Method and device for achieving rate guarantee

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and device for achieving rate guarantee, wherein the method comprises: a core network element receives a first data packet sent by a wireless access network user plane element, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate the status information of the current rate of a first GBR Flow; based on the first data packet, control decision information for the first GBR Flow is determined; the control decision information is sent to the wireless access network control plane element, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the wireless access network control plane element to control the first GBR Flow. The above technical solution is adopted to solve the problem of wasting control plane signaling when achieving rate guarantee in related technologies, and the user plane unit actively reports the status information of the current GBR Flow to the core network, and the core network element determines how to control the GBR Flow based on the status information, so as to efficiently achieve information communication related to rate guarantee.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method and device for implementing rate guarantee. Background Art

[0002] In the related art, in the fourth generation (4Generation, abbreviated as 4G) or long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, abbreviated as LTE) mobile communication system, the 4G base station is called an evolved base station (evolved Node B, abbreviated as eNB), the interface between eNBs is called an X2 interface, and the interface between eNB and the core network (Core Network, abbreviated as CN) is called an S1 interface.

[0003] In the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, the 5G base station is called the new generation radio access network node (NG RAN Node, also known as gNB), the interface between gNBs is called the Xn interface, and the interface between gNB and CN is called the NG interface.

[0004] The interface between the base station (eNB or gNB) and the user equipment (UE) is called the Uu interface.

[0005] In the 4G system, data flows with the same quality of service (QoS) requirements are aggregated into bearers. The eNB and CN process QoS on a bearer basis. The network bearer on the S1 interface and the radio bearer on the Uu interface are 1:1 corresponding.

[0006] In the 5G system, a new QoS mechanism is adopted. The concept of radio bearer on the Uu interface is still retained, namely Data Radio Bearer (DRB for short), but there is no concept of network bearer on the NG interface. Instead, it is replaced by Protocol Data Unit Session (PDU Session for short) and Quality of Service Flow (QoS Flow for short). A UE can have multiple PDU Sessions, and a PDU Session can contain multiple QoS Flows. Multiple QoS flows of the same PDU Session can be mapped to the same DRB, and QoS flows of different PDU Sessions cannot be mapped to the same DRB. QoS flows include: guaranteed bit rate service quality flow GBR QoS flow and non-GBR QoS flow.

[0007] In 5G base stations, a new Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) is introduced on top of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) for mapping between QoS flows and DRBs. Each PDU Session corresponds to an SDAP entity, and each DRB corresponds to a PDCP entity.

[0008] A 5G base station can be divided into two parts: a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). A base station has one CU and multiple DUs, which is called CU DU Split. The interface between CU and DU is called F1 interface.

[0009] The CU of a 5G base station can be divided into two parts: the control plane (CP) and the user plane (UP), which is called CP UP Split. The interface between CP and UP is called E1 interface.

[0010] Both 4G and 5G systems support the dual connectivity (DC) function. Under dual connectivity, the UE can maintain connection with two base stations at the same time, one of which is called the master node (MN) and the other is called the secondary node (SN).

[0011] A dual connection of 4G and 5G hybrid networking is called Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access-New Radio Access Dual Connectivity (E-UTRA-NR DC, also known as EN-DC). Under EN-DC dual connection, the primary base station is eNB and the secondary base station is gNB.

[0012] In 4G, 5G, and 4G / 5G hybrid networks (including CU / DU separation and CP / UP separation scenarios), the relevant technologies have failed to achieve better rate guarantee for UEs in connected states and dual / multi-connections.

[0013] There is currently no effective solution to the problem of wasting control plane signaling when implementing rate guarantee in related technologies. Summary of the invention

[0014] The embodiments of the present invention provide a method and device for implementing rate guarantee, so as to at least solve the problem of wasting control plane signaling when implementing rate guarantee in the related art.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for implementing rate guarantee is provided, comprising: a core network element receiving a first data packet sent by a wireless access network user plane element, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate status information of a current rate of a first guaranteed bit rate flow (Guaranteed Bit Rate Flow, referred to as GBR Flow for short); determining control decision information for the first GBR Flow based on the first data packet; and sending the control decision information to a wireless access network control plane element, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the wireless access network control plane element to control the first GBR Flow.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for achieving rate guarantee is also provided, including: a user-plane network element of a wireless access network determines status information of a first GBR Flow; and sends the status information of the first GBR Flow to a core network element, wherein the status information provides a basis for the core network element to determine control decision information for the first GBR Flow.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for achieving rate guarantee is also provided, including: a wireless access network control plane network element receives control decision information for controlling a first GBR Flow sent by a core network network element; and the wireless access network control plane network element controls the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a device for implementing rate guarantee, including: a first receiving module, used to receive a first data packet sent by a user-plane network element of a wireless access network, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate status information of a current rate of a first GBR Flow; a first determination module, used to determine control decision information for the first GBR Flow based on the first data packet; and a first sending module, used to send the control decision information to a control-plane network element of a wireless access network, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the control-plane network element of the wireless access network to control the first GBR Flow.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a device for implementing rate guarantee is also provided, including: a second determination module, used to determine the status information of the first GBR Flow; a second sending module, used to send the status information of the first GBR Flow to a core network network element, wherein the status information provides a basis for the core network network element to determine the control decision information for the first GBR Flow.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus for implementing rate guarantee, comprising: a second receiving module, configured to receive control decision information for controlling a first GBR Flow sent by a core network element; and a control module, configured to control the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information.

[0021] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is provided, in which a computer program is stored, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the steps of any one of the above method embodiments when running.

[0022] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to execute the steps in any one of the above method embodiments.

[0023] Through the present invention, the core network element receives a first data packet sent by a wireless access network user plane element, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate the status information of the current rate of the first GBR Flow; determines the control decision information for the first GBR Flow based on the first data packet; and sends the control decision information to the wireless access network control plane element, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the wireless access network control plane element to control the first GBR Flow. The above technical solution solves the problem of wasting control plane signaling when implementing rate guarantee in related technologies, realizes the user plane unit actively reporting the status information of the current GBR Flow to the core network, and the core network element determines how to control the GBR Flow based on the status information, and efficiently realizes the information communication related to rate guarantee. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of this application. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method for implementing rate guarantee according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0027] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0028] In the embodiment of the present application, a mobile communication network (including but not limited to a 5G mobile communication network) is provided, and the network architecture of the network may include a core network element, a wireless access network user plane element, and a wireless access network control plane element. In the present embodiment, an information transmission method that can be run on the above network architecture is provided. It should be noted that the operating environment of the above information transmission method provided in the embodiment of the present application is not limited to the above network architecture.

[0029] Embodiment 1

[0030] In this embodiment, a method for implementing rate guarantee running on the above network architecture is provided. Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method for implementing rate guarantee according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the process includes the following steps:

[0031] Step S102: The core network element receives a first data packet sent by a user plane network element of the radio access network, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate status information of a current rate of a first GBR Flow;

[0032] Step S104, determining control decision information for the first GBR Flow according to the first data packet;

[0033] Step S106: Send the control decision information to the radio access network control plane network element, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the radio access network control plane network element to control the first GBR Flow.

[0034] It should be supplemented that the radio access network control plane device controls the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information.

[0035] Through the above steps, the core network element receives the first data packet sent by the user plane element of the wireless access network, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate the status information of the current rate of the first GBR Flow; determines the control decision information for the first GBR Flow based on the first data packet; and sends the control decision information to the wireless access network control plane element, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the wireless access network control plane element to control the first GBR Flow. The above technical solution solves the problem of wasting control plane signaling when implementing rate guarantee in related technologies, and realizes that the user plane unit actively reports the status information of the current GBR Flow to the core network, and the core network element determines how to control the GBR Flow based on the status information, so as to efficiently realize the information communication about rate guarantee.

[0036] Optionally, the status information includes the identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the guaranteed flow bit rate (Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate, abbreviated as GFBR) required rate; a second indication, used to indicate the upper limit of the rate currently allowed to be reached by the first GBR Flow; a third indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the reported GFBR required rate; a fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow.

[0037] It should be supplemented that the status information in the present application document may include an identifier of the first GBR Flow, a current rate of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following: a first indication, a second indication, a third indication, and a fourth indication.

[0038] It should be added that the reported GFBR required rate is set by the core network element. When the rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the value of the reported GFBR required rate, the user-side network element triggers the reporting information; the initial GFBR required rate is used to indicate the initial required rate when establishing the first GFBR Flow; the current upper limit of the rate allowed to be achieved includes the maximum value allowed by the first GBR Flow at a certain moment.

[0039] Optionally, the core network network element receives a first data packet sent by a user plane network element of the wireless access network, including: the user plane function (User Plane Function, referred to as UPF) of the core network network element receives the first data packet; parses the first data packet to obtain the identifier of the first GBR Flow in the GBR Flow control report, and at least one of the following information: an indication that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR rate, the upper limit of the rate currently allowed to be reached, an indication that the current rate reaches the reported GFBR required rate, an indication that the current rate reaches the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate.

[0040] Optionally, control decision information for the first GBR Flow is determined based on the first data packet, including: the session management function (Session Management Function, SMF for short) of the core network network element receives the GBR Flow control report sent by the UPF; the control decision information is determined based on the GBR Flow control report, wherein the control decision information includes one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow, lowering the rate of the first GBR Flow, and increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow.

[0041] It should be added that when the current rate of the first GBR Flow received by the core network element does not reach the previously set GFBR required rate, the core network element lowers the GFBR required rate.

[0042] Optionally, the control decision information is sent to the wireless access network control plane network element, including: the access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, referred to as AMF) of the core network network element receives the configuration information sent by the SMF, wherein the configuration information is information used to configure the first GBRFlow determined based on the control decision information; the AMF sends the configuration information to the wireless access network control plane network element, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow, applying GBFR value, initial GFBR value, reporting GFBR value, increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, and increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow to the initial GFBR.

[0043] It should be added that the application GFBR value is set by the core network element, which is intended to notify the radio access network element to use the application GFBR as the current GFBR rate of the GBR Flow.

[0044] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for implementing rate guarantee is also provided, comprising the following steps:

[0045] Step 1: The user plane network element of the radio access network determines the state information of the first GBR Flow;

[0046] Step 2: Send the state information of the first GBR Flow to the core network element, wherein the state information provides a basis for the core network element to determine control decision information for the first GBR Flow.

[0047] Optionally, the status information includes the identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR required rate; a second indication, used to indicate the upper limit of the rate currently allowed for the first GBR Flow; a third indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the reported GFBR required rate; a fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow.

[0048] Optionally, the user plane network element of the wireless access network includes one of the following: eNB, gNB, CU UP, MN, SN.

[0049] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for implementing rate guarantee is also provided, comprising the following steps:

[0050] Step 1: The radio access network control plane network element receives control decision information for controlling the first GBR Flow sent by the core network network element;

[0051] Step 2: The radio access network control plane network element controls the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information.

[0052] Optionally, the control plane network element of the wireless access network controls the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information, including one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow; adjusting the GFBR rate of the GBR Flow to the application GFBR; adjusting the GFBR rate of the GBR Flow to the initial GFBR; adjusting the GFBR rate of the GBR Flow to the report GFBR; wherein the application GFBR, the initial GFBR or the report GFBR is carried in the control decision information.

[0053] Optionally, the wireless access network control plane network element receives control decision information for controlling the first GBR Flow sent by the core network network element, including: when the control plane network element is a centralized unit control plane network element CU CP, the CU CP sends the control decision information to the centralized unit user plane network element CU UP; when the control plane network element is a main base station MN, the MN forwards the information in the control decision information belonging to the secondary base station SN side to the SN.

[0054] Optionally, the wireless access network control plane network elements include: eNB, gNB, CU CP, MN.

[0055] The following is a detailed description with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] Specific embodiment 1 of the present invention

[0057] 1) The user plane related network element on the RAN side (one of eNB, gNB, CU UP, MN, and SN) sends a special data packet to the UPF of the core network, which indicates at least one of the following information: an identifier of the related GBR Flow, an indication that the current rate does not reach the GFBR required rate, an upper limit of the currently allowed rate, an indication that the current rate reaches the reported GFBR required rate, an indication that the current rate reaches the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate.

[0058] 2) The UPF of the core network parses the special data packet after receiving it and obtains at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBRFlow, an indication that the current rate does not meet the GFBR required rate, the upper limit of the currently allowed rate, an indication that the current rate reaches the reported GFBR required rate, an indication that the current rate reaches the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate.

[0059] The UPF of the core network sends a GBR Flow control report to the SMF of the core network carrying the acquired information.

[0060] 3) The SMF of the core network makes a control decision on the relevant GBR Flow based on the GBR Flow control report, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow, lowering the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow, raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow, or taking no action.

[0061] The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the AMF of the core network.

[0062] The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the relevant network elements of the control plane on the RAN side (one of eNB, gNB, CU CP, and MN). The configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: release indication, application GFBR (i.e., GFBR after lowering or raising), initial GFBR, report GFBR (greater than application GFBR and less than initial GFBR), indication of raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to report GFBR, and indication of raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the initial GFBR.

[0063] 4) The relevant network element of the control plane on the RAN side (one of eNB, gNB, CU CP, and MN) operates the relevant GBR Flow according to the received configuration information, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow, adjusting the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received application GFBR, adjusting the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received initial GFBR, and adjusting the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received report GFBR.

[0064] 5) When the control plane related network element on the RAN side is CU CP, CU CP forwards the received configuration information to the user plane related network element CU UP on the RAN side.

[0065] 6) Alternatively, when the control plane related network element on the RAN side is the MN, the MN forwards the related configuration information of the GBRFlow on the SN side in the received configuration information to the SN.

[0066] Specific embodiment 2 of the present invention

[0067] 1) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the guaranteed bit rate flow (GBR Flow) to the AMF of the core network.

[0068] 2) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of GBR Flow to the base station. The configuration information of GBR Flow includes the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR).

[0069] 3) The base station detects that the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow does not meet the rate required by GFBR, and the base station sends a special data packet to the UPF of the core network. The special data packet indicates at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, an indication that the current rate does not meet the rate required by GFBR, and the upper limit of the rate currently allowed.

[0070] 4) The UPF of the core network receives the special data packet and parses it to obtain at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBRFlow, the indication that the current rate does not meet the GFBR required rate, and the upper limit of the current allowed rate. The UPF of the core network sends a GBR Flow control report to the SMF of the core network, carrying the obtained information.

[0071] 5) The SMF of the core network makes a control decision on the relevant GBR Flow based on the GBR Flow control report, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow or lowering the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow.

[0072] 6) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the AMF of the core network.

[0073] 7) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the base station. The configuration information of the GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: release indication, application GFBR (i.e., the lowered GFBR), initial GFBR, and report GFBR (greater than the application GFBR and less than the initial GFBR).

[0074] 8) The base station operates the relevant GBR Flow according to the received configuration information, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow, lowering the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received application GFBR. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow is lowered.

[0075] 9) The base station detects that the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow reaches or exceeds the rate required by the received reported GFBR, and the base station sends a special data packet to the UPF of the core network, which indicates at least one of the following information: an identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, an indication that the current rate has reached the reported GFBR required rate, an indication that the current rate has reached the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow.

[0076] 10) The UPF of the core network parses the special data packet after receiving it and obtains at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, the indication that the current rate has reached the reported GFBR required rate, the indication that the current rate has reached the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow.

[0077] The UPF of the core network sends a GBR Flow control report to the SMF of the core network carrying the acquired information.

[0078] 11) The SMF of the core network makes a control decision on the relevant GBR Flow based on the GBR Flow control report, including one of the following: raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the initial GFBR.

[0079] 12) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the AMF of the core network.

[0080] 13) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the base station. The configuration information of the GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: an indication of increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, an indication of increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the initial GFBR, the applied GFBR (i.e. the increased GFBR), the initial GFBR, and the reported GFBR (greater than the applied GFBR and less than the initial GFBR).

[0081] 14) The base station operates the relevant GBR Flow according to the received configuration information, including one of the following: increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received report GFBR, increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received initial GFBR, and increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received application GFBR.

[0082] Specific embodiment 3 of the present invention

[0083] 1) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the guaranteed bit rate flow (GBR Flow) to the AMF of the core network.

[0084] 2) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of GBR Flow to the base station CU CP. The configuration information of GBR Flow includes the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR).

[0085] 3) The base station CU CP forwards the configuration information of the GBR Flow to the base station CU UP. The configuration information of the GBR Flow includes the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR).

[0086] 4) The base station CU UP detects that the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow does not meet the rate required by GFBR, and the base station CU UP sends a special data packet to the UPF of the core network. The special data packet indicates at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, an indication that the current rate does not meet the rate required by GFBR, and the upper limit of the rate currently allowed.

[0087] 5) The UPF of the core network receives the special data packet and parses it to obtain at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBRFlow, the indication that the current rate does not meet the GFBR required rate, and the upper limit of the current allowed rate. The UPF of the core network sends a GBR Flow control report to the SMF of the core network, carrying the obtained information.

[0088] 6) The SMF of the core network makes a control decision on the relevant GBR Flow based on the GBR Flow control report, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow or lowering the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow.

[0089] 7) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the AMF of the core network.

[0090] 8) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the base station CU CP. The configuration information of the GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: release indication, application GFBR (i.e., the lowered GFBR), initial GFBR, and report GFBR (greater than the application GFBR and less than the initial GFBR).

[0091] 9) The base station CU CP operates the relevant GBR Flow according to the received configuration information, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow, lowering the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received application GFBR. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow is lowered.

[0092] 10) The base station CU CP forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the base station CU UP. The configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: application GFBR (i.e., the GFBR after adjustment, which is mandatory according to the assumption in the previous step), initial GFBR, and report GFBR (greater than the application GFBR and less than the initial GFBR). The base station CU UP adjusts the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow down to the received application GFBR according to the received configuration information.

[0093] 11) The base station CU UP detects that the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow reaches or exceeds the rate required by the received reported GFBR, and the base station sends a special data packet to the UPF of the core network, which indicates at least one of the following information: an identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, an indication that the current rate reaches the reported GFBR required rate, an indication that the current rate reaches the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow.

[0094] 12) The UPF of the core network receives the special data packet and parses it to obtain at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, the indication that the current rate has reached the reported GFBR required rate, the indication that the current rate has reached the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow. The UPF of the core network sends a GBR Flow control report to the SMF of the core network, carrying the obtained information.

[0095] 13) The SMF of the core network makes a control decision on the relevant GBR Flow based on the GBR Flow control report, including one of the following: raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the initial GFBR.

[0096] 14) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the AMF of the core network.

[0097] 15) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the base station CU CP. The configuration information of the GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: an indication of increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, an indication of increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the initial GFBR, the applied GFBR (i.e. the increased GFBR), the initial GFBR, and the reported GFBR (greater than the applied GFBR and less than the initial GFBR).

[0098] 16) The base station CU CP operates the relevant GBR Flow according to the received configuration information, including one of the following: increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received report GFBR, increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received initial GFBR, and increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received application GFBR.

[0099] 17) The base station CU CP forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the base station CU UP. The configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: applied GFBR (i.e., GFBR after adjustment), initial GFBR, and reported GFBR (greater than applied GFBR and less than initial GFBR). The base station CU UP adjusts the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow accordingly based on the received configuration information.

[0100] Specific embodiment 4 of the present invention

[0101] 1) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the guaranteed bit rate flow (GBR Flow) to the AMF of the core network.

[0102] 2) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of GBR Flow to the primary base station MN. The configuration information of GBR Flow includes the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR).

[0103] 3) The master base station MN forwards the configuration information of the GBR Flow on the secondary base station SN side to the SN, where the configuration information of the GBR Flow includes the guaranteed flow bit rate (GFBR).

[0104] 4) MN and SN respectively detect the GBR Flow on their respective sides. When it is detected that the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow does not meet the rate required by GFBR, MN and SN respectively send a special data packet to the UPF of the core network. The special data packet indicates at least one of the following information: an identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, an indication that the current rate does not meet the rate required by GFBR, and an upper limit of the rate currently allowed.

[0105] 5) The UPF of the core network receives the special data packet and parses it to obtain at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBRFlow, the indication that the current rate does not meet the GFBR required rate, and the upper limit of the current allowed rate. The UPF of the core network sends a GBR Flow control report to the SMF of the core network, carrying the obtained information.

[0106] 6) The SMF of the core network makes a control decision on the relevant GBR Flow based on the GBR Flow control report, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow or lowering the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow.

[0107] 7) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the AMF of the core network.

[0108] 8) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the MN. The configuration information of the GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: release indication, application GFBR (i.e., the lowered GFBR), initial GFBR, and report GFBR (greater than the application GFBR and less than the initial GFBR).

[0109] 9) The MN operates the relevant GBR Flow on the MN side according to the received configuration information, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow, lowering the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received application GFBR. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow is lowered.

[0110] 10) MN forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow on the SN side to the SN. The configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: release indication, application GFBR (i.e., the lowered GFBR), initial GFBR, and report GFBR (greater than the application GFBR and less than the initial GFBR).

[0111] The SN operates the relevant GBR Flow on the SN side according to the received configuration information, including one of the following: releasing the relevant GBR Flow, lowering the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received application GFBR. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow is lowered.

[0112] 11) MN and SN respectively detect the GBR Flow on their respective sides. When it is detected that the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow reaches or exceeds the rate required by the received reported GFBR, the base station sends a special data packet to the UPF of the core network. The special data packet indicates at least one of the following information: an identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, an indication that the current rate reaches the reported GFBR required rate, an indication that the current rate reaches the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow.

[0113] 12) The UPF of the core network receives the special data packet and parses it to obtain at least one of the following information: the identifier of the relevant GBR Flow, the indication that the current rate has reached the reported GFBR required rate, the indication that the current rate has reached the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate of the relevant GBR Flow. The UPF of the core network sends a GBR Flow control report to the SMF of the core network, carrying the obtained information.

[0114] 13) The SMF of the core network makes a control decision on the relevant GBR Flow based on the GBR Flow control report, including one of the following: raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, raising the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the initial GFBR.

[0115] 14) The SMF of the core network sends the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the AMF of the core network.

[0116] 15) The AMF of the core network forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow to the MN. The configuration information of the GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: an indication of increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, an indication of increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the initial GFBR, the applied GFBR (i.e. the increased GFBR), the initial GFBR, and the reported GFBR (greater than the applied GFBR and less than the initial GFBR).

[0117] 16) MN operates the relevant GBR Flow on the MN side according to the received configuration information, including one of the following: increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received report GFBR, increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received initial GFBR, and increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the received application GFBR.

[0118] 17) MN forwards the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow on the SN side to the SN, and the configuration information of the relevant GBR Flow includes at least one of the following: an indication of increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, an indication of increasing the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow to the initial GFBR, the applied GFBR (i.e., the increased GFBR), the initial GFBR, and the reported GFBR (greater than the applied GFBR and less than the initial GFBR).

[0119] The SN adjusts the GFBR of the relevant GBR Flow on the SN side accordingly based on the received configuration information.

[0120] By adopting the method described in the present invention, the UE can more quickly control the rate guarantee of the guaranteed bit rate flow GBRFlow when in a connected state or dual / multiple connections, and can save control plane signaling.

[0121] Through the description of the above implementation methods, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the method according to the above embodiment can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform, and of course can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk), and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal device (which can be a mobile phone, a computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Embodiment 2

[0123] In the present embodiment, a device for realizing rate guarantee is also provided, and the device is used to realize the above-mentioned embodiment and preferred implementation mode, and the description has been made no further. As used below, the term "module" can realize the combination of software and / or hardware of predetermined functions. Although the device described in the following embodiments is preferably realized by software, the realization of hardware, or the combination of software and hardware is also possible and conceived.

[0124] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a device for implementing rate guarantee, comprising:

[0125] A first receiving module, configured to receive a first data packet sent by a user plane network element of a wireless access network, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate status information of a current rate of a first GBR Flow;

[0126] A first determining module, configured to determine control decision information for the first GBR Flow according to the first data packet;

[0127] The first sending module is used to send the control decision information to the wireless access network control plane network element, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the wireless access network control plane network element to control the first GBR Flow.

[0128] Optionally, the status information includes the identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the guaranteed flow bit rate (Guaranteed Flow Bit Rate, abbreviated as GFBR) required rate; a second indication, used to indicate the upper limit of the rate currently allowed to be reached by the first GBR Flow; a third indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the reported GFBR required rate; a fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow.

[0129] Optionally, the core network network element receives a first data packet sent by a user plane network element of the wireless access network, including: the user plane function (User Plane Function, referred to as UPF) of the core network network element receives the first data packet; parses the first data packet to obtain the identifier of the first GBR Flow in the GBR Flow control report, and at least one of the following information: an indication that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR rate, the upper limit of the rate currently allowed to be reached, an indication that the current rate reaches the reported GFBR required rate, an indication that the current rate reaches the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate.

[0130] Optionally, control decision information for the first GBR Flow is determined based on the first data packet, including: the session management function (Session Management Function, SMF for short) of the core network network element receives the GBR Flow control report sent by the UPF; the control decision information is determined based on the GBR Flow control report, wherein the control decision information includes one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow, lowering the rate of the first GBR Flow, and increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow.

[0131] Optionally, the control decision information is sent to the wireless access network control plane network element, including: the access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, referred to as AMF) of the core network network element receives the configuration information sent by the SMF, wherein the configuration information is information used to configure the first GBRFlow determined based on the control decision information; the AMF sends the configuration information to the wireless access network control plane network element, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow, applying GBFR value, initial GFBR value, reporting GFBR value, increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, and increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow to the initial GFBR.

[0132] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a device for implementing rate guarantee, comprising:

[0133] A second determining module, configured to determine state information of a first GBR Flow;

[0134] The second sending module is used to send the state information of the first GBR Flow to the core network element, wherein the state information provides a basis for the core network element to determine the control decision information for the first GBR Flow.

[0135] Optionally, the status information includes the identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR required rate; a second indication, used to indicate the upper limit of the rate currently allowed for the first GBR Flow; a third indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the reported GFBR required rate; a fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow.

[0136] Optionally, the user plane network element of the wireless access network includes one of the following: eNB, gNB, CU UP, MN, SN.

[0137] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a device for implementing rate guarantee, comprising:

[0138] A second receiving module is used to receive control decision information for controlling the first GBR Flow sent by the core network element;

[0139] The control module is used to control the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information.

[0140] Optionally, the control plane network element of the wireless access network controls the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information, including one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow; adjusting the GFBR rate of the GBR Flow to the application GFBR; adjusting the GFBR rate of the GBR Flow to the initial GFBR; adjusting the GFBR rate of the GBR Flow to the report GFBR; wherein the application GFBR, the initial GFBR or the report GFBR is carried in the control decision information.

[0141] Optionally, the wireless access network control plane network element receives control decision information for controlling the first GBR Flow sent by the core network network element, including: when the control plane network element is a centralized unit control plane network element CU CP, the CU CP sends the control decision information to the centralized unit user plane network element CUUP; when the control plane network element is a main base station MN, the MN forwards the information in the control decision information belonging to the secondary base station SN side to the SN.

[0142] Optionally, the wireless access network control plane network elements include: eNB, gNB, CU CP, MN.

[0143] It should be noted that the above modules can be implemented by software or hardware. For the latter, it can be implemented in the following ways, but not limited to: the above modules are all located in the same processor; or the above modules are located in different processors in any combination.

[0144] Embodiment 3

[0145] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is provided, in which a computer program is stored, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the steps of any one of the above method embodiments when running.

[0146] Embodiment 4

[0147] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to execute the steps in any one of the above method embodiments.

[0148] Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the present invention can be implemented by a general computing device, they can be concentrated on a single computing device, or distributed on a network composed of multiple computing devices, and optionally, they can be implemented by a program code executable by a computing device, so that they can be stored in a storage device and executed by the computing device, and in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in a different order than here, or they can be made into individual integrated circuit modules, or multiple modules or steps therein can be made into a single integrated circuit module for implementation. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

[0149] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for achieving rate guarantee, characterized in that: include: The core network network element receives a first data packet sent by the user plane network element of the radio access network, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate status information of a current rate of a first guaranteed bit rate flow GBR Flow; determining control decision information for the first GBR Flow according to the first data packet; Sending the control decision information to a radio access network control plane network element, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the radio access network control plane network element to control the first GBR Flow; The state information includes an identifier of the first GBR Flow and one of the following information: A first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the guaranteed flow bit rate GFBR required rate; A second indication, used to indicate a rate upper limit currently allowed for the first GBR Flow; A third indication is used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the required rate for reporting GFBR; A fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; The current rate of the first GBR Flow.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The core network element receives a first data packet sent by the user plane network element of the wireless access network, including: The user plane function UPF of the core network element receives the first data packet; Parse the first data packet to obtain the identifier of the first GBR Flow in the GBR Flow control report, and at least one of the following information: an indication that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR rate, the current upper limit of the rate allowed to be reached, an indication that the current rate has reached the reported GFBR required rate, an indication that the current rate has reached the initial GFBR required rate, and the current rate.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Determining control decision information for the first GBR Flow according to the first data packet includes: The session management function SMF of the core network element receives the GBR Flow control report sent by the UPF; The control decision information is determined according to the GBR Flow control report, wherein the control decision information includes one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow, lowering the rate of the first GBR Flow, and increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The control decision information is sent to a wireless access network control plane network element, including: The access and mobility management function AMF of the core network element receives the configuration information sent by the SMF, wherein the configuration information is information for configuring the first GBR Flow determined according to the control decision information; The AMF sends the configuration information to the wireless access network control plane network element, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow, applying a GBFR value, an initial GFBR value, a reported GFBR value, increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow to the reported GFBR, and increasing the rate of the first GBR Flow to the initial GFBR.

5. A method for achieving rate guarantee, characterized in that: include: The user plane network element of the radio access network determines the state information of the first GBR Flow, where the state information includes the identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR required rate; a second indication, used to indicate the upper limit value of the rate currently allowed to be reached by the first GBR Flow; A third indication is used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the required rate for reporting GFBR; a fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow; A first data packet is sent to a core network network element, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate status information of the first GBR Flow, the status information provides a basis for the core network network element to determine control decision information for the first GBR Flow, and the control decision information is sent by the core network network element to the wireless access network control plane network element, and the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the wireless access network control plane network element to control the first GBR Flow.

6. A method for achieving rate guarantee, characterized in that: include: The control plane network element of the radio access network receives control decision information for controlling the first GBR Flow sent by the core network network element, wherein the control decision information is determined by a first data packet indicating status information of a current rate of a first guaranteed bit rate flow GBR Flow, the first data packet is received by the core network network element from the user plane network element of the radio access network, and the status information includes an identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR required rate; a second indication, used to indicate the upper limit value of the rate currently allowed to be reached by the first GBR Flow; a third indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the reported GFBR required rate; a fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow; The radio access network control plane network element controls the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The radio access network control plane network element controls the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information, including one of the following: releasing the first GBR Flow; Adjusting the rate of the GBR Flow to apply GFBR; Adjusting the rate of the GBR Flow to the initial GFBR; Adjusting the rate of the GBR Flow to report GFBR; The application GFBR, the initial GFBR or the report GFBR is carried in the control decision information.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The radio access network control plane network element receives the control decision information for controlling the first GBR Flow sent by the core network network element, including: When the control plane network element is a centralized unit control plane network element CU CP, the CU CP sends the control decision information to a centralized unit user plane network element CU UP; When the control plane network element is a primary base station MN, the MN forwards the information belonging to the secondary base station SN side in the control decision information to the SN.

9. A device for achieving rate guarantee, characterized in that: Applied to core network elements, including: A first receiving module is configured to receive a first data packet sent by a user-plane network element of a wireless access network, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate status information of a current rate of a first GBR Flow, and the status information includes an identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR required rate; a second indication, used to indicate an upper limit value of the rate currently allowed to be reached by the first GBR Flow; a third indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the reported GFBR required rate; a fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow; A first determining module, configured to determine control decision information for the first GBR Flow according to the first data packet; The first sending module is used to send the control decision information to a wireless access network control plane network element, wherein the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the wireless access network control plane network element to control the first GBR Flow.

10. A device for achieving rate guarantee, characterized in that: Applicable to user-plane network elements of wireless access networks, including: The second determination module is used to determine the state information of the first GBR Flow, wherein the state information includes the identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach the GFBR required rate; a second indication, used to indicate the upper limit value of the rate currently allowed to be reached by the first GBR Flow; a third indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the reported GFBR required rate; a fourth indication, used to indicate that the current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches the initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow; The second sending module is used to send a first data packet to a core network network element, wherein the first data packet is used to indicate status information of the first GBR Flow, and the status information provides a basis for the core network network element to determine control decision information for the first GBR Flow. The control decision information is sent by the core network network element to the wireless access network control plane network element, and the control decision information is used to provide a basis for the wireless access network control plane network element to control the first GBR Flow.

11. A device for achieving rate guarantee, characterized in that: Applicable to wireless access network control plane network elements, including: A second receiving module is configured to receive control decision information for controlling a first GBR Flow sent by a core network network element, wherein the control decision information is determined by a first data packet of status information indicating a current rate of a first guaranteed bit rate flow GBR Flow, the first data packet is received by the core network network element from a user plane network element of a wireless access network, and the status information includes an identifier of the first GBR Flow, and one of the following information: a first indication, used to indicate that a current rate of the first GBR Flow does not reach a GFBR required rate; a second indication, used to indicate an upper limit value of a rate currently allowed to be reached by the first GBR Flow; a third indication, used to indicate that a current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches a reported GFBR required rate; a fourth indication, used to indicate that a current rate of the first GBR Flow reaches an initial GFBR required rate; the current rate of the first GBR Flow; A control module is used to control the first GBR Flow according to the control decision information.

12. A storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when executed.

13. An electronic device comprising a memory and a processor, characterized in that: A computer program is stored in the memory, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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