Method, device and system for improving service reliability

Abstract

A method for improving service reliability, wherein a session function entity in a network decides and initiates the establishment of at least two transmission paths between a terminal and the user plane function entity, and instructs the terminal or the user plane function entity to transmit the same data on the at least two paths; the user plane function entity is used to allocate user plane resources to the at least two transmission paths according to the notification of the session function entity, and transmit the same data with the terminal on the at least two transmission paths; the core network initiates the establishment of at least two transmission paths to the terminal, which can be established separately by two access devices, or with one access device as an anchor point to trigger other access devices and terminals to establish other transmission paths; the terminal and the network side perform corresponding dual transmission and dual reception, and deduplicate the received data; the present invention ensures the reliability of data transmission of high-reliability services.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, device and system for improving service reliability. Background Art

[0002] In order to meet the challenges of wireless broadband technology and maintain the leading edge of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network, the 3GPP standards group developed the next generation mobile communication system (next generation system) network architecture at the end of 2016, called the fifth generation (5G) network architecture.

[0003] The 5G network architecture defines ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) scenarios, which mainly include services such as driverless driving and industrial automation that require low latency and high reliability connections. The advanced air interface technology and optimized core network architecture of 5G networks make the requirements of the above scenarios possible. However, the mobile network itself has certain instabilities, whether it is the underlying link or the upper-layer routing protocol, and the above scenarios are mostly life safety or production safety-related services, so they cannot tolerate errors. Therefore, we need to provide an optimized network solution so that the network can meet the above requirements as much as possible even when the link quality is poor. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to meet the needs of highly reliable applications, the present application provides a network for improving service reliability, the network including a session function entity and a user plane function entity, the session function entity is used to decide and initiate the establishment of at least two transmission paths between a terminal and the user plane function entity, and instruct the terminal or the user plane function entity to transmit the same data on the at least two paths; the user plane function entity is used to allocate user plane resources to the at least two transmission paths according to the notification of the session function entity, and transmit the same data with the terminal on the at least two transmission paths, the network initiates the establishment of at least two transmission paths to the terminal, and the reliability of data transmission for high-reliability services is well guaranteed.

[0005] There are many situations that trigger the network to determine to establish multiple transmission paths, including:

[0006] The session function entity obtains service QoS information according to the service request sent by the terminal or the policy function entity, and determines that it is necessary to establish the first and second transmission paths between the terminal and the user plane function entity according to the QoS information; or the session function entity requests authorization from the policy function entity according to the primary and backup transmission path establishment indication or the bicast indication carried in the service request sent by the terminal, and determines that it is necessary to establish the first and second transmission paths between the terminal and the user plane function entity according to the authorization result.

[0007] Among them, the session function entity instructs the terminal or user plane function entity to transmit the same data on the first and second transmission paths, including: the session function entity sends an association identifier (or backup identifier, etc.) to the terminal or user plane function entity, and the association identifier indicates that the terminal or user plane function entity transmits the same data on the first and second transmission paths.

[0008] Among them, establishing multiple transmission paths and notifying the terminal or user plane function entity to start using the established multiple transmission paths for data transmission can be completed successively or simultaneously. For example, when the session function entity initiates the establishment of the first and second transmission paths, it can notify the user plane function entity and / or the terminal to start transmitting the same data through the established first and second transmission paths; or after the session function entity completes the establishment of the first and second transmission paths, it can notify the user plane function entity and / or the terminal to start transmitting the same data on the first and second transmission paths according to network conditions or business requirements. Such a processing method can enhance the flexibility of using multiple transmission paths.

[0009] Among them, there are many ways for the network to establish multiple transmission paths. One is to establish them separately, and there may be no association between the access devices carrying each transmission path, that is, the session function entity notifies the mobility management entity and instructs the first access device and the second access device to negotiate with the terminal to establish the first and second transmission paths respectively; it can also be that the session function entity initiates the establishment of multiple transmission paths through an access device (that is, with the first access device as the anchor point), for example, the session function entity sends the first and second transmission path establishment request to the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity instructs the first access device to establish the first transmission path according to the instruction of the session function entity, and instructs the first access device to notify the second access device to establish the second transmission path. For example, the first access device obtains the resource information of the second access device, and then notifies the terminal, and the terminal initiates the establishment of a connection with the second access device to complete the establishment of the second transmission path.

[0010] The terminal or the user plane functional entity transmits the same data on the first and second transmission paths, including: the user plane functional entity or the terminal sends the same data on the first and second transmission paths; or, the user plane functional entity or the terminal receives the same data from the first and second transmission paths and deduplicates the received data. In addition, from the receiving side, the terminal or the user plane functional entity can also select one of the two established transmission paths to receive data based on the data transmission quality and / or link quality without performing deduplication operations. Although the work of path quality detection is increased, the burden of data deduplication can be reduced.

[0011] Among them, in the 5G network, the session function entity is the session management function entity SMF, and the user plane function entity is UPF or; in the 4G network, the session function entity is the packet data gateway PGW, and the user plane function entity is the gateway user plane function GW-U.

[0012] The network provided by the present application can also be applied to a situation where a first transmission path already exists between a terminal and a user plane function entity, and a second transmission path is initiated to be established. At this time, the session function entity determines to establish a second transmission path between the terminal and the user plane function entity; the session function entity initiates the establishment of the second transmission path, and can instruct the terminal or user plane function entity to transmit the same data on the first and second transmission paths in the second transmission path establishment request.

[0013] The manner in which the session function entity determines that a second transmission path between the terminal and the user plane function entity needs to be established includes: the session function entity receives a request message sent by the terminal or the policy function entity, and determines that a second transmission path between the terminal and the user plane function entity needs to be established according to the request message, and may also include: the session function entity receives a notification message (such as a fault notification message) about the first transmission path sent by the user plane function entity to determine that the second transmission path needs to be established. The situation in which the second transmission path is established when the first transmission path already exists is similar to the situation in which the second transmission path is established when the connection is initiated, and will not be described in detail here.

[0014] Correspondingly, the present application also provides a method for improving service reliability. Since the process of implementing the method is basically consistent with the network system description process provided above, the description will not be repeated.

[0015] The present application also provides a terminal device, which can be a terminal or a chip in a terminal. The device has the functions of implementing the above embodiments. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, when the device is a terminal, the terminal includes: an interaction module and a processing module, the interaction module is used to receive a message sent by a session function entity, the message is used to instruct the processing module to transmit the same data on a first transmission path and a second transmission path between a user plane function entity and a terminal; the processing module is used to transmit the same data on the first and second transmission paths.

[0016] The present application also provides a session function entity, such as SMF, including a decision module and a processing module, wherein the decision module is used to determine to establish a first transmission path and a second transmission path between a terminal and a user plane function entity, or to determine to establish the second transmission path when the first transmission path already exists; the processing module is used to initiate the establishment of the first and second transmission paths, or to initiate the establishment of the second transmission path when the first transmission path already exists; the processing module is further used to instruct the terminal or the user plane function entity to transmit the same data on the first and second transmission paths.

[0017] For further functions of the functional units of the above terminals and session functional entities, please refer to the description in the method and system embodiments, and no detailed description will be given. Those skilled in the art are capable of flexibly implementing the specific functions of the above functional units based on the method and system description provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] The present application also provides a computer program product, which, when executed, is used to execute the method executed by the terminal and the network introduced above.

[0019] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored, and the instructions are used to execute the method executed by the terminal and the network introduced above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a system 10 for improving service reliability according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 A flow chart of a method S300 for improving service reliability according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a terminal and a user plane functional entity implementing data transmission through two transmission paths according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a dual-transmit and dual-receive mechanism on the transmitting and receiving side of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a method 600 for simultaneously initiating establishment of two transmission paths according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a method 700 for initiating establishment of a new transmission path according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Fig. 8A ,8B is a schematic diagram of the 5G system architecture of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 9 This is a signaling flow chart of a method 900 for simultaneously initiating establishment of two transmission paths in a 5G scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.10 This is a signaling flow chart of a method 1000 for simultaneously initiating establishment of two transmission paths in a 5G scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig.11 This is a signaling flow chart of a method 1100 for establishing a new transmission path in a 5G scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig.12 A signaling flow chart of a method 1200 for establishing a new transmission path in a 5G scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig.13 This is a schematic diagram of a 4G system architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of a session function entity 1400 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig.15 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device 1500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The technical solution in the embodiment of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the present application. Among them, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in this article is only a kind of association relationship describing the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more than two. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, in the embodiment of the present application, the words "first", "second" and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first", "second" and the like do not limit them to be necessarily different.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a system 10 for improving service reliability provided by an embodiment of the present application. The system 10 for improving service reliability includes a terminal 101, a first access device 102, a second access device 103 or more access devices, and also includes functional network elements in a core network, including a session function entity 104 and a user plane function entity 105, and may also include a policy function entity 106. The user terminal 101 accesses the core network through the first access device 102 and / or the second access device 103, and transmits service data with the core network. The first access device 102 and the second access device 103 are both connected to the core network, and the core network establishes a transmission path with the terminal 101 through the access device.

[0037] Terminal 101 is used to interact with access devices (102, 103) to establish at least two transmission paths (e.g., a first transmission path and a second transmission path) with a core network user plane function entity 105; terminal 101 receives a message sent by a session function entity 104 via the access devices (102, 103), wherein the message indicates that the terminal can transmit the same data on the first transmission path and the second transmission path.

[0038] The first access device 102 and the second access device 103 are used to establish a data transmission path between the user terminal 101 and the user plane function entity 105 according to instructions of the session function entity 104, the user terminal 101 or other access devices;

[0039] The session function entity 104 is used to decide and initiate the establishment of at least two transmission paths between the terminal 101 and the user plane function entity 105; and at the same time instruct the terminal 101 or the user plane function entity 105 to transmit the same data on the at least two paths.

[0040] The user plane function entity 105 is used to allocate user plane resources to at least two transmission paths and transmit the same data on the at least two transmission paths.

[0041] The policy function entity 106 is used to instruct or authorize the session function entity 104 to initiate the establishment of at least two transmission paths between the terminal 101 and the core network, where the at least two transmission paths are used to transmit the same data to the same user terminal.

[0042] Among them, the first and the second in the first access device 102 and the second access device 103 are only logical distinctions. In the specific implementation, they can be different physical entities or the same physical entity, for example, they can be the same base station. Depending on different implementation methods, there may or may not be a communication connection between the first access device 102 and the second access device 103; information interaction may or may not be required, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present invention. The transmission path described in the embodiment of the present invention refers to a logical channel or data path that can carry business data transmission. There can be many specific implementation methods or establishment methods of the transmission path, such as the user plane path between the UE and the UPF in the 5G network.

[0043] System 10 can be applied to 4G, 5G networks and other networks in the future. The system 10 for improving service reliability provided by an embodiment of the present invention establishes at least two transmission paths for the same terminal by the core network, and transmits the same service data to the terminal on at least two transmission paths respectively, thereby better ensuring the transmission quality of the service and improving the service reliability.

[0044] Figure 1 The session function entity 104, the terminal 101 or other functional entities in the Figure 2The communication device 200 is implemented in the embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 200 includes at least one processor 201, a communication bus 202, a memory 203 and at least one communication interface 204. The processor 201 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application. The communication bus 202 may include a path for transmitting information between the above components. The communication interface 204 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc. The memory 203 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a bus. The memory may also be integrated with the processor. Among them, the memory 203 is used to store the application code for executing the following embodiment method of the present application, and is controlled by the processor 201 for execution. The processor 201 is used to execute the application code stored in the memory 203, thereby realizing the method for improving business reliability provided in the following embodiment of the present application.

[0045] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 201 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 2 In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 200 may include multiple processors, such as Figure 2The processor 201 and the processor 208 in the communication device 200 are shown in FIG. Each of these processors can be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. The processor here can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (such as computer program instructions). In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 200 can also include an output device 205 and an input device 206. The output device 205 communicates with the processor 401 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 405 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 206 communicates with the processor 201 and can accept user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 206 can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0046] Based on the above-mentioned system 10 and communication device 200, an embodiment of the present application provides a method S300 for improving service reliability, by establishing at least two transmission paths for the same terminal and transmitting the same service data to the terminal on at least two transmission paths, thereby better ensuring the transmission quality of the service and improving the service reliability.

[0047] S301. The core network determines and initiates establishment of at least two transmission paths between the core network and the user terminal, where the at least two transmission paths can simultaneously transmit the same service data for the user terminal.

[0048] The session function entity in the core network can initiate the establishment of at least two transmission paths between the terminal and the user plane function entity of the core network autonomously, or based on the request of the terminal or the policy function entity. For example, the terminal sends a request to the session function entity to establish a primary or backup transmission path based on its own configuration, service requirements or network environment; or the policy function entity and / or the session function entity actively initiates the establishment of at least two transmission paths based on network conditions or service attributes, or based on a request for improving QoS sent by the terminal; of course, it can also be initiated by the cooperation and negotiation of the terminal and the various network elements of the core network, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] The order of establishing the at least two transmission paths may be simultaneous establishment or sequential establishment, as long as at least two transmission paths can simultaneously transmit the same data for the same user terminal; the at least two transmission paths may be in a primary-backup relationship with each other, in which case at least two transmission paths may simultaneously transmit the same service data, or some transmission paths may be transmitting service data, while other transmission paths are not transmitting data but are in an established and ready state, and may simultaneously transmit the same service data together with the current transmission path according to the configuration of the core network or the terminal or the triggering of the service environment;

[0050] The at least two transmission paths can be established by the core network and the terminal respectively through different access devices, or the core network can establish multiple transmission paths with the terminal using the same access device, or initiate the establishment of multiple transmission paths with one access device as an anchor point. Since the session function entity in the core network stores the access type information of the terminal, the session function entity can know whether the terminal has control plane connections on two access devices based on the access information of the terminal. If so, the transmission paths are established with different access devices respectively. If only one has, one access device is used to instruct other access devices to initiate the establishment of multiple transmission paths.

[0051] S302. The core network transmits data to the terminal through the at least two transmission paths.

[0052] The data transmission here may be the transmission of the same data on at least two transmission paths at the same time, or some transmission paths may be actually transmitting service data, while other transmission paths are in a state of being established but not actually transmitting data. The transmission paths that do not actually transmit data may start transmitting the same service data according to the configuration of the core network and / or the terminal or the triggering of the service environment;

[0053] From the core network side, the core network can simultaneously send the same service data to the terminal through the at least two transmission paths (dual transmission or dual broadcast); it can also simultaneously receive the same service data sent by the terminal through the at least two transmission paths and perform deduplication processing (dual reception);

[0054] From the terminal side, the terminal receives the service data sent by the core network through the at least two transmission paths and performs deduplication processing (dual reception); it can also send the same service data to the core network through the at least two transmission paths at the same time (dual transmission or dual broadcast).

[0055] Taking two transmission paths as an example, the data sending and receiving mechanisms on the core network side and the terminal side are described as follows:

[0056] In the embodiment of the present invention, a protocol stack can be added to the user plane function entity of the user terminal (UE) and the core network to implement the dual-transmission and dual-reception functions described in the method S300. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, it can be seen that the user plane functional entity of the user terminal and the core network realizes data transmission through two transmission paths, and performs dual transmission and dual reception processing through the protocol stack. Among them, NCP is the Network Control Protocol, that is, the network control protocol. The first transmission path (Path1) and the second transmission path (Path2) can be both 3GPP paths, or 3GPP and Non-3GPP paths.

[0057] Figure 4 The data flow direction is shown in Figure 1. For the dual-transmit and dual-receive mechanisms on the transmitting and receiving sides, you can also refer to Figure 5 , we can see that at the user terminal UE, the message that the APP needs to send will be sent to the baseband chip of the mobile phone through the local bus and other means. The baseband chip receives the upper-layer service message, performs message replication, and adds a sequence number and NCP ID to the message, and then sends it out through Path1 and Path2. After receiving the message, the user plane functional entity side removes the protocol headers related to path1 and path2, deduplicates according to the NCP ID and sequence number, and then sends the data packet to the data network (Data Network, DN).

[0058] from Figure 5 It can be seen from the receiving side that during the transmission process of the first transmission path (path1), the data packet with sequence number 2 is lost. Due to the adoption of the primary and backup transmission path mechanism, when receiving data, the system can obtain the lost data packet with sequence number 2 from the second transmission path, thereby improving the quality and reliability of data reception.

[0059] For two established transmission paths, for example Figure 5 As shown, from the receiving side, one of the two transmission paths can be selected for reception (select one method) according to the data transmission quality and / or link quality, without having to perform deduplication. For example, the network side or the terminal periodically samples and monitors the data transmission quality of the two transmission paths, and according to the dynamic changes in quality, promptly selects the transmission path with higher transmission quality or more in line with current business needs (most stable or fastest) to receive data. Compared with the deduplication method, the select one method can reduce the deduplication processing burden on the receiving side.

[0060] The method for improving service reliability in an embodiment of the present invention establishes at least two transmission paths to the core network for the same terminal, so that the same service data can be transmitted simultaneously on the two transmission paths, and further achieves high-reliability data transmission by adopting a dual-transmission and dual-reception mechanism on the transmitting and receiving sides.

[0061] The following is an explanation using two transmission paths as an example in conjunction with specific application scenarios. In the embodiment, the two transmission paths are referred to as a first transmission path and a second transmission path, or as a primary transmission path and a backup transmission path (primary-secondary paths). This embodiment does not limit the correspondence between the primary-secondary path and the first and second transmission paths, that is, the first or second transmission path can be each other's primary-secondary transmission path.

[0062] Method S600, see Attachment Figure 6 , and the steps to establish two transmission paths at the same time are as follows:

[0063] S601. When the terminal or core network policy function entity needs to ensure high-reliability data transmission of the service, it sends a high-reliability transmission path establishment request to the session function entity;

[0064] S602. The session function entity determines that two transmission paths need to be established between the terminal and the user plane function entity, namely, a first transmission path and a second transmission path;

[0065] S603. The session function entity initiates the establishment of the first transmission path and the second transmission path, notifies the access device and the user terminal of the identifiers and associations of the two transmission paths, and establishes the two transmission paths;

[0066] Specifically, there are two ways to establish two transmission paths through access devices:

[0067] The first type: the session function entity establishes the first transmission path and the second transmission path through the first access device and the second access device respectively; specifically, it may include:

[0068] S6031. Notify the first access device to establish a first transmission path. The establishment of the first transmission path is now

[0069] There are techniques, which I will not elaborate on here;

[0070] S6032. Notify the second access device, the notification content includes: the first transmission path identifier, the second transmission path identifier

[0071] Path identification, association identification; establishing a second transmission path;

[0072] S6033. Notify the user plane functional entity of the core network, the notification content includes: first and second transmission path resources, first and second transmission path identification information, and association identification, and complete the establishment of two transmission paths.

[0073] In this embodiment, the core network initiates the establishment of two transmission paths respectively, and there may be no interaction between the access devices responsible for carrying the two transmission paths. This method can realize that the 3GPP access device carries the two transmission paths respectively, and can also realize that the 3GPP and non-3GPP access devices carry the two transmission paths respectively. It should be noted that the first access device and the second access device can be the same access device (such as a base station) in implementation, but from the perspective of increasing reliability, the two access devices are implemented by different access devices, or even by 3GPP and non-3GPP access devices respectively, which can better improve the reliability or robustness of data transmission.

[0074] The second method: the core network notifies the second access device to establish the second transmission path through the first access device;

[0075] S603a. The session function entity notifies the first access device of the first transmission path established by the interaction with the terminal (this is the prior art and will not be described in detail); further, the session function entity also notifies the first access device, and the first access device notifies the second access device and the terminal of the interaction (the interaction information includes the first transmission path identifier, the second transmission path identifier, and the backup identifier) ​​to establish the second transmission path.

[0076] S603b. Notify the user plane functional entity, the notification content includes: first and second transmission path resources, first and second transmission path identification information, association identification, and complete the establishment of two transmission paths.

[0077] In this embodiment, after receiving the request to establish the second transmission path, the first access device triggers the second access device and the terminal to establish the second transmission path. This implementation method has relatively small changes to the network and is more easily compatible with the existing network.

[0078] The session function entity notifies the terminal or user plane function entity to associate the first and second transmission paths through an association identifier, and the association includes: the user plane function entity or the terminal sends the same data on the first and second transmission paths respectively; or the user plane function entity or the terminal deduplicates the data received from the first and second transmission paths, or the terminal selects a transmission path from the first and second transmission paths to receive data.

[0079] For the terminal, the session function entity generally includes an association tag in the establishment request of the second transmission path, and instructs the terminal to associate (or bind) the two transmission paths through the association tag (or backup tag).

[0080] For the user plane functional entity on the core network side, the session functional entity can notify the user plane functional entity to associate (or bind) the two transmission paths after receiving the response message that the second transmission path is established. Specifically, the association tag (or backup tag) and the identifiers of the first and second transmission paths can be carried in the notification message.

[0081] In addition, in step 603, when initiating the establishment of two transmission paths, the session function entity may further notify the user plane function entity or the terminal to enable the dual-send and / or dual-receive function. Specifically, the session function entity may carry the above-mentioned indication of enabling the dual-send and / or dual-receive function when sending the notification message for establishing the first and / or second transmission paths. The embodiment of the present invention does not limit this.

[0082] S604. If the session function entity notifies the user plane function entity or the terminal to perform dual transmission and / or dual reception, the user plane function entity or the terminal can use the associated first and second transmission paths to transmit the same data respectively.

[0083] The session function entity may notify the user plane function entity or the terminal to perform dual transmission and / or dual reception when initiating the establishment of the first and second transmission paths; or, after the two transmission paths are established, notify the user plane function entity or the terminal to actually perform dual transmission and / or dual reception using the two established transmission paths according to network or service conditions.

[0084] By using the method S600 of the embodiment of the present invention, two transmission paths are established between the terminal and the network side in the initial stage to transmit the same service data, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

[0085] Method S700: Refer to the attached Figure 7 , there is already a transmission path between the current terminal and the core network user plane function entity user plane function entity, and a new transmission path still needs to be established;

[0086] S701. When the terminal or network side needs to improve the QoS requirements of the transmission, a QoS improvement request is sent to the session function entity;

[0087] Specifically, the terminal already has a transmission path with the network side, or optionally, has transmitted service data through the first transmission path, but due to changes in service requirements or changes in network conditions, it is necessary to improve the transmission quality or maintain the transmission quality, so it is necessary to request the session function entity to improve QoS. In addition, the terminal or network side network element, such as the policy function entity or the user name function entity, can also directly send a request to the session function entity to request the establishment of a second transmission path (backup path).

[0088] S702. The session function entity determines that a second transmission path needs to be established between the terminal and the user plane function entity;

[0089] The session function entity may decide to establish the second transmission path according to the QoS requirements of the service and / or the local network load. The session function entity may further request authorization from the policy function entity. The policy function entity decides to establish the second transmission path for the service and sends a response to the session function entity. In addition, the session function entity may also directly initiate the establishment of the second transmission path according to the received second transmission path establishment request.

[0090] S703. The session function entity initiates the establishment of the second transmission path. Specifically, the establishment of the second transmission path is implemented through the access device. There are two ways:

[0091] The first type: the first transmission path has been established by the core network through the first access device, and the core network now establishes the second transmission path through the second access device;

[0092] S7031. Notify the second access device, where the notification content includes: the first transmission path identifier, the second transmission path identifier, the association identifier, and the establishment of the second transmission path.

[0093] S7032. Notify the user plane functional entity, including the second transmission path resources, the first path identification information, and the association identifier, to complete the establishment of the second transmission path on the user plane functional entity side.

[0094] The core network initiates the establishment of a new transmission path (the second transmission path), and there may be no interaction between the access devices responsible for carrying the two transmission paths. This method can enable the 3GPP access device to carry the two transmission paths separately, and can also enable the 3GPP and non-3GPP access devices to carry the two transmission paths separately. It should be noted that the first access device and the second access device can be the same access device (such as a base station) in implementation.

[0095] The second method: the core network notifies the second access device to establish the second transmission path through the first access device;

[0096] S703a. Notify the first access device, including the first transmission path identifier, the second transmission path identifier, and the association identifier. The first access device notifies the terminal and the second access device to establish a second transmission path (backup path);

[0097] S703b notifies the user plane functional entity UPF, including the second transmission path resources, the first transmission path identification information, the association identifier, completes the establishment of the second transmission path on the user plane functional entity side;

[0098] After receiving the request to establish the second transmission path, the first access device notifies the terminal and the second access device to establish the second transmission path, which makes little change to the network and is more easily compatible with the existing network.

[0099] When initiating the establishment of a second transmission path, the session function entity may notify the terminal or user plane function entity to associate the first and second transmission paths, wherein the association includes: the user plane function entity or terminal respectively sends the same data on the first and second transmission paths; or, the user plane function entity or terminal deduplicates the data received from the first and second transmission paths, or selects a transmission path from the first and second transmission paths to receive data.

[0100] For the terminal, the session function entity includes an association tag in the establishment request of the second transmission path, and instructs the terminal to associate (or bind) the two transmission paths through the association tag. For the user plane function entity on the core network side, the session function entity can notify the user plane function entity to associate (or bind) the two transmission paths after receiving the response message of the completion of the establishment of the second transmission path.

[0101] In addition, in step 703, when initiating the establishment of the primary and backup transmission paths, the session function entity may further notify the user plane function entity or the terminal to start dual transmission and / or dual reception. Specifically, the session function entity may carry the above-mentioned dual transmission and / or dual reception indication when sending the second transmission path establishment notification message, which is not limited to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0102] S704. If the session function entity notifies the user plane function entity or the terminal to perform dual transmission and / or dual reception, the user plane function entity or the terminal can use the associated first and second transmission paths to transmit the same data respectively.

[0103] Through the method of embodiment S700 of the present invention, when a first transmission path already exists or the first transmission path is already transmitting data, the terminal or the network side initiates the establishment of a second transmission path based on business needs or changes in network conditions, and the second transmission path can be used to transmit the same business data together with the first transmission path, thereby improving the reliability and flexibility of data transmission. Since the two transmission paths do not need to be established at the same time from the beginning, the processing burden and network resources of the terminal and the network side are saved, and flexibility is increased.

[0104] The system 10, communication device 200, and method S300 for improving service reliability are described above. Figure 4 , Figure 5The illustrated dual-transmission and dual-reception mechanisms on the transceiver side, methods S600 and S700, can be applied to current 4G, 4.5G or 5G networks and other future networks. For example, the above-mentioned session function entity can be SMF (Session Management Function) in 5G or PGW (PDN Gataway) in 4G: the policy function entity can be PCF (Policy Control Function) in 5G or PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) in 4G: the user plane function entity can be UPF (User Plane Function) in 5G or GW-U (Gateway User plane function) in 4G.

[0105] The aforementioned system, communication device and method are applied to 5G network, and possible applicable architectures include: Fig. 8A and Figure 8B The architecture shown. Fig. 8A In the UE, the UE only accesses the network through the 3GPP access device. Figure 8B The UE accesses the network through 3GPP access equipment and Non-3GPP access equipment at the same time. It should be noted that Fig. 8A and Figure 8B In the two architectures shown, both the access device that connects the UE to the network and the AMF have control plane connections.

[0106] right Fig. 8A ,The names and functional descriptions of the main network elements involved in ,8B are briefly introduced in Table 1:

[0107]

[0108]

[0109] Table 1

[0110] It should be noted that QoS flow is the smallest granularity for distinguishing QoS in 5G. Within a QoS flow, all service flows use the same forwarding processing, including scheduling strategy, queue management, traffic shaping, and resource configuration. To provide different QoS processing, different QoS flows are required, and one transmission path corresponds to one QoS flow.

[0111] refer to Fig. 9 , is based on Fig. 8A, the process of establishing the first and second transmission paths (primary and backup paths) based on the architecture of 8B, by establishing the primary and backup paths respectively in the initial stage, can ensure that services with high reliability requirements (such as URLLC services) can have a backup path available in addition to the primary path. The steps of embodiment 900 are specifically described as follows:

[0112] S901. Decision on establishing the primary and backup transmission paths. This can be divided into the following situations:

[0113] a.UE sends a service request to SMF, including QoS parameters, primary and backup path establishment indication (optional), etc.; SMF decides to establish primary and backup QoS flows for the UE's service requirements based on the UE type (for example, the UE is a URLLC terminal), QoS requirements, etc., and refers to the network load and the primary and backup path indication label (optional).

[0114] b. After receiving the service request from the UE, the SMF may further request authorization from the PCF, that is, send a request to establish a primary and backup path to the PCF, where the request message carries QoS parameters, such as 5QI (5G QoS indicator, 5G QoS label, or specific QoS requirements; the PCF decides to authorize the SMF to establish a primary and backup path for the UE based on the UE subscription information and QoS parameters, and the PCF sends a primary and backup path establishment response message to the SMF, where the message indicates that the SMF can establish a primary and backup path for the service request of the UE.

[0115] c. PCF sends a service request to SMF, including QoS parameters and primary and backup path indications (optional. After receiving the service request from DN, PCF decides to establish primary and backup paths for the service based on QoS parameters and UE contract information. In this case, the primary and backup path indication labels can be carried); SMF decides to establish primary and backup QoS flows for the service requirements of the UE based on the UE type (URLLC terminal), QoS requirements, etc., and refers to the network load and the primary and backup path indication labels (optional). (Or directly establish primary and backup paths for the UE according to the primary and backup path establishment instructions of PCF).

[0116] S902. SMF initiates the establishment of the primary and backup paths, including: SMF allocates user plane resources for the primary and backup QoS flows, mainly including the QFI (QoS flow identity) of the primary and backup QoS flows, data packet detection and charging rules, etc. Specifically as follows: allocate QFI and other QoS flow-related resources corresponding to the primary and backup QoS flows {for example, PCC (Policy Charging Control) rules, etc.}. The charging or QoS policies of the two QoS flows can be the same or different (for example, the second QoS flow can no longer be charged), which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0117] At this time, the SMF can also decide whether to notify the UPF and / or UE to enable the dual transmission (dual transmission and / or dual reception) function based on the URLLC service type and / or terminal type.

[0118] Specifically include:

[0119] If the URLLC terminal is a highly mobile terminal (as reflected by QoS parameters, service type, etc. and terminal type), it means that its network is highly unstable. The SMF carries a dual transmission indication notification when sending the primary and backup path establishment notification message, instructing the UPF and UE to perform dual transmission.

[0120] If the URLLC terminal is a low-mobility terminal, it means that its network path is relatively stable, so only the primary and backup paths are established for it, and dual transmission is enabled later when needed.

[0121] S903.SMF sends a request to AMF to create a primary and backup QoS flow. The request message carries: primary and backup QoS flow QFI, PDUSession ID (if the primary and backup QoS flows are in different PDU sessions, two PDU Session IDs need to be carried), TFT, QoS, backup tag, dual transmission indication (optional), etc.

[0122] The backup tag is used to indicate the relationship between two QoS flows, which can be called a primary-backup relationship, an associated relationship or a binding relationship. The UE or UPF can determine that the same data can be transmitted on the two QoS flows respectively based on the backup tag.

[0123] S904-906.AMF receives the primary and backup QoS flow establishment request sent by SMF, and sends a QoS flow establishment request to the first access device, wherein the request message carries PDU Session ID, QoS rules, etc.; when the first access device receives the QoS flow establishment request, it maps the QoS rules to radio QoS rules, sends wireless reconfiguration information to UE, and completes the establishment of the first QoS flow; the first access device sends a QoS flow establishment response message to AMF, notifying AMF that the wireless side of the first QoS flow is established;

[0124] S907.AMF initiates the backup QoS establishment process. AMF sends a QoS flow creation request message to the second access device, and the request message carries: the first QoS flow QFI, PDU Session ID, the second QoS flow QFI, PDU Session ID (which can be the same as the PDU Session ID of the first QoS flow, or different, without limitation), backup tag, dual transmission indication (optional), QoS, etc.

[0125] S908. The second access device receives a backup QoS flow creation request, maps the QoS rules to radio QoS rules, sends radio reconfiguration information to the UE, and completes the establishment of the second QoS flow;

[0126] It should be noted that the order of establishing the first and second QoS flows may not be restricted.

[0127] The UE side completes the binding (or association) of the two QoS flows according to the backup tag and the first QoS flow identifier (QFI, PDU Session ID) and the second QoS flow identifier (PDU Session ID, QFI). Specifically, the second QoS flow to be established is bound to the existing first QoS flow to complete the association of the primary and backup paths. Optionally, if the reconfiguration message contains a dual transmission indication, the UE starts dual transmission. For specific implementation, please refer to the attached Figure 4 , Figure 5 In the way, for example:

[0128] · Uplink dual transmission. The UE performs data packet replication, locally copies the first QoS flow data, and sends the original data packet to the first access device through the wireless bearer corresponding to the first QoS flow. The copied data packet is sent to the second access device through the wireless bearer where the second QoS flow is located. The UE adds a dual transport protocol header to the data packets of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow. The protocol header carries the packet sequence number, identifier, etc. The UPF can achieve deduplication by parsing the dual transport protocol header.

[0129] Downlink dual reception: The UE receives a data packet corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by the first access device and a data packet corresponding to the second QoS flow sent by the second access device, and performs data packet deduplication according to the dual transport protocol header information (mainly including sequence number and identifier, etc.) in the data packet.

[0130] S909. The second access device sends a QoS flow establishment response message to the AMF, notifying the AMF that the wireless side establishment of the second QoS flow is complete.

[0131] S910.AMF sends a primary / standby QoS flow establishment response message to SMF;

[0132] The message includes: a first QoS flow identifier and a second QoS flow identifier, etc.

[0133] S911.SMF notifies UPF to establish UPF-side user plane resources for the first and second QoS flows.

[0134] Specifically, SMF allocates resources (tunnels, and billing QoS rules obtained by SMF from other places) and sends them to UPF. UPF stores / installs these rules to establish user plane resources.

[0135] In addition, the SMF sends an N4 session modification message to the UPF, which carries the following content:

[0136] a. The first QoS flow identifier, the second QoS flow identifier, and the backup tag. The UPF side completes the binding of the two QoS flows based on the backup tag and the first QoS flow identifier (QFI, PDU Session ID) and the second QoS flow identifier (PDU Session ID, QFI), that is, completes the association of the primary and backup paths.

[0137] b. Dual transmission indication (optional). According to this indication, refer to the attached Figure 4 , Figure 5 , UPF performs the following actions:

[0138] b1. Downlink dual transmission. When UPF receives the data packet corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by DN, it performs data packet replication and sends the original data packet to the first access device through the N3 tunnel where the first QoS flow is located. Send the replicated data packet to the second access device through the N3 tunnel where the second QoS flow is located. UPF adds a dual transmission protocol header to the data packets of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow. The protocol header carries the packet sequence number, identifier, etc. UE can implement deduplication by parsing the dual transmission protocol header;

[0139] b2. Uplink dual reception: UPF receives the data packets corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by the first access device and the data packets corresponding to the second QoS flow sent by the second access device, and performs data packet deduplication according to the dual transport protocol header information (mainly including sequence number and identifier, etc.) in the data packets.

[0140] c. Other PCC rules: UPF establishes policy charging rules related to the second QoS flow.

[0141] UPF sends an N4 session modification response message to SMF to complete the creation of user plane resources for the primary and backup QoS flows on the UPF side.

[0142] This embodiment identifies the URLLC service on the network side, and then establishes two primary and backup paths for the service to improve the quality of service transmission and ensure reliability in error conditions. In addition, there is no communication requirement between the two access devices in the embodiment, and the UE can simultaneously access the 3GPP and Non-3GPP hybrid scenarios to maximize transmission efficiency.

[0143] refer to Fig. 8A The architecture and Fig.10, is a flow chart of another embodiment 1000 for establishing a primary and backup path (i.e., a first transmission path and a second transmission path) in the initial stage. In this embodiment, there is a communication interface between the first access device and the second access device, and the UE can establish the same PDU session through the first access device and the second access device, wherein the control plane context of the UE is located in the first access device, i.e., the AMF has a signaling plane connection with the first access device. The embodiment 1000 is described as follows;

[0144] S1001. The decision to establish the primary and backup transmission paths may be specifically referred to step S901 of the aforementioned embodiment;

[0145] S1002. SMF initiates the establishment of the primary and backup paths, for details, refer to step S902 of the above embodiment;

[0146] S1003.SMF sends a request to AMF to create a primary and backup QoS flow. The request message carries:

[0147] First QoS flow QFI, second QoS flow QFI, PDU Session ID (primary and backup QoS flows are in the same PDU session), TFT, QoS, backup tag, dual transmission indication (optional), etc.

[0148] S1004.AMF receives the primary and backup QoS flow establishment request sent by SMF, and sends the primary and backup QoS flow establishment request to the first access device. The request message carries PDU Session ID, first QoS flow QFI, second QoS flow QFI, QoS rule, backup tag, dual transmission indication (optional), etc.

[0149] S1005. The first access device initiates a second access device adding process (refer to the prior art master base station initiates the auxiliary base station adding process, for details, refer to 3GPP standard TS36.300);

[0150] The first access device sends a QoS flow establishment request message to the second access device, where the request message carries the second QoS flow QFI, the first tunnel information on the UPF side, the PDU Session ID, QoS rules, etc.

[0151] S1006. The second access device allocates wireless resource information to the second QoS flow, and sends the allocated wireless resource information to the first access device

[0152] S1007. The first access device notifies the UE to establish a first QoS flow and a second QoS flow, and the notification message includes:

[0153] First QoS flow identifier, second QoS flow identifier, PDU Session ID, backup tag. The UE establishes the primary and backup relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow based on this information, and completes the association of the primary and backup paths.

[0154] Dual transmission indication (optional), instructing the UE to perform dual reception and dual transmission.

[0155] The first access device allocates radio resource information for the first QoS flow. According to the radio resource information, the UE initiates a radio reconfiguration message to the first access device to complete the establishment of the first QoS flow.

[0156] The second access device allocates radio resource information for the second QoS flow. According to the radio resource information, the UE initiates a radio reconfiguration message to the second access device to complete the establishment of the second QoS flow.

[0157] S1008. The UE initiates a radio reconfiguration message to the first access device to complete the establishment of the first QoS flow;

[0158] S1009. The UE initiates a radio reconfiguration message to the second access device to complete the establishment of the second QoS flow

[0159] S1010. The first access device sends a QoS flow establishment response message to the AMF, the response message carries the QFI of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow, PDU Session ID, etc.;

[0160] S1011.AMF sends a primary / standby QoS flow establishment response message to SMF;

[0161] The message includes: a first QoS flow identifier and a second QoS flow identifier, etc.

[0162] S1012. SMF notifies UPF to establish the first and second QoS flows UPF side user plane resources;

[0163] Specifically, SMF allocates resources (tunnels, and billing QoS rules obtained by SMF from other places) and sends them to UPF. UPF stores / installs these rules to establish user plane resources.

[0164] In addition, the SMF sends an N4 session modification message to the UPF, which carries the following content:

[0165] a. The first QoS flow identifier, the second QoS flow identifier, and the backup tag. The UPF side completes the binding of the two QoS flows based on the backup tag and the first QoS flow identifier (QFI, PDU Session ID) and the second QoS flow identifier (PDU Session ID, QFI), that is, completes the association of the primary and backup paths.

[0166] b. Dual transmission indication (optional). According to this indication, refer to the attached Figure 4 , Figure 5 , UPF performs the following actions:

[0167] b1. Downlink dual transmission. When UPF receives the data packet corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by DN, it performs data packet replication and sends the original data packet to the first access device through the N3 tunnel where the first QoS flow is located. Send the copied data packet to the second access device through the N3 tunnel where the second QoS flow is located. UPF adds a dual transmission protocol header to the data packets of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow. The protocol header carries the packet sequence number, identifier, etc. UE can implement deduplication by parsing the dual transmission protocol header.

[0168] b2. Uplink dual reception: UPF receives the data packets corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by the first access device and the data packets corresponding to the second QoS flow sent by the second access device, and performs data packet deduplication according to the dual transport protocol header information (mainly including sequence number and identifier, etc.) in the data packets.

[0169] c. Other PCC rules, UPF establishes policy charging rules related to the second QoS flow, etc.

[0170] UPF sends an N4 session modification response message to SMF to complete the creation of user plane resources for the primary and backup QoS flows on the UPF side.

[0171] In this embodiment, the two access devices interact with each other to establish two transmission paths. The core network can establish the primary and backup transmission paths by sending a request to establish the primary and backup transmission paths to only one access device. Since the existing core network generally only allows one of the access devices to have a control plane connection with the AMF (such as the primary base station and the secondary base station mechanism) for the same access technology, the solution of this embodiment makes little change to the network and is more compatible with the existing network.

[0172] refer to Fig.11 , is based on Fig. 8A ,8B architecture, the core network initiates the process of establishing the second transmission path based on the existing first transmission path. The steps of embodiment 1100 are specifically described as follows:

[0173] S1101. Decision on establishing the second transmission path. This can be divided into the following situations:

[0174] a. The UE sends a QoS improvement request or a link failure notification to the SMF, including QoS parameters, link failure notification, backup path establishment indication (optional, very unlikely), etc.; the SMF decides to establish a backup QoS flow for the UE's request based on the UE type (URLLC terminal), QoS improvement requirements, etc., and refers to the network load, as well as the backup path indication tag (optional);

[0175] b. After receiving the UE's QoS improvement request or link failure notification, the SMF can further request authorization from the PCF, that is, send a backup path establishment request to the PCF, and the request message carries QoS parameters (such as 5QI or specific QoS requirements). The PCF decides to authorize the SMF to establish a backup path for the UE based on the UE's subscription information and QoS parameters, and sends a primary and backup path establishment response message to the SMF, which indicates that the SMF can establish a backup QoS flow for the UE's request;

[0176] c. PCF sends a service request to SMF, including QoS parameters and backup tags (optional. After receiving the service request from DN, PCF decides to establish a primary and backup path for the service based on QoS parameters and UE subscription information. In this case, the backup tag can be carried). At the same time, PCF can also carry the QFI and PDU Session ID of the original QoS flow in the service request; SMF decides to establish a backup QoS flow (or establishes a primary and backup path for the UE according to the primary and backup establishment instructions of PCF and the aforementioned backup tag) based on the type of UE (URLLC terminal), QoS requirements, etc., and refers to the network load, as well as the backup tag (optional) and the original QoS flow identifier;

[0177] d. UPF senses that the link quality has deteriorated, for example, it is lower than the preset value, and notifies SMF, carrying PDU SessionID, QFI, etc.; SMF decides to establish a backup QoS flow for the UE's request based on the UE type (URLLC terminal), QoS improvement requirements, etc., and refers to the network load, as well as the backup path indication label (optional);

[0178] e.UPF senses that the link quality has deteriorated and notifies SMF; SMF decides to establish a backup QoS flow for the UE's request based on the UE type (URLLC terminal), QoS improvement requirements, etc., and refers to the network load and the backup path indication tag (optional); SMF sends a backup path establishment request to PCF, and the request message carries QoS parameters (such as 5QI or specific QoS requirements); PCF decides to authorize SMF to establish a backup path for the UE based on the UE's contract information and QoS parameters, and PCF sends a primary-backup path establishment response message to SMF, and the message indicates that SMF can establish a backup QoS flow for the UE's request.

[0179] S1102. SMF initiates the establishment of a backup path, including: SMF allocates user plane resources for the backup QoS flow, mainly including the QFI, packet detection and charging rules of the primary and backup QoS flows. Specifically: allocate QFI and other QoS flow-related resources corresponding to the backup QoS flow {for example, PCC (Policy Charging Control) rules, etc.}. The charging or QoS policy of the backup QoS flow can be the same as that of the primary QoS flow, or different (for example, the backup QoS flow can no longer be charged), which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0180] At this time, the SMF can also decide whether to notify the UPF and / or UE to enable the dual transmission (dual transmission and / or dual reception) function based on the URLLC service type and / or terminal type.

[0181] Specifically include:

[0182] If the URLLC terminal is a highly mobile terminal (as reflected by QoS parameters, service type, etc. and terminal type), it means that its network is highly unstable. When the SMF sends the backup path establishment notification message, it carries a dual transmission indication notification to instruct the UPF and UE to perform dual transmission.

[0183] If the URLLC terminal is a low-mobility terminal, it means that its network path is relatively stable, so you can only establish a backup path for it, and then enable dual transmission when needed.

[0184] S1103.SMF sends a backup QoS flow creation request to AMF, and the request message carries: primary and backup QoS flow QFI, PDUSession ID (if the primary and backup QoS flows are in different PDU sessions, two PDU Session IDs need to be carried), TFT, QoS, backup tag, dual transmission indication (optional), etc.

[0185] The backup tag is used to indicate the relationship between two QoS flows, which can be called a primary-backup relationship, an associated relationship or a binding relationship. The UE or UPF can determine that the same data can be transmitted on the two QoS flows respectively based on the backup tag.

[0186] S1104.AMF initiates the backup QoS establishment process. AMF sends a QoS flow creation request message to the second access device, and the request message carries: the first QoS flow QFI, PDU Session ID, the second QoS flow QFI, PDU Session ID (which can be the same as the PDU Session ID of the first QoS flow, or different, without limitation), backup tag, dual transmission indication (optional), QoS, etc.

[0187] S1105. The second access device receives a backup QoS flow creation request, maps the QoS rules to radio QoS rules, sends radio reconfiguration information to the UE, and completes the establishment of the second QoS flow;

[0188] The UE side completes the binding (or association) of the two QoS flows according to the backup tag and the first QoS flow identifier (QFI, PDU Session ID) and the second QoS flow identifier (PDU Session ID, QFI). Specifically, the second QoS flow to be established is bound to the existing first QoS flow to complete the association of the primary and backup paths. Optionally, if the reconfiguration message contains a dual transmission indication, the UE starts dual transmission. Figure 4 , Figure 5 , the specific implementation is as follows:

[0189] · Uplink dual transmission. The UE performs data packet replication, locally copies the first QoS flow data, and sends the original data packet to the first access device through the wireless bearer corresponding to the first QoS flow. The copied data packet is sent to the second access device through the wireless bearer where the second QoS flow is located. The UE adds a dual transport protocol header to the data packets of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow. The protocol header carries the packet sequence number, identifier, etc. The UPF can achieve deduplication by parsing the dual transport protocol header.

[0190] Downlink dual reception. The UE receives the data packet corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by the first access device and the data packet corresponding to the second QoS flow sent by the second access device, and performs data packet deduplication based on the dual transmission protocol header information (mainly including sequence number and identifier, etc.) in the data packet.

[0191] S1106. The second access device sends a QoS flow establishment response message to the AMF, notifying the AMF that the wireless side establishment of the second QoS flow is complete.

[0192] S1107.AMF sends a primary / standby QoS flow establishment response message to SMF;

[0193] The message includes: a first QoS flow identifier and a second QoS flow identifier, etc.

[0194] S1108.SMF notifies UPF to establish the UPF-side user plane resources for the second QoS flow.

[0195] SMF sends an N4 session modification message to UPF, which carries the following content:

[0196] a. The first QoS flow identifier, the second QoS flow identifier, and the backup tag. The UPF side completes the binding of the two QoS flows based on the backup tag and the first QoS flow identifier (QFI, PDU Session ID) and the second QoS flow identifier (PDU Session ID, QFI), that is, completes the association of the primary and backup paths.

[0197] b. Dual transmission indication (optional). According to this indication, refer to the attached Figure 4 , Figure 5 , UPF performs the following actions:

[0198] b1. Downlink dual transmission. When UPF receives the data packet corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by DN, it performs data packet replication and sends the original data packet to the first access device through the N3 tunnel where the first QoS flow is located. Send the replicated data packet to the second access device through the N3 tunnel where the second QoS flow is located. UPF adds a dual transmission protocol header to the data packets of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow. The protocol header carries the packet sequence number, identifier, etc. UE can implement deduplication by parsing the dual transmission protocol header;

[0199] b2. Uplink dual reception: UPF receives the data packets corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by the first access device and the data packets corresponding to the second QoS flow sent by the second access device, and performs data packet deduplication according to the dual transport protocol header information (mainly including sequence number and identifier, etc.) in the data packets.

[0200] c. Other PCC rules: UPF establishes policy charging rules related to the second QoS flow.

[0201] UPF sends an N4 session modification response message to SMF to complete the creation of the backup QoS flow user plane resources on the UPF side.

[0202] In this embodiment, the core network initiates the establishment of a new transmission path (the second transmission path), and there may be no interaction between the access devices responsible for carrying the two transmission paths. This method can enable the 3GPP access device to carry the two transmission paths respectively, and can also enable the 3GPP and non-3GPP access devices to carry the two transmission paths respectively. It should be noted that the first access device and the second access device can be the same access device (such as a base station) in implementation.

[0203] refer to Fig.12 , is based on Fig. 8A The core network initiates a process of establishing a second transmission path based on the existing first transmission path. The steps of embodiment 1200 are described in detail as follows:

[0204] S1201. Decision on establishing the primary and backup transmission paths. For details, please refer to step S1101 of the above embodiment;

[0205] S1202. SMF initiates the establishment of a backup path, for details, please refer to step S1102 of the above embodiment;

[0206] S1203.SMF sends a second QoS flow creation request to AMF, and the request message carries: first QoS flow QFI, second QoS flow QFI, PDU Session ID (the primary and backup QoS flows are in the same PDU session), TFT, QoS, backup tag, dual transmission indication (optional), etc.;

[0207] S1204.AMF receives the second (backup) QoS flow establishment request sent by SMF, and sends a backup QoS flow establishment request to the first access device. The request message carries PDU Session ID, first QoS flow QFI, second QoS flow QFI, QoS rules, backup tag, dual transmission indication (optional), etc. The request message is used to instruct the first access device to establish a backup QoS flow between the second access device and the UE.

[0208] S1205. The first access device initiates a second access device adding process (referring to the prior art, the primary base station initiates the secondary base station adding process, for details, refer to TS36.300);

[0209] The first access device sends a QoS establishment request message to the second access device, where the request message carries the second QoS flow QFI, PDU Session ID, QoS rules, and the like.

[0210] S1206. The second access device allocates wireless resource information to the second QoS flow, and sends the allocated wireless resource information to the first access device

[0211] S1207. The first access device notifies the UE to establish a second QoS flow, and the notification message includes:

[0212] First QoS flow identifier, second QoS flow identifier, PDU Session ID, backup tag. The UE establishes the primary and backup relationship between the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow based on this information, and completes the association of the primary and backup paths.

[0213] Dual transmission indication (optional), instructing the UE to perform dual reception and dual transmission.

[0214] The second access device allocates radio resource information for the second QoS flow. The UE can complete the establishment of the second QoS flow based on this radio resource information.

[0215] S1208. The UE initiates a radio reconfiguration message to the second access device to complete the establishment of the second QoS flow;

[0216] S1209. The first access device sends a QoS flow establishment response message to the AMF;

[0217] S1210.AMF sends a primary / standby QoS flow establishment response message to SMF;

[0218] S1211.SMF notifies UPF to establish the UPF side user plane resources for the second QoS flow;

[0219] Specifically, SMF allocates resources (tunnels, and billing QoS rules obtained by SMF from other places) and sends them to UPF. UPF stores / installs these rules to establish user plane resources.

[0220] In addition, the SMF sends an N4 session modification message to the UPF, which carries the following content:

[0221] a. The first QoS flow identifier and the second QoS flow identifier, the backup tag. The UPF side completes the binding of the two QoS flows and the association of the primary and backup paths based on the backup tag and the first QoS flow identifier (QFI, PDU Session ID) and the second QoS flow identifier (PDU Session ID, QFI).

[0222] b. Dual transmission indication (optional). According to this indication, refer to the attached Figure 4 , Figure 5 , UPF performs the following actions:

[0223] b1. Downlink dual transmission. When UPF receives the data packet corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by DN, it performs data packet replication and sends the original data packet to the first access device through the N3 tunnel where the first QoS flow is located. Send the copied data packet to the second access device through the N3 tunnel where the second QoS flow is located. UPF adds a dual transmission protocol header to the data packets of the first QoS flow and the second QoS flow. The protocol header carries the packet sequence number, identifier, etc. UE can implement deduplication by parsing the dual transmission protocol header.

[0224] b2. Uplink dual reception: UPF receives the data packets corresponding to the first QoS flow sent by the first access device and the data packets corresponding to the second QoS flow sent by the second access device, and performs data packet deduplication according to the dual transport protocol header information (mainly including sequence number and identifier, etc.) in the data packets.

[0225] c. Other PCC rules, UPF establishes policy charging rules related to the second QoS flow, etc.

[0226] UPF sends an N4 session modification response message to SMF to complete the creation of user plane resources for the primary and backup QoS flows on the UPF side.

[0227] In this embodiment, the core network notifies the second access device and the UE through the first access device to establish the second transmission path. Since for the same access technology, the existing core network generally only allows one of the access devices to have a control plane connection with the AMF (such as the primary base station and the secondary base station mechanism), the solution of this embodiment has less changes to the network and is more compatible with the existing network.

[0228] The method in the above embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to the current 4G network. A possible applicable architecture is: Fig.13 The architecture shown, Fig.13 In 4G, UE accesses the core network through 3GPP access equipment (E-UTRAN); in 4G, UE can also access the network through 3GPP access equipment and Non-3GPP access equipment at the same time, as long as there is a control plane connection between the access equipment that connects the UE to the network and the MME. Fig.13 The network element names and function descriptions involved are shown in Table 2 below:

[0229]

[0230] Table 2

[0231] With reference to the method flow of the aforementioned embodiments S900, S1000, S1100 and S1200, when the present invention is implemented in a 4G network, the PGW network element executes the corresponding functions of the SMF in the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention; the MME network element executes the corresponding functions of the AMF in the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention; the PCRF executes the corresponding functions of the PCF in the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention. Other related network elements may also be implemented similarly with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0232] In 4G, bearer is the smallest granularity for distinguishing QoS. Within a bearer, all service flows use the same forwarding processing, including scheduling strategy, queue management, traffic shaping, resource allocation, etc. To provide different QoS processing, different bearers need to be used. Therefore, in 4G, one transmission path corresponds to one bearer.

[0233] The above respectively describes the implementation of the scheme of the present invention under the 5G and 4G network architectures. The terminal in all the aforementioned embodiments may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication functions; it may also include a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone or a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a terminal device, etc.

[0234] Access equipment refers to equipment that accesses the core network, such as base stations, broadband network gateways (BNG), aggregation switches, non-3GPP access equipment, etc. Base stations can include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, etc.

[0235] In all the above embodiments, the SMF entity is involved, and the action of PGW can be Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 200 shown in the figure calls the application code stored in the memory 203 to execute, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this. The action involving the terminal can also be performed by Figure 2 The processor 201 in the communication device 200 shown calls the application code stored in the memory 203 for execution, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0236] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between various network elements. It can be understood that the above-mentioned session function entity or terminal device, in order to realize the above-mentioned functions, includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this document, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0237] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the session functional entity or terminal device according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0238] for example, Fig.14 A possible structural diagram of the session function entity 1400 involved in all the above embodiments is shown. The session function entity includes a decision module 1401 and a processing module 1402. The decision module 1401 is used to determine to establish a first transmission path and a second transmission path between the terminal and the user plane function entity, or to determine to establish the second transmission path when the first transmission path already exists; the processing module 1402 is used to initiate the establishment of the first and second transmission paths, or to initiate the establishment of the second transmission path when the first transmission path already exists; the processing module 1402 is further used to instruct the terminal or the user plane function entity to transmit the same data on the first and second transmission paths.

[0239] Optionally, the session function entity further includes a notification module 1403, wherein the notification module 1403 is used to notify the user plane function entity and / or the terminal to start transmitting the same data on the first and second transmission paths when the processing module 1402 initiates the establishment of the second transmission path; or after the second transmission path is established, according to a request from the terminal or the network side, notify the user plane function entity and / or the terminal to start transmitting the same data on the first and second transmission paths. For specific dual transmission processing methods, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments and attached drawings. Figure 4 and attached Figure 5 The content in.

[0240] Optionally, the decision module 1401 obtains service QoS information according to the service request sent by the terminal or the policy function entity, and determines that the first and second transmission paths between the terminal and the user plane function entity need to be established according to the QoS information; or, the decision module 1401 requests authorization from the policy function entity according to the primary and backup transmission path establishment indication or the bicast indication carried in the service request sent by the terminal, and determines that the first and second transmission paths between the terminal and the user plane function entity need to be established according to the authorization result;

[0241] Optionally, the decision module 1401 receives a request message sent by the terminal or the policy function entity, and determines that it is necessary to establish a second transmission path between the terminal and the user plane function entity based on the request message; or, the decision module 1401 receives a notification message about the first transmission path sent by the user plane function entity, and determines that it is necessary to establish the second transmission path based on the notification message. For example, the notification message may be a first transmission path failure notification message.

[0242] Optionally, the processing module 1402 sends the first and second transmission path establishment requests to the mobility management entity, notifying the mobility management entity to instruct the first access device and the second access device to negotiate with the terminal to establish the first and second transmission paths respectively according to the first and second transmission path establishment requests.

[0243] Among them, the session function entity can be SMF or PGW, and all relevant contents involved in all the aforementioned embodiments can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional modules, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] Fig.15 A possible device structure schematic diagram of the terminal involved in all the aforementioned embodiments is shown, and the device 1500 can be a terminal or a chip in the terminal, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. The device 1500 includes: an interaction module 1501 and a processing module 1502. The interaction module 1501 is used to receive a message sent by a session function entity, and the message indicates that the terminal device transmits the same data on the first transmission path and the second transmission path between the user plane function entity and the terminal; the processing module 1502 is used to transmit the same data on the first and second transmission paths.

[0245] Optionally, the interaction module 1501 is further configured to send a service request to the session function entity, wherein the service request carries an instruction to establish at least two transmission paths, or to establish a second transmission path.

[0246] Optionally, the interaction module 1501 negotiates with the first access device and the second access device to establish the first transmission path and the second transmission path respectively.

[0247] Optionally, the processing module 1502 transmits the same data on the first and second transmission paths, referring to the foregoing embodiments and the attached Figure 4 and Figure 5 , including: the processing module 1502 sends the same data to the user plane function entity user plane function entity on the first and second transmission paths; or, the processing module 1502 receives the same data sent by the user plane function entity user plane function entity from the first and second transmission paths and deduplicates the received data, or the processing module 1502 selects a transmission path from the first and second transmission paths to receive data.

[0248] Optionally, when the device 1500 is a chip, the function / implementation process of the interaction module 1501 can also be implemented through pins or circuits.

[0249] Among them, all relevant contents involved in all the aforementioned embodiments can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional modules, and will not be repeated here.

[0250] Since the session function entity 1400 and the device 1500 provided in the embodiments of the present application are used to execute all the aforementioned methods for improving service reliability, the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0251] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for improving service reliability, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first access device receives an identifier of a first transmission path and an identifier of a second transmission path and an association identifier from a session function entity, wherein the association identifier is used to indicate that the first transmission path and the second transmission path transmit the same data, the first transmission path is used to transmit service data between a terminal and a user plane function entity, and the first transmission path passes through the first access device; The first access device initiates establishment of the second transmission path on the second access device according to the identifier of the first transmission path, the identifier of the second transmission path, and the association identifier.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first access device initiating establishment of a second transmission path on the second access device according to the identifier of the first transmission path, the identifier of the second transmission path, and the association identifier includes: The first access device establishes the second transmission path on the second access device by initiating a secondary base station adding process.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first access device is a 3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP access device, and the second access device is a non-3GPP access device; Or the first access device is a non-3GPP access device, and the second access device is a 3GPP access device.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The second transmission path is a second QoS flow, and the first access device initiates the secondary base station adding process including: The first access device sends a quality of service QoS flow establishment request message to the second access device; The first access device receives wireless resource information allocated to the second QoS flow from the second access device.

5. A first access device, characterized in that: The first access device includes: a transceiver and a processor; The transceiver is used to receive an identifier of a first transmission path and an identifier of a second transmission path and an association identifier from a session function entity, wherein the association identifier is used to indicate that the first transmission path and the second transmission path transmit the same data, the first transmission path is used to transmit service data between a terminal and a user plane function entity, and the first transmission path passes through the first access device; The processor is configured to initiate establishment of a second transmission path on a second access device according to the identifier of the first transmission path, the identifier of the second transmission path, and the association identifier.

6. The first access device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The processor is configured to establish the second transmission path on the second access device by initiating a secondary base station adding process.

7. The first access device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The first access device is a 3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP access device, and the second access device is a non-3GPP access device; Or the first access device is a non-3GPP access device, and the second access device is a 3GPP access device.

8. The first access device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: If the second transmission path is a second QoS flow, the transceiver is used to send a quality of service QoS flow establishment request message to the second access device and receive wireless resource information allocated to the second QoS flow from the second access device.

9. A communication system, characterized in that: The system comprises: a first access device and a session function entity; The first access device is used to receive an identifier of a first transmission path and an identifier of a second transmission path from the session function entity; The first access device is further used to initiate establishment of a second transmission path on the second access device according to the identifier of the first transmission path, the identifier of the second transmission path and an association identifier, wherein the association identifier is used to indicate that the first transmission path and the second transmission path transmit the same data, the first transmission path is used to transmit service data between a terminal and a user plane function entity, and the first transmission path passes through the first access device; The session function entity is used to send the identifier of the first transmission path, the identifier of the second transmission path and the association identifier.

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that The second access device is also included, and the first access device is used to establish the second transmission path on the second access device by initiating an auxiliary base station adding process.

11. The system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The first access device is a 3rd Generation Partnership Project 3GPP access device, and the second access device is a non-3GPP access device; Or the first access device is a non-3GPP access device, and the second access device is a 3GPP access device.

12. The system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The second transmission path is a second QoS flow, and the first access device is used to send a quality of service QoS flow establishment request message to the second access device and receive wireless resource information allocated to the second QoS flow from the second access device; The second access device receives the request message from the first access device and sends the wireless resource information to the first access device.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The method comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions, which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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