementation of the third aspect.

According to an eighteenth aspect, a session network control element including a processor is provided. The processor is configured to connect to the memory, read the instruction in the memory, and execute the method for activating quality of service monitoring in any implementation of the third aspect according to the instruction.

According to a nineteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores the instruction, and when the instruction is executed on the computer, the computer is enabled to execute the quality of service monitoring activation method in any implementation of the third aspect.

According to a twentieth aspect, a computer program product including an instruction is provided. When the computer program product is run on the computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method for activating quality of service monitoring in any implementation of the third aspect.

According to the twenty-first aspect, a device is provided (for example, the device may be a chip system). The device includes a processor configured to support the network session control element while implementing the functions in the third aspect, for example, determining the first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from the quality of service monitoring policy. In a possible implementation, the device further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions and data needed for the network session control element. When the device is a system of chips, the device may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete device.

For the technical effect obtained by any implementation from the sixteenth aspect to the twenty-first aspect, refer to the technical effects obtained by various implementations of the third aspect. The details are again not described here.

According to a twenty-second aspect, a quality of service monitoring system is provided, wherein the quality of service monitoring system includes a first device and a third device in any of the above aspects.

According to a twenty-third aspect, a method for monitoring quality of service is provided, including: receiving, by a terminal device, information related to a first moment from an access device, where the first moment is a moment at which the access device receives the first packet sent by the terminal device, or a moment when the access device sends the second packet to the end device; and, based on the information related to the first moment, the terminal device determines the transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device. Based on the decision, the tag may determine transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the tag and the access device for the tag.

In an exemplary implementation, when the first moment is the moment when the access device receives the first packet sent by the terminal device, the determination by the terminal device, based on the information related to the first moment, of the transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device includes including: determining by the terminal, based on the information related to the first moment, the uplink transmission delay information corresponding to the first packet when the first packet is transmitted between the terminal and the access device. Based on the decision, the tag may determine uplink transmission delay information for packet transmission between the tag and the access device for the tag.

In an exemplary implementation, information related to the first time includes the first time or the difference between the first time and the second time, where the second time is the time at which the terminal sends the first packet to the access device.

In an exemplary implementation, before the terminal device receives information related to the first instant from the access device, the method further includes: sending the terminal device a first packet to the access device at a second instant, where the first packet contains the first indication information and the first indication information indicates that the first the packet is used to monitor latency.

In an exemplary implementation, when the first moment is the moment when the access device sends the second packet to the terminal device, the determination by the terminal device, based on the information related to the first moment, of the transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device includes: itself: determining, based on the information related to the first moment, the downlink transmission delay information corresponding to the second packet when the second packet is transmitted between the terminal and the access device. Based on the decision, the tag may determine uplink transmission delay information for packet transmission between the tag and the access device for the tag.

In an exemplary implementation, information related to the first time includes the first time or the difference between the first time and the third time, where the third time is the time at which the terminal receives the second packet sent by the access device.

In a possible implementation, the first moment related information includes the difference between the first moment and the third moment, and before the terminal device receives the first moment related information from the access device, the method further includes: receiving the second packet from the device access; and sending, by the terminal, to the access device, information indicating a third time, where the third time is the time when the terminal receives the second packet sent by the access device. Based on the decision, the terminal may know the point at which the terminal receives the second packet sent by the access device, and then may determine the downlink transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the terminal and the access device for the terminal.

In an exemplary implementation, the receipt by the terminal of information related to the first moment from the access device includes: the receipt by the terminal of a second packet from the access device, where the second packet is transmitted at the first moment. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device can send information related to the first moment to the terminal using the downlink packet.

In an exemplary implementation, after the tag determines the downlink delay information corresponding to the second packet, when the second packet is transmitted between the tag and the access device, the method further includes: sending the tag the downlink delay information to the access device. Based on the decision, the access device can learn the downlink delay information for packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device.

In an exemplary implementation, the second packet transmits second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the second packet is used for delay monitoring.

In an exemplary implementation, the receipt by the terminal of information related to the first moment from the access device includes: the receipt by the terminal of a third packet from the access device, where the third packet contains information related to the first moment. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device can send information related to the first moment to the terminal using the downlink packet.

In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives the RRC radio resource control signaling from the access device, where the RRC signaling transmits information related to the first moment. In other words, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device can send information related to the first moment to the terminal using RRC signaling.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect, a quality of service monitoring method is provided, including: obtaining, by an access device, first transmission delay information for a packet transmission between an access device and a terminal device for the terminal device; obtaining by the access device information about the second transmission delay for packet transmission between the access device and the user plane network element for the terminal device; and sending, by the access device, the first transmission delay information and the second transmission delay information to the control plane network element. Based on this decision, in the transmission delay monitoring process, as an intermediate device, the access device can directly obtain information about the transmission delays between the access device and devices between the access device and devices on the two sides of the access device, and then report the delays. This avoids the case where a device on each of the two sides may report a segment transfer delay or end-to-end delay only after receiving the delay of a segment in which the device is not located, thereby simplifying the delay monitoring mechanism.

In a possible implementation, obtaining by the access device information about the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the access device and the terminal device for the terminal device includes: obtaining by the access device information related to the first moment, where the first moment is the moment when the access device receives the first packet, sent by the end device, or the moment when the access device sends the second packet to the end device; and determining by the access device, based on the information related to the first moment, the transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device. Based on the decision, the access device can obtain transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect, there is provided a communication device capable of implementing the above methods. The communication device may be a terminal device in the twenty-third aspect, or a device including a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device may be an access device in the twenty-fourth aspect, or a device including an access device. The communication device includes an appropriate module, block or means (means) for implementing the above method. A module, block, or means may be implemented in hardware or software, or implemented in hardware running the associated software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or blocks corresponding to the above functions.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect, a communication device including a processor and a memory is provided. The memory is configured to store a computer instruction, and when the processor executes the instruction, the communication device is enabled to perform a method according to any of the foregoing aspects. The communication device may be a terminal device in the twenty-third aspect, or a device including a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device may be an access device in the twenty-fourth aspect, or a device including an access device.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect, a communication device including a processor is provided. The processor is configured to connect to the memory, read the instruction in the memory, and execute the method in any of the above aspects in accordance with the instruction. The communication device may be a terminal device in the twenty-third aspect, or a device including a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device may be an access device in the twenty-fourth aspect, or a device including an access device.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores the instruction, and when the instruction is executed on the computer, the computer is given the opportunity to perform the method in any of the above aspects.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect, a computer program product including an instruction is provided. When the computer program product is running on the computer, the computer may perform the method in any of the above aspects.

According to a thirtieth aspect, a communication device is provided (for example, the communication device may be a chip or a system of chips). The communication device includes a processor configured to implement a function in any of the above aspects. In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store the necessary program instruction and the necessary data. When the communication device is a system of chips, the device may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete device.

For the technical effect obtained by any implementation of the twenty-fifth aspect to the thirtieth aspect, refer to the technical effects provided by the various implementations of the twenty-third aspect or the twenty-fourth aspect. The details are again not described here.

These aspects or other aspects of the present invention are more clear and understandable in the descriptions of the following embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is an architectural diagram of a quality of service monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is an architectural diagram of a quality of service monitoring activation system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is an application diagram of a 5G quality of service monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a hardware structure diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5A and FIG. 5B is a first flowchart of a quality of service monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6A and FIG. 6B is a second flowchart of a quality of service monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7A and FIG. 7B is a flowchart of a method for activating quality of service monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a diagram of a first device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a diagram of a third device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a diagram of a session control network element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a diagram of another quality of service monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a third flowchart of a quality of service monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a fourth flowchart of a quality of service monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 14 is a diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Embodiments

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise indicated, "/" in the description of the present invention represents "or" the relationship between related objects. For example, A/B may represent A or B. The term "and/or" in the present invention only describes association relationships of related objects, and represents that three relationships can exist. For example, A and/or B may represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B can be singular or plural. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, "multiple" in the descriptions of the present invention means two or more than two. "At least one (one element) of the following" or a similar expression thereof refers to any combination of these elements and includes one element (piece) or any combination of multiple elements (piece). For example, at least one (piece) of a, b, or c may represent a, b, c, a combination of a and b, a combination of a and c, a combination of b and c, or a combination of a, b and c, where a, b and c can be singular or plural. Additionally, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between the same elements or similar elements that have basically the same function and purpose. One skilled in the art can appreciate that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the number or sequence of execution, and terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate a specific difference.

Additionally, the network architecture and service scenario described in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention and do not represent limitations on the technical solutions presented in the embodiments. of the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that as network architectures evolve and a new service scenario emerges, the technical solutions presented in the embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to similar technical problems.

Fig. 1 shows a quality of service monitoring system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The quality of service monitoring system 10 includes a first device 101 and a third device 102.

The first device is configured to: receive information about the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device, send information about the first transmission delay to the third device, and send information related to the first moment to the third device.

The third device is configured to: receive information about the first transmission delay and information related to the first moment; and determining, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may be an access device, the second device may be a terminal device, and the third device may be a user plane network element.

Alternatively, perhaps in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may be an access device, the second device may be a user plane network element, and the third device may be a terminal device.

Alternatively, perhaps in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may be a terminal device, the second device may be an access device, and the third device may be a user plane network element.

Alternatively, perhaps in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may be a user plane network element, the second device may be an access device, and the third device may be a terminal device.

It is possible that the first device 101 and the second device 102 in this embodiment of the present invention may directly communicate with each other, or may communicate with each other via forwarding by another device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

According to the quality of service monitoring system provided in this embodiment of the present invention, when monitoring the third transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device, the third device can receive information related to the first moment from the first device, and information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. Further, the third device can determine, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. In other words, the third device can learn the first transmission delay information, the second transmission delay information, and the third transmission delay information in one segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. Therefore, according to the quality of service monitoring system provided in this embodiment of the present invention, multiple segment transmission delay information can be obtained in one segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. This simplifies the current way of monitoring segment transmission delay information.

Perhaps Fig. 2 shows a quality of service monitoring activation system 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The QoS monitoring activation system 20 includes a session management network element 201 and a first device 202.

The session control network element 201 is configured to: receive one or more quality of service monitoring policies from the network policy control element, determine a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies, and send the first quality of service monitoring policy to first device 202.

The first device 202 is configured to receive the first quality of service monitoring policy from the session control network element 201 .

Possibly, when the first quality of service monitoring policy includes a first quality of service parameter to be monitored corresponding to the first device 202, the first device 202 may initiate the corresponding quality of service monitoring after receiving the first quality of service monitoring policy from the session control network element 201 to obtain information about the first quality of service parameter.

Alternatively, it is possible that when the first QoS monitoring policy includes an event in which the first device 202 reports a monitoring report to the session management network element 201, after receiving the first quality of service monitoring policy from the session management network element 201, the first device 202 may report the monitoring report to the session control network element 201 when a predetermined condition for the event for reporting the monitoring report is satisfied.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may be an access device, the second device may be a terminal device, and the third device may be a user plane network element.

Alternatively, perhaps in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may be an access device, the second device may be a user plane network element, and the third device may be a terminal device.

Alternatively, perhaps in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may be a terminal device, the second device may be an access device, and the third device may be a user plane network element.

Alternatively, perhaps in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may be a user plane network element, the second device may be an access device, and the third device may be a terminal device.

It is possible that the session management network element 201 and the first device 202 in this embodiment of the present invention may directly communicate with each other, or may communicate with each other via forwarding by another device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

According to the QoS monitoring activation system provided in this embodiment of the present invention, the desired QoS monitoring policy can be provided to the corresponding device in the QoS monitoring process. Therefore, the device may be activated to initiate a quality of service monitoring procedure, or the device may be activated to report the monitoring report to the session control network element.

Alternatively, perhaps FIG. 11 shows a quality of service monitoring system 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The quality of service monitoring system 110 includes a terminal 1101 and an access device 1102.

The access device 1102 is configured to receive information related to the first moment, where the first moment is the moment when the access device 1102 receives the first packet sent by the terminal device 1101, or the moment when the access device 1102 sends the second packet to the terminal device 1101.

The terminal device 1101 is configured to: receive information related to the first moment, and determine, based on the information related to the first moment, transmission delay information for packet transmission between the terminal device 1101 and the access device 1102 for the terminal device 1101.

It should be noted that monitoring in embodiments of the present invention may alternatively be replaced by detection, and detection in embodiments of the present invention may also be replaced by monitoring. In other words, discovery and monitoring can be interchanged with each other. Here is a general description, and the details below are not described again.

According to the quality of service monitoring systems provided in embodiments of the present invention, a tag can determine transmission delay information for a packet transmission between a tag and an access device for the tag.

Perhaps the quality of service monitoring system 10 in FIG. 1, the QoS monitoring activation system 20 of FIG. 2 or quality of service monitoring system 110 in FIG. 11 may apply to the current 5G network and the future network. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

For example, it is assumed that the quality of service monitoring system 10 in FIG. 1, the QoS monitoring activation system 20 of FIG. 2 or quality of service monitoring system 110 in FIG. 11 applies to the current 5G network. As shown in FIG. 3, the network element or entity corresponding to the above terminal device may be a terminal device in a 5G network; the network element or entity corresponding to the aforementioned access device may be an access device in a 5G network; the network element or entity corresponding to the aforementioned user plane network element may be a user plane function (UPF) network element in a 5G network; and the network element or entity corresponding to the above session management network element may be a session management function (SMF) network element in the 5G network.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the 5G network may further include an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, and the like. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

The end device communicates with the AMF NE using Next generation (N) network interface 1 (N1 for short). The access device communicates with the AMF network element using N interface 2 (N2 for short) and communicates with the UPF network element using N interface 3 (N3 for short). The AMF NE communicates with the SMF NE via N-interface 11 (abbreviated as N11) and communicates with the PCF NE via N-interface 15 (N15 for short). The SMF network element communicates with the PCF network element using interface No. 7 (abbreviated N7) and communicates with the UPF network element using interface No. 4 (abbreviated N4).

It should be noted that the names of interfaces between network elements in FIG. 3 are just examples and the interfaces may have different names in a specific implementation. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, it should be noted that control plane network elements such as AMF network element, SMF network element, and PCF network element in the 5G network shown in FIG. 3 may alternatively communicate with each other via a service interface. For example, the service interface provided by the AMF network element may be Namf, the service interface provided by the SMF network element may be Nsmf, and the service interface provided by the PCF network element may be Npcf. Refer to the 5G system architecture diagram in the 3GPP TS 23.501 standard for related descriptions. The details are again not described here.

Optionally, the terminal device in embodiments of the present invention may include various portable devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices that have a wireless communication function, or other data processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device may further include a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a wireless modem (modem) , handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone or wireless local loop (WLL) station, machine type communication (MTC), end device, user device ( UE), mobile station (mobile station, MS), terminal device (terminal device), relay user equipment, etc. The relay user equipment may be, for example, a 5G residential gateway (RG). For ease of description, the above devices are collectively referred to as a terminal device in the present invention.

Perhaps the access device in the embodiments of the present invention is a device that accesses the core network. For example, the access device may be a base station, a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, a non ^-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access device, or the like. The base station may include base stations in various forms, such as a macro base station, a micro base station (also referred to as a small cell), a relay station, or an access point.

Possibly the first device or the third device in FIG. 1, the session control network element of FIG. 2 or the terminal or access device of FIG. 11 in embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by a single device, or may be implemented jointly by multiple devices, or may be implemented by a functional module in a single device. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention. It can be understood that the above functions may be network elements in a hardware device, or may be software functions running on dedicated hardware, or may be instances of virtualization functions on a platform (eg, a cloud platform).

For example, the first device or the third device in FIG. 1, the session control network element of FIG. 2 or the terminal or access device of FIG. 11 in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by a single device, or may be implemented in conjunction with the communication device of FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a hardware structure diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 400 includes a processor 401, a communication line 402, a memory 403, and at least one communication interface (FIG. 4 will be described simply using an example in which the communication device 400 includes a communication interface 404).

Processor 401 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits capable of controlling program execution in the solutions of the present invention.

Link 402 may include a path for transferring information between the above components.

Communication interface 404 is any device, such as a transceiver, and is configured to communicate with another device or communication network, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), or wireless local area networks (WLAN) .

The memory 403 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device, which may store information and instructions, or may be electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other storage CD, optical disc storage (including CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disc storage media or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be carried or stored as desired th program code in the form of an instruction or data structure, and which can be accessed from a computer. However, the memory 403 is not limited to this. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via link 402 . Alternatively, the memory may be integrated into the processor.

The memory 403 is configured to store a computer executable instruction for carrying out the solutions of the present invention, and the processor 401 controls the execution of the computer executable instruction. The processor 401 is configured to execute a computer-executable instruction stored in the memory 403 to implement the quality of service monitoring method provided in the following embodiments of the present invention.

Optionally, a computer-executable instruction in embodiments of the present invention may also be referred to as application program code. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

In a specific implementation, in an embodiment, processor 401 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU 0 and CPU 1 in FIG. four.

In a specific implementation, in an embodiment, communication device 400 may include a plurality of processors, such as processor 401 and processor 408 in FIG. 4. Each of the processors can be a single-core (single-CPU) or multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may be one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores for processing data (eg, a computer program instruction).

In a specific implementation, in an embodiment, the communication device 400 may further include an output device 405 and an input device 406. The output device 405 interacts with the processor 401 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 405 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, a projector, and etc. The input device 406 communicates with the processor 401 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, input device 406 may be a mouse, keyboard, touch screen device, touch device, or the like.

Communication device 400 may be a general purpose device or a dedicated device. In a particular implementation, communication device 400 may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, network server, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, tablet computer, wireless terminal, embedded device, or a device with a structure similar to that shown in FIG. 4. The type of the communication device 400 is not limited to the embodiments of the present invention.

The following describes in detail the quality of service monitoring methods provided in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to FIG. 1-fig. 4 and FIG. eleven.

It should be noted that the names of messages between network elements or the names of parameters in messages or the like in the following embodiments of the present invention are merely examples, and other names may be used in a specific implementation. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

First, for example, the quality of service monitoring system in FIG. 1 is applied to the 5G network shown in FIG. 3; and the first device is an access device, the second device is a terminal device, and the third device is a UPF network element; or the first device is an access device, the second device is a UPF NE, and the third device is a terminal device. Fig. 5A and FIG. 5B shows a quality of service monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method for monitoring the quality of service includes the following steps:

S501: The first device acquires the first transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may initiate monitoring of the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device, and acquire information about the first transmission delay. In particular, see the existing implementation for a method of monitoring the first transmission delay. Details are not described here.

Perhaps the first transmission delay in this embodiment of the present invention may be a one-way delay (uplink, UL) or downlink (downlink, DL) for packet transmission between the first device and the second device. Alternatively, the first transmission delay may be the round trip time (RTT) for packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment of the present invention, in a scenario where the first device is an access device and the second device is a terminal device, the first transmission delay for packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device may alternatively be referred to as the air interface transmission delay or Uu interface delay ( U interface). This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may acquire information related to the first moment and information about the first transmission delay by any of the following methods 1 to 4:

Method 1: The quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S502a to S504a.

S502a: The third device sends message 1 to the first device, and the first device receives message 1 from the third device at time T2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, message 1 in this embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, loopback monitoring request 1. The loopback monitoring request 1 may include one or more monitoring request packets, and each of the monitoring request packets may include a corresponding sequence number (sequence number, SN). This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 1 requests monitoring of the second transmission delay for the packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. Alternatively, message 1 requests monitoring of the third transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, when message 1 requests monitoring of a second transmission delay for a packet transmission between a second device and a third device for a terminal device, message 1 may further include a monitoring granularity 1 corresponding to the second transmission delay. For example, Internet protocol (IP) address of the terminal/IP address corresponding to the general packet radio system (GPRS), tunneling protocol for user plane (GTP-U) stub tunnel indicates that monitoring granularity 1 is the device granularity. The endpoint's IP address/IP address corresponding to the endpoint's GTP-U tunnel and the endpoint's tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) indicate that the monitoring granularity 1 is the session granularity. The terminal IP/IP corresponding to the GTP-U tunnel of the terminal, the TEID of the terminal, and the QoS flow identity (QFI) of the terminal indicate that the monitoring granularity 1 is the flow granularity. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, when message 1 requests monitoring of the third transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the third device for a terminal device, message 1 may further include a monitoring granularity 3 corresponding to the third transmission delay. For related descriptions of monitoring granularity 3, see the description of granularity 1. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 1 may further include at least one indication information 1 or segment identifier 1. The indication information 1 indicates the acquisition of the first transmission delay information, and the segment identifier 1 indicates the segment corresponding to the first transmission delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 1 may further include a monitoring granularity 2 corresponding to the first transmission delay. For related monitoring granularity 2 descriptions, see Monitoring granularity 1 description. The details are again not described here.

Finally, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 1 may indicate the following four cases:

a. Information about the segment to be monitored is not indicated, for example, information about the segment corresponding to the second transmission delay, or information about the segment corresponding to the third transmission delay; and information about the segment that the third device requests is also not indicated, for example, information about the segment corresponding to the first transmission delay. In other words, upon receiving message 1 from the third device, the first device returns, by default or according to local policy on the first device, a response message corresponding to message 1.

b. Information about the segment to be monitored is not indicated, for example, information about the segment corresponding to the second transmission delay, or information about the segment corresponding to the third transmission delay; but information about the segment that the third device requests is indicated. If the segment identifier 1 corresponding to the first transmission delay is configured on the first device and the third device, the third device may add segment identifier 1 to message 1 to request to receive information about the first transmission delay corresponding to segment identifier 1.

c. Information about the segment to be monitored is indicated, but information about the segment that the third device requests is not indicated. If segment identifier 2 corresponding to the second transmission delay and/or segment identifier 3 corresponding to the third transmission delay is configured/configured on each of the first and third devices, the third device may add segment identifier 2 to message 1 to request information about the second transmission delay corresponding to segment identifier 2, or may add segment identifier 3 to message 1 to request information on the second transmission delay corresponding to segment identifier 3.

d. Information about the segment to be monitored is indicated, and information about the segment that the third device requests to receive is indicated. Refer to the preceding case c for a way to specify information about the segment to be monitored. Refer to the previous case b for a way to specify the information to be retrieved. The details are again not described here.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, there is no necessary sequence to perform steps S501 and S502a. Step S501 may be performed before step S502a. Alternatively, step S502a may be performed before step S501. For example, after receiving loopback monitoring request 1 from a third device, the first device initiates monitoring of the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. Alternatively, steps S501 and S502a may be performed simultaneously. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S503a. The first device generates message 2 corresponding to message 1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, message 2 in this embodiment of the present invention may be loopback monitoring response 1, for example. The loopback monitoring response 1 may include one or more measurement response packets, and each of the measurement request packets may include a corresponding sequence number. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring request packet in step S502a and the measurement response packet in step S503a may be collectively referred to as a monitoring packet. Here is a general description, and the details below are not described again.

In this embodiment of the present invention, after receiving message 1, the first device may generate or form message 2 corresponding to message 1. For example, the first device may add information about the first transmission delay and information related to the first moment to message 2. the first time may include, for example, time T2 at which the first device receives message 1, and time T5 at which the first device sends message 2. Alternatively, information relating to the first time may include, for example, the difference between the time T5 at which the first device sends message 2 and the time T2 at which the first device receives message 1. This is not specifically limited to this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 2 may further include a monitoring granularity 4 corresponding to the first transmission delay. The monitoring granularity 4 may be the same or different from the monitoring granularity 2 that corresponds to the first transmission delay and is in message 1. In other words, the monitoring granularity that corresponds to the first transmission delay and is in the request sent by the third device may be the same or be different from the monitoring granularity that corresponds to the first transmission delay and is contained in the response sent by the first device. For example, the monitoring granularity that corresponds to the first transmission delay and that is contained in the request sent by the third device may be the device granularity, while the monitoring granularity that corresponds to the first transmission delay and is in the response sent by the first device may be the flow granularity . This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 2 may further include segment identifier 1 corresponding to the first transmission delay, where segment identifier 1 indicates the segment corresponding to the first transmission delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S504a: The first device sends message 2 to the third device, and the third device receives message 2 from the first device.

Method 2: After step S501, the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S502b and S503b.

S502b: The first device generates message 3.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, message 3 in this embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, QoS monitoring request 1. The QoS monitoring request 1 may include one or more monitoring request packets, and each of the monitoring request packets may include a corresponding sequence number. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention. Message 3 requests monitoring of the third transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device. Here is a general description, and the details below are not described again.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the first device may generate a message 3 after receiving information about the first transmission delay. For example, the first device may add information about the first transmission delay and information related to the first time to message 3. The information related to the first time may include, for example, time T5 at which the first device sends message 3. This is specifically is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 3 may further include a monitoring granularity 4 corresponding to the first transmission delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention. For related descriptions of monitoring granularity 4, see the description of monitoring granularity 1. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 3 may further include segment identifier 1 corresponding to the first transmission delay, where segment identifier 1 indicates the segment corresponding to the first transmission delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S503b: The first device sends message 3 to the third device, and the third device receives message 3 from the first device.

Method 3: After step S501, the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S502c to S505c.

S502c: The first device sends message 4 to the third device, and the third device receives message 4 from the first device. Message 4 includes information about the first transmission delay.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 4 may further include a monitoring granularity 4 corresponding to the first transmission delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention. For related descriptions of monitoring granularity 4, see the description of monitoring granularity 1. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, message 4 may further include segment identifier 1 corresponding to the first transmission delay, where segment identifier 1 indicates the segment corresponding to the first transmission delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly message 4 in this embodiment of the present invention may be a control packet or a monitoring packet. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S503c: The third device sends message 5 to the first device, and the first device receives message 5 from the third device. Message 5 requests monitoring of the third transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, message 5 in this embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, loopback monitoring monitoring request 2. The loopback monitoring request 2 may include one or more monitoring request packets, and each of the monitoring request packets may include a corresponding sequence number. For related descriptions, refer to the existing third transmission delay monitoring method and the details are again not described here.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, there is no necessary sequence for performing step S502c and steps S503c to S505c. Step S502c may be performed before one or more steps S503c through S505c. Alternatively, one or more steps S503c to S505c may be performed before step S502c. Alternatively, step S502c and one or more steps S503c to S505c may be performed simultaneously. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S504c. The first device generates message 6 corresponding to message 5.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, message 6 in this embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, loopback monitoring response 2. The loopback response 2 may include one or more measurement response packets, and each of the measurement request packets may include a corresponding sequence number. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment of the present invention, after receiving message 5, the first device may generate or generate message 6 corresponding to message 5. For example, the first device may add information related to the first moment to the message. 6. Information related to the first time may include, for example, time T2 at which the first device receives message 5 and time T5 at which the first device sends message 6. Alternatively, information related to the first time may include, for example, the difference between the time T5 at which the first device sends the message 6 and the time T2 at which the first device receives the message 5. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S505c: The first device sends message 6 to the third device, and the third device receives message 6 from the first device.

Method 4: After step S501, the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S502d to S504d.

S502d: This step is the same as step S502c. For related descriptions, see step S502c. The details are again not described here.

S503d: The first device generates message 7. Message 7 requests monitoring of the third transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, message 7 in this embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, QoS monitoring request 2. The QoS monitoring request 2 may include one or more monitoring request packets, and each of the monitoring request packets may include a corresponding sequence number. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment of the present invention, message 7 may include information related to the first moment, and information related to the first moment may include, for example, time T5 at which the first device sends message 7. For related descriptions, see existing method for monitoring the third transmission delay. The details are again not described here.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, there is no necessary sequence for performing steps S502d and S503d. Step S502d may be performed before step S503d. Alternatively, step S503d may be performed before S502d. Alternatively, S502d and S503d may be executed simultaneously. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S504d: The first device sends message 7 to the third device, and the third device receives message 7 from the first device.

After the third device obtains the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S506 and S507.

S506: The third device stores information about the first transmission delay.

S507: The third device determines the third transmission delay information, and determines, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information.

For example, it is assumed that the third transmission delay information for burst transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device is RTT 1, the first transmission delay information for packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device is RRT 2, the information about the second transmission delay for burst transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device is RTT 3.

In this case, for method 1 or method 3, it is assumed that the registered time at which the third device sends loopback monitoring request 1 or loopback request 2 is T1, and the time at which the third device receives loopback monitoring response 1 or loopback response 2 monitoring is T6:

RRT 1 = (T6 - T1) - (T5 - T2); and

RRT 3 = RRT 2 + RRT 1.

For method 2 or 4, it is assumed that the time at which the third device receives QoS monitoring request 1 or QoS monitoring request 2 is T6:

RRT 1 = T6 - T5; and

RRT 3 = RRT 2 + RRT 1.

Alternatively, for example, it is assumed that the third transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device is one-way delay 1, the first transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device is one-way delay 2, and the information about the second transmission delay for the packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device is one-way delay 3.

In this case, for method 1 or method 3, it is assumed that the registered time at which the third device sends loopback monitoring request 1 or loopback request 2 is T1, and the time at which the third device receives loopback monitoring response 1 or loopback response 2 monitoring, equal to T6:

one-way delay 1 = [(T6 - T1) - (T5 - T2)] / 2; and

one-way delay 3 = one-way delay 2 + one-way delay 1.

For method 2 or 4, it is assumed that the time at which the third device receives QoS monitoring request 1 or QoS monitoring request 2 is T6:

one-way delay 1 = (T6 - T5) / 2; and

one-way delay 3 = one-way delay 2 + one-way delay 1.

Note that the above example has been described under the assumption that the uplink delay and the downlink delay, which correspond to the same slot, are the same. In other words, the one-way delay may be a UL one-way delay or a DL one-way delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

According to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, when monitoring the third transmission delay information for a packet transmission between the first device and the third device for a terminal device, the third device can receive from the first device information related to the first moment and information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. Further, the third device can determine, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. In other words, the third device can learn the first transmission delay information, the second transmission delay information, and the third transmission delay information in one segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. Therefore, according to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, multiple segment transmission delay information can be obtained in one segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. This simplifies the existing way of monitoring segment transmission delay information.

The operations of the first device or the third device in steps S501 to S507 may be performed by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG. 4 by calling the application program code stored in the memory 403. This is not limited in this embodiment.

Perhaps, for example, the quality of service monitoring system of FIG. 1 is applied to the 5G network shown in FIG. 3; and the first device is a terminal device, the second device is an access device, and the third device is a UPF network element; or the first device is a UPF NE, the second device is an access device, and the third device is a terminal device. Fig. 6A and FIG. 6B shows a quality of service monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method for monitoring the quality of service includes the following steps:

S601: This step is the same as step S501. For details, see step S501 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the third device may acquire information related to the first moment and information about the first transmission delay by any of the following methods 1 to 4:

Method 1: The quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S602a to S604a.

S602a: The third device sends message 1 to the first device via the second device, and the first device receives message 1 from the third device at time T2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, message 1 in this embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, loopback monitoring request 1. For related descriptions, see the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. The details are again not described here.

For other related descriptions of message 1, see step S502a in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

In this embodiment of the present invention, in a scenario in which the second device is an access device and the third device is a terminal device, the second transmission delay for packet transmission between the second device and the third device may also be referred to as air interface transmission delay or Uu interface delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Note that, in transmission between the terminal and the access device, a message (including message 1 in step S602a, message 2, message 3, message 4, message 5, message 6, or message 7 below) in this embodiment of the present invention is transmitted with using the channel corresponding to the endpoint session. When transmitted between the access device and the UPF network element, the message in this embodiment of the present invention is transmitted through the GTP-U tunnel corresponding to the session of the terminal device. In other words, it is necessary to switch the transmission channel of the message. Please refer to the existing implementation for details. Details are not described here.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, there is no necessary sequence to perform steps S601 and S602a. Step S601 may be performed before step S602a. Alternatively, step S602a may be performed before step S601. For example, after receiving loopback monitoring request 1 from a third device, the first device initiates monitoring of the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. Alternatively, steps S601 and S602a may be performed simultaneously. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S603a: This step is the same as step S503a. For details, refer to step S503a in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

S604a: The first device sends message 2 to the third device via the second device, and the third device receives message 2 from the first device.

Method 2: After step S601, the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S602b and S603b.

S602b: This step is the same as step S502b. For details, see step S502b in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

S603b: The first device sends message 3 to the third device via the second device, and the third device receives message 3 from the first device.

Method 3: After step S601, the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S602c to S605c.

S602c: The first device sends message 4 to the third device via the second device, and the third device receives message 4 from the first device. Message 4 includes information about the first transmission delay.

For related descriptions of message 4, see step S502c in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

S603c: The third device sends message 5 to the first device via the second device, and the first device receives message 5 from the third device. Message 5 requests monitoring of the third transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device.

For related descriptions of message 5, see step S503c in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, there is no necessary sequence for performing step S602c and steps S603c-S605c. Step S602c may be performed before one or more steps S603c through S605c. Alternatively, one or more steps S603c to S605c may be performed before step S602c. Alternatively, step S602c and one or more steps S603c to S605c may be performed simultaneously. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S604c: This step is the same as step S504c. For details, see step S504c in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

S605c: The first device sends message 6 to the third device via the second device, and the third device receives message 6 from the first device.

Method 4: After step S601, the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S602d to S604d.

S602d: This step is the same as step S602c. For related descriptions, see step S602c. The details are again not described here.

S603d: This step is the same as step S503d. For details, see step S503d in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, there is no necessary sequence for performing steps S602d and S603d. Step S602d may be performed before step S603d. Alternatively, step S603d may be performed before S602d. Alternatively, S602d and S603d may be executed simultaneously. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S604d: The first device sends message 7 to the third device via the second device, and the third device receives message 7 from the first device.

After the third device obtains the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention further includes steps S606 and S607.

S606: The third device stores information about the first transmission delay.

S607: The third device determines the third transmission delay information, and determines, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information.

For example, it is assumed that the third transmission delay information for burst transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device is RTT 1, the first transmission delay information for packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device is RRT 2, and the information about the second transmission delay for burst transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device is RTT 3.

In this case, for method 1 or method 3, it is assumed that the registered time at which the third device sends loopback monitoring request 1 or loopback request 2 is T1, and the time at which the third device receives loopback monitoring response 1 or loopback monitoring response 2 is T6:

RRT 1 = (T6 - T1) - (T5 - T2); and

RRT 3 = RRT 1 - RRT 2.

For method 2 or 4, it is assumed that the time at which the third device receives QoS monitoring request 1 or QoS monitoring request 2 is T6:

RRT 1 = T6 - T5; and

RRT 3 = RRT 1 - RRT 2.

Alternatively, for example, it is assumed that the third transmission delay information for packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device is one-way delay 1, the information about the first transmission delay for packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device is is one-way delay 2 and the information about the second transmission delay for the packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device is one-way delay 3.

In this case, for method 1 or method 3, it is assumed that the registered time at which the third device sends loopback monitoring request 1 or loopback request 2 is T1 and the time at which the third device receives loopback monitoring response 1 or loopback monitoring response 2 equals T6:

one-way delay 1 = [(T6 - T1) - (T5 - T2)] / 2; and

one-way delay 3 = one-way delay 1 - one-way delay 2.

For method 2 or 4, it is assumed that the time at which the third device receives QoS monitoring request 1 or QoS monitoring request 2 is T6:

one-way delay 1 = (T6 - T5) / 2; and

one-way delay 3 = one-way delay 1 - one-way delay 2.

Note that the above example has been described under the assumption that the uplink delay and the downlink delay, which correspond to the same slot, are the same. In other words, the one-way delay may be a UL one-way delay or a DL one-way delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

According to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, when monitoring the third transmission delay information for a packet transmission between the first device and the third device for a terminal device, the third device can receive, from the first device, information related to the first moment and information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. Further, the third device can determine, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. In other words, the third device can learn the first transmission delay information, the second transmission delay information, and the third transmission delay information in one segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. Therefore, according to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, multiple segment transmission delay information can be obtained in one segment transmission delay information monitoring procedure. This simplifies the existing way of monitoring segment transmission delay information.

The actions of the first device or the third device in steps S601 to S607 may be performed by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG. 4 by calling the application program code stored in the memory 403. This is not limited in this embodiment.

Perhaps, for example, the quality of service monitoring system of FIG. 2 is applied to the 5G network shown in FIG. 3 and the first device is an access device or UPF network element. Fig. 7A and FIG. 7B show a method for activating quality of service monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method for activating quality of service monitoring includes the following steps:

S701: It is possible that the application function (AF) network element sends message 1 to the PCF network element, and the PCF network element receives message 1 from the network element AF. Message 1 includes one or more QoS monitoring policies to be sent to the NE SMF.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 1 in this embodiment of the present invention may be a policy authorization create/update request, for example. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, the AF network element can send message 1 directly to the PCF network element, or send message 1 to the PCF network element via the network exposure function (NEF) network element. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, for example, the quality of service monitoring policy to be sent to the network element SMF may include at least one of the quality of service parameter to be monitored, or an event at which to report on monitoring must be sent to the NE SMF. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

In one example, the quality of service parameter to be monitored may include at least one of guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR), maximum uplink/downlink maximum flow bit rate, MFBR), packet size within the packet delay budget at the access point, frame error ratio (FER), segment transmission delay, or packet loss information. The segment transmission delay may include, for example, a one-way delay or a loopback delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention. For example, the segment transmission delay may be a one-way delay or a round-trip delay. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

In one example, an event at which a monitoring report should be sent to the NE SMF may include: a quality of service parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold (eg, packet loss rate exceeds 0.5%); the end device goes into standby mode or the session ends; or periodic reporting is performed. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the quality of service monitoring policy to be sent to the network element SMF may further include, for example, a timeout packet processing rule, such as dropping the packet or sending the packet to the terminal. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, the quality of service monitoring policy to be sent to the SMF network element, which may further include, for example, the length of the monitoring packet used for monitoring quality of service, or the monitoring period used for monitoring quality of service . This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the length of the monitoring packet used for quality of service monitoring may be equal to the typical packet length of a valid service data packet. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the quality of service monitoring policy to be sent to the network element SMF may further include information about one or more devices that may subsequently use the quality of service monitoring policy. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S702: The network element PCF sends message 2 to the network element SMF, and the network element SMF receives message 2 from the network element PCF. Message 2 includes one or more QoS monitoring policies.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 2 in this embodiment of the present invention may be session management policy modification request 1. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, the PCF network element may determine, based on the subscription information or message 1 received from the AF network element, to send message 2 to the SMF network element. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S703: The SMF network element determines the quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies.

For related descriptions of the quality of service monitoring policy 1, see the description of the quality of service monitoring policy in step S701. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, in a possible implementation, the quality of service monitoring policy includes access device information. In this case, what the network element SMF determines the quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device of one or more quality of service monitoring policies includes: the network element SMF determines, based on the access device information, the quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to access device, from one or more QoS monitoring policies. For example, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device information may be an access device ID or an access device IP address. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in a possible implementation, the quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device includes a quality of service parameter 1 to be monitored corresponding to the access device. In this case, what the SMF network element determines the quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies includes: SMF network element determines based on the type of quality of service parameter parameter 1, the first quality parameter service to be monitored 1 corresponding to the access device. For example, the parameter type in this embodiment of the present invention may be a transmission rate, a packet size type, a FER, a transmission delay, or a packet loss information on the Uu interface and/or the N3 interface. For example, the SMF network element may send to the access device a quality of service parameter 1 whose parameter type is at least one of transmission rate, data packet type, FER, transmission delay, or packet loss information on the Uu interface and/or the N3 interface. .

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, when QoS parameter 1 includes a segment transmission delay, the segment transmission delay may be the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between an access device and a second device for a terminal device, or a third transmission delay for a packet transmission between access device and a third device for the terminal device. Here, the second device may be a terminal device and the third device may be a UPF network element. Alternatively, the second device may be a UPF network element and the third device may be a terminal device. For details, see the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

S704: The SMF network element sends message 3 to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives message 3 from the SMF network element. Message 3 includes a quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 3 in this embodiment of the present invention may be an N1N2 message transfer request. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S705: The AMF network element sends message 4 to the access device, and the access device receives message 4 from the AMF network element. Message 4 includes a quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 4 in this embodiment of the present invention may be an N2 session request. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the SMF network element may further send the third indication information to the access device via the AMF network element. The third indication information instructs the first device to send, after detecting the first transmission delay information, the first transmission delay information to the third device. When the first transmission delay is the transmission delay for packet transmission between the access device and the terminal device for the terminal device, the third device in this case is the UPF network element. When the first transmission delay is the transmission delay for packet transmission between the access device and the UPF network element for a terminal device, the third device in this case is the terminal device. Here is a general description, and the details below are not described again.

S706: The access device determines, in accordance with the quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device, to communicate with the terminal device.

For example, the access device may determine, in accordance with the quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device, to negotiate or adjust parameters with the terminal device, such as negotiate a delay detection period and initialize statistics. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, after determining the interaction with the terminal device, the access device can initiate the appropriate interaction procedure, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S707: The access device sends message 5 to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives message 5 from the access device. Message 5 includes information indicating whether the access device accepts the quality of service monitoring policy 1.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 5 in this embodiment of the present invention may be an N2 session response. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S708: The AMF network element sends message 6 to the SMF network element, and the SMF network element receives message 6 from the AMF network element. Message 6 includes information indicating whether the access device accepts the quality of service monitoring policy 1.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 6 in this embodiment of the present invention may be an update SM context request for session management (SM). This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S709: The SMF network element sends message 7 to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives message 7 from the SMF network element.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 7 in this embodiment of the present invention may be an update SM context response. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S710: The SMF network element determines a quality of service monitoring policy 2 corresponding to the UPF network element from one or more quality of service monitoring policies.

For related descriptions of the quality of service monitoring policy 2, see the description of the quality of service monitoring policy in step S701. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, in a possible implementation, the quality of service monitoring policy includes information about the network element's UPF. In this case, that the network element SMF determines the quality of service monitoring policy 2 corresponding to the UPF network element from one or more quality of service monitoring policies includes: the network element SMF determines the quality monitoring policy 2 based on the UPF information of the network element service corresponding to the UPF NE from one or more QoS monitoring policies. In one example, in this embodiment of the present invention, the network element UPF information may be a network element UPF identifier or a network element UPF IP address. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, in a possible implementation, the QoS monitoring policy 2 corresponding to the UPF network element includes a QoS parameter 2 to be monitored corresponding to the UPF network element. In this case, what the SMF network element determines the quality of service monitoring policy 2 corresponding to the UPF network element from one or more quality of service monitoring policies includes: the SMF network element determines, based on the type of quality of service parameter 2, the parameter to be monitored 2 quality of service corresponding to the UPF network element. In one example, the parameter type in this embodiment of the present invention may be the rate, data packet size type, FER, transmission delay, or packet loss information on the Uu interface and/or the N3 interface. For example, the SMF network element may send to the UPF network element a quality of service parameter 2 whose parameter type is at least one of rate, data packet type, FER, transmission delay, or packet loss information on the Uu interface, and/or interface N3.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, when QoS parameter 2 includes a segment transmission delay, the segment transmission delay may be the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the UPF network element and the access device for a terminal, or the third transmission delay for a packet transmission between UPF network element and end device for the end device.

S711: The SMF network element sends message 8 to the UPF network element, and the UPF network element receives message 8 from the SMF network element. Message 8 includes the QoS monitoring policy 2 UPF corresponding to the network element.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 8 in this embodiment of the present invention may be an N4 Session modification request. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S712: The UPF NE sends message 9 to the NE SMF, and the NE SMF receives message 9 from the NE UPF. Message 9 includes information indicating whether the UPF network element accepts the quality of service monitoring policy 2.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 9 in this embodiment of the present invention may be an N4 session modification response. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Note that, in steps S703 to S712, descriptions are presented using an example in which the SMF network element sends the quality of service monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device to the access device, and sends the quality of service monitoring policy 2 corresponding to the UPF to the network element to NE UPF. Of course, in this embodiment of the present invention, the SMF may send the QoS monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device to the access device or send the QoS monitoring policy 2 corresponding to the UPF to the network element. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention. Further, with reference to the method in this embodiment of the present invention, the SMF network element can also send the QoS monitoring policy 3 corresponding to the tag to the tag after determining the QoS monitoring policy 3 of the tag from one or more QoS monitoring policies. The details are again not described here.

Specifically, after receiving the QoS monitoring policy 1 corresponding to the access device, the access device can perform QoS monitoring with reference to the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. For example, QoS monitoring policy 1 includes a QoS parameter 1 to be monitored corresponding to an access device, QoS parameter 1 includes a segment transmission delay, and segment transmission delay is a transmission delay for packet transmission between an access device and a terminal device for terminal device. In this case, the access device may initiate transmission delay monitoring for the packet transmission between the access device and the terminal device for the terminal device. Alternatively, QoS monitoring policy 1 includes a QoS parameter 1 to be monitored corresponding to the access device, QoS parameter 1 includes segment transfer delay, and segment transfer delay is the packet transfer delay between the access device and the UPF network element for the terminating devices. In this case, the access device may initiate packet transmission delay monitoring between the access device and the UPF network element for the terminal device. For details, see the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

Specifically, after obtaining the QoS monitoring policy 2 corresponding to the UPF network element, the UPF network element may perform QoS monitoring with reference to the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. For example, QoS monitoring policy 2 includes a QoS parameter 2 to be monitored corresponding to the UPF network element, QoS parameter 2 includes segment transmission delay, and segment transmission delay is the transmission delay for packet transmission between the UPF network element and the access device. for the terminal device. In this case, the UPF network element may initiate packet transmission delay monitoring between the UPF network element and the access device for the terminal. For details, see the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5V. The details are again not described here.

Specifically, after receiving the QoS monitoring policy 3 corresponding to the terminal device, the terminal device can perform QoS monitoring with reference to the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. For example, QoS monitoring policy 3 includes a QoS parameter 3 to be monitored corresponding to a terminal device, QoS parameter 3 includes a segment transmission delay, and segment transmission delay is a packet transmission delay between a terminal device and an access device for the terminal device. . In this case, the tag may initiate packet transmission delay monitoring between the tag and the access device for the tag. For details, see the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. The details are again not described here.

S713: The network element SMF sends message 10 to the network element PCF, and the network element PCF receives message 10 from the network element SMF. Message 10 includes the results of configuring or deploying one or more QoS monitoring policies. For example, the SMF network element successfully configures Quality of Service Monitoring Policy 1 or Quality of Service Monitoring Policy 2; or the QoS parameter of the parameter type is not configured correctly.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 10 in this embodiment of the present invention may be a session management policy modification request 2. In this embodiment of the present invention, this is not specifically limited.

S714: It is possible that the PCF network element sends message 11 to the AF network element, and the AF network element receives message 11 from the PCF network element. Message 11 includes the result of executing one or more QoS monitoring policies. For example, the access device receives the quality of service monitoring policy 1 and/or the UPF network element receives the quality of service monitoring policy 2.

In an example, as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, message 11 in this embodiment of the present invention may be a policy authorization create/update response. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that step S713 in this embodiment of the present invention is performed when step S701 is to be performed. Here is a general description, and the details below are not described again.

S715. It is possible that when an event condition for reporting a monitoring report by an access device is met, the access device generates a monitoring report 1 and sends a monitoring report 1 to the SMF network element through a quality of service report control procedure; and the SMF network element receives the monitoring report 1 from the access device.

Possibly, monitoring report 1 in this embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of an event timestamp, a monitored quality of service parameter identifier, a monitored quality of service parameter value, a terminal identifier, a session identifier, or a flow QoS identifier. . This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S716. Possibly, when the event condition for reporting the monitoring report of the UPF by the network element is satisfied, the UPF network element generates a monitoring report 2 and sends the monitoring report 2 to the SMF network element via the session report procedure N4; and the SMF network element receives a monitoring report 2 from the network element UPF.

Possibly, the monitoring report 2 in this embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of an event timestamp, a monitored quality of service parameter identifier, a monitored quality of service parameter monitored value, a terminal identifier, a session identifier, or a flow QoS identifier. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S717: It is possible that the network element SMF sends a monitoring report to the network element PCF, and the network element PCF receives the monitoring report from the network element SMF.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, the network element SMF can send monitoring report 1 to the PCF network element after receiving the monitoring report 1 reported by the access device, and send the monitoring report 2 to the PCF network element after receiving the monitoring report 2 sent by the network element to the UPF. Alternatively, the SMF network element may send a monitoring report 1 and a monitoring report 2 to the PCF network element after receiving the monitoring report 1 reported by the access device and the monitoring report 2 reported by the UPF by the network element. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S718: It is possible that the network element PCF sends a monitoring report to the AF network element, and the AF network element receives the monitoring report from the network element PCF.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the PCF network element can send a monitoring report 1 to the AF network element after receiving the monitoring report 1 reported by the SMF by the network element, and send a monitoring report 2 to the AF network element after receiving the monitoring report 2 transmitted by the SMF by the network element . Alternatively, the PCF network element may send a monitoring report 1 and a monitoring report 2 to the AF network element after receiving the monitoring report 1 reported by the access device and the monitoring report 2 reported by the UPF by the network element. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that step S717 in this embodiment of the present invention may be performed when step S701 is to be performed. Here is a general description, and the details below are not described again.

According to the QoS monitoring activation method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, the required QoS monitoring policy can be provided to the corresponding device in the QoS monitoring process. Therefore, the device may be activated to initiate a quality of service monitoring procedure, or the device may be activated to send a monitoring report to the Session Control Network Element.

The actions of the network element SMF in steps S701 to S718 may be performed by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG. 4 by calling the application program code stored in the memory 403. This is not limited in this embodiment.

For example, the quality of service monitoring system of FIG. 11 applies to the 5G network shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 12 shows a quality of service monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The quality of service monitoring method includes uplink delay monitoring and downlink delay monitoring, which are performed between a terminal device and an access device.

Uplink delay monitoring includes steps S1201 to S1203.

S1201: The terminal device sends the first packet to the access device, and the access device receives the first packet from the terminal device.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the tag may send one packet to the access device at a time, or may send multiple packets to the access device at a given time. Therefore, the first packet may be a single packet currently being sent, or one of a plurality of packets currently being sent. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Perhaps the first packet in this embodiment of the present invention is used to monitor the delay.

In an exemplary implementation, the first packet contains the first indication information and the first indication information indicates that the first packet is used for delay monitoring. After receiving the first packet, the access device may know, based on the first indication information, that the first packet is being used for delay monitoring.

Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the first packet does not contain the first indication information, but the terminal and the access device negotiate or receive or pre-configure a feature of the packet used for delay monitoring, such as a packet sequence number rule. Then, after receiving the first packet, the access device may determine, based on the first packet's indication, eg, the first packet's sequence number, in combination with a rule that is negotiated in advance, that the first packet is used for delay monitoring.

Of course, the access device can independently select a packet for delay monitoring. Alternatively, the access device determines in another way that the received uplink packet is used for delay monitoring. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S1202: The access device sends information related to the first moment to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives information related to the first moment from the access device.

The first moment is the moment when the access device receives the first packet sent by the terminal device.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, the information relating to the first moment includes information indicating the first moment, for example, the first moment.

Alternatively, perhaps in this embodiment of the present invention, information related to the first moment includes the difference between the first moment and the second moment, where the second moment is the moment at which the terminal sends the first packet to the access device.

For example, when scheduling a tag's uplink burst, the access device indicates the time (which, for example, includes a second time corresponding to the first burst) at which the tag's uplink frame is transmitted. In this case, upon receiving the first packet used for delay monitoring, the access device can obtain the difference between the first moment and the second moment based on the second moment and the moment when the access device receives the first packet sent by the terminal device. (namely, the first moment). The difference may be used as information relating to the first moment and sent to the terminal. Assuming that the first moment is denoted as t1 and the second moment is denoted as t2, the difference between the first and second moments is denoted as (t1 - t2).

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device may send information related to the first moment to the terminal device using radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Alternatively, the access device may send the first moment related information to the terminal by adding the first moment related information to the downlink packet (the first moment related information may be considered as a timestamp). This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S1203: The terminal device determines, based on the information related to the first moment, the uplink delay information for burst transmission between the terminal device and the access device of the first packet.

For example, the information relating to the first moment is assumed to include information indicating the first moment, such as the first moment. In this case, the terminal may determine the difference between the first instant and the second instant as the uplink delay for packet transmission between the terminal and the access device of the first packet, where the second instant is the instant the terminal sends the first packet to the access device.

Alternatively, for example, information relating to the first moment is assumed to include the difference between the first moment and the second moment, where the second moment is the moment when the terminal sends the first packet to the access device. In this case, the terminal may determine the difference between the first instant and the second instant as the uplink delay for the burst transmission between the terminal and the access device of the first burst.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device may further obtain transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the access device and the UPF network element of the first packet, and send the transmission delay information to the terminal device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B or FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B for the manner in which the access device acquires transmission delay information for packet transmission between the access device and the UPF network element for the terminal device. The details are again not described here.

In an exemplary implementation, downlink delay monitoring includes steps S1204a through S1206a.

S1204a: The access device sends a second packet to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the second packet from the access device. The second packet contains information related to the first moment, and the first moment is the moment when the access device sends the second packet to the terminal device.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device may send one packet to the terminal device at a given moment, or may send multiple packets to the terminal device at a given moment. Therefore, the second packet may be a single packet currently being sent, or the second packet may be one of a plurality of packets currently being sent. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Perhaps the second packet in this embodiment of the present invention is used to monitor the delay.

In an exemplary implementation, the second packet contains second indication information and the second indication information indicates that the second packet is used for delay monitoring. After receiving the second packet, the terminal may learn, based on the second information, an indication that the second packet is being used for delay monitoring.

Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the second packet does not contain the second indication information, but the terminal and the access device negotiate or receive or pre-configure a feature of the packet used for delay monitoring, such as a packet sequence number rule. Then, after receiving the second packet, the terminal may determine, based on the second packet's indicia, eg, the sequence number of the second packet, in conjunction with a rule that has been negotiated in advance, that the second packet is used for delay monitoring.

Of course, the terminal may determine in another way that the received downlink packet is used for delay monitoring. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, the information relating to the first moment includes information indicating the first moment, for example, the first moment.

S1205a: The terminal device determines, based on the information related to the first moment, the downlink delay information for burst transmission between the terminal device and the access device of the second packet.

For example, the information relating to the first moment is assumed to include information indicating the first moment, such as the first moment. In this case, the terminal may determine the difference between the first instant and the second instant as the downlink delay for packet transmission between the terminal and access device of the second packet, where the second instant is the instant at which the terminal receives the second packet.

S1206a: It is possible that the terminal device sends information related to the second moment to the access device, and the access device receives information related to the second moment from the terminal device.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the information relating to the second moment includes information indicating the second moment, for example, the second moment, where the second moment is the moment at which the terminal device receives the second packet.

Alternatively, perhaps in this embodiment of the present invention, the information related to the second moment includes the difference between the first moment and the second moment, where the second moment is the moment at which the terminal receives the second packet.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device may send information related to the second moment to the access device using RRC signaling. Alternatively, the terminal may send the second moment information to the access device by adding the second moment information to the uplink packet (the first moment information may be considered as a timestamp). This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Alternatively, in another possible implementation, downlink delay monitoring includes steps S1204b through S1207b.

S1204b: The access device sends a second packet to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the second packet from the access device.

Related descriptions of step S1204b are similar to those of step S1204a, and the difference is, for example, that the second packet in step S1204b does not contain information related to the first moment. For other related descriptions, refer to step S1204a. The details are again not described here.

S1205b: The terminal device sends information related to the second moment to the access device, and the access device receives information related to the second moment from the terminal device.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the information relating to the second moment includes information indicating the second moment, for example, the second moment, where the second moment is the moment at which the terminal device receives the second packet.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the terminal may send information related to the second moment to the access device using RRC signaling. Alternatively, the terminal may send the second moment information to the access device by adding the second moment information to the uplink packet (the first moment information may be thought of as a timestamp). This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S1206b: The access device sends information related to the first moment to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives information related to the first moment from the access device.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, the information relating to the first moment includes the difference between the first moment and the second moment. The second moment is the moment when the terminal device receives the second packet, and the first moment is the moment when the access device sends the second packet to the terminal device.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device may send information related to the first moment to the terminal device using RRC signaling. Alternatively, the access device may send the first moment related information to the terminal by adding the first moment related information to the downlink packet (the first moment related information may be considered as a timestamp). This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S1207b: The tag determines, based on the information related to the first moment, the downlink delay information for the packet transmission between the tag and the access device of the second packet.

For example, information related to the first time is assumed to include the difference between the first time and the second time, where the second time is the time at which the terminal device receives the second packet and the first time is the time when the access device sends the second packet to terminal device. In this case, the terminal may determine the difference between the first instant and the second instant as the downlink delay for the burst transmission between the terminal and the access device of the second burst.

Alternatively, in another possible implementation, downlink delay monitoring includes steps S1204c through S1206c.

S1204c: This step is the same as step S1204b. For related descriptions, see step S1204b. The details are again not described here.

S1205c: The access device sends information related to the first moment to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives information related to the first moment from the access device.

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, the information relating to the first moment includes information indicating the first moment, for example, the first moment.

Possibly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the access device may send information related to the first moment to the terminal device using RRC signaling. Alternatively, the access device may send the first moment related information to the terminal by adding the first moment related information to the downlink packet (the first moment related information may be considered as a timestamp). This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S1206c: The terminal device determines, based on the information related to the first moment, the downlink delay information for burst transmission between the terminal device and the access device of the second packet.

For example, the information relating to the first moment is assumed to include information indicating the first moment, such as the first moment. In this case, the terminal may determine the difference between the first instant and the second instant as the downlink delay for packet transmission between the terminal and access device of the second packet, where the second instant is the instant at which the terminal receives the second packet.

According to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device can determine transmission delay information for a packet transmission between a terminal device and an access device.

The terminal or access device actions of steps S1201-S1206a, S1201-S1207b, or S1201-S1206c may be performed by processor 401 in communication device 400 shown in FIG. 4 by calling the application program code stored in the memory 403. This is not limited in this embodiment.

Optionally, uplink delay monitoring may be combined with downlink delay monitoring in the QoS monitoring method shown in FIG. 12. For example, FIG. 13 shows another quality of service monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The quality of service monitoring method includes steps S1301 to S1303.

S1301: This step is the same as step S1201 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12. Refer to S1201 for related descriptions. The details are again not described here.

S1302: The access device sends a second packet to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the second packet from the access device. The second packet contains information indicating the moment at which the access device sends the second packet to the terminal device, and contains information indicating the moment at which the access device receives the first packet.

Perhaps the second packet in this embodiment of the present invention is used to monitor the delay.

In an exemplary implementation, the second packet contains second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the second packet is used for delay monitoring. After receiving the second packet, the terminal may learn, based on the second information, an indication that the second packet is being used for delay monitoring.

Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the second packet does not contain the second indication information, but the terminal and the access device negotiate or receive or pre-configure a feature of the packet used for delay monitoring, such as a packet sequence number rule. Then, after receiving the second packet, the terminal may determine, based on the second packet's indicia, eg, the sequence number of the second packet, in conjunction with a rule that has been negotiated in advance, that the second packet is used for delay monitoring.

Of course, the terminal may determine in another way that the received downlink packet is used for delay monitoring. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Possibly, instead of the second packet, RRC signaling is used to convey information indicating the point at which the access device sends the second packet to the terminal device and information indicating the point at which the access device receives the first packet. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

S1303: The terminal device determines, based on information indicating the point at which the access device sends the second packet to the terminal device and information indicating the point at which the access device receives the first packet, downlink delay information for packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device of the second packet and uplink delay information for the packet transmission between the terminal and the access device of the first packet.

For example, the terminal may determine, based on the time at which the first packet is sent and information indicating the time at which the access device receives the first packet, uplink delay information for packet transmission between the terminal and the access device of the first packet.

Alternatively, for example, the tag may determine, based on the timing of receiving the second packet and information indicating the timing when the access device sends the second packet to the tag, downlink delay information for the packet transmission between the tag and the access device of the second packet. .

Perhaps, in this embodiment of the present invention, after determining the downlink delay information and the uplink delay information for packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device, the terminal device can further inform the access device of the downlink delay information and the delay information uplink. Optionally, the access device may report downlink delay information and uplink delay information to the control plane network element. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

According to the quality of service monitoring method provided in this embodiment of the present invention, a tag can determine transmission delay information for a packet transmission between a tag and an access device for the tag.

The actions of the terminal or access device in steps S1301 to S1303 may be performed by the processor 401 in the communication device 400 shown in FIG. 4 by calling the application program code stored in the memory 403. This is not limited in this embodiment.

Additionally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B or FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the method by which the access device obtains transmission delay information for packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device can also be referred to the method provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13, in which the access device determines uplink delay information or downlink delay information for packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device. Here is a general description, and the details below are not described again.

Possibly, an embodiment of the present invention may further provide a method for monitoring quality of service, including: obtaining, by an access device, first transmission delay information for a packet transmission between an access device and a terminal for the terminal; obtaining by the access device information about the second transmission delay for packet transmission between the access device and the user plane network element for the terminal device; and sending, by the access device, the first transmission delay information and the second transmission delay information to the control plane network element. Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 for a corresponding implementation of obtaining, by the access device, information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the access device and the terminal device for the terminal device. Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B or FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B for a corresponding implementation of obtaining by the access device information about the second transmission delay for packet transmission between the access device and the user plane network element for the terminal device. The details are again not described here. Based on this decision, in the process of monitoring the transmission delay as an intermediate device, the access device can directly obtain information about the transmission delays between the access device and devices on the two sides of the access device of the access device, and then report the delays. This avoids the case where a device on each of the two sides may report a segment transfer delay or end-to-end delay only after receiving the delay of a segment in which the device is not located, thereby simplifying the delay monitoring mechanism.

The foregoing mainly describes the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention in terms of interaction between network elements. It can be understood that in order to implement the above functions, the aforementioned first device, third device, session control network element or terminal device includes appropriate hardware structures and/or software modules to perform the functions. One of ordinary skill in the art will be readily aware that the blocks and steps of the algorithm in the examples described with reference to the embodiments disclosed in this specification may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software in the present invention. The performance of a function by hardware or hardware controlled by computer software depends on the particular application and design constraints of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be understood that the implementation is outside the scope of the present invention.

In embodiments of the present invention, a first device, a third device, a session control network element, or a terminal device may be divided into functional modules based on the method examples above. For example, each functional unit may be obtained by separation based on a corresponding function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing unit. An integrated module may be implemented in hardware or may be implemented in a software function module. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present invention, the division into modules is used as an example and is simply a division of logical functions. In a real implementation, a different partitioning method may be used.

For example, if the functional modules are obtained by separation in an integrated way, FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of the first device 80. The first device 80 includes a processing module 801 and a transceiver module 802. The processing unit 801 is configured to obtain information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device 80 and the second device for the terminal device. The transceiver module 802 is configured to: send information about the first transmission delay to the third device, and send information related to the first moment to the third device at the first moment. The first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment are used to determine the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device.

Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is further configured to: receive a first message from a third device at a second time when the first message requests monitoring of a second transmission delay. Information related to the first moment includes the first moment and the second moment or the difference between the first and second moments.

Alternatively, optionally, the transceiver module 802 is further configured to receive a first message from a third device at a second instant, wherein the first message requests monitoring of a third transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device 80 and the third device for a terminal device. Information related to the first moment includes the first moment and the third moment or the difference between the first and third moments.

Perhaps the transceiver module 802 is configured to send the first transmission delay information to the third device. The transceiver module 802 is configured to send information related to the first moment to the third device at the first moment, includes: sending a third message to the third device at the first moment, where the third message includes information about the first transmission delay and information related to first moment.

Alternatively, perhaps the transceiver module 802 is configured to send the first transmission delay information to the third device. That the transceiver module 802 is configured to send, at a first moment, information related to the first moment to the third device includes: sending a fourth message to the third device, where the fourth message includes first transmission delay information; and sending the fifth message to the third device at the first moment, where the fifth message includes information related to the first moment.

Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is further configured to receive the quality of service parameter to be monitored from the network session control element, where the quality of service parameter to be monitored includes a first transmission delay. That the processing unit 801 is configured to obtain the first transmission delay information for the packet transmission between the first device 80 and the second device for the terminal device includes: obtaining the first transmission delay information based on the quality of service parameter to be monitored.

Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is further configured to receive third indication information from the network session control element, where the third indication information instructs the first device 80 to send, after detecting the first transmission delay information, the first transmission delay information to the third device.

Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is further configured to receive, from the network session control element, an event for reporting a monitoring report, where the event includes: first transmission delay information exceeds a predetermined threshold; the end device goes into standby mode or the session is terminated; or periodic reporting is performed.

Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is further configured to receive from the network session control element the length of the monitoring packet used for quality of service monitoring.

All related contents of the steps in the above method embodiments can be cited in the function descriptions of the respective functional modules. The details are again not described here.

In this embodiment, the first device 80 is in the form of functional modules obtained by separation in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may be a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more programs or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art can understand that the first device 80 may be in the form shown in FIG. four.

For example, processor 401 in FIG. 4 can call the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory 403 so that the first device 80 executes the quality of service monitoring methods in the above method embodiments.

In particular, the functions/processes of implementing the transceiver module 802 and the processing module 801 in FIG. 8 may be implemented by processor 401 in FIG. 4 by calling a computer-executable instruction stored in memory 403. Alternatively, the function/process of implementing processing module 801 in FIG. 8 may be implemented by processor 401 in FIG. 4 by invoking a computer-executable instruction stored in memory 403 and an implementation function/process of transceiver module 802 in FIG. 8 may be implemented via communication interface 404 in FIG. four.

The first device 80 provided in this embodiment can perform the above-mentioned quality of service monitoring methods. Therefore, for the technical effect that can be obtained with the first apparatus 80, refer to the above method embodiments. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a device (eg, the device may be a chip system). The device includes a processor configured to support the first device in performing quality of service monitoring methods, such as obtaining first transmission delay information for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device for a terminal device. In a possible implementation, the device further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions and data needed for the first device. Of course, as an alternative, the memory may not be in the device. When the device is a system of chips, the device may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Alternatively, for example, if the functional modules are obtained by separation in an integrated way, FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of the third device 90. The third device 90 includes a transceiver module 902 and a processing module 901. The transceiver module 902 is configured to receive, from the first device, first transmission delay information for transmitting a packet between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. The transceiver module 902 is further configured to receive information related to the first moment from the first device. The processing unit 901 is configured to determine, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device 90 for the terminal device.

Optionally, the transceiver module 902 is further configured to send a first message to the first device, the first message requesting information about the second transmission delay. Information related to the first moment includes the first moment and the second moment or the difference between the first moment and the second moment, where the second moment is the moment at which the first device receives the first message.

Optionally, the transceiver module 902 is further configured to send a second message to the first device, where the second message requests information about a third transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the third device 90 for the terminal device. Information related to the first moment includes the first moment and the third moment or the difference between the first and third moments, where the third moment is the moment when the first device receives the second message.

Possibly, the transceiver module 902 is configured to receive from the first device information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. That the transceiver module 902 is further configured to receive information related to the first moment from the first device includes: receiving a third message from the first device, where the third message includes information about the first transmission delay and information related to the first moment.

Possibly, the transceiver module 902 is configured to receive from the first device information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device. That the transceiver module 902 is further configured to receive information related to the first moment from the first device includes: receiving a fourth message from the first device, where the fourth message includes information about the first transmission delay; and receiving a fifth message from the first device, where the fifth message includes information related to the first moment.

All related contents of the steps in the above method embodiments can be cited in the function descriptions of the respective functional modules. The details are again not described here.

In this embodiment, the third device 90 is in the form of functional modules obtained by separation in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may be a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more programs or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art can understand that the third device 90 may be in the form shown in FIG. four.

For example, processor 401 in FIG. 4 can call the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory 403 so that the third device 90 executes the quality of service monitoring methods in the above method embodiments.

In particular, the functions/processes for implementing the transceiver module 902 and the processing module 901 in FIG. 9 may be implemented by processor 401 in FIG. 4 by calling a computer-executable instruction stored in memory 403. Alternatively, the function/process for implementing processing module 901 in FIG. 9 may be implemented by processor 401 in FIG. 4 by invoking a computer-executable instruction stored in memory 403 and an implementation function/process of transceiver module 902 in FIG. 9 may be implemented using the communication interface 404 of FIG. four.

The third device 90 provided in this embodiment can perform the above-mentioned quality of service monitoring methods. Therefore, for the technical effect that can be obtained with the third apparatus 90, refer to the above method embodiments. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a device (eg, the device may be a chip system). The device includes a processor configured to support the third device in performing quality of service monitoring methods, for example, determining, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for transmitting a packet between the second device and the third device for the terminal device. In a possible implementation, the device further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions and data necessary for the third device. Of course, as an alternative, the memory may not be in the device. When the device is a system of chips, the device may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

Alternatively, for example, if the functional modules are obtained by separation in an integrated way, FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the session management network element 100 . The session management network element 100 includes a processing module 1001 and a transceiver module 1002. The transceiver module 1002 is configured to receive one or more quality of service monitoring policies from the network policy control element. The processing unit 1001 is configured to determine a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies. The transceiver module 1002 is further configured to send the first quality of service monitoring policy to the first device.

Possibly, the first quality of service monitoring policy includes at least one of the first quality of service parameter to be monitored corresponding to the first device, or an event in which the first device reports a monitoring report to the session control network element 100 .

The event may include: a quality of service parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold; the end device goes into standby mode or the session ends; or periodic reporting is performed.

Possibly, the first quality of service parameter to be monitored includes at least one of GFBR, MFBR, data packet size within the packet delay budget at the access point, FER, segment transmission delay, or packet loss information.

Possibly, when the first quality of service parameter to be monitored includes a segment transmission delay, the segment transmission delay is the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further configured to send the third indication information to the first device, where the third indication information instructs the first device to send, after detecting the first transmission delay information, the first transmission delay information to the third device.

Perhaps the first QoS monitoring policy further includes the length of the monitoring packet used to monitor the quality of service.

Perhaps the quality of service monitoring policy includes information about the first device. The processing unit 1001 is configured to determine a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies, includes: determining, based on information about the first device, a first quality of service monitoring policy from one or more quality of service monitoring policies .

Possibly, the first quality of service monitoring policy includes a first quality of service parameter to be monitored corresponding to the first device. The processing unit 1001 is configured to determine a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from one or more quality of service monitoring policies, which includes: determining, based on the parameter type, the first quality of service parameter to be monitored, the first quality of service parameter corresponding to the first device.

All related contents of the steps in the above method embodiments can be cited in the function descriptions of the respective functional modules. The details are again not described here.

In this embodiment, the session control network element 100 is presented in the form of functional modules obtained by separation in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may be a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more programs or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art can appreciate that the session control network element 100 may have the structure shown in FIG. four.

For example, processor 401 in FIG. 4 may call the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory 403 so that the session control network element 100 executes the QoS monitoring activation method in the above method embodiment.

In particular, the functions/processes for implementing the transceiver module 1002 and the processing module 1001 in FIG. 10 may be implemented by processor 401 in FIG. 4 by calling a computer-executable instruction stored in memory 403. Alternatively, a function/process for implementing processing module 1001 in FIG. 10 may be implemented by processor 401 in FIG. 4 by calling a computer-executable instruction stored in memory 403 and a function/implementation process of transceiver module 1002 in FIG. 10 may be implemented by the communication interface 404 of FIG. four.

The session control network element 100 provided in this embodiment can perform the above method for activating quality of service monitoring. Therefore, for the technical effect that can be obtained by the session management network element 100, refer to the above embodiment of the method. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a device (eg, the device may be a chip system). The device includes a processor configured to support a network session control element when performing a method for activating quality of service monitoring, for example, determining a first quality of service monitoring policy corresponding to the first device from the quality of service monitoring policies. In a possible implementation, the device further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions and data needed for the network session control element. Of course, as an alternative, the memory may not be in the device. When the device is a system of chips, the device may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

For example, if the functional modules are obtained by separation in an integrated way, FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of terminal device 140. Terminal device 140 includes a processing module 1401 and a transceiver module 1402. The transceiver module 1402 is configured to receive information related to the first moment from the access device, where the first moment is the moment when the access device receives the first packet sent by the terminal device, or the moment at which the access device sends the second packet to the terminal device. The processing unit 1401 is configured to determine, based on the information related to the first moment, transmission delay information for packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device.

Possibly, when the first moment is when the access device receives the first packet sent by the terminal device, the processing unit 1401 is specifically configured to determine, based on the information related to the first moment, the uplink delay information corresponding to the first packet when the first packet transmitted between the terminal device and the access device.

Alternatively, it is possible that when the first moment is the moment when the access device sends the second packet to the terminal device, the processing module 1401 is specifically configured to determine, based on the information related to the first moment, downlink delay information corresponding to the second packet. when the second packet is transmitted between the end device and the access device.

Perhaps the information related to the first moment includes the difference between the first moment and the third moment, where the third moment is the moment when the terminal device receives the second packet sent by the access device. The transceiver module 1402 is further configured to receive a second packet from the access device. The transceiver module is further configured to send to the access device information indicating a third time, where the third time is the time at which the terminal device receives the second packet sent by the access device.

Perhaps the information related to the first moment includes information used to indicate the first moment. That the transceiver module 1402 is configured to receive information related to the first moment from the access device includes: receiving a second packet from the access device, where the second packet conveys information used to indicate the first moment.

Optionally, the transceiver module 1402 is further configured to send downlink delay information to the access device.

It is possible that the transceiver module 1402 is configured to receive information related to the first moment from the access device, which includes: receiving a third packet from the access device, where the third packet transmits information related to the first moment; or receiving the RRC signaling from the access device, where the RRC signaling transmits information about the formation of the first moment.

All related contents of the steps in the above method embodiments can be cited in the function descriptions of the respective functional modules. The details are again not described here.

In this embodiment, terminal device 140 is represented as functional modules obtained by separation in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may be a specific ASIC, circuit, processor and memory that executes one or more programs or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that can provide the above functions. In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art can understand that terminal 140 may have the structure shown in FIG. four.

For example, processor 401 in FIG. 4 can call the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory 403 so that the terminal device 140 executes the quality of service monitoring methods in the above method embodiments.

In particular, the functions/processes for implementing the transceiver module 1402 and the processing module 1401 in FIG. 14 may be implemented by processor 401 in FIG. 4 by calling a computer-executable instruction stored in memory 403. Alternatively, a function/process for implementing processing module 1401 in FIG. 14 may be implemented by processor 401 in FIG. 4 by calling a computer-executable instruction stored in memory 403 and a function/implementation process of transceiver module 1402 in FIG. 14 may be implemented using the communication interface 404 of FIG. four.

Terminal device 140 provided in this embodiment can perform the above-mentioned quality of service monitoring methods. Therefore, for the technical effect that can be obtained by the terminal device 140, refer to the above method embodiments. The details are again not described here.

Possibly, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a device (eg, the device may be a chip system). The device includes a processor configured to support the terminal device in performing quality of service monitoring methods, for example, determining, based on information related to the first moment, transmission delay information for packet transmission between the terminal device and the access device for the terminal device. In a possible implementation, the device further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal device. Of course, as an alternative, the memory may not be in the device. When the device is a system of chips, the device may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete device. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

All or some of the above embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the embodiments, all or some of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When computer program instructions are downloaded and executed on a computer, procedures or functions are generated in whole or in part according to embodiments of the present invention. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a specialized computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium or may be transferred from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center over a wired connection (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line). line, DSL)) or wireless communication (for example, infrared, radio or microwave bands). A computer-readable storage medium can be any usable medium accessible to a computer, or a storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more usable media. The medium used may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)) or the like.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, in the course of carrying out the present invention, a person skilled in the art can understand and implement another variation of the disclosed embodiments by viewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosed content, and the appended claims. In the claims, "comprising" does not exclude another component or another step, and "a" or "one" does not exclude the meaning of a plurality. One processor or other block can perform several functions listed in the claims. Some measures are written in dependent claims that differ from each other, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to obtain a better effect.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and their embodiments, it is clear that various modifications and combinations can be made to them without going beyond the essence and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the description and accompanying drawings are merely an exemplary description of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, and are intended to cover any or all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present invention. Certainly, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present invention without going beyond the essence and scope of the present invention. The present invention is intended to cover these modifications and variations of the present invention, provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalent technologies.

Claims (31)

1. A method for monitoring the quality of service, comprising: receiving by the first device the first message from the third device at the second moment; obtaining by the first device information about the first transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device; and sending by the first device of the second message to the third device at the first moment, in which the second message contains information about the first transmission delay and information related to the first moment, at which the information related to the first moment contains the first moment and the second moment, and at which information about the first transmission delay and the information related to the first moment are used to determine the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device; wherein the first device is an access device, the second device is a terminal device, and the third device is a user plane network element. 2. The quality of service monitoring method according to claim 1, wherein the first moment related information is used to determine third transmission delay information for packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device. 3. The quality of service monitoring method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first message requests monitoring of a second transmission delay or requests monitoring of a third transmission delay. 4. The quality of service monitoring method of claim 3, wherein when the first message requests monitoring of a second transmission delay, the first message further comprises a quality of service (QoS) flow identifier (QFI) indicating that the monitoring granularity corresponding to the second transmission delay is flow granularity. 5. The method of monitoring the quality of service according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, additionally containing: receiving by the first device the quality of service parameter to be monitored from the network session control element, in which the quality of service parameter to be monitored contains the first transmission delay; and obtaining by the first device information about the first transmission delay for a packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device comprises: obtaining by the first device information about the first transmission delay based on the quality of service parameter to be monitored. 6. The method of monitoring the quality of service according to any one of paragraphs. 1-5, additionally containing: receiving by the first device from the network session control element an event for a monitoring report message, in which the event contains the following: information about the first transmission delay exceeds a predetermined threshold; the terminal goes to sleep or the session is released; or periodic reporting is performed. 7. A method for monitoring the quality of service, comprising: sending the third device to the first device of the first message; reception by the third device from the first device of the second message, the second message contains information about the first transmission delay for packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device and contains information related to the first moment at which the first device sends the second message, in which information, related to the first moment, contains the first moment and the second moment, in which the second moment is the moment when the first device receives the first message; and determining by the third device, based on the first transmission delay information and the information related to the first moment, the second transmission delay information for packet transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device; wherein the first device is an access device, the second device is a terminal device, and the third device is a user plane network element. 8. The method for monitoring the quality of service according to claim 7, further comprising: determining by the third device, based on the information about the information related to the first moment, the information about the third transmission delay for the packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device. 9. The quality of service monitoring method of claim 7 or 8, wherein the first message requests monitoring of a second transmission delay or requests monitoring of a third transmission delay. 10. The quality of service monitoring method of claim 9, wherein when the first message requests monitoring of a second transmission delay, the first message further comprises a quality of service (QoS) flow identifier (QFI) indicating that the monitoring granularity corresponding to the second transmission delay is flow granularity. 11. The method of monitoring the quality of service according to any one of paragraphs. 8-10, in which the information about the third transmission delay for packet transmission between the first device and the third device for the terminal device is one-way delay 1, the information about the first transmission delay for packet transmission between the first device and the second device for the terminal device is one-way delay 2, and second transmission delay information for burst transmission between the second device and the third device for the terminal device is one-way delay 3, the recorded time when the third device sends the first message is T1, and the time when the third device receives the second message is T6, the second moment is T2, first moment is T5: one-way delay 1 = [(T6 - T1) - (T5 - T2)] / 2; and one-way delay 3 = one-way delay 2 + one-way delay 1. 12. A communication network access device, comprising means configured to perform the method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6. 13. Network element of the user plane, containing a means configured to perform the method according to any one of paragraphs. 7-11. 14. A quality of service monitoring system, wherein the quality of service monitoring system comprises the communication network access device of claim 12 and the user plane network element of claim 13. 15. A computer-readable storage medium containing an instruction in which, when the instruction is executed on a computer, the computer is configured to perform the method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6. 16. A computer-readable storage medium containing an instruction, in which, when the instruction is executed on a computer, the computer is configured to perform the method according to any one of paragraphs. 7-11.

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