WO2022176573A1 - 中継装置および方法 - Google Patents
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/06—Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
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- H04L12/02—Details
- H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
- H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
- H04L12/1836—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast with heterogeneous network architecture
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
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- H04L12/02—Details
- H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
- H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
- H04L12/189—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast in combination with wireless systems
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- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
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Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to relay devices and methods.
- Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a technique for transmitting eMBMS data to one or more end nodes via unicast transmission as a technique for performing Multicast using LTE.
- 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) has started considering Multicast using 5G.
- next-generation mobile communication system that can be used by various entities according to regional and individual needs.
- next-generation mobile communication systems for example, in addition to nationwide 5G services provided by mobile phone operators, various entities such as local companies and local governments can flexibly install networks (local/local networks) within their own buildings or premises. There is a mechanism to build and use a cellular network).
- the area where the local cellular network is provided is a limited area, so there is little difficulty in identifying the device you want to receive with Multicast. Therefore, Multicast is in high demand in local cellular networks.
- the base station can wirelessly transmit the Multicast packet to multiple UEs.
- base stations that do not support the 3GPP Multicast standard are deployed, for reasons such as the fact that systems are often built using low-cost Core Networks.
- this disclosure provides a mechanism that can implement Multicast in a local cellular network in which base stations that do not support the 3GPP Multicast standard are deployed.
- a relay device is provided.
- a relay device is provided corresponding to one or more first UPFs (User Plane Functions).
- the relay device includes a control section and a transmission section.
- the control unit converts multicast data into unicast data addressed to one or more terminal devices.
- the transmitting unit transmits the unicast data to one or more of the terminal devices.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a 5G cellular network configuration
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a 4G cellular network configuration
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a cellular network
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a cellular network
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a cellular network
- FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a Private Network according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a relay device functioning as Copy for UPF according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a relay device functioning as Copy for UE according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of Multicast performed in the Private Network according to the first embodiment
- FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a Private Network according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of Multicast processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Multicast service according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Multicast service according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a Multicast service
- FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining Multicast according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of Multicast according to the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure
- FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of Attach Procedure
- FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a protocol stack between UE and Core Network/HSS
- FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an application example of the technique of the present disclosure
- LTE includes LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), LTE-A Pro (LTE-Advanced Pro), and EUTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access).
- NR includes NRAT (New Radio Access Technology) and FEUTRA (Further EUTRA). Note that a single base station may manage multiple cells. In the following description, a cell supporting LTE is called an LTE cell, and a cell supporting NR is called an NR cell.
- NR is the radio access technology (RAT: Radio Access Technology) of the next generation (5th generation: 5G) after (4th generation: 4G) such as LTE.
- RAT Radio Access Technology
- 5G next generation
- 4G 4th generation
- NR is a radio access technology that can support various use cases including eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband), mMTC (Massive Machine Type Communications) and URLLC (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications).
- eMBB Enhanced Mobile Broadband
- mMTC Massive Machine Type Communications
- URLLC Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications
- a terminal device also referred to as a mobile station, mobile station device, or terminal
- UE User Equipment
- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a 5G cellular network configuration.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a 4G cellular network configuration.
- the cellular network consists of RAN (Radio Access Network) and CN (Core Network).
- a RAN is a radio system between base stations and terminals.
- the CN mainly performs permission and session management when a terminal connects to the network.
- the CN in 4G and 5G also includes a Control Plan Function and a User Plane Function.
- various types of information about the UE such as UE subscriber information and information used to generate encryption keys, are stored in a server that functions as an HSS (Home Subscriber System).
- HSS Home Subscriber System
- UDM Unified Data Management
- HSS HSS
- the Control Plane Function obtains information such as the subscriber information of the accessed UE from the HSS, and uses the obtained subscriber information to determine whether the UE may connect to the network. Also, the Control Plane Function generates an encryption key for encryption.
- the UE is equipped with a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card.
- SIM Subscriber Identity Module
- a SIM card stores a subscriber number called IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity).
- IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
- the HSS must store UE information associated with the subscriber number of the SIM card installed in the UE.
- the CN control plane C-Plane
- the MME Mobility Management Function
- the AMF Access Management Function
- SMF Session Management Function
- the U-Plane function of the CN is required.
- the S-GW (Serving Gateway) and P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway) shown in FIG. 2 play this role.
- the UPF (User Plane Function) shown in FIG. 1 plays that role.
- the 4G P-GW and 5G UPF play the role of a gateway that serves as a boundary between the CN and the general Internet.
- the Core Network User Plane Function called CN-U which corresponds to P-GW or UPF, can be regarded as a gateway placed at the boundary between the CN and general applications.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of a cellular network.
- a plurality of CNs (Core Networks) are distributed in the cellular network 1 .
- a plurality of three CN(1)-CN(3) are arranged.
- Each CN includes a Control Plane Function node (CN-C) and a User Plane Function node (CN-U).
- CN-C is communicatively connected to HSS and determines whether the UE may join the network.
- CN-U transfers user data between packet data network (PDN) or data network (DN) and RAN.
- PDN packet data network
- DN data network
- the Core Network (CN(3)) is located near the UE and the base station (BS: Base Station). It is known that when the Core Network is placed near the UE and the base station (BS) in this way, the delay required in the cellular part such as the RAN is reduced. Therefore, it is expected that the number of Core Networks placed at the edge of the Internet will increase.
- CN (2) and CN (3) are arranged as an Edge Core Network (Edge CN) at the edge of the Internet.
- Edge Core Network In addition to the Core Network located on the Edge, it is convenient if the Center Core Network, which serves as the Master, is located on the Internet.
- CN (1) is arranged as Center Core Network (Center CN).
- Center CN Center Core Network
- UPF Scaling One index of the capability of the User Plane Function realized by UPF or SGW-PGW is the maximum throughput that can be processed. This is, for example, an indicator that a maximum of 100 Mbps of User Data (user plane data) can be processed.
- the maximum Throughput of the Core Network's UPF is 100 Mbps.
- the capacity (maximum Throughput) of this base station is 100 Mbps. In that case, if one UE uses the network, this UE can enjoy a speed of 100 Mbps. That is, this UE can transmit and receive data at 100Mbps.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cellular network.
- the capacity of the Core Network User Plane Function (S-GW, P-GW in Fig. 4) becomes a bottleneck, and the throughput of each UE drops to a maximum of 10 Mbps.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a cellular network.
- the processing between the UE and the CoreNetwork is carried out by preparing a communication pipe called a PDU session for each UE. Therefore, multiple U-Plane Functions (UPF) can perform parallel processing for each PDU Session. Therefore, as a method of improving (scaling) the capabilities of the U-Plane, it can be said that the method of preparing multiple U-Plane Functions is desirable.
- UPF U-Plane Functions
- Private Network is a cellular service limited to areas such as factories, hospitals, schools, and offices. There is a demand for Broadcast and Multicast in such a local private area where a Private Network is provided.
- the area where the Private Network is provided is a limited area, so there is little difficulty in identifying the device you want to receive with Multicast. Therefore, it is believed that there is a lot of demand for Multicast in Private Networks. For example, when connecting and controlling IoT devices in a Private Network, it can be done efficiently using Multicast.
- a system that dynamically manages the frequency used for communication such as SAS (Spectrum Access System), is considered to be compatible with Multicast.
- SAS Specific Access System
- Such a system determines whether a predetermined frequency can be used each time communication is performed, and performs communication using the predetermined frequency when it can be used.
- the SAS for example, after acquiring the frequency used for communication, multicasts the goal scene over the Private Network to tens of thousands of spectators in the stadium.
- Broadcast can be considered a special case of Multicast. Therefore, it is considered important to realize a mechanism for realizing Multicast in a Private Network.
- Multicast is one-to-N communication, and is a service that provides one packet to a plurality of destinations.
- IP Internet Protocol
- IP Multicast one IP packet is generated and sent to multiple terminal devices.
- the Destination IP Address of one IP packet contains a specific IP Address reserved for Multicast Packets.
- a specific IP Address is, for example, 224.10.1.1 or 224.10.1.2.
- Different reserved IP Addresses are used for different Multicast Packets, such as those with different content (for example, programs). For example, assume that 224.10.1.1 mentioned above is used as a reserved IP Address for a certain Multicast Packet. In this case, a Multicast Packet that is different from this Multicast Packet uses a reserved IP Address that is different from 224.10.1.1 (for example, 224.10.1.2, etc.).
- a router in the middle of the network routes packets so that the desired Multicast Packet reaches the terminal device that wishes to receive the Multicast Packet.
- a terminal device that receives a Multicast Packet confirms the Destination IP Address of the received Multicast Packet. If the received packet is the desired Multicast Packet, the terminal device receives that packet. On the other hand, if the received packet is not the desired Multicast Packet, the terminal device discards that packet.
- Multicast defined as a function of the Internet in this way, cannot operate on cellular systems such as 4G and 5G. This is because within the network of the cellular system, packet routing using IP Address is not performed for packets delivered to the terminal device.
- UEs participating in a Multicast Group notify the nearest router of their own IP Address using a protocol called IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol).
- IGMP Internet Group Management Protocol
- the closest router is UPF or a router in the latter stage (on the Internet side) of UPF in the case of cellular.
- Multicast using the Internet protocol uses a special IP Address that indicates Multicast as the Destination IP Address when sending. Therefore, the UPF cannot stuff Multicast packets into the GTP tunnel for UEs participating in the Multicast Group. In addition, there may be cases where there is no room for IoT devices to implement protocols such as IGMP.
- Multicast according to 3GPP MBMS standard> As described above, it is difficult for cellular systems to implement Multicast services using Internet protocols. Therefore, in the 3GPP standardization work, Multicast operating in a cellular network was standardized (3GPP TS23.246 MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service)).
- Multicast when a Multicast packet is delivered to each base station, the base station transmits one Multicast packet in the wireless section. A large number of UEs desiring to receive Multicast packets simultaneously receive the Multicast packets transmitted by the base station. Multicast in the cellular system is thereby realized.
- multicast can be performed in both wired and wireless sections, but in order to use this method, the base station and Core Network must implement the 3GPP MBMS protocol.
- Private 5G and Private 4G which are examples of Private Networks mentioned above, it is believed that systems are often built using small, low-cost base stations and low-cost Core Networks. It is believed that such small base stations and Core Networks often do not support the MBMS defined by 3GPP.
- the processing capacity of a single UPF can be It is possible to keep it low.
- a method of determining to which UPF a Multicast packet should be copied and transferred is required.
- the base station wirelessly transmits the Multicast packet to multiple UEs. can.
- the base station wirelessly transmits the Multicast packet to multiple UEs. can.
- the base station wirelessly transmits the Multicast packet to multiple UEs. can.
- the base station wirelessly transmits the Multicast packet to multiple UEs. can.
- Private Networks there are many cases where base stations that do not support the 3GPP Multicast standard are deployed. Therefore, in the proposed technology, individual packets are prepared for each UE desiring to receive Multicast packets on the UPF side (on the Internet side). For this reason, in the proposed technology, one Multicast packet is copied according to the number of individual UEs, and UE-specific IP Addresses are reallocated there.
- This UE-specific IP Address is used for putting Multicast packets into the GTP tunnel with UPF, rather than for routing Multicast packets. That is, the UPF transmits Multicast packets to the UE by inserting the Multicast packets into the GTP tunnel based on the IP Address of the UE. Therefore, the proposed technology has the feature of determining whether an IP Address is assigned to a UE that transmits a Multicast packet.
- Step 1 The UE notifies the nearest router of its desire to receive Multicast packets by notifying its IP Address using IGMP. At this time, the UE also notifies the UE of which Multicast Channel it wishes to receive the Multicast packet.
- Step 2 In order to forward the Multicast packet to the network where the packet identified in Step 1 exists, the router that needs to copy the Multicast packet copies the Multicast packet. IP Address uses the one reserved for Multicast packets until the end (transmitting Multicast packets to UE).
- Step 3 The UE receives the delivered Multicast packet if it wishes to receive it.
- Step 1 The UE notifies the Core Network of its desire to receive Multicast packets. At this time, the UE also notifies the UE of which Multicast Channel it wishes to receive the Multicast packet.
- Step 2 In the Core Network section, the router that needs to copy the Multicast packet copies the Multicast packet in order to transfer the Multicast packet to the network where the Multicast packet identified in Step 1 exists.
- For IP Address use the one reserved for Multicast packets until the end. Multicast packets are delivered directly to the base station without using UPF.
- a Multicast packet delivered to the base station is transmitted from the base station as one Multicast packet in the radio section and received simultaneously by multiple UEs.
- Step 3 The UE receives the delivered Multicast packet if it wishes to receive it.
- Multicast is realized by using a Core Network and base stations that support 3GPP standard (4G) Multicast.
- Step 1 The UE notifies the Core Network of its desire to receive Multicast packets. At this time, the UE also notifies the UE of which Multicast Channel it wishes to receive the Multicast packet.
- Step 2 In order to forward the Multicast packet to the network where the Multicast packet identified in Step 1 exists, instead of a specific router, a router (an example of a relay device described later) located in a limited location copies the packet. Also, the IP Address does not use the one reserved for Multicast packets until the end, but before UPF, for example, the router that copies the packet switches to the IP Address assigned to each UE. Note that the Multicast packet is copied immediately before the UPF in order to prepare a packet for each UE in the radio section. The copied packets are sent to the UE via the GTP tunnel.
- a router an example of a relay device described later
- Step 3 The UE receives the delivered Multicast packet if it wishes to receive it.
- Multicast packets are delivered using the IP Address assigned for Multicast up to the router immediately before the UPF.
- the position where this router is arranged differs from the conventional Internet protocol Multicast in that it is set in consideration of the cost and the arrangement position of the UPF.
- the router (an example of a relay device) according to this proposed technology is a device that copies Multicast packets for UE (Copy for UE). That is, the router according to the proposed technology converts a multicast packet (an example of multicast data) into a packet (an example of unicast data) addressed to multiple UEs (terminal devices), and transmits the converted packets to multiple UEs. do.
- a router according to the proposed technology is arranged for each one or more UPFs.
- a method can be considered in which UEs that receive Multicast services are grouped by performing registration for receiving Multicast services in advance using an ID such as IMSI or SUPI that is associated with the SIM of the UE. .
- an ID such as IMSI or SUPI that is associated with the SIM of the UE.
- information on the UPF to which the UE belongs and information on the IP Address of the UE are required. These information are used to route Multicast packets.
- Multicast may have multiple channels (programs, sessions). Therefore, in order to distinguish between multiple channels, an entity that observes the Source Address of Multicast packets is ultimately required. If an entity having such a function is arranged at all locations where multicast packets arrive, the number of entities will increase and the cost will also increase, making it difficult to realize.
- the UPF used for each UE or the UPF used by Multicast packets it may be possible to configure a Private Network more easily by determining the UPF that carries Multicast packets.
- the UPF used by the Multicast packet can be found by monitoring the Source IP Address of the Multicast packet.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a Private Network according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure
- the Private Network shown in Fig. 6 is a virtual network in which some functions of the Core Network are installed in a LAN (Local Area Network) (On-Premise) and some functions of the Core Network are installed in the Internet (On-Cloud). It is a private network (Virtual Private Network).
- a plurality of UEs (UE1 to UE5), base stations (Base stations #1 to #10), and part of the UPF (UPF10_1, 10_2) are installed in the LAN.
- the remaining UPFs (UPF 10_3 to 10_32), relay devices (Copy for UPF 20, Copy for UE 30), and Control Plane Function are installed on the Internet, for example, in the data center of a cloud provider.
- UPFs to which UEs that transmit Multicast packets belong are arranged in a limited manner. That is, the UPF 10 (Uplink UPF, an example of the second UPF) that performs Uplink processing of Multicast packets is arranged in a limited manner.
- the UPF 10 Uplink UPF, an example of the second UPF
- the UPF 10 to which the UE that receives the Multicast packet belongs is arranged in a limited manner. That is, a UPF (Downlink UPF, an example of the first UPF) that performs Downlink processing of Multicast packets is arranged in a limited manner.
- a UPF Downlink UPF, an example of the first UPF
- the limited Uplink UPF and Downlink UPF are understood by the network side.
- UEs that send Multicast packets are bound in the subscriber file (Subscriber Information, Association between UE and UPF) to use the limited Uplink UPF.
- UEs that receive Multicast packets are bound in the subscriber file to use the limited Downlink UPF.
- the Uplink UPF here means a UPF that transmits Multicast packets by Uplink. In other words, for normal traffic other than Multicast packets, the Uplink UPF performs both Uplink and Downlink processing.
- Downlink UPF means UPF that receives Multicast packets on Downlink. In other words, for normal traffic other than Multicast packets, the Downlink UPF performs both Uplink and Downlink processing.
- Table 1 shows the types of packets processed by the UPFs 10_1 to 10_32.
- the UPF ID shown in Table 1 is information for identifying the UPF.
- the UPF IDs shown in Table 1 correspond to the numbers at the end of UPFs 10_1 to 10_32 shown in FIG.
- the UPF 10_3 performs Uplink processing of Multicast packets.
- the UPF 10_5 performs Downlink processing of Multicast packets.
- the UPF 10_6 performs Downlink processing of Multicast packets and Uplink and Downlink processing of Unicast packets.
- the UPF 10_3 is the Uplink UPF
- the UPFs 10_5 and 10_6 are the Downlink UPFs.
- a relay device (Copy for UPF 20, an example of a second relay device) is arranged to determine to which UPF the Multicast packet output from the Uplink UPF should be returned.
- Copy for UPF 20 is provided corresponding to one or more Uplink UPFs.
- the UPF 10_3 Uplink UPF to which the UE that transmits the Multicast packet belongs is arranged in a limited manner. Therefore, the entity (Copy for UPF 20) for determining to which UPF 10 the Multicast packet output from the Uplink UPF should be returned should be placed near the Uplink UPF. Therefore, the number of installed Copy for UPF 20 can be suppressed to the minimum required.
- the Copy for UPF 20 confirms the Destination IP Address of the packet output from the Uplink UPF. If the Destination IP Address is an IP Address for Multicast, the Copy for UPF 20 identifies the packet output from the Uplink UPF as a Multicast packet.
- An IP Address for Multicast is, for example, 224.0.0.0.
- the Copy for UPF 20 transmits the identified Multicast packet to the UPF 10 (Downlink UPF) to which the UE that receives the Multicast packet belongs. If there are multiple Downlink UPFs, the Copy for UPF 20 duplicates the Multicast packet and sends it to each Downlink UPF.
- Copy for UPF 20 copies Multicast packets and transmits them to UPFs 10_5 and 10_6.
- Copy for UPF 20 may reassign the IP Address for going to UPF 10 as the Destination IP Address of the duplicated Multicast packet.
- the Copy for UPF 20 may specify the IP Address of the Downlink UPF in the routing table so that the duplicated Multicast packet is directed to the target Downlink UPF without re-assigning the Destination IP Address.
- the IP Address of the UPF 10 set by the Copy for UPF 20 in the routing table is preferably the IP Address of the entity (relay device, Copy for UE 30) immediately before the UPF 10. This is because the Copy for UE 30 converts the Multicast packet into a packet addressed to the UE, as will be described later.
- a relay device (Copy for UE 30) is arranged to determine to which UE the Multicast packet output from the Copy for UPF 20 is to be transmitted.
- Copy for UE 30 is provided corresponding to one or more Downlink UPFs.
- UPFs 10_5 and 10_6 Downlink UPFs to which UEs that receive Multicast packets belong are arranged in a limited manner. Therefore, the entity (Copy for UE 30) for determining to which UE the Multicast packet output from Copy for UPF 20 should be placed near the Downlink UPF. Therefore, the number of installed Copy for UE 30 can be minimized.
- the Copy for UE 30 converts the Multicast packet output from the Copy for UPF 20 into a Unicast packet that belongs to the Downlink UPF and is destined for the UE that receives the Multicast packet.
- Copy for UE 30 converts a Multicast packet into a Unicast packet by assigning the IP Address of the UE as the Destination Address of the Multicast packet. Note that if there are multiple UEs belonging to the Downlink UPF, the Copy for UE 30 duplicates the Multicast packets for each of the multiple UEs and converts them into Unicast packets. Copy for UE 30 transmits the converted Unicast packet to UE via Downlink UPF.
- FIG. 6 shows the case where one Copy for UE 30 is provided for one Downlink UPF, the Copy for UE 30 may be provided for each of multiple Downlink UPFs. Copy for UE 30 is arranged corresponding to one or more Downlink UPFs.
- Copy for UPF 20 duplicates Multicast packets according to the number of Copy for UE 30.
- the Uplink UPF and Downlink UPF mentioned above are preferably different UPF 10.
- Downlink UPF is overflowing with traffic of Multicast packets addressed to multiple UEs. Since an Uplink Multicast packet is copied and received by many UEs, if the Uplink Multicast causes packet loss due to traffic congestion, the effect is large. Therefore, it is desirable that the Uplink UPF and the Downlink UPF are different UPF10. Especially when the Core Network is small and the amount of processing of each UPF is small, it is better for the Uplink UPF and Downlink UPF to be different UPFs 10.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a relay device that functions as Copy for UPF according to the first embodiment.
- Copy for UPF 20 copies the Multicast packet received from Uplink UPF and relays it to Copy for UE 30 .
- the relay device functioning as Copy for UPF 20 is also simply described as Copy for UPF 20 .
- the Copy for UPF 20 has a communication section 21 , a storage section 22 and a control section 23 .
- the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may differ from this.
- the functions of the Copy for UPF 20 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of physically separated configurations.
- Copy for UPF 20 may be composed of a plurality of server devices.
- the communication unit 21 is a communication interface for communicating with other devices.
- the communication unit 21 may be a network interface or a device connection interface.
- the communication unit 21 may be a LAN (Local Area Network) interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), or a USB interface configured by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) host controller, a USB port, etc. good too.
- the communication unit 21 may be a wired interface or a wireless interface.
- the communication unit 21 functions as communication means for the Copy for UPF 20 .
- the communication unit 21 is capable of communicating with multiple Core Networks provided in the cellular network 1 .
- the storage unit 22 is a data readable/writable storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, or the like.
- the storage unit 22 functions as storage means for the Copy for UPF 20 .
- the storage unit 22 stores various programs.
- the storage unit 22 also stores various data.
- the control section 23 is a controller that controls each section of the Copy for UPF 20 .
- the control unit 23 is implemented by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), for example.
- the control unit 23 is implemented by the processor executing various programs stored in the storage device inside the copy for UPF 20 using a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like as a work area.
- the control unit 23 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).
- ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
- FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
- the control unit 23 includes a replication unit 231 and a setting unit 232.
- Each block (copying unit 231 and setting unit 232 ) constituting control unit 23 is a functional block indicating the function of control unit 23 .
- These functional blocks may be software blocks or hardware blocks.
- each of the functional blocks described above may be one software module realized by software (including microprograms), or may be one circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die).
- each functional block may be one processor or one integrated circuit.
- the configuration method of the functional blocks is arbitrary. Note that the control unit 23 may be configured by functional units different from the functional blocks described above.
- the replication unit 231 replicates the Multicast packet received from the Uplink UPF via the communication unit 21 and generates multiple Multicast packets.
- the duplicator 231 duplicates the same number of Multicast packets as the number of Downlink UPFs that transmit Multicast packets.
- the setting unit 232 sets the destination of the Multicast packet copied by the duplicating unit 231 . As described above, the setting unit 232 sets Copy for UE 30 as the multicast packet transmission destination by specifying the IP Address of Copy for UE 30 in the routing table, for example.
- the control unit 23 transmits the Multicast packet replicated by the replication unit 231 to the destination set by the setting unit 232 via the communication unit 21 .
- FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a relay device functioning as Copy for UE 30 according to the first embodiment.
- Copy for UE 30 copies the Multicast packet received from Copy for UE 30 and relays it to UE via Downlink UPF.
- the relay device functioning as Copy for UE 30 is also simply described as Copy for UE 30 .
- the Copy for UE 30 has a communication section 31 , a storage section 32 and a control section 33 .
- the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may differ from this.
- the function of Copy for UE 30 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of physically separated configurations.
- Copy for UE 30 may be composed of a plurality of server devices.
- the communication unit 31 is a communication interface for communicating with other devices.
- the communication unit 31 may be a network interface or a device connection interface.
- the communication unit 31 may be a LAN (Local Area Network) interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), or a USB interface configured by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) host controller, a USB port, etc. good too.
- the communication unit 31 may be a wired interface or a wireless interface.
- the communication unit 31 functions as communication means for the Copy for UE 30.
- the communication unit 31 is capable of communicating with multiple Core Networks provided in the cellular network 1 .
- the storage unit 32 is a data readable/writable storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, or the like.
- the storage unit 32 functions as storage means for the copy for UE 30 .
- the storage unit 32 stores various programs.
- the storage unit 32 also stores various data.
- the control unit 33 is a controller that controls each unit of the Copy for UE 30.
- the control unit 33 is implemented by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit).
- the control unit 33 is implemented by the processor executing various programs stored in the storage device inside the Copy for UE 30 using a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like as a work area.
- the control unit 33 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).
- ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
- FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array
- the control unit 33 includes a duplication unit 331 , a setting unit 332 and a transmission unit 333 .
- Each block (copying unit 331 , setting unit 332 and transmitting unit 333 ) constituting control unit 33 is a functional block indicating the function of control unit 33 .
- These functional blocks may be software blocks or hardware blocks.
- each of the functional blocks described above may be one software module realized by software (including microprograms), or may be one circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die).
- each functional block may be one processor or one integrated circuit.
- the configuration method of the functional blocks is arbitrary. Note that the control unit 33 may be configured by functional units different from the functional blocks described above.
- the duplication unit 331 duplicates the Multicast packet received from the Copy for UPF 20 via the communication unit 21 and generates a plurality of Multicast packets.
- the duplicator 331 duplicates the same number of Multicast packets as the number of UEs that transmit Multicast packets.
- the setting unit 332 sets the transmission destination of the Multicast packet duplicated by the duplicating unit 331 .
- the setting unit 332 for example, sets a UE that has acquired an IP Address from among the UEs that are linked to the Downlink UPF as the destination of the multicast packet. Note that the UE that has already attached to the cellular network 1 has acquired an IP Address.
- the setting unit 332 rewrites the IP Address of the UE as the Destination Address of the Multicast packet duplicated by the duplicating unit 331, thereby setting the UE whose IP Address has already been acquired as the destination of the Multicast packet.
- a packet whose destination is set by the setting unit 332 is a Unicast packet addressed to the UE.
- the setting unit 332 is a conversion unit that converts Multicast packets into Unicast packets addressed to the UE.
- the transmission unit 333 transmits the Unicast packet converted by the setting unit 332 to the Downlink UPF via the communication unit 31. As a result, Unicast packets are put into the GTP tunnel of the corresponding UE with Downlink UPF and sent to the UE via the base station.
- FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of Multicast performed in the Private Network according to the first embodiment.
- UE1 transmits Multicast packets on Uplink.
- the Multicast packet transmitted by UE1 is transmitted to UPF 10_3, which is an Uplink UPF, via Base station #1.
- the Copy for UPF 20 provided after the UPF 10_3 copies the Multicast packet received by the UPF 10_3 and transmits it to the Downlink UPFs 10_5 and 10_6. More specifically, the Copy for UPF 20 transmits Multicast packets to the Copy for UEs 30_1 and 30_2 corresponding to the UPFs 10_5 and 10_6, respectively.
- Copy for UE 30_1 duplicates Multicast packets.
- Copy for UE30_1 converts the duplicated Multicast packet into a Unicast packet destined for UE2 and UE3 linked to UPF 10_5.
- Copy for UE 30_1 transmits the converted Unicast packet to UPF 10_5.
- the Unicast packet is put into the GTP tunnel corresponding to UE2 and UE3 in UPF 10_5, and is transmitted to UE2 and UE3 via Base station#10.
- the Copy for UE 30_2 similarly converts the Multicast packet into a Unicast packet destined for UE4 and UE5 linked to the UPF 10_6.
- Copy for UE 30_2 transmits the converted Unicast packet to UPF 10_6.
- the Unicast packet is put into the GTP tunnel corresponding to UE4 and UE5 by UPF 10_6, and is transmitted to UE4 and UE5 via Base station#10.
- UE2 to UE5 can receive packets with the same content as the Multicast packet transmitted by UE1.
- the UE1 that transmits the Multicast packet is specified in the subscriber file (Subscriber Information, Association between UE and UPF) to use the Uplink UPF, UPF10_3.
- UE2 and UE3 that receive Multicast packets are specified in the subscriber file to use UPF 10_5, which is a Downlink UPF.
- UE4 and UE5 that receive Multicast packets are specified in the subscriber file to use UPF 10_6, which is a Downlink UPF.
- the UPF 10_3 that processes the Uplink of Multicast packets and the UPFs 10_5 and 10_6 that process the Downlink are different UPFs 10 .
- the number of Copy for UPFs 20 can be reduced to one in the Private Network shown in FIG.
- the number of Copy for UE 30 can be reduced to two in the Private Network shown in FIG.
- the Copy for UPF 20 does not need to be aware of which UE wants to receive the Multicast packet, and only needs to transfer the Multicast packet to 10_5 and 10_6 that have been designated in advance. Therefore, in the Private Network according to the first embodiment, the processing load of Copy for UPF 20 can be reduced.
- Multicast can be realized without increasing the processing capacity of the UPF 10.
- it is possible to reduce the number of relay devices (Copy for UPF 20, Copy for UE 30) placed in the Private Network, suppressing an increase in the scale of the Private Network and suppressing an increase in the cost of building the Private Network. can be done.
- the Copy for UPF 20 determines to which Downlink UPF the Multicast packet should be copied and transferred for each channel. Therefore, the Copy for UPF 20 stores the correspondence between Channels and Downlink UPFs that transfer Multicast packets, as shown in Table 2. This correspondence relationship is stored in the storage unit 22 of the Copy for UPF 20, for example.
- the Copy for UPF 20 associates and stores the Multicast Channel ID and the Downlink UPF ID being used.
- the Multicast Channel ID is information identifying the Multicast Channel
- the Downlink UPF ID is information identifying the Downlink UPF.
- the Downlink UPF IDs shown in Table 2 correspond to the numbers at the end of UPFs 10_1 to 10_32 shown in FIG.
- a Channel with a Multicast Channel ID of "1” corresponds to UPF 10_5.
- a channel with a Multicast Channel ID of "3” corresponds to UPF 10_6.
- Channels with a Multicast Channel ID of "4" correspond to UPFs 10_5 and 10_6.
- Copy for UPF 20 when the Copy for UPF 20 receives a Multicast packet whose Multicast Channel ID is "1", it transfers the received Multicast packet to the UPF 10_5.
- Copy for UPF 20 for example, when receiving a Multicast packet whose Multicast Channel ID is "3”, transfers the received Multicast packet to UPF 10_6.
- Copy for UPF 20 for example, when receiving a Multicast packet whose Multicast Channel ID is "4", copies the received Multicast packet and transfers it to UPFs 10_5 and 10_6.
- the UPF to which the UE that transmits the Multicast packet belongs to the Uplink UPF, it is possible to reduce the number of Copy for UPFs 20 that determine the transfer destination of the Multicast packet output from the Uplink UPF.
- the number of copies of Multicast packets performed by the Copy for UPF 20 can be reduced.
- priority may be assigned to multiple UEs, and the multiple UEs may receive Multicast packets in order according to the priority.
- the second embodiment will explain a case where priority is given to a plurality of UEs.
- a Multicast packet is control information for controlling multiple devices (UE), and the same control information may be sent to multiple devices by Multicast. In this case, there is a demand to send control information preferentially to devices having different degrees of importance among a plurality of devices.
- the Resource Management Function sets the priority for transmitting Multicast packets to the Downlink UPF. Then, a high priority Downlink UPF is linked to a high priority UE, and a low priority Downlink UPF is linked to a low priority UE.
- the UPF 10_5 is a high priority Downlink UPF
- the UPF 10_6 is a low priority Downlink UPF.
- UPF 10_5 is served by a small number of UEs with high priority
- UPF 10_6 is served by a large number of UEs with low priority.
- a movie director desires that video data, which is a Multicast packet, be transmitted more reliably than other staff.
- the priority of the UE used by the movie director may be set high, and the priority of the UE used by other staff may be set low.
- the priority of Multicast may be set according to the ticket type of the spectator. For example, UEs of spectators with high ticket prices are set with high multicast priority, and UEs of spectators with low ticket prices are set with low multicast priority.
- a UE belonging to a Downlink UPF with a high priority is a UE for which a high multicast priority is set
- a UE belonging to a Downlink UPF with a low priority is a UE for which a low multicast priority is set.
- a Downlink UPF with a high priority can suppress a drop in throughput by reducing the number of UEs belonging to it, and can send packets to UEs with a high priority more quickly.
- the priority can be set depending on which UE's packet is to be transmitted first. For example, if tens of thousands of UEs are linked to one Downlink UPF, even if they are linked to the same Downlink UPF, depending on the packet transmission order, there will be a large difference in the time it takes for this packet to reach the UE. there is a risk of Therefore, even in one Downlink UPF, by setting the priority for each UE, it is possible to preferentially transmit packets to important UEs, such as those with high ticket types. It should be noted that the transmission order in the Downlink UPF has a corresponding relationship with the generation order of the packets in the Copy for UE 30 that transmits packets to the Downlink UPF.
- Table 3 is a table showing the correspondence between UEs and priorities when priority is set for each UE in one Downlink UPF.
- the correspondence shown in Table 3 is held by Copy for UE 30, for example, and Copy for UE 30 generates packets in an order according to the priority of the UE.
- Copy for UE 30 associates and holds the UE ID and the priority in Copy for UE 30.
- a UE ID is information that identifies a UE.
- the priority in Copy for UE 30 is information indicating the order of packet generation, and is divided into two types, "High” and "Low", in Table 3.
- the number of UEs linked to one Copy for UE 30 (Downlink UPF) is 128, but this is an example, and the UEs linked to one Copy for UE 30 (Downlink UPF) may be more or less than 128.
- the number of UEs linked to the Downlink UPF is changed according to the priority of the Downlink UPF, but it is not limited to this.
- the order of Multicast packets generated and transmitted by Copy for UPF 20 may be changed according to the Downlink UPF priority.
- the Copy for UPF 20 duplicates and transmits Multicast packets in descending order of priority from the Downlink UPF.
- the Copy for UPF 20 associates the Downlink UPF with the priority and retains it.
- Table 4 is a table showing the correspondence between Downlink UPF and priority. The correspondence shown in Table 4 is held by Copy for UPF 20, for example.
- the Copy for UPF 20 stores, for example, the UPF ID and the priority between the UPF 10 in association with each other.
- the UPF ID is information that identifies the UPF 10.
- the priority between UPFs 10 is the priority at which Copy for UPF 20 transmits Multicast packets.
- the priority between UPFs 10 is set for the Downlink UPF.
- the priority of UPF 10_5 is "High” and the priority of UPF 10_6 is "Low”. Therefore, the Copy for UPF 20 copies and transmits the Multicast packet addressed to the UPF 10_5 with priority over the UPF 10_6.
- the priority of the UEs assigned to the Downlink UPF is set high. For example, one high-priority UE uses one Downlink UPF, and ten low-priority UEs use one Downlink UPF. This allows UEs with higher priority to receive packets with priority over UEs with lower priority.
- Copy for UE 30 sets priority by first copying and transmitting Multicast packets for UEs with high priority.
- Private Network Multicast according to the technology of the present disclosure can be referred to as semi-Multicast. Therefore, multicast with priority as described above is effective.
- UE1 uploads Multicast packets, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- a Multicast Contents Center may be provided in the Private Cellular Network and this Center may transmit Multicast packets. Such a case will be described as a third embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a Private Network according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the Private Network shown in FIG. 10 has the same configuration as the Private Network shown in FIG. 7 except that it has a Multicast Contents Center 40 .
- the Multicast Contents Center 40 generates Multicast packets and transmits them to the Copy for UPF 20.
- the Copy for UPF 20 according to this embodiment can be placed near the Multicast Contents Center 40, not near the Uplink UPF. Copy for UPF 20 transfers the received Multicast packet to Downlink UPF.
- the Copy for UPF 20 may receive Multicast packets from the Multicast Contents Center 40.
- the Multicast Contents Center 40 may receive Multicast packets from, for example, the Uplink UPF. That is, in FIG. 7, the Multicast Contents Center 40 may be provided between the Uplink UPF (UPF 10_3) and the Copy for UPF 20.
- the Copy for UPF 20 determines whether an IP packet is a Multicast packet according to whether the Destination IP Address of the IP packet is a specific IP Address representing a Multicast Channel. but not limited to this.
- Copy for UPF 20 may overwrite the Destination IP Address of the Multicast packet with the IP Address of Copy for UE 30.
- Copy for UPF 20 identifies the Multicast Channel from the UE-specific Source IP Address and port number.
- the Copy for UPF 20 copies the Multicast packet according to the number of corresponding Downlink UPFs, and overwrites the Destination IP Address of the copied Multicast packet with the IP Address of the Copy for UE 30 in the preceding stage of the Downlink UPF.
- Copy for UE 30 identifies the Multicast Channel from the Source IP Address and port number of the received packet. Copy for UE 30 copies the Multicast packet according to the number of UEs that receive the packet, overwrites the Destination IP Address of the copied packet with the IP Address of the UE, and sends it.
- FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of Multicast processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the Resource Management Function places UPF 10 (Uplink UPF and Downlink UPF) for Multicast.
- the Resource Management Function is sometimes written as MANO (Management And Orchestration) (see TS28.531). Since the UPF 10 can be regarded as a Network Slice, arranging the UPF 10 for Multicast can be expressed as MANO provisioning the UPF 10 for Multicast.
- the Resource Management Function performs provisioning and configuration of the UPF 10 for Multicast for multiple UPFs (step S101).
- the UPF 10 for Multicast for multiple UPFs (step S101).
- Multicast provisioning and configuration are performed for Copy for UPF 20 and Copy for UE 30 .
- the information of the provisioned UPF 10 is sent from the Resource Management Function to the Core Network/HSS as information on Network Slice (step S102).
- the Core Network/HSS transmits the provisioned information of the UPF 10 as NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) to the UE via the Base station (step S103).
- NSSAI Network Slice Selection Assistance Information
- eMBB and URLLC have been transmitted to the UE as NSSAI, but here, the information of the provisioned UPF 10 is transmitted to the UE as Network Slice for Multicast in NSSAI.
- the UE includes a contents provider that uploads Multicast packets and a contents consumer that receives Multicast packets.
- the UE acquires information of UPF 10 used for Multicast Uplink based on NSSAI.
- the UE performs procedures for starting communication based on the acquired information (step S104).
- the UE specifies the desired Network Slice in the Session request message, which is the procedure for starting communication.
- the UE designates the UPF 10 for multicast as the desired Network Slice from the information acquired based on the NSSAI.
- the SMF session management function (see TS23.501) allocates a Network Slice (here, UPF10) to the UE according to the UPF10 specified by the UE.
- the UE executes the ATTACH procedure with the Core Network/HSS and is assigned an IP Address by the SMF (step S105). This UE IP Address information is notified from Core Network/HSS to Copy for UE 30 (step S106).
- the UE which is the contents provider, uploads Multicast packets to the Uplink UPF (step S107).
- the Uplink UPF transmits the Multicast packet to Copy for UPF 20 (step S108).
- Copy for UPF 20 duplicates the Multicast packet and transfers it to Copy for UE 30 (step S109).
- Copy for UE 30 identifies the multicast channel, identifies whether the UE has acquired the IP Address, and identifies the IP Address of the UE based on the received multicast packet (step S110).
- Copy for UE 30 duplicates the Multicast packet, adds the IP Address of the UE, and transmits it to the UE, which is the contents consumer, via the Downlink UPF (steps S111, S112).
- the entity that arranges the UPF 10 for Multicast may be MANO or SMF, but in this embodiment, the Resource Management Function provisions the UPF 10, which is a type of Network Slice, and the UE and the UPF 10 The Resource Management Function also handles this.
- the Resource Management Function according to this embodiment is a Function that performs both the roles of MANO and SMF. Therefore, in this embodiment, it can be said that the entity that arranges the UPF 10 for Multicast is the Resource Management Function that has both the functions of MANO and SMF.
- the Resource Management Function provisions the UPF 10 as a function like MANO. Also, the Resource Management Function provisions Copy for UPF and Copy for UE in or near the UPF 10 related to Multicast. Here, Provisioning is placement and activation.
- the UPF 10 can be said to be a Network Slice. Therefore, the Resource Management Function provides information to the Core Network to notify the UE that there is a Network Slice related to Multicast.
- the Core Network notifies the UE of the NSSAI as information for Network Slice selection.
- the UE wants to upload the contents of Multicast in the process of Attaching and establishing a PDU Session. can hope.
- SMF allocates UPF 10 to the UE based on its preference.
- SMF assigns an IP Address to the UE when the terminal attaches.
- Copy for UE 30 prepares a packet for each UE and assigns the UE's IP Address to the packet. In this way, the IP Address of the UE is used for processing in Copy for UE30. Therefore, Copy for UE 30 obtains the UE's IP Address by inquiring of the SMF about the UE's IP Address.
- Copy for UE 30 obtains the UE's IP Address by another method (details will be described later).
- Copy for UPF 20 determines whether a Multicast packet transmitted by the UE, which is the contents provider, is a Multicast packet.
- Copy for UPF 20 transfers a copy of the multicast packet to Copy for UE 30 .
- the Copy for UE 30 is arranged in or near the UPF 10 (Downlink UPF) that performs Multicast Downlink.
- Copy for UE30 may leave the Destination IP Address as the IP Address dedicated to Multicast, or may rewrite it to the IP Address of Copy for UE30 at this point.
- the Copy for UE 30 may transfer the Destination IP Address representing the Multicast packet as it is. In this case, the router included in the core network automatically transmits the Multicast packet to Copy for UE30.
- Copy for UE 30 identifies the channel of the arriving Multicast packet and determines whether the corresponding UE has acquired an IP Address and what the IP Address is at that time. Copy for UE 30 copies a packet for each UE, overwrites the UE's IP Address on the packet, and transmits it. Packets that have passed through the Downlink UPF 10 are delivered to the UE, which is the Contents consumer.
- the UPF 10 may be arranged on-premise or in the cloud.
- the number of UPFs 10 can be easily increased or decreased. This is because in Cloud, computer resources are treated as Virtual Machines.
- the UPF 10 is arranged on the same LAN (Local Area Network) as the UE. Therefore, the UPF 10 has the advantage of being able to reduce communication delays with Application Servers that are very close to the UPF 10 . Thus, both placing the UPF 10 on-premise and placing it in the cloud have advantages.
- LAN Local Area Network
- FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a Multicast service according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 12 shows a case where the UPF 10 belonging to On-Premise provides Multicast service.
- the UPF 10_1 Uplink UPF
- the UPF 10_1 Uplink UPF
- the UPF 10_1 Uplink UPF
- Multicast services can be used, for example, not only for video broadcasting, but also for providing the same control information to multiple devices and controlling them in cooperation.
- Delay can be a big problem in controlling multiple devices. Therefore, low delay is important when Multicast packets contain control information.
- FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a Multicast service according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 13 shows a case where the UPF 10 belonging to Cloud provides the Multicast service.
- UPF 10_4 Downlink UPF
- UPF 10_3 Uplink UPF
- the delay may be less when the UPF 10 belonging to On-Premise provides the Multicast service. It is preferable to use it for services that require delay.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the Multicast service.
- FIG. 14 shows a case where both the UPF 10 belonging to On-Premise and the UPF 10 belonging to Cloud provide the Multicast service.
- UDP packets do not have a retransmission function or a function to notify that the connection has been interrupted.
- the UDP packet is included in the GTP packet (connection communication) and carried.
- GTP packets have retransmission and connection detection functions.
- the copy for UPF 20 corresponding to the Uplink UPF is also placed on-premise.
- the copy for UPF 20 in FIG. 14 copies Multicast packets according to the number of Downlink UPFs and transmits them to the Cloud side. As a result, Uplink traffic may increase.
- the Copy for UE 30 that transmits the Multicast packet and the Copy for UE 30 that receives the Multicast packet are placed on the same Virtual Private Network, so the communication path through which the Multicast packet passes within the Cloud is longer than in the case of Fig. 13. Hateful.
- the above-mentioned Resource Management Function will place the UPF 10 used for Multicast either On-Premise or Cloud. do.
- the Multicast service is provided within one Private Network, but the present invention is not limited to this.
- One Private Network is, for example, a network configured in one factory, hospital, office, and home. It is also conceivable to provide Multicast packets to multiple Private Networks. In the seventh embodiment, a case of providing Multicast packets to a plurality of Private Networks will be described.
- the copy for UPF 20 transferred Multicast packets to the Downlink UPF using information that associates Multicast channels with Downlink UPFs as shown in Table 2 above.
- the information shown in Table 2 does not support multiple Private Network Downlink UPFs, and the copy for UPF 20 transfers Multicast packets to multiple Private Network Downlink UPFs with only the information shown in Table 2. It is difficult.
- Multicast has multiple channels (programs, sessions). Therefore, managing which Private Network to transfer to for each channel is a complicated procedure, and cannot be realized in a system such as a Private Network that requires simple and low-cost operation. difficult.
- a dedicated UPF 10 for transferring to another Private Network is arranged within the Private Network.
- FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining Multicast according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the Multicast service according to this embodiment is provided by Private Cellular Network A and Private Cellular Network B. More specifically, Multicast packets uploaded on Private Cellular Network A are sent to UEs on Private Cellular Network A and Private Cellular Network B.
- Private Cellular Network A and Private Cellular Network B are the same as the configuration in FIG. 7, except that Private Cellular Network B has a Multicast Gateway (GW) 50.
- GW Multicast Gateway
- the Multicast GW 50 is arranged in the Private Cellular Network B, but the Multicast GW 50 can be arranged in the Private Cellular Network A as well.
- the Multicast GW50 is a gateway for accepting Multicast packets on a Private Network.
- Private Cellular Network B notifies the IP address of Multicast GW 50 to Private Network A, which is the distribution source.
- the example in Table 5 indicates that a Multicast packet with a Multicast Channel ID of "1" is transferred to the UPF 10 with a Downlink UPF ID of "4".
- the UPF 10 whose Downlink UPF ID is "4" is, for example, UPF 10_4A of Private Cellular Network A.
- the Downlink UPF IDs corresponding to the Multicast packet whose Multicast Channel ID is "2" are "4" and "Multicast Gateway".
- Copy for UPF 20A transfers the Multicast packet to UPF 10_4A and Multicast Gateway (GW) 50 of Private Cellular Network B.
- Copy for UPF 20A transfers the Multicast packet to Multicast Gateway (GW) 50 using the IP address of Multicast GW 50 that has been notified in advance.
- Table 5 shows the case where the IP address of the Multicast GW 50 is, for example, "100.10.1.5".
- the Downlink UPF ID corresponding to the Multicast packet whose Multicast Channel ID is "3" is "Multicast Gateway”.
- Copy for UPF 20A transfers Multicast packets to Multicast Gateway (GW) 50 of Private Cellular Network B.
- Private Cellular Network B is provided with a Multicast Gateway (GW) 50 that receives Multicast packets.
- GW Multicast Gateway
- Copy for UPF 20A can transfer Multicast packets to Private Cellular Network B without using information about UPF 10 in Private Cellular Network B.
- the Multicast Gateway (GW) 50 transfers the received Multicast packet to Copy for UE 30B in the same way as Copy for UPF 20, for example.
- Private Cellular Network B can also transmit Multicast packets to UE2B and UE3B via Downlink UPF (UPF10_4B in FIG. 15).
- Private Cellular Network B is provided with a Multicast Gateway (GW) 50 that receives Multicast packets.
- GW Multicast Gateway
- Copy for UPF 20A can transfer Multicast packets to Private Cellular Network B without copying Multicast packets to each UPF 10B of other Private Cellular Network B. Therefore, it is possible to provide Multicast services in multiple Private Cellular Networks with a simple method. This makes it possible to lower the cost of providing Multicast services over multiple Private Cellular Networks.
- a use case can be considered in which a large number of IoT devices included in a Private Cellular Network located all over the world are controlled simultaneously using the same commands. In order to realize such a use case, it is considered effective to provide a Multicast service by the method according to this embodiment.
- Copy for UE 30 uses the UE's IP Address to convert Multicast packets to Unicast packets.
- the IP Address of the UE is used in the Copy for UE 30 prepared before the Downlink UPF.
- Copy for UE 30 identifies UEs desiring Multicast Service from among the UEs belonging to the Downlink UPF, and identifies the IP Addresses of the UEs that have acquired IP Addresses. Furthermore, Copy for UE 30 also identifies, for each Multicast Channel, which UEs wish to receive the Multicast service. In a private network, it is desirable to implement these processing by Copy for UE 30 in a low-cost and simple manner.
- the IP Address assigned to the UE is retained in the Core Network's subscriber file by the Attach Procedure, but there are cases where this information cannot be obtained by accessing it from the outside.
- the Copy for UE 30 copies the Multicast packet for the UE, and then overwrites the IP Address of the UE with the Multicast IP Address. Therefore, there is a demand for a mechanism to more reliably acquire the UE's IP Address.
- FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of Multicast according to the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure.
- the UE that is the contents consumer notifies the Resource Management Function of the Multicast Channel that it wishes to view (step S201).
- the Resource Management Function notifies the Uplink UPF to which Downlink UPF the Multicast packet should be copied for each Multicast Channel (step S202).
- the Resource Management Function notifies the Downlink UPF of the group of UEs that wish to view each Multicast Channel (step S203).
- Copy for UE 30 requests SMF/HSS to obtain an IP Address using the UE ID (step S204).
- the SMF/HSS acquires the IP Address of the UE by Attach Procedure (step S205).
- the SMF/HSS notifies the Copy for UE 30 of the obtained IP Address of the UE (step S206).
- the Uplink UPF transmits the Multicast packet to Copy for UPF 20 (Step S208).
- the Copy for UPF 20 copies and transfers the Multicast packet to the UPF 10 (Target UPF 10) corresponding to the Multicast channel of the Multicast packet (step S209). More specifically, the Copy for UPF 20 transfers the Multicast packet to the Target UPF 10 by transferring the Multicast packet to the Copy for UE 30 arranged in or near the Target UPF 10 .
- Copy for UE 30 Based on the received Multicast packet, Copy for UE 30 identifies the Multicast Channel, identifies the UE that is the contents consumer, determines whether the IP Address of the identified UE has been obtained, and identifies the IP Address of the UE (step S210). Copy for UE 30, based on the processing in step S210, copies the multicast packet for the UE (Target UE) that sends the multicast packet, assigns an IP Address, and transfers it to the Downlink UPF (step S211). As a result, the packet is sent to the UE, which is the contents consumer, via the Downlink UPF (step S212).
- step S210 will be described in more detail.
- Step 1 Identification of Multicast Channel Copy for UE 30 identifies which Multicast Channel the incoming Multicast packet belongs to.
- the UPF 10 that can view the Multicast Channel is fixed (see Table 2), but there are cases where multiple Multicast Channels are assigned to one UPF 10 . Therefore, the Copy for UE 30 identifies which Multicast Channel the Multicast packet belongs to from the Multicast IP Address indicating the Multicast Channel at the Destination IP Address.
- Step 2 Identification of UE Copy for UE 30 acquires the ID (IMSI or SUPI) of the UE that wishes to view the identified Multicast Channel. This is different from the Internet technology IGMP, and the Copy for UE 30 acquires the information from what is registered as semi-static information before the UE acquires the IP Address. For example, the Copy for UE 30 acquires information about which Multicast Channel the user wants to view for each IMSI (SUPI).
- IMSI IMSI or SUPI
- the upper limit for example, 10
- the upper limit for example, 10
- Step 3 Presence or absence of IP Address acquisition of UE, acquisition of IP Address of UE Copy for UE 30 requests viewing of the Multicast Channel from among UEs that are known to be linked to Downlink UPF in advance. It is checked whether or not the UE identified as having acquired an IP Address.
- Copy for UE 30 refers to a table that shows how many of the 10 UEs identified in Step 2 have already obtained IP Addresses, so as to know whether IP Addresses have been obtained. can be done.
- Copy for UE30 duplicates the packet and then overwrites the UE's IP Address as the destination IP Address. In order to perform this process, it is important for Copy for UE 30 to know whether the UE has acquired an IP Address. By grasping for each copy for UE 30 whether an IP address has been obtained, the copy for UE 30 can perform faster processing.
- Copy for UE 30 acquires the granted IP Address of the UE in order to use the IP Address.
- Copy for UE 30, which has acquired the IP Address of the UE by executing Steps 1 to 3, executes the process of step S211 in FIG. More specifically, Copy for UE 30 prepares copied packets according to the number of UEs that have IP Addresses, overwrites the IP Addresses of each UE, and transmits them.
- Copy for UE 30 uses the 5G API to obtain the IP Address of the UE from SMF. In this way, Copy for UE 30 can obtain the IP Address corresponding to the UE ID using the SMF API for the Multicast Service.
- FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of Attach Procedure.
- the UE first transmits Attach Request to the Core Network/HSS (step S301).
- Core Network/HSS transmits Identity request to UE (step S302).
- the UE transmits an Identity Response to the Core Network/HSS (step S303).
- the Identity Response contains information on IMSI (an example of terminal device identification information) and S1AP ID (an example of a communication session ID).
- the Core Network/HSS transmits Attach accept to the UE (step S304).
- Attach accept contains information about IP Address and S1AP ID.
- Copy for UE 30 sniffs packets in the Attach Procedure shown in FIG. For example, Copy for UE 30 uses information about the IMSI and S1AP ID exchanged in step S303 (an example of the first correspondence information) and IP Address and S1AP ID information exchanged in step S304 (an example of the second correspondence information). ) to link IMSI and IP Address. Copy for UE 30 thereby acquires the IP Address for each UE.
- FIG. 18 shows the protocol stack of S1AP.
- FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a protocol stack between UE and Core Network/HSS.
- S1AP is a protocol carried by the SCTP protocol over IP, and in this S1AP, the IMSI and IP Address of the UE are carried as information.
- Step2 The Copy for UE 30 looks at the S1AP message line by line, and cuts out the information based on the three keywords "ENB-UE-S1AP-ID", "IMSI” and "PDN IPv4".
- Step 3 Copy for UE 30 holds the following two lists with NumberMaxUE as the upper limit of the number of UEs that may perform the attach procedure at the same time. sList_State_S1ID[NumberMaxUE] sList_State_IMSI[NumberMaxUE]
- Copy for UE 30 checks whether the same S1ID as the S1ID exists in sList_State_S1ID[] before storing the S1ID, and deletes it if it exists. As a result, Copy for UE 30 can remove the ghost at the time of error.
- Copy for UE 30 can associate the IMSI with the IP Address and obtain the IP Address for each UE.
- Copy for UE 30 copies Multicast packets after judging whether the UE has acquired an IP Address. Therefore, unnecessary copying of packets by Copy for UE 30 can be suppressed, and the processing load of Copy for UE 30 can be reduced.
- Copy for UE 30 can transfer packets as soon as it obtains the IP Address. That is, multicast can be started as soon as the UE acquires an IP Address. Therefore, when controlling a plurality of UEs by Multicast, for example, it is possible to start controlling the UEs immediately after turning on the power.
- FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an application example of the technology of the present disclosure.
- the captured video is uploaded to the Private Network.
- the film director and staff can view the captured video.
- the camera that captures the movie corresponds to the UE whose Source contents are.
- the camera uploads the captured video to Uplink UPF.
- Uplink UPF that processes video uploads on the Private Network
- the uploaded video is copied by Copy for UPF and transferred to Downlink UPF via Copy for UE.
- Copy for UE the uploaded video is copied and transferred to each content consumer UE (for example, monitor).
- the monitor viewed by the movie director is set with a high priority (High Priority), and the monitor of the staff other than the movie director is set with a low priority (Low Priority).
- This priority setting is done, for example, by linking the monitor viewed by the movie director to one Downlink UPF, and linking multiple monitors viewed by other staff to one Downlink UPF.
- the UE here, the monitor
- priority is given to the important UE such as the monitor viewed by the movie director, and the multicast packet (for example, captured video) is transmitted. can do.
- the program for executing the above operations is distributed by storing it in computer-readable recording media such as optical discs, semiconductor memories, magnetic tapes, and flexible discs.
- the control device is configured by installing the program in a computer and executing the above-described processing.
- the control device may be a device (for example, a personal computer) external to Copy for UPF 20 and Copy for UE 30 .
- the control device may be a device inside the Copy for UPF 20 and the Copy for UE 30 (for example, the control units 23 and 33).
- the above program may be stored in a disk device provided in a server device on a network such as the Internet so that it can be downloaded to a computer.
- the functions described above may be realized through cooperation between an OS (Operating System) and application software.
- the parts other than the OS may be stored in a medium and distributed, or the parts other than the OS may be stored in a server device so that they can be downloaded to a computer.
- each component of each device illustrated is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated.
- the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured.
- the present embodiment can be applied to any configuration that constitutes a device or system, such as a processor as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration), a module using a plurality of processors, a unit using a plurality of modules, etc. Furthermore, it can also be implemented as a set or the like (that is, a configuration of a part of the device) to which other functions are added.
- a processor as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration)
- module using a plurality of processors a unit using a plurality of modules, etc.
- it can also be implemented as a set or the like (that is, a configuration of a part of the device) to which other functions are added.
- the system means a set of a plurality of components (devices, modules (parts), etc.), and it does not matter whether all the components are in the same housing. Therefore, a plurality of devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device housing a plurality of modules in one housing, are both systems. .
- this embodiment can take a configuration of cloud computing in which one function is shared by a plurality of devices via a network and processed jointly.
- a relay device provided corresponding to one or more first UPFs (User plane functions), A control unit that converts multicast data to unicast data addressed to one or more terminal devices; a transmission unit that transmits the unicast data to the plurality of terminal devices; relay device.
- the relay device according to (1) or (2), wherein the control unit receives the multicast data from a second UPF that performs uplink transmission of multicast data.
- the first UPF is set as a UPF different from the second UPF.
- the relay device receives the multicast data from the second UPF via a second relay device that relays the multicast data.
- receives the multicast data from the second UPF via a second relay device that relays the multicast data.
- the second relay device relays the multicast data to the first UPF in an order according to the priority of the terminal device corresponding to the first UPF.
- the control unit duplicates the multicast data in an order according to the priority of the terminal device and converts it into the unicast data.
- the relay device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the control unit generates the unicast data to be transmitted to a number of the terminal devices according to priority.
- the terminal device receives selection information for selecting the first UPF or the second UPF, the selection information is transmitted in information about network slices;
- the relay device according to any one of (3) to (6).
- the control unit Acquiring address information related to an IP address acquired by the terminal device desiring to receive the multicast data; generating the unicast data based on the address information;
- the relay device according to any one of (1) to (9).
- (11) The relay device according to (10), wherein the control unit generates the unicast data by converting the destination of the multicast data to the IP address acquired by the terminal device.
- (12) The relay device according to (10) or (11), wherein the control unit acquires the address information from an SMF (Session Management Function).
- SMF Session Management Function
- the control unit Acquiring first correspondence information that associates identification information of the terminal device with a communication session ID from first attach information transmitted when the terminal device attaches to a network; Acquiring second correspondence information that associates the IP address assigned to the terminal device with the session ID from second attach information received when the terminal device attaches to the network; When the session ID of the first correspondence information and the session ID of the second correspondence information are the same, the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the session ID and the IP address are associated with each other. , The relay device according to (10) or (11).
- UPFs User plane functions
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Abstract
Description
1.はじめに
1.1.セルラーネットワーク
1.2.関連技術
2.提案技術の概要
3.第1実施形態
3.1.Private Network
3.2.Copy for UPF
3.3.Copy for UE
3.4.Multicastの一例
4.第2実施形態
5.第3実施形態
6.第4実施形態
7.第5実施形態
8.第6実施形態
9.第7実施形態
10.第8実施形態
11.適用例
12.まとめ
<1.1.セルラーネットワーク>
3GPP(Third Generation Partnership Project)では、LTE(Long Term Evolution)、NR(New Radio)等の無線アクセス技術が検討および策定されている。例えば、3GPP TS23.401およびTS23.501では、セルラーネットワークに関する技術が検討および策定されている。
<Mobile Edge computingとCNのローカル配置>
ところで、セルラーネットワークでは、CNを分散させて複数配置されることが予測される。図3は、セルラーネットワークの一例を概略的に示した図である。セルラーネットワーク1には、CN(Core Network)が分散して複数配置されている。図3では、3つのCN(1)‐CN(3)が複数配置されている。
UPFまたはSGW-PGWで実現されるUser Plane Functionの能力の一つの指標として、処理できる最大のThroughputが挙げられる。これは、例えば、最大で100MbpsのUser Data(user planeのdata)を処理できる等の指標である。
上述したように、Private Networkは、工場、病院、学校、オフィスなど、地域が限定されたセルラーサービスである。このような、Private Networkが提供されるローカル・プライベートなエリアで、BroadcastやMulticastを行いたいという要求がある。
ここで、インターネットのプロトコルを用いたMulticastについて説明する。Multicastは、1対Nの通信であり、1つのパケットを、複数の相手先へ提供するサービスである。
上述したように、セルラーシステムでは、インターネットのプロトコルを用いたMulticastサービスを実現することが難しい。そのため、3GPPの規格化作業において、セルラー網の中で動作するMulticastが規格化された(3GPP TS23.246 MBMS(Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service))。
上述したように、Private Networkでは、インターネットで定義されたMulticastを使用することは難しい。また、セルラー用に定義されたMulticastは、4Gであっても、実際には、小型基地局や小型Core Networkには搭載されないことが多い。そのため、これらの小型基地局や小型Core Networkで構築されるPrivate Networkでは、セルラー用に定義されたMulticastを使用することは難しい。
Step1:UEは、一番、近いルーターに対して、IGMPを使用して自装置のIP Addressを通知することでMulticastパケットの受信を希望することを通知する。このとき、UEは、どのMulticast ChannelのMulticastパケットを受信したいのかも通知しておく。
Step1:UEは、Core Networkに対して、Multicastパケットの受信を希望することを通知する。このとき、UEは、どのMulticast ChannelのMulticastパケットを受信したいのかも通知しておく。
Step1:UEは、Core Networkに対して、Multicastパケットの受信を希望することを通知する。このとき、UEは、どのMulticast ChannelのMulticastパケットを受信したいのかも通知しておく。
ここで、Private Networkに属するUEがMulticastサービスを受けるためには、例えばUEからApplicationを立ち上げてネットワーク側のMulticastサーバーに接続した上で、Multicastサービスを受けるための登録を行う方法が考えられる。しかしながら、この方法は、手続きが煩雑であるため、より簡易な方法が求められている。
図6は、本開示の第1実施形態に係るPrivate Networkの一例を概略的に示した図である。
本実施形態に係るPrivate Networkでは、Multicastパケットを送信するUEが属するUPFが限定して配置される。すなわち、MulticastパケットのUplinkの処理を行うUPF10(Uplink UPF、第2UPFの一例)が限定して配置される。
また、本実施形態に係るPrivate Networkでは、Uplink UPFから出力されたMulticastパケットをどのUPFに折り返すか判断するために中継装置(Copy for UPF20、第2中継装置の一例)が配置される。Copy for UPF20は、1または複数のUplink UPFに対応して設けられる。
本実施形態に係るPrivate Networkでは、Copy for UPF20から出力されたMulticastパケットをどのUEに送信するか判断するために中継装置(Copy for UE30)が配置される。Copy for UE30は、1または複数のDownlink UPFに対応して設けられる。
図7は、第1実施形態に係るCopy for UPFとして機能する中継装置の構成例を示す図である。Copy for UPF20は、Uplink UPFから受け取ったMulticastパケットをコピーして、Copy for UE30に中継する。以下、Copy for UPF20として機能する中継装置を単にCopy for UPF20とも記載する。
図8は、第1実施形態に係るCopy for UE30として機能する中継装置の構成例を示す図である。Copy for UE30は、Copy for UE30から受け取ったMulticastパケットをコピーして、Downlink UPFを介してUEに中継する。以下、Copy for UE30として機能する中継装置を単にCopy for UE30とも記載する。
図9を用いて、第1実施形態に係るPrivate Networkで行われるMulticastの一例について説明する。図9は、第1実施形態に係るPrivate Networkで行われるMulticastの一例について説明するための図である。
第1実施形態では、複数のUEが同時にMulticastパケットを受信するとしたが、これに限定されない。例えば、複数のUEに優先度を設けて、優先度に応じた順序で複数のUEがMulticastパケットを受信するようにしてもよい。このように、複数のUEに優先度を設ける場合について第2実施形態で説明する。
第1、第2実施形態では、UE1がMulticastパケットをアップロードするとしたが、これに限定されない。例えば、Private Cellular Networkの中に、Multicast Contents Centerを設け、このCenterがMulticastパケットを送信するようにしてもよい。かかる場合について第3実施形態として説明する。
上述した第1実施形態では、Copy for UPF20が、IPパケットのDestination IP Addressが、Multicast Channelを表す特定のIP Addressか否かに応じて、IPパケットがMulticastパケットであるか否かを判定するとしたが、これに限定されない。
第5実施形態では、3GPPの規格として上述したMulticastを行う場合を例に説明する。図11は、本開示の第5実施形態に係るMulticastの処理の流れを示すシーケンス図である。
上述したように、UPF10は、On-Premiseに配置されることもあるし、Cloudに配置されることもある。Cloudでは、UPF10の数が容易に増減され得る。これは、Cloudでは、計算機リソースがVirtual Machineとして扱われているからである。
上述した各実施形態では、1つのPrivate Network内でMulticastサービスを提供するとしたが、これに限定されない。1つのPrivate Networkは、例えば、1つの工場、病院、オフィス、ホームの中で構成されるネットワークである。Multicastパケットを複数のPrivate Networkに対して提供することも考えられる。第7実施形態では、Multicastパケットを複数のPrivate Networkに対して提供する場合について説明する。
上述したように、本開示の各実施形態では、Copy for UE30は、UEのIP Addressを使用して、MulticastパケットをUnicastパケットに変換する。このように、本開示の技術では、Downlink UPFの前段に用意されたCopy for UE30でUEのIP Addressを使用する。
Copy for UE30は、到来したMulticast パケットがどのMulticast Channelのものなのかを同定する。基本的に、Multicast Channelを視聴できるUPF10は決まっているが(表2参照)、複数のMulticast Channelが一つのUPF10に割当られる場合もある。そのため、Copy for UE30は、Destination IP Addressの位置にあるMulticast Channelを示すMulticast IP AddressからMulticast パケットがどのMulticast Channelのものなのかを同定する。
Copy for UE30は、同定したMulticast Channelの視聴を希望しているUEのID(IMSIまたはSUPI)を取得する。これは、インターネット技術のIGMPと異なり、Copy for UE30は、UEがIP Addressを取得する前に、semi-staticな情報として登録されたものから、その情報を取得する。例えば、Copy for UE30は、IMSI(SUPI)毎に、どのMulticast Channelの視聴を希望しているのかという情報を取得する。
Copy for UE30は、事前に、Downlink UPFに紐づいていると把握しているUEの中から、そのMulticast Channelの視聴を希望していると同定したUEがIP Addressを取得しているか否かを調べる。
Copy for UE30は、SCTP layerの上にS1AP Layerを持つパケットをつかまえる。ここで、図18にS1APのプロトコルスタックを示す。図18は、UEとCore Network/HSSとの間のプロトコルスタックの一例を示す図である。図18に示すように、S1APは、IPの上のSCTPプロトコルで運ばれるプロトコルであり、このS1APで、UEのIMSIやIP Addressが情報として運ばれる。
Copy for UE30は、S1APのメッセージをline by lineで見ていき、"ENB-UE-S1AP-ID", "IMSI" および "PDN IPv4"の3つのキーワードを手掛かりに情報を切り出す。
Copy for UE30は、同時にattach procedureを行う可能性があるUEの数の上限をNumberMaxUEとして以下の2つのListを保持する。
sList_State_S1ID[NumberMaxUE]
sList_State_IMSI[NumberMaxUE]
上述した各実施形態におけるMulticastは、種々のユースケースに適用され得る。ここでは、第1実施形態で説明したPrivate Networkが映画の撮影に使用される場合を例に説明する。
上述の実施形態は一例を示したものであり、種々の変更および応用が可能である。また、上述の実施形態は処理内容を矛盾させない範囲で適宜組み合わせることが可能である。
(1)
1または複数の第1UPF(User plane function)に対応して設けられる中継装置であって、
マルチキャストデータを、1または複数の端末装置宛てのユニキャストデータに変換する制御部と、
前記ユニキャストデータを、前記複数の端末装置に送信する送信部と、
を備える中継装置。
(2)
前記第1UPFは、前記マルチキャストデータのダウンリンク送信を行うUPFとして設定される、(1)に記載の中継装置。
(3)
前記制御部は、マルチキャストデータのアップリンク送信を行う第2UPFから前記マルチキャストデータを受信する、(1)または(2)に記載の中継装置。
(4)
前記第1UPFは、前記第2UPFとは異なるUPFとして設定される、(3)に記載の中継装置。
(5)
前記制御部は、前記マルチキャストデータを中継する第2中継装置を介して前記第2UPFから前記マルチキャストデータを受信する、(3)または(4)に記載の中継装置。
(6)
前記第2中継装置は、第1UPFに対応する前記端末装置の優先度に応じた順番で前記第1UPFに前記マルチキャストデータを中継する(5)に記載の中継装置。
(7)
前記制御部は、前記端末装置の優先度に応じた順番で前記マルチキャストデータを複製し、前記ユニキャストデータに変換する、(1)~(6)のいずれか1つに記載の中継装置。
(8)
前記制御部は、優先度に応じた数の前記端末装置に対して送信する前記ユニキャストデータを生成する、(1)~(6)のいずれか1つに記載の中継装置。
(9)
前記端末装置は、前記第1UPFまたは前記第2UPFを選択するための選択情報を受信し、
前記選択情報は、ネットワークスライスに関する情報に含めて送信される、
(3)~(6)のいずれか1つに記載の中継装置。
(10)
前記制御部は、
前記マルチキャストデータの受信を希望する前記端末装置が取得したIPアドレスに関するアドレス情報を取得し、
前記アドレス情報に基づいて前記ユニキャストデータを生成する、
(1)~(9)のいずれか1つに記載の中継装置。
(11)
前記制御部は、前記マルチキャストデータの宛先を、前記端末装置が取得した前記IPアドレスに変換することで、前記ユニキャストデータを生成する、(10)に記載の中継装置。
(12)
前記制御部は、前記アドレス情報をSMF(Session Management Function)から取得する、(10)または(11)に記載の中継装置。
(13)
前記制御部は、
前記端末装置がネットワークにアタッチするときに送信する第1アタッチ情報から、当該端末装置の識別情報と、通信のセッションIDと、を対応付けた第1対応情報を取得し、
前記端末装置が前記ネットワークにアタッチするときに受信する第2アタッチ情報から、当該端末装置に付与された前記IPアドレスと、前記セッションIDと、を対応付けた第2対応情報を取得し、
前記第1対応情報の前記セッションIDと、前記第2対応情報の前記セッションIDと、が同じ場合に、当該セッションIDにそれぞれ対応する前記端末装置の前記識別情報と、前記IPアドレスと、を対応付ける、
(10)または(11)に記載の中継装置。
(14)
1または複数の第1UPF(User plane function)に対応して設けられる中継装置がデータを中継する方法であって、
マルチキャストデータを、1または複数の端末装置宛てのユニキャストデータに変換することと、
前記ユニキャストデータを、前記複数の端末装置に送信することと、
を含む方法。
20 Copy for UPF
21、31 通信部
22、32 記憶部
23、33 制御部
30 Copy for UE
Claims (14)
- 1または複数の第1UPF(User plane function)に対応して設けられる中継装置であって、
マルチキャストデータを、1または複数の端末装置宛てのユニキャストデータに変換する制御部と、
前記ユニキャストデータを、1または複数の前記端末装置に送信する送信部と、
を備える中継装置。 - 前記第1UPFは、前記マルチキャストデータのダウンリンク送信を行うUPFとして設定される、請求項1に記載の中継装置。
- 前記制御部は、マルチキャストデータのアップリンク送信を行う第2UPFから前記マルチキャストデータを受信する、請求項2に記載の中継装置。
- 前記第1UPFは、前記第2UPFとは異なるUPFとして設定される、請求項3に記載の中継装置。
- 前記制御部は、前記マルチキャストデータを中継する第2中継装置を介して前記第2UPFから前記マルチキャストデータを受信する、請求項3に記載の中継装置。
- 前記第2中継装置は、第1UPFに対応する前記端末装置の優先度に応じた順番で前記第1UPFに前記マルチキャストデータを中継する請求項5に記載の中継装置。
- 前記制御部は、前記端末装置の優先度に応じた順番で前記マルチキャストデータを複製し、前記ユニキャストデータに変換する、請求項1に記載の中継装置。
- 前記制御部は、優先度に応じた数の前記端末装置に対して送信する前記ユニキャストデータを生成する、請求項1に記載の中継装置。
- 前記端末装置は、前記第1UPFまたは前記第2UPFを選択するための選択情報を受信し、
前記選択情報は、ネットワークスライスに関する情報に含めて送信される、
請求項3に記載の中継装置。 - 前記制御部は、
前記マルチキャストデータの受信を希望する前記端末装置が取得したIPアドレスに関するアドレス情報を取得し、
前記アドレス情報に基づいて前記ユニキャストデータを生成する、
請求項1に記載の中継装置。 - 前記制御部は、前記マルチキャストデータの宛先を、前記端末装置が取得した前記IPアドレスに変換することで、前記ユニキャストデータを生成する、請求項10に記載の中継装置。
- 前記制御部は、前記アドレス情報をSMF(Session Management Function)から取得する、請求項10に記載の中継装置。
- 前記制御部は、
前記端末装置がネットワークにアタッチするときに送信する第1アタッチ情報から、当該端末装置の識別情報と、通信のセッションIDと、を対応付けた第1対応情報を取得し、
前記端末装置が前記ネットワークにアタッチするときに受信する第2アタッチ情報から、当該端末装置に付与された前記IPアドレスと、前記セッションIDと、を対応付けた第2対応情報を取得し、
前記第1対応情報の前記セッションIDと、前記第2対応情報の前記セッションIDと、が同じ場合に、当該セッションIDにそれぞれ対応する前記端末装置の前記識別情報と、前記IPアドレスと、を対応付ける、
請求項10に記載の中継装置。 - 1または複数の第1UPF(User plane function)に対応して設けられる中継装置がデータを中継する方法であって、
マルチキャストデータを、1または複数の端末装置宛てのユニキャストデータに変換することと、
前記ユニキャストデータを、1または複数の前記端末装置に送信することと、
を含む方法。
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JP2010273045A (ja) * | 2009-05-20 | 2010-12-02 | Hitachi Software Eng Co Ltd | サーバ装置 |
JP2015115756A (ja) * | 2013-12-11 | 2015-06-22 | ソニー株式会社 | 通信制御装置、通信制御方法及びプログラム |
JP2017516402A (ja) | 2014-05-15 | 2017-06-15 | クアルコム,インコーポレイテッド | 受信されたeMBMSマルチキャストデータをユニキャスト送信を介して送信するための方法、装置、およびコンピュータプログラム製品 |
JP2020053719A (ja) * | 2018-09-21 | 2020-04-02 | 株式会社Nttドコモ | ユーザ装置及びネットワークノード |
JP2021016014A (ja) * | 2017-10-16 | 2021-02-12 | 株式会社Nttドコモ | 通信制御方法及び接続先変更方法 |
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JP2017516402A (ja) | 2014-05-15 | 2017-06-15 | クアルコム,インコーポレイテッド | 受信されたeMBMSマルチキャストデータをユニキャスト送信を介して送信するための方法、装置、およびコンピュータプログラム製品 |
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