WO2020200432A1

WO2020200432A1 - Communication control mechanism for time sensitive traffic

Info

Publication number: WO2020200432A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/058308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jens Gebert; Andreas Wich
Original assignee: Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy
Priority date: 2019-04-02
Filing date: 2019-04-02
Publication date: 2020-10-08

Abstract

An apparatus for use by a communication network control element or function configured to conduct a communication control for a communication with at least one communication element or function in a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to determine network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from an entry point to an exit point of the communication network via at least one transmission path using at least one network element or function of the communication network, to provide an indication related to the determined network properties to a transmission party, to receive and process setting information for a data stream to be transmitted via the communication network to a destination within a defined time scheduling, to calculate, on the basis of the determined network properties and the defined time scheduling, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, to select at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and to activate the selected at least one route by causing transmission of the data stream from the entry point via the network elements or functions forming the at least one route to the destination.

Description

COMMUNICATION CONTROL MECHANISM FOR TIME SENSITIVE TRAFFIC

DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Field

Examples of embodiments relate to apparatuses, methods, systems, computer programs, computer program products and (non-transitory) computer-readable media usable for conducting a communication control for time sensitive traffic in a communication network, and in particular to apparatuses, methods, systems, computer programs, computer program products and (non-transitory) computer-readable media usable for controlling a mobile communication network in a time sensitive communication, such as in a TSN based communication scenario.

Background Art

The following description of background art may include insights, discoveries, understandings or disclosures, or associations, together with disclosures not known to the relevant prior art, to at least some examples of embodiments of the present disclosure but provided by the disclosure. Some of such contributions of the disclosure may be specifically pointed out below, whereas other of such contributions of the disclosure will be apparent from the related context.

The following meanings for the abbreviations used in this specification apply:

3GPP 3^rd Generation Partnership Project

4G fourth generation

5G fifth generation

5GS 5G system

AF application function

AMF access and mobility function

AUSF authentication server function

BS base station CG configured grant

CN core network

CNC centralized network controller

CP control plane

CPU central processing unit

DL downlink

E2E end to end

eNB evolved node B

ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute gNB next generation node B

IMCP Internet control message protocol

loT Internet of things

LTE Long Term Evolution

LTE-A LTE Advanced

MIB management information base

NEF network exposure function

NF network function

NG new generation

NR new radio

NRF network repository function

NW network

PCF policy control function

PDU packet data unit

PHY physical layer

PSA PDU session anchor

QoS quality of service

RAN radio access network

RAT radio access technology

SDAP service data adaptation protocol

SMF session and mobility management function

SNMP simple network management protocol

SPS semi-persistent scheduling

TSC time sensitive communication

TSN time sensitive networking

UDM unified data management UE user equipment

UL uplink

UMTS universal mobile telecommunication system

UP user plane

UPF user plane function

SUMMARY

According to an example of an embodiment, there is provided, for example, an apparatus for use by a communication network control element or function configured to conduct a communication control for a communication with at least one communication element or function in a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to determine network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from an entry point to an exit point of the communication network via at least one transmission path using at least one network element or function of the communication network, to provide an indication related to the determined network properties to a transmission party, to receive and process setting information for a data stream to be transmitted via the communication network to a destination within a defined time scheduling, to calculate, on the basis of the determined network properties and the defined time scheduling, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, to select at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and to activate the selected at least one route by causing transmission of the data stream from the entry point via the network elements or functions forming the at least one route to the destination.

Furthermore, according to an example of an embodiment, there is provided, for example, a method for use in a communication network control element or function configured to conduct a communication control for a communication with at least one communication element or function in a communication network, the method comprising determining network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from an entry point to an exit point of the communication network via at least one transmission path using at least one network element or function of the communication network, providing an indication related to the determined network properties to a transmission party, receiving and processing setting information for a data stream to be transmitted via the communication network to a destination within a defined time scheduling, calculating, on the basis of the determined network properties and the defined time scheduling, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, selecting at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and activating the selected at least one route by causing transmission of the data stream from the entry point via the network elements or functions forming the at least one route to the destination.

According to further refinements, these examples may include one or more of the following features

- it may be determine that a change of the selected at least one route is required for continuing the communication from the entry point to the destination, at least one other of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling may be selected, and switching of the communication from the currently activated route to the at least one other route may be caused;

- when setting information for a new data stream is received and processed for transmission or transmission of an existing data stream is ended, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network may be re calculated, and at least one of the possible routes being re-calculated in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling may be selected;

- at least one additional route of the possible routes in the communication network for a usage in the transmission of the data stream at a preset timing may be pre allocated;

- usage of the at least one additional route of the possible routes being pre allocated may be allowed for a usage in the transmission of the data stream for transmission of different data when the transmission of the data stream at a preset timing is not conducted;

- for determining the network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from the entry point to the exit point of the communication network, at least one of a minimum delay time caused by processing in a respective network element or function being part of the transmission path, a maximum delay time caused by processing in a respective network element or function being part of the transmission path, a minimum delay time caused for forwarding data from one network element or function to a next network element or function being part of the transmission path, and a maximum delay time caused for forwarding data from one network element or function to a next network element or function being part of the transmission path may be detected, and respective ones of the detected delay times may be summarized for determining a respective network property;

- it may be determined that a specific event causing an additional delay in a transmission path is present in a possible route from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, a specific route including the additional delay may be calculated wherein the additional delay is compensated for by considering a smaller delay margin for other network elements or functions being part of the route;

- when selecting the at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, measures causing a delay in the transmission of the data stream to the destination in order to meet the defined time scheduling may be considered, wherein the measures may include at least one of adding a forward and hold buffer element or function in the route, executing a semi-persistent scheduling procedure for forwarding data of the data stream in a downlink direction, and providing configured grants for forwarding data of the data stream in an uplink direction;

- the processing may be implemented in a quality of service management element or function of a mobile communication network, wherein the entry point and the exit point of the communication network may be connected to a respective portion of a time sensitive networking system, and the transmission path in the communication network may comprise core network elements or functions and access network elements or functions.

In addition, according to embodiments, there is provided, for example, a computer program product for a computer, including software code portions for performing the steps of the above defined methods, when said product is run on the computer. The computer program product may include a computer-readable medium on which said software code portions are stored. Furthermore, the computer program product may be directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer and/or transmittable via a network by means of at least one of upload, download and push procedures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a diagram illustrating an example of a deployment of a communication network for usage in an industrial factory;

Fig. 2 shows a diagram illustrating an example of a system architecture of a communication network forming a TSN bridge;

Fig. 3 shows a diagram illustrating delays in a communication network part forming a TSN bridge;

Fig. 4 shows a diagram illustrating a use case of a communication network with different communication paths according to some examples of embodiments;

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of a communication control processing according to some examples of embodiments; and

Fig. 6 shows a diagram of a network element or function representing a communication network control element or function according to some examples of embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the last years, an increasing extension of communication networks, e.g. of wire based communication networks, such as the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless communication networks, such as the cdma2000 (code division multiple access) system, cellular 3^rd generation (3G) like the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), fourth generation (4G) communication networks or enhanced communication networks based e.g. on Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), fifth generation (5G) communication networks, cellular 2^nd generation (2G) communication networks like the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), the General Packet Radio System (GPRS), the Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), or other wireless communication system, such as the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), took place all over the world. Various organizations, such as the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Telecoms & Internet converged Services & Protocols for Advanced Networks (TISPAN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 3^rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), the WiMAX Forum and the like are working on standards or specifications for telecommunication network and access environments.

Basically, for properly establishing and handling a communication between two or more end points (e.g. communication stations or elements, such as terminal devices, user equipments (UEs), or other communication network elements, a database, a server, host etc.), one or more network elements or functions (e.g. virtualized network functions), such as communication network control elements or functions, for example access network elements like access points, radio base stations, relay stations, eNBs, gNBs etc., and core network elements or functions, for example control nodes, support nodes, service nodes, gateways, user plane functions, access and mobility functions etc., may be involved, which may belong to one communication network system or different communication network systems.

New communication systems, such as the 5G System (5GS), are developed in order to support new business models such as those for loT and enterprise managed networks. Services such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle control, Augmented Reality, and factory automation are intended to be provided. Network flexibility enhancements support self- contained enterprise networks, installed and maintained by network operators while being managed by the enterprise. Enhanced connection modes and evolved security facilitate support of massive loT, expected to include tens of millions of UEs sending and receiving data over the 5G network.

As indicated above, one use case is factory automation with is also referred to as vertical industries (i.e. Industrie 4.0). Vertical industries are related to e.g. discrete automation, process automation, and intelligent transport systems in industrial factories or the like. Design principles concern several aspects, such as, for example, interconnection, i.e. the ability of machines, devices, sensors, and people to connect and communicate with each other via loT, information transparency, i.e. the provision of operators with useful information needed to make appropriate decisions from all points in the manufacturing process, technical assistance, i.e. the ability of assistance systems to support humans by aggregating and visualizing information comprehensively for making informed decisions and solving urgent problems on short notice, and the ability of cyber physical systems to physically support humans by conducting a range of tasks, and decentralized decisions, i.e. the ability of cyber physical systems to make decisions on their own and to perform their tasks as autonomously as possible.

Cyber-physical systems are to be understood as systems that include engineered, interacting networks of physical and computational components. Cyber-physical control applications are to be understood as applications that control physical processes. Cyber physical control applications in automation follow certain activity patterns, which are open-loop control, closed-loop control, sequence control, and batch control

Communication services supporting cyber-physical control applications need to be ultra reliable, dependable with a high communication service availability, and often require low or (in some cases) very low end-to-end latency. Communication in automation in vertical domains follows certain communication patterns. One example for such a communication pattern is a periodic deterministic communication.

Fig. 1 shows a diagram illustrating an example of a deployment of a communication network for usage in an industrial factory.

In detail, as shown in Fig. 1 , various factory equipment 1 1 , such as an industrial robot, sensors or cameras, motorized devices like band conveyors or the like, autonomous vehicles etc., are equipped with a communication element or function, also referred to as a UE 10-1 , 10-2, which allows to communicate via a (wireless) communication network, such as a 5GS. The UE 10-1 , 10-2 can be integrated with the factory equipment, such as an on-board UE, or be linked in any suitable form to the respective device, e.g. as a modem or the like. The UEs 10-1 , 10-2 are connected via an air interface (Uu interface) to a base station 20. For the sake of simplicity, only one BS 20 is shown in Fig. 1 , but is it of course possible that more than one BS is proved in the factory area.

The BS 20 is connected to a 5GS network including control plane functions 40, such as AMS, SMF etc. (described below in further detail), and user place functions (UPF1 30-1 , UPF2 30-2), by means of respective links (to be described later).

The user plane functions (in the example of Fig. 1 , UPF2 30-2) provides a connection to the control entities of the industrial factory, i.e. to one or more industrial process controllers 210, via switches or routers 220. Network security is provided by a corresponding network security element 200.

As indicated above, communications employed in applications like vertical industries have to fulfill certain requirements, such as high communication service availability and low end-to-end latency. In order to provide such capabilities, mechanisms for Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) as defined by IEEE (e.g. in IEEE 802.1 Qbv Scheduled Traffic, IEEE 802.1 Qci Ingress Policing, IEEE 802.1 CB Seamless Redundancy, IEEE 802.1 Qcc Stream Reservation Protocol, and IEEE 802.1 Qbu/802.3br Preemption) are integrated with 5GS.

TSN (or Time Sensitive Communication (TSC)) refer to a communication service that supports deterministic communication and/or isochronous communication with high reliability and availability. It is about providing packet transport with bounds on latency, loss, packet delay variation (jitter), and reliability, where end systems and relay/transmit nodes can be strictly synchronized.

For implementing the 5GS part into TSN, an approach can be used in which the 5GS appears as a TSN bridge. Basically, 5GS overall adopts a QoS framework where applications request QoS properties that the 5GS then meets using 5G framework. When the 5GS appears as a TSN bridge, the 5G system receives TSN related reservation requests using the known 5G QoS framework. The 5G system then uses 5G internal signaling to satisfy the TSN reservation request. Fig. 2 shows a diagram illustrating an example of a system architecture of a communication network forming a TSN bridge. Specifically, in Fig. 2, it is illustrated how to integrate the 5GS in an TSN network.

The configuration illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises three main parts A to C. Part A represents the TSN system. Part C represents the end station of the TSN system or a (further) TSN bridge. Reflected to the example shown in Fig. 1 , part A is the industrial process controller 210 (and the switch/router) 220, while part C is a factory equipment 1 1.

Basically, in the present example, a so-called centralized network and distributed user model for the TSN system is assumed. It is to be noted that other models can be similarly used, such as a fully distributed model etc. For the sake of simplicity, the following is based on the centralized model.

In this model, TSN end stations, i.e. talkers and listeners, communicate the TSN stream requirements directly to the TSN network. The TSN stream requirements are forwarded to a Centralized Network Configuration (CNC). The TSN bridges provide their network capabilities information and active topology information to the CNC. The CNC has a complete view of the TSN network and is therefore enabled to compute respective end- to-end communication paths from a talker to the listeners that fulfil the TSN stream requirements as provided by the end stations. The computation result is provided by the CNC as TSN configuration information to each TSN bridge in the path between involved TSN end stations as network configuration information.

It is to be noted that according to some examples of embodiments, also other implementation examples of the TSN system are possible, For example, a configuration may be used in which, in addition or alternatively to the above described approach where talkers/listeners are involved in the setting of TSN stream configuration according to present requirements, a central element of the TSN system, such as the CNC, configures directly streams/flows of the TSN system, i.e. without involving the talker/listener. This is applied, for example, when the talker/listener are not configured to communicate their requirements. Part B, on the other hand, is the 5GS part being linked to the TSN system as a TSN bridge.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, in the 5GS, protocols and reference points are defined for network functions (NF) and reference points connecting NFs.

Generally, a network function can be implemented either as a network element on a dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on a dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriate platform, e.g., a cloud infrastructure.

As shown in Fig. 2, a communication element such as a UE 10 is connected to a RAN or access network (AN) 20 and to an access and mobility function (AMF) 50. The UE 10 is also connected to a TSN translator element 100 which forms together with the UE 10 the device side bridge towards the TSN end station, for example. The UE 10 represents either an ingress point (UL communication direction) or an egress point (DL communication direction) for the TSN based communication.

The RAN 20 represents a base station (BS or NB) using a NR RAT and/or an evolved LTE base station, while AN 20 is a general base station including e.g. non-3GPP access, e.g., Wi-Fi.

The core network architecture shown in Fig. 2 applied for a 5GS network comprises various NFs. As shown in Fig. 21 , the CN NFs comprises the AMF 50, a session management function (SMF) 40, a policy control function (PCF) 60, a network exposure function, a user data management (UDM) 80, and one or more user plane function(s) (UPF) 30.

The AMF 50 provides UE-based authentication, authorization, mobility management, etc. A UE (e.g. UE 10) even using multiple access technologies is basically connected to a single AMF because the AMF 50 is independent of the access technologies.

The SMF 40 sets up and manages sessions according to network policy. The SMF 40 is responsible, for example, for session management and allocates IP addresses to UEs. Furthermore, it selects and controls the UPF 30 for data transfer. It is to be noted that it is also possible that in case the UE 10 has e.g. multiple sessions (communication connections), different SMFs may be allocated to each session to manage them individually and possibly provide different functionalities per session.

The UPF 30 can be deployed in various configurations and locations, according to the service type. Functions of the UPF 30 are e.g. QoS handling for user plane, packet routing and forwarding, packet inspection and policy rule enforcement, traffic accounting and reporting.

The PCF 60 provides a policy framework incorporating network slicing, roaming and mobility management, similar to a policy and charging rules function in a 4G network.

The UDM 80 stores and provides subscription data of the UE 10, similar to an home subscriber server (HSS) in 4G networks, and also network slice specific information.

The NEF 70 is used for exposing network capabilities and events to an AF.

Furthermore, application functions (AF) 90 and 95 are provided which act as a TSN translator to and from the TSN system C (AF 90 for CP signaling, AF 95 for UP signaling). Basically, the AF 90, 95 provides information on the packet flow to the PCF 60 in order to support QoS. Based on the information, the PCF 60 determines policies about mobility and session management to make the AMF 50 and the SMF 40 operate properly.

In the configuration according to Fig. 2, the AF 90, 95 form the network side bridge towards the TSN system C. Thus, the AF 90, 95 represent either an ingress point (DL communication direction) or an egress point (UL communication direction) for the TSN based communication.

As shown in Fig. 2, the NFs are connected by means of so-called reference points (N1 to N33). This representation of reference points N1 to N33 is used for illustrating how data flows are developed. For example, N1 is defined to carry signaling between the UE 10 and the AMF 50. The reference point for connecting between the RAN/AN 20 and the AMF 50 is defined as N2, and the reference point between RAN/AN 20 and the UPF 30 is defined as N3. A reference point N 1 1 is defined between the AMF 50 and the SMF 40 so that SMF 40 is controllable by the AMF 50. Reference point N4 is used by the SMF 40 and the UPF 30 so that the UPF 30 can be set using the control signal generated by the SMF 40, and the UPF 30 can report its state to the SMF 40. Reference point N9 is the reference point for the connection between different UPFs. Reference point N15 and N7 are defined for connecting the PCF 60 to the AMF 50 and the SMF 40, respectively, so that the PCF 60 can apply policy to the AMF 50 and the SMF40, respectively. Reference points N8 and N10 are defined because the subscription data of the UE 10 is required for the AMF 50 and the SMF 40, respectively. Reference point N5 is defined for connecting between the AF 95 and the PCF 60, and reference point N6 is defined for connecting between the UPF 30 and the AF 90. Reference point N33 is for connecting between the NEF 70 and the AF 95.

As described above, the 5GS appears to the external TSN network as a TSN bridge, wherein the AFs are used in the "logical" TSN bridge as adaptation function to translate the 5GS protocols and information objects to TSN protocols and information objects and vice versa. 5GS-specific procedures in CN and RAN, wireless communication links, etc. remain hidden from the TSN network. To achieve such transparency to the TSN network and appear as any other TSN Bridge, the 5GS Bridge provides TSN ingress and egress ports via the so-called TSN Translator (Device) on the UE side and via the "TSN Translator" (CP and UP) on the CN side towards the DN.

Modelling the 5GS as a TSN Bridge allows that 5GS capabilities can be exposed using the respective information models for describing TSN bridge capabilities, which are better suited to capture the characteristics of the 5GS compared to the TSN link model attributes. Moreover, the approach allows for controlling the interaction with the major TSN control entity (TSN CNC), e.g., for negotiating QoS attributes. Finally, with the introduction of the TSN Translators at the UE side and the network side, it is possible to reuse many of the existing interfaces defined for 5GS.

However, while time aware traffic, or deterministic traffic, can be easily achieved in a fixed or wire based network, where the network properties like processing or transmission delays (caused e.g. by cable lengths and line rates) are relatively fixed, it is more complicated to handle deterministic traffic in a wireless system, e.g. due to dynamic changing radio conditions and user mobility. In current TSN solutions, challenges originating from the network properties of wireless communication networks caused, for example, by the user mobility are not considered. As indicated above, a wireless communication system, such as a 5GS, is seen by the TSN network (e.g. the controller entity thereof, like the TSN CNC) as a bridge having static characteristics, e.g. a fixed delay. Such a condition is however not persistent in a wireless communication network since the wireless network provides mobility with changing parameters. This is not covered by the current TSN models.

That is, the mobility requirement and mechanism interfere with the fixed schedules for time aware traffic in TSN, which relies on fixed ingress/egress time windows for data arrival/transmission at each TSN node and requires“zero interruption”.

Usually, for the mobility solution in a mobile communication network, there is an anchor node in the user plane (for example, (3GPP a UPF or a gateway) from which the data is transported via a communication path (such as a mobility tunnel, e.g. based on the 3GPP GTP-U protocol) to the appropriate RAN/base station. These communication paths change e.g. due to handover. Furthermore, it is also possible to use multiple paths or tunnels for a communication, for example in the case of a multi-connectivity communication where a user is served by different base stations or the like.

Fig. 3 shows a diagram illustrating delays in a communication network part forming a TSN bridge. In detail, Fig. 3 indicates an excerpt of the configuration shown, for example, in Fig. 2 where a 5GS forms a (single) node (i.e. a TSN bridge) from the TSN point of view.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, there are different delay sources in the 5GS. For example, processing delays occurring in the UE 10 and the network elements and functions involved in the communication, such as in the UPF 30 are present. Furthermore, a certain packet delay budget has to be considered for the forwarding of data in the 5GS from the one end point (e.g. the UE 10) to the other end point (e.g. the UPF 30) is to be considered. It is to be noted that the packet delay budget represents, for example, a value being specified for the communication system, such as the 5GS, to fulfil. Once specified, the communication system, such as the 5GS, can use this value to leverage, for example, time diversity in data transport. The respective delay components form then a so-called bridge delay from the TSN point of view.

However, as indicated above, the respective delay amounts are variable. For example, the current load of the 5GS play a role in the actual amount of delay. Furthermore, environmental conditions can influence the communication performance and hence the delay budget, for example. Moreover, the position of a UE in the network area is to be taken into account. Other effects which can vary the delay amounts are also possible, of course, which are known per se and thus not concretized here in further detail.

As indicated above, for the TSN network (i.e. the TSN end stations A and C in Fig. 3, for example), the 5GS part forms a (single) node like a TSN bridge. The achievement of the time scheduling requirements, such as ingress/egress timing defined for a TSN QoS stream (e.g. by the TSN CNC) is not in the responsibility of the TSN parts A and C. Rather, an 5GS internal QoS Manager (e.g. a 5GS QoS manager which may be part of a CN network element or function, such as the SMF 40, the AMF 50 or the like) is responsible to achieve the 5GS ingress/egress timing defined for the TSN QoS stream.

In order to align QoS requirements between a TSN stream and a QoS flow of the communication network (e.g. the 5GS), it is required to conduct a QoS negotiation between the communication network (e.g. the QoS manager thereof) and the TSN network (e.g. the CNC thereof). In this QoS negotiation, for example, when a communication network part (e.g. part B in Fig. 2) is registered in the TSN system as a (virtual) bridge, bridge related information are to be provided, which includes, for example, a bridge identity, ports identities, and bridge delay attributes.

The bridge delay attributes are defined e.g. in IEEE 802.1Qcc and comprise independentDelayMin, independentDelayMax, dependentDelayMin, and dependentDelayMax, which are related to delays of frames as they pass through the bridge (i.e. the 5GS part B) and are divided into a delay amount which is independent of the frame length and another delay amount which depends on the frame length (the length-dependent delay may include the time required to receive and store each octet of the frame, which depends on the link speed of the ingress port). Further parameters include, for example, a sending delay (txPropagationDelay) which indicates the delay for a frame transmitted from a TSN bridge port to the neighboring port on a different bridge (distance dependent).

In the following, different exemplifying embodiments will be described using, as an example of a communication network to which examples of embodiments may be applied, a communication network architecture based on 3GPP standards for a communication network, such as a 5G/NR, without restricting the embodiments to such an architecture, however. It is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the embodiments may also be applied to other kinds of communication networks where mobile communication principles are integrated with TSN communications, e.g. Wi-Fi, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, personal communications services (PCS), ZigBee®, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), systems using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs), wired access, etc.. Furthermore, without loss of generality, the description of some examples of embodiments is related to a mobile communication network, but principles of the disclosure can be extended and applied to any other type of communication network, such as a wired communication network.

The following examples and embodiments are to be understood only as illustrative examples. Although the specification may refer to“an”,“one”, or“some” example(s) or embodiment(s) in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is related to the same example(s) or embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single example or embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Furthermore, terms like “comprising” and “including” should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consist of only those features that have been mentioned; such examples and embodiments may also contain features, structures, units, modules etc. that have not been specifically mentioned.

A basic system architecture of a (tele)communication network including a mobile communication system where some examples of embodiments are applicable may include an architecture of one or more communication networks including wireless access network subsystem(s) and core network(s). Such an architecture may include one or more communication network control elements or functions, access network elements, radio access network elements, access service network gateways or base transceiver stations, such as a base station (BS), an access point (AP), a NodeB (NB), an eNB or a gNB, a distributed or a centralized unit, which controls a respective coverage area or cell(s) and with which one or more communication stations such as communication elements, user devices or terminal devices, like a UE, or another device having a similar function, such as a modem chipset, a chip, a module etc., which can also be part of a station, an element, a function or an application capable of conducting a communication, such as a UE, an element or function usable in a machine-to-machine communication architecture, or attached as a separate element to such an element, function or application capable of conducting a communication, or the like, are capable to communicate via one or more channels via one or more communication beams for transmitting several types of data in a plurality of access domains. Furthermore, core network elements or network functions, such as gateway network elements/functions, mobility management entities, a mobile switching center, servers, databases and the like may be included.

The general functions and interconnections of the described elements and functions, which also depend on the actual network type, are known to those skilled in the art and described in corresponding specifications, so that a detailed description thereof is omitted herein. However, it is to be noted that several additional network elements and signaling links may be employed for a communication to or from an element, function or application, like a communication endpoint, a communication network control element, such as a server, a gateway, a radio network controller, and other elements of the same or other communication networks besides those described in detail herein below.

A communication network architecture as being considered in examples of embodiments may also be able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet. The communication network may also be able to support the usage of cloud services for virtual network elements or functions thereof, wherein it is to be noted that the virtual network part of the telecommunication network can also be provided by non-cloud resources, e.g. an internal network or the like. It should be appreciated that network elements of an access system, of a core network etc., and/or respective functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server, access node or entity etc. being suitable for such a usage. Generally, a network function can be implemented either as a network element on a dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on a dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriate platform, e.g., a cloud infrastructure.

Furthermore, a network element, such as communication elements, like a UE, a terminal device, control elements or functions, such as access network elements, like a base station (BS), an gNB, a radio network controller, a core network control element or function, such as a gateway element, or other network elements or functions, as described herein, and any other elements, functions or applications may be implemented by software, e.g. by a computer program product for a computer, and/or by hardware. For executing their respective processing, correspondingly used devices, nodes, functions or network elements may include several means, modules, units, components, etc. (not shown) which are required for control, processing and/or communication/signaling functionality. Such means, modules, units and components may include, for example, one or more processors or processor units including one or more processing portions for executing instructions and/or programs and/or for processing data, storage or memory units or means for storing instructions, programs and/or data, for serving as a work area of the processor or processing portion and the like (e.g. ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and the like), input or interface means for inputting data and instructions by software (e.g. floppy disc, CD-ROM, EEPROM, and the like), a user interface for providing monitor and manipulation possibilities to a user (e.g. a screen, a keyboard and the like), other interface or means for establishing links and/or connections under the control of the processor unit or portion (e.g. wired and wireless interface means, radio interface means including e.g. an antenna unit or the like, means for forming a radio communication part etc.) and the like, wherein respective means forming an interface, such as a radio communication part, can be also located on a remote site (e.g. a radio head or a radio station etc.). It is to be noted that in the present specification processing portions should not be only considered to represent physical portions of one or more processors, but may also be considered as a logical division of the referred processing tasks performed by one or more processors.

It should be appreciated that according to some examples, a so-called“liquid” or flexible network concept may be employed where the operations and functionalities of a network element, a network function, or of another entity of the network, may be performed in different entities or functions, such as in a node, host or server, in a flexible manner. In other words, a “division of labor” between involved network elements, functions or entities may vary case by case.

According to examples of embodiments, it is proposed to enable mobility based communication for deterministic traffic in a mobile or wireless communication network by using a pre-calculated schedule for multiple possible paths for time aware communication streams with given traffic parameters.

Specifically, according to some examples of embodiments, information regarding at least one, preferably more than one, possibly alternative or parallel route/routes or communication path/paths within a mobile communication system, such as a 5GS, from a talker/source to a listener/destination for a time aware communication stream, such as a TSN stream, is obtained. These alternative or parallel routes or paths allow for the transmission of data (i.e. the TSN stream, for example) via several different selectable nodes or elements. Specifically, in case of the 5GS, UPFs as well as RAN/BS are selection targets as nodes, resulting in alternative paths to different base stations (i.e. locations of a UE as listener/talker).

Furthermore, according to some examples of embodiments, routes are determined or calculated in such a manner that they fulfil the traffic requirement of the TSN communication. One or more of the calculated routes are then chosen as active paths, i.e. routes via which the communication from the talker to the listener is forwarded via the mobile network.

It is to be noted that in case new time aware data streams are started, or in case a data stream being transmitted is removed (e.g. ended or interrupted), alternative routes for previous streams are recalculated with regard to the new schedules and loads caused by the new data streams. Hence, the condition in the mobile network is dynamically adapted to the current load situation caused by the time aware data streams.

Moreover, according to some examples of embodiments, in case a route for an existing stream has to change, for example due to mobility of a UE, due to a changed load situation or data amount to be transmitted, due to varying communication conditions, or the like, the new route (being calculated previously) is activated while the old route is disabled or inactivated. Furthermore, it is possible, according to some examples of embodiments, to pre-allocate routes (i.e. the resources of nodes forming the route) but to mark them as not used (i.e. inactive) in a path calculation. Alternatively, routes can be activated“on-the-fly” when the need is predicted. It is to be noted that it is possible, e.g. in TSN systems, to reuse a time scheduled slot by other traffic if no packet is available in the scheduled time.

In case the communication of the time aware data stream is executed by using a multi connectivity communication, comparable measures are taken for a corresponding number of links via the mobile communication network. That is, a corresponding number of routes or links is marked as active.

According to some examples of embodiments, the properties of the communication network with regard to the performance of the possible routes which can be provided for the time aware data streams (i.e. the TSN communication) are presented to the system which intends to transmit the time aware data stream via the network (i.e. the TSN system, in particular the CNC) in a suitable form. For example, a minimum set of information indicating necessary delay information (min(max) in the 5GS internal paths is provided to an interface allowing external devices (e.g. a TSN CNC) to obtain the information.

That is, according to examples of embodiments, it is possible to allow transport of time aware data streams, such as TSN streams, via a mobile communication network, i.e. to provide dynamic but deterministic data transport, e.g. by means of t 5GS communication network. In this case, the UPFs/BS or other elements, like Ethernet switches, are configured to support a strict management for deterministic, time sensitive traffic, e.g. with regard to requirements according to IEEE 802.1 Qbv or 802.1 Q-2018, respectively. Consequently, a flexible handling of traffic within the 5GS is possible wherein mobility and QoS management can be ensured, e.g. by choosing a route with access points having the best communication conditions or lowest load, without sacrificing the 5GS ingress/egress TSN stream schedule, which is key for deterministic traffic transport.

Fig. 4 shows a diagram illustrating a use case example of a communication network with different communication paths according to some examples of embodiments. The example illustrated in Fig. 4 is related to the system introduced in Fig. 1 , i.e. an industrial factory where a TSN system communicated via a 5GS based network. In detail, as shown in Fig. 4, the TSN system comprises a TSN CNC (indicated by“C”) and is connected, e.g. via a switch or router (not shown in Fig. 4) to the 5GS, e.g. to a first UPF 31 (UPF#A). In the 5GS, a QoS manager is provided which executes a processing according to examples of embodiments for calculating and selecting suitable routes in the 5GS according to the TSN requirements (i.e. time scheduling for TSN data streams) and for indicating the network properties to the outside, i.e. to the TSN system.

In the 5GS network shown in Fig. 4, a deployment of three BS 21 , 22 and 23 is assumed, which are connected to two UPFs 31 and 32. It is to be noted that the number of elements and functions such as BS and UPF shown in Fig. 4 is only for illustrative purpose and can be of course different to those shown in Fig. 4.

Furthermore, it is assumed in Fig. 4 that a UE 10, e.g. in the form of an autonomous vehicle, is capable of moving in the area covered by the radio access system provided by the BS 21 , 22 and 23. This is indicated by an arrow. As exemplary locations of the UE 10, example positions #P1 , #P2, #P3 and #P4 are indicated.

In the example shown in Fig. 4, the 5GS system, e.g. by means of the QoS manager 50, is now capable of determining the achievable network properties, e.g. the possible delay amounts for a data transmission from an entry point of the network (e.g. the UPF#A 31 ) to an exit point of the network (i.e. the UE 10) for a plurality of possible paths. For example, path #a (UPF#A 31 -> BS 21 ) usable for example position #P1 , path #b (UPF#A 31 -> BS 21 ) usable for example position #P2, path #c (UPF#A 31 -> BS 22) usable for example position #P2, path #d (UPF#A 31 -> BS 22) usable for example position #P3, and path #e (UPF#A 31 -> UPF#B 32 -> BS 23) usable for example position #P4 are determined and calculated (each path is indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 4).

For each of the paths, characteristic values like delay parameters can be determined which are then usable for generating information to be provided to the outside (i.e. the TSN system).

As described above, the 5GS network appears as a TSN bridge (like a black box) for integration with TSN. In operation, the 5GS receives, for example, a single time aware schedule per TSN stream (as the 5GS is seen as a single bridge node) from the TSN controller/stream set up perspective. The ingress/egress timing on the edge nodes of the 5GS (e.g. UPF 31 and the UE 10 in the example of Fig. 4 and the application interface thereof, see e.g. Fig. 2) is the only constraint for the transport of the data through the 5GS. That is, the 5GS (i.e. the QoS manager 50, for example) can handle and manage the transport appropriately (internally).

According to an example of an embodiment, the internal controller (e.g. the 5GS QoS manager 50, or another suitable element or function, such as a SMF, AMF) predefines and keeps alternatives routes between the same egress/ingress ports with the required timing. That is, the 5GS internal controller, which is e.g. a 5GS control plane function like QoS manager/SMF/AMF/PCF, is configured to receive an ingress/egress timing schedule for a TSN stream from an external controller like the CNC of the TSN network, and allows for routing and parametrizing further functionalities (nodes, function) within the 5GS system, including possible further 5GS internal TSN switches and their schedule or tunneling functionality.

It is to be noted that the principles described above in connection with a centralized TSN configuration is also applicable in the same manner to other configurations, i.e. TSN configurations without CNC, such as a IEEE 802.1 Qcc distributed model. In this case, the time aware schedules may be set by using e.g. a stream reservation protocol on a hop-by-hop-basis, which results in the same parameters being available to the 5GS, as it is one of the hops, so that the same processing applies.

For achieving information regarding the possible alternative or parallel communication paths or routes (e.g. paths #a to #e in the example of Fig. 4), several known methods exist for finding routes and delays in communication networks. Furthermore, pre planning and usage of the known topology, specifically for the transport network within the 5GS, are a prerequisite.

For example, as one possible way to achieve such information, on topology detection, for layer 2 networks, spanning tree protocol represent an example. For example, the topology is known and manually entered into a management unit. Another example is a simple network management protocol (SNMP) which is usable as a discovery tool, and respective devices carry a management information base library (MIB) that can be read via SNMP. Moreover, the internet control message protocol (IMCP) can also be used for toplology and delay detection

In order to find paths and delays in communication networks, according to some examples, the usage of heuristics may be required. This includes the CNC, which can be, in the centralized TSN variant, the element to calculate the routes and timings.

For TSN, there exist standardized information elements, protocols and MIBs to allow for data exchange between the CNC controller and the bridges/end points. The standard IEEE 802.1 Qcc specifies - among others such as end point to network - information elements from bridges to the network, e.g. the CNC in the centralized TSN model. Among this information are indications of delays with and without dependence on frame size as well as cable delays.

The information regarding the network properties achieved in the above mentioned way is to be transferred to the TSN in a manner allowing to process this for using the network in the TSN communication, e.g. in a standardized way, at the TSN controller and to the 5GS QoS manager.

As also described in connection with Fig. 3, there are several different delays within a communication network structure like that of the 5GS. The delay in the RAN (e.g. NG RAN) is known, as defined by the frame timing on the air interface, the minimum decoding block size (e.g. 2 slots with a duration depending on the subcarrier spacing on PHY) and the minimum processing duration in the radio layers (e.g. between SDAP and PHY), which is derivable from the implementation. However, this delay can be variable and may change e.g. with the load situation in the RAN. It is possible to take additional measures in order to achieve priorization and determinism in these layers. For example, a simple priorization allows to calculate an upper bound for a delay in networks, with regard to packets of the same priority, e.g. delay <= one non-priority packet delay plus priority packet delay ^* number of packets from this priority class).

Identifiers and additional parameters from the modified 3GPP QoS model for deterministic, periodic traffic can be leveraged as simple priority tag for the purpose of delay calculation. For example, a simple set of (additional) information for a 3GPP/5G QoS flow is provided allowing for deterministic data transport (e.g. information concerning upper/lower delay bounded). This information can then be used, for example with measures like an output buffer, to achieve an ingress/egress min/may delay window.

According to some examples, a so called TSC (Time Sensitive Communication) Assistance Information (TSCAI) can be provided which informs about a flow direction (i.e. the direction of the TSC flow (uplink or downlink)), a periodicity (i.e. a time period between the start of two bursts), a burst arrival time (i.e. the arrival time of the data burst at either the ingress of the RAN (downlink flow direction) or egress interface of the UE (uplink flow direction)). It is to be noted that only fixed values may be derived, e.g. min/max time on the respective UL/DL egress, from these parameters, while the actual transport of data within 5GS can be done arbitrarily within those ranges.

The above described values which are configured for the traffic are to be signaled from the communication network (e.g. the 5GS) to CNC system. For example, this is achieved by finding a set of such values that the current state of the 5GS system (e.g. position and state of a certain UE) permits.

Moreover, with regard to delay amounts of the UPFs, also a simple priorization as described above can be used. Alternatively, a simple predefined“residence time” can used that is given per node for delay calculation.

The delays can also be measured in the system, e.g. by using a simple message exchange between nodes (e.g. take time stamp from ingress of one UPF to egress of another UPF for a“tagged” packet, using existing QoS identifiers). As the nodes in a TSC/TSN aware system must be time synchronized in the range of ps and below, such delay measurements can be very accurate.

Once these parameters are known, together with the stream timing parameters, alternative E2E routes or subroutes can be calculated per stream.

Sparse and/or one time delay effects like additional delay due to handover can be included into the path calculation. This is also referred to as a specific event. In detail, according to examples of embodiments, an additional, more strict path is calculated including the expected delay and thus requiring a smaller delay in the remaining nodes. This path may be bound to be demanding from resource point of view. However, at least in some situations, it is permittable to cover it when the event is not frequent. After the one-time delay is no longer present in the transmission, the more relaxed path can be reactivated.

To achieve determinism on the air interface, according to some examples of embodiments, an appropriate resource, e.g. a PHY frame/slot is used that allows the data to arrive timely on the UE. For example, a buffer element such as a forward-and- hold buffer can take care for an additional time delay if needed so as to achieve a minimum delay necessary in some use cases. Alternatively or additionally, as a further measure, a semi-persistent scheduling (SPS, in DL) or configured grants (CG, in UL) are used so as to prevent unnecessary signaling. Such scheduling is signaled, for example, in a timely manner to be active when data arrives at a node. For example, the scheduling is signaled to the UE and the target cell(s) from the serving cell. In case of SPS, the schedule for alternative paths (thus the exact PHY resources) may be pre-allocated (within each base station and cell), even when the path is not used, as empty SPS slots can be filled by other data by the base station. In case of configured grants, to gain flexibility, it is possible to allocate several, time shifted configured grants. In case of configured grants, the CG may be signaled when the path is activated. Alternatively, this may be done also early and predictively as described above when a handover begins, using the serving cell signaling instead of the target cell signaling.

As described above, for activating one or more alternative, time equivalent communication paths or routes, e.g. for seamlessly switching the paths of the time sensitive TSN streams, such paths can be pre-allocated in TSN based systems without loss of resources. In this case, only a minor control overhead is required. Timed gates that allow for ingress/egress timing will, at transmission selection time, include the availability of data in a queue for the scheduling decision, and, if no data is present, simply select the next available traffic for transmission.

According to further examples of embodiments, in case paths shall not be predefined or must be ad-hoc selected, the only constraint for this procedure is that already allocated streams may not be interfered with. That is, resources (time windows) already allocated may not be used. As in the UPFs large transmission delays are not to be expected, the major characteristic of an alternative path is the nodes it crosses, which is e.g. a functionality of forwarding processes, like an Ethernet layer 2 forwarding process.

In case of a handover between nodes, according to examples of embodiments, the 5G “zero disruption” functionality assures that a handover can occur without additional delay. Alternatively, in case a handover delay cannot be mitigated, for the duration of the handover, as described above, special routes can be predefined with a defined delay including a handover delay. This leads to a situation that the time constraints are made tighter for other nodes until the handover is completed.

According to some examples of embodiments, possible handover candidates are discovered by e.g. UE neighbour cell measurements. The results are signaled to the 5GS QoS Manager entity, which ensures the subsequent activation of alternative paths and deactivation, including setting up possible new SPS/CG schedules and resources and the setting of schedules for the UPFs and, if necessary, a forward and hold buffers (however, it is required that the egress time of this buffer is not changed).

In the following table 1 , for the example illustrated in Fig. 4, possible results for network property determinations of the paths #a to #e are shown. The parameters used include a minimum packet delay budget per path, a UE residence time, a UPF residence time and a bridge delay for a given pre-calculated path for a UE. Furthermore, on the right side of the table, a column indicating the bridge delay value exposed to the TSN system is indicated, which are calculated on the basis of the determined delay amounts and the like.

Table 1 Example calculation of the exposed value based on different evaluated paths

That is, by knowing the delay values that exist for the possible paths to the UE 10 (i.e. where the UE 10 may be located), decisions on the actual time schedule for this specific UE can be taken. It is to be noted that additional delays, such as the above indicated handover times, can be added to the value list.

It is to be noted that to components outside the 5GS, only a reduced set of information needs to be exposed (e.g. via the AF to TSN). In the example shown in Table 1 , only the values in the right column are required to be exposed to the TSN system outside the 5GS.

Based on these values, the TSN schedule will be calculated and the 5GS will receive a time schedule indication. It is to be noted that paths of the UE that are known never to be used can be excluded from the calculation, which allows to improve the performance.

Thus, according to examples of embodiments, the above indicated information can be an additional context to be included, for example, into the 5GS Control Plane Function/QoS Manager entity.

Consequently, within the parameters given in the table 1 and the schedule given to the 5GS for a specific stream, 5GS internal alternative schedules can be calculated.

As soon as a handover procedure is triggered, a new, time aware path can be activated. Thus, the data can take a new route, also with respect to timing. Alternatively, as an intermediary measure, a handover path/schedule is used until the handover is complete.

Fig. 5 shows a flow chart of a processing executed by a communication network control element or function according to some examples of embodiments, which conducts a communication control according to examples of embodiments of the disclosure. According to some examples of embodiments, the processing shown in Fig. 5 is conducted by a QoS management element or function of the mobile communication network, or by another CP element or function (AMF, SMF etc.), wherein the entry point and the exit point of the communication network are connected to a respective portion (i.e. the talker or listener) of a time sensitive networking system. ln S500, network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from an entry point to an exit point of the communication network via at least one transmission path using at least one network element or function of the communication network are determined.

According to some examples of embodiments, for determining the network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from the entry point to the exit point of the communication network, at least one of a minimum delay time caused by processing in a respective network element or function being part of the transmission path, a maximum delay time caused by processing in a respective network element or function being part of the transmission path, a minimum delay time caused for forwarding data from one network element or function to a next network element or function being part of the transmission path, and a maximum delay time caused for forwarding data from one network element or function to a next network element or function being part of the transmission path is detected or determined. Respective ones of the detected delay times can then be summarized for determining a respective network property.

In S510, an indication related to the determined network properties is provided to a transmission party, such as to the TSN system.

In S520, setting information for a data stream to be transmitted via the communication network to a destination within a defined time scheduling is received and processed. That is, for example, a time scheduling information of a TSN stream to be transmitted via the communication network is indicated by the TSN system, allowing the communication system to select the suitable paths fulfilling the requirements regarding time scheduling of the data stream.

In S530, on the basis of the determined network properties and the defined time scheduling, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network are calculated.

In S540, at least one of the possible routes in the communication network is selected which allows to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling. In S550, the selected at least one route is activated, e.g. by causing transmission of the data stream from the entry point via the network elements or functions forming the at least one route to the destination.

According to further examples of embodiments, it can be determined that a change of the selected at least one route is required for continuing the communication from the entry point to the destination, e.g. due to a movement of the destination (i.e. the UE). In this case, at least one other of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling is selected, switching (e.g. handover) of the communication from the currently activated route to the at least one other route is caused.

Furthermore, according to some examples of embodiments, when setting information for a new data stream is received and processed for transmission, or transmission of an existing data stream is ended, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network are re-calculated. In this case, at least one of the possible routes being re-calculated in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling is selected (i.e. the former may be kept or the path is updated to a new route).

Moreover, according to some examples of embodiments, it is possible to pre-allocate at least one additional route of the possible routes in the communication network for a usage in the transmission of the data stream at a preset timing. That is, at least one other route is already reserved for a data stream, for a specified timing. However, in case the transmission of the data stream at a preset timing is not conducted, it is possible to allow usage of the at least one additional route of the possible routes being pre-allocated for a usage in the transmission of the data stream for transmission of different data.

According to some further examples of embodiments, it is possible to determine that a specific event causing an additional delay in a transmission path is present in a possible route from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network. For example, such a specific event is a handover requiring an additional delay. Then, a specific route including the additional delay is calculated wherein the additional delay is compensated for by considering a smaller delay margin for other network elements or functions being part of the route. In other words, the delay requirements for other elements in the path become more strict.

Moreover, according to some examples of embodiments, when the at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling is selected, measures causing a delay in the transmission of the data stream to the destination are considered in order to meet the defined time scheduling. For example, these measures include at least one of adding a forward and hold buffer element or function in the route, executing a semi-persistent scheduling procedure for forwarding data of the data stream in a downlink direction, and providing configured grants for forwarding data of the data stream in an uplink direction.

Fig. 6 shows a diagram of a network element or function representing a communication network control element or function according to some examples of embodiments, e.g. a QoS manager being part of the AMF 40 or the like of Fig. 2, which is configured to conduct a control procedure as described in connection with some of the examples of embodiments. It is to be noted that the communication network control element or function, like the AMF 40 of Fig. 2, may include further elements or functions besides those described herein below. Furthermore, even though reference is made to a communication network control element or function, the element or function may be also another device or function having a similar task, such as a chipset, a chip, a module, an application etc., which can also be part of a network element or attached as a separate element to a network element, or the like. It should be understood that each block and any combination thereof may be implemented by various means or their combinations, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or more processors and/or circuitry.

The communication network control element or function shown in Fig. 6 may include a processing circuitry, a processing function, a control unit or a processor 501 , such as a CPU or the like, which is suitable for executing instructions given by programs or the like related to the paging control procedure. The processor 501 may include one or more processing portions or functions dedicated to specific processing as described below, or the processing may be run in a single processor or processing function. Portions for executing such specific processing may be also provided as discrete elements or within one or more further processors, processing functions or processing portions, such as in one physical processor like a CPU or in one or more physical or virtual entities, for example. Reference sign 502 and 503 denote input/output (I/O) units or functions (interfaces) connected to the processor or processing function 501. The I/O units 502 may be used for communicating with a TSN system, such as the CNC, as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, for example. The I/O units 503 may be used for communicating with other network element, like CN and RAN elements as described in connection with Fig. 2. The I/O units 502 and 503 may be a combined unit including communication equipment towards several entities, or may include a distributed structure with a plurality of different interfaces for different entities. Reference sign 504 denotes a memory usable, for example, for storing data and programs to be executed by the processor or processing function 501 and/or as a working storage of the processor or processing function 501 . It is to be noted that the memory 504 may be implemented by using one or more memory portions of the same or different type of memory.

The processor or processing function 501 is configured to execute processing related to the above described communication control processing. In particular, the processor or processing circuitry or function 501 includes one or more of the following sub-portions. Sub-portion 501 1 is a processing portion which is usable as a portion for determining network properties. The portion 501 1 may be configured to perform processing according to S500 of Fig. 5. Furthermore, the processor or processing circuitry or function 501 may include a sub-portion 5012 usable as a portion for indicating the network properties. The portion 5012 may be configured to perform a processing according to S510 of Fig. 5. In addition, the processor or processing circuitry or function 501 may include a sub-portion 5013 usable as a portion for receiving and processing data stream setting information. The portion 5013 may be configured to perform a processing according to S520 of Fig. 5. Moreover, the processor or processing circuitry or function 501 may include a sub portion 5014 usable as a portion for calculating routes. The portion 5014 may be configured to perform a processing according to S530 of Fig. 5. In addition, the processor or processing circuitry orfunction 501 may include a sub-portion 5015 usable as a portion for selecting and activating routes. The portion 5015 may be configured to perform a processing according to S540 and S550 of Fig. 5.

It is to be noted that examples of embodiments of the disclosure are applicable to various different network configurations. In other words, the examples shown in the above described figures, which are used as a basis for the above discussed examples, are only illustrative and do not limit the present disclosure in any way. That is, additional further existing and proposed new functionalities available in a corresponding operating environment may be used in connection with examples of embodiments of the disclosure based on the principles defined.

According to a further example of embodiments, there is provided, for example, an apparatus for use by a communication network control element or function configured to conduct a communication control for a communication with at least one communication element or function in a communication network, the apparatus comprising means configured to determine network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from an entry point to an exit point of the communication network via at least one transmission path using at least one network element or function of the communication network, means configured to provide an indication related to the determined network properties to a transmission party, means configured to receive and process setting information for a data stream to be transmitted via the communication network to a destination within a defined time scheduling, means configured to calculate, on the basis of the determined network properties and the defined time scheduling, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, means configured to select at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and means configured to activate the selected at least one route by causing transmission of the data stream from the entry point via the network elements or functions forming the at least one route to the destination.

Furthermore, according to some other examples of embodiments, the above defined apparatus may further comprise means for conducting at least one of the processing defined in the above described methods, for example a method according to that described in connection with Fig 5.

According to a further example of embodiments, there is provided, for example, a non- transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform, when conducting a communication control for a communication with at least one communication element orfunction in a communication network, at least the following: determining network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from an entry point to an exit point of the communication network via at least one transmission path using at least one network element or function of the communication network, providing an indication related to the determined network properties to a transmission party, receiving and processing setting information for a data stream to be transmitted via the communication network to a destination within a defined time scheduling, calculating, on the basis of the determined network properties and the defined time scheduling, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, selecting at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and activating the selected at least one route by causing transmission of the data stream from the entry point via the network elements or functions forming the at least one route to the destination.

It should be appreciated that

- an access technology via which traffic is transferred to and from an entity in the communication network may be any suitable present or future technology, such as WLAN (Wireless Local Access Network), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), LTE, LTE-A, 5G, Bluetooth, Infrared, and the like may be used; additionally, embodiments may also apply wired technologies, e.g. IP based access technologies like cable networks or fixed lines.

- embodiments suitable to be implemented as software code or portions of it and being run using a processor or processing function are software code independent and can be specified using any known or future developed programming language, such as a high- level programming language, such as objective-C, C, C++, C#, Java, Python, Javascript, other scripting languages etc., or a low-level programming language, such as a machine language, or an assembler.

- implementation of embodiments is hardware independent and may be implemented using any known or future developed hardware technology or any hybrids of these, such as a microprocessor or CPU (Central Processing Unit), MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor), CMOS (Complementary MOS), BiMOS (Bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (Bipolar CMOS), ECL (Emitter Coupled Logic), and/or TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic).

- embodiments may be implemented as individual devices, apparatuses, units, means or functions, or in a distributed fashion, for example, one or more processors or processing functions may be used or shared in the processing, or one or more processing sections or processing portions may be used and shared in the processing, wherein one physical processor or more than one physical processor may be used for implementing one or more processing portions dedicated to specific processing as described,

- an apparatus may be implemented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module including such chip or chipset;

- embodiments may also be implemented as any combination of hardware and software, such as ASIC (Application Specific 1C (Integrated Circuit)) components, FPGA (Field- programmable Gate Arrays) or CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components.

- embodiments may also be implemented as computer program products, including a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to execute a process as described in embodiments, wherein the computer usable medium may be a non-transitory medium.

Although the present disclosure has been described herein before with reference to particular embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and various modifications can be made thereto.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use by a communication network control element or function configured to conduct a communication control for a communication with at least one communication element or function in a communication network, the apparatus comprising

at least one processing circuitry, and

at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:

to determine network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from an entry point to an exit point of the communication network via at least one transmission path using at least one network element or function of the communication network,

to provide an indication related to the determined network properties to a transmission party,

to receive and process setting information for a data stream to be transmitted via the communication network to a destination within a defined time scheduling,

to calculate, on the basis of the determined network properties and the defined time scheduling, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network,

to select at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and

to activate the selected at least one route by causing transmission of the data stream from the entry point via the network elements or functions forming the at least one route to the destination.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:

to determine that a change of the selected at least one route is required for continuing the communication from the entry point to the destination,

to select at least one other of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and

to cause switching of the communication from the currently activated route to the at least one other route.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:

to re-calculate, when setting information for a new data stream is received and processed for transmission or transmission of an existing data stream is ended, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, and

to select at least one of the possible routes being re-calculated in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:

to pre-allocate at least one additional route of the possible routes in the communication network for a usage in the transmission of the data stream at a preset timing.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:

to allow usage of the at least one additional route of the possible routes being preallocated for a usage in the transmission of the data stream for transmission of different data when the transmission of the data stream at a preset timing is not conducted.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:

to detect, for determining the network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from the entry point to the exit point of the communication network, at least one of

a minimum delay time caused by processing in a respective network element or function being part of the transmission path,

a maximum delay time caused by processing in a respective network element or function being part of the transmission path,

a minimum delay time caused for forwarding data from one network element or function to a next network element or function being part of the transmission path, and a maximum delay time caused for forwarding data from one network element or function to a next network element or function being part of the transmission path, and

to summarize respective ones of the detected delay times for determining a respective network property.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:

to determine that a specific event causing an additional delay in a transmission path is present in a possible route from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network,

to calculate a specific route including the additional delay wherein the additional delay is compensated for by considering a smaller delay margin for other network elements or functions being part of the route.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are further configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least:

to consider, when selecting the at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, measures causing a delay in the transmission of the data stream to the destination in order to meet the defined time scheduling, wherein the measures include at least one of

adding a forward and hold buffer element or function in the route,

executing a semi-persistent scheduling procedure for forwarding data of the data stream in a downlink direction, and

providing configured grants forforwarding data of the data stream in an uplink direction.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the apparatus is implemented in a quality of service management element or function of a mobile communication network, wherein the entry point and the exit point of the communication network are connected to a respective portion of a time sensitive networking system, and the transmission path in the communication network comprises core network elements or functions and access network elements or functions.

10. A method for use in a communication network control element or function configured to conduct a communication control for a communication with at least one communication element or function in a communication network, the method comprising

determining network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from an entry point to an exit point of the communication network via at least one transmission path using at least one network element or function of the communication network,

providing an indication related to the determined network properties to a transmission party,

receiving and processing setting information for a data stream to be transmitted via the communication network to a destination within a defined time scheduling,

calculating, on the basis of the determined network properties and the defined time scheduling, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network,

selecting at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and

activating the selected at least one route by causing transmission of the data stream from the entry point via the network elements or functions forming the at least one route to the destination.

1 1. The method according to claim 10, further comprising

determining that a change of the selected at least one route is required for continuing the communication from the entry point to the destination,

selecting at least one other of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, and

causing switching of the communication from the currently activated route to the at least one other route.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 1 1 , further comprising

re-calculating, when setting information for a new data stream is received and processed for transmission or transmission of an existing data stream is ended, possible routes from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, and

selecting at least one of the possible routes being re-calculated in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling.

13. The method according to any of claims 10 to 12, further comprising

pre-allocating at least one additional route of the possible routes in the communication network for a usage in the transmission of the data stream at a preset timing.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising

allowing usage of the at least one additional route of the possible routes being preallocated for a usage in the transmission of the data stream for transmission of different data when the transmission of the data stream at a preset timing is not conducted.

15. The method according to any of claims 10 to 14, further comprising

detecting, for determining the network properties of the communication network related to a time required for a data transmission from the entry point to the exit point of the communication network, at least one of

summarizing respective ones of the detected delay times for determining a respective network property.

16. The method according to any of claims 10 to 15, further comprising

determining that a specific event causing an additional delay in a transmission path is present in a possible route from the entry point to at least one exit point in the communication network, and

calculating a specific route including the additional delay wherein the additional delay is compensated for by considering a smaller delay margin for other network elements or functions being part of the route.

17. The method according to any of claims 10 to 16, further comprising

considering, when selecting the at least one of the possible routes in the communication network allowing to transmit the data stream from the entry point to the destination in the defined time scheduling, measures causing a delay in the transmission of the data stream to the destination in order to meet the defined time scheduling, wherein the measures include at least one of

adding a forward and hold buffer element or function in the route,

18. The method according to any of claims 10 to 17, wherein the method is implemented in a quality of service management element or function of a mobile communication network, wherein the entry point and the exit point of the communication network are connected to a respective portion of a time sensitive networking system, and the transmission path in the communication network comprises core network elements or functions and access network elements or functions.

19. A computer program product for a computer, including software code portions for performing the steps of any of claims 10 to 18 when said product is run on the computer.

20. The computer program product according to claim 19, wherein

the computer program product includes a computer-readable medium on which said software code portions are stored, and/or

the computer program product is directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer and/or transmittable via a network by means of at least one of upload, download and push procedures.