A method, apparatus and device for selecting user-plane functional entities

Abstract

This invention discloses a method, apparatus, and device for selecting User Plane Function Entities (UPFs). The method, applied to network devices, includes: receiving a User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service report sent by a Session Management Function (SMF); sending a latency measurement message to a base station via an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) based on the UPF service report; obtaining an N3 path latency table and a recommended UPF from the latency measurement message; and selecting a target UPF by the SMF based on enhanced UPF selection parameters. The enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface. Through this method, the solution of this invention can select the UPF with the lowest transmission latency for the terminal, improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and specifically to a method, apparatus, and device for selecting user plane functional entities. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) is experiencing rapid development. Among them, URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication) is one of the most important 5G scenarios, such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X), autonomous driving, and VR (virtual reality), all of which require extremely low latency. To meet the ultra-low latency requirements of URLLC services, 5G implements C / U (Control Plane / User Plane) separation. The control plane includes network elements such as Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Policy Control Function (PCF), while the user plane includes UPF (User Plane Function) network elements.

[0003] User plane network elements (UPFs) are deployed in various locations based on service requirements, such as core equipment rooms in prefecture-level cities, important aggregation equipment rooms in districts and counties, ordinary aggregation equipment rooms, and access equipment rooms. They are deployed as close to the network edge as possible to minimize transmission latency between the user terminal (UE) and the UPF. Transmission latency includes air interface latency, N3 interface latency, N6 interface latency, and the processing latency of the base station and the UPF itself.

[0004] In existing technologies, when selecting a UPF, the SMF only considers factors of the core network itself and the terminal UE, without taking into account factors such as the transmission path of the backhaul network such as the N3 interface slice packet network (SPN) from the base station to the UPF. This may result in the SMF selecting a UPF that does not have the shortest transmission path, thereby increasing the transmission latency of the N3 interface and deteriorating the service experience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present invention are proposed to provide a method for selecting user-plane functional entities that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for selecting user plane functional entities is provided, applied to a network device, the method comprising:

[0007] Receive the User Plane Function Entity UPF service report sent by the Session Management Function Entity (SMF);

[0008] According to the UPF service report, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) sends a latency measurement message to the base station, and the base station obtains the N3 path latency table and recommended UPF based on the latency measurement message. The SMF then selects a target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters. The enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for selecting a user plane functional entity is provided, applied to a session management functional entity (SMF), the method comprising:

[0010] Send User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service reports to network devices;

[0011] The network device receives a recommended UPF sent by the base station. The recommended UPF is obtained by the base station based on the latency measurement message sent by the network device to the base station through the Access and Mobility Management Function Entity (AMF) according to the UPF service report.

[0012] The target UPF is selected based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are used to indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a user plane function entity selection device is provided, applied to a network device, the device comprising:

[0014] The transceiver module is used to receive service reports from the User Plane Function Entity UPF sent by the Session Management Function Entity (SMF).

[0015] The processing module is used to send a latency measurement message to the base station through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) based on the UPF service report, and the base station obtains the N3 path latency table and recommended UPF based on the latency measurement message. The SMF selects the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters. The enhanced UPF selection parameters are used to indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a network device is provided, such as the user plane function entity selection device described above.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a selection device for a user plane functional entity is provided, applied to a session management functional entity (SMF), the device comprising:

[0018] The transceiver module is used to send User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service reports to network devices; and to receive recommended UPFs sent by base stations. The recommended UPFs are obtained by the network devices based on the UPF service reports, through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity sending latency measurement messages to the base stations, and by the base stations based on the latency measurement messages.

[0019] The processing module is used to select a target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are used to indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface when selecting the UPF.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a Session Management Function Entity (SMF) is provided, including: a selection device for the client function entity as described above.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computing device is provided, comprising: a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the memory, and the communication interface communicate with each other through the communication bus;

[0022] The memory is used to store at least one executable instruction, which causes the processor to perform the operation corresponding to the selection method of the user plane functional entity.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing at least one executable instruction that causes a processor to perform an operation corresponding to the user plane function entity selection method described above.

[0024] According to the solution provided in the above embodiments of the present invention, the method for selecting a User Plane Function Entity (UPF) can receive a UPF service report sent by a Session Management Function Entity (SMF) through a network device; based on the UPF service report, a latency measurement message is sent to a base station through an Access and Mobility Management Function Entity (AMF); the base station obtains an N3 path latency table and a recommended UPF based on the latency measurement message; and the SMF selects a target UPF based on enhanced UPF selection parameters; the enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface; thereby solving the problem that the latency of the UPF selected for the terminal cannot meet the service requirements; and achieving the beneficial effects of reducing user plane latency and improving service perception and service quality.

[0025] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention and to implement them in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more obvious and understandable, specific implementation methods of the embodiments of the present invention are described below. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a method for selecting user plane functional entities applied to network devices, provided by an embodiment of the present invention, is shown.

[0028] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] Figure 3 A flowchart of a method for selecting user plane functional entities applied to a Session Management Functional Entity (SMF) according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0030] Figure 4 This invention illustrates a flowchart of a method for selecting user plane functional entities when a terminal initiates a service request, as shown in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This invention provides a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting user plane functional entities when a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the Xn interface, according to a specific embodiment of the invention.

[0032] Figure 6 This invention provides a flowchart illustrating a method for selecting user plane functional entities when a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the N2 interface, according to a specific embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This invention provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a selection device for user plane functional entities applied to a Session Management Function (SMF) entity, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a computing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0036] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a method for selecting user plane function entities applied to network devices, provided by an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0037] Step 11: Receive the User Plane Function Entity UPF service report sent by the Session Management Function Entity (SMF);

[0038] Step 12: According to the UPF service report, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) sends a latency measurement message to the base station, and the base station obtains the N3 path latency table and recommended UPF based on the latency measurement message. The SMF then selects a target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters. The enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface.

[0039] In this embodiment, the network device receives the UPF service report sent by the SMF and, based on the UPF service report, the AMF corresponding to the SMF sends a latency measurement message to the base station to obtain the N3 path latency table and recommended user plane functional entity UPF of the base station. The SMF then selects the target UPF by enhancing the UPF selection parameters. This achieves the beneficial effects of reducing user plane latency and improving service perception and service quality.

[0040] The UPF business report includes at least one of the following: the identification information SMF (SMFid) of the SMF and the business information of the UPF controlled by the SMF; the business information specifically includes at least one of the following: network slice identifier S-NSSAI, the data network DNN corresponding to the S-NSSAI, the Internet Protocol IP address of the UPF's N3 interface, the identification information UPFid of the UPF, and the tracking area set TAI composed of all tracking areas (TA).

[0041] It should be noted that, in order for the SMF to correctly locate the corresponding network device and send the UPF service report to that network device, the SMF preferably pre-configures the IP address and other information of the corresponding network device. When it is necessary to send the UPF service report to the network device, the SMF can flexibly choose to send all the information in the UPF service report to the network device, or it can choose to send the service report of the UPF corresponding to the S-NSSAI or DNN to the network device based on the S-NSSAI or DNN, without the SMF sending the entire UPF service report. In addition, the SMF can send the UPF service report to the network device periodically, such as at a time interval, or it can be triggered by a specific event, such as when a new UPF is added to the SMF or when the content of the UPF service report handled by the UPF in the SMF changes, in which case a UPF service report message is sent to the network device.

[0042] In a specific embodiment 1, if only information from the UPF service report of the vehicle network is needed, the SMF can send all UPF service reports responsible for the vehicle network slice to the corresponding network device, without sending other UPF service reports corresponding to S-NSSAI or DNN.

[0043] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 12, which involves sending a latency measurement message to the base station via the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity based on the UPF service report, includes:

[0044] Step 121: Analyze and process the UPF business report to obtain the UPF record table;

[0045] Step 122: According to the UPF record table, a first delay measurement message is sent to the Access and Mobility Management Function Entity (AMF), and the AMF sends a second delay measurement message to the base station according to the first delay measurement message.

[0046] Optionally, the first latency measurement message is an N3 interface latency measurement message, including at least one of the following: message type; network slice identifier S-NSSAI; data network DNN corresponding to the S-NSSAI; N3 interface Internet Protocol IP address of the UPF; identifier information UPFid of the UPF; and tracking area set TAI composed of all tracking areas TA.

[0047] The second latency measurement message is the N3 interface latency measurement message corresponding to each TA obtained based on the first latency measurement information, including at least one of the following: message type; network slice identifier S-NSSAI; data network DNN corresponding to the S-NSSAI; Internet Protocol IP address of the N3 interface of the UPF; and the identifier information UPFid of the UPF.

[0048] In this embodiment, the network device analyzes and processes the UPF service report sent by the SMF. Based on the network slice identifier S-NSSAI and the corresponding data network DNN in the UPF service report, a UPF record table related to each S-NSSAI and its corresponding DNN can be obtained. This UPF record table includes the network slice identifier S-NSSAI, the corresponding data network DNN, the SMF identifier SMFid, the UPF identifier UPFid, the UPF N3 IP address of the N3 interface corresponding to the UPF, and the tracking area set TAI. Through the S-NSSAI and / or DNN, the network device obtains information about all UPFs under each S-NSSAI and / or DNN, including UPFid, UPF N3 IP, and all tracking areas TA. All tracking areas TA constitute the tracking area set TAI. Preferably, before the network device analyzes and processes the UPF service report, it can also save the received UPF service report sent by the SMF.

[0049] The network device sends a first delay measurement message to the AMF corresponding to the SMF according to the UPF record table. The AMF can send a second delay measurement message to all base stations under the TAs in the first delay measurement message according to the tracking area TA in the first delay measurement message. The first delay measurement message is an N3 interface delay measurement message, and the second delay measurement message is an N3 interface delay measurement message corresponding to each TA obtained according to the first delay measurement information. It should be noted that the AMF corresponding to the SMF can preferably be obtained by the network device performing a service discovery process with the network registration function NRF according to the identification information SMF SMFid.

[0050] In a specific embodiment 2, when the SMF performs power-on / reboot / service modification, it sends a UPF service report to the network device; the UPF service report is shown in the table below:

[0051]

[0052] Table 1

[0053] As shown in Table 1, the data network corresponding to network slice identifier S-NSSAI1 is DNN1, and the identifier information of its corresponding UPF is UPF1, UPF2, UPF3, UPF4, UPF5, UPF6... Among them, the SMFid to which the UPFs corresponding to UPF1, UPF2, and UPF3 belong is SMF1, and the SMFid to which the UPFs corresponding to UPF4, UPF5, and UPF6 belong is SMF2. The tracking areas TA responsible for UPF1 are TA1 and TA2, the tracking areas TA responsible for UPF2 are TA3 and TA4, the tracking areas TA responsible for UPF3 are TA5 and TA6, the tracking areas TA responsible for UPF4 are TA7 and TA8, the tracking areas TA responsible for UPF5 are TA9 and TA10, and the tracking area TA responsible for UPF6 is TAIn. ​​The network device obtains the information of all UPFs under each network slice identifier S-NSSAI and the corresponding DNN.

[0054] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the N3 path delay table includes:

[0055] Base station identifier; network slice identifier S-NSSAI; DNN; transmission latency of UPFid and N3 interfaces;

[0056] The transmission delay of the N3 interface is obtained by the base station after receiving the second delay measurement message, sending delay measurement request messages to all UPFs included in the second delay measurement message, and based on the sending time of the delay measurement request messages and the receiving time of the delay measurement response messages returned by the UPFs.

[0057] In this embodiment, after receiving the second delay measurement information, the base station sends a delay measurement request message to all UPFs in the second delay measurement information. The base station records the sending time of the delay measurement request message to each UPF and records the receiving time from the delay measurement response message returned by each UPF. The transmission delay of the N3 interface can be obtained based on the sending and receiving times. Based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface, the base station executes and generates an N3 path delay table and obtains a recommended UPF from it. When the terminal initiates a service request or handover, the base station queries the N3 path delay table for the UPF with the shortest N3 path delay corresponding to the network slice based on the terminal's network slice information, etc., and sends the recommended UPF information to the SMF through the AMF. The SMF prioritizes the selection of the recommended UPF as the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters.

[0058] It should be noted that the base station preferably periodically sends a second delay measurement message to each UPF to perform delay measurement. Based on the delay measurement response messages from multiple UPFs, the statistical average delay T of the transmission delay from the base station to the N3 interface of each UPF is obtained. (average-delay) This time period can be preset.

[0059] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the transmission delay of the N3 interface, obtained based on the sending time of the delay measurement request message and the receiving time of the delay measurement response message returned by the UPF, includes:

[0060] The transmission delay of the N3 interface is calculated using the formula Tdelay = (Treceive - Tsend) / 2, where Tdelay is the transmission delay of the N3 interface, Treceive is the receiving time, and Tsend is the sending time.

[0061] In this embodiment, the transmission delay of the N3 interface can be calculated using the formula Tdelay = (Treceive - Tsend) / 2; it can also be calculated using T... (average-delay) =(Tdelay1+Tdelay2+…+Tdelay n The statistical average latency of the N3 interface is calculated by ) / n, where n is a positive integer greater than 0, and T (average-delay) Tdelay is the statistical average latency of the N3 interface transmission delay. n It is the transmission delay of the N3 interface of the UPF. The statistical average delay is obtained by taking the transmission delay of the N3 interfaces of multiple UPFs.

[0062] In a specific embodiment 3, the base station generates an N3 path delay table corresponding to the base station based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface from the base station to the UPF. The N3 path delay table is shown in the table below:

[0063] gNB name S-NAASI name DNN Name UPFid N3 transmission delay gNB1 S-NAASI1 DNN1 UPF1 T1 gNB1 S-NAASI1 DNN1 UPF2 T2 gNB1 S-NAASI1 DNN1 UPF3 T3 gNB1 S-NAASI1 DNN1 UPF4 T4 gNB1 S-NAASI1 DNN1 UPF5 T5 gNB1 S-NAASI1 DNN1 UPF6 T6 gNB1 S-NAASI2 DNN2 UPF7 T7 gNB1 S-NAASI2 DNN2 UPF8 T8 gNB1 S-NAASI2 DNN2 UPF9 T9 …… …… …… …… ……

[0064] Table 2

[0065] As shown in Table 2, each base station corresponds to at least one UPF, and the transmission delays of the N3 interface corresponding to the UPFs identified by UPF1 to UPF9 are T1 to T9 respectively.

[0066] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to a specific embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment 4:

[0067] Step 20: Save the enhanced UPF selection parameter along with the terminal's subscription data in the UDM / UDR. This enhanced UPF selection parameter is bound to the network slice identifier S-NSSAI.

[0068] Step 21: The SMF sends a UPF service report to the network device;

[0069] Step 22: The network device analyzes and processes the UPF service report to obtain a UPF record table for each S-NSSAI or the DNN corresponding to the S-NSSAI.

[0070] Step 23: Send a first latency measurement message to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity;

[0071] Step 24: Send a second delay measurement message to the base station via AMF;

[0072] Step 25: The base station measures the transmission delay of the N3 interface based on the delay measurement message, and generates the N3 path delay table based on the measured transmission delay of the N3 interface.

[0073] The present invention provides a solution that involves a network device receiving a User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service report sent by a Session Management Function Entity (SMF). Based on the UPF service report, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) sends a latency measurement message to the base station. The base station then obtains an N3 path latency table and a recommended UPF based on the latency measurement message. The SMF selects a target UPF based on enhanced UPF selection parameters. These enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that the UPF selection is based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface. This approach achieves the beneficial effects of reducing user plane latency and improving service perception and quality.

[0074] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a method for selecting user plane functional entities applied to a Session Management Functional Entity (SMF) according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0075] Step 31: Send the User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service report to the network device;

[0076] Step 32: Receive the recommended UPF sent by the base station. The recommended UPF is a delay measurement message sent by the network device to the base station through the Access and Mobility Management Function Entity (AMF) based on the UPF service report, and is obtained by the base station based on the delay measurement message.

[0077] Step 33: Select the target UPF according to the enhanced UPF selection parameters; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are used to indicate that when selecting a UPF, the UPF is selected based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface.

[0078] In this embodiment, when the SMF powers on / reboots / modifies services, it sends a UPF service report to the network device. To facilitate the SMF in correctly finding the corresponding network device and sending the UPF service report to it, the SMF preferably pre-configures the IP address and other information of the corresponding network device. The UPF service report sent to the network device can be the complete UPF service report or a selection of UPF service reports of S-NSSAI or its corresponding DNN, depending on the requirements. When selecting user plane functional entities, the SMF receives the recommended UPF sent by the base station and selects the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters.

[0079] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the following step before step 33:

[0080] The enhanced UPF selection parameters are obtained from the Unified Data Management Entity / Unified Data Repository UDM / UDR or the Policy Control Function Entity / Unified Data Repository PCF / UDR; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are stored in the UDM / UDR or PCF / UDR along with the terminal's subscription data.

[0081] In this embodiment, the enhanced UPF selection parameter is a parameter in the terminal's subscription data, which can be optionally represented as EUSP;

[0082] When EUSP=0, the terminal does not need to enhance the UPF selection function, and SMF selects the UPF for the terminal according to the original selection.

[0083] When EUSP=1, the transmission delay of the N3 interface needs to be considered when the SMF selects the UPF for the terminal.

[0084] When generating a terminal or modifying a terminal's services, the EUSP can be saved as a parameter in the subscription data to the UDM / UDR or PCF / UDR. When the terminal initiates a service request, initiates a cross-base station handover within different core networks, or initiates a cross-base station handover within the same core network, the EUSP can be downloaded and saved by the SMF from the terminal's corresponding UDM / UDR or PCF / UDR along with the terminal's subscription data. At the same time, the enhanced UPF selection parameter is bound to the network slice identifier S-NSSAI.

[0085] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 33 includes:

[0086] Step 33-1: When the terminal initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session service request, it selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters, S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters to obtain a first UPF list.

[0087] Step 33-2: If the recommended UPF is in the first UPF list, then the recommended UPF is used as the target UPF;

[0088] Step 33-3: If the recommended UPF is not in the first UPF list, then select the UPF of the PDU session as the target UPF according to the tracking area TA.

[0089] In this embodiment, when a terminal initiates a service request, the base station, based on the S-NAASI of the service request message, queries the N3 path delay table corresponding to the transmission delay of the terminal's N3 interface, selects the UPF with the shortest transmission delay in the N3 interface as the recommended UPF, and sends the UPF's UPFID to the AMF; the AMF selects the SMF and sends a message carrying the recommended UPF to the SMF; the SMF selects a UPF for the terminal based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, and selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters, S-NSSAI, DNN, the dynamic load and capacity static factor of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters, to obtain a first UPF list; if a recommended UPF is found in the first UPF list, the recommended UPF is used as the target UPF; if a recommended UPF is not found in the first UPF list, a UPF of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is selected as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area (TA).

[0090] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the method for selecting user plane function entities when a terminal initiates a service request, as shown in a specific embodiment of the present invention, is provided. Figure 4As shown in a specific embodiment 5, when a terminal initiates a service request, the base station generates a recommended UPF based on the S-NAASI of the service request message by querying the N3 path delay table corresponding to the transmission delay of the terminal's N3 interface. The base station then sends the service request message carrying the base station's recommended UPF to the AMF. The AMF then sends a signaling message carrying the recommended UPF to the SMF. The SMF obtains the recommended UPF related to the service request. The SMF downloads the terminal's subscription data from the UDM / UDR and establishes an SPF connection with the Policy Control Function Entity (PCF) for this PDU session. The M strategy request is then processed by the SMF, which selects a UPF based on at least one of the following: enhanced UPF selection parameters, S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and UE subscription parameters. The selection is made by comparing the first UPF list with the recommended UPF. If the first UPF list includes the recommended UPF, the recommended UPF is selected as the target UPF. If the first UPF list does not include the recommended UPF, the UPF of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is selected as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area (TA). The subsequent PDU session establishment process is then executed.

[0091] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 33 includes:

[0092] Step 33-4: When the terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the Xn interface, the UPF is selected according to at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters and S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters to obtain the second UPF list.

[0093] Step 33-5: If the recommended UPF is in the second UPF list, then the recommended UPF is used as the target UPF; the recommended UPF is sent to the SMF by the target base station during cross-base station handover via the AMF;

[0094] Step 33-6: If the recommended UPF is not in the second UPF list, then select the UPF of the PDU session as the target UPF according to the tracking area TA.

[0095] In this embodiment, when a terminal initiates an inter-base station handover based on the Xn interface, the target base station sends a path handover request message to the AMF, carrying the recommended UPF obtained by the target base station in the message; the AMF sends a signaling message carrying the recommended UPF to the SMF; the SMF preferably first determines whether a target UPF needs to be selected for the terminal, and the SMF selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters and S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and UE subscription parameters to obtain a second UPF, and then judges the second UPF to obtain the target UPF, specifically:

[0096] If the recommended UPF is in the second UPF list, then the recommended UPF is used as the target UPF; the recommended UPF is sent to the SMF by the target base station during cross-base station handover via the AMF; if the recommended UPF is not in the second UPF list, then a UPF of the PDU session is selected as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area (TA).

[0097] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a method for selecting user plane functional entities when a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the Xn interface, according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Figure 5 As shown in a specific embodiment 6, when a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the Xn interface, the first base station is the original base station SourcegNB, and the second base station is the target base station TargetgNB. The first base station forwards data to the second base station based on the handover preparation message initiated by the terminal. This data includes terminal data and cross-base station service messages based on the Xn interface. Simultaneously, the first base station sends an operational usage data report to the AMF, and the second base station performs the cross-cell handover. By querying the N3 path delay table based on the terminal's network slice identifier S-NSSAI, a recommended UPF is generated. A handover signaling message carrying the recommended UPF of the second base station is sent to the AMF, and the AM... F sends a signaling message carrying the recommended UPF to SMF, which then selects a UPF. The SMF selects a UPF based on at least one of the following: enhanced UPF selection parameters, S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and UE subscription parameters, to obtain a second UPF list. By comparing the second UPF list with the recommended UPF, if the recommended UPF is in the second UPF list, it is used as the target UPF, and the subsequent handover procedure is executed; if the recommended UPF is not in the second UPF list, a UPF of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is selected as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area (TA), and then the subsequent handover procedure is executed.

[0098] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 33 includes:

[0099] Step 33-7: When the terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the N2 interface, it obtains the recommended UPF sent by the target base station. The recommended UPF is the UPF with the shortest path delay selected by the target base station in the N3 path delay table of the target base station according to the network slice identifier S-NSSAI of the terminal.

[0100] Step 33-8: When the SMF receives the first PDU session update request sent by the AMF, it selects the UPF based on at least one of the following: the DNN of the PDU session, S-NSSAI, the dynamic load and capacity static factor of the UPF, the UE's subscription parameters, and the tracking area TA, and obtains the initial UPF selection.

[0101] Step 33-9: If the initial UPF is the same as the recommended UPF, then the initial UPF is used as the target UPF;

[0102] Step 33-10: If the initial UPF is different from the recommended UPF, the SMF selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters and DNN, S-NSSAI, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and UE subscription parameters, to obtain a third UPF list.

[0103] Step 33-11: If the recommended UPF is in the third UPF list, then the recommended UPF is used as the target UPF;

[0104] Step 33-12: If the recommended UPF is not in the third UPF list, then select the UPF of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area (TA).

[0105] In this embodiment, when the terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the N2 interface, the target base station sends a handover request response message to the AMF, which carries the recommended UPF obtained by the target base station. The AMF sends a signaling message carrying the recommended UPF to the SMF. When the SMF receives the first PDU session update request sent by the AMF, it obtains the initial UPF selected based on at least one of the following: the DNN, S-NSSAI, dynamic load and capacity static factor of the UPF, the UE's subscription parameters, and the Tracking Area TA. If the initial UPF and the recommended UPF are the same, the initial UPF is used as the target UPF. If the initial UPF and the recommended UPF are different, the SMF selects a UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters and at least one of the following: the DNN, S-NSSAI, dynamic load and capacity static factor of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters, to obtain a third UPF list. It then determines whether the recommended UPF is in the third UPF list. If it is, the recommended UPF is used as the target UPF. If it is not, the UPF of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is selected as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area TA.

[0106] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating the method for selecting user plane functional entities when a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the N2 interface, according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, is shown. Figure 6As shown in a specific embodiment 7, when the terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the N2 interface, the first base station is the original base station SourcegNB, and the second base station is the target base station TargetgNB. The first base station sends a handover request message to the AMF, and the AMF sends a PDU session update request message to the SMF. When the SMF receives the first PDU session update request sent by the AMF, it performs a first selection of UPF based on at least one of the following: the DNN, S-NSSAI, dynamic load and capacity static factor of the UPF, the UE's subscription parameters, and the tracking area TA of the PDU session, and obtains the initial UPF. The SMF establishes a session with UPF2 on the N4 interface, and the SMF sends a response message carrying the initial UPF to the AMF. The AMF then sends a handover request response message to the second base station.

[0107] When the second base station performs a cross-base station handover based on the N2 interface, it generates a recommended UPF by querying the N3 path delay table and sends a handover request confirmation message to the AMF. The AMF then sends a signaling message carrying the recommended UPF to the SMF. The SMF performs the first UPF selection, i.e., it judges the initial UPF. If the initial UPF is the same as the recommended UPF, it is used as the target UPF. If they are different, the SMF selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters, DNN, S-NSSAI, the dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters, to obtain a third UPF list. By comparing the third UPF list with the recommended UPF, if the recommended UPF is in the third UPF list, it is used as the target UPF, and the subsequent handover process is executed. If the recommended UPF is not in the third UPF list, a UPF of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is selected as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area (TA), and then the subsequent handover process is executed.

[0108] The solution of this invention sends a User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service report to the network device through the Session Management Function Entity (SMF); receives a recommended UPF sent by the base station, wherein the recommended UPF is obtained by the network device based on the UPF service report, through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) sending a latency measurement message to the base station, and by the base station based on the latency measurement message; and selects a target UPF according to enhanced UPF selection parameters, wherein the enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface. This achieves the beneficial effects of reducing user plane latency and improving service perception and service quality.

[0109] It should be noted that this method corresponds to the method embodiment of the user plane function entity selection method applied to the network device side described above. All implementation methods in the method embodiment applied to the network device side described above are applicable to the embodiment of this method and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0110] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the structure of a selection device for user plane functional entities applied to the Session Management Function (SMF) entity, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the device 70 includes:

[0111] Transceiver module 71 is used to receive service reports from User Plane Function Entity UPF sent by Session Management Function Entity (SMF).

[0112] The processing module 72 is used to send a delay measurement message to the base station through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) based on the UPF service report, and the base station obtains the N3 path delay table and recommended UPF based on the delay measurement message, and the SMF selects the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are used to indicate that when selecting a UPF, the UPF is selected based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface.

[0113] Optionally, based on the UPF service report, a delay measurement message is sent to the base station through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity, including:

[0114] The UPF business report is analyzed and processed to obtain the UPF record table;

[0115] According to the UPF record table, a first delay measurement message is sent to the Access and Mobility Management Function Entity (AMF), and the AMF sends a second delay measurement message to the base station based on the first delay measurement message.

[0116] Optionally, the first latency measurement message is an N3 interface latency measurement message, including at least one of the following:

[0117] Message type; Network slice identifier S-NSSAI; Data network DNN corresponding to S-NSSAI;

[0118] The UPF's N3 interface Internet Protocol IP address; the UPF's identification information UPFid; and the tracking area set TAI consisting of all tracking areas TA.

[0119] Optionally, the second delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message corresponding to each TA obtained based on the first delay measurement information, including at least one of the following:

[0120] The message type; network slice identifier S-NSSAI; the data network DNN corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the Internet Protocol IP address of the N3 interface of the UPF; and the identifier information UPFid of the UPF.

[0121] Optionally, the N3 path delay table includes:

[0122] Base station identifier; network slice identifier S-NSSAI; DNN; transmission latency of UPFid and N3 interfaces;

[0123] The transmission delay of the N3 interface is obtained by the base station after receiving the second delay measurement message, sending delay measurement request messages to all UPFs included in the second delay measurement message, and based on the sending time of the delay measurement request messages and the receiving time of the delay measurement response messages returned by the UPFs.

[0124] Optionally, the transmission delay of the N3 interface, obtained based on the sending time of the delay measurement request message and the receiving time of the delay measurement response message returned by the UPF, includes:

[0125] The transmission delay of the N3 interface is calculated using the formula Tdelay = (Treceive - Tsend) / 2; where Tdelay is the transmission delay of the N3 interface, Treceive is the reception time of the delay measurement response message returned by the UPF, and Tsend is the sending time of the delay measurement request message.

[0126] It should be noted that this device is the device corresponding to the above-described user plane function entity selection method embodiment. All implementation methods in the above method embodiments are applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0127] This invention provides a network device, such as the user plane function entity selection device described above.

[0128] It should be noted that the network device is the network device corresponding to the above-described user plane function entity selection method embodiment. All implementation methods in the above method embodiments are applicable to the embodiments of this network device and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0129] This invention provides a selection device for a user plane functional entity, applied to a session management functional entity (SMF). The device includes:

[0130] The transceiver module is used to send User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service reports to network devices; and to receive recommended UPFs sent by base stations. The recommended UPFs are obtained by the network devices based on the UPF service reports, through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity sending latency measurement messages to the base stations, and by the base stations based on the latency measurement messages.

[0131] The processing module is used to select a target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are used to indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface when selecting the UPF.

[0132] Optionally, based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, before selecting the target UPF, the following steps are also included:

[0133] The enhanced UPF selection parameters are obtained from the Unified Data Management Entity / Unified Data Repository UDM / UDR or the Policy Control Function Entity / Unified Data Repository PCF / UDR; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are stored in the UDM / UDR or PCF / UDR along with the terminal's subscription data.

[0134] Optionally, select the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, including:

[0135] When a terminal initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session service request, it selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters, S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters, thus obtaining a first UPF list.

[0136] If the recommended UPF is in the first UPF list, then the recommended UPF will be used as the target UPF;

[0137] If the recommended UPF is not in the first UPF list, then the UPF of the PDU session is selected as the target UPF based on the tracking area TA.

[0138] Optionally, select the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, including:

[0139] When a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the Xn interface, a second UPF list is obtained by selecting a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters, S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters.

[0140] If the recommended UPF is in the second UPF list, then the recommended UPF is used as the target UPF; the recommended UPF is sent to the SMF by the target base station during cross-base station handover via the AMF;

[0141] If the recommended UPF is not in the second UPF list, then the UPF of the PDU session is selected as the target UPF based on the tracking area TA.

[0142] Optional,

[0143] Select the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, including:

[0144] When a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the N2 interface, it obtains a recommended UPF sent by the target base station. The recommended UPF is the UPF with the shortest path delay selected by the target base station in the N3 path delay table of the target base station according to the network slice identifier S-NSSAI of the terminal.

[0145] When the SMF receives the first PDU session update request sent by the AMF, it selects the UPF based on at least one of the following: the DNN of the PDU session, S-NSSAI, the dynamic load and capacity static factor of the UPF, the UE's subscription parameters, and the tracking area TA, and obtains the initial UPF selection.

[0146] If the initial UPF is the same as the recommended UPF, then the initial UPF will be used as the target UPF.

[0147] If the initial UPF is different from the recommended UPF, the SMF selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters and DNN, S-NSSAI, the dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters, to obtain a third UPF list.

[0148] If the recommended UPF is in the third UPF list, the recommended UPF will be used as the target UPF;

[0149] If the recommended UPF is not in the third UPF list, then the UPF of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is selected as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area (TA).

[0150] It should be noted that this device is the same as the device corresponding to the above-described user plane function entity selection method embodiment. All implementation methods in the above method embodiments are applicable to the embodiments of this device and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0151] This invention provides a Session Management Function Entity (SMF), including: a selection device for the user plane function entity as described above.

[0152] It should be noted that the Session Management Function Entity (SMF) is the Session Management Function Entity (SMF) corresponding to the above-described method embodiment for selecting user plane function entities. All implementation methods in the above method embodiments are applicable to the embodiments of the Session Management Function Entity (SMF) and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0153] This invention provides a non-volatile computer storage medium storing at least one executable instruction that can execute the user plane function entity selection method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0154] Figure 8 The diagram shows a structural schematic of a computing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The specific embodiments of the present invention do not limit the specific implementation of the computing device.

[0155] like Figure 8 As shown, the computing device may include a processor, a communications interface, memory, and a communications bus.

[0156] The processor, communication interface, and memory communicate with each other via a communication bus. The communication interface is used to communicate with other network elements, such as clients or other servers. The processor executes programs, specifically the steps described in the embodiment of the method for selecting user plane functional entities for computing devices.

[0157] Specifically, the program may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions.

[0158] The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present invention. The computing device includes one or more processors, which may be processors of the same type, such as one or more CPUs; or processors of different types, such as one or more CPUs and one or more ASICs.

[0159] Memory is used to store programs. Memory may include high-speed RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk drive.

[0160] Specifically, the program can be used to cause the processor to execute the user plane functional entity selection method in any of the above method embodiments. The specific implementation of each step in the program can be found in the corresponding descriptions of the steps and units in the above user plane functional entity selection method embodiments, and will not be repeated here. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the devices and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding process descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0161] The algorithms or displays provided herein are not inherently related to any particular computer, virtual system, or other device. Various general-purpose systems can also be used in conjunction with the teachings herein. The required structure for constructing such systems is apparent from the above description. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention are not directed to any particular programming language. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented using various programming languages, and the above description of specific languages ​​is for the purpose of disclosing the best mode of implementation of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0162] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0163] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to streamline the embodiments of the invention and aid in understanding one or more of the various inventive aspects, features of the embodiments of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, this disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0164] Those skilled in the art will understand that modules in the device of the embodiments can be adaptively changed and placed in one or more devices different from that embodiment. Modules, units, or components in the embodiments can be combined into a single module, unit, or component, and further, they can be divided into multiple sub-modules, sub-units, or sub-components. Except where at least some of such features and / or processes or units are mutually exclusive, any combination can be used to combine all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or device so disclosed. Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0165] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0166] The various component embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, or as software modules running on one or more processors, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs) can be used in practice to implement some or all of the functions of some or all of the components according to the embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented as device or apparatus programs (e.g., computer programs and computer program products) for performing part or all of the methods described herein. Such programs implementing the embodiments of the present invention can be stored on a computer-readable medium, or can be in the form of one or more signals. Such signals can be downloaded from an Internet website, provided on a carrier signal, or provided in any other form.

[0167] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive of the invention, and that those skilled in the art can devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc., does not indicate any order. These words can be interpreted as names. The steps in the above embodiments, unless otherwise specified, should not be construed as limiting the order of execution.

Claims

1. A method for selecting user-facing functional entities, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: Receive the User Plane Function Entity UPF service report sent by the Session Management Function Entity (SMF); According to the UPF service report, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) sends a latency measurement message to the base station, and the base station obtains the N3 path latency table and recommended UPF based on the latency measurement message. The recommended UPF is the UPF with the shortest N3 path latency. The SMF selects the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters. The enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface. The N3 path delay table includes: base station identifier; network slice identifier S-NSSAI; DNN; transmission delay of UPFid and N3 interface; The transmission delay of the N3 interface is obtained by the base station after receiving the second delay measurement message, sending delay measurement request messages to all UPFs included in the second delay measurement message, and receiving the delay measurement response messages returned by the UPFs based on the sending time of the delay measurement request messages and the receiving time of the delay measurement response messages returned by the UPFs. The second delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message corresponding to each TA obtained based on the first delay measurement message, and the first delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message.

2. The method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to claim 1, characterized in that, According to the UPF service report, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity sends a latency measurement message to the base station, including: The UPF business report is analyzed and processed to obtain the UPF record table; According to the UPF record table, a first delay measurement message is sent to the Access and Mobility Management Function Entity (AMF), and the AMF sends a second delay measurement message to the base station based on the first delay measurement message.

3. The method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first delay measurement message includes at least one of the following: Message type; Network slice identifier S-NSSAI; Data network DNN corresponding to S-NSSAI; The UPF's N3 interface Internet Protocol IP address; the UPF's identification information UPFid; and the tracking area set TAI consisting of all tracking areas TA.

4. The method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second delay measurement message includes at least one of the following: The message type; network slice identifier S-NSSAI; the data network DNN corresponding to the S-NSSAI; the Internet Protocol IP address of the N3 interface of the UPF; and the identifier information UPFid of the UPF.

5. The method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission delay of the N3 interface, obtained based on the sending time of the delay measurement request message and the receiving time of the delay measurement response message returned by the UPF, includes: The transmission delay of the N3 interface is calculated using the formula Tdelay=(Treceive-Tsend) / 2; where Tdelay is the transmission delay of the N3 interface, Treceive is the reception time of the delay measurement response message returned by the UPF, and Tsend is the sending time of the delay measurement request message.

6. A method for selecting user-facing functional entities, characterized in that, The method, applied to the Session Management Function Entity (SMF), includes: Send User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service reports to network devices; The network device receives a recommended UPF sent by the base station. The recommended UPF is a delay measurement message sent by the network device to the base station through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) based on the UPF service report, and is obtained by the base station based on the delay measurement message. The recommended UPF is the UPF with the shortest N3 path delay. The target UPF is selected based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters. The enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface. The transmission delay of the N3 interface is the transmission delay of the N3 interface obtained by the base station after receiving the second delay measurement message, sending delay measurement request messages to all UPFs included in the second delay measurement message, and receiving the delay measurement response messages returned by the UPFs. The second delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message corresponding to each TA obtained from the first delay measurement message, and the first delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message.

7. The method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before selecting the target UPF, based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, the following steps are also included: The enhanced UPF selection parameters are obtained from the Unified Data Management Entity / Unified Data Repository UDM / UDR or the Policy Control Function Entity / Unified Data Repository PCF / UDR; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are stored in the UDM / UDR or PCF / UDR along with the terminal's subscription data.

8. The method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, Select the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, including: When a terminal initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session service request, it selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters, S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters, thus obtaining a first UPF list. If the recommended UPF is in the first UPF list, then the recommended UPF will be used as the target UPF; If the recommended UPF is not in the first UPF list, then the UPF of the PDU session is selected as the target UPF based on the tracking area TA.

9. The method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, Select the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, including: When a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the Xn interface, a second UPF list is obtained by selecting a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters, S-NSSAI, DNN, dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters. If the recommended UPF is in the second UPF list, then the recommended UPF is used as the target UPF; the recommended UPF is sent to the SMF by the target base station during cross-base station handover via the AMF; If the recommended UPF is not in the second UPF list, then the UPF of the PDU session is selected as the target UPF based on the tracking area TA.

10. The method for selecting user-plane functional entities according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, Select the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters, including: When a terminal initiates a cross-base station handover based on the N2 interface, it obtains a recommended UPF sent by the target base station. The recommended UPF is the UPF with the shortest path delay selected by the target base station in the N3 path delay table of the target base station according to the network slice identifier S-NSSAI of the terminal. When the SMF receives the first PDU session update request sent by the AMF, it selects the UPF based on at least one of the following: the DNN of the PDU session, S-NSSAI, the dynamic load and capacity static factor of the UPF, the UE's subscription parameters, and the tracking area TA, and obtains the initial UPF selection. If the initial UPF is the same as the recommended UPF, then the initial UPF will be used as the target UPF. If the initial UPF is different from the recommended UPF, the SMF selects a UPF based on at least one of the enhanced UPF selection parameters and DNN, S-NSSAI, the dynamic load and capacity static factors of the UPF, and the UE's subscription parameters, to obtain a third UPF list. If the recommended UPF is in the third UPF list, the recommended UPF will be used as the target UPF; If the recommended UPF is not in the third UPF list, then the UPF of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is selected as the target UPF based on the Tracking Area (TA).

11. A user-facing functional entity selection device, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the device includes: The transceiver module is used to receive service reports from the User Plane Function Entity UPF sent by the Session Management Function Entity (SMF). The processing module is used to send a latency measurement message to the base station through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) based on the UPF service report, and the base station obtains the N3 path latency table and recommended UPF based on the latency measurement message, and the SMF selects the target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters; the enhanced UPF selection parameters are used to indicate that the UPF is selected based on the transmission latency of the N3 interface when selecting the UPF. The N3 path delay table includes: base station identifier; network slice identifier S-NSSAI; DNN; transmission delay of UPFid and N3 interface; The transmission delay of the N3 interface is obtained by the base station after receiving the second delay measurement message, sending delay measurement request messages to all UPFs included in the second delay measurement message, and based on the sending time of the delay measurement request messages and the receiving time of the delay measurement response messages returned by the UPFs. The second delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message corresponding to each TA obtained from the first delay measurement message. The first delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message, and the target UPF is the UPF with the shortest N3 path delay.

12. A network device, characterized in that, The user-facing functional entity selection device as described in claim 11.

13. A user-facing functional entity selection device, characterized in that, The apparatus, applied to the Session Management Function (SMF) entity, includes: The transceiver module is used to send User Plane Function Entity (UPF) service reports to network devices; and to receive recommended UPFs sent by base stations. The recommended UPFs are obtained by the network devices based on the UPF service reports, through the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity sending latency measurement messages to the base stations, and by the base stations based on the latency measurement messages. The processing module is used to select a target UPF based on the enhanced UPF selection parameters. The enhanced UPF selection parameters indicate that when selecting a UPF, the UPF is selected based on the transmission delay of the N3 interface. The transmission delay of the N3 interface is obtained by the base station after receiving the second delay measurement message, sending delay measurement request messages to all UPFs included in the second delay measurement message, and based on the sending time of the delay measurement request messages and the receiving time of the delay measurement response messages returned by the UPFs. The second delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message corresponding to each TA obtained based on the first delay measurement message. The first delay measurement message is the N3 interface delay measurement message, and the target UPF is the UPF with the shortest N3 path delay.

14. A Session Management Function Entity (SMF), characterized in that, include: The device for selecting the functional entity of the facade as described in claim 13.

15. A computing device, characterized in that, include: The processor, memory, communication interface, and communication bus are provided, wherein the processor, memory, and communication interface communicate with each other via the communication bus. The memory is used to store at least one executable instruction, which causes the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the user plane functional entity selection method as described in any one of claims 1-5 or to perform an operation corresponding to the user plane functional entity selection method as described in any one of claims 6-10.

16. A computer storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores at least one executable instruction, which causes the processor to perform an operation corresponding to the user plane functional entity selection method as described in any one of claims 1-5 or to perform an operation corresponding to the user plane functional entity selection method as described in any one of claims 6-10.

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