WO2022088644A1

WO2022088644A1 - Access and mobility policy update method and system

Info

Publication number: WO2022088644A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/092160
Authority: WO
Inventors: 陈卓怡; 龙彪; 孙悦; 刘佳一凡; 刘柳; 黎明雪; 张琳峰; 王庆扬
Original assignee: 中国电信股份有限公司
Priority date: 2020-10-27
Filing date: 2021-05-07
Publication date: 2022-05-05
Also published as: CN114501636A

Abstract

Provided are an access and mobility policy update method and system. The access and mobility policy update method comprises: an AF entity sending, to a PCF entity, an AM policy update request for updating an AM policy of a specified user, wherein the AM policy update request comprises AM policy related parameters; the PCF entity updating the AM policy according to the AM policy update request, and storing the updated content in a unified data repository (UDR); the PCF entity querying whether the specified user is online; and if the specified user is online, the PCF entity sending the updated AM policy to an access network side device by means of an AMF entity, and the access network side device executing corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.

Description

Access and mobility policy update method and system

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on the CN application number 202011164507.2 and the filing date is October 27, 2020, and claims its priority. The disclosure content of this CN application is hereby incorporated into this application as a whole.

technical field

The present disclosure relates to the field of mobile communications, and in particular, to a method and system for updating an access and mobility policy.

Background technique

Since different applications require different AM (Access and Mobility, access and mobility) policies, it is necessary to change the AM policy through the PCF (Policy Control Function, policy control function) to meet the individualization of the AM policy for different applications need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an access and mobility policy update method, comprising: an application function AF entity sending an AM policy update request for updating an access and mobility AM policy of a specified user to the policy a control function PCF entity, wherein the AM policy update request includes the AM policy related parameters; the PCF entity performs AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, and stores the updated content in the unified database UDR; the PCF The entity queries whether the designated user is online; if the designated user is online, the PCF entity sends the updated AM policy to the access network side device through the access and mobility management function AMF entity, wherein the The updated AM policy includes the updated content; the access network side device performs corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.

In some embodiments, if the designated user is not online, the AMF entity sends an AM policy control request to the associated PCF entity after receiving the online request sent by the designated user; the associated PCF entity The PCF entity reads the corresponding AM policy from the UDR, and sends the read AM policy to the access network side device through the associated AMF entity.

In some embodiments, the AM policy-related parameters include at least one of service provider identifiers, application identifiers, user identifiers, network identifiers, slice information, policy change effective time range, service area information, or quality of service QoS indicator requirements.

In some embodiments, the updated content includes at least one of a radio access/frequency selection priority RFSP index value or service area restriction SAR information.

In some embodiments, after performing the AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, the PCF entity detects whether the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters; If the time falls within the effective time range of the policy change, the step of querying whether the specified user is online is performed.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an access and mobility policy update system, comprising: an application function AF entity configured to update an AM policy for updating an access and mobility AM policy of a specified user The request is sent to the policy control function PCF entity, wherein the AM policy update request includes the AM policy related parameters; the PCF entity is configured to update the AM policy according to the AM policy update request, and store the update content in In the unified database UDR; it is also configured to query whether the designated user is online, and if the designated user is online, send the updated AM policy to the access network side device through the access and mobility management function AMF entity , wherein the updated AM policy includes the update content; and the access network side device is configured to perform corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.

In some embodiments, the AMF entity is further configured to send an AM policy control request to an associated PCF entity after receiving the online request sent by the designated user; The corresponding AM policy is read from the UDR, and the read AM policy is sent to the access network side device through the associated AMF entity.

In some embodiments, the PCF entity is further configured to, after performing the AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, detect whether the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters, If the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change, an operation of querying whether the specified user is online is performed.

According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an access and mobility policy update method, which is performed by a policy control function PCF entity, including: after receiving an AM for updating a specified user's access and mobility AM policy After the policy update request, the AM policy update is performed according to the AM policy update request, and the update content is stored in the unified database UDR, wherein the AM policy update request includes the AM policy-related parameters; query whether the specified user has go online; if the designated user is online, the updated AM policy is sent to the access network side device through the access and mobility management function AMF entity, wherein the updated AM policy includes the updated content, so that The access network side device performs corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.

In some embodiments, if the designated user is not online, after receiving the AM policy control request sent by the AMF entity, read the corresponding AM policy from the UDR; pass the read AM policy through The AMF entity is sent to the access network side device.

In some embodiments, after the AM policy update is performed according to the AM policy update request, it is detected whether the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters; Within the effective time range of the policy change, query whether the specified user is online.

According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a policy control functional entity, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to execute any of the above-mentioned instructions based on the instructions stored in the memory The method of an embodiment.

According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the implementation of any of the foregoing embodiments is implemented. method.

Other features of the present disclosure and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure may be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method for updating an access and mobility policy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an access and mobility policy update system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

3 is a schematic structural diagram of an access and mobility policy update system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for updating an access and mobility policy according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

5 is a schematic structural diagram of a PCF entity according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a method for updating an access and mobility policy according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be understood that the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not to actual scale. Furthermore, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

Detailed ways

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description of the exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative and in no way limits the disclosure, its application or uses in any way. The present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that unless specifically stated otherwise, the relative arrangements of components and steps, compositions of materials and numerical values set forth in these examples are to be construed as illustrative only and not as limiting.

As used in this disclosure, "comprising" or "comprising" and similar words mean that the element preceding the word encompasses the elements listed after the word, and does not exclude the possibility that other elements are also encompassed.

All terms (including technical or scientific terms) used in this disclosure have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in, for example, general-purpose dictionaries should be construed to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the related art, and not to be construed in an idealized or highly formalized sense, unless explicitly stated herein. Defined like this.

Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of the specification.

The inventor found through research that, in the related art, because PCF cannot obtain the update of AM policy triggered by a third-party AF (Application Function, application function), it cannot provide personalized AM policies for different applications.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an access and mobility policy update solution, so that the PCF can effectively obtain the AM policy update triggered by the third-party AF.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method for updating an access and mobility policy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step 101, the AF entity sends an AM policy update request for updating the AM policy of the specified user to the PCT entity, wherein the AM policy update request includes AM policy related parameters.

In some embodiments, the AM policy-related parameters include service provider identifiers, application identifiers, user identifiers, network identifiers, slice information, policy change effective time range, service area information, or QoS (Quality of Service, quality of service) indicator requirements. at least one.

In some embodiments, if the AF entity cannot directly access the PCF entity, the AF entity sends a trigger request for updating the AM policy of the specified user to the NEF (Network Exposure Function) entity, wherein the trigger request includes the AM policy Related parameters, the NEF entity translates the trigger request to obtain AM policy related parameters, such as translating the service provider identification information into a network identification, slice identification, etc. that can be recognized by the core network, and sends an AM policy update request to the PCF entity, where the AM policy The update request includes AM policy related parameters.

In step 102, the PCF entity performs AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, and stores the updated content in a UDR (Unified Data Repository, unified database).

In some embodiments, the update content includes at least one of an RFSP (RAT/Frequency Selection Priority, radio access/frequency selection priority) index value or SAR (Service Area Restrictions, service area restrictions) information.

In step 103, the PCF entity queries whether the specified user is online.

In step 104, if the specified user is online, the PCF entity sends the updated AM policy to the access network side device through the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) entity, wherein the updated AM policy Policies include updating content.

In step 105, the access network side device performs corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.

For example, the access network side device may be an AN (Access Network, access network) side device or a RAN (Radio Access Network, radio access network) side device.

In some embodiments, if the designated user is not online, the AMF entity sends the AM policy control request to the associated PCF entity after receiving the online request sent by the designated user. The associated PCF entity reads the corresponding AM policy from the UDR, and sends the read AM policy to the access network side device through the associated AMF entity. So that after the designated user goes online, the PCF entity can send the updated AM policy to the access network side device through the AMF entity to implement corresponding radio resource scheduling.

In some embodiments, after performing the AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, the PCF entity detects whether the current time falls within the policy change effective time range included in the AM policy related parameters. If the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change, the PCF entity repeats the steps of querying whether the specified user is online.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an access and mobility policy update system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2 , the access and mobility policy update system includes an AF entity 21 , a PCF entity 22 , a UDR 23 , an AMF entity 24 and an access network side device 25 .

The AF entity 21 is configured to send an AM policy update request for updating the AM policy of the specified user to the PCF entity, wherein the AM policy update request includes AM policy related parameters.

In some embodiments, the AM policy-related parameters include at least one of service provider identifiers, application identifiers, user identifiers, network identifiers, slice information, policy change effective time range, service area information, or QoS indicator requirements.

The PCF entity 22 is configured to perform AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, and store the update content in the UDR 23.

In some embodiments, the updated content includes at least one of an RFSP index value or SAR information.

The PCF entity 22 is further configured to query whether the specified user is online, and if the specified user is online, send the updated AM policy to the access network side device 25 through the AMF entity 24, wherein the updated AM policy includes updated content.

In some embodiments, the AMF entity 24 is further configured to send the AM policy control request to the associated PCF entity after receiving the on-line request sent by the designated user. That is to say, after a designated user who has not been online before goes online, the AMF entity will notify the associated PCF entity. The associated PCF entity reads the corresponding AM policy from the UDR, and sends the read AM policy to the access network side device 25 through the associated AMF entity.

The access network side device 25 is configured to perform corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.

For example, the access network side device may be an AN side device or a RAN side device.

In some embodiments, the PCF entity 22 is further configured to, after performing the AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, detect whether the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters, and if the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters Within the effective time range of the policy change, the operation of querying whether the specified user is online is executed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an access and mobility policy update system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The difference between FIG. 3 and FIG. 2 is that, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the access and mobility policy update system further includes an NEF entity 26 .

If the AF entity 21 cannot directly access the PCF entity 22, the AF entity 21 sends a trigger request for updating the AM policy of the specified user to the NEF entity 26, wherein the trigger request includes AM policy related parameters. The NEF entity 26 translates the trigger request to obtain AM policy-related parameters, for example, translates the service provider identification information into a network identification, slice identification, etc. that can be recognized by the core network, and sends an AM policy update request to the PCF entity 22, wherein the AM policy update The request includes AM policy related parameters.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for updating an access and mobility policy according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the following access and mobility policy update methods are performed by the PCF entity.

In step 401, after receiving the AM policy update request for updating the AM policy of the specified user, the AM policy update is performed according to the AM policy update request, and the update content is stored in the UDR, wherein the AM policy update request includes AM policy related parameter.

In step 402, it is queried whether the specified user is online.

In some embodiments, after the AM policy update is performed according to the AM policy update request, it is detected whether the current time falls within the policy change effective time range included in the AM policy related parameters. If the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change, query whether the specified user is online.

In step 403, if the designated user is online, the updated AM policy is sent to the access network side device through the access and mobility management function AMF entity, wherein the updated AM policy includes the updated content, so that the access network side The device performs corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.

In some embodiments, if the specified user is not online, after receiving the AM policy control request sent by the AMF entity, the corresponding AM policy is read from the UDR, and the read AM policy is sent to the receiver through the AMF entity. equipment on the network side.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a PCF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5 , the PCF entity includes a memory 51 and a processor 52 .

Memory 51 is used to store instructions. Processor 52 is coupled to memory 51 . The processor 52 is configured to implement the method referred to in any of the embodiments of FIG. 4 based on the execution of instructions stored in the memory.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the PCF entity further includes a communication interface 53 for exchanging information with other devices. Meanwhile, the PCF entity also includes a bus 54 , and the processor 52 , the communication interface 53 , and the memory 51 communicate with each other through the bus 54 .

The memory 51 may include high-speed RAM (Random Access Memory, random access memory), and may also include NVM (Non-Volatile Memory, non-volatile memory). For example at least one disk storage. The memory 51 may also be a memory array. The storage 51 may also be divided into blocks, and the blocks may be combined into virtual volumes according to certain rules.

In addition, the processor 52 may be a central processing unit, or may be an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, which when executed by a processor implement the method involved in any of the embodiments in FIG. 4 .

In step 601, the AF entity sends a trigger request for updating the AM policy of the specified user to the NEF entity, wherein the trigger request includes AM policy-related parameters.

In some embodiments, AM policy-related parameters include service provider identification, application identification, user identification, network identification, slice information, policy change effective time range, service area information, and QoS indicator requirements.

In step 602, the NEF entity interprets the trigger request to obtain AM policy-related parameters, and generates a corresponding AM policy update request, wherein the AM policy update request includes the AM policy-related parameters.

In step 603, the NEF entity sends an AM policy update request to the PCF entity.

It should be noted here that if the AF entity can directly access the PCF entity, the AF entity directly sends an AM policy update request to the PCF entity.

In step 604, the PCF entity performs AM policy update according to the AM policy update request. The updated content includes RFSP index value and SAR information.

In step 605, the PCF entity sends the updated content to the UDR.

At step 606, the UDR stores the received updates.

In step 607, the PCF entity sends the updated AM policy to the AMF entity when it is found that the specified user is online, wherein the updated AMF policy includes the updated content.

In some embodiments, after step 605, the PCF entity detects whether the current time falls within the policy change effective time range included in the AM policy-related parameters, and if the current time falls within the policy change effective time range, the PCF entity executes the query An action that specifies whether the user is online. If the current time does not fall within the effective time range of the policy change, the PCF entity will wait for the current time to enter the effective time range of the policy change before executing the operation of querying whether the specified user is online.

In step 608, the AMF sends the updated AM policy to the device on the access network side through the N2 message.

In step 609, the access network side device performs corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.

The present disclosure is explained below by way of specific examples.

Example 1. Scenario where online user policies take effect immediately

After tourists enter the scenic spot, they log in to the online interactive video service provided by the scenic spot, and the third-party AF triggers the AM policy update process to improve the tourist experience in the scenic spot.

Specifically, the AF sends a request to the NEF to update the AM policy, including parameters such as service provider/application/user ID, service area information, valid time, QoS indicator requirements, etc., where the policy change is valid for immediate effect. After the NEF translates the information from the AF, it sends the AM policy update information to the PCF, so that the PCF can update the AM policy and store the update result in the UDR. The PCF sends the updated AM policy to the (R)AN through the AMF. , for RSFP and SAR adjustments.

Example 2. Scenario of delayed execution of policies for offline users

The service provider plans to hold an online game competition at a specific time, such as from 20:00 to 24:00 every day in the next week, and needs to increase the speed and guarantee the participating users during this time period.

Specifically, AF sends a request to NEF to update the AM policy, including parameters such as service provider/application/user group ID, service area information, valid time, QoS indicator requirements, etc., where the user group ID is the user who signed up for the competition, and the policy change is valid for the time From 20:00 to 24:00 every day of the next week. After the NEF translates the information from the AF, it sends the AM policy update information to the PCF, so that the PCF can update the AM policy and store the update result in the UDR. When the change takes effect and the registered users go online, PCF will send the updated AM strategy (such as the new RSFP index) to (R)AN through AMF, so that the updated AM strategy can be executed on time.

By implementing the above embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one of the following beneficial effects can be obtained:

1. Add a new NEF service to obtain access and mobility policy changes triggered by third-party service applications;

2. Add a new PCF service to obtain access and mobility policy changes triggered by third-party service applications obtained in NEF

In some embodiments, the functional unit modules described above may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, a programmable logic controller (Programmable Logic Controller, PLC for short), a digital signal processor ( Digital Signal Processor (referred to as: DSP), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (referred to as: ASIC), Field-Programmable Gate Array (referred to as: FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistors Logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any suitable combination thereof.

Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of implementing the above embodiments can be completed by hardware, or can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium mentioned may be a read-only memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc.

So far, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail. Some details that are well known in the art are not described in order to avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

While some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above examples are provided for illustration only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, the above embodiments can be modified or some technical features can be equivalently replaced. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

An access and mobility policy update method, comprising:

The application function AF entity sends an AM policy update request for updating the access and mobility AM policy of the specified user to the policy control function PCF entity, wherein the AM policy update request includes the AM policy related parameters;

The PCF entity performs AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, and stores the update content in the unified database UDR;

The PCF entity queries whether the specified user is online;

If the designated user is online, the PCF entity sends the updated AM policy to the access network side device through the access and mobility management function AMF entity, wherein the updated AM policy includes the updated content ;

The access network side device performs corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

If the designated user is not online, the AMF entity sends an AM policy control request to the PCF entity after receiving the online request sent by the designated user;

The PCF entity reads the corresponding AM policy from the UDR, and sends the read AM policy to the access network side device through the AMF entity.
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein:

The AM policy-related parameters include at least one of service provider identifiers, application identifiers, user identifiers, network identifiers, slice information, policy change effective time range, service area information, or service quality QoS indicator requirements.
The method of claim 3, wherein:

The updated content includes at least one item of radio access/frequency selection priority RFSP index value or service area restriction SAR information.
The method of claim 3, further comprising:

The PCF entity detects whether the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters after the AM policy update is performed according to the AM policy update request;

If the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change, query whether the specified user is online.
An access and mobility policy update system, comprising:

an application function AF entity, configured to send an AM policy update request for updating the access and mobility AM policy of a specified user to a policy control function PCF entity, wherein the AM policy update request includes the AM policy related parameters;

The PCF entity is configured to perform AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, and store the updated content in the unified database UDR; and is also configured to query whether the specified user is online, if the specified user has go online, send the updated AM policy to the access network side device through the access and mobility management function AMF entity, wherein the updated AM policy includes the updated content;

The access network side device is configured to perform corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.
The system of claim 6, wherein:

The AMF entity is further configured to send the AM policy control request to the PCF entity after receiving the online request sent by the designated user;

The PCF entity reads the corresponding AM policy from the UDR, and sends the read AM policy to the access network side device through the AMF entity.
The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein:

The AM policy-related parameters include at least one of service provider identifiers, application identifiers, user identifiers, network identifiers, slice information, policy change effective time range, service area information, or service quality QoS indicator requirements.
The system of claim 8, wherein:

The updated content includes at least one item of radio access/frequency selection priority RFSP index value or service area restriction SAR information.
The system of claim 8, wherein:

The PCF entity is further configured to, after performing the AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, detect whether the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters, and if the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters. Within the effective time range of the policy change, query whether the specified user is online.
An access and mobility policy update method, executed by a policy control function PCF entity, includes:

After receiving the AM policy update request for updating the access and mobility AM policy of the specified user, the AM policy update is performed according to the AM policy update request, and the update content is stored in the unified database UDR, wherein the AM The policy update request includes the AM policy-related parameters;

Query whether the specified user is online;

If the designated user is online, the updated AM policy is sent to the access network side device through the access and mobility management function AMF entity, wherein the updated AM policy includes the updated content, so that the The access network side device performs corresponding radio resource scheduling according to the updated AM policy.
The method of claim 11, further comprising:

If the designated user is not online, after receiving the AM policy control request sent by the AMF entity, read the corresponding AM policy from the UDR;

Send the read AM policy to the access network side device through the AMF entity.
A method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein:

The AM policy-related parameters include at least one of service provider identifiers, application identifiers, user identifiers, network identifiers, slice information, policy change effective time range, service area information, or service quality QoS indicator requirements.
The method of claim 13, wherein:

The updated content includes at least one item of radio access/frequency selection priority RFSP index value or service area restriction SAR information.
The method of claim 13, further comprising:

After performing the AM policy update according to the AM policy update request, detecting whether the current time falls within the effective time range of policy change included in the AM policy-related parameters;

If the current time falls within the effective time range of the policy change, query whether the specified user is online.
A policy control functional entity, including:

a memory configured to store instructions;

A processor, coupled to the memory, configured to implement the method of any of claims 11-15 based on execution of instructions stored in the memory.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method of any one of claims 11-15.