Rate control method, device and system for slices

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a rate control method, apparatus, and system for slices, and relates to the field of communication technologies. The rate control method includes: when a terminal accesses multiple networks and the multiple networks support the same slice, receiving the subscribed S-MBR of the terminal for the same slice; determining an authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the subscribed S-MBR; and sending each authorized S-MBR to the corresponding network so that the multiple networks perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice according to the corresponding authorized S-MBR.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and particularly to a rate control method for a slice, a rate control device for a slice, a rate control system for a slice, and a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0002] When a UE (User Equipment) simultaneously accesses multiple access networks, it is often necessary to perform rate control on the traffic of all sessions under the same slice to meet the requirements of the SLA (Service Level Agreement). Summary of the Invention

[0003] The inventors of the present disclosure have found the following problems in the above related technologies: The mobile network standard and actual applications do not support rate control of the traffic of all sessions under the same slice, and the SLA requirements cannot be met, resulting in a decline in communication performance.

[0004] In view of this, the present disclosure proposes a rate control technical solution for a slice, which can control the rate of the slice under multiple access networks through the mobile core network, meet the SLA requirements, and thus improve communication performance.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a rate control method for a slice, including: when a terminal accesses multiple networks and the multiple networks support the same slice, receiving the subscribed S-MBR (Slice-Maximum Bit Rate) of the terminal for the same slice; determining, according to the subscribed S-MBR, the authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks; and sending each authorized S-MBR to the corresponding network so that the multiple networks perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice according to the corresponding authorized S-MBR.

[0006] In some embodiments, the sum of each authorized S-MBR is not greater than the subscribed S-MBR.

[0007] In some embodiments, determining the authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the subscribed S-MBR includes: determining the authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the current session situation of the same slice.

[0008] In some embodiments, the current session situation includes at least one of the distribution situation of the terminal's sessions under the multiple networks and the service situation carried by the terminal's sessions under the multiple networks.

[0009] In some embodiments, the subscribed S-MBR is stored in the UDM (Unified Data Management) entity when the terminal subscribes with the UDM entity, and is sent by the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) entity after being obtained from the UDM entity.

[0010] In some embodiments, sending each authorized S-MBR to the corresponding network so that multiple networks perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice includes: sending each authorized S-MBR to the relevant network elements of the corresponding network through the SMF (Session Management Function) entity and the AMF entity.

[0011] In some embodiments, the multiple networks include multiple ones among the NR (New Radio) network, satellite access network, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), fixed access network, etc.

[0012] In some embodiments, the S-MBR is used to configure the traffic rate threshold of the terminal under the same slice, and the traffic rate threshold includes at least one of the uplink rate threshold and the downlink rate threshold.

[0013] According to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, a slice rate control device is provided, including: a receiver, configured to receive the subscribed S-MBR of the terminal for the same slice when the terminal accesses multiple networks and the multiple networks support the same slice; a processor, configured to determine the authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the subscribed S-MBR; a transmitter, configured to send each authorized S-MBR to the corresponding network so that multiple networks perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice according to the corresponding authorized S-MBR.

[0014] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a slice rate control system is provided, including: a PCF (Policy Control Function) entity, including the slice rate control device, configured to execute the slice rate control method of any of the above embodiments; an AMF entity, configured to obtain the S-MBR of the terminal for the same slice supported by multiple networks and send the S-MBR to the PCF entity.

[0015] According to still some other embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a slicing rate control device, including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the slicing rate control method in any of the above embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory device.

[0016] According to still some other embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the program is executed by a processor, the slicing rate control method in any of the above embodiments is implemented.

[0017] In the above embodiments, the PCF entity controls the rate of a slice under multiple networks according to the S-MBR of the same slice supported by the terminal for multiple networks, meets the SLA requirements, and thus improves communication performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawings forming a part of the specification depict embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0019] Referring to the drawings, the present disclosure can be more clearly understood from the following detailed description:

[0020] Figure 1 A flowchart showing some embodiments of the slicing rate control method of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 A signaling diagram showing some embodiments of the slicing rate control method of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3 A block diagram showing some embodiments of the slicing rate control device of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 4 A block diagram showing some embodiments of the slicing rate control system of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 5 A block diagram showing some other embodiments of the slicing rate control device of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 6 A block diagram showing still some other embodiments of the slicing rate control device of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that: unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions and values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0027] Meanwhile, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn in actual proportional relationship.

[0028] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way a limitation on the present disclosure, its application, or use.

[0029] Techniques, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the techniques, methods, and devices should be regarded as part of the authorized specification.

[0030] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0031] It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters denote like items in the following figures, and thus, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0032] To solve the above technical problems, the mobile network of the present disclosure can implement rate control on all session traffic of a UE in each access network under the same slice through a PCF entity. Moreover, the technical solution of the present disclosure has no impact on the existing mobile network processes and services, and can provide slice rate control capabilities based on the SLA requirements of customer slices.

[0033] Thus, network resources can be precisely controlled without wasting the operator's network resources while ensuring the customer's SLA requirements. For example, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be implemented through the following embodiments.

[0034] Figure 1 A flowchart showing some embodiments of the slice rate control method of the present disclosure.

[0035] As Figure 1 shown, in step 110, when the terminal accesses multiple networks and the multiple networks support the same slice, the subscribed S-MBR for the same slice of the terminal is received.

[0036] For example, when a UE accesses multiple networks simultaneously (such as NR, WLAN, etc.), if the multiple networks support a certain slice at the same time, the PCF entity can control the rate of the corresponding slice under different access networks according to the policy.

[0037] In some embodiments, the subscribed S-MBR is stored in the UDM (Unified Data Management) entity when the terminal subscribes with the UDM entity, and is sent by the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) entity after obtaining it from the UDM entity.

[0038] For example, the sliced rate parameter subscribed S-MBR is used to identify the maximum rate of the UE under the slice and is subscribed with the UDM entity. The subscribed S-MBR is sent to the PCF entity after being obtained by the AMF entity.

[0039] In some embodiments, multiple networks include 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) networks (such as NR, etc.) and NON-3GPP (Non-3rd Generation Partnership Project) networks. The 3GPP network can be an NR network, and the NON-3GPP network can be a WLAN network, a fixed access network, etc.

[0040] In some embodiments, the subscribed S-MBR is used to configure the traffic rate threshold of the terminal under the same slice, and the traffic rate threshold includes at least one of the uplink rate threshold and the downlink rate threshold.

[0041] In step 120, according to the subscribed S-MBR, the authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks is determined. For example, the sum of the authorized S-MBRs does not exceed the subscribed S-MBR.

[0042] In some embodiments, according to the current session situation of the same slice, the authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks is determined. For example, the current session situation includes at least one of the distribution situation of the terminal's session under multiple networks and the service situation carried by the terminal's session under multiple networks.

[0043] For example, based on the control policy, the PCF entity can adjust the authorized S-MBR of different access networks so that the sum of the authorized S-MBRs of each access network does not exceed the S-MBR subscribed by the user. The control policy can be executed based on the specific service content currently carried by the UE in each access network.

[0044] In step 130, each authorized S-MBR is sent to the corresponding network so that the multiple networks can perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice according to the corresponding authorized S-MBR.

[0045] In some embodiments, each authorized S-MBR is sent to the relevant network elements of the corresponding network through the SMF entity and the AMF entity.

[0046] For example, the PCF entity sends the corresponding authorized S-MBR to each access network through the AMF entity, and each access network performs slice rate control according to the slice rate parameter.

[0047] Figure 2 A signaling diagram showing some embodiments of the slice rate control method of the present disclosure.

[0048] As Figure 2 shown, in some embodiments, before performing the steps in the figure, some technical conditions can be pre-configured: the S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) of the slice is A, and rate control is required. Signing can be performed in the UDM entity to indicate that rate control is required for this slice; the rate threshold of this slice can be configured in the PCF entity, and the rate threshold can include the uplink rate threshold, the downlink rate threshold, etc.

[0049] In Event 1, based on the UE's subscribed S-MBR, it is stored in the UDM entity; when the UE registers, the AMF entity obtains the subscribed S-MBR from the UDM entity.

[0050] In Events 2-4, when the UE establishes or modifies a session in multiple access networks, the AMF entity sends the S-MBR to the SMF entity and then to the PCF entity. For example, the RAT (Radio Access Type) can also be sent.

[0051] For example, multiple access networks can be 3GPP networks (such as NR, satellite access networks, etc.), NON-3GPP networks (such as WLAN, fixed network access networks, etc.), etc.

[0052] In Events 5-6, the PCF entity determines each authorized S-MBR according to its own policy; then, through the SMF entity, each authorized S-MBR is sent to the AMF entity; the AMF entity sends each authorized S-MBR to the access network element of the NR network or the NON-3GPP network to execute the S-MBR.

[0053] In some embodiments, the PCF entity obtains each authorized S-MBR of each access network according to the session situation under the current slice (including the distribution of sessions in different access networks, the current services of each session, etc.), and ensures that the sum of the authorized S-MBRs of each access network is not greater than the subscribed S-MBR of the UE.

[0054] In Event 7, during the session, the PCF entity can adjust the authorized S-MBR of each access network at any time according to the session situation and send it to the corresponding access network through the AMF entity.

[0055] In the above embodiments, when the UE can access multiple networks simultaneously, the PCF entity set performs rate control on the sessions under the same slice of all the access networks of the UE; and sends the slice rate parameters to each different access network (such as NR, NON-3GPP WIFI, etc.).

[0056] The slice rate parameters are subscribed to the UDM entity according to different users; the AMF entity obtains the slice rate parameters subscribed by the user from the UDM entity; and sends the subscribed slice rate parameters to the PCF entity in the relevant session process. For example, it can be implemented through processes such as session establishment and session modification.

[0057] The PCF entity obtains the authorized slice rate parameters for the corresponding access network according to its own policy, and then sends them to the corresponding access network through the AMF entity, and the access network performs slice rate control.

[0058] The PCF entity can adjust / modify the slice rate parameters of each access network at any time according to the session situation and the service situation, and send them to the access network through the AMF entity in the session modification process, and the access network performs the new slice rate control.

[0059] Aiming at the problem that the traffic of all sessions under each access network of the same slice of the UE cannot be rate-controlled and there are no corresponding QoS (Quality of Service) parameters, the PCF entity of the present disclosure can adjust the authorized S-MBR (as a new QoS parameter) of each access network at any time according to the session situation and send it to the access network.

[0060] In this way, it is not necessary to add a new signaling process, and only need to add parameters and corresponding new function processing to achieve rate control. Moreover, the slice rate control capability can be provided based on the SLA requirements of the customer slice, so as to accurately control network resources. It is possible to avoid wasting operator network resources on the premise of ensuring the customer SLA requirements.

[0061] Figure 3 The block diagram showing some embodiments of the slice rate control device of the present disclosure.

[0062] As Figure 3 shown, the slice rate control device 3 includes a receiver 31, a processor 32, and a transmitter 33.

[0063] The receiver 31 receives the subscribed S-MBR of the terminal for the same slice when the terminal accesses multiple networks and the multiple networks support the same slice.

[0064] ​

[0065] In some embodiments, the subscribed S-MBR is stored in the UDM entity by the terminal when subscribing in the UDM entity, and is sent by the AMF entity after obtaining it from the UDM entity.

[0066] The processor 32 determines the authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the subscribed S-MBR.

[0067] In some embodiments, the processor 32 determines the authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the current session situation of the same slice.

[0068] In some embodiments, the current session situation includes at least one of the distribution situation of the terminal's session under multiple networks and the service situation carried by the terminal's session under multiple networks.

[0069] The transmitter 33 sends each authorized S-MBR to the corresponding network so that the multiple networks perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice according to the corresponding authorized S-MBR.

[0070] In some embodiments, the transmitter 33 sends each authorized S-MBR to the relevant network elements of the corresponding network through the SMF entity and the AMF entity.

[0071] In some embodiments, the multiple networks include multiple of the NR network, the satellite access network, the WLAN network, and the fixed access network.

[0072] In some embodiments, the subscribed S-MBR is used to configure the traffic rate threshold of the terminal under the same slice, and the traffic rate threshold includes at least one of the uplink rate threshold and the downlink rate threshold.

[0073] Figure 4 The block diagram showing some embodiments of the rate control system of the slice of the present disclosure.

[0074] As Figure 4 shown, the rate control system 4 of the slice includes: a PCF entity 41, including a rate control device for the slice, for performing the rate control method of the slice in any of the above embodiments; an AMF entity 42, for obtaining the S-MBR of the same slice supported by the terminal for multiple networks and sending the S-MBR to the PCF entity 41.

[0075] Figure 5 The block diagram showing some other embodiments of the rate control device of the slice of the present disclosure.

[0076] As Figure 5As shown, the slice rate control device 5 of this embodiment includes: a memory 51 and a processor 52 coupled to the memory 51. The processor 52 is configured to execute the slice rate control method in any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure based on instructions stored in the memory 51.

[0077] Among them, the memory 51 may include, for example, a system memory, a fixed non-volatile storage medium, etc. The system memory stores, for example, an operating system, application programs, a boot loader, a database, and other programs.

[0078] Figure 6 The block diagram showing still some other embodiments of the slice rate control device of the present disclosure.

[0079] As Figure 6 As shown, the slice rate control device 6 of this embodiment includes: a memory 610 and a processor 620 coupled to the memory 610. The processor 620 is configured to execute the slice rate control method in any one of the foregoing embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory 610.

[0080] The memory 610 may include, for example, a system memory, a fixed non-volatile storage medium, etc. The system memory stores, for example, an operating system, application programs, a boot loader, and other programs.

[0081] The slice rate control device 6 may further include an input / output interface 630, a network interface 640, a storage interface 650, etc. These interfaces 630, 640, 650 and the memory 610 and the processor 620 may be connected through a bus 660, for example. Among them, the input / output interface 630 provides a connection interface for input / output devices such as a display, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, a microphone, and a speaker. The network interface 640 provides a connection interface for various networking devices. The storage interface 650 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as an SD card and a USB flash drive.

[0082] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present disclosure may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable non-transitory storage media including but not limited to disk memories, CD-ROMs, optical memories, etc. that contain computer-usable program code.

[0083] So far, the rate control method for slices, the rate control device for slices, the rate control system for slices, and the non-volatile computer-readable storage medium according to the present disclosure have been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, some details well known in the art are not described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

[0084] The methods and systems of the present disclosure can be implemented in many ways. For example, the methods and systems of the present disclosure can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of software, hardware, and firmware. The above order of steps for the method is only for illustration, and the steps of the method of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific order described above, unless otherwise specifically stated. In addition, in some embodiments, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a program recorded in a recording medium, and these programs include machine-readable instructions for implementing the method according to the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure also covers a recording medium storing a program for executing the method according to the present disclosure.

[0085] Although some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are only for illustration and not for limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments can be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rate control method for a slice, comprising: When a terminal accesses multiple networks and the multiple networks support the same slice, receiving the subscribed maximum slice bit rate S-MBR of the terminal for the same slice; Determining an authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the subscribed S-MBR; Sending each authorized S-MBR to the corresponding network so that the multiple networks perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice according to the corresponding authorized S-MBR, and the sum of the authorized S-MBRs is not greater than the subscribed S-MBR.

2. The rate control method according to claim 1, wherein, The determining an authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the subscribed S-MBR includes: Determining an authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the current session situation of the same slice.

3. The rate control method according to claim 2, wherein The current session situation includes at least one of the distribution situation of the terminal's session under the multiple networks and the service situation carried by the terminal's session under the multiple networks.

4. The rate control method according to claim 1, wherein The subscribed S-MBR is stored in the UDM entity when the terminal subscribes at the unified data management UDM entity, and is sent by the access and mobility management function AMF entity after obtaining it from the UDM entity.

5. The rate control method according to claim 1, wherein The sending each authorized S-MBR to the corresponding network so that the multiple networks perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice according to the corresponding authorized S-MBR includes: Sending each authorized S-MBR to the relevant network elements of the corresponding network through the session management function SMF entity and the AMF entity.

6. The rate control method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein The multiple networks include multiple ones of a new radio NR network, a satellite access network, a wireless local area network WLAN, and a fixed access network.

7. The rate control method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein The S-MBR is used to configure the traffic rate threshold of the terminal under the same slice, and the traffic rate threshold includes at least one of an uplink rate threshold and a downlink rate threshold.

8. A rate control device for a slice, comprising: A receiver, configured to receive the subscribed maximum slice bit rate S-MBR of the terminal for the same slice when the terminal accesses multiple networks and the multiple networks support the same slice; A processor, configured to determine an authorized S-MBR corresponding to each of the multiple networks according to the subscribed S-MBR; A transmitter, configured to send each authorized S-MBR to the corresponding network so that the multiple networks perform traffic rate control on the terminal under the same slice according to the corresponding authorized S-MBR, and the sum of the authorized S-MBRs is not greater than the subscribed S-MBR.

9. A rate control system for a slice, comprising: The Policy Control Function (PCF) entity, including a rate control device for a slice, is configured to execute the rate control method for a slice according to any one of claims 1-7; The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity is configured to obtain the Subscribed Maximum Bit Rate (S-MBR) of a slice supported by a terminal for multiple networks and send the S-MBR to the PCF entity.

10. A rate control device for a slice, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the rate control method for a slice according to any one of claims 1-7 based on instructions stored in the memory.

11. A non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program, which when executed by a processor, implements the rate control method for a slice according to any one of claims 1-7.

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