RU2785682C1 - Method and device for control of downlink data disorder and machine-readable data carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: wireless communication.

SUBSTANCE: method performed by a network element of a control plane includes: determination of the need for switching a data transmission route, transmission of indication information to a network element of route aggregation, where indication information indicates the network element of route aggregation for transmission, after completion of transmission, of downlink data of the first data transmission route (data transmission route before switching), downlink data of the second data transmission route (data transmission route after switching).

EFFECT: improvement of interaction with a user due to provision of control of downlink data disorder in a procedure of binding changing or a procedure of activation of user plane connection.

34 cl, 27 dwg

Description

The technical field to which the invention belongs

The present invention relates to the field of mobile communication technologies and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for controlling downlink data out of order.

State of the art

At present, in some application scenarios, due to reasons such as the movement of a terminal device, the communication path between the terminal device and the data network is switched. Therefore, a common node (also called a route aggregation network element) on two data paths before and after a route switch can simultaneously receive downlink data on two data paths within a specific time period. Further, the route aggregation network element cannot distinguish between the downlink data transmission sequence on the two data transmission routes, resulting in out-of-order downlink data packets.

Disclosure of the essence of the invention

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling downlink data out-of-order for solving the downlink data packet out-of-order problem.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling downlink data out of order. The method includes: a control plane network element determines to perform a data path switch. The control plane network element sends indication information to the route aggregation network element. The indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path is completed, the downlink data of the second data path. The first data path is the data path before the switch, and the second data path is the data path after the switch. Based on this decision, the control plane network element can direct the route aggregation network element to transmit, after the downlink data transmission of the first data transmission route is completed, the downlink data of the second data transmission route, thus solving the downlink data burst out of order technical problem, thereby improving the user experience.

In an exemplary implementation, the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, prior to receiving the end marker of the first data path, the downlink data packet of the second data path. The end marker indicates the completion of the downlink data transmission of the first data transmission route.

In an exemplary implementation, the control plane network element determines to switch the data path, which includes: the control plane network element determines, in the binding session change procedure, to switch from the first binding session to the second session binding. The first session binding is located on the first data path and the second session binding is located on the second data path.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the network access device, and the second data path is through the data network, the second session anchor, and the network access device, the path aggregation network element is the network access device. . Alternatively, in which the first data path passes through the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path passes through the data network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, the path aggregation network element is a plane network element. user. Alternatively, in which the first data path traverses the data network, the first session anchor, and the second session anchor, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session anchor, the path aggregation network element is the second session anchor.

In another possible implementation, the control network element determines to perform a data path switch, which includes: the control network element determines, in a user plane connection activation procedure, to switch from a first user plane network element to a second user plane network element. In which the first communication path passes through the data communication network, the session anchor and the first user plane network element, the second communication route passes through the data communication network, the session anchor and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling downlink data out of order. The method includes: a route aggregation network element receives indication information from a control plane network element. The route aggregation network element transmits, based on the indication information, the downlink data of the second data path after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path is completed. The first data path is the data path before the switch, and the second data path is the data path after the switch. Based on this decision, the control plane network element may direct the route aggregation network element to transmit, after the downlink data transmission of the first data transmission route is completed, the downlink data of the second data transmission route, thus solving the downlink data burst out of order technical problem. , thereby improving the user experience.

In an exemplary implementation, the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, prior to receiving the end marker of the first data path, the downlink data packet of the second data path. The end marker indicates that the downlink data transmission of the first data path is completed.

In an exemplary implementation, in a procedure for changing an anchor session, in which the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the network access device, and the second data path is through the data network, the second session anchor, and the network access device, the network aggregation element route is a network access device. Alternatively, in the binding session change procedure in which the first data path passes through the data communications network, the first session binding, and the user plane network element, and the second data path passes through the data communications network, the second session binding, and the user plane network element, the network the route aggregation element is a user plane network element. Alternatively, in the binding session change procedure in which the first data path passes through the data network, the first session binding and the second session binding, and the second data path passes through the data network and the second session binding, the route aggregation network element is the second binding. session.

In another possible implementation, in a user plane connection activation procedure in which the first data path passes through the data communications network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path passes through the data communications network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element , and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling downlink data out of order. The method includes: the control plane network element establishes a first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the access network device in a network access device switching procedure. The control plane network element establishes a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the access network device in the binding session change procedure. The first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received from the first data transmission path, and the second user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received from second data path. The first data path is the path before the binding session change in the binding session change procedure, and the second data path is the route after the binding session is changed. Based on this decision, the control plane network element establishes two user plane connections between the route aggregation network element and the access network device, so that the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path can be transmitted separately via different user plane connections. . Thus, the network access device can distinguish between the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path. In addition, the network access device may complete the downlink data transmission of the first data path and then transmit the downlink data of the second data path to solve the technical problem of out of order.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path traverses the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path traverses the data network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, the route aggregation network element is a network element. user plane element. Alternatively, in which the first data path passes through the data network, the first session binding and the second session binding, the second data path passes through the data network and the second session binding, the route aggregation network element is the second session binding.

In an exemplary implementation, the control plane network element establishes a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device, which includes: the control plane network element transmits the first indication information to the network access device. The first indication information instructs the network access device to allocate the tunnel information of the second user plane connection. The control plane network element receives the tunnel information of the second user plane connection from the network access device. The control plane network element passes the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the route aggregation network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the control plane network element further passes the second indication information to the route aggregation network element. The second indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, via the second user plane connection tunnel, the downlink data of the second data transmission route to the network access device.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling downlink data out of order. The method includes: the control plane network element determines, in a user plane connection activation procedure, to switch from the first user plane network element to the second user plane network element. The control plane network element establishes a first user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the network access device, and establishes a second user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the network access device. The first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received from the first data transmission path, and the second user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received from second data path. The first data path is the path before the handover of the user plane NE and the second data path is the path after the handover of the user plane NE. Based on this decision, the control plane network element establishes two user plane connections between the route aggregation network element and the access network device, so that the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path can be separately transmitted through different user plane connections. . Thus, the network access device can distinguish between the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path. In addition, the network access device can complete the transmission of the downlink data of the first data transmission path and then transmit the downlink data of the second data transmission path, thereby solving the technical problem of out of order.

In an exemplary implementation, the first data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and a second user plane network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the control plane network element establishes a second user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the network access device, which includes: the control plane network element transmits the first indication information to the network access device. The first indication information instructs the network access device to allocate the tunnel information of the second user plane connection. The control plane network element receives the tunnel information of the second user plane connection from the network access device. The control plane network element transmits the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the second user plane network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the control plane network element further transmits the second indication information to the second user plane network element. The second indication information instructs the second user plane network element to transmit, via the second user plane connection, the downlink data of the second data transmission path to the network access device.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling downlink data out of order. The method includes: the route aggregation network element receives the downlink data of the first data transmission path and the downlink data of the second data transmission route. The route aggregation network element transmits the downlink data of the first data transmission route to the network access device via the first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device. The route aggregation network element transmits the downlink data of the second data path to the network access device via the second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device. Based on this decision, two user plane connections are established between the route aggregation network element and the access network device, so that the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path can be sent separately via different user plane connections. Thus, the network access device can distinguish between the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path. In addition, the network access device may complete the downlink data transmission of the first data path and then transmit the downlink data of the second data path to solve the technical problem of out of order.

In an exemplary implementation, prior to receiving the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path, the path aggregation network element further receives indication information from the control plane network element. The indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, via the second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device, the downlink data of the second data transmission route to the network access device.

In an exemplary implementation, the route aggregation network element receives second network access device user plane connection tunnel information sent by the control plane network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the first data path is the path before the session binding change in the session binding change procedure, and the second data path is the route after the session binding change.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path is through the data network and the user plane network element, the path aggregation network element is a user plane network element. . Alternatively, in which the first data path traverses the data network, the first session binding, and the second session binding, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session binding, the route aggregation network element is the second session binding.

In another possible implementation, the first data path is the path before the user plane path switch in the user plane connection activation procedure and the second data path is the path after the user plane path switch in the user plane connection activation procedure.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first network element. the user plane element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element.

According to a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method for controlling downlink data out of order. The method includes: the network access device receives the downlink data of the first data transmission path sent by the route aggregation network element through the first user plane connection between the network element of the route aggregation and the network access device, and receives the downlink data of the second data transmission route sent by the route aggregation network element through the second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the access network device. The first data path is the data path before the path switch, and the second data path is the data path after the path switch. The network access device transmits the downlink data of the second data path after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path is completed. Based on this decision, two user plane connections are established between the route aggregation network element and the access network device to separately transmit downlink data of the first data path and downlink data of the second data path through different user plane connections. Thus, the access device can distinguish between the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path. Further, the network access device may complete the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path and then send the downlink data of the second data path to solve the technical problem of out of order.

In an exemplary implementation, the network access device receives the indication information sent by the control plane network element. The indication information instructs the network access device to allocate the tunnel information of the second user plane connection. The network access device extracts the tunnel information of the second user plane connection and transmits the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the control plane network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the first data path is the path before the session binding change in the session binding change procedure, and the second data path is the route after the session binding change.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path is through the data network and the user plane network element, the path aggregation network element is a user plane network element. . Alternatively, in which the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor and the second session anchor, the second data path is through the data network and the second session anchor, the path aggregation network element is the second session anchor.

In another possible implementation, the first data path is the path before the user plane path switch in the user plane connection activation procedure, and the second data path is the path after the user plane path switch in the user plane connection activation procedure.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first network element. the user plane element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element.

According to a seventh aspect, the present invention provides a device. The device may be a control plane network element, a route aggregation network element, an access network device, or a chip. The apparatus has the function of implementing any of the first aspect or embodiments of the first aspect or any of the second aspect or embodiments of the second aspect or any of the third aspect or embodiments of the third aspect or any of the fourth aspect or embodiments of the fourth aspect or any of the fifth aspect or embodiments of the fifth aspect or any of the sixth aspect or embodiments of the sixth 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 a function.

According to an eighth aspect, a device is provided. The device includes a processor and memory. The memory is configured to store computer instructions. When the device is operating, the processor executes computer instructions stored in memory such that the device performs a method according to any one of the first aspect or embodiments of the first aspect, performs the method according to any one of the second aspect or embodiments of the second aspect, performs the method according to any of the third aspect or embodiments of the third aspect, performs the method of any of the fourth aspect or embodiments of the fourth aspect, performs the method of any of the fifth aspect or embodiments of the fifth aspect, or performs the method of any of the sixth aspect or embodiments of the sixth aspect.

According to a ninth aspect, the present invention further provides a computer-readable medium. A computer-readable medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on the computer, the computer is configured to perform the method of any one of the first aspect or embodiments of the first aspect, perform the method of any one of the second aspect or embodiments of the second aspect, perform the method of any one of the third aspect or embodiments of the third aspect, perform the method of any of the fourth aspect or embodiments of the fourth aspect, perform the method of any of the fifth aspect or embodiments of the fifth aspect, or perform the method of any of the sixth aspect or embodiments of the sixth aspect.

According to a tenth aspect, the present invention further provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product is running on the computer, the computer is configured to perform the method of any one of the first aspect or embodiments of the first aspect, perform the method of any one of the second aspect or embodiments of the second aspect, perform the method of any one of the third aspect or embodiments of the third aspect, perform the method of any of the fourth aspect or embodiments of the fourth aspect, perform the method of any of the fifth aspect or embodiments of the fifth aspect, or perform the method of any of the sixth aspect or embodiments of the sixth aspect.

According to an eleventh aspect, the present invention further provides a system. The system includes a control plane network element according to any of the first aspect or embodiments of the first aspect and a route aggregation network element according to any of the second aspect or embodiments of the second aspect.

According to a twelfth aspect, the present invention further provides a system. The system includes a control plane network element according to any of the third aspect or embodiments of the third aspect, a route aggregation network element according to any one of the fifth aspect or embodiments of the fifth aspect, and an access network device according to any one of the sixth aspect or embodiments of the sixth aspect.

According to a thirteenth aspect, the present invention further provides a system. The system includes a control plane network element according to any one of the fourth aspect or embodiments of the fourth aspect, a route aggregation network element according to any one of the fifth aspect or embodiments of the fifth aspect, and an access network device according to any one of the sixth aspect or embodiments of the sixth aspect.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a possible network architecture in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a PSA diagram of a change procedure in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2(a) is a diagram of another PSA change procedure in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2(b) is a diagram of another PSA change procedure.

Fig. 2(c) is a diagram of another PSA change procedure in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a scenario for initiating a downlink user plane connection activation procedure.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 7A and FIG. 7B is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 8A and FIG. 8B is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 9A and FIG. 9B is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 12A and FIG. 12B is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 13A and FIG. 13B is a flowchart of another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 14 is a diagram of a device in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 15 is a diagram of another device according to the present invention.

Implementation of the invention

The following is a detailed description of the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. A particular implementation method in a method embodiment may be used in a device embodiment or a system embodiment. In the descriptions of the present invention, unless otherwise indicated, "many" means two or more than two.

Fig. 1 is a possible network architecture to which the present invention is applicable. The network architecture includes a network access device (where the drawing shows an example in which the network access device is a radio access network (RAN) network device), a user plane network element (where the drawing shows an example in which the network element of the plane user is a user equipment function (UPF) network element), a mobility management element network element (where the drawing shows an example in which the mobility management network element is an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element )) and a session network element (where the drawing shows an example in which the session network element is a session management function (SMF) network element). The interface between the terminal device and the AMF network element may be referred to as the N1 interface, the interface between the AMF network element and the RAN device may be referred to as the N2 interface, the interface between the RAN device and the UPF network element may be referred to as the N3 interface, the interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element may be referred to as the N4 interface, the interface between the AMF NE and the SMF NE may be referred to as the N11 interface, and the interface between the UPF NE and the data network (DN) may be referred to as the N6 interface. Of course, with the improvement of the communication standard, the names of the above-mentioned network elements may change, and the names of the interfaces between the network elements may also change.

The user plane network element is generally configured to process a user packet. Processing, for example, is a redirect, change or lawful interception. In the 5 ^th generation (5G) communication standard, the user plane network element may be a UPF network element shown in FIG. 1. In an emerging communication standard such as 6 ^th generation (6G), the user plane network element may still be a UPF network element or may have a different name. This is not limited in the present invention.

The session management network element is generally configured to perform session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, session modification, and session release. Specific functions include allocating an Internet protocol (IP) address to a terminal device, selecting a user plane network element that provides a packet forwarding function, and the like. In the 5G communication standard, the session control network element may be the SMF network element shown in FIG. 1. In an emerging communication standard such as 6th generation, the user plane NE may still be an SMF NE or may have a different name. This is not limited in the present invention.

In the present invention, a session control network element may also be referred to as a control plane network element.

The mobility management network element is mainly configured to register, manage mobility and a tracking area update procedure for a terminal device in a mobile network. The mobility control network element terminates non access stratum (NAS) message transmission, terminates registration control, connection control, availability control, track area list (TA list), mobility control, and the like, and transparently routes the message. session management (SM) to the network session control element. In 5G communication, the mobility management network element may be the AMF network element shown in FIG. 1. In an emerging communication standard such as 6th generation, the user plane NE may still be an AMF NE or may have a different name. This is not limited in the present invention.

A data network (DN) is an operator network that provides a data service for a user, such as an IP Multi-media Service (IP) or the Internet. A terminal device accesses the data network by establishing a session (protocol data unit (PDU) (session)) between the terminal device, the network access device, the user plane network element and the data network.

The terminal device is a device having the function of a wireless transceiver. The terminal may be deployed on the ground and includes an indoor device, an outdoor device, a portable device, or a vehicle-mounted device. The terminal may alternatively be deployed on the surface of the water (eg, on a ship) or may be deployed in the air (eg, in an aircraft, balloon, or satellite). The end device can be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet (pad), a computer with the functions of a wireless transceiver, a virtual reality (VR) end device, an augmented reality (AR) end device, a wireless end device in the system industrial control, wireless terminal in self driving system, wireless terminal in telemedicine (remote medical), wireless terminal in power management system (Smart Grid), wireless terminal in transport security system ( safety), a wireless terminal in a Smart City system, or a wireless terminal in a Smart Home system, and may further include a user equipment (UE) and the like. Alternatively, the terminal may be a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) telephone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable device, having a wireless communication function, a computing device, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, a device installed in a vehicle, a wearable device, a terminal device in the future 5G network, a terminal device in the future Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) or the like. A terminal may also sometimes be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), access terminal, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, a mobile device, a UE terminal device, a wireless communication device, a UE agent, a UE appliance, or the like. The terminal may be fixed or movable. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

The network access device may be referred to as a RAN device, and is a device that provides a wireless communication function to a terminal device. For example, the network access device includes, but is not limited to: a next generation base station (g NodeB, gNB) in 5G, an evolved node (evolved B, tNB), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a node B (node B , NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), subscriber base station (for example, home evolved NodeB or home nodeB, HNB), baseband unit (BBU ), a transmission point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), a transmission point (transmitting point, TP), a switching center for mobile communications, and the like. Alternatively, the network access device may be a radio controller, a centralized unit (CU), and/or a distributed unit (DU) in a Cloud Radio Access Network (CRAN) scenario, or the network access device may be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G next generation network, a network device in an advanced advanced PLMN network, or the like. A terminal device may communicate with a plurality of network access devices that use different technologies. For example, the terminal device may communicate with a network access device that supports the network standard "Long Term Evolution" (Long Term Evolution LTE) or may communicate with a network access device that supports a 5G network or can support dual connection with a network access device in an LTE network and network access device in 5G network. This is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

Obviously, said functions may be network elements in a hardware device, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtual functions on a platform (eg, a cloud platform).

For ease of description, the present invention uses an example in which the user plane network element is a UPF network element, the access network device is a RAN device, the session control network element is an SMF network element, the mobility management network element is an AMF network element, and terminal is a UE. Additionally, UPF network element is called UPF for short, RAN device is called RAN for short, SMF network element is called SMF for short, AMF network element is called AMF for short. Specifically, in the following description of the present invention, each UPF may be replaced by a user plane network element, each RAN may be replaced by an access network device, each SMF may be replaced by an SMF, each AMF network element may be replaced by an AMF, and each UE may be replaced by a terminal device.

Next, in order to clarify the content of the present invention, a description is given of some terms and prerequisites in the present invention.

1.UE status

The UE status includes an idle state (IDLE) or a connected (CONNECTED) state. Of course, the UE status alternatively includes another state. This is not limited in the present invention.

When the UE is in the idle state, from the point of view of the user plane, all air interface connections corresponding to all UE sessions, namely, the wireless connection between UE and RAN and the N3 connection between RAN and UPF are released; or, in terms of the control plane, N2 signaling connection between RAN and AMF is released and N1 connection between UE and AMF is released.

When the UE is in the connected state, from the user plane point of view, a user plane connection between the UE and the RAN is established between the UE and the RAN, and a user plane connection is established between the RAN and the UPF; or, in terms of the control plane, an N1 connection is established between the UE and the AMF and an N2 connection is established between the RAN and the AMF.

2. Procedure for changing the PDU session anchor (PSA).

In the present invention, a PSA may also be referred to as a session binding. For example, in a particular application, the PSA may be a UPF network element having an IP binding function, or may be a UPF network element having a service binding function. The IP anchor function means that when the anchor point of the IP UE remains unchanged, the IP UE remains unchanged. The service anchor feature means that the continuity of the service does not depend on when the anchor point remains unchanged.

When the PSA changes, the IP changes. The service binding feature means that the continuity of the service depends on the PSA change.

A PSA change may also be referred to as a PSA switch, session binding switch, or binding redirect. A PSA change indicates that the PSA on the data path is changing or switching.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a PSA change procedure. Before moving, the UE accesses the DN through RAN 1, I-UPF 1 (where I-UPF 1 may not be located on the route) and PSA 1. Specifically, as shown by the thin dotted line in FIG. 2, the data path (or referred to as the user plane path) of the UE passes through the UE, RAN 1 (I-UPF 1), PSA 1, and DN.

After moving, the UE accesses the DN through RAN 2, I-UPF 2 (where I-UPF 2 may not be on the route), and PSA 1. Specifically, as shown by the thick dotted line in FIG. 2, the data path (or referred to as the user plane path) of the UE passes through the UE, RAN 2 (I-UPF 2), PSA 1, and DN. In the present invention, the data path is also referred to as the first data path, namely the data path before the PSA change in the PSA change procedure.

In this case, since the route is not optimal, the SMF may determine to perform a binding redirect, that is, reselect a new PSA 2 binding and change the data path. As shown by the thick solid line in FIG. 2, the changed data path (or referred to as the user plane path) of the UE passes through the UE, RAN 2 (I-UPF 2), PSA 2, and DN. In the present invention, the data path is also referred to as the second data path, namely the data path after the PSA change in the PSA change procedure.

Based on the above explanation, after the PSA change is completed, the application server (AP) in the DN may start sending downlink data (or downlink packet) to the UE via the second data path. When the application server transmits the downlink data to the UE on the second data path, it is possible that the downlink data on the first data path has not been sent to the UE. Additionally, because the first data path is not optimal (for example, the path is relatively long), alternatively, downlink data on the second data path arrives at RAN 2 or I-UPF (when I- UPF 2 is on route) before the downlink data on the first data path. RAN 2 or I-UPF 2 cannot distinguish which downlink data is sent first and which downlink data is sent later, resulting in out of order downlink data. Therefore, the level of user interaction can be reduced.

Therefore, the above downlink data burst out of order problem in the PSA change procedure shown in FIG. 2 is a technical problem to be solved in the present invention.

It should be noted that the I-UPF in the present invention is intermediate (intermediate) UPF.

Further in the present invention, the PSA change procedure shown in FIG. 2 can be further divided into the following three specific implementation scenarios.

Implementation scenario 1: after UE relocation, the I-UPF is not located on the data path, that is, the RAN is simultaneously connected to multiple PSAs.

Fig. 2(a) is a diagram of another PSA change procedure in accordance with the present invention. After the UE moves, the data path before the PSA change, namely, the first data path, passes through the UE, RAN 2, PSA 1, and DN, and the data path after the PSA change, namely, the data path passes through the UE, RAN 2, PSA 2 and DN.

In other words, after the UE moves, the I-UPF is not located on the first data path and the second data path.

Implementation scenario 2: after UE relocation, I-UPF is on route and I-UPF cannot be anchored after PSA change.

Fig. 2(b) is a diagram of another PSA change procedure in accordance with the present invention. After the UE moves, the data path before the PSA change, namely the first data path passes through the UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2, PSA 1 and DN, and the data path after the PSA change, namely the second data path passes through UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2, PSA 2 and DN.

In other words, after the UE moves, the same I-UPF (namely, I-UPF 2 in the drawing) is located on the first data path and the second data path, and in the I-UPF and PSA 2 are different nodes.

Implementation scenario 3: after UE relocation, I-UPF is on route and I-UPF can serve as an anchor after PSA change.

Fig. 2(c) is a diagram of another PSA change procedure in accordance with the present invention. After the UE moves, the data path before the PSA change, namely the first data path, passes through the UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2/and PSA 2, PSA 1 and DN. A user plane connection has been established between PSA 1 and I-UPF 2/PSA 2. The data path after changing the PSA, namely the second data path passes through the UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2/PSA 2 and DN.

In other words, after the UE moves, the same I-UPF (namely, I-UPF 2 in the drawing) is on the first data path and the second data path, and I-UPF 2 and PSA 2 are the same node. In other words, the I-UPF 2 can serve as either an I-UPF or a PSA.

3. Procedure for activating an initiated downlink user plane connection.

Fig. 3 is a scenario diagram of an initiated downlink user plane connection activation procedure.

As shown by the thin dotted line in FIG. 3, the data path (or referred to as a user plane connection) corresponding to session 1 at the UE passes through the UE, RAN 1, I-UPF 1, PSA, and DN. When the UE is in the idle state, or when the UE is in the connected state, but the user plane connection corresponding to session 1 is deactivated, if there is downlink data in session 1, that is, downlink data to be sent from the DN to the UE , downlink data cannot be sent to the UE. Specifically, the DN transmits the downlink data to the PSA, and then the PSA transmits the downlink data to the I-UPF 1. The I-UPF 1 cannot transmit the downlink data to the RAN 1. In this case, on the one hand, I- The UPF 1 buffers the downlink data or transmits the downlink data to the SMF, and the SMF buffers the downlink data. On the other hand, the user plane connection activation procedure is initiated. For example, when the UE is in the idle state, the user plane connection activation procedure may be a paging procedure. When the UE is in the connected state, but the user plane connection corresponding to session 1 is deactivated, the user plane connection activation procedure is a procedure for activating the user plane connection corresponding to session 1.

In addition, the implementation scenario considered in the present invention is that the UE moves before the downlink data triggers the activation of the user plane connection. As shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that at the start of downlink data transmission, the UE has moved from the coverage area of RAN 1 to the coverage area of RAN 2, and RAN 2 cannot be directly connected to I-UPF 1 and can be connected to I-UPF 1 via I- UPF 2. Therefore, in the user plane connection activation procedure, as shown by the thick solid line in FIG. 3, the activated user plane connection passes through the UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2, PSA, and DN. In the present invention, the user plane connection is also referred to as the second data path. Additionally, if downlink data is not sent to the UE buffered in I-UPF 1 before user plane connection activation, a forward tunnel can be established between I-UPF 1 and I-UPF 2 after user plane connection activation to send buffered downlink data. connections. As shown by the thick dotted line in FIG. 3, after user plane connection activation, the data transmission path (or referred to as user plane connection) used for downlink data transmission in I-UPF 1 passes through DN, PSA, I-UPF 1, I-UPF 2, RAN 2 and UE. A user plane connection has been established between I-UPF 1 and I-UPF 2. In the present invention, the data path is also referred to as the first data path. It should be noted that if the downlink data that is not sent to the UE is buffered on the SMF before the user plane connection is activated, the SMF may send the downlink data to the I-UPF 2 after the user plane connection is activated.

Based on the above explanation, after activating the user plane connection, the application server in the DN may start sending downlink data (or downlink packet) to the UE via the second data path. When the application server transmits the downlink data to the UE on the second data path, as an option, the downlink data on the first data path has not been sent to the UE. For example, the downlink data is buffered in I-UPF 1. Therefore, the downlink data must be transmitted to the UE via the first data path. In this case, I-UPF 2 receives downlink data in two directions: (1) downlink data sent by the PSA on the second data path; and (2) buffered downlink data sent by I-UPF 1 on the first data path.

As a result, the I-UPF 2 cannot distinguish which downlink data is sent first and which downlink data is sent later, resulting in the downlink data being out of order. Therefore, the level of user interaction can be reduced.

Therefore, the above downlink data burst out of order problem in the user plane connection activation procedure shown in FIG. 3 is also a technical problem to be solved in the present invention.

For the procedures shown in Fig. 2 and FIG. 3, in the following cases, the technical problem of the need to sort the downlink data must be solved.

Case 1: Downlink data delivery continuity does not depend on uplink data initiation/response, for example, there is only a downlink service type (MT-only).

When the continuity of downlink data delivery depends on uplink data initiation/response, if the DN does not receive uplink data sent by the UE, the DN does not continuously transmit downlink data. Therefore, downlink data is not sent on the second data path (namely, the newly established user plane connection) shown in FIG. 2 or fig. 3. Thus, the I-UPF 2 does not receive the downlink data of the two data paths, so that the technical problem of out-of-order needs to be solved. In contrast, if the continuous delivery of downlink data is independent of the initiation/response of uplink data, the downlink data may be sent after the completion of a new user plane connection establishment, which would require solving the technical problem of out-of-order at I-UPF 2. Therefore, the present The invention is applicable to a scenario in which continuous delivery of downlink data is independent of initiation/response of uplink data.

For example, in a particular example, an Ethernet type session may be used to transmit only downlink data, such as an event control signal. When an event occurs, downlink data is sent to the UE.

Case 2: A large amount of downlink data is buffered, and I-UPF 2 may not transmit the buffered downlink data to the UE at the same time.

Because the node on the first data path, such as PSA 1 in FIG. 2 or I-UPF 1 in FIG. 3 buffers a relatively large amount of downlink data of the first data path, after receiving the downlink data of the first data path, the UE transmits the uplink data to the DN. After the DN receives the uplink data because the second data path has been established, the DN continues to send the downlink data to the UE on the second data path. Additionally, there is more downlink data to transmit by the UE on the first data path. Therefore, I-UPF 2 in FIG. 2 or fig. 3 receives both the downlink data (namely, the old downlink data) of the first data path and the downlink data (namely, the new downlink data) of the second data path, resulting in disorder on I- UPF 2. Therefore, the present invention is also applicable to a scenario in which a large amount of downlink data is buffered, and I-UPF 2 cannot send the buffered downlink data to the UE at the same time.

It should be noted that the above case 1 and case 2 are just examples. The present invention is not limited to the above two cases. The present invention is also applicable to another case in which it is necessary to solve the technical problem of disorder in the procedure shown in FIG. 2 or fig. 3.

For the above downlink data disorder problem in the PSA change procedure or the downlink user plane connection initiation activation procedure, the present invention proposes different solutions with reference to different implementation scenarios. Details are described below.

For ease of describing embodiments of the present invention, an example is used in which the control plane network element is an SMF. The present invention is also applicable to the scenario where the control plane network element is another network element.

In the present invention, in the procedure for changing the PSA, PSA, I-UPF and RAN on the first data path before changing the PSA may respectively be referred to as the first PSA, (second UPF), second RAN, or may be called PSA 1, (I-UPF 2) and RAN 2. The PSA, UPF, and RAN on the second data path after the PSA change may be respectively referred to as the second PSA, (second UPF) and second RAN, or may be referred to as PSA 2 (I-UPF 2) and RAN 2.

In the present invention, in the user plane connection activation procedure, I-UPF and RAN on the first data path before UPF change may be respectively referred to as the first UPF and the second RAN, or may be referred to as I-UPF 1 and RAN 2. I-UPF and The RANs on the second data path after the UPF change may be respectively referred to as the second UPF and the second RAN, or may be referred to as I-UPF 2 and RAN 2.

Fig. 4 shows a downlink data out-of-order control method in accordance with the present invention. In the method, the idea of solving the above downlink data out of order problem is as follows: SMF instructs the route aggregation network element: to transmit the old data (namely, the downlink data of the first data transmission route), and then to transmit, after the transmission of the old data is completed, new data (namely, downlink data of the second data path), thereby solving the technical problem of disorder.

The route aggregation network element is a network node that aggregates the first data path and the second data path.

This embodiment can be applied to the above three implementation scenarios in the PSA change procedure, that is, can solve the technical problem of downlink data disorder in the implementation scenarios shown in FIG. 2(a), fig. 2(b) and FIG. 2(c). For FIG. 2(a), the route aggregation network element is RAN 2. For FIG. 2(b), the route aggregation network element is I-UPF 2. For FIG. 2(c), the route aggregation NE is PSA 2/I-UPF 2 (where I-UPF 2 and PSA 2 in this document are the same node, i.e. I-UPF 2 can serve as UPF or PSA) .

This embodiment can also be applied to the implementation scenario in the user plane connection activation procedure, that is, can solve the technical problem of downlink data disorder in the implementation scenario shown in FIG. 3. For FIG. The 3 route aggregation NE is I-UPF 2.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 401: The SMF determines to perform a data path switch.

The data path switching may be a data path switching in the PSA change procedure. Specifically, in the PSA change procedure, the SMF determines to switch from PSA 1 to PSA 2. PSA 1 is on the first data path and PSA 2 is located on the second data path.

The data path switching may alternatively be a data path switching in a previous user plane connection activation procedure. The SMF determines to switch from I-UPF 1 to I-UPF 2. The first data path goes through DN, PSA and I-UPF 1, the second data path goes through DN, PSA and I-UPF 2, and between I-UPF 1 and I-UPF 2 connected after user plane route switch

In an implementation, the SMF may determine, based on the location information of the UE, to perform a data path switch. That is, when the UE moves, the UE may determine, based on the last location of the UE, that a data path switch should be performed.

Step 402: The SMF sends the indication information to the route aggregation network element. Accordingly, the route aggregation network element may receive the indication information.

The indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path is completed, the downlink data of the second data path. The first data path is the data path before the switch, and the second data path is the data path after the switch. Yet another description of the indication information is that the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to associate the first data path with the second data path. Thus, after the transmission of the downlink data on the first data path is completed, the route aggregation network element transmits the downlink data on the second data path.

In an implementation, the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, prior to receiving the end marker of the first data path, the downlink data packet of the second data path. The end marker indicates that the downlink data transmission of the first data path is completed. That is, the route aggregation network element can receive both the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path, and the route aggregation network element buffers the downlink data of the second data path. If the downlink data of the first data path does not include an end marker, the route aggregation network element transmits the downlink data of the first data path to the UE. If the downlink data of the first data path includes an end marker, it indicates that the downlink data of the first data path is completed. In this case, the route aggregation network element obtains the downlink data of the second data path from the buffer and transmits the downlink data of the second data path to the UE. Upon completion of transmission of the buffered downlink data of the second data path, the path aggregation network element may subsequently send the downlink data of the second data path in the normal manner. That is, when the downlink data of the first data path received by the route aggregation network element is an end marker, the route aggregation network element starts sending the downlink data of the second data path.

At implementation time, an end marker may be a package, and may be referred to as an end marker package. The end token packet is the last packet on the data path.

Step 403: The route aggregation network element transmits, based on the indication information, the downlink data of the second data path after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path is completed.

Based on the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a control plane network element such as an SMF can direct the route aggregation network element to transmit, after the downlink data transmission of the first data transmission route is completed, the downlink data of the second data transmission route, thus solving the technical problem of downlink data burst out of order. links in the PSA change procedure or the user plane connection activation procedure, thereby improving the user experience.

Fig. 5 shows another method for controlling downlink data out of order in accordance with the present invention. In the method, the idea of solving the above downlink data disorder problem is as follows: The SMF indicates to establish two user plane connections. Old data (namely, downlink data of the first data path) is sent to RAN 2 through the first user plane connection, and new data (namely, downlink data of the second data path) is sent to RAN 2 through the second user plane connection , so that RAN 2 can distinguish between the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path. Further, RAN 2 may terminate the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path and then transmit the downlink data of the second data path to solve the technical problem of out of order.

The route aggregation network element is a network node that aggregates the first data path and the second data path.

This embodiment can be applied to the above implementation scenario 2 and the above implementation scenario 3 in the PSA change procedure, that is, can solve the technical problem of downlink data disorder in the implementation scenarios shown in FIG. 2(b) and FIG. 2(c). For FIG. 2(b), the route aggregation network element is I-UPF 2. For FIG. 2(c) the route aggregation network element is PSA 2/I-UPF 2.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 501: The SMF establishes a first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the RAN in a RAN handover procedure.

After the RAN switching procedure is completed, the RAN with UE access can be switched from RAN 1 to RAN 2. The RAN in Embodiment 5 is RAN 2 after RAN switching.

When the UE moves, a RAN switchover procedure is initiated. During the RAN switching procedure, a first data transmission route is established, and a user plane connection is established between the RAN and the route aggregation network element, and is called the first user plane connection. For FIG. 2(b) the first user plane connection is a user plane connection between the RAN and the I-UPF 2. for FIG. 2(c) the first user plane connection is a user plane connection between the RAN and the PSA 2/I-UP.

The first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to RAN 2 the downlink data received from the first data path. The first communication path is the path before the PSA change in the PSA change procedure after the RAN switchover procedure.

Step 502: The SMF establishes a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the RAN in a PSA change procedure.

Upon completion of the RAN switchover procedure at the start of the PSA change procedure, the SMF further establishes a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the RAN. The second user plane connection is used by the path aggregation network element to transmit downlink data received from the second data path to the RAN. The second data path is the path learned after the PSA change. The second user plane connection may also be referred to as a forwarding tunnel between the route aggregation network element and the RAN.

In an implementation, the SMF establishes a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the RAN using the following method. The SMF transmits the first indication information to the RAN. The first indication information instructs the RAN to allocate tunnel information of the second user plane connection. The RAN extracts the tunnel information of the second user plane connection and transmits the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the SMF. After receiving the tunnel information of the second user plane connection sent by the RAN, the SMF transmits the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the route aggregation network element. Thus, the route aggregation network element can receive the tunnel information of the second user plane connection sent by the RAN.

Additionally, the SMF may further send the second indication information to the route aggregation network element. The second indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, via the second user plane connection, the downlink data of the second data transmission route to the RAN. Thus, the route aggregation network element may subsequently send the downlink data of the second data path to the RAN via the second user plane connection.

After step 502, the method may further include the following steps.

Step 503: The route aggregation network element receives the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path.

For FIG. 2(b), the route aggregation network element, namely I-UPF 2, receives the downlink data of the first data path from PSA 1 and receives the downlink data of the second data path from PSA 2.

For FIG. 2(c), the route aggregation network element, namely PSA 2/I-UPF 2, receives the downlink data of the first data path from PSA 1 and receives the downlink data of the second data path from the DN.

Step 504: The route aggregation network element transmits the downlink data of the first data transmission route to the RAN via the first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the RAN.

Step 505: The route aggregation network element transmits the downlink data of the second data path to the RAN via the second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the RAN.

Note that there is no strict sequence between step 504 and step 505, and the two steps may alternatively be performed simultaneously. This is not limited in the present invention.

After step 505, the method may further include the following steps.

Step 506: The RAN transmits the downlink data of the second data path after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path is completed.

For example, after receiving the end marker from the first data path, if the RAN determines that sending the downlink data of the first data path is completed, the RAN then transmits the buffered downlink data of the second data path route to the UE.

According to the above embodiment, the SMF establishes two user plane connections between the route aggregation network element and the RAN, so that the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path can be sent separately via different user plane connections. Thus, the RAN can distinguish between the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path. In addition, the RAN may complete transmission of the downlink data of the first data path and then send the downlink data of the second data path to solve the technical problem of out of order.

Fig. 6 shows another method for controlling downlink data out-of-order in accordance with the present invention. In the method, the idea of solving the above downlink data disorder problem is as follows: The SMF indicates to establish two user plane connections. Old data (namely, downlink data of the first data path) is sent to the RAN through the first user plane connection, and new data (namely, downlink data of the second data path) is sent to the RAN through the second user plane connection, so that the RAN can distinguish between the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path. Further, the RAN may terminate the downlink data transmission of the first data path and then transmit the downlink data of the second data path to solve the technical problem of out of order.

This embodiment can be applied to the implementation scenario in the user plane connection activation procedure, that is, can solve the downlink data disorder technical problem in the implementation scenario shown in FIG. 3.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 601: The SMF determines to switch from I-UPF 1 to I-UPF 2 in the user plane connection activation procedure.

For example, the SMF determines based on the location of the UE that the UE is moving, so that the SMF reselects I-UPF 2 for the UE, i.e., switches from I-UPF 1 to I-UPF 2.

Step 602: The SMF establishes a first user plane connection between the I-UPF 2 and the RAN, and establishes a second user plane connection between the I-UPF 2 and the RAN.

The RAN in this document is the RAN that the UE re-accesses after moving, namely RAN 2 in FIG. 3.

In this document, I-UPF may also be referred to as a route aggregation network element.

The first user plane connection is used in the I-UPF to transmit to the RAN the downlink data received from the first data path, and the second user plane connection is used by the I-UPF 2 to transmit to the RAN the downlink data received from the second data path . The first data path is the path before the UPF switch and the second data path is the path after the UPF switch.

In an implementation, the SMF establishes a second user plane connection between the I-UPF and the RAN using the following method. The SMF transmits the first indication information to the RAN. The first indication information instructs the RAN to allocate tunnel information of the second user plane connection. The RAN extracts the tunnel information of the second user plane connection and transmits the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the SMF. After receiving the tunnel information of the second user plane connection sent by the RAN, the SMF transmits the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the I-UPF 2. Thus, the I-UPF 2 can receive the tunnel information of the second user plane connection sent by the RAN.

Further, the SMF may further send the second indication information to the I-UPF 2. The second indication information instructs the I-UPF 2 to transmit, via the second user plane connection, the downlink data of the second data path to the RAN. Thus, the I-UPF 2 may subsequently send the downlink data of the second data path to the RAN via the second user plane connection.

After step 602, the method may further include the following steps.

Step 603: The I-UPF 2 receives the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path.

The I-UPF 2 receives the downlink data of the first data path from the I-UPF 1 and receives the downlink data of the second data path from the PSA.

Step 604: The I-UPF 2 transmits the downlink data of the first data path to the RAN via the first user plane connection between the I-UPF 2 and the RAN.

Step 605: The I-UPF 2 transmits the downlink data of the second data path to the RAN via the second user plane connection between the I-UPF 2 and the RAN.

After step 605, the method may further include the following steps.

Step 606: The RAN transmits the downlink data of the second data path after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path is completed.

For example, after receiving the end marker from the first data path, if the RAN determines that sending the downlink data of the first data path is completed, the RAN then transmits the buffered downlink data of the second data path to the UE.

According to the above embodiment, the SMF establishes two user plane connections between the I-UPF and the RAN, so that the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path can be sent separately via different user plane connections. Thus, the RAN can distinguish between the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path. Additionally, the RAN may terminate the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path and then send the downlink data of the second data path to solve the technical problem of out of order.

The following is a description of specific embodiments for solving the downlink data disorder technical problem.

It should be noted that an example is used to describe the following embodiments in which the UPF allocates tunnel information. In fact, the tunnel information may alternatively be allocated to the SMF.

Fig. 7A and FIG. 7B illustrate a method for controlling downlink data out-of-order in accordance with the present invention. The method is used to solve the downlink data out of order technical problem in the PSA change procedure shown in FIG. 2(a), and the method is a specific implementation of the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

Prior to performing the steps shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the uplink/downlink data transmission path passes through the UE, RAN 2, PSA 1, and AS.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 701: The SMF determines to perform anchor redirection and selects a new PSA 2 anchor.

The SMF determines that the packet sequencing function resides in RAN 2. Therefore, the SMF needs to instruct RAN 2 to buffer, prior to receiving the end marker from PSA 1, the downlink data from PSA 2.

The process of determining the SMF to find the packet ordering function in RAN 2 can also be described as follows: The SMF determines that RAN 2 is the path convergence point before the anchor redirect and the route after the anchor redirect. In other words, in any of the following scenarios, the SMF determines that the packet ordering function is in RAN 2.

(1) RAN 2 is directly connected to the source PSA (namely, PSA 1) and RAN 2 is directly connected to the target PSA (namely, PSA 2).

(2) RAN 2 is directly connected to the source PSA (namely PSA 1) and RAN 2 is connected to the target PSA (namely PSA 2) via the I-UPF.

(3) RAN 2 is connected to the source PSA (namely PSA 1) via I-UPF and RAN 2 is directly connected to the target PSA (namely PSA 2).

(4) RAN 2 is connected to a source PSA (namely, PSA 1) via an I-UPF, and RAN 2 is connected to a target PSA (namely, PSA 2) via another I-UPF.

The next step 702a and step 702b, and step 703a and step 703d are used to establish a user plane connection between PSA 2 and RAN 2.

Step 702a and step 702b: The SMF sends an N4 Session Establish Request to the PSA 2. The N4 Session Establish Request contains tunnel information. PSA 2 returns an N4 Session Establish Respond to the SMF. The session establishment response N4 contains the PSA 2 tunnel information.

The tunnel information may include at least one of a tunnel endpoint identity (TEID), an IP address, or the like.

The SMF may obtain RAN tunnel information in the user plane connection establishment step between RAN 2 and PSA 1 in the RAN handover procedure.

Step 703a: The SMF sends a session update request to the AMF. The session update request contains PSA 2 tunnel information and indication information.

The indication information instructs RAN 2 to buffer until receiving the end marker from PSA 1, the downlink data from PSA 2. The indication information may be used as a redirection rule.

At implementation time, the session update request may be, for example, an Nsmf_PDUSessionUpdateSMContext request.

Step 703b: The AMF transmits an N2 Session Request to RAN 2. The N2 session request contains PSA 2 tunnel information and indication information.

Step 703c: RAN 2 returns session response N2 to AMF.

Step 703d: The AMF returns a session update response to the SMF.

During a particular implementation, the session update response may be Nsmf_PDUSessionUpdateSMContext, for example.

The above step 703c and step 703b are possible steps.

The redirect rule to the DN may be updated by following steps 704 to step 706. Specifically, downlink data is not sent to the UE via PSA 1. Instead, PSA 1 is updated to PSA 2.

Step 704: The SMF sends an N4 network update request (N4 DN Update request) to the PSA 2.

Step 705: The PSA 2 sends an uplink packet or an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packet to the DN data network based on the received network update request N4 to update the switch forwarding rule in the DN.

The ARP packet in this document may be a normal ARP packet or an empty ARP packet. The destination address of a normal ARP packet is the IP address of the peer and the destination address of an empty ARP packet is the IP address of the UE.

At the time of a specific implementation, the DN here may be an application server AS in an Ethernet (Ethernet) DN.

After the update of the forwarding rule is completed, the AS transmits the downlink data to the PSA 2, and then the PSA 2 transmits the downlink data to the RAN 2. Additionally, the RAN 2 buffers the downlink data from the PSA 2 based on the indication information before receiving the end token. sent by PSA 1.

Step 706: The PSA 2 returns an N4 network update response (N4 DN Update response) to the SMF.

This stage is a possible stage.

At the next step 707 and step 708 PSA 1 initiates the transmission of the end token.

Step 707: The SMF sends an N4 anchor change notification to PSA 1.

After receiving the N4 anchor switch notification, PSA 1 knows that the anchor has been switched, i.e., switches from PSA 1 to PSA 2. Therefore, PSA 1 transmits the end marker on the old route, namely the route on which PSA 1 and RAN nodes are located. 2. After receiving the end token, RAN 2 knows that the end token packet is the last packet on the old route, so that RAN 2 can send buffered downlink data from PSA 2 to the UE.

In the example for passing the end token, PSA 1 can be initiated in the following two ways.

Method 1: At step 704, the SMF starts a timer. When the timer expires, the SMF notifies PSA 1 to send the end token. Alternatively, at step 705 PSA 2 starts a timer. When the timer expires, PSA 2 notifies via SMF that PSA 1 send an end token.

Method 2: When PSA 1 receives an uplink packet or an ARP packet broadcast by PSA 2 in step 705, PSA 1 initiates transmission of an end token.

It should be noted that the present invention does not necessarily depend on the transmission of an end token, and a buffered downlink packet may also be sent using a timer mechanism. The timer specifies the time when the Ethernet forwarding rule is updated. If the timer expires, indicating that the update of the Ethernet forwarding rule is complete.

The timer value setting method is not limited in the present invention. For example, the timer value may be set based on a policy configuration. The specific description is as follows: if the SMF or PSA 2 starts the timer (if the SMF starts the timer, the timer starts at 704; or if the PSA 2 starts the timer, the timer starts at 705) When the timer expires, the SMF or PSA 2 notifies RAN 2 to start transmission of buffered downlink data to the UE. In this case, the indication information in step 703A and step 703B instructs RAN 2 to perform buffering before RAN 2 receives an indication from the SMF, downlink data from PSA 2. The indication is triggered when the timer expires.

It should be noted that in the present invention, the end token may alternatively be sent by the application server (AS). The method of initiating the transfer of the end token by AS is similar to the method of initiating the transfer of the end token by the PSA 1 . The following two methods can be used.

Method 1: The timer mechanism is installed. The timer can be started by SMF, PSA 2 or AS. If the timer is started by the SMF or PSA 2, when the timer expires, the SMF instructs the AS to pass the end token to the old route; or, if the timer is started by the AS, when the timer expires, the AS passes the end token to the old route. Method 2: When the AS receives an uplink packet or an ARP packet broadcast by PSA 2 in step 705, the AS initiates the transmission of an end token.

Step 708: The PSA 1 returns an anchor change notification Response N4.

This step is optional.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B solves the downlink data out-of-order technical problem in the scenario shown in FIG. 2(a), thereby improving the user experience.

Fig. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate a downlink data out-of-order control method in accordance with the present invention. The method is used to solve the downlink data out of order technical problem in the PSA change procedure shown in FIG. 2(b), and the method is a specific implementation of the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

Prior to performing the steps shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, the uplink/downlink data transmission path passes through the UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2, PSA 1, and AS.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 801 is the same as step 701 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B

In step 801, the SMF determines that the packet sequencing function is located in the I-UPF 2. Therefore, the SMF needs to instruct the I-UPF 2 to buffer, prior to receiving the end marker from PSA 1, the downlink data from PSA 2.

The SMF determines that the packet ordering function is located in the I-UPF 2, which can also be described as follows: The SMF determines that the I-UPF 2 is the convergence point of the route before the anchor redirect and the route after the anchor redirect. Specifically, in any of the following scenarios, the SMF determines that the packet sequencing function is in I-UPF 2.

RAN 2 is connected to the source PSA (namely PSA 1) through I-UPF 2, and RAN 2 is directly connected to the target PSA (namely PSA 2) through I-UPF 2.

The next step 802a and step 802b, and step 803a and step 803b are used to establish a user plane connection between PSA 2 and I-UPF 2.

Step 802a and step 802b: The SMF sends an N4 Session Establish Request to the PSA 2. The N4 Session Establish Request contains the I-UPF 2 tunnel information. PSA 2 returns an N4 Session Establish Response to the SMF. The session establishment response N4 contains the PSA 2 tunnel information.

The I-UPF 2 tunnel information may be obtained by the SMF at the I-UPF 2 insertion step in the UE RAN handover procedure.

The tunnel information may include at least one of a TEID, an IP address, or the like.

Step 803a: The SMF transmits the N4 session modification request to the I-UPF 2. The N4 session modification request contains the PSA 2 tunnel information and indication information.

The indication information instructs the I-UPF 2 to buffer, prior to receiving the end token from PSA 1, the downlink data from PSA 2. The indication information may be used as a forwarding rule.

Step 803B: I-UPF 2 sends a modification session response N4 to the SMF.

This step is possible.

Step 804 - step 806 are the same as steps 704 - 706 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. Please refer to the above descriptions.

After the update of the forwarding rule is completed, the AS may send the downlink data to the PSA 2, and then the PSA 2 sends the downlink data to the I-UPF 2. Additionally, the I-UPF 2 buffers the downlink data from the PSA 2 based on the indication information before receiving the end token sent by PSA 1.

In the next step 807 and step 808 PSA 1 initiates the transmission of the end token.

Step 807: The SMF sends an N4 anchor change notification to PSA 1.

Upon receiving the N4 Binding Switch Notification, PSA 1 knows that the binding has been switched, i.e., switches from PSA 1 to PSA 2. Therefore, PSA 1 sends an end token to the old route, namely the route on which nodes PSA 1 and I- are located. UPF. Upon receiving the end token, I-UPF 2 knows that the end token packet is the last packet on the old route, so that I-UPF 2 can send buffered downlink data from PSA 2 to RAN 2.

In the example, PSA 1 can be initiated in the following two ways to pass the end token.

Method 1: At step 804, the SMF starts a timer. When the timer expires, the SMF notifies PSA 1 to send the end token. Alternatively, at step 805 PSA 2 starts a timer. When the timer expires, PSA 2 notifies PSA 1 via SMF to send an end token.

Method 2: When PSA 1 receives an uplink packet, an ARP packet, or an empty ARP packet broadcast by PSA 2 in step 805, PSA 1 initiates transmission of an end token.

It should be noted that the present invention does not necessarily depend on the transmission of an end token, and a buffered downlink packet may also be sent using a timer mechanism. The timer specifies the time when the Ethernet forwarding rule is updated. If the timer expires, it indicates that the update of the Ethernet forwarding rule has completed.

The timer value setting method is not limited in the present invention. For example, the timer value may be set based on a policy configuration. The specific description is as follows: if the SMF or PSA 2 starts the timer (if the SMF starts the timer, the timer starts at step 804; or if the PSA 2 starts the timer, then the timer starts at step 805), when the timer expires, the SMF or PSA 2 notifies I-UPF 2 start sending buffered downlink data to RAN 2. In this case, the indication information in step 803a and step 803b instructs I-UPF 2 to buffer, before I-UPF 2 receives the SMF indication, downlink data from PSA 2. When the timer expires, the instruction is initiated.

It should be noted that in the present invention, the end token may alternatively be sent by an AS. This step is the same as step 708 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, in which the AS transmits an end token. Please refer to the above descriptions for details.

Step 808: The PSA 1 returns an anchor change notification Response N4.

This step is possible.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B solves the downlink data out-of-order technical problem in the scenario shown in FIG. 2(b), thereby improving the user experience.

Fig. 9A and FIG. 9B illustrate a downlink data out-of-order control method in accordance with the present invention. The method is used to solve the downlink data out of order technical problem in the PSA change procedure shown in FIG. 2(c) and the method is a specific implementation of the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

Prior to performing the steps shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the uplink/downlink data path passes through the UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2/a PSA 2, PSA 1, and AS.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 901 is the same as step 701 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B.

In step 901, the SMF determines that the packet sequencing function is located in the PSA 2/I-UPF 2. Therefore, the SMF needs to instruct the PSA 2/I-UPF 2 to buffer before receiving the end marker from the PSA 1, downlink data communications from PSA 2.

The SMF determines that the packet ordering function is located in the PSA 2/I-UPF 2, which can also be described as follows: The SMF determines that the PSA 2/I-UPF 2 is the convergence point of the route before the binding redirect and the route after the binding redirect. Specifically, in the following scenario, the SMF determines that the packet ordering function is in PSA 2/I-UPF 2. RAN 2 is connected to the original PSA (namely, PSA 1) via PSA 2/I-UPF 2, and RAN 2 is directly connected with PSA 2/I-UPF 2.

The SMF instructs PSA 2/I-UPF 2 to buffer downlink data from PSA 2, which can also be described as instructing PSA 2/I-UPF to buffer downlink data from AS.

The next step 902a and step 902b are used to direct the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 to buffer, prior to receiving the end token from PSA 1, the downlink data from the DN.

Step 902a and step 902b: The SMF sends an N4 Session Establish Request to the PSA 2. The N4 Session Establish Request contains indication information. PSA 2 returns an N4 Session Establish Response to the SMF.

The indication information instructs the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 to buffer until receiving the end token from PSA 1, the downlink data from the DN. The hint information can be used as a redirect rule.

Step 903 - Step 905 are the same as Step 704 - Step 706 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. Please refer to the above descriptions.

After the update of the forwarding rule is completed, the AS may send the downlink data to the I-UPF 2/PSA 2. The I-UPF 2/PSA 2 buffers the downlink data from the AS based on the indication information before receiving the end token sent by PSA 1.

At the next step 906 and step 907 PSA 1 initiates the transmission of the end token.

Step 907: The SMF sends an N4 anchor change notification to PSA 1.

Upon receiving the N4 Binding Switch Notification, PSA 1 knows that the binding has been switched, ie, switches from PSA 1 to PSA 2. Therefore, PSA 1 passes the end token to the old route. Upon receipt of the end token, I-UPF 2/PSA 2 knows that the end token is the last packet on the old route, so that I-UPF 2/PSA 2 can send buffered downlink data from the AS to RAN 2.

In the example, PSA 1 can be initiated in the following two ways to pass the end token.

Method 1: At step 903, the SMF starts a timer. When the timer expires, the SMF notifies PSA 1 to send the end token. Alternatively, at 904, the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 starts a timer. When the timer expires, I-UPF 2/PSA 2 notifies, via SMF, PSA 1 to send an end token.

Method 2: When PSA 1 receives an uplink packet, an ARP packet, or an empty ARP packet broadcast by I-UPF 2/PSA 2 in step 904, PSA 1 initiates transmission of an end token.

It should be noted that the present invention does not necessarily depend on the transmission of an end token, and a buffered downlink packet may also be sent using a timer mechanism. The timer specifies the time when the Ethernet forwarding rule is updated. If the timer expires, it indicates that the update of the Ethernet forwarding rule has completed.

The timer value setting method is not limited in the present invention. For example, the timer value may be set based on a policy configuration. The specific description is as follows: if the SMF or I-UPF 2/PSA 2 starts the timer (if the SMF starts the timer, the timer starts at step 903; or if the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 starts the timer, the timer starts at step 904), when the timer expires, the SMF or I-UPF 2/PSA 2 notifies the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 to start transmitting the buffered downlink data to RAN 2. In this case, the indication information in step 902a instructs the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 to buffer before receiving the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 indication from the SMF, downlink data from the AS. The hint is triggered when the timer expires.

It should be noted that in the present invention, the end token may alternatively be sent by the application server. This step is the same as step 708 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, in which the application server transmits an end token. Please refer to the above descriptions for details.

Step 908: The PSA 1 returns an anchor change notification Response N4.

This step is optional.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B solves the downlink data out-of-order technical problem in the scenario shown in FIG. 2(c), thereby improving the user experience.

Fig. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C show a downlink data out-of-order control method in accordance with the present invention. The method is used to solve the downlink data out of order technical problem in the PSA change procedure shown in FIG. 2(b), and the method is a specific implementation of the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. five.

Prior to performing the steps shown in FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C, the uplink/downlink data transmission path passes through the UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2, PSA 1, and AS.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 1001: The SMF determines to perform anchor redirection and selects a new PSA 2 anchor.

It should be noted that before step 1001, a user plane connection N3 between I-UPF 2 and RAN 2 has been established in the RAN switching procedure. The user plane connection N3 can also be referred to as the first user plane connection, and the first user plane connection is used for downlink data from PSA 1.

The SMF determines to perform anchor redirection, selects a new PSA 2 anchor, and determines to establish an N3 forwarding tunnel between the I-UPF and RAN 2. The N3 forwarding tunnel may also be referred to as a second user plane connection, and the N3 forwarding tunnel is used to transmit downlink data from PSA 2 .

The next step 1002a and step 1002b, and step 1003a and step 1003b are used to establish a user plane connection between PSA 2 and I-UPF 2.

Step 1002a and step 1002b are the same as step 802a and step 802b in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B. Please refer to the above descriptions.

Step 1003a: The SMF transmits the N4 session modification request to the I-UPF 2. The N4 session modification request contains the PSA 2 tunnel information and indication information.

The indication information instructs I-UPF 2 to transmit, via the second user plane connection (forward tunnel N3), downlink data of the second data path to RAN 2.

In the present invention, the indication information may also be referred to as the second indication information.

In an alternative implementation, the indication information in step 1003a may alternatively be sent by the SMF to I-UPF 2 in step 1008a.

Step 1003b: The I-UPF 2 sends a session modification response N4 to the SMF. Alternatively, session modification message N4 contains I-UPF 2 tunnel redirect information.

This step is optional.

Step 1004: The SMF sends a session update request to the AMF. The session update request contains N2 session information, and the N2 session information includes indication information.

The indication information instructs RAN 2 to allocate tunnel forwarding information.

In the present invention, the indication information may also be referred to as the first indication information.

In an implementation, the session update request may be, for example, Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateContext Request.

Step 1005: AMF transmits request N2 to RAN 2. Request N2 contains indication information in step 1004.

Step 1006: The RAN 2 allocates tunnel forwarding information to the RAN based on the indication information, and returns an N2 response to the AMF. The N2 response contains RAN-dedicated forwarding tunnel information.

Step 1007: The AMF returns a session update response to the SMF. The session update response contains N2 session information, and the N2 session information includes RAN tunnel forwarding information.

In an implementation, the session update response may be, for example, Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateContext Response.

Step 1008a and step 1008b: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to I-UPF 2. The N4 session modification request contains RAN tunnel forwarding information. I-UPF 2 returns an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

Step 1009 to step 1011 are the same as step 804 to step 806 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B. Please refer to the above descriptions.

The AS downlink data can be sent to the new PSA 2 anchor. PSA 2 sends downlink data to I-UPF 2 via a user plane connection between PSA 2 and I-UPF 2. I-UPF 2 sends downlink data to RAN 2 through a forwarding tunnel N3 (namely, the second user plane connection) between I-UPF 2 and RAN 2. RAN 2 buffers the downlink data until receiving an end token from the N3 user plane connection (namely, the first user plane connection).

In the next step 1012 and step 1013, PSA 1 is initiated to send an end token.

Step 1012 is the same as step 807 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B. Please refer to the above descriptions.

PSA 1 sends the end token to the old route, i.e., PSA 1 sends the end token to I-UPF 2 through the user plane connection between PSA 1 and I-UPF 2. I-UPF 2 sends the end token to RAN 2 through the user plane connection N3 (namely, the first user plane connection) between I-UPF 2 and RAN 2. Note that the action of I-UPF 2 is also applicable to downlink data from PSA 1. Specifically, I-UPF 2 transmits downlink data from PSA 1 to RAN 2 via N3 user plane connection between I-UPF 2 and RAN 2 and then RAN 2 transmits downlink data from N3 user plane connection from UE via air interface connection.

After receiving the end token from the N3 user plane connection, RAN 2 can send the buffered downlink data from the second user plane connection, namely the downlink data from PSA 2, to RAN 2.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C, the downlink data out-of-order engineering task in the scenario shown in FIG. 2(b), thereby improving the user experience.

Fig. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C show a downlink data out-of-order control method in accordance with the present invention. The method is used to solve the downlink data out of order technical problem in the PSA change procedure shown in FIG. 2(c) and the method is a specific implementation of the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. five.

Prior to performing the steps shown in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C, the uplink/downlink data transmission path passes through the UE, RAN 2, I-UPF 2, PSA 1, and AS.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 1101: The SMF determines whether the binding redirection is performed and selects a new PSA 2 binding.

It should be noted that before step 1001, in the RAN switching procedure, the UPF reselected by the SMF is I-UPF 2, and an N3 user plane connection has been established between the I-UPF and RAN 2. The N3 user plane connection may also be referred to as the first connection. user plane connection, and the first user plane connection is used for downlink data transmission from PSA 1.

The SMF defines the execution of a binding redirect. In the anchor redirect procedure, the reselected new anchor PSA 2 is I-UPF 2, i.e. I-UPF 2 and PSA 2 are the same node.

After selecting I-UPF 2/PSA 2, the SMF determines the establishment of the N3 forwarding tunnel between the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 and RAN 2. The N3 forwarding tunnel may also be referred to as the second user plane connection, and the N3 forwarding tunnel is used for downlink data transmission. from PSA 2.

The next step 1102a and step 1102b are used to direct the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 to transmit downlink data from the DN to RAN 2 via the second user plane connection.

Step 1102a and step 1102b: The SMF sends an N4 Session Establish Request to the I-UPF 2/PSA 2. The N4 Session Establish Request contains indication information. I-UPF 2/PSA 2 returns an N4 Session Establish Response to the SMF. Alternatively, session establishment response N4 contains I-UPF 2/PSA 2 tunnel redirect information.

The indication information instructs the I-UPF 2/PSA 2 to transmit, via the second user plane connection (forward tunnel N3), downlink data of the second data path to RAN 2.

In the present invention, the indication information may also be referred to as the second indication information.

In an alternative implementation, the indication information in step 1102a may alternatively be sent by the SMF to I-UPF 2/PSA 2 in step 1107b.

The next step 1103 to step 1107b is used to establish a forwarding tunnel between RAN 2 and I-UPF 2/PSA 2. The forwarding tunnel can also be referred to as the N3 forwarding tunnel or first user plane connection.

Step 1103: The SMF sends a session update request to the AMF. The session update request contains N2 session information, and the N2 session information includes indication information.

The indication information instructs RAN 2 to allocate tunnel forwarding information.

In the present invention, the indication information may also be referred to as the first indication information.

In an implementation, the session update request may be, for example, an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateContext request.

Step 1104: The AMF sends request N2 to RAN 2. Request N2 contains indication information in step 1103.

Step 1105: The RAN 2 allocates tunnel forwarding information to the RAN based on the indication information and returns a response N2 to the AMF. The N2 response contains RAN-dedicated forwarding tunnel information.

Step 1106: The AMF returns a session update response to the SMF. The session update response contains N2 session information, and the N2 session information includes RAN tunnel forwarding information.

In an implementation, the session update response may be, for example, an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateContext response.

Step 1107a and step 1107b: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the I-UPF 2/PSA 2. The N4 session modification request contains RAN tunnel forwarding information. I-UPF 2/PSA 2 returns an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

Step 1009 to step 1011 are the same as step 903 to step 905 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B. Please refer to the above descriptions.

The AS downlink data can be sent to the new I-UPF 2/PSA 2 anchor. I-UPF 2/PSA 2 and RAN 2. RAN 2 buffers the downlink data until receiving the end token from the N3 user plane connection (namely, the first user plane connection).

In the next step 1111 and step 1112, PSA 1 is initiated to send an end token.

Step 1111 is the same as step 906 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B. Please refer to the above descriptions.

PSA 1 sends the end token to the old route, that is, PSA 1 sends the end token to I-UPF 2/PSA 2 via the user plane connection between PSA 1 and I-UPF 2/PSA 2. I-UPF 2/PSA 2 sends the end token token in RAN 2 via the N3 user plane connection (namely, the first user plane connection) between I-UPF 2/PSA 2 and RAN 2. Note that the operation of I-UPF 2/PSA 2 is also applicable to downlink data from PSA 1. Specifically, I-UPF 2/PSA 2 transmits downlink data from PSA 1 to RAN 2 via an N3 user plane connection between I-UPF 2/PSA 2 and RAN 2, and then RAN 2 transmits downlink data from connecting the N3 user plane to the UE via an air interface connection.

After receiving the end marker from the user plane connection N3, RAN 2 may send the buffered downlink data from the second user plane connection, namely the downlink data from PSA 2, to the UE.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, the downlink data out-of-order technical problem is solved in the scenario shown in FIG. 2(c), thereby improving the user experience.

Fig. 12A and FIG. 12B illustrate a downlink data out-of-order control method in accordance with the present invention. The method is used to solve the downlink data out-of-order technical problem in the user plane connection activation procedure shown in FIG. 3 and the method is a specific implementation of the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

The AS transmits the downlink data to the PSA. The PSA forwards the downlink data to I-UPF 1. I-UPF 1 initiates a user plane connection activation procedure. The following is a description of the downlink data out-of-order control method in the user plane connection activation procedure. The method includes the following steps.

When the UE is in the idle state, the UE should be discovered via paging and then starts performing step 1201; or, when the UE is in the connected state, the UE starts performing step 1203.

Prior to performing the steps shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, the downlink data is sent by the AS to the PSA 1, and the PSA 1 transmits the downlink data to the I-UPF 1 via the user plane connection between PSA 1 and I-UPF 1. Because the user plane connection between I-UPF 1 and RAN 2 not activated, I-UPF 1 buffers downlink data.

Step 1201: The UE that is discovered by paging sends a RAN message to RAN 2. The RAN message contains a service request message, and the service request message contains a session ID (PDU session ID) and the like.

Step 1202: RAN 2 sends message N2 to AMF. Message N2 contains a service request message and location information of the UE.

Step 1203: If the AMF determines based on the location information of the UE and the I-UPF 1 service area that the UE is not in the I-UPF 1 service area, the AMF sends an N11 message to the SMF. The N11 message contains information such as session ID and access type.

The N11 message may be used to initiate an SMF to reselect the UPF.

At implementation time, the N11 message may be Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContextRequest.

Step 1204: The SMF performs UPF selection and selects I-UPF 2. Additionally, if the SMF determines that the procedure is a user plane connection activation procedure, the SMF instructs the I-UPF 2 to perform downlink data sorting.

The SMF instructs the I-UPF 2 to sort the downlink data, which means that the SMF instructs the I-UPF 2 to transmit the downlink data from I-UPF 1 and then transmit, after receiving the end token sent by I-UPF 1, the downlink data links from PSA to RAN 2.

The SMF determines that the current procedure is a user plane connection activation procedure using the following methods.

Method 1: If the AMF determines, based on the received service request message, that the current procedure is a user plane connection activation procedure, the AMF sends an indication to the SMF in step 1203. Therefore, the SMF determines, based on the received indication, that the current procedure is a connection activation procedure user plane.

Method 2: The SMF receives the N11 message in step 1203, and obtains information, based on the above steps, that the I-UPF 1 is buffering data. In other words, step 1203 is triggered by buffered downlink data. In this case, the SMF determines that the current procedure is the user plane connection activation procedure.

The downlink data from I-UPF 1 is the downlink data buffered by I-UPF 1. An end marker is also called an end marker and indicates that sending downlink data on the old route is completed.

Step 1205: The SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to I-UPF 2. The N4 session establishment request contains indication information and PSA tunnel information.

The indication information instructs I-UPF 2 to transmit downlink data from I-UPF 1 and then transmit, after receiving the end token sent by I-UPF 1, downlink data from PSA to RAN 2.

The PSA tunnel information sent to the I-UPF 2 is used to establish an uplink user plane connection between the I-UPF 2 and the PSA.

Step 1206: I-UPF 2 returns an N4 session establishment response to the SMF. The N4 session establishment response contains first downlink tunnel information (also referred to as DL CN tunnel information for PSA), uplink tunnel information (UL CN tunnel information for RAN), and second downlink tunnel information (DL CN tunnel information for forwarding). data).

The DL CN tunnel information for the PSA shall be sent to the PSA to establish a downlink user plane connection (which may also be referred to as a downlink tunnel) between the PSA and I-UPF 2. The UL CN tunnel information for the RAN shall be sent to the RAN 2 for establishing an uplink user plane connection between RAN 2 and I-UPF 2. DL CN tunnel information for data forwarding should be sent to I-UPF 1 to establish a forwarding tunnel between I-UPF 1 and I-UPF 2.

Step 1207: The SMF sends a session modification request N4 to the PSA. The session modification request N4 contains the first downlink tunnel information (DL CN tunnel information for PSA).

Step 1208: The PSA returns an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

In this case, the downlink user plane connection establishment between the I-UPF 2 and the PSA is completed. When the PSA receives the downlink data, the PSA transmits the downlink data to the I-UPF 2 instead of the I-UPF 1. After receiving the downlink data sent by the PSA, the I-UPF 2 buffers the downlink data based on the indication information.

Additionally, before updating the downlink user plane connection, the PSA sends an end token to I-UPF 1 to indicate that the end token is the last packet on the old route.

Step 1209: The SMF transmits the N4 session modification request to I-UPF 1. The N4 session modification request contains the second downlink tunnel information (DL CN tunnel information for data forwarding).

Step 1210: I-UPF 1 returns an N4 session modification response to the SMF.

In this case, the establishment of the forward tunnel between I-UPF 1 and I-UPF 2 is completed. I-UPF 1 may send buffered downlink data to I-UPF 2.

In the next step 1211 to step 1218, an air interface connection between the UE and RAN 2 and an N3 connection between RAN 2 and I-UPF 2 are established.

Step 1211: The SMF sends an acknowledgment message N11 to the AMF.

Alternatively, the acknowledgment message N11 contains uplink tunnel information (UL CN tunnel information).

At implementation time, the N11 acknowledgment message may be Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response.

Step 1212: AMF sends request message N2 to RAN 2.

Alternatively, the N2 request message contains uplink tunnel information (UL CN tunnel information). Step 1213: The RAN 2 initiates a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment process with the UE.

In this case, the uplink user control connection establishment between the UE, RAN 2 and I-UPF 2 is completed. In addition, the uplink user control connection establishment between the I-UPF and the PSA has been completed at step 1205. In this case, the UE may send uplink data to the PSA via RAN 2 and I-UPF 2.

Step 1214: RAN 2 returns an acknowledgment to request N2. The N2 request acknowledgment contains RAN tunnel info.

RAN tunnel information is used for transmission to I-UPF 2 to establish a downlink user plane connection between I-UPF 2 and RAN 2.

Step 1215: The AMF sends message N11 to the SMF. Message N11 contains RAN tunnel information (RAN tunnel info).

At implementation time, the N11 message may be an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext request.

Step 1216: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the I-UPF 2. N4 session modification request RAN tunnel info.

Step 1217: I-UPF 2 returns an N4 session modification response to the AMF.

Step 1218: The SMF returns an acknowledgment message N11 to the AMF.

At implementation time, the N11 acknowledgment message may be an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext response.

The above step 1217 and step 1218 are possible.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, the technical problem of downlink data disorder in the user plane connection activation procedure is solved. According to this solution, downlink data disorder can be avoided, thereby improving user experience.

Fig. 13A and FIG. 13B illustrate a method for controlling downlink data out-of-order in accordance with the present invention. The method is used to solve the downlink data out-of-order technical problem in the user plane connection activation procedure shown in FIG. 3 and the method is a specific implementation of the method in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

The AS transmits the downlink data to the PSA. The PSA forwards the downlink data to I-UPF 1. I-UPF 1 initiates a user plane connection activation procedure. Next, a method for controlling downlink data out-of-order in a user plane connection activation procedure is described. The method includes the following steps.

When the UE is in the idle state, the UE should be discovered through paging and then starts performing step 1301; or, when the UE is in the connected state, the UE starts performing step 1303.

Prior to performing the steps shown in FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, the downlink data is sent by the AS to the PSA 1, and the PSA 1 transmits the downlink data to the I-UPF 1 via the user plane connection between PSA 1 and I-UPF 1. Because the user plane connection between I-UPF 1 and RAN 2 not activated, I-UPF 1 buffers downlink data.

The method includes the following steps.

Step 1301 to step 1303 are the same as step 1201 to step 1203 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12V. Please refer to the above descriptions.

Step 1304: The SMF performs UPF selection and selects I-UPF 2. Additionally, if the SMF determines that the current procedure is a user plane connection activation procedure, the SMF initiates forward tunnel establishment between RAN 2, I-UPF 2, and I-UPF 1.

The next step 1305 to step 1308 is used to establish a user plane connection between the I-UPF 2 and the PSA.

Step 1305: The SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to I-UPF 2. The N4 session establishment request contains PSA tunnel information and indication information.

The PSA tunnel information is sent to the I-UPF 2 to establish an uplink user plane connection between the I-UPF 2 and the PSA.

The indication information instructs I-UPF 2 to transmit, via the second user plane connection (forward tunnel N3), downlink data of the second data path to RAN 2.

In the present invention, the indication information may also be referred to as the second indication information.

Step 1306: I-UPF 2 returns an N4 session establishment response to the SMF. The session establishment response N4 contains first downlink tunnel information (also referred to as DL CN tunnel information for PSA) and second downlink tunnel information (also referred to as DL CN tunnel information for data forwarding). Alternatively, the session establishment response N4 further comprises first uplink tunnel information (UL CN Tunnel Info for RAN) and second uplink tunnel information (UL CN Tunnel Info for RAN for the new route).

The DL CN Tunnel Information for PSA is used to be sent to the PSA to establish a downlink user plane connection between the PSA and I-UPF 2. The DL CN Tunnel Information for Data Forwarding is used to be sent to I-UPF 1 to establish a tunnel for forwarding between I -UPF 1 and I-UPF 2. The UL CN tunnel information for RAN is used for transmission to RAN 2 to establish the first uplink user plane connection. (also referred to as the first uplink tunnel) between RAN 2 and I-UPF 2. The UL CN tunnel information for the RAN for the new route is used for transmission to RAN 2 to establish a second uplink user plane connection (also referred to as the second uplink tunnel ) between RAN 2 and I-UPF 2.

The first user plane connection between I-UPF and RAN 2 includes a first downlink user plane connection (also referred to as N3 forwarding tunnel), and a first uplink user plane connection (also referred to as first uplink tunnel). The second user plane connection between the I-UPF and RAN 2 includes a second downlink user plane connection (also referred to as N3 user plane connection) and a second uplink user plane connection (also referred to as a second uplink tunnel).

Step 1307: The SMF sends a session modification request N4 to the PSA. The session modification request N4 contains the first downlink tunnel information (DL CN Tunnel Info for PSA).

Step 1308: The PSA returns a session modification response N4.

In this case, downlink user plane route establishment between I-UPF 2 and PSA is completed. It should be noted that before changing the downlink data route, the PSA transmits the end marker on the old route (namely, the route on which the PSA nodes, I-UPF 1 and I-UPF 2 are located). After the PSA reroute, if the PSA additionally receives downlink data, the PSA transmits the downlink data to I-UPF 2.

Step 1309: The SMF sends an N4 session modification request to I-UPF 1. The N4 session modification request contains a second downlink tunnel information (DL CN Tunnel Info for data forwarding).

Step 1310: I-UPF 1 returns a session modification response N4.

In this case, the establishment of the forward tunnel between I-UPF 1 and I-UPF 2 is completed. I-UPF 1 may send buffered downlink data (data before step 1301) and an end token to I-UPF 2.

The next steps 1311 to step 1317 are used to establish an N3 user plane connection between RAN 2 and I-UPF 2 and an N3 forwarding tunnel between RAN 2 and I-UPF 2. An N3 user plane connection is used to transmit downlink data from I-UPF 1 and forwarding tunnel N3 is used to transmit downlink data from I-UPF 2.

Step 1311: The SMF sends an acknowledgment message N11 to the AMF. The acknowledgment message N11 contains indication information and indication information instructs RAN 2 to allocate tunnel forwarding information.

In the present invention, the indication information may also be referred to as the first indication information.

Optionally, the acknowledgment message N11 further comprises a first uplink tunnel information (UL CN Tunnel Info for RAN) and a second uplink tunnel information (UL CN Tunnel Info for RAN for a new route).

In an implementation, the N11 acknowledgment message may be specifically Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext.

Step 1312: AMF sends request N2 to RAN 2. Request N2 contains indication information.

Optionally, request N2 further comprises first uplink tunnel information (UL CN Tunnel Info for RAN) and second uplink tunnel information (UL CN Tunnel Info for RAN for the new route).

Step 1313: RAN 2 initiates an RRC connection between RAN 2 and the UE to establish an air interface connection.

Step 1314: RAN 2 extracts tunnel information (RAN Tunnel Info) and RAN tunnel forwarding information (RAN Tunnel Info for data forwarding) based on the indication information, and sends a request acknowledgment N2 to the AMF. The request acknowledgment N2 contains RAN Tunnel Information (RAN Tunnel Info) and RAN Tunnel Forwarding Information (RAN Tunnel Info for Data Forwarding).

RAN Tunnel Forwarding Information (RAN Tunnel Info for Data Forwarding) may also be referred to as N3 User Plane Connection Tunnel Information and is used for transmission in I-UPF 2 to establish an N3 User Plane connection between I-UPF 2 and RAN 2. User Plane Connection N3 is used to transmit downlink data (namely, downlink data from I-UPF 1) of the old route (namely, the first data path).

RAN forwarding tunnel information (RAN Tunnel Info for data forwarding) may also refer to N3 forwarding tunnel information and is used for transmission in I-UPF 2 to establish an N3 forwarding tunnel between I-UPF 2 and RAN 2. N3 forwarding tunnel is used for data transmission downlink (namely, the downlink data from I-UPF 2) of the new route (namely, the second data path). The RAN 2 allocates RAN Tunnel Forwarding Information (RAN Tunnel Info for data forwarding) to the RAN based on the indication information received in step 1312.

Step 1315: The AMF sends message N11 to the SMF. Message N11 contains RAN tunnel information (RAN Tunnel Info) and RAN tunnel information forwarding (RAN Tunnel Info for data forwarding).

At implementation time, the N11 message may be an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext request.

Step 1316: The SMF transmits the N4 session modification request to I-UPF 2. The N4 session modification request contains RAN Tunnel Information (RAN Tunnel Info) and RAN Tunnel Forwarding Information (RAN Tunnel Info for Data Forwarding).

Step 1317: I-UPF 2 returns a session modification response N4.

Step 1318: The SMF returns an acknowledgment message N11 to the AMF.

At implementation time, the N11 acknowledgment message may be Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext.

The above step 1317 and step 1318 are possible.

In this case, the establishment of the N3 forwarding tunnel between the RAN 2 and the I-UPF 2 is completed, and the establishment of the N3 user plane connection between the RAN 2 and the I-UPF 2 is also completed. In this case, I-UPF 2 may send the received data to RAN 2. Specifically, I-UPF 2 sends to RAN 2 via the N3 user plane connection between I-UPF and RAN 2 the downlink data received from I-UPF 1, and end marker; I-UPF 2 transmits to RAN 2 through the forwarding tunnel N3 between I-UPF 2 and RAN 2 the downlink data received from the PSA.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, the technical problem of downlink data disorder in the user plane connection activation procedure is solved. According to this solution, downlink data disorder can be avoided, thereby improving user experience.

For the above embodiments, shown in FIGS. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, fig. 13A and FIG. 13B, the first user plane connection (also referred to as user plane connection N3) is used to transmit data of the first data transmission path, that is, is used to transmit old data; and the second user plane connection (also referred to as the N3 forwarding tunnel) is used to transmit data of the second data route, that is, is used to transmit new data. In an alternative implementation, the first user plane connection (also referred to as the N3 user plane connection) may be used to transfer data of the second data path, i.e., used to transfer new data; and the second user plane connection (also referred to as the N3 forward tunnel) can be used to transmit the data of the first data route, that is, it is used to transmit the old data. This is not limited in the present invention.

Obviously, in order to implement the previously described functions, each network element includes a corresponding hardware structure and/or a software module to implement each function. One skilled in the art will appreciate that, in conjunction with the examples described in the embodiments, the blocks and algorithms disclosed in this specification may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software in the present invention. Whether a function will perform hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the particular application and design constraint. A person skilled in the art can use various methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should be understood that the implementation should not go beyond the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is an exemplary block diagram of an apparatus 1400 according to the present invention. Device 1400 may be implemented as software. The device 1400 may include a processing unit 1402 and a communication unit 1403. In an implementation, communication block 1403 may include a receive block and a transmit block. The processing unit 1402 is configured to control the operation of the device 1400. The communication unit 1403 is configured to support the device 1400 to communicate with another network entity. The device 1400 may further include a storage unit 1401 configured to store the program code and data of the device 1400.

Processing unit 1402 may be a processor or controller, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a general purpose processor, digital signal processing (DSP), application specific integrated circuits , ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. Processing unit 1402 may implement or execute various examples of logical blocks, modules, and circuits described with reference to the description of the present invention. The processor may be a combination of processors that implement a computing function, such as a combination including one or more microprocessors, or a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor. The communication unit 1403 may be a communication interface, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or the like. Communication interface is a common name. During a particular implementation, a communication interface may include a plurality of interfaces. The storage unit 1401 may be a memory.

In a first implementation, device 1400 may be a network access device in any of the above embodiments, or may be a chip that can be used for a network access device. For example, when device 1400 is a network access device, the processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, a transceiver. Alternatively, the transceiver may include RF circuitry, the storage unit may be, for example, a memory. For example, when device 1400 is a chip that can be used for a network access device, the processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit, for example, may be, for example, an input/output interface, an output, or a circuit. The processing unit may execute computer executable instructions stored in the storage unit. Alternatively, the storage unit is a storage unit within a chip, such as a register or buffer. Alternatively, the storage unit may be a storage unit that resides in a network access device and may be located off-chip, such as read-only memory (ROM), another type of static storage that may store static information and instructions, or random access memory (RAM).

In an embodiment, the receiving unit is configured to: receive downlink data of the first data transmission route sent by the route aggregation network element through the first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the access network device; and receiving the downlink data of the second data path sent by the route aggregation network element via the second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device. The first data path is the data path before the path switch, and the second data path is the data path after the path switch. The transmission unit is configured to send the downlink data of the second data path after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data path is completed.

In an exemplary implementation, the receiving unit is further configured to receive indication information sent by the control plane network element. The indication information instructs the network access device to allocate the tunnel information of the second user plane connection. The network access device extracts the tunnel information of the second user plane connection and transmits the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the control plane network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the first data path is the path before the session binding change in the session binding change procedure, and the second data path is the route after the session binding change.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path is through the data network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, the route aggregation network element is user plane network element. Alternatively, in which the first data path traverses the data network, the first session anchor, and the second session anchor, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session anchor, the path aggregation network element is the second session anchor.

In an exemplary implementation, the first data path is the path before the user plane path switch in the user plane connection activation procedure and the second data path is the path after the user plane path switch in the user plane connection activation procedure.

In an exemplary implementation, in which the first data path passes through the network session, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path passes through the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first network element. user plane network element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element.

In a second implementation, device 1400 may be a route aggregation network element (e.g., a user plane network element, access network device, or session anchor) in any of the above embodiments, or may be a chip that can be used for a route aggregation network element. For example, when device 1400 is a route aggregation network element, the processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, a transceiver. Alternatively, the transceiver may include RF circuitry and the storage unit may be, for example, a memory. For example, when device 1400 is a chip that can be used for a route aggregation network element, the processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, an I/O interface, an output, or a circuit. The processing unit may execute computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit. Alternatively, the storage unit is a storage unit within a chip, such as a register or buffer. Alternatively, the storage unit may be a storage unit that resides in the route aggregation network element and that is located off-chip, such as ROM, another type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, or RAM.

In an embodiment, the receiving unit is configured to receive indication information from the control plane network element. The transmission unit is configured to send, based on the indication information, the downlink data of the second data transmission path after the transmission of the downlink data of the first data transmission route is completed. The first data path is the data path before the switch, and the second data path is the data path after the switch.

In an exemplary implementation, the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to send, until the end marker of the first data path is received, the downlink data packet of the second data path. The end marker indicates that the downlink data transmission of the first data path is completed.

In an exemplary implementation, in a session binding change procedure, wherein the first data path is through the data network, the first session binding, and the network access device, and the second data path is through the data network, the second session binding, and the network access device, the network element route aggregation is a network access device. Alternatively, in the procedure for changing the session anchor, in which the first communication path passes through the communication network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second communication path passes through the communication network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, the network the route aggregation element is a user plane network element. Alternatively, in a session binding change procedure in which the first data path is through the data network, the first session binding, and the second session binding, and the second data path is through the data network and the second session binding, the route aggregation network element is the second binding. session.

In an exemplary implementation, in a user plane connection activation procedure, wherein the first data path is through the data network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path is through the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element.

In another embodiment, the receiving unit is configured to receive downlink data of the first data path and downlink data of the second data path. The transmission unit is configured to: send the downlink data of the first data transmission route to the network access device via the first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device; and send the downlink data of the second data path to the network access device via the second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device.

In an exemplary implementation, prior to receiving the downlink data of the first data path and the downlink data of the second data path, the receiving unit further receives indication information from the control plane network element. The indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, via the second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device, the downlink data of the second data transmission route to the network access device.

In an exemplary implementation, the receiving unit is configured to receive second network access device user plane connection tunnel information sent by the control plane network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the first data path is the path before the session binding change in the session binding change procedure, and the second data path is the route after the session binding change.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path traverses the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path traverses the data network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, the route aggregation network element is user plane network element. Alternatively, in which the first data path traverses the data network, the first session anchor, and the second session anchor, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session anchor, the path aggregation network element is the second session anchor.

In an exemplary implementation, the first data path is the path before the user plane path switch in the user plane connection activation procedure and the second data path is the path after the user plane path switch in the user plane connection activation procedure.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first network element. the user plane element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element.

In a third implementation, device 1400 may be a control plane network element (eg, a session control network element) in any of the above embodiments, or may be a chip that may be used for a control plane network element. For example, when device 1400 is a control plane network element, the processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, a transceiver. Alternatively, the transceiver may include RF circuitry and the storage unit may be, for example, a memory. For example, when device 1400 is a chip that can be used for a control plane network element, the processing unit may be, for example, a processor, and the communication unit may be, for example, an input/output interface, an output, or a circuit. The processing unit may execute computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit. Alternatively, the storage unit is a storage unit within a chip, such as a register or buffer. Alternatively, the storage unit may be a storage unit that resides in the control plane network element and is located off-chip, such as a ROM or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, or RAM.

In an embodiment, the processing unit is configured to determine whether to perform a data path switch.

The transmission unit is configured to send indication information to the route aggregation network element. The indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to send, after the downlink data transmission of the first data route is completed, the downlink data of the second data route. The first data path is the data path before the switch, and the second data path is the data path after the switch.

In an exemplary implementation, the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to send, until the end marker of the first data path is received, the downlink data packet of the second data path. The end marker indicates that the downlink data transmission of the first data path is completed.

In an exemplary implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine, in a session binding change procedure, a switch from the first session binding to the second session binding. The first session binding is located on the first data path and the second session binding is located on the second data path.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path passes through the data network, the first session anchor, and the network access device, and the second data path passes through the data network and the network access device, the path aggregation network element is the network access device. Alternatively, in which the first data path passes through the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path passes through the data network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, the path aggregation network element is a network element. user plane. Alternatively, in which the first data path passes through the data network, the first session binding and the second session binding, and the second data path passes through the data network and the second session binding, the route aggregation network element is the second session binding.

In an exemplary implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine, in a user plane connection activation procedure, a switch from a first user plane network element to a second user plane network element. In which the first communication path passes through the data communication network, the session anchor and the first user plane network element, the second communication route passes through the data communication network, the session anchor and the second user plane network element, a connection is established between the first user plane network element and the second by the user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element.

In another embodiment, the processing unit is configured to: establish a first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device in a network access device switching procedure; and establishing a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device in the session binding change procedure. The first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received from the first data transmission path, and the second user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received from second data path. The first data path is the path before the session binding change in the session binding change procedure, and the second data path is the route after the session binding change.

In an exemplary implementation in which the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path is through the data network and the user plane network element, the path aggregation network element is a user plane network element. . Alternatively, in which the first data path traverses the data network, the first session anchor, and the second session anchor, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session anchor, the path aggregation network element is the second session anchor.

In an exemplary implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to: control the transmission unit to send the first indication information to the network access device, where the first indication information instructs the network access device to allocate tunnel information of the second user plane connection; control the receiving unit to receive tunnel information of the second user plane connection from the network access device; and

control the transmission unit to send tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the route aggregation network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the transmission unit is configured to send the second indication information to the route aggregation network element. The second indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, via the second user plane connection tunnel, the downlink data of the second data transmission route to the network access device.

In another embodiment, the processing unit is configured to: determine, in a user plane connection activation procedure, a switch from a first user plane network element to a second user plane network element; and establishing a first user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the access network device, and establishing a second user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the access network device. The first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received from the first transmission route, and the second user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received from second data path. The first data path is the path before the handover of the user plane NE and the second data path is the path after the handover of the user plane NE.

In an exemplary implementation, the first data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path traverses the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and a second user plane network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to: control the transmission unit to transmit the first indication information to the network access device, where the first indication information instructs the network access device to allocate tunnel information of the second user plane connection; control the receiving unit to receive the tunnel information of the second user plane connection from the network access device; and controlling the transmission unit to send the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the second user plane network element.

In an exemplary implementation, the transmission unit is configured to send the second indication information to the second user plane network element. The second indication information instructs the second user plane network element to transmit, via the second user plane connection, the downlink data of the second data transmission path to the network access device.

Fig. 15 is a diagram of a device in accordance with the present invention. The device may be a control plane network element, a route aggregation network element, or an access network device. The device 1500 includes a processor 1502, a communication interface 1503, and a memory 1501. Optionally, the device 1500 may further include a bus 1504. The communication interface 1503, the processor 1502, and the memory 1501 may be connected to each other using a communication line 1504. Link 1504 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. Link 1504 can be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of presentation, only one thick line is used to represent the tire in FIG. 15, but this does not mean that only one tire or only one type of tire is used.

Processor 1502 may be a CPU, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits configured to control program execution in the solutions of the present invention.

Communication interface 1503 uses any device, such as a transceiver, and is configured to communicate with another device or communication network, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (wireless local area networks, WLAN), wired access network or the like.

The memory 1501 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage that can store static information and instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage that can store information and instructions, or may be electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or other compact storage on a disc or an optical disc (including a compressed data storage optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, and the like), a magnetic disc, or other data storage device using a magnetic storage medium or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the required software o code in the form of instructions or a data structure that has access to a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory may be independent of, and may be connected to, the processor via link 1504. Alternatively, the memory may be integrated with the processor.

The memory 1501 is configured to store computer executable instructions for executing the solutions of the present invention, and the processor 1502 controls the execution of the computer executable instructions. The processor 1502 is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1501 to implement the downlink data out-of-order control method in accordance with the above embodiments of the present invention.

Alternatively, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present disclosure may also be referred to as application program code. This is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

All or some of the above embodiments may be implemented with software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used for implementation, all or some of the embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When computer program instructions are downloaded and executed on the computer, all or some of the procedures or functions are generated in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer-readable medium or may be transferred from a computer-readable medium to another computer-readable 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 (DSL)) or via wireless communication (for example, infrared, radio or microwave). A computer-readable medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or storage device such as a server or data center, integrating one or more of the storage media used. The media used may be magnetic media (eg, floppy disk, hard disk or magnetic tape), optical media (eg, DVD), semiconductor media (eg, solid state drive (Solid State Disk, SSD)) or the like.

Various illustrative logical blocks and circuits described in the embodiments of the present invention may implement or perform the described functions by means of a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gateway or transistor logic, discrete hardware component, or any combination of these structures. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor. Alternatively, a general purpose processor may alternatively be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. Alternatively, the processor may be implemented by a combination of computing devices such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

The steps of the methods or algorithms described in embodiments of the present invention may be directly embedded in hardware, software executed by a processor, or a combination thereof. The software device may be stored in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk, removable magnetic disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage media in the art. For example, a storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium and obtain information on the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may alternatively be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located in an ASIC, and the ASIC may be located in a terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may alternatively be located in different components of the terminal device.

The computer program instructions may alternatively be downloaded to a computer or other programmable processing device such that the sequence of operations and steps performed on the computer or other programmable device allows the computer processing to be performed. Therefore, instructions executed on a computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing a particular function in one or more procedures in flowcharts and/or in one or more blocks in flowcharts.

While the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is clear that various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the specification and the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary descriptions 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. Obviously, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present invention without departing from 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 are within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies.

Claims (78)

1. A method for managing downlink data out of order, comprising the steps of: determining, with the control plane network element, to perform a data path switching; and transmitting, by the control plane network element, pointing information to the route aggregation network element, the pointing information instructing the route aggregation network element to transmit, after the downlink data transmission of the first data route is completed, the downlink data of the second data route, wherein the first data path is the data path before the switch, and the second data path is the data path after the switch. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, prior to receiving the end marker of the first data path, a downlink data packet of the second data path, the end marker indicating that the downlink data transmission of the first data path is completed. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of determining, with the control plane network element, to perform a data path switch comprises: determining, by the control plane network element, in the session binding change procedure, to switch from the first session binding to the second session binding, where the first session binding is located on the first data path and the second session binding is located on the second data path. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the network access device, and the second data path is through the data network, the second session anchor, and the network access device, wherein the network the route aggregation element is a network access device; or the first data path passes through the data communications network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path passes through the data communications network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, wherein the path aggregation network element is the user plane network element ; or the first data path traverses the data network, the first session binding, and the second session binding, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session binding, the path aggregation network element being the second session binding. 5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of determining, with the control plane network element, to perform a data path switch comprises: determining, by the control plane network element, in the user plane connection activation procedure, to switch from the first user plane network element to the second user plane network element, the first data path passing through the data network, the session binding and the first user plane network element, the second data path passes through the data communications network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the path aggregation network element being the second network element user plane. 6. A method for managing downlink data out of order, comprising the steps of: receiving, with the route aggregation network element, indication information from the control plane network element; and transmitting, by the route aggregation network element, based on the indication information, the downlink data of the second data path after the downlink data of the first data path is completed, the first data path is the data path before switching, and the second path data transfer is the data transfer path after the switch. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, prior to receiving the end marker of the first data path, a downlink data packet of the second data path, the end marker indicating that the downlink data transmission of the first data path is completed. 8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the session binding change procedure, when the first data path passes through the data communications network, the first session binding and the network access device, and the second data path passes through the data communications network, the second binding session and network access device, the route aggregation network element is a network access device; or in the session binding change procedure, when the first data path passes through the data communications network, the first session binding and the user plane network element, and the second data path passes through the data communications network, the second session binding and the user plane network element, the route aggregation network element is a user plane network element; or in the session binding change procedure, when the first data path passes through the data network, the first session binding and the second session binding, and the second data path passes through the data network and the second session binding, the route aggregation network element is the second session binding. 9. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in the user plane connection activation procedure, the first data path passes through the data communications network, session anchor and the first user plane network element, the second data path passes through the data communications network, session anchor and a second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the route aggregation network element is the second user plane network element. 10. A method for managing downlink data out of order, comprising the steps of: establishing, with the control plane network element, a first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the access network device in a network access device switching procedure; and establishing, with the control plane network element, a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device in the session binding change procedure, wherein the first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received on the first data transmission path, and the second user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit to the network access device the downlink data received on to a second data path, wherein the first data path is the path before the session binding change in the session binding change procedure, and the second data path is the route after the session binding is changed. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path is through the data network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, this route aggregation NE is a user plane NE; or wherein the first data path traverses the data network, the first session anchor, and the second session anchor, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session anchor, the path aggregation network element being the second session anchor. 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein establishing, by means of the control plane network element, a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device comprises the sub-steps of: transmitting, with the control plane network element, first pointing information to the network access device, the first pointing information instructing the access network device to allocate tunnel information of the second user plane connection; receiving, with the control plane network element, tunnel information of the second user plane connection from the network access device; and transmitting, via the control plane network element, the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the route aggregation network element. 13. A method for managing downlink data out of order, comprising the steps of: determining, with the control plane network element, in the user plane connection activation procedure, to switch from the first user plane network element to the second user plane network element; and establishing, with the control plane network element, a first user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the network access device, and establishing a second user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the network access device, wherein the first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit, to the network access device, the downlink data received on the first data transmission path, and the second user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit, to the network access device, the downlink data communications received over the second data path, the first data path being the path before the user plane network element handover, and the second data path being the path after the user plane network element handover. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first data path is through the data network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path is through the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element, and set a connection between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of establishing, with the control plane network element, a second user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the network access device comprises sub-steps of: transmitting, by the control plane network element, first pointing information to the network access device, the first pointing information instructing the access network device to allocate tunnel information of the second user plane connection; receiving, with the control plane network element, tunnel information of the second user plane connection from the access network network device; and transmitting, by means of the control plane network element, the tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the second user plane network element. 16. A control plane network element, comprising: a processing unit, configured to determine whether to switch the communication path; and a transmission unit configured to transmit indication information to the route aggregation network element, wherein the indication information indicates to the route aggregation network element to transmit, after the transmission of downlink data of the first data transmission route is completed, the downlink data of the second data transmission route, wherein the first route the data path is the data path before the switch, and the second data path is the data path after the switch. 17. The control plane network element of claim 16, wherein the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, prior to receiving the end marker of the first data path, the downlink data packet of the second data path, the end marker indicating that the data transfer is downlink the communication line of the first data transmission route is completed. 18. The control plane network element of claim 16 or 17, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine, in the session binding change procedure, to switch from the first session binding to the second session binding, the first session binding being on the first data path, and the second session binding is located on the second data path. 19. The control plane network element of claim 18, wherein the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the network access device, and the second data path is through the data network, the second session anchor, and the network access device, wherein the route aggregation network element is a network access device; or the first data path passes through the data communications network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path passes through the data communications network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element, wherein the path aggregation network element is the user plane network element ; or the first data path traverses the data network, the first session binding, and the second session binding, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session binding, the path aggregation network element being the second session binding. 20. The control plane network element of claim 16 or 17, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine, in the user plane connection activation procedure, to switch from the first user plane network element to the second user plane network element, wherein the first data path passes through the data network, the session anchor and the first user plane network element, the second data path passes through the data network, the session anchor and the second user plane network element, and establishes a connection between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element after user plane route switching, the route aggregation network element being the second user plane network element. 21. A route aggregation network element, comprising: a receiving unit, configured to receive indication information from the control plane network element; and a transmission unit configured to transmit, based on the indication information, the downlink data of the second data path after the completion of the downlink data transmission of the first data path, the first data path being the data path before switching and the second data path is the data path after the switchover. 22. The route aggregation network element of claim 21, wherein the indication information instructs the route aggregation network element to transmit, prior to receiving the end marker of the first data path, a downlink data packet of the second data path, the end marker indicating that the data transfer is downlink the communication line of the first data transmission route is completed. 23. The route aggregation network element of claim 21 or 22, wherein, in the session binding change procedure, when the first data path passes through the data network, the first session binding and the network access device, and the second data path passes through the data network data, a second session binding, and a network access device, the device is a network access device; or in the session binding change procedure, when the first communication path passes through the data communication network, the first session binding, and the user plane network element, and the second communication path passes through the data communication network, the second session binding, and the user plane network element, the device is a network element user plane; or in the session binding change procedure, when the first data path is through the data network, the first session binding, and the second session binding, and the second data path is through the data network and the second session binding, the device is the second session binding. 24. The route aggregation network element of claim 21 or 22, wherein in the user plane connection activation procedure, when the first data path passes through the data communications network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path passes through the communications network data, session binding, and a second user plane network element, and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element after the user plane route switch, the device being the second user plane network element. 25. A control plane network element, comprising: a processing unit, configured to: establish a first user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device in a network access device switching procedure; and establishing a second user plane connection between the route aggregation network element and the network access device in the session binding change procedure, wherein the first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit, to the network access device, the downlink data received on the first data transmission route, and the second user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit the downlink data to the network access device, received on the second data path, wherein the first data path is the path before the session association change in the session association change procedure, and the second data path is the route after the session association change. 26. The control plane network element of claim 25, wherein the first data path is through the data network, the first session anchor, and the user plane network element, and the second data path is through the data network, the second session anchor, and the user plane network element. a user, wherein the route aggregation network element is a user plane network element; or the first data path traverses the data network, the first session binding, and the second session binding, and the second data path traverses the data network and the second session binding, the path aggregation network element being the second session binding. 27. The control plane network element of claim 25 or 26, comprising a transmit unit and a receive unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to: controlling a transmission unit for transmitting first indication information to the network access device, wherein the first indication information instructs the network access device to allocate tunnel information of the second user plane connection; controlling a receiving unit for receiving tunnel information of the second user plane connection from the network access device; and controlling a transmission unit for transmitting tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the route aggregation network element. 28. A control plane network element, comprising: a processing unit, configured to: determine, in the user plane connection activation procedure, switch from the first user plane network element to the second user plane network element; and establishing a first user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the network access device and a second user plane connection between the second user plane network element and the network access device, wherein the first user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit, to the network access device, the downlink data received on the first data transmission route, and the second user plane connection is used by the route aggregation network element to transmit the downlink data to the network access device, received on the second data path, wherein the first data path is the path before the user plane network element handover, and the second data path is the path after the user plane network element handover. 29. The control plane network element of claim 28, wherein the first data path is through the data network, the session anchor, and the first user plane network element, the second data path is through the data network, the session anchor, and the second user plane network element , and a connection is established between the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element. 30. The control plane network element of claim 29, comprising a transmit unit and a receive unit, wherein the processing unit is configured to: controlling a transmission unit for transmitting first indication information to the network access device, the first indication information instructing the network access device to allocate tunnel information of the second user plane connection; controlling a receiving unit for receiving tunnel information of the second user plane connection from the network access device; and controlling a transmission unit for transmitting tunnel information of the second user plane connection to the second user plane network element. 31. A computer-readable medium storing instructions causing, when executed by a computer, execution, by the computer, of a method according to any one of claims 1-5. 32. A computer-readable medium storing instructions causing, when executed by a computer, execution by the computer of a method according to any one of claims 6-9. 33. A computer-readable medium storing instructions causing, when executed by a computer, execution by the computer of a method according to any one of claims 10-12. 34. A computer-readable medium storing instructions causing, when executed by a computer, execution, by the computer, of the method according to any one of claims 13-15.

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