Access Network System

Abstract

This application discloses an access network system, which includes multiple access network functions. The multiple access network functions are interconnected through an access network service architecture (SBA) bus, and any one of the multiple access network functions can call services provided by other access network functions through the access network SBA bus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to an access network system. Background Technology

[0002] Software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) are major evolutionary trends in wireless mobile communication networks. Currently, the core network has partially implemented a service-based architecture (SBA), while the access network (RAN) still maintains traditional logical unit designs and logical interfaces. This is detrimental to the modular design concept of wireless networks and hinders the rapid deployment and upgrade of network services. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides an access network system that addresses the problems of current access networks being unfavorable to the modular design concept of wireless networks and hindering the rapid deployment and upgrading of network services.

[0004] In a first aspect, an access network system is provided, which includes multiple access network functions; wherein the multiple access network functions are interconnected through an access network service architecture (SBA) bus, and any one of the multiple access network functions can call services provided by other access network functions through the access network SBA bus.

[0005] The access network system provided in this application divides the hardware entities in the access network into multiple access network functions. These multiple access network functions are interconnected through an access network SBA bus, and any one of the multiple access network functions can call services provided by other access network functions through the access network SBA bus. This application embodiment is conducive to the modular design concept of wireless networks; facilitates the rapid deployment and upgrade of network services; and is conducive to subsequent integration with cloud computing technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and other Internet technology (IT) technologies. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0007] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0008] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0009] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the access network SBA bus and the core network SBA bus according to an embodiment of this application;

[0010] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the access network SBA bus and the core network SBA bus according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0012] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0013] The following description, for illustrative purposes, describes the 6th generation (6). th This refers to Generation 6G communication systems, and the term 6G is used in most of the following descriptions. However, these technologies can also be applied to applications other than 6G systems, such as 5G evolution systems, 7G systems, and so on.

[0014] This application proposes a service-based architecture (SBA) system for a Radio Access Network (RAN). This system constitutes a RAN SBA domain, which focuses on the RAN's control plane functions. The RAN's user plane control functions may or may not be part of this access network system. This application also provides an interoperability scheme between the RAN SBA domain and the Core Network (CN) SBA domain. The access network system provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0015] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment provides an access network system, which includes multiple access network functions. Figure 1 The diagram only schematically shows the six access network functions, from the first to the sixth. In reality, the number of access network functions in the access network system is not limited to this; it can be more than six or less than six.

[0016] In this embodiment of the application, multiple access network functions in the access network system are interconnected through the access network SBA bus (or RAN SBA BUS, or RAN BUS). Any one of these multiple access network functions can call the services provided by other access network functions through the access network SBA bus.

[0017] Optionally, other network functions that access the SBA bus of the access network, such as core network functions, can also call services provided by any one or more of these access network functions.

[0018] In this embodiment, multiple access network functions can provide access services for the terminal, including, for example: Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration, paging terminal, terminal mobility management, terminal RRC status management, and terminal data transmission related services.

[0019] Optionally, multiple access network functions in the access network system can implement services or functions provided or achievable by the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC) layer, Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, and Physical layer in related technologies. For example, the services provided by the second access network function may include: data encryption, data integrity protection, and services that ensure the integrity of handover data, etc., corresponding to the services provided by the PDCP layer in related technologies.

[0020] The access network system provided in this application divides the hardware entities in the access network into multiple access network functions. These multiple access network functions are interconnected through an access network SBA bus, and any one of the multiple access network functions can call services provided by other access network functions through the access network SBA bus. This application embodiment is conducive to the modular design concept of wireless networks; facilitates the rapid deployment and upgrade of network services; and is conducive to subsequent integration with cloud computing technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and other Internet technology (IT) technologies.

[0021] The access network system provided in this application embodiment divides the access network system into multiple access network functions, which are implemented in software. This eliminates the limitation on hardware architecture and facilitates flexible deployment of the access network system.

[0022] Optionally, the multiple radio access network functions included in the access network system provided in this application embodiment may include at least two of the following:

[0023] 1) First access network function, which provides services including at least one of the following: RRC configuration, paging terminal, mobility management, and RRC status management.

[0024] Network functions that can invoke services provided by the first access network function include, for example, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0025] 2) Second access network function, which provides services including at least one of the following: data encryption, data integrity protection, and ensuring the integrity of handover data.

[0026] Network functions that can invoke services provided by the second access network function include, for example, an RRC generation function entity, which may belong to the first access network function. The RRC generation function entity can be used to generate RRC messages; for example, the RRC generation entity generates a broadcast message and then forwards it to the second access network function for integrity protection.

[0027] 3) Third access network function, which provides services including at least one of the following: packet segmentation or merging, and packet hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmission.

[0028] Network functions that can call services provided by the third access network function include, for example, the first access network function. For example, the first access network function may transfer the generated data to the third access network function for data segmentation, merging and other operations.

[0029] 4) Fourth access network function, which provides services including: mapping of air interface transmission resources for data.

[0030] Network functions that can call services provided by the fourth access network function, such as the third access network function.

[0031] 5) Fifth access network function, which provides services including at least one of the following: providing radio context information of the terminal; establishing and updating radio context information of the terminal.

[0032] Typically, other access network functions in the access network system can call the services provided by the fifth access network function.

[0033] 6) Sixth access network function, which provides services including: providing terminal wireless security context.

[0034] Network functions that can call the services provided by the sixth access network function include, for example, access network functions in the access network system that need to communicate with the terminal and provide security protection for communication signaling.

[0035] 7) The seventh access network function provides services including at least one of the following: user plane control function, quality of service (QoS) information reporting, and user plane information statistical feedback.

[0036] Optionally, the multiple wireless access network functions mentioned in the two embodiments above may also include an eighth access network function, which provides services including ensuring the correct transmission of data.

[0037] In the above embodiments, when the plurality of radio access network functions include the seventh access network function, the seventh access network function can be connected to a user plane function (UPF), which can be used to implement the transmission of user plane data.

[0038] Optionally, in the access network system provided in this application embodiment, at least one of the multiple access network functions can also be connected to the core network SBA bus (CN SBA BUS). For example, the first access network function described above is connected to the core network SBA bus. In this embodiment, the core network SBA bus is also connected to multiple core network functions, such as AMF, Session Management Function (SMF), etc. The connection between the access network function and the core network SBA bus facilitates interoperability between the core network system and the access network system, enabling effective transmission of terminal messages.

[0039] When at least one of the aforementioned access network functions is connected to the core network SBA bus, the access network function in the access network system can access the core network SBA bus when calling the services of the core network function; wherein, the core network function is connected to the core network SBA bus.

[0040] Optionally, the access network SBA bus can also be connected to a core network function; wherein, the core network function is connected to the core network SBA bus, for example, the core network function can be an AMF.

[0041] When the access network SBA bus is connected to the core network function, the core network function can access the access network SBA bus when calling the services of the access network function in the access network system. Optionally, the core network function includes at least one of the following: AMF; Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF); SMF; Authentication Server Function (AUSF).

[0042] In one example, the access network SBA bus and the core network SBA bus are connected via an NWDAF. For instance, the NWDAF can be connected to both the core network SBA bus and the access network SBA bus simultaneously.

[0043] The connection between the access network SBA bus and the core network functions facilitates the interoperability between the core network system and the access network system, enabling the effective transmission of terminal messages.

[0044] To illustrate the access network system provided in the embodiments of this application in detail, the following description will be based on several specific embodiments.

[0045] Example 1

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an access network system according to an embodiment of this application. The access network system includes multiple access network functions, all of which are connected to the access network SBA bus. These access network functions include, for example, control panel group (CP group) functions, PDCP functions, RLC / MAC functions, terminal radio security management functions, physical layer / layer 1 functions, and terminal radio context management functions. The access network system provided in this embodiment may not include RAN user plane functions.

[0047] In this embodiment, the SBA-based interfaces for multiple access network functions can be implemented based on RESTful interfaces. These RESTful interfaces can be implemented based on Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 2.0; or they can be RESTful enhanced interfaces based on HTTP 3.0; or the SBA-based interfaces can be implemented based on other SBA service interface protocols, such as Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP).

[0048] The following section will provide a detailed introduction to the various access network functions mentioned above.

[0049] 1) The CP group function corresponds to the first access network function in the aforementioned embodiments, and the services provided to the outside world include, for example, RRC configuration, paging terminal, mobility, RRC status management, etc.

[0050] Functional entities that can call the services provided by the CP group may have AMF.

[0051] 2) The PDCP function corresponds to the second access network function in the aforementioned embodiments, and the services provided to the outside world include, for example, data encryption, data integrity protection, and ensuring the integrity of handover data.

[0052] Network functions that can invoke services provided by PDCP include, for example, an RRC generation function entity, which may belong to a CP group function. The RRC generation function entity can be used to generate RRC messages; for example, the RRC generation entity generates a broadcast message and then hands it over to the PDCP function for integrity protection.

[0053] 3) The RLC / MAC function corresponds to the third access network function in the aforementioned embodiments, and the services provided to the outside world include, for example, data packet segmentation or merging, data packet HARQ transmission, etc.

[0054] Functional entities that can call the services provided by RLC / MAC may have CP group functions. For example, the CP group function will hand over the generated data to the RLC / MAC function for data segmentation, merging and other operations.

[0055] 4) The physical layer / layer one function corresponds to the fourth access network function in the aforementioned embodiments, and the services provided to the outside world include, for example, the mapping of air interface transmission resources for data.

[0056] Functional entities that can call services provided by the physical layer / layer one may have RLC / MAC functions.

[0057] 5) The UE radio context management function corresponds to the fifth access network function in the foregoing embodiments. The services provided to the outside world include, for example, providing the terminal's radio context to the access network function requesting the service; and establishing and updating the terminal's radio context based on the terminal's radio context provided by other access network functions.

[0058] The functional entities that can call the services provided by the terminal's radio context management function are other access network functions in all access network systems.

[0059] 6) The UE radio security management function corresponds to the sixth access network function in the aforementioned embodiments. Services provided externally include, for example, providing the terminal's radio security context. Network functions that can invoke the services provided by the UE radio security management function include, for example, access network functions in the access network system that need to communicate with the terminal and provide security protection for communication signaling.

[0060] The access network system provided in this embodiment may not include RAN user plane functions, separating the control plane and data plane in the access network, thereby realizing flexible control of network traffic.

[0061] Example 2

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an access network system according to an embodiment of this application. The access network system includes multiple access network functions, all of which are connected to the access network SBA bus. These multiple access network functions include, for example, CP group functions, PDCP functions, RLC / MAC functions, terminal radio security management functions, physical layer / layer 1 functions, and terminal radio context management functions. The access network system provided in this embodiment also includes RAN user plane control functions.

[0063] In this embodiment, the SBA-based interfaces for multiple access network functions can be implemented based on RESTful interfaces. These RESTful interfaces can be implemented based on Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 2.0; or they can be RESTful enhanced interfaces based on HTTP 3.0; or the SBA-based interfaces can be implemented based on other SBA service interface protocols, such as Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP).

[0064] Compared to Embodiment 1, this embodiment adds a user plane control function, which provides services such as ensuring the correct transmission of data. Network functions that can invoke this service include, for example, UPF (User-Defined Function).

[0065] The descriptions of other access network functions in this embodiment can be found in the description of Embodiment 1. To avoid repetition, they will not be described one by one here.

[0066] Example 3

[0067] This embodiment provides an interoperability solution between the access network SBA bus and the core network (CN) SBA bus.

[0068] In this embodiment, the access network SBA system (or access network SBA domain) and the core network SBA system (or core network SBA domain) are two independent SBA systems, meaning the access network SBA bus and the core network SBA bus are two independent buses. The principle for interconnection between these two buses can include at least one of the following:

[0069] 1) Whether it is a network function in the access network SBA system or the core network SBA system, as long as it needs to call the service of a certain network function in the access network SBA system, then that network function can be connected to the access network SBA bus.

[0070] 2) Whether it is a network function in the access network SBA system or the core network SBA system, as long as it needs to call the service of a certain network function in the core network SBA system, then that network function can be connected to the core network SBA bus.

[0071] In one example, such as Figure 4 As shown, the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) network function is simultaneously connected to both the core network SBA bus and the access network SBA bus.

[0072] The NWDAF (Network Window Function) is a network element in the core network SBA (System-Based Access Control) system. Its main services include collecting status information from other network functions and providing statistical information to other network functions. Therefore, the NWDAF can request / provide services to network functions in both the core network SBA system and the access network SBA system.

[0073] In other examples, the AMF can also access both the core network SBA bus and the access network SBA bus simultaneously; the SMF can also access both the core network SBA bus and the access network SBA bus simultaneously; or the Authentication Server Function (AUSF) can also access both the core network SBA bus and the access network SBA bus simultaneously.

[0074] In another example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the CP group function in the access network system can be connected to the core network SBA bus. One function that can be implemented includes: the AMF calls the CP group function on the core network SBA bus, sends the generated Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling to the CP group function for bearer mapping processing, and the CP group function then calls the physical layer / layer 1 function to map to air interface resources and send them to the terminal, etc.

[0075] In this embodiment, the access network system also includes the RAN user plane control function, which is connected to the UPF, and the UPF is also connected to the core network function SMF.

[0076] The descriptions of other access network functions in this embodiment can be found in the description of Embodiment 1. To avoid repetition, they will not be described one by one here.

[0077] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An access network system, characterized by Comprise: a plurality of access network functions; wherein the plurality of access network functions are connected with each other through an access network SBA bus, and any one of the plurality of access network functions can invoke services provided by other access network functions through the access network SBA bus; The plurality of access network functions comprise at least two of the following: A first access network function, wherein the services provided by the first access network function comprise at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) configuration, paging terminals, mobility management, and RRC state management; A second access network function, wherein the services provided by the second access network function comprise at least one of the following: data encryption, data integrity protection, and ensuring the integrity of handover data; A third access network function, wherein the services provided by the third access network function comprise at least one of the following: segmentation or merging of data packets, and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmission of data packets; A fourth access network function, wherein the services provided by the fourth access network function comprise: mapping of air interface transmission resources of data; A fifth access network function, wherein the services provided by the fifth access network function comprise at least one of the following: providing wireless context information of terminals, and establishing and updating wireless context information of terminals; A sixth access network function, wherein the services provided by the sixth access network function comprise: providing wireless security context of terminals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of access network functions further comprise an eighth access network function, wherein the services provided by the eighth access network function comprise: ensuring correct transmission of data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of access network functions further comprise a seventh access network function, wherein the seventh access network function is connected with a user plane function, and the services provided by the seventh access network function comprise at least one of the following: user plane control function, quality of service (QoS) information reporting, and user plane information statistical feedback.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein, At least one of the plurality of access network functions is connected with a core network SBA bus.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein: When the access network functions in the access network system invoke services of core network functions, the access network functions can access the core network SBA bus, wherein the core network functions are connected with the core network SBA bus.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein, The access network SBA bus is connected with core network functions, wherein the core network functions are connected with the core network SBA bus.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein: When the core network functions invoke services of the access network functions in the access network system, the core network functions can access the access network SBA bus.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein, The core network functions comprise at least one of the following: an access and mobility management function (AMF); a network data analysis function (NWDAF); a session management function (SMF); an authentication server function (AUSF).

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