A method and device for business transmission and control thereof

Abstract

This application discloses a service transmission and control method and device for saving resources required for broadcast and / or multicast services and avoiding resource waste. The service transmission control method provided in this application includes: determining parameters for controlling the transmission of broadcast and / or multicast services, wherein the parameters include the service time and / or service area of ​​the services; and transmitting the parameters to an access network via at least one network function entity of a core network, so that the access network transmits the services to a terminal according to the parameters.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] The following description of background technology may include insights, discoveries, understandings, or disclosures or associations to at least some examples of the embodiments of the present application, as well as disclosures not known to the relevant prior art but provided by the present application. Some of these contributions of the present application may be specifically pointed out below, while other such contributions of the present application will be apparent from the relevant context.

[0003] The 5G mobile communication system will support Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS) to support the transmission of service data such as multicast, broadcast, interactive network television (IPTV) of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), or optimize the transmission efficiency and network resource utilization efficiency of other existing services, such as group communication, Internet of Things communication (IoT), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), software download or update, etc.

[0004] Currently, the broadcast area and broadcast time are statically configured by the operator. Within the broadcast area and broadcast time, the network side needs to transmit the broadcast signal regardless of whether there is a user equipment (UE) receiving the broadcast, resulting in a waste of resources. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a method and device for service transmission and control thereof, so as to save resources required for broadcast and / or multicast services and avoid resource waste.

[0006] On the core side, for example, on any network function NF entity side of the core side, an embodiment of the present application provides a service transmission control method including:

[0007] determining parameters for controlling transmission of a broadcast and / or multicast service, the parameters including a service time and / or a service area of ​​the service;

[0008] The parameters are sent to the access network through at least one network function entity of the core network, so that the access network sends the service to the terminal according to the parameters.

[0009] The present method determines parameters for controlling the transmission of broadcast and / or multicast services, wherein the parameters include the service time and / or service area of ​​the services; and sends the parameters to the access network through at least one network function entity of the core network, so that the access network sends the services to the terminal according to the parameters, thereby achieving the transmission of the broadcast and / or multicast services within the specified service time and / or service area, avoiding the transmission of the broadcast and / or multicast services at any time and any place. Therefore, the present method can save resources required for the broadcast and / or multicast services and avoid resource waste.

[0010] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0011] Sending a request message to a network data analysis function NWDAF entity to request information about the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services;

[0012] A request result sent by the NWDAF entity is received, wherein the parameter is determined according to the request result.

[0013] That is, this method can also implement transmission control of the services according to the actual number of users receiving the broadcast and / or multicast services, and thus can save resources as much as possible while meeting user needs in accordance with actual conditions.

[0014] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0015] Parameters for controlling broadcast and / or multicast service transmission are received from another network function entity different from the local network function entity, and the parameters determined by the local end are determined based on the parameters sent by the other network function entity.

[0016] On the core network side, for example, on the NWDAF entity side, an embodiment of the present application provides a service transmission control method, including:

[0017] receiving a request message sent by a first network function entity of a core network, where the request message is used to request information about the number of terminals receiving a broadcast and / or multicast service;

[0018] Determine a request result according to the request message and send it to the first network function entity, so that the first network function entity determines parameters for controlling the service transmission according to the request result, where the parameters include the service time and / or service area of ​​the service.

[0019] Optionally, determining a request result according to the request message specifically includes:

[0020] Collect data from the second network function entity of the core network, and determine the request result using the collected data and / or data locally stored by the network data analysis function NWDAF entity.

[0021] Optionally, the request result specifically includes:

[0022] Statistics and / or predictions of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period.

[0023] On the access network side, an embodiment of the present application provides a service transmission method, including:

[0024] receiving parameters sent by a core network for controlling transmission of a broadcast and / or multicast service, the parameters including a service time and / or a service area of ​​the service;

[0025] The service is sent to the terminal according to the parameters.

[0026] Another embodiment of the present application provides a computing device, which includes a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store program instructions, and the processor is used to call the program instructions stored in the memory and execute any of the above methods according to the obtained program.

[0027] The computing device may be, for example, a device on the core network side or a device on the access network side. The device on the core network side may be any network function entity or an NWDAF entity, etc.

[0028] Furthermore, according to an embodiment, a computer program product for a computer is provided, for example, comprising software code portions for executing the steps of the method defined above when the product is executed on the computer. The computer program product may include a computer-readable medium having the software code portions stored thereon. Furthermore, the computer program product may be directly loaded into the internal memory of the computer and / or transmitted via a network through at least one of an upload process, a download process, and a push process.

[0029] Another embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to enable the computer to execute any of the above methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall process of the service control method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a specific process of the service control method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 3 A flowchart of a service transmission control method for any NF entity side of the core side provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 4 A flowchart of a service transmission control method on the NWDAF entity side provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 5 A flow chart of a service transmission method on the access network side provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a computing device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a service transmission control device on the core side provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of another service transmission control device on the core side provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 9 A schematic structural diagram of a service transmission device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] The embodiments of the present application provide a method and device for service transmission and control thereof, so as to save resources required for broadcast and / or multicast services and avoid resource waste.

[0042] Among them, the method and the device are based on the same application concept. Since the principles of solving problems by the method and the device are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0043] The terms "first", "second", etc. (if any) in the specification and claims of the embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequential order. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0044] The following examples and embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples only. Although this specification may refer to "one," "an," or "some" examples or embodiments at several places, this does not mean that each such reference relates to the same example or embodiment, nor does it mean that the feature applies only to a single example or embodiment. Individual features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide further embodiments. Furthermore, terms such as "comprises" and "comprising" should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consisting only of those features already mentioned; such examples and embodiments may also include features, structures, units, modules, etc. that are not specifically mentioned.

[0045] The technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applicable to a variety of systems, especially 5G systems. For example, applicable systems may be Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) systems, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) systems, Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, 5G systems, and 5G NR systems. These various systems include terminal devices and network devices.

[0046] The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem. In different systems, the name of the terminal device may also be different. For example, in a 5G system, the terminal device may be called User Equipment (UE). A wireless terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks via a RAN. The wireless terminal device may be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal device. For example, it may be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges language and / or data with a wireless access network. For example, Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and other devices. The wireless terminal device may also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal device, an access terminal device, a user terminal device, a user agent, or a user device, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0047] The network devices involved in the embodiments of the present application include core network devices and may also include access network devices. The access network device may be a base station, which may include multiple cells. Depending on the specific application scenario, the base station may also be called an access point, or may refer to a device in the access network that communicates with a wireless terminal device through one or more sectors on the air interface, or other names. The network device may be used to convert received air frames into and from Internet Protocol (IP) packets, acting as a router between the wireless terminal device and the rest of the access network, wherein the rest of the access network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communication network. The network device may also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. For example, the network device involved in the embodiments of the present application can be a network device (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or a network device (NodeB) in Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), or an evolved network device (evolutionary Node B, eNB or e-NodeB) in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a 5G base station in the 5G network architecture (next generation system), or a home evolved Node B (HeNB), a relay node, a home base station (femto), a pico base station (pico), etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0048] The following describes in detail the various embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the order in which the embodiments of the present application are presented only represents the order of the embodiments, and does not represent the advantages or disadvantages of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments.

[0049] See also Figure 1 The broadcast control method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0050] Step 1. The network function (NF) entity of the core network (CN) sends a request message to the network data analytic function (NWDAF) entity to request (or subscribe to) information about the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services. The information includes, for example, statistics and / or prediction results of the number of UEs receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period.

[0051] Specifically, the request message may be, for example, an NWDAF analysis subscription (Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe) service request, or an NWDAF analysis information request (Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request).

[0052] The NF entity, for example, includes one or a combination of the following functional entities:

[0053] Session Management Function (SMF) entity;

[0054] Multicast Broadcast Session Management Function (MB-SMF) entity;

[0055] Policy Control Function (PCF) entity;

[0056] Application Function (AF) entity.

[0057] Optionally, when the NF entity is an AF entity, in addition to directly initiating the above request message to the NWDAF entity, the AF entity can also send the above request message through the Network Exposure Function (NEF).

[0058] For example, see Figure 2 , the above step 1 specifically includes:

[0059] Step 1a-1: The AF entity initiates an analysis result subscription (Nnef_AnalyticsExposure_Subscribe) service request or an analysis result acquisition (Nnef_AnalyticsExposure_Fetch) service request to the NEF entity.

[0060] Step 1a-2: The NEF entity initiates a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe service request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request to the NWDAF entity based on the Nnef_AnalyticsExposure_Subscribe service request or Nnef_AnalyticsExposure_Fetch service request received in step 1a-1.

[0061] Alternatively, the above step 1 specifically includes:

[0062] Step 1b: The AF entity directly sends the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe service request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request to the NWDAF entity.

[0063] Alternatively, when the NF entity is a PCF entity, step 1 specifically includes:

[0064] Step 1c: The PCF entity sends a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe service request or Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request to the NWDAF entity.

[0065] Alternatively, when the NF entity is an MB-SMF entity or an SMF entity, the above step 1 specifically includes:

[0066] Step 1d: The MB-SMF entity or SMF entity sends a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Subscribe service request or a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request to the NWDAF entity.

[0067] Optionally, the request message may carry one or a combination of the following information:

[0068] a) Analytics ID = MBS Service Experience;

[0069] Analytics id is used to indicate that the analysis type requested by the request message is about MBS service experience;

[0070] b) Target of Analytics Reporting;

[0071] For example, the Target of Analytics Reporting may be set to a Temporary Mobile Group Identifier (TMGI), indicating that the request message is to collect statistics on UEs that receive the MBS service identified by the TMGI; wherein the TMGI includes the MBS service identifier;

[0072] c) Analytics filter information;

[0073] The Analytics filter information may include, for example: an area of ​​interest, and / or a delivery mode;

[0074] The area of ​​interest indicates that the request message is to perform statistics and / or analysis on UEs and / or services in the area;

[0075] For example, you can set Area of ​​Interest = MBS service area

[0076] The MBS service area, such as one or more tracking areas TA or cells;

[0077] The MBS service area corresponds to a specific MBS service (for example, represented by TMGI), so that statistics and / or analysis are performed on the situation of the specific MBS service in the MBS service area (for example, service experience).

[0078] The delivery mode, for example, a multicast or broadcast delivery mode, is used to indicate that the request message is to perform statistics and / or analysis on the multicast or broadcast service.

[0079] d) Other information, such as an indication of the load level of a core network element used to schedule MBS services.

[0080] Step 2: The NWDAF entity collects data from the NF entity of the CN and uses the collected data and / or locally stored data to determine the request result corresponding to the request message in step 1.

[0081] The locally stored data is, for example, data collected or set locally in advance.

[0082] The collected data includes, for example, network data and / or business data.

[0083] The network data may include, for example, the number of UEs receiving broadcasts within a specified area and / or time period, the number of registered users, traffic bandwidth, UE location information, network element load and performance, etc.;

[0084] The service data includes, for example, the number of users subscribing to the broadcast service in a specified area and / or time period, the concurrent service volume, etc.

[0085] Determining the request result using the collected data and / or locally stored data, for example, specifically includes:

[0086] Based on a specific algorithm, such as a pre-set deep learning or other big data analysis algorithm, the collected data and / or locally stored data are analyzed to obtain a request result corresponding to the request message in step 1. The specific algorithm is not limited in the embodiments of this application and can be determined according to actual needs.

[0087] In this step, the NWDAF entity collects data, for example, including:

[0088] The NWDAF entity initiates an Nnf_EventExposure_Subscribe service request to the NF entity of the CN, or sends a Subscribe request to the OAM entity to request the collection of network data and / or business data.

[0089] The NF entity of the CN in this step includes, for example, one or more network elements such as an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity, an SMF entity, an MB-SMF entity, a Network Repository Function (NRF), an AF entity, and an Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM) entity.

[0090] See also Figure 2 In this step, the NWDAF entity collects data, for example, including:

[0091] Step 2a: The NWDAF entity sends a data collection request (Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe) to the SMF entity or MB-SMF entity.

[0092] Alternatively, in this step, the NWDAF entity collects data, for example, including:

[0093] Step 2b: The NWDAF entity sends a Subscribe request to the OAM entity.

[0094] Alternatively, in this step, the NWDAF entity collects data, for example, including:

[0095] Step 2c: The NWDAF entity sends a data collection request (Namf_EventExposure_Subscribe) to the AMF entity.

[0096] Alternatively, when the NF entity is an AF entity, the data collected by the NWDAF entity in this step includes, for example:

[0097] Step 2d-1: The NWDAF entity sends a data collection request (Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe) to the NEF entity.

[0098] Step 2d-2: The NEF entity sends a data collection request (Naf_EventExposure_Subscribe) to the AF entity.

[0099] Alternatively, in this step, the NWDAF entity collects data, for example, including:

[0100] Step 2e: The NWDAF entity directly sends a data collection request (Naf_EventExposure_Subscribe) to the AF entity.

[0101] That is to say, when the NF entity is an AF entity, in addition to the NWDAF entity directly initiating a Naf_EventExposure_Subscribe request to the AF entity to request the collection of business data; the NWDAF entity can also request the AF to collect business data through the NEF entity.

[0102] The data requested to be collected by the NWDAF entity may include, for example, one or a combination of the following information related to MBS services of UEs in a specified area, depending on the analysis type:

[0103] a) UE location information;

[0104] b) Quality of Service (QoS) information for broadcast or multicast data streams;

[0105] c) Status information of access network or core network functional entities.

[0106] The core network functional entity includes, for example, an MB-UPF (Multicast / Broadcast User Plane Function, a multicast / broadcast user plane function, i.e., a user plane function dedicated to multicast / broadcast services) entity;

[0107] The status information includes, for example, load and / or performance information.

[0108] The designated area includes, for example, a designated tracking area (TA), a tracking area list (TA list) or a cell (Cell).

[0109] The MBS service of the UE may be identified by, for example, an application ID or a TMGI.

[0110] It should be noted that the NF entity involved in data collection in this step 2 (i.e., the NF entity that receives the data collection request and provides data to the NWDAF entity) can be different from or the same as the NF entity that sends the request message in step 1.

[0111] Step 3: The NWDAF entity sends the corresponding request results (data statistics and / or analysis results) to the corresponding NF entity based on the request message received in step 1.

[0112] For example, the NWDAF entity sends the collected data and / or the data locally stored by the NWDAF entity to the NF entity that sends the request message based on the information carried in the request message, and / or uses the collected data and / or the data locally stored by the NWDAF entity to perform analysis and prediction, obtain prediction results, and send the prediction results to the NF entity that sends the request message.

[0113] The NWDAF entity may send a data analysis result service message (Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify) to the NF entity, or send a response message to the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request service request, which carries the network data analysis results corresponding to the subscribed or requested analysis type.

[0114] When the NF entity is an AF entity, in addition to the NWDAF entity directly initiating the above service message (or sending the above response message) to the AF entity, the NWDAF entity can also send the request result to the AF entity through the NEF entity. Figure 2 , the NWDAF entity sends the request result to the corresponding NF entity, specifically including:

[0115] Step 3a-1: The NWDAF entity initiates a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify service message to the NEF entity (or sends a response message to the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request service request), which carries the request result.

[0116] Step 3a-2: The NEF entity initiates a Nnef_AnalyticsExposure_Notify service message (or a response message to the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request service request) to the AF entity based on the received Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify service message (or a response message to the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request service request), which carries the request result.

[0117] Alternatively, the NWDAF entity sends the request result to the corresponding NF entity, specifically including:

[0118] Step 3b: The NWDAF entity directly initiates a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify service message to the AF entity (or sends a response message to the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request service request), which carries the request result.

[0119] Alternatively, the NWDAF entity sends the request result to the corresponding NF entity, specifically including:

[0120] Step 3c: The NWDAF entity sends a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify service message to the PCF entity (or sends a response message to the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request service request), which carries the request result.

[0121] Alternatively, the NWDAF entity sends the request result to the corresponding NF entity, specifically including:

[0122] Step 3d: The NWDAF entity sends a Nnwdaf_AnalyticsSubscription_Notify service message to the SMF entity or MB-SMF entity (or sends a response message to the Nnwdaf_AnalyticsInfo_Request service request), which carries the request result.

[0123] The request result may specifically include: a statistical result and / or a prediction result of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period.

[0124] For example, the request result includes: one or a combination of the following information related to the MBS service of the UE in a specified area or location (such as a specified tracking area, a tracking area list, or a cell):

[0125] a) UE location information;

[0126] b) statistics and / or prediction results on QoS of broadcast and / or multicast data flows;

[0127] c) statistics and / or prediction results on the status of access network or core network functional entities; wherein the core network functional entity is, for example, an MB-UPF entity;

[0128] d) Prediction results of the number of UEs.

[0129] Among them, the prediction results of the number of UEs can, for example, predict the number of UEs receiving broadcast services within a certain area and / or a certain time range based on the statistical results of UE location information and the statistical results of the status of access network or core network functional entities.

[0130] Then, in the subsequent steps, the network side can find out that there are only a few users online in a certain time period and / or a certain area based on the statistical number of users. The network side can decide to stop sending broadcast information in this time period and / or area, and instead use unicast to send service information to the UE, thereby avoiding the waste of broadcast network resources.

[0131] Moreover, the MBS parameters updated in subsequent steps do not include the area and / or time information for changing to the unicast transmission mode, but instead specify the designated MBS service area and / or service time. Thus, after the access network obtains the updated MBS parameters, it can send broadcast and / or multicast service data to the terminal in the designated MBS service area and / or service time, instead of sending broadcast and / or multicast service data to the terminal in all areas at any time, thereby realizing service transmission based on actual usage and avoiding waste of resources.

[0132] Step 4. When the above steps 3a-1 and 3a-2 are executed, or the above step 3b is executed, that is, when the AF entity obtains the request result provided by the NWDAF entity, the AF entity updates the MBS parameters according to the request result provided by the NWDAF entity, and sends the updated MBS parameters to the Policy Control Function (PCF) entity.

[0133] The updated MBS parameters include, for example, an MBS service area and / or an MBS service time.

[0134] The service time, for example, includes a start time and an end time, or includes a start time and a duration.

[0135] See also Figure 2 The AF entity sends the updated MBS parameters to the PCF entity, specifically including:

[0136] Step 4a-1: The AF entity sends an MBS parameter update message (e.g., Nnef_ServiceParameter_Update service request) to the NEF entity, which carries the MBS service / session identification information and the updated MBS parameters;

[0137] Step 4a-2: The NEF entity sends an MBS parameter update message (eg, Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Update service request) to the PCF entity, which carries MBS service / session identification information and updated MBS parameters.

[0138] Alternatively, the AF entity sends the updated MBS parameters to the PCF entity, specifically including:

[0139] Step 4b: The AF entity directly sends an MBS parameter update message (eg, Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Update service request) to the PCF entity, which carries MBS service / session identification information and updated MBS parameters.

[0140] The MBS service / session identification information, for example, includes one or more of: TMGI, MBS service identifier (MBS service identifier), MBS session identifier (MBS session id), MBS flow description (MBS flow description), and application identifier (application identifier).

[0141] Step 5. The PCF entity updates the MBS parameters according to the updated MBS parameters provided by the AF entity (if the above step 4 is performed) and / or the request result provided by the NWDAF entity (if the above step 3c is performed), and sends the updated MBS parameters to the MB-SMF entity or the SMF entity.

[0142] The updated MBS parameters may include, for example: MBS service area and / or MBS service time.

[0143] Step 6: The MB-SMF entity or SMF entity updates the MBS parameters according to the updated MBS parameters provided by the PCF entity and / or the request result provided by the NWDAF (if the above step 3d is performed), and sends the updated MBS parameters to the access network (AN).

[0144] The updated MBS parameters may include: MBS service area (MBS service area) and / or service time.

[0145] The MB-SMF entity or SMF entity sends the updated MBS parameters to the AN. For example, the MB-SMF entity initiates a Namf_MBSCommunication_N2MessageTransfer service request to the AMF entity, which carries an N2 message carrying the updated MBS parameters. The AMF entity forwards the N2 message to the AN. The N2 message is a message requesting the AMF entity to deliver an information response to the AN or UE.

[0146] Alternatively, the MB-SMF sends the updated MBS parameters to the SMF entity, which then sends the updated MBS parameters to the AN. Specifically, the SMF entity may send the updated MBS parameters to the AN via an N2 message during processes such as protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment / modification, MBS session establishment / modification, UE registration, and / or service request.

[0147] Step 7: The AMF entity sends the N2 message to the AN, which carries the updated MBS parameters.

[0148] Subsequently, the AN sends service data to the terminal according to the updated MBS parameters. For example, the base station sends broadcast and / or multicast service data to the UE within the new MBS service area and service time.

[0149] In summary, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are summarized below from different network entity sides.

[0150] On the core side, for example, on any network function NF entity side on the core side, the NF entity such as AF, PCF, SMF, MB-SMF, AMF, etc. Figure 3 , a service transmission control method provided by an embodiment of the present application includes:

[0151] S101. Determine parameters for controlling transmission of a broadcast and / or multicast service, where the parameters include a service time and / or service area of ​​the service;

[0152] The parameters, for example, are the above-mentioned MBS parameters.

[0153] S102: Send the parameters to the access network through at least one network function entity of the core network, so that the access network sends the service to the terminal according to the parameters.

[0154] For example, this method may be that the AMF entity obtains the parameters sent by the SMF and directly sends the parameters to the access network;

[0155] Alternatively, after obtaining the request result sent by the NWDAF entity, the AF entity may determine the parameters based on the request result, and send the parameters to the access network through PCF, SMF or MB-SMF, AMF respectively. In the process of sending the parameters to the access network through multiple network function entities, these multiple network function entities may also further redetermine the parameters for controlling the transmission of broadcast and / or multicast services based on the relevant information obtained by themselves (such as the above-mentioned request results and / or MBS parameters), and send them to the access network.

[0156] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0157] Sending a request message to a network data analysis function NWDAF entity to request information about the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services;

[0158] A request result sent by the NWDAF entity is received, wherein the parameter is determined according to the request result.

[0159] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0160] Parameters for controlling broadcast and / or multicast service transmission are received from another network function entity different from the local network function entity, and the parameters determined by the local end are determined based on the parameters sent by the other network function entity.

[0161] For example, after receiving the parameters sent by the AF entity, the PCF entity re-determines the parameters based on the request result and / or the parameters sent by the AF entity and sends them to the SMF entity. Similarly, the SMF entity can also adopt the same operation, which will not be repeated here.

[0162] Therefore, the method for determining the parameters in step S101 can be to directly obtain the parameters; or to first send a relevant request, and after receiving the request result, determine the parameters according to the request result; or to re-determine the parameters based on the obtained parameters and / or the request result.

[0163] On the core network side, for example, on the NWDAF entity side, see Figure 4 , an embodiment of the present application provides a service transmission control method, including:

[0164] S201. Receive a request message sent by a first network function entity of a core network, where the request message is used to request information about the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services.

[0165] The first network function entity may include one or more network function entities, such as AF, PCF, SMF, MB-SMF, AMF, etc.

[0166] S202. Determine a request result according to the request message, and send the result to the first network function entity, so that the first network function entity determines parameters for controlling the service transmission according to the request result, where the parameters include the service time and / or service area of ​​the service.

[0167] The parameters determined to control the service transmission are, for example, the above-mentioned updated MBS parameters.

[0168] Optionally, determining a request result according to the request message specifically includes:

[0169] Collect data from the second network function entity of the core network, and determine the request result using the collected data and / or data locally stored by the network data analysis function NWDAF entity.

[0170] The second network function entity may be the same as or different from the first network function entity.

[0171] The second network function entity may include one or more network function entities, such as AF, PCF, SMF, MB-SMF, AMF, etc.

[0172] Optionally, the request result specifically includes:

[0173] Statistics and / or predictions of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period.

[0174] On the access network side, for example, on the base station side, see Figure 5 , an embodiment of the present application provides a service transmission method, including:

[0175] S301. Receive parameters for controlling broadcast and / or multicast service transmission sent by a core network, where the parameters include a service time and / or service area of ​​the service;

[0176] S302: Send the service to the terminal according to the parameters.

[0177] For example, the base station sends the broadcast and / or multicast service to the terminal only during the service time and / or in the service area of ​​the service.

[0178] The following is an introduction to the device provided in the embodiments of the present application, in which the explanations or examples of technical features that are the same or corresponding to those described in the above method will not be repeated later.

[0179] See also Figure 6 A computing device provided in an embodiment of the present application can be understood as any network device, such as a core network device, an access network device, etc. The device includes a memory 520 and a processor 500.

[0180] When the device is used to implement the functions of any NF entity on the core side:

[0181] The processor 500 is configured to read the program in the memory 520 and execute the following process:

[0182] determining parameters for controlling transmission of a broadcast and / or multicast service, the parameters including a service time and / or a service area of ​​the service;

[0183] The parameters are sent to the access network via the transceiver 510 through at least one network function entity of the core network, so that the access network sends the service to the terminal according to the parameters.

[0184] Optionally, the processor 500 is further configured to read a program in the memory 520 and execute the following process:

[0185] Sending a request message to the network data analysis function NWDAF entity through the transceiver 510 to request information about the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services;

[0186] The request result sent by the NWDAF entity is received through the transceiver 510, and the parameter is determined according to the request result.

[0187] Optionally, the processor 500 is further configured to read a program in the memory 520 and execute the following process:

[0188] Parameters for controlling broadcast and / or multicast service transmission sent by another network function entity different from the local network function entity are received through the transceiver 510, and the parameters determined by the local end are determined based on the parameters sent by the other network function entity.

[0189] When the device is used to implement the functions of the NWDAF entity on the core side:

[0190] The processor 500 is configured to read the program in the memory 520 and execute the following process:

[0191] Receiving, through the transceiver 510, a request message sent by a first network function entity of the core network, wherein the request message is used to request information about the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services;

[0192] A request result is determined according to the request message, and is sent to the first network function entity through the transceiver 510, so that the first network function entity determines parameters for controlling the service transmission according to the request result, wherein the parameters include the service time and / or service area of ​​the service.

[0193] Optionally, determining a request result according to the request message specifically includes:

[0194] Collect data from the second network function entity of the core network, and determine the request result using the collected data and / or data locally stored by the network data analysis function NWDAF entity.

[0195] Optionally, the request result specifically includes:

[0196] Statistics and / or predictions of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period.

[0197] When the device, for example, a base station, is used to implement the function of an access network:

[0198] The processor 500 is configured to read the program in the memory 520 and execute the following process:

[0199] Receiving, through the transceiver 510, parameters for controlling the transmission of broadcast and / or multicast services sent by the core network, the parameters including the service time and / or service area of ​​the service;

[0200] The service is sent to the terminal via the transceiver 510 according to the parameters.

[0201] The transceiver 510 is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processor 500 .

[0202] Among them, Figure 6 In the embodiment, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking together various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 500 and memory represented by memory 520. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are all well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 510 may be a plurality of components, i.e., a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium. The processor 500 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 520 may store data used by the processor 500 when performing operations.

[0203] The processor 500 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD).

[0204] The following describes the devices corresponding to the above three methods in the embodiments of the present application.

[0205] On the core side, for example, on any network function NF entity side on the core side, see Figure 7 , an embodiment of the present application provides a service transmission control device including:

[0206] a parameter determination unit 11, configured to determine parameters for controlling the transmission of a broadcast and / or multicast service, wherein the parameters include a service time and / or a service area of ​​the service;

[0207] The parameter sending unit 12 is configured to send the parameters to the access network through at least one network function entity of the core network, so that the access network sends the service to the terminal according to the parameters.

[0208] Optionally, the parameter determination unit 11 is further configured to:

[0209] Sending a request message to a network data analysis function NWDAF entity to request information about the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services;

[0210] A request result sent by the NWDAF entity is received, wherein the parameter is determined according to the request result.

[0211] Optionally, the parameter determination unit 11 is further configured to:

[0212] Parameters for controlling broadcast and / or multicast service transmission are received from another network function entity different from the local network function entity, and the parameters determined by the local end are determined based on the parameters sent by the other network function entity.

[0213] On the core network side, for example, on the NWDAF entity side, see Figure 8 , an embodiment of the present application provides a service transmission control device, comprising:

[0214] A request receiving unit 21 is configured to receive a request message sent by a first network function entity of a core network, wherein the request message is used to request information about the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services;

[0215] The request result sending unit 22 is used to determine the request result according to the request message and send it to the first network function entity, so that the first network function entity determines the parameters for controlling the service transmission according to the request result, and the parameters include the service time and / or service area of ​​the service.

[0216] Optionally, determining a request result according to the request message specifically includes:

[0217] Collect data from the second network function entity of the core network, and determine the request result using the collected data and / or data locally stored by the network data analysis function NWDAF entity.

[0218] Optionally, the request result specifically includes:

[0219] Statistics and / or predictions of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period.

[0220] On the access network side, the embodiment of the present application provides a service transmission device, see Figure 9 ,include:

[0221] A parameter receiving unit 31 is configured to receive parameters sent by a core network for controlling the transmission of broadcast and / or multicast services, wherein the parameters include a service time and / or a service area of ​​the service;

[0222] The service transmission unit 32 is configured to send the service to the terminal according to the parameters.

[0223] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0224] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0225] The present application embodiment also provides a computer program product or computer program, which includes computer instructions, which are stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The processor of the computer device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions so that the computer device performs any of the methods described in the above embodiments. The program product can adopt any combination of one or more readable media. The readable medium can be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. The readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device or device, or any combination of the above. More specific examples of readable storage media (non-exhaustive list) include: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above.

[0226] The present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer program instructions used by the apparatus provided in the above embodiments of the present invention, which includes a program for executing any of the methods provided in the above embodiments of the present invention. The computer-readable storage medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium.

[0227] The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by a computer, including but not limited to magnetic storage (such as floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, magneto-optical disks (MO), etc.), optical storage (such as CDs, DVDs, BDs, HVDs, etc.), and semiconductor storage (such as ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, non-volatile memories (NANDFLASH), solid-state drives (SSDs)), etc.

[0228] It should be understood that:

[0229] The access technology through which entities in the communication network transmit traffic can be any suitable current or future technology, such as WLAN (Wireless Local Access Network), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), LTE, LTE-A, 5G, Bluetooth, infrared, etc.; in addition, the embodiments can also apply wired technology, for example, IP-based access technology, such as a wired network or a fixed line.

[0230] Embodiments suitable for being implemented as software code or a portion thereof and run using a processor or processing functionality are independent of the software code and may be specified using any known or future developed programming language, such as a high-level programming language such as objective-C, C, C++, C#, Java, Python, Javascript, other scripting languages, etc., or a low-level programming language such as machine language or assembler.

[0231] The implementation of the embodiments is hardware independent and may be implemented using any known or future developed hardware technology or any mixture thereof, such as a microprocessor or CPU (Central Processing Unit), MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor), CMOS (Complementary MOS), BiMOS (Bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (Bipolar CMOS), ECL (Emitter Coupled Logic) and / or TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic).

[0232] Embodiments may be implemented as separate devices, apparatuses, units, components or functions, or in a distributed manner, for example, one or more processors or processing functions may be used or shared in a process, or one or more processing segments or processing portions may be used and shared in a process, where one physical processor or more than one physical processor may be used to implement one or more processing portions dedicated to a particular process as described.

[0233] The device may be implemented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module including such a chip or chipset.

[0234] The embodiments may also be implemented as any combination of hardware and software, such as ASIC (Application Specific IC (Integrated Circuit)) components, FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components.

[0235] The embodiments may also be implemented as a computer program product including a computer usable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code being adapted to perform the processes as described in the embodiments, wherein the computer usable medium may be a non-transitory medium.

[0236] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage and optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0237] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the steps in the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that performs the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0238] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0239] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device for implementing the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A step that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0240] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A service transmission control method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first network function entity of the core network sends a request message to the network data analysis function NWDAF entity, requesting information including statistics and / or prediction results of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period; The first network function entity receives the request result sent by the NWDAF entity; the request result is determined by the NWDAF entity by collecting data from the second network function entity of the core network and using the collected data and / or data locally stored by the NWDAF entity; The first network function entity determines, according to the request result, parameters for controlling the access network to send broadcast and / or multicast service data to the terminal in a specified service area and / or service time, the parameters including the service time and / or service area of ​​the service; The first network function entity sends the parameters to the access network through at least one network function entity of the core network, so that the access network sends broadcast and / or multicast service data to the terminal in a specified service area and / or service time.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network function entity receives a parameter sent by another network function entity different from the first network function entity and used to control an access network to send broadcast and / or multicast service data to a terminal in a specified service area and / or service time; The first network function entity sends the parameters sent by the other network function entity to the access network; or, the first network function entity re-determines the parameters used to control the access network to send broadcast and / or multicast service data to the terminal in a specified service area and / or service time based on the parameters sent by the other network function entity and / or the request result, and sends them to the access network.

3. A service transmission control method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The NWDAF entity receives a request message sent by a first network function entity of the core network, where the request message is used to request information including statistics and / or prediction results of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period; The NWDAF entity determines a request result according to the request message and sends the result to the first network function entity, so that the first network function entity determines, according to the request result, parameters for controlling the access network to send broadcast and / or multicast service data to the terminal in a specified service area and / or service time, where the parameters include the service time and / or service area of ​​the service; The request result is determined by the NWDAF entity by collecting data from the second network function entity of the core network and using the collected data and / or data locally stored by the NWDAF entity.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first network function entity includes: one or more network function entities among: AMF entity, SMF entity, MB-SMF entity, PCF entity, and AF entity.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second network function entity includes: one or more network function entities among: AMF entity, SMF entity, MB-SMF entity, NRF entity, AF entity, and OAM entity.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The request result includes: Statistics and / or predictions of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period.

7. A service transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to the access network side, the method includes: receiving parameters sent by the core network for controlling transmission of broadcast and / or multicast services, the parameters including service time and / or service area of ​​the services; Sending broadcast and / or multicast service data to the terminal in the service area and / or service time; The parameters are determined by the core network in the following manner: The first network function entity of the core network sends a request message to the network data analysis function NWDAF entity, requesting information including statistics and / or prediction results of the number of terminals receiving broadcast and / or multicast services in a specified area and / or time period; The first network function entity receives the request result sent by the NWDAF entity; the request result is determined by the NWDAF entity by collecting data from the second network function entity of the core network and using the collected data and / or data locally stored by the NWDAF entity; The first network function entity determines, based on the request result, parameters for controlling the access network to send broadcast and / or multicast service data to the terminal in a specified service area and / or service time, wherein the parameters include the service time and / or service area of ​​the service.

8. A computing device, characterized in that include: a memory for storing program instructions; A processor, configured to call the program instructions stored in the memory and execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 according to the obtained program.

9. A computer program product for a computer, characterized in that The invention comprises a software code portion for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when the product is run on the computer.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to enable the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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